Chapter 194 \n194. To the nextâŚ\n
âI left the rest of the fitting-out process of the Utopia Republic to Count Bozes, I guess itâs fine to leave it as it isâŚâ (Mitsuha)
Mitsuha, who doesnât know about Sabine-chanâs [New Continentâs Language Acquisition Plan], said such a thing carefreely.
The meaning of fitting-out in shipbuilding terms is the installation process of the main engine and mechanical devices, interior construction work, and the likes are performed after the hull almost completed and about to be launched.
So Mitsuha assumed that when the basic structure of the artificial island has been completed and the top objects (the mansion and the warehouses) have been placed, means that the [Building and Launching] stage has been completed according to shipbuilding process. And the later part of the [fitting-out], that is, the setup of the water supply system around the mansion and the fine finishing of the stone steps at the dock, was thrown to Count Bozes.
Itâs not unreasonable because the island is jointly managed by the two territory, and the head of the company is Beatrice-chan.
In other words, Mitsuha was in charge of the parts that she could acquire for free and left the troublesome and money consuming parts to Count Bozes.
And [Utopia Republic] was the name of an artificial island that Mitsuha read in a novel in her brotherâs room.
(Note: My otaku knowledge wasnât enough to recognize this, the closest clue I can find is a book by Luc Folliet, but of course, I havenât read it, so I canât confirm)
The fictional island that straddles Japanâs territorial water and international waters, itâs Japan but at the same time itâs not Japan, anyone can enter without a passport, and theyâre not bound by Japanese law, it is certainly a [Surprisingly utopia!].
âŚHowever, the name of the island Mitsuha built was of course, [Kigan Island], not [Utopia Republic].
âWell, as a finishing touch, I guess I will put a solar power system and home fuel cell that powered by propane gas, attach it to the radio and maybe a refrigerator as an after-service⌠And consult with Count-sama, whether we should connect the island to the coast with wooden floating bridge or not. Alright, letâs go to the next plan!â (Mitsuha)
âwhat did you say!? Viscount Yamano just started trading with another country!?â (King of Vanel)
The king of Vanel shouted and stood up reflexively.
âYes sir, in each of the surrounding countries, a representative firm just like Rephilia Trade is set up and collectively wholesales Viscount Yamanoâs goods. Originally, the goods purchased from Rephilia Trade were prohibited from being sold abroad, and it seems that the same rules were applied in other countries as well, including our own country, so it has little effect on international tradeâŚâ (PM of Vanel)\n
The king shouts at the Prime Minister who reported so.
âYou stupid fool! Itâs not about the small amount of liquor, food or spices that Rephilia Trade handles! What do you think that Viscount Yamano is working alone for!? It means that the preliminary surveys and solidification of the ground to conduct the full-scale trade with her home country have already been decided! Not only liquor, food and spices, but also the specialty products such as jewelry will be traded on a national scale in the future. Those may be taken away by other countries. You should have more sense of crisis!â (King of Vanel)
Even if he says so, just whose fault it is, now that Viscount Yamano withdrew herself from the country where she had forged so much foundation, except the trade with Rephilia Trade, and never shows up at the party of noble family ever again.
But the Prime Minister was able to endure what he wanted to say.
âAnyways, we have to make Viscount Yamano to think of our country as the best business partner and trustworthy place, as well as the country where she has a lot of friend in. And later, we shall show the difference in national power and make our country the most favored country!â (King of Vanel)
The Prime Minister thinks that the kingâs words might have been the best course of action for them.
âŚbut thatâs the story [If the King hasnât done anything unnecessary to offend Viscount Yamano].
âIâve came to play!â (Mitsuha)
Right, itâs been a long time since I saw Mitchan Mk-II.
Itâs been quite a while since then, so I guess it is time for me to come and give some follow up about the matter last time.
Of course, the follow up is for Mitchan, not the Marquis. So, Iâm visiting during the day, when the marquis is not around. The three sons are out for work or school. So only the madam, Mitchan, and the servants that are at home.
Yeah, it is not coincidentally, of course, but I chose this time with that in mind.
Somewhere in the world, in any world, there are light-hearted people, the people who want to exchange the information they have with money of connection, and there are the orphans who keep their eyes on the gates all day long in exchange for a little money.\nYou should spend your money as much as you can.
So thatâs why, Iâm being guided by the servant into the house.
Itâs already became a face pass, so I was guided as it is, without having to deal with any troublesome process.
Of course, it wouldnât be possible if the Marquis is around, but the current situation isnât something like [the head of a noble family visiting the honorable Marquis], but rather [A friend who came to visit the daughter].
Well, maybe, he instructed the servants to not to turn me back if I come and make sure that I donât escape. In his current position, it wonât be weird if he ordered that much.
âMitsuha!â (Mitchan MK-2)
Ooh, there is Mitchan with a happy-looking but a little puzzled expression on her face.
Yup, maybe she had heard some things from the Marquis. Now, Mitchan is the only one that can connect the Marquis with me, a thread of hopeâŚ
âFor now, I brought a lot of shortcakes!â (Mitsuha)
As expected of mother and daughter, their breath is in sync!
Yeah, of course, I didnât forget the souvenirs.
And, to the maid who immediately brewed three cups of tea, I pushed the remaining three boxes that containing 6 pieces per box, excluding one box which is our share.\n\nShuba! (SFX)
The maid-san instantly scooped up the three boxes.
As a maid of a Marquis, arenât you a bit improper?
But, well, itâs not like that I donât understand her feeling. Even Japanese girls cannot resist this kind of magical power, with the level of sweets in this country, and no matter if theyâre the employee of a Marquis house, itâs not a thing that a maid can buyâŚ
Of course, the maids of the Marquis family are well-identified, and I guess theyâre probably came from decent houses. Thereâs no way that they were orphans or that they were sold due to a family debt. Theyâre the daughters of merchants of lower nobles that were sent for disciplined apprenticeship and making a connection⌠tte, as expected that wasnât the case.
Theyâre not royal palaceâs court lady or ladyâs exclusive attendant after allâŚ
Anyway, utilizing the shortcakes as a foundation for the future, two shortcakes and a cup of tea are placed before each of the three of us, and the fun chan begins.
âMitchan, would you like to lead a faction?â (Mitsuha)
Mitchan mustâve thought that [I just came to play because Iâm still her friend even though Iâm having a discord with her father]. And that her father said [Get along with Viscount Yamano and improve the relationship of this house with her!] or something along that lineâŚ
But itâs not Mitchan who would be glad to take me in such a scheme because [she was ordered by her father].
Mitchan is a noble-minded, and a proud daughter of a noble family.
So thatâs why, she looked complicated at first. âŚUntil all of her thoughts were blown away by the presence of the shortcakes.
And my words, which have no meaning, were released when she thought that she can finally calm down, that it is decided that her share is going to be just two pieces.
âŚyeah, of course she would be surprised.