So, regarding the meeting—Wifey and I shared the materials we had prepared with the other nations.
The purpose behind the locust swarm remained utterly baffling.
From a political standpoint, no democratic nation could sustain itself using those kinds of tactics. Even in a monarchy, a stunt like that would usually end with the sovereign’s head on a platter.
In fact, the local farmers had even begun to voice opinions like, "Why don't we just become part of the Galactic Empire's territory already?"
Actually, the vast majority of them were saying it. While our Empire was an imperial system, we practiced capitalism. As long as there were no seeds of rebellion, we generally turned a blind eye to whatever political system a local planet chose to maintain.
Of course, doing exactly that was how the Duke Association had cropped up in the first place. But I truly hated the idea of exclaves; there was simply too little merit in it for the Empire.
For the time being, the fact that Tatiana’s barrier had been effective suggested that this was likely technology related to the Ghouls.
The Ghouls, the Zen God Race, or Chronos...
Hmm, I figured I could probably exclude Chronos for now. Though I did keep the possibility of them being an "Ultra Idiot-Idiot Nation" in the back of my mind just in case.
To unite like this, you needed a high level of intelligence—the kind that allowed people to say, "I don't like his claims, but we'll fight a cooperative battle for the greater cause."
The meeting eventually concluded with a verdict of "Unknown."
Since we didn't have the answers, it was only natural that the foreign governments were just as stumped. For the time being, we agreed to jointly carry out the construction of temporary housing for the evacuees.
Alright, construction companies. Time to get to work.
Currently, the Empire was enjoying an economic boom, and the unemployment rate was plummeting. The vague social anxiety that had permeated the atmosphere before the Zork War had also been mostly resolved.
In short, it turned out the Duke Association had been responsible for everything that was wrong with the world. While companies affiliated with the Association had suffered a string of major bankruptcies, the Kamishiro Group and its related firms had been able to absorb all those displaced workers.
"We're just a new version of the Duke Association! No thanks!"
I wanted to shout that, but the Kamishiro Group maintained a very loose hierarchy. After all, I was at the top, and the lords of the Kamishiro clan who served as executives were all far too young. We had no choice but to let people teach us how to do our jobs.
That said, I was a Grand Duke, and the other executives were slated to become Dukes themselves. In fact, Eddie was already a Senior Marquis. In short, things had settled into a comfortable groove. For now, at least.
My immediate concern was what we would do if we started rotting from the inside. In our case, I suspected corruption wouldn't manifest through money, but rather through a desire to ignore procedures and take the easy way out. Since I didn't want to be treated like some old nuisance, I intended to retire before I started making too many blunders.
Honestly, I just wanted to spend a few years doing nothing but consuming games, manga, novels, and anime. Once the problem with the Zen God Race was resolved, I should finally be able to take that early retirement for real. Then, I’d live a life of pure idleness at the Kamishiro Main House. I certainly wouldn't go around doing unnecessary things like the Duke Association did!
For now, we were building even more temporary shacks. As I watched the heavy machinery start up for the first time in a while... Raven-kun, what was with that look on your face?
"Your Excellency, please make sure you stay quiet and behave! If you don't, I'll tell His Majesty the Emperor on you! Wifey, I request that you keep a close watch on him."
"Understood," Claire replied.
In Raven-kun’s mind, Claire was already "Wifey." He then went off to issue orders for our escort routine.
Rikochi was here too, so I didn't think he needed to go that far, did he? Dammit, even Raven-kun had gotten used to my antics. It was becoming increasingly difficult to deceive him.
With a sigh, I unfolded a few chairs—one for Claire and one for Rikochi as well. I sat down and realized I was bored.
"I think I'm gonna go make some yakisoba."
"Sit down!"
I was forcibly pushed back into my seat by Claire and Rikochi. How tragic.
I spent some time killing time with my mouth hanging open like an idiot. Pitying my state, Claire and Rikochi finally handed me some documents.
Ah, right. The usual work.
After a while, the Military Police and the Combat Engineer Corps arrived. My security detail was now quite large. The Military Police brought over a desk, and I began working out in the open. I reviewed the 3D models and three-view drawings for the temporary housing and approved the operation plan.
Since the water and sewage lines were still functional, we were going to use molding printers to create connection fittings that matched our standards and link them up. Baths would be communal until the permanent apartment complexes were finished. We were building several shower rooms as well. I see. Approved. I signed off on the budget for that as well.
"Claire, how are things on your end?"
"For now, we're securing samples of the locusts and incinerating the rest. Also, since there might be eggs in the soil, I think we'll thoroughly till the ground, burn it with volatile oil, and then spread slaked lime to raise the temperature for a complete culling. Just to be safe, I want to spread a fermenting agent afterward and till it once more."
"A fermenting agent?"
"Rice bran and bacteria, if we have them. Even if we don't, there should be something similar available."
I see. When you spread rice bran, it gets hot enough to produce steam. Note that her idea of "burning with volatile oil" was just a polite way of saying napalm. The plan was likely for the farmers to spread pesticides at the end to finish the emergency measures. After that, it was just a matter of follow-up observation.
It seemed that agronomists were being dispatched from the Taikyoku Nation. Additionally, insect and parasite experts were coming from the Galactic Empire. Our Empire had a surprising number of bug enthusiasts.
Man... to think we had everything prepared just a few hours after the incident!
Tatiana, having finished her IV treatment, walked over to us.
"The place where they sewed me up is all prickly!"
"Don't show me that!"
The stitched wound looked painful. A transparent patch had been applied over the wound, providing painkillers, sterilization, and anti-inflammatory medication. This was another byproduct of the Zork War. Our scientific prowess was truly advancing at a terrifying rate.
"What about the poison?"
"They said there's no nanomachine reaction," she replied.
"Then you should be fine."
Eddie and the others arrived shortly after.
"By the way, what are we going to do about this?"
When I pointed, I could see napalm being dropped on a distant field. They had already finished persuading the residents. The fields were burning. As someone born on an agricultural planet, the sight made my heart ache.
"What about the Chronos Nation?"
Eddie asked the question, but that was exactly the problem.
"We can't get in touch with them..."
"Apparently, they aren't responding to any diplomatic channels."
Neither Latarnia nor the Taikyoku Nation could get through. It wasn't a case where a diplomatic representative came out and brushed them off saying they were busy; they were literally unreachable. Even the branch offices in the Taikyoku Nation and Latarnia were silent. It was apparently the same for Latarnia’s banks.
"They said they can't get in touch with the representatives for 'Cervantes' or 'Count One-Two-Three' either."
"Whoa..."
Eddie made a face of pure, unadulterated disgust. Basically, we were looking at a situation where you just knew a ridiculous amount of trouble was brewing.
"Eddie, can I go home for a bit?"
"Don't screw around. That's a textbook flag!"
"I figured as much."
While we had no obligation to save the Chronos Nation, it seemed we had no choice but to keep a very close eye on the situation.
Is it okay if I just watch from the sidelines?