The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 258

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 258   Meeting ended

“Well, even if we consider the detailed settings later, if we’re going to establish this guy as a king, should we send someone to Zaviet’s castle?”

I have no intention of fulfilling my role properly.

Ignoring me, who was holding my head, Dad started the conversation.

…Honestly, I still want to decline being a king, but I understand in my head that there’s no way out of it now that these three have that intention. It’s just that my heart can’t accept it.

However, no matter how much I reject it, the situation has already progressed with that intention.

So, for now, I’ll put off organizing my thoughts and listen to the conversation. With the calm part of my mind emerging, I decided to lend an ear to my dad’s and the others’ talk.

“Send someone to the castle? Ah, as an envoy for the declaration of independence? It’s fine, but we won’t send anyone from here. They’ll probably be killed anyway, and I don’t want to waste resources.”

“I don’t like it either. My place only has daughters who don’t have much in terms of military strength. Sending them to die is just pitiful, you know?”

Well, if we’re going to establish a nation, we need to declare it to the surrounding people. Whether it’s oral or written might make a difference, but either way, we can’t avoid sending an envoy. Do we really need to do that? I don’t think so, but who knows.

However, establishing a nation and acknowledging envoys for independence won’t be easily accepted. While one might pretend to be indifferent, ignore, or even offer support when it comes to other countries, if it happens in your own country, the land gained through independence decreases, and having defectors lowers the country’s credibility. There are various other reasons, but not recognizing independence is certain, especially in Zaviet. After all, it’s a country with a king who would discard his own son just because there’s a potential disadvantage.

Furthermore, this city is a haven for criminals. Even if a place like this declares independence as a nation, it won’t be acknowledged. Other countries would likely be greatly inconvenienced if a criminal nation emerged nearby.

So, even if we shout about independence, no one will acknowledge it. The envoy would be considered a criminal just for being from Karakas, and if they’re lucky, they might end up in prison, but most likely, they’ll just die.

Since the reality won’t change, declaring independence is something that doesn’t matter either way.

If anything, making such a declaration would only intensify conflicts and invite aggressive responses from surrounding countries. While it was overlooked when it was just a ‘city,’ it won’t be ignored once it becomes a ‘nation.’

So, I don’t see any meaning in doing it, but what is Dad thinking?

“Oh, as for the envoy, I’ll take care of it. In fact, I’ll go. This guy too.”

After Edward and the old lady rejected the envoy idea, Dad raised his hand lazily and pointed at me. Wait, me?

“…I don’t mind. Whether it succeeds or fails, it won’t make much of a difference. Oh, but I’d prefer not to die, as it would cause trouble for the management of the Garden. Besides, since we’ve already decided on a king, negotiations themselves… well, feel free to do as you please. Honestly, I don’t really care. As long as no one interferes with what I do, there won’t be any problems. Well, I don’t want you to die either, so I’ll just say that, but it’s your choice. It’s not my place to interfere.”

I have no idea why I was chosen, but it seems fine with the two of them. I guess it’s decided that Dad and I will go. Well, I’ll have to confirm the reasons with Dad later and decide. I still don’t understand why Dad proposed and volunteered for such a troublesome task in the first place.

“If you’re planning to go, please refrain for now,” Edward added.

“Huh? Well, I wasn’t planning to go right away, but is there something going on?”

“Rather than ‘something,’ there are various issues, too numerous to list. To put it simply, it’s post-war processing. Due to significant changes, it takes time to settle down. Money won’t solve this, and it’s not just a matter of time. Even with money, you can speed things up, but it won’t conclude immediately.

Moreover, even with money, changing people’s hearts isn’t that simple. This time, we took land from the nobles, brought people from places, but it will take time to get them accustomed to a new life. Besides, we still need time to establish a system for managing the increased land and population. So, even if we try to do something now, it won’t be in perfect condition. Right now, what we need most is time.

Therefore, I would like you to wait until the inevitable protest letters arrive. If no protest letters or envoys come, then you can go at a time of your choosing. Although, I think it’s unlikely that there will be no movement until we start.”

Edward said this with confidence, and it seemed reasonable. A country that had lost territory wouldn’t just quietly accept the situation.

“True. Since this is technically part of the kingdom’s territory, they might send a summoning order or something, don’t you think?” the old lady said. Indeed, that’s a possibility.

While this city has already distanced itself from the country’s management, it’s still considered part of the nation. Therefore, there’s a possibility of receiving an order for the city’s leader to come to the castle. In regards to the recent events, they might also demand an explanation of our actions and the city’s state, or ask someone to take responsibility.

“If you go there, it’s a profitable venture. Even if you don’t go, the situation won’t worsen beyond expectations. Rather, not going will only add to the justification for further advancing into this town. So, there’s no loss on that side. Having a justification comes in handy when accumulated at the right time, you know.”

“The city belongs to the kingdom, yet it defied the king’s orders. Rebellion, huh?”

“Yes. Well, the rebellion was already there, but if they show a willingness to compromise and we reject it, then it becomes a sufficient reason for them to attack.”

I see, a righteous cause. If a country is moving a large force like the military, such things become necessary.

However, what Edward and my old man are talking about might not be wrong, but it assumes that the kingdom will issue a protest or a summons. Is there no possibility that this assumption could crumble? For example, what if we hear from a noble whose territory we’ve taken, and we learn that they’re already preparing to attack because we’ve seized their land and let them escape alive?

Well, it might be too early to say that they’re already making a move, but is there no chance they might attack without a protest letter or summoning order? Karakas is a city of criminals, essentially a thieves’ den, so I think an unexpected assault without warning is not out of the question.

“Is there no possibility they might suddenly attack? Like right after hearing from the spared noble and deciding to attack immediately?”

I raised my hand casually while asking.

There’s no need to raise my hand to ask a question, and especially since I’ve been given a seat as a king, I shouldn’t hesitate to stand on equal ground. But I guess I felt a bit overwhelmed, or I found it difficult to assert myself on an equal footing, so I unconsciously raised my hand.

However, Dad denied my words.

“Not likely. Even if you were a knight, you should know that starting a war isn’t something you can do right away. It takes time to bring a military force here. You get that, right, considering you’ve been to the capital?”

“Well… If you rush with horses, it would take about a week, right?”

When I traveled before, it took more than two weeks. That was with detours and taking it slow. If there’s a need to hurry, I think it could be done in about a week.

“Ah, I see. But that’s assuming it’s a small group. If it involves the military, even moving quickly would take at least a month. Gathering provisions and such during that time, well, it could easily take two months, even if they hurry.”

“So, a minimum of three months to get here, huh?”

I’ve heard that it takes time for an army to mobilize, so I guess that’s about right. It’s been about two weeks since the war incidents during this time, so we have at least another two months or so to spare.

“Moreover, that’s the minimum, and in reality, it could take even longer. In my estimation, the protest itself should arrive within two months at the latest, but if they actually decide to attack, considering supply replenishment and coordination with the surrounding nobles… well, I think it could take a year. They’ve invaded this town in the past and lost, so I don’t think they’ll rush their preparations and come at us hastily.”

“A year, huh?”

Certainly, even if the kingdom organizes a punitive force, there would be questions about where to find the commanders and soldiers, and adjustments to the schedule would be necessary when moving a large group.

If they hurry, they could prepare and launch an attack sooner, but they haven’t invaded our side so far. There’s a significant possibility that there’s no need to rush and force things unnaturally.

“Well, unless there’s someone with a mind so exceptional that they surprise us by attacking without issuing a protest, even in that case, preparation is still necessary. In such a situation, information about their movements can be gathered easily through the flow of goods and money. I handle the ‘finance’ in this town, so it would be relatively easy to investigate. I’ll inform you as soon as I detect any movement on the kingdom’s side.”

Ah, well, since he’s in charge of the town’s ‘finance’, it should be relatively easy to investigate such matters.

The movement of money and goods… especially now that I’m producing food, it should be easy to understand the military’s movements by following that flow. The movements of the army and the supply of food are inherently intertwined.

“Therefore, there’s no need to be immediately wary of the enemy’s movements. During the time before the enemy acts, it’s necessary to establish facilities and defenses and formulate countermeasures… whether it’s subtle or not, stabilizing the changed situation is important, I think.”

Huh? Well, I can understand stabilizing domestic affairs, and I agree with that, but in addition to that, there’s a need for measures against the enemy, right?

“…Well, defense needs to be solid, doesn’t it?”

“Is that so? Generally, with you and your child, most opponents would end up dead, wouldn’t they?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t feel like losing to small fry like that.”

Dad spoke, seeming nonchalant after a brief moment of thought. But well, I could agree with that opinion. Even if the enemy gathered tens of thousands of soldiers, it would be possible for me alone to crush them. And the same held true for Dad.

“One against a thousand, unbeatable by ten thousand, peerless in the realm. It does feel a bit strange to self-praise like that, but it’s not incorrect, I think.”

But if that’s the case—if we alone can handle a massive army—then is there really a need to invest in military development?

Well, not entirely, but the priority to spend money and time on raising an army is low. If it comes to it, almost all Karakas residents above a certain age can fight, and we can manage somehow.

“Originally, I handled the city’s finances, and Carmena-san took care of the entertainment sector, but when it comes to military matters, wasn’t it under your and Isaac’s jurisdiction? Now that Isaac is dead, leaving you alone, isn’t defense and public order your responsibility? Moreover, your son has become the king, so shouldn’t you fight to protect? Sir Knight?”

Certainly, that’s true, but it feels like they’re pushing it quite a bit. Actually, since the Dad just mentioned handling the military himself or being the captain of the knights, it’s natural for him to take action in defense. …Serves him right. He push the notion of a king onto others.

“Tch. Fine, got it. However, it doesn’t mean you won’t do any defense. Use your money to expand the surveillance network. Keep an eye not only on this country but also on the idiots around.”

“I didn’t intend to leave defense entirely to you, so it’s fine, but when it comes to the surrounding countries, it will cost a lot, and I’m not very enthusiastic about it…”

“Shut up and do it.”

While Edward didn’t seem very eager to spend money to protect this place, Dad dismissed it as if he didn’t care and cut to the chase.

“If you say you’ll provide military force, then that’s something you should handle, right? Rather than wasting manpower in a war where you don’t know if you’ll win or lose, isn’t it more advantageous to deploy a force that’s guaranteed to win?”

“Sigh. I have no choice. This is also for money. Let’s consider it suitable for expanding business, if anything.”

Edward, who showed a displeased expression after being cut off and ordered to do it, probably couldn’t refuse when told by the other boss present. Though he had a poker face, he reluctantly agreed.

Well, right after that, he immediately switched to thinking about making money, so the initial reluctance he showed might have been an act.

Afterwards, discussions began to organize the appearance of the country, but I mostly just listened without participating in the conversation.