There were no further requests for a summit from Parcion after that.
Wifey hadn't heard a peep from them either.
Well, that was fine by me.
For the time being, I focused on gathering the survivors in their respective capitals and beginning the aid process.
First, I had Tatiana install her barriers, which felt almost like offering a silent prayer.
Then, we sprayed the Locust-B-Gone.
Next came the assembly of prefabricated temporary housing.
We managed to get things moving by hiring local residents to help. The Chronos construction industry was absolutely overjoyed by the scale of the project; they arrived in droves, leading massive crews of workers. Of course, I made sure that hiring local residents was the top priority.
The Ozenians, in particular, were all carrying deep trauma from seeing their families, friends, and acquaintances forcibly remodeled into machines. I figured that keeping them busy would help them forget, even if just for a little while. It was simple, meathead logic, but it worked.
Just as we had done with Magellan, I had the Ozenians form a provisional government to facilitate trade. It would likely evolve into a discussion about economic support from Chronos, but for now, it was a start.
Since money makes the world go round, I set to work with purpose. My role was mainly to lay the groundwork in various sectors and get the budgets approved. Since it meant more work for everyone, nobody complained. The economy of Chronos was in exceptionally good shape.
Ultimately, construction is the only industry where government control can reliably sustain demand. Since such massive sums of money were changing hands, I had to keep a sharp eye on things to ensure that vested interests didn't lead to corruption.
"Hey, Isono!"
"What is it, so suddenly?"
I called out to the man most likely to be bought.
"I'll tell you right now: I won't hesitate to use bribes if it's for the sake of the sports organizations."
He just came right out and said it!
Still, if I knew exactly what the money was for, he was easy enough to handle. In truth, anyone who takes bribes just to pad their personal wealth is the lowest of the low. Most large-scale bribery in this world is actually used to keep one's subordinates fed.
On a small scale, it looks like directing profits toward one's clan. On a larger scale, it’s for neighbors, local voters, or colleagues within the same industry. It manifests as bid-rigging or price adjustments to ensure everyone gets a turn at a contract, or as those complex, mille-feuille-like subcontracting structures. Pure, unrestricted competition isn't always the answer.
At a glance, it might look like money is being wasted, but that "waste" usually vanishes into the pockets of subordinates who need to eat. A noble's unaccounted-for expenditures are typically spent on military affairs, social obligations to relatives, or tribute to superiors. The real problem only arises when groups like the Duke Association hoard everything for themselves, creating a society where people can't rise through their own merit.
With that in mind, I finished sending off the necessary documents and dumped the negotiations with the sports organizations onto Isono's lap. Then, I headed off to a meeting with the economic organizations. Work, work, and more work.
For some reason, my approval rating was hovering near 100%... Is this country going to be okay?
The meeting went smoothly. It was mostly just a matter of me approving the construction plans they brought forward.
"Whatever you do, do not cover up accidents or pollution. If an issue arises, early improvement will minimize the damage."
"Understood, Your Grace."
That was the crux of it. It’s the cover-ups that lead to the kind of disastrous results that go down in history. If you don't hide it and resolve it early, it’s not a problem.
Once I was done with the economic groups, it was time for the banks. I even had meetings with the Galactic Empire city banks.
We discussed the integration of the banking systems between the Galactic Empire, the Grand Duchy of Chronos, and Latarnia. Latarnia Bank had already expanded into the Empire, provided they acknowledged bankruptcy systems in accordance with Imperial law. Insurance companies were also entering the market, and trade was flowing in both directions.
Lately, goods from Latarnia, the Ogre God Nation, Chronos, and the Taikyoku Nation had been flooding the Empire via Count One-Two-Three. Chronos bags and Latarnia cosmetics were particularly popular.
Latarnians are a long-lived species, and apparently, skin care is a vital concern for them. Their cosmetics are researched with a level of meticulous, almost obsessive detail that is unheard of in the Galactic Empire.
Since I’m a guy, I didn't really get the appeal. However, after I applied some to my hands—which were rough from labor—and they turned out silky smooth the next day, the word got out. I mentioned it in an interview, and the hand cream sold at a terrifying pace. Even middle-aged men with cracked heels were scrambling to buy it.
That was the spark that set the popularity of Latarnia cosmetics on fire. Even Melissa and Tatiana were buying them, so the quality must have been incredible. The Latarnia cosmetics company even started sending samples to the girls.
I double-checked with the Chronos government, asking, "This won't count as a bribe, will it?" and they told me, "It's fine as long as you declare the gift."
Being a public figure is complicated.
That being said, we of the military academy faction are pitiful creatures who completely skipped over learning about makeup during the years most people would be in high school or university. Now, the girls spend their days crying to Wifey and having the court ladies teach them the basics.
...Wait, Kevin, are you going too?
"Got a problem with that?"
"Not at all. I'm sure you'll look beautiful."
For some reason, an embarrassed Kevin jabbed me right in the ribs.
Melissa has also started wearing light makeup lately.
"Well, I'm a married woman, so I have to at least try to look the part."
"Thank you for becoming even more beautiful for my sake," I said, playing along.
"Oh, oh! Keep the praise coming!"
Everyone was changing.
I thought to myself that I should probably grow a bit too... and then Rikochi arrived, clad in her usual full armor.
"Reporting for guard duty... Leo-kun, what's with that face?"
It was actually quite a relief that some things never changed. I gave her a broad smile and two thumbs up.
In response, I got jabbed in the side by both Melissa and Kevin.
"Hey, that hurts!"
"Something about you is just annoying!"
"Yeah, really annoying!"
"Why?!" I shouted. It was just our usual playfulness.
"W-What's going on?" Rikochi asked, looking utterly bewildered.
It’s fine, Rikochi. Just stay exactly the way you are.
Isono returned, having finished his discussions with the sports organizations.
"Yo, I’ve got the league matches settled."
"Was it baseball?"
The Galactic Empire, the Ogre God Nation, Latarnia, the Taikyoku Nation, and Chronos. We were setting up international goodwill matches between teams from each nation. Everyone had practiced enough to play without embarrassing themselves on camera.
These matches were intended to show the universe that our nations had been restored. It would be broadcast everywhere.
This wasn't just a sports event. This was diplomacy.
"They said they want to do soccer, too," Isono added.
"I can't help with that one, my hands are full. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, leave it to me!"
I figured I could trust Isono with this. I intentionally had the Pirate Guild get involved in the promotion. It’s better to bring these things out into the open rather than letting them fester in the underground economy.
And so, we had our first major event since the sports festival to look forward to.
I just hoped there wouldn't be any trouble this time.