Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 49

The Canned Food Project and the Road

When we arrived in the capital, I handed Luluria’s letter to Rufa and was going to rest when I was summoned by the King.

To be more specific, I was summoned by Nelfia, who had gotten an order from the King to speak with me about something.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. The King had another matter he needs to attend to, therefore I am here in his place to explain…”

Nelfia stated this with a guilty expression, as if she felt guilty for making me, who had just arrived after a long journey wait, and then sat in front of me.

“It’s fine, but why am I being summoned here? Is it because of Wickharlt?”

That was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard I had been summoned by the King.

Wickharlt was a skilled archer and one of the Ten Masters of the Bow on the continent. He was far too skilled to be subordinated to someone like me. He was also popular and attractive. On top of that, he has a wonderful personality. Frankly, he was an amazing person.

It wasn’t strange for the King to consider it would be a waste for a man of such caliber to be the subordinate of a lowly court official like myself.

Nelfia, on the other hand, seemed stunned after hearing my words. Why? I gave Nelfia a puzzled look, and we ended up awkwardly staring at each other for a few minutes.

We both smiled bitterly, and Nelfia straightened up.

“No, The King has ordered me to explain the canned food project to you. Roa-sama, the King would like you to offer the country the technology used to create canned food. The country intends to begin manufacturing canned food on a national scale.”

“Yeah, sure.”

I was summoned just for that? The canned food project was not a big deal for me. To be honest, it would be more troublesome for me if the King attempted to take Wickharlt. Giving the canned food project to the country would relieve some of my burden, so I was rather grateful.

“What!?”

Why did Nelfia react like that?

“Why are you surprised? Did I say something wrong?”

I had a feeling that we weren’t on the same page.

Nelfia clears her throat lightly and then proceeds to explain with a tone as if disciplining a kid.

“I understand that Roa-sama had no attachment to canned food technology, but by ‘offering the technology,’ I mean that the King will also claim your achievement in discovering the technology as his own.”

“I know.”

“Your name will not be recorded in history, and you will be unable to claim your right to this technology in the future.”

“And? I don’t really mind, though.”

I mean, the technology wasn’t invented by me. Plus, if they manufactured canned food on a national scale, production efficiency would grow and I would be able to enjoy more delicious canned food, so it was a win-win situation for me.

However, when Nelfia heard my response, her jaw dropped open and she looked dissatisfied.

“Why are you reacting like that? The country will take your accomplishment! Isn’t it normal for you to complain and seek compensation?”

“I believe I mentioned previously that I have no particular attachment to canned food technology. As for compensation, if you can just make the 10th Division lead the deployment…Ah, right!”

“What is it!? Please tell me anything you want!! For example, maybe you want to create the 11th Division?”

“Huh!? I can request something like that!?”

“Considering the profit canned food could bring to our country, that kind of request might be possible.”

That was a tempting offer, but I had to decline. This country was about to be destroyed. It wouldn’t be funny if this country was destroyed while I was attempting to establish a division from the ground up.

“That could be a fantastic compensation, but…instead, I’d like to discuss the road reconstruction project. Luluria…I mean, the Fezaris Princess told me about building a road out of tar, and I also obtained a letter from her allowing us to purchase tar from the Fezaris Kingdom.”

“Roa-sama…That is not a compensation. That is a whole new accomplishment for which the kingdom will need to reward you…”

“Huh?”

We were clearly not on the same page today.

Nelfia looked down and sighed heavily before returning her gaze to me.

“Let’s put compensation aside for the time being and focus on the roads reconstruction project. This has not yet been made public, but the proposal to reconstruct the road had been approved while you were away from the capital. As far as tar is concerned, it is beneficial for the country. Is it okay if I take that letter later? I’ll hand it over to the King.”

“Huh? The proposal was approved? That’s quick. Will the first new road connect the capital with Gedland?”

“Yes, it has been approved. It was originally Drew’s proposal. After evaluating the potential profit from canned food, the King decided that the expense would not be an issue. That was why the country would like you to take over the canned food project.”

“Ah, I see. Is the country intending to construct something like a canned food factory?”

“Yes. The construction site has already been decided, and the buildings are being built swiftly. For the time being, the objective was to construct the road that connects the capital to the canned food factory.”

The speed of planning for the factory construction was fast. I think the entire thing was planned since back when I first told the King about the canned food. Good job, King.

“But how will we get the manpower to build the road?”

“We will use the 6th Division,” Nelfia answered.

“The 6th Division!?”

“Yes. The next commander of the 6th Division has yet to be chosen. So, rather than leaving them idle in the city, it was better to deploy them to construct the road. Furthermore, them constructing the road will sound better to the public than them being confined to the capital.”

“Right.”

The public would lose interest in them and stop chatting about them if the 6th Division, which has remained in the capital, was deployed to build roads.

“In fact…We were prepared to take over the canned food project regardless of your opinion…I was sent here by the King to persuade you….and also to ask you what compensation you wanted…but now…”

Nelfia said with a troubled smile.

“Ah, right, the King didn’t appoint me to run the factory, did he?”

It would be troublesome if he did. I didn’t have time right now to devote to the canned food project. If the King ordered me to take charge of the factory, I’d rather just use my compensation to decline that order.

“He did not, because if the King takes Rays-sama’s favorite forcibly, it might cause some trouble.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I also don’t want to devote any more time to the canned food project, but as for compensation…Can I just refuse because I don’t need anything?”

“No. That will tarnish the King’s reputation. If the King does not compensate you, it will be as if he is forcibly taking his subordinate’s accomplishment.”

Even if you said that…My goal was to save our country from destruction, and I only had about one and a half years… Should I use that ‘compensation’ to get something that will help me achieve that goal? But what should I ask for…hm… money? No, money might attract some unpleasant people. Was there something else…That’s right!

“I know what I want.”

“What is it!? Just say it.”

“But…My request might be regarded as insolence.”

“Just say it first.”

“The right to make a direct proposal to the King. Of course, it’s fine if the King rejects my proposal, but I’d like to be able to make a direct proposal to the King and have the King prioritize that proposal just one time.”

I wasn’t sure if this kind of thing would be useful in the future, but I wanted a means to make a proposal to the King without being stopped by the Commander of the 1st Division, Lucifal Veras. That was the idea.

“The right to make a direct proposal to the King… I never expected you to make such a request, so I must return and consult with the King first…But won’t that right become worthless if the King can reject your proposal?”

“I don’t think so. Having that right will be very convenient if I have a proposal that needs to be approved right away, such as the tar case this time.”

“It’s a little difficult for an ordinary person like me to understand Roa-sama’s thoughts, but I understand. I will certainly relay your request to the king.”

Nelfia bowed her head, then, she continued her words, “But, you are truly…Originally, I was assisting you on the King’s order, but now… Roa-sama, I became personally interested in you.”

As she said that, she gave me a lovely smile that she rarely gives. At the time, I thought seeing this smile was enough compensation.

T/N: College start to pick up, so I might not be able to release according to schedule. I’ll still release 3 chapters/week, but the day I released it might be random.