#1130 Returning Home Loaded with Honors? 

We’ve finally arrived in the Human Kingdom. 
More precisely, it’s the “New Human Kingdom,” a.k.a. the Human Republic. 

I’ve visited this country a couple of times in the past, but this is my very first official trip. Naturally, I’m on edge. 

“Don’t worry so much. The one in charge here is Ritheseus, right?” Platy says with a breezy tone as she walks beside me.  

Her confident air makes it obvious she’s far more used to her role than I am.  
Well, that’s what happens when you’re born into royalty. 

As we head toward the administrative building... which used to be the royal palace, we pass down a grand boulevard thronged with citizens on both sides, cheering at the top of their lungs. 

Yup, it’s basically a parade. 

They did the same thing over in the Mermaid Kingdom, and apparently the people here love a big show-and-tell, too. 

“That’s Lord Saint?!” 
“The hidden hero who saved our Human Kingdom from the tyranny of the old royal family!” “They say he granted wisdom and power to countless heroes and delivered the human race from war!” 
“He even revived the Elven Forest, which had been left in ruins!” 
“I heard he was the one who brought back the dairy and livestock industries of the minotaurs!” 
“Lately, we’ve had a string of bumper harvests, all thanks to him!!!” 
“All hail the Saint! Long live Lord Saint!!!” 

Huh? 
They sure know a lot about me, don’t they? 

I mean, I get that bits and pieces of my so-called “deeds” have spread around in the Demon Kingdom, and people have probably exaggerated them to no end. 
It’s left me with a larger-than-life reputation I’m not sure I deserve. 

Platy, on the other hand, has this to say: 

“Humanity has been suffering for ages: first from constant war, then from oppressive rulers. Finally being free has them over the moon. And you were a central figure in that liberation. Of course they’re going to celebrate.” 

But I didn’t do anything special. 
It really was everyone’s hard work that made the land so prosperous. I didn’t do nearly as much as they think… 

…No, wait. I just decided I should stop being overly modest about it. Let’s try a different approach... 

“Thank you! Thank you for your warm welcome!” 
“Kyaaa! Lord Saint is waving at us!” 

I mean, as a public figure now, I should at least wave back, right? 
And if I want people to support my dream of building the Farm Kingdom, a little positive PR can’t hurt. 

“Hmhmhm… As expected of you, Dear. Once you set your mind to something, you go all in.” 

Platy’s got that mischievous grin on her face. She only makes that face when she’s cooking up trouble. 

“In that case, as your devoted wife, I’m not gonna sit on the sidelines! Time for my top-secret plan to boost your public image sky-high!” 

Huh? What’re you going to do, Platy?! 
Whenever she steps up to ‘help,’ it often leads to chaos. Maybe keep it low-key this time?! 

“Forward, special squad, assembled specifically to support the Saint! Go, go, go!” 
“WOGERRRR!!!” 

Huh? 
I recognize those little voices… 

“The Earth Spirits have awwived!” 
“We’re swooping in to save the dayyy!”  
“Here we come, stand asideee!” 

A group of tiny girls...! 
 
 

It’s the Earth Spirits!  

They’re spiritual beings who normally go about their duties unseen, but on our farm, they can take physical form and help out more directly. 

They’re adorable to look at, and their very presence is like a soothing balm. And now they’re here in the Human Republic’s parade?! 

“These little ones are Earth Spirits made flesh by the Underworld God’s blessing! Where Earth Spirits thrive, the land grows rich! The very fact they can freely appear here in the heart of the kingdom is proof that this land is becoming more fertile! 
““““OOOOOH!!!”””” 

The citizens press in closer, eyes shining.  

Meanwhile, the spirits zip through the air, floating about in every direction. 

“This pwace has such good vibes!”  
“Wich mana, so comfy!”  
“Gweat sunwight exposure, southern-facing, nearly new!” 
“Next year’s harvest wooks gweat!” 
“Gonna be good for years to come!” 
“First is Mt. Fuji, second is a hawk, third is an eggpwant!*” 

The crowd’s cheers grow even louder, their excitement peaking as they watch these little nature sprites zoom about. 

“Incredible…”  
“Spirits are playing freely… Our land really isn’t the barren desert it once was…!” 
“All thanks to Lord Saint’s blessing…!” 

They’re all clasping their hands together and bowing their heads. 
It must mean their memories of the old kingdom’s misery still run deep, even after things have changed this much. 

“Fwahahaha! See how the sweet and sacred Earth Spirits steal human hearts at a glance? And when they realize those Spirits belong to you, Dear? Your reputation’s climbing faster than a carp swimming up a waterfall!” 

Platy looks extremely proud of herself. 
Even if I’m embarrassed by the fuss, I’m glad the Earth Spirits are enjoying themselves. 

Anyway, enough crowd-pleasing. We’ve got business to attend to at the palace...er, the government office. 
Winning over the general public is all well and good, but it doesn’t mean much if I don’t talk face-to-face with the people who run the place. 

*** 

When we finally arrive at the former royal castle, now the Republican Government Center, Ritheseus himself is the first to greet us. 

“Lord Saint! I’ve been waiting for this day! Thank you for coming!!!” 

It’s Ritheseus, the current President of the Human Republic. 
Once upon a time, he studied diligently on my farm, part of the very first class of farm students. As soon as he graduated, he was appointed to this high office.  
Definitely our top success story so far. 

He’s been serving as president for a while now, right? 

Back in his student days, he looked so bright and full of energy. Now his cheeks look a bit hollow, and his complexion’s a bit dull.  
Clearly, he’s been under a lot of stress. Well, that’s no surprise—he’s a young man steering a huge nation.  
Talk about pressure. 

…And soon, I’ll be in a similar position. Just thinking about it is overwhelming. 

“I’ve truly been looking forward to this. Inviting you here publicly, as an official guest!” 

He’s practically sparkling with excitement, which is a bit intimidating. 

“Uh… Right, this is the first time I’ve come here, you know, with official permission.” 

I may have snuck in a few times before, but let’s not dwell on that.  

Besides, I have...mixed feelings about this palace.  
After all, this is the very spot where I was first summoned from my world. 

The people who called me here just wanted cannon fodder for their wars.  
No way was I going to risk my life for people like that. I managed to talk my way out and escape back then, but it was a close call... 
If I’d failed, I might’ve died in some random ditch. 

So, yeah, I’m not exactly brimming with fond memories of this place. 

“...The last time I was here, if I recall, was during your big engagement fiasco, right?” 

When you hold power, everyone starts circling, looking for a piece of it. 
Ritheseus—king, or close enough—was bombarded with proposals left and right from nobles who wanted to push their daughters, sisters, or granddaughters on him.  
He must’ve been exhausted. 

I even snuck in to give him some moral support.  

I remember Sensei the Lifeless King showed up, got really annoyed with the greedy aristocrats, and gave them a massive lecture.  
It should’ve put them on the straight and narrow… but apparently not everyone learned their lesson, judging by the recent incident with that land development project. 

“That’s right… I used to think Sensei's stern lectures could fix just about anyone. But once people get starry-eyed with ambition, it’s hard to snap them out of it. Take that fool Lawajiputa, for example. I wish he’d been the last of his kind, but I’m sure there are others lying low...” 

Ritheseus lets out a dry chuckle. 
He was never the kind of kid who laughed like that back when we were students… 

Remind me—Lawaj-whatever-his-name-was? 
Oh, right, that human who led an army to attack the frontier settlement. 

“He even deployed his own private forces and basically started a war. With that kind of evidence, we were able to seize his assets and banish him. But there are still plenty of ambitious people lying low, waiting for the chance to trip us up.” 

I see…  
So Ritheseus still has his work cut out for him.  

From now on, I’ll do everything I can to support you, out in the open, no less...! 

“That’s why I came up with an idea. A way to guide this Republic into a truly great future. I found my answer.” 

Huh? 

“Lord Saint! Would you take over as leader of this country? Please, become our next ruler in my place! I’ll resign and make you the second president!!!” 

Huh?!?!?! 

==========

*In Japan, there is a saying “Ichi-fuji, Ni-taka, San-nasubi”, which ]translates to “The First is Mt Fuji, the Second is hawks, and the Third is eggplants”. If one were to dream of such things during one’s first night of sleep in the New Year, it was said to bring one happiness all throughout that year.