The New Year has begun. In this world, there are no New Year's bell ringing, much less countdown events, and the general public takes it easy. We, too, were able to spend the New Year's vacations in a relatively relaxed manner, since we had taken a proper New Year's vacation.
We also forced most of the working people to take a vacation. As expected, hotels and other hotels could not do so, and they had to work shifts, but of course they paid extra for those who worked during the New Year's holidays. In my previous life, I had to work overtime for many days and on holidays to finish my work because of the whims of a female supervisor who changed my job description so much. Naturally, I submitted a request for overtime work at that time, but what did she say to me?
"You're working overtime because you're not good enough, right? I'm not allowed to work overtime just because I'm not good enough.
It was. Naturally, the application for overtime work was not accepted, and the overtime was so-called "service overtime. Needless to say, I put a curse on her later.
Because of such an experience, I try my best to repay those who are helping me.
However, on the fifth day of the New Year, the nobles of Agartha would visit to greet the New Year, and I was busy with the preparations before the vacation. Especially busy was Rico, who had to choose outfits for the nobles' New Year's greetings while raising her children. It took a lot of time for her alone, but this time she had to take care of it because she had three more wives at once.
Soleil played an important role. Her taste was also sophisticated and she seemed to have something in common with Rico's. Thanks to her being like a right arm of Rico, I was able to take a proper rest for the New Year vacations. Though I, Mei, Sidhi, and Mato had to put on and take off our clothes many times, which was quite tiring.
Thanks to this, we were able to finish the visit of the nobles without any trouble. We were able to avoid the situation like last year, when we came here to greet the New Year but had no place to stay. Some of the nobles of the Jucan period have been killed, while many others have abandoned their estates and fled. Therefore, more than half of the houses are left vacant. While it would be nice to make use of them and turn them into accommodations, some of them are already deteriorating, and we are still thinking about what to do with these areas.
The beastmen village that has been established near the capital is also quite crowded. They have their own unique skills and have produced textiles and other handicrafts, which are now sold in the capital of Agartha. The people of the city have welcomed them warmly. I wanted to welcome them to the city, but the population of the city has grown so much in the past year that it is becoming saturated. Above all, it costs a lot of money to live in the capital. In contrast, the Beastmen's Village does not require housing fees, and there is a soup kitchen, so it does not cost much money. There are many inconveniences, but they cooperate and help each other to make a living.
Above all, they are trying to contribute to the country of Agartha, which saved them from their predicament. I am happy for their attitude alone, and in fact, they are contributing in various ways. I and the people of Agartha have a good feeling towards them.
When the nobles had finally finished their visit, some reports came in from the faerie dragons.
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I ring the bell of my office to confirm that the furry dragons have disappeared. I tell the staff member who comes to the office to call Knogen.
When Knogen arrives a short time later, I tell him about Garvey and order him to check on the situation there. Two days later, Knogen returned. I immediately called Rafaience and Matkal to hear their report.
A ship of Klimiana has arrived in Garbee. The Pope's grandson, Vieille, and his cousin, Cassel, are on board. They are staying at the church in Garbee and will be leaving for the capital soon.
"Well, here comes the Pope's grandson... There were no soldiers on board, were there?
No one was armed. There were only a few people who appeared to be churchmen and a few magicians. If there had been armed soldiers on board, I would have asked the general for help, but there were none this time.
Lafayence smiles bitterly. I fold my arms, thinking.
"Hmmm. There are reports that there are quite a few ships offshore, heading for Garbee. Assuming the worst case scenario, if all of those boats are manned by the Klimiana cult, then there is a chance that Garbee could be occupied by their congregation if they are not careful.
"I don't think so, Mr. Linos. Garbee is a fortified city. It is a city built of stones on top of a mountain. The only thing available is the barracks, but if we can hold them, I don't think the city can afford to take in too many people.
"You are right, Mr. Matkal. I will take the barracks into my own hands. But if you want to expand the city by cutting through the mountains of Garbee, that's a different story.
"Okay. Knogen, you guard the barracks in Garbee. And see if you can find out who those ships are offshore. If it's a merchant ship we'll allow it to come in, but if it's one of Crimiana's ships don't allow it to come in until we know what it's for. That port can't hold that many ships. If you are not careful, you may be blockaded by Crimiana's ship. Be careful about that. If you don't have enough men, you can move the army of the capital. At any rate, we can't move until we find out what they want.
"Okay. I'm going back to Garvey.
"Yeah, good luck with that, Knogen."
"Master Rinos, if the congregation of the Klimiana is going to come to Garbee, won't there be another shortage of food?"
"Hmmm. I guess so, Mato. They wouldn't be stupid enough to travel by boat without food... Just make sure you have enough food for the relief supplies. We don't want them to go hungry and start a riot.
"Okay."
I guess I won't be doing anything this time.
"No, General, if it comes to it, I'm counting on you. If the Crimiana people start a disturbance, the general will be in charge. But then they will be soldiers who do not fear death. They will be tough. Be prepared."
"Soldiers who do not fear death... That's a problem.
Yes. Well, I'll do my best to avoid that.
"Well, we'd better make sure it doesn't come to that."
Lafayence nodded slowly, a smile still on his face.
A few days later, Knogen reported again.
"There are seven ships off the coast of Garbee that we have been able to confirm. There are seven ships off the coast of Garbee, or possibly more. All of them are carrying members of the Klimiana congregation. Some of them carry weapons for self-defense, but only a few are armed. There is already a ship in port carrying Vieille and her friends, with a little less than 1,000 believers on board, about to land in Garbee. We have not given them permission to land and have restricted other vessels from entering the port and are keeping them offshore. They seem to have enough food to last them several months."
"I knew it was the Crimiana's.... They were after you, Garvey?
No, I don't think so.
What do you mean, Knogen?
"I received a letter through the church in Garbee. Monsieur Vieille and Monsieur Cassel wish to have an audience with Monsieur Linos. They wish to bring a member of their congregation with them, if possible.
"Take the faithful to the capital...?"
"Perhaps, but I think that Klimiana is aiming for the capital of Agartha."
"The capital..."
I stare out the window and think. It was a silver world outside.