Chapter 58: The future of Monte Chris Island

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After finishing her breakfast, Louise-chan straightened her posture and handed me a few papers.

“These are the documents that Lotte Gram-sama had procured, in order to guarantee your identity, Shirou-san.”

It seems that Gram had truly gone to great lengths to arrange these documents so that I could receive protection from the Empire. As I thought of her kindness, tears start to well up in my eyes.

“Also, here is the Letter of Appreciation for your cooperation and contribution with the dungeon investigation. Um, can you read it, Shirou-san?”

 Nothing to worry about it. It seems that the flounder had at least impart me the knowledge of how to read the language of this world too, when I got sent here. Reading the Letter of Appreciation, it was written that I am being acknowledged as a middle-class citizen.

“Louise-san, can you tell me about being middle-class citizen?”

She then explained to me that the citizens of the Rurugoa Empire are divided into four classes: Low, Middle, High, and Noble Class, and based on the rank of the classes, there are different options for occupations and restrictions on mobility.

Middle-class citizens are allowed to travel anywhere within the empire, as long as they can present the required documents and fee at the checkpoints, and they have certain degree of freedom in choosing their occupation. At least, that’s how it should be, principally. The truth is, such things are usually only applicable to women; for men, even if they are middle-class citizens, there are many instances that such rights are not recognized.

In any case, since I came from modern Japan, which was trying to promote equal opportunities between man and woman, I feel that the rule of this world is very rigid and suffocating. Even if I’m told that I’m a middle-class citizen, as someone who come from democratic society, I feel like I want to rebel against it, even if just a little.

However, this world won’t change no matter how much I am against it. Besides, Gram has put so much effort to acquire these documents for my sake, so I should stay quiet and keep my objection to myself.

“So, Louise-san, how is Gram-sama?”

“Gram-sama has received an award in recognition of her achievement in recovering the lost treasure sword during the recent dungeon investigation.”

I see. It seems it’s worth it to give the sword of Exocias to her.

“Also, I heard that she’s going to have a promotion soon; the higher ups seem to be happy with her accomplishment.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been helped a lot by her, so hearing the news made me happy.”

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to see her again in the future, but I’m sure she’ll have a bright future ahead…

“As for what will happen now, the Empire has officially decided to entrust the dungeon management on this island to the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“I see. So that’s what they decided.”

“Also, the ship carrying guild staff and craftsmen has already left the harbor. They should arrive on the island by the end of the week.”

“Huh? That soon?”

“They need to complete the guild buildings first before accepting the adventurers. Shirou-san, you know the foundation for the barrack in front of dungeon, right?”

I know it very well though, since I’ve been tasked with using Iwao to help build it.

“They are going to convert that place into a guild building.”

I see. It seems like the guild’s main tasks will be to purchase goods, provide a medical treatment, create maps, and manage the cargo.

“How many people from the guild will be coming here?”

“About 15 staff members, and around 30 carpenters will accompany them, for now.”

Yeah, it seems like the building will be constructed in a hurry.

“It seems like the island will become lively again, huh.”

“That’s not all. In addition to the guilds officially dispatched by the empire, merchants are also expected to come to the island.”

That’s right. With the coming of adventurers, it would mean there’s chance to make some money from commerce, too.

Louise also told me that ships carrying foodstuffs, weapon and armor merchants, magic stone broker, and male prostitute organizer are also on the way here.

“Uwaah… I’m concerned about the public safety now. It’s going to be bad, isn’t it.”

 “I understand your concern, but the guild master being dispatched here is the legendary Elza Birkin. As long as she keeps an eye on things, I don’t think there will be any problems.”

“She’s really that capable?”

“She’s retired now, but she used to be an S-class adventurer, and considered to still be the world’s best in in fighting for short time.”

Hm? She sounds like someone amazing. I wonder what kind of person this guild master Elza is?

“Louise-san, have you met this guild master Elza before?”

“Yes, I have. Master Elza is a strong and energetic person. She’s really agile despite her age, which I think is amazing.”

My impression of this person was somewhere between a sky pirate captain called Mama and a small green person who could use force. [1]

Also, it seems that Master Elza would not only be posted to the island as a guild master but would also be the acting governor with policing and administrative powers. Well, I’ll just see how things go for awhile before making any further decision. If it turns out that live on the island would be unbearable with her around, I’ll just run away somewhere else. I’ll need to create replacement for the Cima I’ve lost first, though.

After we finished talking, I took Louise to the guest room where so she can take a nap. Last night, she was stranded on a reef, so I don’t think she had a good night sleep. I also lent her my loungewear so she could relax.

“I’ll do your laundry while you sleep, so you please get some rest.”

“Yes…”

Oh man, Louise-chan looked so cute in my T-shirt. Oh well, let’s start doing the laundry for now. The sun is shining brightly today, so I’m sure laundry will probably be dry soon.

When I returned to the rockery with Louise’ clothes in my arms, Sierra spoke to me in a bored, deadpanned tone.

“You’re being really kind to that girl, aren’t you.”

Don’t tell me, she’s being jealous of Louise-chan?

“I’ve known her for quite some time. Besides, she seems innocent and cute, right?”

“Huff. To think that Shirou is a virgin-loving older brother…”

To translate that into back on earth situation, it would be like a virgin-hunter older woman, I think? That’s not the case with me, though.

“Stop being silly, Sierra, and take out your laundry. I’ll wash it for you.”

“T-truly? I would hate to bother too much… ”

“No need to hesitate about it.”

Well, it’s actually the Gokus who would be washing it, though.

After I gave Gokus the laundry instructions, I went out to look around the fields. Nyoro and the others seem to have watered it while it was still in the early morning, so the soil is still slightly damp.

The Nyoro series (snake-type golems) not only exterminate pests and vermin, they can also sprinkle the water it has stored in its belly on the field from its mouth, so now I’ve implemented a system in which Iwao draws water into a bucket and Nyoro sprinkles it on the fields, making it easier to grow crops.

From now on, the number of people will increase, so it may be necessary to increase the scale of the field a little more. Though of course, there is a limit to the number of people that the island of Monte Chris can support. I’ve heard that food will be shipped from the mainland, but I want the guests staying at Shiro’s inn to eat dishes made with fresh vegetables, which means that I will need to increase the number of Cimas, Nyoros, and also Poppos (they can catch insect).

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I harvested a basket full of scallions, well-grown on the island.

They are great pickled in vinegar, minced and added to meat sauces, or diced and mixed with eggs and mayonnaise instead of onions to make tartar sauce. They are much bigger than ordinary shallots; I like them since they tasted so good when fried.

Hmmm, maybe I should ask the Cimas to get some shrimp? The fried prawns I had in Nagoya on a business trip were huge and filling, and the feeling of satisfaction after eating them was amazing, I think I want to make a big fried shrimp like that for today. I also want to make pasta with summer vegetables such as okra, eggplant, and broccoli to fill up my stomach.

As far as I can remember, Louise-chan doesn’t have any like or dislike when it comes to food, and I think Sierra would probably be fine too, she said she can eat anything but raw meat and fish.

Anyway, she said that the feeling of any raw meat breaking apart gave her nausea. I don’t know why it’s fine with cooked meat though. Well, sashimi and other raw meat are strictly forbidden, so I need to be careful.

…

As was thinking about today’s menu, I saw Louise and Sierra’s clothes swayed by the wind.

…Oh, I see… Louise’s undergarment is white, while Sierra’s is black, with a lace… and the back part is so narrow it’s basically only a string…

Sierra might look like a kid, but to have an undergarment like that, she really is an adult, isn’t she…

Alrighty then, let’s go catch some shrimp!

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1 First one I think is Dola, a character from Laputa Castle in the Sky. Second one is, beyond doubt, Yoda. Or to be exact, Master Yoda.