Early the following afternoon, in the governor-general's administrative office in Larak.
I sat facing Wards Gwards, whom I had appointed recently, receiving his report.
"The inspections of the ranches across the province have been completed."
"I see. And what are the results?"
"Repairing the magical barriers and physical walls within the ranches is expected to take up to roughly one year..."
As Wards gave his report, his speech grew steadily more hesitant toward the end.
I could understand how he felt.
When reporting on countermeasures against monsters—creatures far more dangerous than ordinary wild beasts—it was only natural to feel heavy-hearted having to say it would take a whole year.
"Why will it take so long? Is it a budget issue?"
"No... It is not a financial matter. First, regarding the magical barriers, these are constructed by multiple mages weaving together complex spell formulas. The process also requires a period of 'resting' midway through to stabilize them, so it inevitably takes time."
"Is that so? What about the physical barriers? From what I saw in the documents, they appear to be just thick walls."
"Those require a special type of timber. The production volume of that timber is limited, so when simultaneous repairs are needed due to an earthquake like this one, supply inevitably fails to keep pace with demand."
"I see."
Tap, tap. Tapping my fingers rhythmically against the desk, I organized the details of the report I had just received in my head.
"Should we attempt to rush the process?"
Wards asked, cautiously reading my expression.
I shook my head firmly.
"No, if those are the circumstances, there is no need to force it. It is a method the late Emperor devised by gathering the collective wisdom of many people. Indeed, thanks to it, damage caused by monsters across the entire nation was reduced to practically zero until the earthquake struck."
"Yes."
"In that case, we should endure the year and ensure everything is done thoroughly."
"Understood—"
Wards nodded in acknowledgment, but contrary to his tone, his gaze was darting about.
"Is there a problem?"
"Huh?"
"Your eyes are wandering."
"M-My deepest apologies!"
"It is fine, speak without worry. You are merely reporting on the actual situation; I will not fault or blame you for it."
"Y-Yes."
Wards moistened his lips with his tongue, then steeled his resolve to speak.
"If the repairs will take about a year, then during that time, we will need to periodically exterminate and subjugate the monsters."
"Naturally....If I recall correctly, outside the management of a 'ranch,' their natural rate of reproduction increases, does it not?"
Having said that, I reconsidered that it wasn't that they were faster, but rather that this was their original pace, though I swallowed the thought without voicing it.
"Y-Yes!"
"Hmm..."
I clasped my hands, rested my chin on them, and fell into thought.
Seeing me like this, Wards looked frightened again, but I ignored him.
After a short while, I organized my thoughts.
"Let the private sector handle that portion—the subjugation of the excess monsters."
"The private sector, you say?"
"Yes. We shall issue business permits for guilds, unions, or something of that nature. A monster guild, if you will."
"A monster guild... You mean a hunters' guild specializing in monster subjugation?"
I gave a slight nod and continued.
"If we inject some seed money to get it started, it should sustain itself naturally. The Empire is a nation of warriors; there must be countless individuals honing their skills day and night in preparation for the Knight Selection. We will have them put those skills to work."
"I see, what an idea... That is incredible."
"Let us first establish one publicly operated guild. Draw up a list of candidates to run it."
"Y-Yes."
When I told him that was all, Wards practically bolted out the door in a fluster.
I stared at the closed door for a short while after he rushed out.
"Will he never get over that...?"
I muttered under my breath.
The man named Wards Gwards was reasonably capable.
Even if promoted one or two ranks above his current position, he would likely still perform competently.
However, in terms of personality, working directly under me might not suit him.
Was he overly timid, or was he simply not used to me yet?
Every single time, he was terrified of me—worrying, Will I incur His Majesty's displeasure?
I had to point it out every time, and Wards would correct himself.
Those exchanges alone ate up unnecessary time.
Enlil Province was right in the middle of post-disaster reconstruction; there was a mountain of work to do.
Wasting time on such back-and-forth interactions was a luxury I couldn't afford.
If it were just a matter of me overlooking it, that would be fine, but with Wards, it introduced the wasteful step of hesitating to speak.
That was an utter waste.
Today made it clear that pointing it out was useless.
Well, perhaps he might change given a long period like a year, but right now, I couldn't afford to spend that time.
As I thought, I needed at least one person by my side who was accustomed to my presence and knew my temperament well.
"Don, Evelyn... Perhaps I promoted them too high..."
Those two, the most trusted of my confidants, were now the First Prime Minister and Fourth Prime Minister—among the highest-ranking figures in the Empire.
I couldn't very well move them here.
Is there anyone else I can call? I thought, picturing the faces of those who knew me well, one by one.
☆
About ten days later, on a clear, sunny afternoon.
Accompanied by several maids, I went out into the garden of the official residence to greet an arriving carriage.
It was a well-crafted carriage, but it had clearly been pushed hard; severe damage was visible in various places, and the scratches all looked fresh.
The horses did not appear terribly exhausted, but judging by how worn the splints looked, they had likely been swapped out along the way.
As soon as it entered the grounds of the official residence, a word was called out from inside, prompting the coachman to pull the reins.
The horses neighed, stamping their front hooves, and the carriage came to a slow halt near the entrance.
Before the coachman could even bring over the stepping stool, the door opened from the inside, and a woman stepped down.
It was Zoe.
A former maid from my residence, she was a woman I had sent "outside" just like Evelyn to serve as a local official.
The moment Zoe caught sight of me, she came jogging right over.
I looked at her.
Much like the carriage itself, Zoe looked quite worn out.
Carriages were fine for short distances, but long journeys accumulated an immense amount of fatigue.
Due to their wheeled construction, they took the full brunt of any uneven terrain.
At worst, the carriage itself would violently shake and rattle up and down.
While they didn't sway as broadly as a ship, they were often far more violent in terms of severity.
Riding in one over a long distance naturally built up exhaustion. If one were unlucky, it could accumulate enough fatigue that walking would have been easier.
Even in Zoe's case, while her attire and appearance remained tidy, the signs of exhaustion were plainly visible on her face.
Yet, even so, Zoe did not cut corners.
She had the carriage stop a short distance away, choosing to cover that final stretch to stand before me on her own two feet.
I chuckled and spoke to her.
"You made it here faster than I expected. Did you depart the moment my message reached you?"
"Yes. I could not keep Master waiting."
Saying so, Zoe bowed on the spot.
Despite being in the garden—outdoors, in other words—it was a bow so deep it was practically a prostration.
Even with exhaustion clearly written on her face, her movements were so smooth they betrayed no sign of it.
I idly thought that a martial artist would likely describe it as a state reached beyond repetitive discipline.
With that in mind, a small chuckle escaped me as I spoke to Zoe.
"Quite exaggerated, aren't you?"
Zoe took her time completing her bow in accordance with full etiquette before standing straight to face me and replying.
"I saw the imperial gazette regarding your demotion from Emperor, but I am someone from the imperial prince's residence, and this is our household code. If I may speak without fear of misunderstanding, to us retainers, the master of the residence is a more exalted existence than His Majesty the Emperor."
"I see. It seems calling you was the right choice."
I narrowed my eyes.
One could never say "the master is above the Emperor" in a public setting.
However, there was an anecdote from the past: when an Emperor visited an imperial prince's residence, there was a servant who did not move on the Emperor's orders, but solely on the commands of their master, the prince—and the Emperor of that era praised the servant for it.
The one to obey was strictly one's direct master; while one revered the master's master, one did not follow them unconditionally.
Hearing Zoe say that brought a slight smile to my face.
Meanwhile, Zoe looked a little puzzled by my comment about it being the "right choice."
"Meaning...?"
"Addressing me as Master, and following the household code. There are still many people around who treat me like an Emperor and do unnecessary things."
When I said that, I could sense the maids standing behind me flinching.
They must have had an idea of what those "unnecessary things" were.
Perhaps because Zoe, facing me, could clearly see the maids' reactions, she let out a chuckle—one directed so the maids could see—and covered for them.
"It cannot be helped. Master possesses a natural aura of authority. It is only natural for those who have only recently begun serving you to act that way."
"Which is why I summoned you. You will be working under me for a while."
"Yes, please make full use of me as you see fit."
"There is no official post."
"Pardon?"
Zoe looked surprised, wearing an expression that seemed to ask, Is that not why you summoned me?
I continued with hardly a pause.
"Your title will be head steward of the Thirteenth Imperial Prince Mansion. That is how you will serve."
"...That is brilliant, Master."
Her surprised look instantly transformed into one of profound admiration and gratitude.
"By using 'Thirteenth Imperial Prince,' you emphasize that you are the governor-general and strictly not the Emperor, and by placing me—someone who has served your residence for a long time—in that position, you make that stance clear."
"Yeah. Legally, the head steward of an imperial prince's residence is treated as a quasi-official post anyway. While that will be your title, your duties will be those of the governor-general's chief secretary. Since I won't be appointing a vice governor-general, you will effectively be the number two."
"Understood. In that case, I shall wear the maid uniform from my days at the residence for daily duties."
"Do that. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
"How should I handle those who attempt to curry favor with me?"
Zoe asked with a straight face, and I let out a light laugh.
The head steward of the Thirteenth Imperial Prince Mansion, the de facto vice governor-general, and my confidant.
In such a position, people trying to win her favor would naturally appear.
No, they would appear incessantly.
Zoe's question was entirely natural for someone devoted to me.
Keeping my smile, I decided to ask for Zoe's view first.
"How many do you expect will show up?"
"To begin with, I expect they will come flocking in without end."
"Oh?"
I agreed, but I didn't let it show.
"This is a land that does not know Master well, and I am a mere woman placed in a high position. Until a full cycle of people and events has passed, wild speculation will run rampant, and there will surely be many seeking to take advantage of the situation."
"I agree."
I smiled once more, feeling a bit impressed.
A feeling akin to parental pride welled up, marveling at how far Zoe had come.
Even though Zoe was older than me.
"To think you can analyze the situation that objectively. It must be unpleasant to be viewed that way."
"I am able to work for Master's sake; whatever outsiders may chirp does not bother me in the slightest."
"I see. I have sentenced those guilty of corruption and embezzlement exceeding a total of 10,000 Rien to death."
"Yes."
My tone shifted.
Zoe's expression changed as well.
"Regarding those who try to curry favor with you... For those you judge worth playing along with, put on an act of accepting bribes as long as it is under 10,000. That will satisfy them and earn their trust."
"Brilliant, Master. I shall do just that. And I will report each instance to you, Master."
"I trust you—no, do make sure to do so. Proper procedure is vital."
I trust Zoe, I can leave it to her—I had thought, but doing so would make cleaning up the aftermath troublesome.
If she reported it to me immediately after receiving anything, that issue would vanish.
Having served as the Royal Minister of Justice, I placed great importance on proper procedure.
"We will discuss the rest inside."
"Yes."
Taking Zoe with me, I stepped into the official residence.