Chapter 75: Chairman’s Visit (2/3)

How did it come to this?

I’m not entirely sure either, but the representative of the Beastmen Territory has become a member of Nanashi Village.

I found out later that on the way to the village, Melinard passionately talked about the village and me. At first, the chairman was curious and asked various questions, but eventually the tables turned, and it became Melinard’s show…

Apparently, Melinard spoke highly of my personality and the usefulness of my skills, so by the time we arrived at the village, the chairman had already formed the impression of a “dream-like village with an exemplary village chief.”

In the end, things turned out well, so I can’t complain… But I feel a bit sorry because I’m far from being an exemplary person.

“Nice to meet you. I am Tsubaki, serving as the village chief’s assistant.”

“Oh, you are a lovely young lady. I am Drago. I’ve heard about you from Melinard as well. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, I will do my best to provide the best hospitality.”

“By the way, Village Chief, is Tsubaki the only candidate for your wife?”

“…No, I am single. She is a good partner.”

“Yes, currently, she is the closest person to the village chief as his assistant.”

“Oh, I see. This young lady seems to have a strong character! Well, well, Village Chief, I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”

“Hahaha, I agree.”

Tsubaki, you sure gave a strong first impression. Especially against the leader of a country… But well, this old man feels delighted.

“Tsubaki is in charge of managing this farmland. We greatly appreciate her efforts as the village owes its prosperity to her.”

“Oh, I see. That’s quite something.”

“Tsubaki, please inform them about the current harvest.”

“Yes, the current harvest is—”

Tsubaki explained the crops being cultivated and their harvest in detail. There is no need to hide this information anymore, and even if it’s discovered, it won’t have much impact.

Upon hearing the harvest volume, the chairman was astonished and inquired about the reason for the difference with his own country.

“It is thanks to the blessings of this village that our crops remain free from diseases and crop rotation issues. In other words, the land’s nutrients are always abundant.”

“Is that thanks to the village chief’s skills?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, it can only be achieved in this village… Even if crops are grown in the large forest outside the barrier, it would be in vain.”

“Yes, that’s right. It has been proven in the Beastmen Territory as well.”

“I see.”

“I heard that there was a plan for developing the large forest in the council, is it still ongoing?”

“No, we understand that it would be futile. No one would be foolish enough to encroach on your territory.”

Now that I have extracted a promise from the chairman, it seems unlikely that they will encroach on the village for the time being. The fact that he referred to it as “your territory” suggests that they acknowledge a certain level of autonomy here.

“Shall we proceed to the next location?”

“Just by seeing this farmland, the inspection has already been worth it. However… there still seems to be something more to come. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I hope we can meet your expectations. Then…”

After showing them the farmland, we continued to introduce the water mill, the multipurpose warehouse, the blacksmith workshop, and the dining hall.

The chairman showed great interest in each place, and it was impressive to see him conversing happily with the villagers present. As Melinard had told me beforehand, the chairman seemed gentle yet dignified.

“What about that building over there? What is it?”

The chairman became interested in the public bathhouse.

“That is the village’s public bathhouse. Would you like to visit?”

“Oh, a bathhouse… In that case, I’d like to experience it.”

“We are about to have lunch soon, so would you like to enter before that?”

“Alright, let’s go in with the village chief alone.”

“Sure, I’ll guide you.”

While communicating telepathically with Sakura to have the hot water reheated, I led the chairman to the bathhouse. Tsubaki and Melinard went to prepare lunch, creating a situation where it was just the two of us.

“Keisuke, is this temperature okay for the bath?”

“Yes, it’s just right. Thank you, Sakura.”

“Sakura, you have an amazing skill in magic. I’m grateful for your hospitality.”

“No, no, please enjoy your time.”

After introducing ourselves, Sakura adjusted the temperature of the water… or rather, she went through the trouble of replacing the water entirely.

The chairman was impressed and murmured in admiration at her magical abilities.

“Is that young lady also a candidate to become the village chief’s wife? Ah, how envious.”

I replied, “I appreciate your kind words, but she and I don’t have that kind of relationship. She is a good partner…,” trying to clarify the situation.

“Yes, I can see that she is currently the closest person to the village chief as his assistant.”

“Oh, she’s quite a strong-willed young lady! Well, well.”

“Yes, as you say.”

The chairman made quite a straightforward remark, but I could tell that he was in a good mood.

“Speaking of which, how about you, Village Chief? Since coming to this world, have you found a purpose to live or any ambitions?”

The chairman casually asked such a question, but I had a feeling that how I responded would determine how the village would be treated.

“I have no ambitions. As for the purpose of my life… well, I suppose it would be to enjoy this world and spend my remaining years. That’s the only thing that comes to mind at the moment.”

“You say that despite being still young. You seem quite wise.”

“I am already 40 years old. I probably have about 20 more years to move around actively. Since it’s uncertain whether I can return to my original world, I thought I should at least enjoy this world like a story… That’s what I’m thinking.”

“Don’t you find it a waste to have such abilities?”

“If you mean things like establishing a country or invading other territories, then no, I don’t find it a waste.”

“I see… You actually have the power to do such things.”

Well, I guess he’s just probing me, but invading territories and all that trouble is not my thing. Even if someone asks for it, I’d rather pass.

“When it comes to governing a country or a territory, it’s impossible to do so just with the power you obtained by chance. Even if I could, I wouldn’t do it.”

“I see… Well, I don’t mind either way. Even if people say all sorts of things, they won’t affect me.”

“You’re right… But in the first place, we are intruders who came to this world without permission. It would be unthinkable for us to act important. Just being allowed to exist in this village is already more than enough.”

“You are different from the people in the city, that’s for sure.”

“What makes you say that?”

After summarizing what Drago mentioned, it seems that the other Japanese people in the capital and the city were more friendly and familiar. Although he spoke in a roundabout way, it basically meant that they lacked proper manners.

It’s a common story, where before you know it, you become friends with a king of a country. While that may be possible for others, it’s just impossible for me.

“Each person can choose how to interact with others as they please. From my perspective, I can’t understand it at all.”

“I thought you would say that.”

“Considering the position of being the leader of a nation and an outsider commoner, it would be natural for anyone to realize that, wouldn’t it?”

“Well, I don’t mind either way. Regardless of what those good-for-nothings say, it won’t affect me.”

“Well then, how would you evaluate me?”

“I am confident that we can be good neighbors. Melinard has also convinced me enough, hehe.”

“Thank you.”

I felt relieved after hearing his words, although I was already confident once I became a villager.

“Shall we go out now? I think lunch preparations are complete, and your companions seem worried.”

“Yeah, it was a nice bath. I’d like to come again.”

“As long as you are a villager, you are welcome to come anytime.”

During lunchtime, I introduced the chairman to the members working on the canal construction and then headed to my house.

I decided that, except for Tsubaki and Melinard, the other villagers would eat at the dining hall. It would be quite intimidating to have the country’s top leader dine together, and they would be too nervous to eat properly.

We served various potato dishes to the people outside the barrier, almost overwhelming them with our hospitality. The effect was tremendous, and they forgot about their escort duty for a while and eagerly devoured the food.

The chairman also showed up before noon and said, “This is a great favor. Enjoy it to the fullest!” It seemed to be the deciding factor.

“Every Japanese person living in this village has a good expression on their face.”

“Yes, everyone is a reliable presence.”

“Wasn’t there a young man named Touya? He must be quite skilled.”

“He is the leader of Nanashi Village’s warriors. His innovative ideas have been a great help to us.”

After lunch, as we sat in the living room and conversed, we became somewhat more comfortable compared to the morning.

“What will you show us in the afternoon?”

“I believe I have shown you almost everything… Ah, the church is still left.”

“You deliberately avoided that, didn’t you?”

“Well, yes… No, I would like to make a request. Could you keep what I’m about to tell you to yourself, Chairman?”

“Don’t report it to the council, right?”

“Yes, exactly. I cannot compromise on this matter, even though you have become a villager.”

“Understood. Let’s make a promise by swearing to the goddess.”

If the fact that the village church bestows “Occupations and Skills” becomes public, there will definitely be people who meddle in it. It could even escalate into a situation where they try to seize the village, bordering on a war.

I had been contemplating until the last moment, but now that I have obtained a promise from the chairman, I made the decision to explain the situation.

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