Published: September 10, 2025
※2015/07/20 Typo corrections made.
This is Satou speaking. Taking on a position of responsibility means more duties, but it also means more things you can do once you’re in that seat. In modern Japan, sometimes it’s like a section chief without subordinates just to cut overtime pay, though.
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“I’ve got some business to take care of, so go ahead and enjoy yourselves at the venue first.”
“Satou! The escort is abandoning their pa-partner?”
“Sorry. It’s a summons from His Excellency the Prime Minister. Lina-sama, I apologize, but please take care of Karina-sama.”
“Yes, leave it to me!”
Karina-sama looked dissatisfied, perhaps worried about being left behind, but I left the rest to Viscount Emrin’s daughter.
“Liza and Lulu, keep an eye on these kids so they don’t mess up.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, we’ll do our best!”
“Hey, that should be Arisa-chan’s job, right?”
“Nope, I object.”
I patted Arisa and Mia on their heads to smooth things over, then followed the gentleman who had been quietly waiting, heading to the Prime Minister’s office.
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“I want to assign you as Vice Minister of the Tourism Department.”
That was the gist of the summons to the Prime Minister’s office.
“I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.”
Of course, I refused outright.
Though the word “tourism” is appealing, in reality, it’s a convenient cover for the Prime Minister’s own intelligence agency.
Also, during the time of Nameless, I thought Satou was supposed to be guarding the Royal Capital—what happened to that?
“Someone of higher noble birth and more experience than me—”
“You are the right person.”
The Prime Minister interrupted me, asserting his point.
No need to assert that with a weird muscle pose, please.
“Tourism Department is a good gig. So far, only the minister—that’s me—and administrative staff are here, but His Majesty will lend you a small airship exclusively for the department.”
I see, so they provide transport for tourism.
I do have my own airship, but having the freedom to openly move by airship could be convenient.
Then he went on, filling in the gaps from the conversation with Nameless.
“This airship boasts the highest speed in the kingdom and is equipped with a long-distance magical communication artifact.”
Ah, it seems designed to respond quickly to any trouble in the kingdom from outside.
Though, since Nameless is handling obstacles first, it probably doesn’t matter much.
“Furthermore, using the prestige of the great Shiga Kingdom, you will be able to visit facilities and events that ordinary people in the visiting countries cannot see, and taste special dishes only found in each country’s royal courts.”
Hmm, that’s somewhat tempting.
Sure, you can sneak into forbidden places with unit placement or spatial magic, but that kinda ruins the fun.
“And the Tourism Department’s budget this year is 1,000 gold coins, which you may use as freely as water. Of course, you’ll need to report on expenditures, but that’s just a formality.”
My income far exceeds my spending already, so the money isn’t an issue.
Still, with such bait, I wonder what the Prime Minister hopes to catch.
“—Of course, these rights come with duties.”
Just as I thought he was reading my mind, the Prime Minister shifted the topic.
Now, here comes the real talk.
It’s probably about intelligence.
Better to skillfully dodge before getting too deep.
“When visiting other countries or cities, you must prepare reports on famous places and specialties. Particularly durable specialties must be sampled and brought back—”
—Huh?
“Also, for specialties and local products, you must secure cooking recipes, or attach speculative recipes by you or your chefs. If the ingredients are unavailable in Shiga Kingdom, consider suitable substitutes. For plants, you must secure seeds and cultivation methods.”
Wait a moment—
Prime Minister, are you just trying to have me travel abroad because you yourself can’t take casual trips?