Ch.43The worrying continues.

# Chapter 43: The Worries Continue

So should I increase the fleet’s strength to accumulate victory points?

‘No, that’s not feasible right now either.’

Unfortunately, there was still too much to discuss regarding fleet power.

And truly unfortunately, the Holy Sebelli Empire simply didn’t have the money for such endeavors.

“Ah, money! The source of all life’s happiness and sorrow!”

“Minister, why are you losing it again?”

Ignoring Riel’s jab, I couldn’t help but express my frustration once more.

“Just think about it—every method for achieving imperial victory has such serious flaws that we can’t do anything.”

“…”

“Can you understand this sorrow?”

“…”

After saying that, I continued while showing the resource consumption of the fleets on my terminal.

“See this? Do you know how many resources our awesome fleet consumes in a month?!”

“Wow, they sure eat a lot.”

At Riel’s response, I felt a surge of irritation bubbling up.

“It’s not just ‘a lot,’ it’s VERY, VERY much.”

After saying that, I fell into thought again while looking at the resource consumption status.

‘The empire has a total of 5 regular fleets, and the amount they consume literally sucks up the resources of the massive Holy Sebelli Empire like a vacuum.’

Even in peacetime, each of the 5 fleets consumed the equivalent of half a year’s worth of resources for an entire star system.

‘I guess increasing fleet power is unrealistic after all…’

As I was finishing my contemplation on this matter, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘Wait, wouldn’t the Minister of Defense already be worrying about the fleet situation anyway?’

Realizing I had wasted time on unnecessary thoughts made me feel increasingly irritated, but…

“Hoo, hoooo…”

Since no quests had appeared recently to help me recover my fatigue…

I had to make my best effort to calm the rising irritation.

And in the midst of this, I also realized that pondering alone was meaningless.

“So who are you planning to visit?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Let’s go.”

“Ah.”

————————-

The place I naturally took Riel to was the private chamber in the imperial palace where our Emperor Arthraia—a genius who would definitely rank in the top 100 geniuses in the universe as far as I knew—resided.

“…So that’s why you came?”

“Yeah.”

Arthraia, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was for some reason…

Listening to my story with a first aid kit—which should be handled by attendants—placed beside her, despite being the Emperor.

And while she usually wore comfortable attire in her private chamber, unlike her public appearances…

Somehow today, her outfit was more… how should I put it?

‘Bold? No, daring would be a better word.’

Yes, daring was the appropriate description for her appearance.

‘Perhaps she’s developed a new hobby.’

Of course, since I couldn’t comment on the Emperor’s hobbies, I quietly ignored the first aid kit and her attire.

“Anyway, my plan is… as I just mentioned, to establish a massive galactic federation led by our empire.”

“Hmm, that’s so like you, Arto. You’ve been formulating a plan even grander than I imagined.”

Watching Arthraia nod lightly at my words, I could only nod in response.

“I thought something was wrong when you came and only spoke a few words before falling into deep contemplation.”

“What…”

Meanwhile, I was taken aback when Arthraia informed me that I had been lost in thought without even pausing.

‘Oh no, I might be labeled as incompetent if I’m not careful.’

Deciding I needed to be more mindful of my conduct and behavior, I first shrugged my shoulders and responded to Arthraia’s comment.

“Well, wouldn’t anyone be deep in thought over such matters?”

“Indeed, it’s certainly something worth contemplating extensively.”

Seeing Arthraia letting it slide, I tried to shift the topic in another direction.

“Anyway, it seems we’ve been talking for quite a while. Let’s take a break before continuing.”

“Mmm… alright.”

And while we’re taking a break, why not have some tea time?

“Coffee, black, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll have the same… Riel, what are you doing?”

“Why do you always pick on me?”

“Should I do it then, or should Arthraia?”

“Go ahead and try.”

“If you want both of us to end up on the guillotine for insulting the Emperor and the Empire, keep it up.”

“…”

Although I faced some rebellion from Riel, who seemed to be going through puberty despite being a humanoid…

In the end, Riel accepted reality and went to make coffee, albeit while grumbling.

“That one, is it puberty or a rebellious phase despite being a humanoid?”

“What does it matter? Isn’t it cute?”

“…”

While Riel was preparing coffee, Arthraia and I engaged in casual conversation.

“By the way, I was shocked. I never thought the day would come when you, Arto, would be hospitalized for overwork.”

“Umm…”

Hearing Arthraia’s words, I couldn’t help but feel dazed as I recalled Riel’s freestyle rap from yesterday.

‘Wait, didn’t she say Arthraia was going to visit me in the hospital?’

Of course, I quickly purged such otaku delusions from my mind.

‘Good grief, you crazy fool. What if your mind gets damaged along with your hospitalization?’

However, as I kept knocking my head with my fist during this process, Arthraia’s worried expression and words washed over me.

“Are you really okay?”

“Huh? Ye-yes… I’m fine enough to be discharged.”

The thought that I had caused unnecessary worry, coupled with the realization that my character pouch was indeed valuable, made me feel… something.

‘Pull yourself together, Arto!’

After shaking my head vigorously, I decided to continue our conversation until the coffee arrived.

“Anyway, as I was saying, all the methods I’ve thought of have problems.”

“So recently, I’ve also been considering a plan to directly develop some of the undeveloped planets within the empire.”

At Arthraia’s words, I wiggled my finger to indicate that it was unrealistic.

“Haven’t countless nations in this galaxy, including our own, proven how meaningless that approach is over the past few centuries?”

“But we can’t just sit idle, can we? There are plenty of people willing to work anyway.”

“Hmm.”

“If we mobilize criminals for development, crime rates on major planets won’t increase further.”

“…Oh.”

I hadn’t expected such a response.

“Here you go.”

So when I heard Riel’s voice, I naturally reached for the coffee being offered beside me, but…

-Tremble tremble…

“…Huh?”

It turned out that the one bringing the coffee was Gaia, who was still in recovery and whose arms were trembling due to lack of strength.

“He-here you go…”

“Why are YOU here?”

And beside her stood Riel, hands proudly on hips, looking as if she thought she had done something incredibly clever.

“How was that? I did well, right?”

“…”

“I acted according to the training you gave me, Minister. And Gaia needs rehabilitation training anyway.”

“…”

“I’m pretty amazing, aren’t I?”

Of course, the price for such insanity was quite steep.

“Why are you tormenting an injured person? Do you think you wouldn’t be tormented if you were hurt?”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”

Although I couldn’t bring my etiquette injection rod—considered a weapon—in front of the Emperor…

The weight difference between Riel and me was significant.

After executing an Argentine back breaker and power bomb on Riel…

“Phew.”

“Umm… is that allowed?”

“It’s fine, we’re always like this.”

I was already on the verge of anger because the federation establishment plan wasn’t coming together well.

Thanks to Riel, my face became somewhat refreshed, but Arthraia’s expression turned quite peculiar.

“I apologize. No matter what, this is before the Emperor.”

“Hmm, you must have been under a lot of stress. Well, these things happen.”

In the suddenly awkward atmosphere, I tried to calm down by at least drinking some coffee, but…

“Here…”

“Ah, thank y—Huh?!”

The moment I saw Gaia bringing me coffee, I realized that the key to solving the problem I had been pondering was right in front of me.

“Yes, it was you all along!”

“Eek?!”

I lifted Gaia—the very key to solving this problem—and cheered.

“It’s you! You’re the key!”

However, this created one minor issue…

Perhaps because I was in a state that had led to my hospitalization due to overwork and nervous tension.

My reaction was unusually stronger than usual, causing Arthraia to look at me very strangely.

“So that’s your preference after all.”

Of course, I could definitively state that I did not have the kind of preference Arthraia was thinking of.

“No, Arthraia, whatever you’re thinking, I can tell you it’s absolutely not that.”

“…That’s what criminals typically say.”

“It’s not.”

In the end, clearing up Arthraia’s misunderstanding took quite a lot of time, and…

“I! Like! People! With! Big! Chests!”

“…Eh.”

I had to endure the catastrophe of revealing my sexual preferences to Arthraia, a woman.