Read Novel Full Vol 21 Chapter 19
Vol 21 Chapter 19
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Chapter 19 – Whether or Not It Is Necessary to Protect It…
After a lot of things happened, I managed to keep up with Camille-san, who was full of energy and strength and arrived at the Aquamarine Kingdom aboard the Chris. The harbor under construction was crowded with people even from a distance, and I was a little confused about approaching it, but at Camille-san’s request, we decided to inspect it.
I put on my dark sunglasses and disembarked at the harbor.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for William-san or Yule-san or the person in charge of this harbor construction. Are they here?”
I call the Fishman Man, who is taking care of the dock.
“Whoa, what is that? Some kind of magic tool?”
He ignores my question and looks surprised. Ah, it seems he was surprised by my sunglasses. I see, dark sunglasses stand out even in Japan, so it’s no wonder he thought they were magic tools in this world.
Well, I don’t plan on taking them off anyway. I don’t want to stand out, but there are more important things for me to do.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The person in charge, right? Well, they’re not exactly absent, but you need permission to visit. Everybody wants to meet them. If you want to meet them, you have to go through the proper channels at the beastman village.”
It’s natural for a merchant to want to get in on the current construction boom. This reaction is to be expected, as it was the same last time. But it’s a hassle to come back for another port inspection, so I’ll just give him my name and let him do something about it.
The privilege of being a sponsor sounds wonderful.
“My name is Wataru. I have a deep connection to this construction project, so could you please tell the person in charge that I’m coming to visit?”
I try to sound confident. If I’m not known to the person in charge here, I’ll be in big trouble, but it seems like the beastmen are quite grateful to me, so I should be okay.
But if it’s possible, it would be better if William-san or Yule-san were here… Oh, I don’t want William-san to come, I’m not ready yet.
“Hmm, it’s true that you don’t look like an ordinary person, so I’ll go and ask first. Just wait a moment.”
It’s quite interesting that the caretaker’s judgment that I’m not an ordinary person is based on my sunglasses and the beautiful women around me. Perhaps sunglasses are useful in unexpected places.
Still, it’s a pain to have to check people’s IDs. Maybe I should make something that can be used as a badge?
Like a staff jacket or cap, something that would make it obvious that the wearer is involved.
But since the Aquamarine Kingdom is a warm region, a jacket wouldn’t work. A cap would be a good marker. Hmm, it’s not something I can do right away, but I’ll come up with a design later.
Oh, maybe something like a seal case would be easier?
If I’m going to give it to a key person involved in the construction, a hat doesn’t seem appropriate, and if everyone knows who has it, it will make things easier later.
“So it was you, Wataru-san. I didn’t recognize you with that object around your eyes. It’s been a while. My master was waiting for you.
While I was thinking about what to do next, the caretaker returned with Yule-san. This is the best possible development. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear about William-san. I’m sure Camille-san will take care of things.
Also, please don’t treat sunglasses like they’re objects. They’re also a fashion item. And they’re also a branded item.
“Yule-san, it’s been a while. I actually have a favor to ask. Oh, this is Camille-san. She’s someone who will be acting on my behalf in business matters, so please treat her well.”
“My name is Camille. My day job is as a ship captain, but I’ve also studied business and management, so I hope you’ll treat me well.”
“Ah, so you’re Wataru-san’s representative! We’ve had all kinds of problems with Wataru-san, so my master will be very happy!”
Yule-san’s expression lit up when Camille-san was introduced.
Anyone who wants Camille-san is an enemy, but judging by Yule-san’s reaction… It feels like a useless boss has been replaced… so it’s safe…?
But I’m sorry, I keep running away from work.
Still, Yule-san’s reserve is disappearing more and more. Well, I guess it’s because of my lack of dignity, but I don’t mind because it’s easier to get along with someone who’s friendly.
Well, if they give me work to do without any consideration, I’ll put up a fight.
“Meanwhile, Camille-san wants to inspect the harbor, so please take care of the formalities.”
“An inspection? Master wants to see Wataru-san right away, so why don’t we go to my master first? He’ll give you a warm welcome.”
“I’m not going.”
Even though Camille-san will be my representative, I want some more time to prepare. And by “a big welcome,” you mean a pile of paperwork, right?
“…I understand. Then I’ll show you around.”
Yule-san let it go with a wry smile. He was one of the people who saw my suffering, so I think he forgave me.
Well, I’ll leave the rest to Camille-san and just go on the tour…
It was amazing.
My thoughts on the tour, while Camille-san was asking detailed questions about the number of workers, the construction time, the wages, the size of the port, and even the management of the port, were summed up by this.
Because in one sense, it was primitive, but in another sense, it was a construction scene that could only be described as fantasy.
Although magic technology, such as magic tools, existed, they were basically expensive excavated items, so they were not used even though the funds were plentiful.
To use such valuable tools, one needs not only money but also power of a different kind, such as authority and connections.
I don’t have such power, which requires communication, and the construction site is run with a lot of money and a lot of manpower.
But this is a fantasy world where magic and monsters exist, and even though it’s a human power, the basic ability is different here, so the construction seems to be progressing at an amazing speed.
In the midst of all this, I, who had decided to just observe, finally asked a question.
There are many beastmen here who are in a weak position, but for some reason, there are many men with bodies that would make a bodybuilder run barefoot… or rather, almost all of them.
These men work with their muscles bulging. As you’d expect, the muscle ratio is too high. Are these the figures of the oppressed?
Yule-san answered my question this way.
He said, “Physical labor that exhausts the whole body every day, combined with a nutritious diet made possible by abundant funds, there’s no way that the bodies of these amazing beastmen wouldn’t be built up, right?”
In other words, I’ve created a large group of musclemen by investing money.
There’s a saying that muscle is justice, and I’m not doing anything wrong, but for some reason, I feel like I’ve done something sinful.
So I asked the next question.
Is this okay? Won’t the Aquamarine Kingdom side be wary of the Beastmen? I would be scared to death if I were them.
Yule-san replied with a Buddha-like face.
Because of the contract with the God of Commerce-sama, they aren’t worried or suspicious, but they are scared in a different way. Also, they are enthusiastically supported by a certain part of the population.
I felt that there were muscle followers everywhere.
And the construction work done by these muscular men was really a fantasy because their bodies allowed them to play the role of heavy machinery.
I began to question the meaning of the word “fantasy,” but there was nothing I could do about it.
With that, the inspection of the harbor construction came to an end. Camille-san was deep in thought, but I’m sure she’ll take care of things.
We left the harbor with a firm promise to meet William-san.
“Camille-san, how was the construction?”
I asked Camille-san as we made our way to the disembarkation point on the Lutto.
“Well, it was more extensive than I imagined, so I was surprised.”
That’s no surprise, as I, the person in charge of the construction, was also surprised.
“But aren’t they also doing construction work in the Beastman City beyond the harbor? Also, it seems that William-san, who Wataru-san entrusted with the construction work, wants to build another village or town somewhere between the harbor and the city, so I think it’s urgent that we get the whole picture.”
Huh? Did this information come out while I was shaking with muscles?
Well, the harbor and the city are quite far apart, and I can understand that it would be convenient to have a village somewhere in between.
The beastmen need work to make a living, and I think it’s included in the charity budget, but just to be sure, I’ll check with the God of Commerce-sama next time I see him.
If it gets too big, I’m not sure what will be included in the charity budget, so that’s scary.
I’ve come to something even scarier.
Even the muscle group at the harbor made me nervous, so I wondered what the situation was like in Beastmen City?
I want to believe that things are normal there because I didn’t feel any fear when I inspected it on my last visit, but my spirit was pretty beat up at the time, so I’m not so sure.
If the construction workers at the site, which is even bigger than the harbor, have also turned into extreme musclemen… even though a magnificent wall is being built to protect the beastmen… I’m beginning to think that’s not necessary.
Well, there are women and children, so let’s say the walls are necessary. I’m not sure, but I think they’re necessary.
“Then shall we go and see William-san to get a better understanding of the situation?”
I don’t want to see him, but it’s the fastest and most reliable way.
“Yes, but let’s check the location of the halfway point first. I heard that Yule-san is sending investigators, and they’re on their way, right?”
“That sounds more efficient. Then let’s do that. Oh, it’ll be a long way, but are you okay with that?”
Last time, the Beastmen went back and forth to maintain the roads and such, so the Ranger couldn’t be used. I think it’ll be the same this time.
“We’re going to walk? …Although I don’t get as much exercise in the Castle as I used to, I do exercise in the gym, so I think I’ll probably be okay… I think.”
I think this is the first time I’ve seen Camille-san look so unsure of herself.
But it’s not surprising. The Castle is comfortable and convenient. Although there are times when you have to walk around the ship, it’s unlikely that Camille-san, who is in a managerial position, will be walking around a lot.
Well, I’m sure the level will take care of that, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Camille-san improved her level even more on this trip, so there shouldn’t be any worries about her physical strength.
What I was worried about was the boredom of walking and the idea of camping. Well, it looked like she was enjoying the camping, so I guess there’s no need to worry too much.
Instead, let’s burn into my memory this precious shot of the slightly anxious and fragile Camille-san.
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