Preparations for the Isono wedding were in full swing.
I considered taking a part-time job hauling supplies, but the residents stopped me dead in my tracks.
"We can't have the Great Lord doing such things, sir."
The other members of the Kamishiro clan were also bored and offered their help, but they were similarly rejected.
"We can't be having you folks doing manual labor, sirs."
Kawagon, how tragic.
Apparently, because there was a mix of donated and purchased provisions and the exact number of attendees was still unknown, they had ordered everything in massive quantities.
It looked like the turnout was going to be staggering.
Since things were going to take a while, we moved up our schedule and went camping under the pretext of having Tatiana set up a barrier.
Latarnia had a branch of our bowling alley here, but since I was used to seeing those, we headed elsewhere...
"There’s plenty of land to spare, after all," Claire remarked.
"To spare." That was half-true and half-lie.
In Claire's territory, the farmland was perfectly optimized through logical land readjustment. The land left over from that process was converted into parks or campgrounds.
It was all managed so it could be repurposed in case of an emergency.
Furthermore, the forests deeper in were protected as public natural parks.
In other words, rather than just "surplus land," it was a buffer zone. It was the kind of setup that would spiral into a dystopia if managed incorrectly.
Because Melissa's planet wasn't managed at all, traps had been set there. Claire's domain, on the other hand, was managed with a distinctly cheerful vibe.
In Claire's territory, the residents had their complaints, but they were generally happy. Her plans were rational, and the burden on the residents was low.
Rewards were properly distributed, and if you followed the Lord's instructions, it was even possible to send your children to a university in the Imperial Capital.
Compared to the tyranny of the Duke Association, this was heaven.
However, there was no freedom.
You can attend a university in the Imperial Capital, and the Kamishiro Group will have a job waiting for you! If you'd prefer to be a civil servant, we have career paths in the military or as civil officials ready for you! Become a knight or a civil official and return to your hometown! Employment, marriage, buying a house, childbirth, childcare... everything is handled through the Kamishiro Group! If you get tired, return to your hometown and indulge in farming!
...In a sense, it really was a Village of Evil Customs. Even if you fled to the edges of outer space, your hometown would follow you...
She gave them everything at the cost of their freedom.
It was heaven, provided you abandoned the need to think for yourself.
Why does it have to be so extreme?!
"Maybe I should try governing like Claire," Melissa mused.
"Stay just the way you are!" I cried out.
The galaxy could afford to have at least one uninhibited, wild hot spring town.
"Eh... but Claire's people seem so happy."
They were happy, sure, but I felt the lack of decision-making freedom was a significant issue...
I continued toward the campground, desperately playing along with the farce. On the way, I saw some local yankees touring on ridiculously modified bikes. The local police were in hot pursuit.
"They've got money, huh? Back home, you don't see delinquents that age. Most kids end up as soldiers, prostitutes, or mafia errand boys. We just didn't have the cash for hobbies like that," Tatiana said, sounding utterly appalled.
The economic disparity with colony citizens who had no notable industries was severe.
"In my case, it was mostly the military. I passed the entrance exam for the academy, though. There’s no money to be a delinquent back home either," Kevin agreed.
Kevin was from a colony with relatively good public order, but even then, there was no leeway to be a rebel.
If I hadn't gotten into the military academy, I would have been forced into a life of tenant farming.
Ultimately, money—money is justice!
While I was lost in these delusions, we arrived at the campground. Zashiki-warashi-chan's Shrine had already been erected. Apparently, they were going to perform the ritual after Tatiana finished setting up the barrier.
Then there was Tatiana.
"Is it really okay to install a device from the Saint of a different religion within the shrine grounds?"
I deliberately ignored that perfectly valid question. If Wifey said it was okay, then it was okay!
I’d done this so many times now that I was an expert. I installed the device, brought up the console, and started the update.
"I'll leave the rest to you once the update's done, Tatiana."
"Roger that!"
And with that, it was time to play!
Since we were camping, we set up the tents. We were masters of this kind of thing by now. We made short work of pitching the tents and getting the sleeping quarters ready.
Now, what should we do for fun?
Just then, some people from the nearby farms arrived.
"Your Majesty the Empero~r! We've brought some vegetables for ya~!"
They had brought a light truck packed with produce. Wifey was currently wearing a straw hat, so she lacked any semblance of imperial dignity.
"Ooh! You have my thanks!"
There was supposed to be a certain etiquette for subjects, but Wifey wasn't the type to care about such formalities.
"Lord Groom! Look how much I received!"
Wifey was beaming. Claire's planet was truly bountiful. To give you an idea of just how rich it was, we had only moved a short distance and were already being showered with vegetables.
"Please, don't overexert yourselves," I said to one of the older men.
"What're ya talking about? Thanks to Lady Claire, we've got a bumper crop! This is all thanks to Her Majesty the Emperor, the Great Lord, and Lady Claire!"
Apparently, they had built facilities to completely recycle sewage and wastewater from places like paper mills. I wondered just how incompetent the previous lord must have been.
We sliced up the watermelon we’d received for a snack.
...I feel like I’ve done nothing but eat since I arrived on this planet.
"I really like watermelon, sir."
Even Tatiana seemed to have taken a liking to the local food. The girl who used to just say "It's good, sir" no matter what she ate... she had really grown!
"We've got barley tea, too!"
The old man from the neighborhood had made some for us. He said it was homemade!
I was starting to feel like a student at a summer forest school when the update finally finished.
"Alright, Tatiana-sensei! You're up!"
"Can I finish my watermelon first, sir?"
"Sure thing."
With that, Tatiana went back to competing with One-oh-one for the last slices of watermelon. Shiyun and her brother watched them and laughed.
Once she finished eating, Tatiana activated the barrier device. Claire's planet didn't really need one, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
After that, we busied ourselves with making curry, a true camping staple.
We fully immersed ourselves in the rural lifestyle. Despite eating like crazy, my weight didn't change at all. We spent our time setting off fireworks, playing in the lake, camping, and climbing mountains. We were constantly active.
Man, it was a blast!
It felt like we were making up for the vacation time that idiot Zork had stolen from us.
Ren, however, absolutely refused to go bug hunting.
When I tried to bring some rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles back with me, Claire scolded me.
"That's cruel, isn't it!"
"Brandon! Brenda! Goodbye! Live long and prosper!"
"You already gave them names?! Just let them go already!"
I was devastated.
Just as we—now completely tanned—had started to forget about Isono's existence, the wedding invitation finally arrived.