#1147 A Young Person’s Proposal

The Farm Kingdom-building project is coming along slowly but surely.
But just when things seemed to be settling down, another visitor arrived.

A new event is about to begin.

***

"Oh, Ritheseus. How have you been?"
"Great! I’m always full of energy!"

Ritheseus had once studied on this very farm. Now, he’s steering the course of the newly formed Human Kingdom as its president.
In a way, he’s the perfect example of someone putting his farm-learned skills to good use.

But for him to show up here all on his own...
Did something happen?

"No problems at all! Thanks to the wake-up call from Lord Saint and Sensei the other day, I’ve cleared up all my doubts. Now, I can charge forward at full power!"

O-Oh, okay...!

"Just the other day, I exposed a corrupt official who was secretly obstructing my policies. I permanently removed him from public office! Another obstacle gone, and I’ve never felt better!"

O-Ohhh...!
I guess that’s... good...?

Something feels a little off, though.
Sure, Ritheseus looks full of life now, but there’s this subtle, nagging sense of unease about him.

I’d visited the Human Kingdom recently and saw him on the verge of burning out.
I thought Sensei’s wise words had snapped him out of it, but...

Now, his eyes are clear. Like, maybe a little too intense... unfocused in a way?

...Well, whatever.
Young people should struggle and figure things out for themselves!

"So, if there’s no problem, what brings you here?"
"Come on now, do I need to have a problem to visit you, Lord Saint?"
"Well, no, but...!"

Sorry, but usually when big shots like the Demon King or Arowana visit, it’s because some major crisis just exploded and they need my help....

Blame your predecessors for setting that precedent.

Also, if there is a problem right now, it might actually be you, Ritheseus...
...Then again, maybe I’m overthinking it?

"Everything in the Human Kingdom is going perfectly! It’s like even the sea itself parts before me to clear my path!"

...Why do you sound like some overconfident villain from Jo*o’s Bizarre Adventure? This is making me even more nervous.

"But I’ve been thinking! It’s precisely when things are going well that we can’t let our guard down! To keep up this momentum...no, to soar even higher, I need to introduce new policies!"
"O-Oh, I see...!"

I admire his determination, at least.

"That’s why I’ve been brainstorming ways to make the Human Kingdom better...no, to improve the entire world! ...And then it hit me!"

Oh boy.

"Right now, the world’s got its eyes on the Farm Kingdom. A brand-new country in the making! Once it officially launches, it’s bound to have a positive impact on my nation and the entire world!"

Uh... I’d start feeling pressured if you set the bar high like that...

"Of course, it’s still in the early stages. But if we lay some sort of groundwork now, we can ensure a stable launch."

I appreciate the thought, but...!

"And so, I came up with an idea! The Farm Kingdom is destined to become a hub for international trade!"

Oh yeah, the Demon King mentioned something like that before...

"That’s why we should start building the foundation for a trade network now! Rather than waiting until the country is fully formed, wouldn’t it be more efficient to establish the framework beforehand?"

I mean... I guess?
I wasn’t really thinking that far ahead. What exactly goes into making a trade hub, anyway?
I just assumed it’d kind of... happen?!

"With peace spreading, countries are interacting more and more. That means more imports, exports, and international trade. Every nation has unique specialties that others will want."

Well, yeah...
...That makes sense.

Even in my old world, trade started with simple barter.

"Once trade crosses borders, the next thing we need is efficient transportation. Time and money spent on shipping are pure costs. The less, the better. The Demon King and others believe the Farm Kingdom is perfectly positioned to become the ultimate trade hub."

Geographically, we’re smack in the middle between the Human Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom.
The farm itself is by the sea, and thanks to my wife, Platy, we’ve got strong ties with the Mermaid Kingdom.

Looking at all that... yeah, I guess we really are in a prime spot for this kind of thing.

"Wait, but what about teleportation magic? Wouldn’t that make transport way easier?"

With that, distance and time wouldn’t even be an issue, right?

"Teleportation magic has its limits. Moving thousands of shipments a day would burn through too much mana. Plus, there are security risks. In the end, using ships and carriages is more cost-effective."

Huh. I see.

"Not to mention, a trade hub needs storage facilities to consolidate goods before shipping them out. That’s another role the Farm Kingdom can fill. Think of it like a heart, pumping resources throughout the world!"

Can we not use that metaphor?!
That makes the responsibility sound way too intense!!!

"Now, do you see why the world is counting on the Farm Kingdom, Lord Saint? With that in mind, I have a proposal!"

Here it comes.

"We should hold an event! A grand showcase to declare to the world that the Farm Kingdom is ready to become the center of global trade! We’ll invite dignitaries from every nation and make an unforgettable impression!"

I’d rather stay low-key, though...!

"A ruler must not be timid! As for the event’s main attraction... how about a world trade fair?!"

A... trade fair?!

"Each country can bring their best products to showcase. And the venue is none other than the future Farm Kingdom itself! This will prove to the world that this is where everything comes together!!!"

Are you saying...
Good heavens, Laugh Tale was the Farm Kingdom all along!

"What do you think, Lord Saint? Holding a world trade fair will solidify the Farm Kingdom's position and secure its future! Please, make the call!!!"

Hmmm...
The old me would’ve hesitated to make such a bold move.

But ever since I decided to build the Farm Kingdom, I’ve stopped shying away from these things.
We’re already moving forward.

If we don’t stand our ground, others will take advantage of us. That could harm me and the people I care about.

We need to show the world what we’re capable of to prevent that from happening!

"And hey, Ritheseus put so much effort into this pitch. I can’t just ignore my former student’s dedication!"
"Thank you so much, Lord Saint! And while we’re at it, how about showcasing some of the farm’s own products?"

...Huh?

"We could display your homegrown vegetables, the alcohol you produce, the pottery you craft-"
"Absolutely not."

A heavy voice cut him off—Platy’s.
She’s not amused.

"You know everything made here is basically overpowered. If we put that on display, we won’t impress people, we’ll intimidate them. It’d be a full-on power flex."
"Ugh... As expected of Lady Platy... You see right through me..."

Ritheseus sighs, defeated.

Where is this kid heading, anyway?
Well, I guess it’s fine. Let him dream big while he still can.