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Chapter 395: Planning the National Territory?

「Vegetation should grow soon since Asas is here, right? 」
「Yup, although it’s actually because of River Es’s flooding that abundance will come — the riverbed is already covered with black soil, probably. Goddess Es’s blessing maximizes the power of the Asas, the deity of bountiful harvest. 」
I was perplexed, so Khan explained.

「Although my protection over the city became weaker, the river is under Goddess Es’s control, while God of Bountiful Harvest Asas rule over the land between the desert sand and the river. I couldn’t protect the city against enemies that crossed the river before, but everything’s alright now. 」
Bayliss joyfully said while hugging Khan from behind and leaning her face against his.

Both of them really suited this lovey-dovey image. Argh, casanovas are really…!!

Oh, come to think of it, I remember Bayliss saying that she can’t stand water. Hmm, I guess that’s only natural since she can’t wield her power in places that don’t have dry sand. Even if she can temporarily expand her territory and area of influence by blowing dust and sand, she can’t do anything in water.

This time, that water is under Goddess Es’s jurisdiction. Yup, the territory defense is perfect if we request her protection.

「We just have to decide on the location of Doggy’s kennel and everything will be perfect. But where? Wouldn’t it be too awkward to place it near the entrance of that hall if it’s going to be Es and Asas’s meeting place? 」
What to do?

I looked around asking for an answer, only to be met by silence. Retze averted his eyes, as if saying ‘don’t ask me’, while Khan and Bayliss kept on flirting. Dinosso sighed.

「Please, can’t you be more, you know, immersed in the moment, you know?」
I turned my gaze to Hauron for last, only for him to wearily comment that.

But isn’t the city defense important? At the very least, Auro and Kiel from the island are obsessed with it, you know?

「Although ordinary folks like me can easily understand what you want to say, you should be more mindful about the words you pick, okay. 」

But I also prefer words that are easy to understand, okay.

「 My ability works well with the God of Tempest and War’s. Don’t you think it will be easier for him to activate his power if he is on the ground instead of under it? 」
Bayliss amusedly commented.

Oh, right, it would be amazing if the spirit of tempest and spirit of desert worked together, huh. Sandstorms and tornadoes… that would be pretty intense.

「Let’s build another temple here and construct the palace around it. If the God of Bountiful Harvest Asas agrees to reside in the overground temple, we’ll also put the 『 Spirit Bough 』 there for convenience, and also invite The God of Tempest and War to settle there. The underground temple will be dedicated to Goddess Es. 」
Khan said as he slowly looked around him.

「 Convenience … You’re gonna put a Spirit Bough there too? 」
It probably doesn’t matter whether there is one or not since the original is already present.

「 Even if I declare that I’m a King’s Bough, not everyone will believe that it’s true, right. I don’t want to waste time on meaningless explanations. Besides, I’m going to take a leaf out of your book and travel places. Hauron’s【Teleportation】 can make that possible, and it’s not like I have enemy nations that I had to fight.」

Khan grinned, but his expression was somewhat indescribable. It’s not like he’s annoyed or something, but it looks quite complicated.

Oh, come to think of it, Shakira implored that I liberate Khan from being bound to the kingdom, but she never asked that he turn his back on the kingdom or even hate it. Maybe that’s the reason why Khan turned out the way he is ー a wandering king whose love for his kingdom remains constant?

「It seems like you haven’t grasped this yet, but this city belongs to you, you know? Including me, of course. 」
「Eh? 」

「Looking so shocked, are we now? so you. 」
「And he even seems troubled about it, to boot. 」
Hauron and Bayliss commented.

「My master’s sense of ownership over me really is too weak. 」
Khan grinned.

「Ah right, 『King’s Bough』 owners are usually kings, after all. 」
Dinosso looked resigned.

「True, he is the king of my king… But “king of my king” doesn’t make sense at all. 」
Hauron grimaced as if he’s having a migraine and he slowly shook his head.

The king of king! The Supreme High King!… Oh, that sounds like “hiking”. Oh, maybe we can do that with Riche and Doggy, huh.

「Ah, nope, I don’t want something as bothersome as a kingdom, okay? I can’t take responsibility for it either. 」
I pulled myself out of my wayward thoughts and answered. The island is already plenty enough for me, thank you.

「From an objective point of view, perhaps you can be considered as the great sage who helped found the kingdom? Well, several countries on the Central Plains do address me with that title… 」
Hauron’s expression was extremely complicated.

「Founding Grand Sage! 」
Dinosso straightened his upper body and stared at me dubiously.

「Leaving your shenanigans aside, that’s basically what you’re doing… You’re far more amazing than me, really. I don’t mean to brag, but I’m pretty famous, you know? Really, I don’t know what to do anymore. 」
Hauron heaved a sigh.

「This will turn into an insane legend if we tell the story while focusing on the results and omitting certain details, like how this guy did his thing, huh. 」
Retze said.

「It doesn’t suit you, oy. 」
Dinosso quipped.

「It’s a pain in the neck, so let’s just say it’s thanks to Hauron. 」
「Hey, don’t push it all on me! I can’t do something like this!! 」
Hauron glared at me with his eyes as wide as saucers.

「It’s fine, it’s fine, just push half of it to Dinosso. 」
「Hey! Why are you dragging me into this! 」
Shock and reluctance was written all over Dinosso’s face.

「As expected of these two legendary Gold ranks! 」
Besides, these two already agreed beforehand that I can impose on them!

「When and where did you get that idea of yours that you can do this to us, huh!? 」
「Stop being so unreasonable! It’s impossible! 」
They both screamed.

「Alright, time to head home. We still have a boat to ride~ 」
Evening cruise on the River Es!

「Oh right, we did agree to do that… It already feels like a lifetime ago. So your day won’t be complete without doing that, huh… 」
Retze muttered.