Volume 4 Chapter 50-2 To the Strategic Sartzstadt, Further Development
"Actually, I have received a personal consultation from His Majesty the King."
"...Not about territory management, but about the country?"
"He wants us to build a castle here in Sartzstadt."
..........
A castle.
"But there's already a royal castle, isn't there?"
Yes, in Capital City Raudinger.
I wonder why we need to build one in Sartzstadt.
In response to my perfectly reasonable question, Lord Reichner shook his head and said, "No, no."
What does that mean?
"Actually... I can't say this loudly, but there are plans to change the capital. The plan is to make Sartzstadt the Capital City."
"...That's not something you talk about during a festival."
I bet my eyes are wide as I glare at Lord Reichner.
Why bring up such an important matter now?!
Well, I can understand why they would want to move.
Sartzstadt is now the best spot on the continent for both land and sea routes.
It's the exit to the western continent, and the population has exploded because of it.
On the flip side, there's also an outflow of people, and I guess Raudinger and its surroundings are no exception.
That means the population of Raudinger is decreasing.
"So, be prepared."
With that bombshell, Lord Reichner left.
Just when I thought the big talk was over....
* * *
While looking after Minori, who is pregnant, the 6 of us walk slowly from the outer wall to the town center.
This road has become quite nice.
It's thanks to the efforts of the volunteers who didn't want to see a town that didn't match the outer wall.
"People really built this town, huh?"
"What are you saying now, Ryuuji?"
As I muttered quietly, it seemed like Lene, with good ears, overheard and giggled.
Her smile was just as youthful as when we first came to Sartzstadt.
As for me, I looked a bit older.
"Well, you know, when we first got here, the town was lonely because of a big earthquake or something, right? No one thought it would become the world's top strategic point."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Lene also seemed to be reminiscing, looking up at the sky.
Thinking back, it all started when we dug up that magic stone and saved His Majesty the King──maybe that's when Sartzstadt really grew big.
Mariana looked a bit shocked and said, "Sartzstadt was lonely...?"
It's hard to imagine from how lively it is now.
By the way, at Bern Mine, they've already exhausted the magic stones, but now surrounding mountains are also being mined for them.
It's a major source of magic stones, exported worldwide from Sartzstadt port.
"We finished building the sturdy outer wall, but a castle... What kind of magic stone should I use next? Still, I think 'Magic Stone of Key' can't be left out."
"But, using the 'Magic Stone of Key' for expansion is hard, right? Good for outer walls and such, though."
When Lene and I started debating back and forth, the 4 others around burst out laughing.
Huh, what's so funny?
"What's going on?"
While we looked dumbfounded, Minori, holding back laughter, wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and said, "Sorry, sorry."
Was it really that funny?
"After all, I see you two are true craftsmen. You're most alive when you're making things."
"Hmm. Neither of us has changed since we came to this town."
When my sisters said that, Lene and I exchange glances.
Then, we both burst out laughing at the same time.
"...Yeah, we haven't changed. We're craftsmen."
"Haha, that's right."
Whether called a hero or a noble, we haven't changed.
We just want to work to support people's lives, as craftsmen.
* * *
"The castle, what should I do about it?"
"Big Bro Ryuuji, should I design it?"
"If Sis Minori designs it, it might turn into a maze..."
"Minori's talent is something else, isn't it..."
"Father! I also want my own room~!"
"No, no, Maria? It's the king's castle, you know? Not ours."
While making all that noisy noise,
Our family, which started with exile, is still happily spending each day today.
Author:
Thank you for sticking with me up to here!
Ryuuji's story ends here!
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