Chapter 93

When we returned to the mansion, Melvin told Cherina and me that Narnia had jumped at me. After a brief emotional reunion, Cherina and I fell asleep like mud.

The next day, we realized we had fallen asleep at the guild. It seems Narnia was also allowed to stay at the guild. While Cherina and I collapsed into sleep, Hagg and Yarai apparently ate dinner normally and then went to bed. They are too tough. Moreover, they took turns keeping watch. They are truly monsters. I wonder how I can repay their kindness? I'm still half-asleep as I'm being explained the situation and eating breakfast.

It was a breakfast prepared by the guild's chef Hugo, which was light yet easy to eat, filling without being heavy. Hmm, is this guy a genius? Cherina was still half-asleep with her hair sticking up. Her bedhead looked like it might react to a yokai. Still, she was gradually waking up, eating breakfast little by little, and her bedhead was slowly settling down. The bandages around her neck looked painful.

Right, I need to change them.

We have 47,520,610 yen left.

While handing the first aid kit to Melvin, I explained how to use it, emphasizing the importance of thorough disinfection. I also apologized for not being able to help when Melvin was injured. I didn't think of it at the time... I hope he uses the new bandages and gauze.

"Did you hear anything from Lord Bachar?"

With the glucose in his system, he seemed to be returning to his usual self.

"Not yet."

Melvin, too, was back to his usual composed self. Both of them are tough, really.

"How's the situation outside?"

"The rioting crowd has calmed down. It's thanks to Lord Bachar and the Sea Dragons."

"Of course."

"Currently, people are singing in celebration of the revolution's success. According to the Sea Dragons, the looting in the castle was severe, but the casualties were minimal."

"I see..."

Cherina's tone dropped and her face frowned.

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes, there is. With the treasury empty, we have to rebuild the country from scratch. This kind of revolution is often led by people who mistakenly believe they will become rich immediately. We need to implement policies quickly to make them realize the improvement in their lives. But without money, it's like fighting a manticore bare-handed."

I don't know how strong a manticore is, but I get the point. Do manticores even exist...?

"Hmm. How about setting up a bank and issuing government bonds?"

"Government bonds?"

"Basically, it's a promise to pay back borrowed money with interest later."

"Sounds good."

"But who would buy them if there's no trust?"

"That's true."

"That's why we need the bank to buy them."

"What exactly is a bank?"

"Hmm. It issues currency, holds the government's money, and that's the central bank. There are also regular... private banks that hold money from the public and lend it with interest."

"...I don't understand."

"Sorry. I don't know the details either."

Maybe I should approve a book on finance and give it to him. It might be helpful.

"Anyway, if we had a central bank, I think it would be convenient to create paper currency."

I can freely take money out of the container, but carrying a lot of metal coins is a hassle. Especially since there's no currency equivalent to 100 yen, so there are a lot of small change.

"Hey, why isn't there a coin worth around 100 yen?"

I asked straightforwardly.

"Well... in terms of value, iron might be good, but iron has many uses beyond its price. If we issued iron coins, they would likely be melted down for nails or knives."

"I see."

Using a lot of firewood and coal to make iron coins and then melting them down again would be a waste. Economically, it might work, but it's not practical. We could just sell iron.

"It's complicated."

"Indeed."

She chuckled.

"Hey, big brother, what will happen to us now?"

Narnia, the signboard girl of Kujira-ya, who had been eating breakfast hesitantly, asked.

"Probably, we'll have a meeting to decide that. ...Hey, Narnia. What do you think will happen without a king?"

I was still bothered by what Cherina said earlier, so I asked.

"Hmm. Maybe the carriage tax and inn tax will be gone, bread will be cheaper, and more customers will come!"

I looked at Cherina, who shook her head.

"Yeah... many people probably think that..."

She closed her eyes and chose her words carefully.

"Narnia, life probably won't get as good as you think."

"Huh?"

Her expression froze in shock.

"For a while, it might be harder than before."

Her frozen expression crumbled, and she looked like she might cry. I don't have a hobby of making little girls cry.

"But if you endure for a while, life will definitely get better. Gradually, but it will."

"Really?"

"Yep, I promise."

Of course, it's just a verbal promise. But the future of the country will be watched over by Cherina and those who care about the country, like Bachar. It can't get worse.

"Hey, I'll do a promise ritual from my world."

Narnia tilted her head.

"Show me your pinky, like this."

I overlapped my pinky with her small one.

"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a thousand needles in my eye. Pinky promise."

I moved our hands up and down to the rhythm, and she started to smile.

"Big brother, what does it mean?"

"If I break the promise, I'll have to drink a thousand needles... It's a pledge that it's okay to do something harsh."

"Hmm? That's interesting!"

I hope this gives her hope and the strength to live strongly.

"Akira-sama... Narnia-san, life will get better. I guarantee it."

Cherina suddenly said.

"Hey, hey..."

If you say that, it's not a joke. You must understand that, right? My eyes were saying it. When she looked at me, she nodded firmly.

"I will change this country. I will make it a country to be proud of. So I promise, Narnia-san."

"Cherina-sama..."

Narnia looked back at Cherina with tears in her eyes.

"Miss, a messenger from Lord Bachar has arrived. He requests your immediate presence at the castle."

"Understood. I'll prepare right away."

Cherina stood up resolutely, shining in the sunlight streaming through the window. She's a good woman. I thought something uncharacteristic for a moment. I shook my head and decided to think about something else.

...I forgot to check the "quest" that appeared yesterday...

I was thinking about trivial things while changing into a suit.

---

In the city, smoke was still rising in some places, but since most buildings are made of stone, they were extinguished during the night. The wooden buildings were mostly burned down, but with plenty of river and sea water, they managed to put out the fires with a human wave tactic.

Today, the mixed army led by Master Max with his orange mohawk is guarding us.

"It seems to have calmed down."

Max looked around the city, shaking his mohawk from side to side.

"I'm glad the city isn't in ruins."

"Yeah, we've been planning for this with Bachar for a while. We were the ones who took on the role of dealing with those troublemakers."

He showed off his muscular arms. It's too much!

"Was it a good thing that you didn't come yesterday?"

"Idiot! The safety of the young lady is the top priority! Are you an idiot?"

"Ouch... I don't know why, but it hurts when you call me an idiot..."

"Hmph. Your head is probably as empty as mine."

"You're right..."

I lack education, which even I find annoying.

"Still, I'll praise you for saving the young lady."

"It was thanks to Hagg and Yarai."

The two walking in front of us turned slightly. Hagg's expression was as solid as a rock, and Yarai gave a quick nod.

"Still, an elf and a dwarf... that's a rare combination."

"Is it?"

"There are many elves in the east, but they are rare around here. Even when you see them, they usually don't get along with dwarves."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

"How should I know?"

Max shook his head dramatically.

---

A group of people were shouting and making a commotion in the city. They were holding drinks and clinking cups repeatedly. Words like "freedom" and "hurrah" were mixed in their shouts. Some of them were holding expensive vases and silver candlesticks. They had looted freely, so their talk of freedom is meaningless.

In the Middle East, anti-government movements have become active, but they don't seem to be going well. Of course, the government had many problems, but the riots started because of a lack of jobs. Changing the leadership won't solve that.

Blaming others for everything that goes wrong won't solve anything. I think a revolution can only succeed when you've done everything you can and the leadership still doesn't change.

What about Cherina and Bachar? From my perspective, she has been living earnestly. She has been doing her best within the constraints of her world.

I looked at her profile. She had a resolute face.

"...Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

I realized I had been staring at her intensely and felt a bit embarrassed.

"Yep. You'll be fine."

Cherina was silent for a while but then smiled and nodded.

Well, let's go change the world.

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