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Chapter 179 - Tourism Crisis
Aluna’s Tourism Association was in a state of emergency.
“We aren’t getting any visitors!”
“Reservations are being canceled left and right!”
“Even the visitors already here are rushing out of the city!”
The association’s staff were reporting in half-sobbing voices to their president in the president’s office.
“What disaster is this…” the president groaned, casting resentful eyes out of the window at the place where the person responsible for this mess was staying—the emperor’s villa.
The villa was a place impossible to enter, but because of its beauty, it remained a popular tourist destination in Aluna. Above the villa hung a large flag that was not normally seen—a huge sun drawn on a white background with a sword in the center—signifying the emperor was in residence. It was an old custom to hang the family’s flag in front of the mansion when its owner returned.
When a flag was hung, residences were bound to become busy. From friends making calls to scammers hoping their fanciful business ideas would be heard, the front of an occupied residence would often be crowded with coaches, while merchants would sell their wares amid everything. That’s what was commonly expected, except… not even a single ant could be seen crawling at the gates of the emperor’s villa.
“Mrs. President! Aluna will go bankrupt if this continues,” one employee cried, wiping away their tears with the back of their hand.
“Something must be done. I’m saying that you, Mrs. President, need to go to His Majesty and—”
The president perceptively interrupted, “I have an adorable granddaughter that’s cute as a bunny! It’s her birthday next week! How sad it would be if her grandma couldn’t attend the birthday party!”
“Tsk, she’s quick,” the employee muttered under their breath, considering it a pity their attempt to cajole the president had failed. “Still, you’re the president. Shouldn’t you do something for the city?”
“So, are you telling me to march over to the emperor’s villa and tell him ‘the city’s about to be ruined because of you, so please go back to the capital already?’ Is that it?”
“Yes.” The employees all nodded firmly—it truly was the only way. Three days had passed since the emperor’s arrival in Aluna, and the sales and hotels and shops had dropped to a tenth of their original figures. Hotels were grabbing their guests and begging them to stay with offers of great discounts, but the guests were adamant about leaving.
“No discount is worth my life. Haven’t you heard how the dukedom of Etia disappeared not long ago?” Estian’s notoriety had skyrocketed and people were fleeing the city with the mindset that a mere encounter with the emperor could spell death.
But still, it’s not like His Majesty is going around or anything. He’s just been staying in the villa all this time, so I think it’s safe…”
“You say that but why haven’t you gone home in the past three days?”
Silence descended in the office. The president and everyone in attendance knew the reason—they were all terrified of running into the emperor on the way home.
“What to do…”
“What to do indeed…”
As they were all lamenting, suddenly someone burst in shouting, “It’s terrible! Terrible, I say! Someone arrived from the villa, and is requesting a word with you, Mrs. President!”
“What?”
Things were horrible enough as it was, so what else were they going to tell her? ‘I can’t run. I can’t run,’ the president chanted inside. Even though she braced herself, cold sweat was pouring down her forehead and her feet seemed to take her in the opposite direction. In the end, the association staff had to drag her to where an attendant bearing the imperial coat of arms was waiting.
“H-hello. My name is Elmina, president of the Aluna Tourism Association.”
“Hello, Mrs. President. I apologize for coming at such a busy time.”