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Vol 06 Chapter 183: Pregnancy II

「Ismene, how is the construction of the capital progressing?」

「It’s a little behind schedule, but there are no significant issues. It should be completed by the end of November.」

The delays are probably due to the chaos caused by the war. The mobilization reduced the workforce, and the budget was redirected to military expenses.

「I see, that sounds like a good timing.」

「For what?」

「No, it’s nothing.」

I shook my head. I called Ismene to check on the progress of the capital’s construction, but there is another reason as well.

「Are you well-versed in military affairs?」

「Well, if I weren’t, I wouldn’t be able to build the city walls. My father constructed the walls of Claris, a city-state on the Kirisian Peninsula. Although it did fall in the last war.」

…Well, no wall is eternal. The notion of an impregnable fortress is a fantasy.

「Once the construction of the capital is finished, could you start with the urban redevelopment of Lezado?」

「Redevelopment of Lezado?」

I nodded. Lezado is actually the most populous city in our country.

Lezado’s metropolitan area has a population of eighty thousand. …For comparison, our capital’s metropolitan area houses thirty thousand people. It’s a bit disheartening to think about.

Now, about Lezado… Its large population brings with it many urban problems.

The city’s endless expansion is the result of immigration and births. Though this signifies development, it also poses challenges.

The streets are a maze, and the buildings are packed tightly together.

Only a handful of the wealthy own single houses; most citizens live in multi-story communal residences called Insulae, which are akin to apartments.

The terrible part is that people throw their garbage and excrement out of the Insulae windows onto the ground. Therefore, you always have to watch above when walking down the streets.

Naturally, the sewage, the drinking water canals, and the streets are all filthy with waste.

Worse still is the existence of slums. Lezado has a stark disparity between the rich and the poor.

Only first-class citizens who can afford the high poll tax can live in the Insulae. Those who can’t pay the poll tax don’t have proper homes. Of course, living without a roof is challenging, so most people build their own makeshift homes.

These homes are, frankly, appalling. They are dirty, easily flammable, and foul-smelling.

Currently, through Alexios and the former Lezado councilors, political reforms are being implemented, leading to some improvements. However, as long as the city itself remains problematic, there won’t be a fundamental solution.

Have you heard of the broken windows theory? It suggests that if there is a place with broken windows, people will subconsciously think, ‘It’s okay to do bad things here’, leading to littering and graffiti. This behavior escalates and eventually leads to serious crimes like rape and murder.

Although this world’s civilization hasn’t developed to the point where glass windows are common among the populace, there are places equivalent to buildings with broken windows—dark and dirty spots.

We need to eliminate these.

「In addition, I want to strengthen the city walls and improve the harbor as a countermeasure against Pofenia. Can you do that?」

「Well… Claris is my hometown. I have some pride in my knowledge of such matters… but rebuilding a city from scratch will cost a fair amount of money.」

「How much?」

「About the same as the capital currently under construction.」

…That’s quite a bit.

「But the current capital’s construction cost included land reclamation and flood control, right? Lezado already has land…」

「It also costs money to demolish existing structures, you know? In fact, it’s often faster and cheaper to crush everything into rubble rather than trying to reuse the materials. If Your Majesty gives me permission to use the secret medicine of fire, we can reduce the costs by about twenty percent.」

Smashing everything to pieces… It seems wasteful, but if it saves time and money, perhaps it’s worth considering.

「Alright, draft a plan and estimate for me first.」

「Understood, Your Majesty.」

Ismene smiled happily.

She seems to be quite enjoying this.

◇

「So, Ainz. I’m thinking of sending a delegation to the Persis Empire and the Germanis region. What schedule would be best?」

「Let’s see… Raimond-sama can depart in a year, correct? For now, I suggest sending messengers to convey your intention to have an audience with the Emperor of the Persis Empire a year from now.」

According to Ainz, it would be better to establish a good relationship with the Persis Empire before sending a delegation to the Germanis region. The reason being…

「The Emperor of the Persis Empire is also known as the ‘King of Kings.’ In other words, he claims to be the king among kings. If the Emperor of the Persis Empire acknowledges you as a ‘king,’ it will greatly improve your international standing. This will make subsequent negotiations with the tribes in the Germanis region go more smoothly.」

So, rushing things is not advisable.

「But being acknowledged as a king by the Emperor of the Persis Empire… doesn’t that imply becoming a vassal of the Persis Empire? I’m concerned about domestic backlash.」

「How about adopting the title of the representative of the Adernians and Kirisians in the Adernian Peninsula instead? The Republic of Pofenia has avoided vassalage to the Persis Empire this way.」

I see, we could pose as a pseudo-republic. Hmm, but I would prefer not to have a monarchy claim to be a republic.

Is there a better way?

To be honest, I don’t think mimicking Prince Shōtoku at this stage would work…

「The Kirisians harbor hatred towards the Persis Empire. Even if it’s just symbolic, it’s best to avoid any form of subordination.」

「That’s true… Well, even if the Emperor of the Persis Empire doesn’t acknowledge me, it’s enough if the Adernians and Kirisians recognize me as their king.」

But do the Kirisians see me as their king? I doubt it. To truly win over the Kirisians, I feel like there’s something crucial missing.

Where is the final piece of the puzzle…

「What do you think?」

「Well, the Kirisians don’t have a positive view of the monarchy to begin with… and as for the Adernians…」

That’s true… Even if they acknowledge my military strength and see the benefits of associating with me, in the end, the Kirisians are still Kirisians.

Their pride is excessively high. It’s troublesome…

That day, I spent the whole time discussing the Kirisians with Ainz.

◇

In mid-March… Tetra announced with a radiant smile.

「I’m pregnant.」

「That’s wonderful!!」

I hugged Tetra tightly. This time, it’s just a month after Julia. Julia is due in October, so… Tetra will likely give birth around November.

It will be winter. A bit risky.

「Do you prefer a boy or a girl?」

「Either is fine… But since we already have Ankus, if I had to choose, maybe a girl?」

If I think of this from a monarch perspective… Having more girls is better as it increases the possibilities for political marriages.

It’s not the most commendable way of thinking for a parent tough.

「I’ll give birth to a healthy child. Cheer me on.」

「Haha… all I can do is cheer you on…」

In this world, childbirth is incredibly risky. So every time I hear news of a pregnancy, joy and anxiety rise together.

Of course, I understand that more parents successfully have children than lose them, and that the risk of puerperal fever has significantly decreased thanks to alcohol sterilization.

「Hey, Almus. I’ve kept quiet about this until now, but can I ask you something?」

「What is it?」

Tetra had a serious expression. She tugged at my sleeve and whispered in my ear.

「What will happen to Ankus?」

「What do you mean?」

Tetra’s voice was soft and uncertain.

「…The Julius Rosais Family will become the main house of the Julius Family, and the next monarch will come from them. I understand that. But… what will the Julius Aris Family’s position be?」

「I intend for them to descend to the rank of nobility and support the Julius Rosais Family as the highest-ranked vassals… Why do you ask?」

「Is there no way to send them abroad as an adopted son-in-law?」

「That is impossible… Do you understand why?」

If Ankus were to, say, marry into King Domorgal’s Country and become King Domorgal… If, if Ankus, no I don’t even what to think about it. If Ankus’ son or grandson were to claim the right to the throne and invade our country, Julia’s and my child’s country… it would be disastrous.

At the very least, I have no intention of sending any of my sons abroad as adopted sons-in-law. Those who do not become kings will properly descend to nobility and support the kingdom as loyal subjects.

I don’t know how I will be remembered in the future. I might fail halfway through and be remembered only as an invader, a plunderer.

Still… if my path of conquest continues and I succeed in founding a new nation… I will become the first king.

The blood of my direct descendants will hold significant political meaning.

That can sometimes bring disaster. That’s why the direct bloodline must not be sent outside.

「I see… I’m sorry for asking something strange. I didn’t mean anything by it, really…」

I embraced Tetra as her voice trembled. She buried her face in my chest.

「…Sorry, I’m feeling strange because of the pregnancy. Just for a while… let me stay like this.」

「Alright, I’ll stay with you as long as you need.」

I answered while gently stroking Tetra’s hair.

Somehow… I felt that Tetra’s ‘sorry’ wasn’t just directed at me.