Nice to meet you, everyone. Or it’s good to see you all again. I’m Akamitsu Awamura. Thank you very much for picking up Take These Talents Elsewhere: A Delightful Demotion to the Countryside.
What would happen if there was a heavily bureaucratic country where it’s a given to be accomplished in both military and academic arts, and the protagonist, who’d been a career-driven government official in the central government agencies, got demoted to the remote countryside (under special circumstances)?
Everyone around him would probably rely on him. However, from his point of view, he’d have so much free time while working in a town hall in the middle of nowhere that he could happily take it easy every day while having a blast!
That’s what I’d imagined, so I took this idea I’d been mulling over, wanting to make it into a story. Now here it is, published.
Usually, I write under GA Bunko, but by chance, I wound up working together with DRE Novels.
The editor who’d mediated between my illustrator Senmu-sensei and me during my debut novel currently works as DRE Novel’s editor in chief. Furthermore, that person was also editing the works of my friends, Toba Toru (The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt. It’s interesting!) and Misora Riku (I Kissed My Girlfriend’s Little Sister. It’s also interesting!). They often took me out to eat with them and always treated me nicely, so when I was asked to write something for DRE Novels too, I immediately agreed.
Plotting a novel and writing is the same no matter where you work. However, like how I received guidance from a new editor, worked with a different proofreading team, and experienced how high-tech their system for signing contracts was, there were subtle differences that I wasn’t used to. It was fun to have those fresh experiences. I feel grateful every day.
Now it’s time for my special thanks corner!
The first person I’d like to thank is Tapioca-sama, who put us at ease with their cover art that overflowed with warmth. On top of that, Zen’s blue uniform is just so cool. I wish all the illustrations inside could’ve been colored too... I can’t help but think that, although I know it would’ve been rather impossible!
I thank Abe-sama, my editor, who prioritized my needs and wants in order for me to give this project my all. I also thank my editor in chief, Obara-sama, who asked me to work together with them.
And of course, I express my thanks to each and every one of my readers. I’m sending you all of my love from Hiroshima. Thank you very much.
In volume 2, everyone will be once again relying on Zen, and after he becomes involved in a corrupt incident, Zen will feel like he’s resolving everything at an easygoing pace, while from everyone else’s perspective, it’ll look like he’s settling them in a flash! Don’t miss it!