Manowa - Chapter 378

「Well then, Corps Commander Luger. To begin with, could you explain the city’s current state?」

「Understood. First of all are the monster corpses outside the city. The magician corps is presently in the middle of disposing of them through incineration. Due to some idiot who suddenly started firing a cannon, that was temporarily suspended, however.」

Jinrai turned his face away from Luger’s glare. He was a hopeless man.

「Setting that aside, since there’s a large number, we have no choice to work in turns. Just incinerating everything will take about 4 days. Since there’s no way we can work with our full force, with the cleanup afterward added, everything should be handled in about two weeks.」

「I can lend you Yuuko-nee.」

Yuuko-nee’s Crystal Dragon transformation had already been seen. Even if she used her Breath for a short time, it should majorly progress the work.

「Well, I understand that would make it faster, but honestly speaking, there’s a worthless circumstance that we can’t increase our debt to Kazane-chan any further. Sorry, Kazane-chan.」

「No, Luger-san doesn’t have to apologize.」

Unlike when Jinrai was the other party, Luger’s eyes as he looked at Kazane were gentle.

「Besides, that… Crystallization, was it? Doing that after you already cured the people who transformed into Hirukos means we honestly don’t have enough money to pay.」

That was the feudal lord Morant’s true feeling. Curing those who had transformed into Hirukos. That was a deed equivalent to a miracle of God. Therefore, there was no market price for that in the first place. A cure for releasing Crystallization existed, but even just that would normally cost a huge amount of money. It wasn’t an amount that could be managed by one city’s finances.

「Well, I think I’d prefer for the money matters to be handled at Minshiana’s Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town?」

Since this wasn’t a circumstance that one individual could manage, Kazane was thinking that instead of doing it herself, she would wholesale delegate it to Makka, who was actually doing the work of a feudal lord. It was the act of a demon.

「Well, it seems that Kazane-san’s hasn’t been active as an adventurer and feudal lord for that long, so that might be for the best? I was originally planning to talk with Makka-san.」

Anglais, who had finally finished appraising the items on the rooftop, said that. Morant understood that he was saying that he wanted the negotiations to be left to him and nodded.

Morant was the feudal lord, but he inherited the post from his parents and didn’t have any particularly outstanding abilities. And honestly speaking, this case far exceeded Morant’s processing limits.

「Well, I don’t know anything about money, but the rest is inside the city. The residential area isn’t that bad, but the slums district is completely hopeless. The pleasure quarter is also quite burned down. In the first place, the Outer leaders that ran the pleasure district used Black Potions excessively, so almost all of them are gone. Because of that…」

Then Luger looked at Kazane.

「I’m told that the guys who survived are saying they want to become Kazane-chan’s subordinates.」

Kazane, Jinrai, and Louise spit out their tea. Tiara was tilting her head. Mefirus was making an expression like he had understood something.

「I don’t understand the meaning.」

Kazane shouted. Well, that was natural.

「As a matter of fact, it seems the Black Potions those guys were given came from the Outer family『Crownel』. Then, well, they suffered that kind of experience. They probably distrust them. Having said that, cutting ties is scary. So it seems they want a bigger backer.」

「It’s not only that. Since they were saved by Kazane-san, they also feel devotion.」

Anglais added to Luger’s words. Heroic Spirit Fuune was the one who actually saved them, but everything became Kazane’s achievement. And in any case, it was unmistakably the White Party’s achievement.

「Even if you tell me that…」

While that might be true, there was no way Kazane was immediately going to agree after suddenly being told that. And as Kazane groaned, Anglais added a few more words.

「Well, that doesn’t mean they want Kazane to create an Outer family.」

「Then what do they want?」

「They want to be hired to build Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town.」

Kazane groaned further after Anglais’ words. Putting it simply, Kazane was an ordinary high school girl just a little while ago, so her head couldn’t keep up with this development. Kazane’s mental age was below average, so adult discussions were difficult for her. The town development elements in Zexiaharts were also nothing more than a bonus. Seeing Kazane’s state, Anglais said「I see. They were people of Outer, so there certainly might be worrisome issues.」

「However, when laying the foundations of a town, slaves and the like are used to advance construction. The former Outer members aren’t slaves, but they excelled at fighting, so they have confidence in their ability.」

「Haa」

Kazane replied vaguely. Then she looked at Jinrai, an adult she could rely on, to help her decide what to do, but Jinrai was falling into a doze and didn’t notice Kazane’s gaze. Jinrai was completely indifferent to things he had no interest in, so he couldn’t be relied on for this. At that time, Louise shrugged and lent a helping hand.

「I don’t think there are any fundamental problems with it. Such a thing is certainly necessary when a city is being started. However, since Makka is the one actually in the hot spring town, it would be best to work out the details with her.」

「Is that so? Then, I’ll do so.」

After hearing those words, Anglais didn’t seem to have any problems with it. That discussion ended there, and the smile returned to Kazane’s face.

「Another issue is handling the citizens whose houses burned down, but concerning that, we honestly can’t catch up. There’s also the problem of security, but there aren’t enough lodgings to shelter them from rain.」

Exactly as Morant stated, the people who lost their homes were currently living in the area around Kazane Cottage, that is to say, the feudal lord mansions’ courtyard and the plazas outside. There were food reserves, but it seemed the number of tents and the like were insufficient.

「If it goes on like this, eventually… no, I’ll immediately have to consider sending citizens away.」

「What do you mean?」

After Kazane’s question, Morant frowned and answered.

「Whether they’ll go to another city, fall into slavery, or pioneer a village… all are difficult choices.」

The problem was that their houses weren’t the only things that were burned; the citizens’ belongings were also burned in the fire.

Without connections and money, immigrating to another city was difficult. If it was simply to obtain daily meals, a person could survive by becoming a slave, but they would also lose their freedom. Though unlike criminal slaves, an ordinary labor slave could possess property, so they would be able to buy themself back.

On the other hand, pioneering a village would be done by one’s own will, but there was also the problem of monsters. Depending on the situation, it wasn’t uncommon to be attacked by a group of monsters and annihilated, so although it was in demand, it was dangerous and wasn’t easy.

However, Kazane had the power to manage that situation. Specifically, she had『Golem Maker』, and with『Magic Power Absorption』, she could solve any problems with the number of houses she would be able to build. She very strongly wanted to avoid spreading her ability to do that, but the situation being the situation, Kazane decided to make the proposal.

「Hmm… I have a proposal for building houses, but…」

「What do you mean?」

Naturally, Morant and the others didn’t know about Golem Maker, so they tilted their heads after Kazane spoke.

「Well, this Cottage was made by me. In short, with the power of a Golem user, I can build houses, but the problem is…」

『Hm. Price negotiations are necessary. Being turned into everyone’s handyman would be undesirable.』

Mefirus added to Kazane’s words, but Morant made an uncomfortable expression.

「There’s no money.」

He raised both hands in a surrender pose. Morant was already on the verge of bankruptcy with this incident. The country gave money for the military, but the rest was difficult.

「Rather, it seems best to think about having them immigrate to Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town.」

Anglais told Morant that. Morant frowned.

「But that would simply be driving troublesome people away and leaving them to another…」

That would be like returning evil for good. Before Morant continued to speak in opposition, Anglais added more words.

「Well, that place is still a temporary city that doesn’t have residents, so the immigration itself shouldn’t be a bad story. And naturally, Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town should consider it favorable. It would be splitting the function of a trade city with them.」

「That is…」

Morant thought. Certainly, considering the present condition of the city’s damage, there was no problem with moving things in that direction. However, would that be fine in the future?… when Morant thought that, Anglais sweetly smiled and spoke.

「If you don’t act now, it’s possible that someone will butt in and steal this city’s role. There’s a large demand for goods from Minshiana, and there are many people who rely on smooth circulation of goods. And speaking honestly, if it looks like that’s going to happen, we’ll run away.」

Anglais’ words were like a verdict. Morant groaned, but he understood that if he tried to cling to something beyond his administrative ability, he would fail.

「… Understood. However, what does Kazane-san’s group think?」

In the end, there was also a problem with the will of the other party… when Morant looked at Kazane, Kazane smiled cheerfully.

「Consult with Makka-san.」

In the end, she dumped all responsibility on Makka.

Makka Tomac, Zenith Firm’s Lodging and Urban Development Representative and, in all substantial ways, the feudal lord of Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town. That middle-aged woman with an erotic body for her age was roaring down the road of promotion.

Unknown to the person herself…

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 39

Health: 155+20

Magic Power: 363+520

Strength: 78+45

Agility: 80+39

Endurance: 44+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 53

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Kick Decapitation Wave』『Warrior’s Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog’s Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King’s Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv2』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey’s Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』『Magic Power Absorption』

Yumika: 「Eh, you dumped all the work on her?」

Kazan: 「No, I’ll make houses. I’m an ordinary girl. City development simulations and the like are outside my expertise.」