“What was our reason for rejecting the proposal last time?” the prime minister asked Johan as he thought this over.
“You said there was a lack of available land.”
“Hmm…”
Upon hearing this, the king said, “What if we assigned you a place outside the palace grounds?”
“For a garden?”
“Yes. Landerrouet is close to the capital. It would be a good spot.”
Landerrouet was one of the holdings owned by the royal family. It was close to the capital, had a mild climate, and was generally a good place to live. It was also a region that primarily produced grain due to relatively fertile soil, which was why the king proposed it as the site for a new herb garden.
Johan likely knew all this from the name alone, due to his line of work. He covered his mouth with his fist as he nodded. “That’s a superb location.”
The king glanced at the prime minister, who nodded and said, “That sounds like a splendid idea to me. The local magistrate’s estate already has a spacious garden. I believe it could be possible to appropriate part of the estate for an annex.”
“Indeed. Outsiders frequently visit the palace. If we establish an annex there, we could also transfer classified projects to those grounds.”
Johan understood what the king was implying, and he looked up from his lap. He met the gaze of the king, then the prime minister, and sensed that they were waiting for him to speak. “Are you referring to the herbs Sei is growing?”
These herbs were the ones that required a field blessed by the Saint’s magic in order to thrive. Johan had instantly inferred what the king was getting at because knowledge of the Saint’s additional powers was kept as much of a secret as possible, so they always spoke around it.
“Yes.” The king nodded with satisfaction before voicing his own thoughts, “To tell the truth, I’ve been considering raising security measures for the institute for some time now.”
The way he said it told Johan everything he needed to know. “Does that include the garden as well?”
“Naturally.”
The king had indeed been mulling over an increase to the security of the Research Institute of Medicinal Flora for a good long while. They had already taken numerous measures to ensure Sei’s safety once she joined the institute, but he had begun to feel like they needed even more protections for the things that Sei did and created. Essentially, she had a tendency to fully display her abilities as the Saint, and many of the things she created had unthinkable—and obvious—effects.
It would have been best if they could get Sei to stop using all her abilities, except the ones related to purification, so that the full breadth of her power didn’t become public knowledge. However, Sei enjoyed her research, so they were hesitant to put such restrictions on her. Not to mention the things she devised were extremely profitable, so the king couldn’t help thinking it would be a true loss to make her stop.
Now this talk of the garden made him remember these issues that he had put in the back of his mind to handle at a later point. In the king’s eyes, Johan’s request to expand the garden was a perfect opportunity.
“We recently received seeds from Zaidera. There are also other plants being grown using the Saint’s power, correct? I would like to take this chance to transfer all the most valuable projects, as well as those that must be kept a secret, to the annex’s management.”
“Even the plants we’re currently cultivating?”
“If possible.”
“Very well. However, I believe the apple tree would be difficult to move. Could that remain in the greenhouse?”
“I suppose there’s no helping the tree. We shall look after it, then.”
“Thank you.”
“While this would put you in the position of holding two posts, I would like to place you in charge of the annex as well.”
Johan stared at the king in amazement. Normally a single person couldn’t simultaneously hold two such positions. He asked, looking puzzled, “Are you sure?”
“Yes. You are the one most qualified candidate,” the king responded. “Furthermore, if she so desires it, I would like to make this annex a research facility for Sei’s exclusive use.”
“Oh?”
The king had come up with this idea in hopes of decreasing the risk of revealing the Saint’s abilities while allowing Sei to continue with her research. However, Sei tended to like working with others. It was plain to see in the way she regularly engaged with the other researchers and their projects. Discussing things with her peers helped her to develop her own ideas, and she enjoyed pursuing her work alongside her fellow investigators.
The king had put this idea on hold because it was unclear whether Sei would like an independent research facility for her own work. The king believed he could use this annex as an avenue to propose the venture. If Sei so desired it, the annex would become hers. If she didn’t, then they would continue to use it as merely an annex. Either way, they could strengthen security while allowing Sei to continue her work unimpeded, and they could be more flexible in indulging her future impulses.
The king’s other aim was to use the annex as a cushion that would soften the blow when they did eventually offer Sei a research facility for her private use. It might lower the mental hurdles between her and accepting such a gift.
“In other words, this might not be a permanent position,” he said to Johan. “If we awarded it to someone new, she might refuse the position when we tried to offer it to her.”
“That is highly possible.”
“But if we assign the position to you, I don’t foresee a need to worry. Besides, you know the job well, and you also understand her. Therefore I must ask for your cooperation. If you agree to hold both positions, then we will prepare additional recompense for your new position as head of the annex.”
The king’s eloquent praise made Johan nervous. He understood that the king was saying these things to convince him to take the position, but he couldn’t help the vague discomfort that came with hearing lavish praise from the most powerful man in the land.
Johan cleared his throat to master his feelings and bowed reverently to the king. “Very well. I shall accept your offer and assume the role of annex supervisor.”
“My thanks. We’ll return to the matter with further details at a later date.”
With that, Johan had accepted the position, just as the king had hoped. They saw Johan off, and after the door to the office was shut, the king and prime minister quietly continued their conversation.
“An annex in Landerrouet,” the prime minster said thoughtfully.
“I thought it was a good idea.”
“I do as well, especially since everyone there is well equipped to keep a secret.”
“And now we have one less thing to worry about.”
“I don’t think this settles the problem of Sei’s reward, however.”
“Those in the know will understand that the annex is a necessary step before the next reward. As for those less savvy to such things, we’ll also award her a monetary bonus so they can have the evidence they’re looking for.”
“Very well. I shall make the arrangements.”
Landerrouet, known for the secret-keeping skill of its people, was a special holding that only a select few knew about.