“I get it,” I said, “but even though it won’t change anything in terms of numbers, it would be good to have a heads-up. I think we can turn it to our benefit.”
If we can confirm how much damage there is, we can respond to the intake of refugees better, and, of course, we can start looking into how to rebuild Yanga’s territory. Sacula will not be overseeing the restoration, so we do not have to think about it too hard, however, there is no one else who can take in the refugees. Geographically speaking, the rebuild’s success or failure would have a variety of effects. If we did our best to research and come up with a report, we may earn the means to be able to pick a new leader for the territory and build a good relationship with them.
“Then with that last point of yours in mind, I’d certainly like to proceed in that direction. It is never a bad idea to be on good terms with your neighbors.” It is even better if they are, like myself, a civilized person who returns kindness with kindness. But if they are someone who will not stand to reason, I will make sure to assert dominance by having them be in debt to me. Then they will have to play nice. No matter how it turned out, I would have the upper hand.
“Hmm, I see you’re still very good at putting a positive spin on annoying things, Ash.”
“It is more that I want to see a return on my investment.”
“I can agree with that. Okay, let’s put together a scouting group. Is it all right if I leave that to you?”
“There is no way I can say I refuse with you looking like that, is there?” Truth be told, I did feel like I had a lot of work on my shoulders, however, thanks to my body’s improved capabilities following the battle with the werewolves, I felt I did not tire as easily. With what seemed like everyone reaching their limits here at the admin hall, I did not mind taking on more work as I did not have to worry about becoming ill.
“Ah, yes, Lord Itsuki. Shall we take the opportunity to go ahead and form a department to deal with matters like this in the future?”
“A department? A new one?”
Lord Itsuki tilted his head in confusion as I spoke.
“Currently, the Territory Reform Promotion Office is leading the current efforts.”
“I’d say that you, Fort Commander, are leading our efforts, rather than the Promotion Office.”
Huh, really? It seemed my shocked expression made Lord Itsuki laugh. “While we were preparing for the aftermath of the battle, you were already talking about how to handle the refugees,” Itsuki continued, “so I had figured that you had already brought the issue to the Promotion Office and were working on it already. I guess your friends are also doing the same thing, right?”
“That was simply because we had dealt with a similar issue in Ajole village. So it just happened to land in the Promotion Office’s lap.”
“Yeah, so in reality, we already have a department qualified for the job. There is no one else who can handle this, so I doubt there will be any complaints.”
It seemed that Lord Itsuki was leaving this matter to the Promotion Office. I guess he doesn’t care much about how it happens.
“I’m a little surprised...but in any case, even if we are working on it now, it is not the sort of work that we usually do.”
“Yeah, it is a bit outside of your usual scope. But even if we were to establish a new department, there is no one else we can leave this kind of work to...”
“Since they’re already working on it, you are free to choose personnel from the Promotion Office. However, since it’s not in our usual remit, I do not think it sets a good example to decide on a plan that is so far removed from our usual goal.”
We had already been getting involved with stockpiles, supply, and migration—all things that the Territory Reform Promotion Office usually would not be able to do without express permission. “While it may be urgent, using the Territory Reform Promotion Office’s experience as an excuse to allow them to manage population migration may cause problems later on,” I continued.
“Speaking of which, wasn’t there a time when a certain somebody bent our information department appointment rules to take in someone from a different territory?” Lord Itsuki asked.
“It helped, didn’t it?”
I thought I was able to build a good rapport with Viscount Sukuna by doing that. I laid it all out and sincerely asked for their help. In doing so, we appealed to their sympathy, and they relented.
Lord Itsuki shrugged at my confident comeback. “Well, the question is whether whoever takes over from you can be trusted as much as I trust you. But, okay, a department to deal with the current situation, it is. Do you have a plan for it already?”
“Shall we just simply make it a Disaster Response Office? As for members, we could have Lady Reina as the main planner, with Lady Suiren supervising as manager.”
Lord Itsuki nodded as if to say “okay, that’ll do” like he was casually choosing what to eat for lunch. However, it seemed he had not forgotten about me.
“And Ash as section chief.”
“I was expecting as much.”
I would have preferred that Maika be section chief—just like she was in the Promotion Office—but she was busy as well, and beggars can’t be choosers.
I wanted Maika, who excelled at fighting, to join the scouting group that was headed to Yanga’s territory. It would also help diplomatically, since she was the granddaughter of the current head of the Sacula family. Both were field jobs. It seemed the role of making decisions and taking on the responsibility fell to me, who had no reason to leave the office.
“By the way...just how many titles do I have now?”
“A lot.”
He was not keeping count at all, was he?