Ore wa Mada, Honki o Dashite Inai

I was lounging in the garden when I suddenly looked up at the sky.

I was lying on my back in my easy chair, but then I got up and looked up.

At first glance, the sky looked clear and blue.

"Hermes?　What's wrong?

My sister asked as she walked by.

I guess she thought it was strange that I wasn't slumped in my easy chair.

"...... There's a storm coming.

"A storm?

Yeah, and it's ...... big, man.

I stared up at the sky, which was still clear and blue.

☆.

As I said, a storm came the next day.

It was the biggest storm in years, and even inside the house, you could feel the power of the storm, and the windows - and the whole house - were shaking in the wind.

My sister and I were in the living room, looking out the window at the storm.

It looks like it's going to be a disaster.

"Yeah.

I gave a small nod.

It's going to be a disaster, that's for sure.

After the storm is over, I'll have a lot of work to do.

"Hermes.

What is it?

Can't you just blow the storm away?

No, you can't!

I replied with a pout.

'I see. I was hoping Hermes would be able to do it, but it's just not possible.

"...... Oh.

I smiled slightly.

I've never done this before, so I can't say for sure, but I think I might be able to "bust a storm," as my sister calls it.

A storm, to put it crudely, settles down when all the rain inside the storm is gone.

It is possible to blow away all the rainwater that has accumulated inside the storm.

I can do that, but ...... I didn't do that indeed.

Recently, I've come to realize something.

Whenever I try to do something, I get weird and unexpected results.

Most of the time, that is.

It's fine if it's a normal thing, but in the case of this severe storm, there's a possibility that the unexpected result could cause serious damage elsewhere - and that's a good thing.

Because of that, I weighed myself against messing with the storm.

That said, ...... is really intense.

Oh.

My sister and I watched the storm blowing in and found a serious look on each other's faces.

☆

The next day, after the storm had passed.

The sky was clear as if the typhoon had just passed.

As I glanced at the sky, I faced Mimis and the rest of the vassals in my office, listening to the reports that had come in from all over the territory.

"Next, the city of Gongos. Thirty-seven houses destroyed, 168 partially destroyed, casualties--

"Good, good. I don't want to go into detail right now. I'll read it later, just get me a summary of everything.

"Okay.

"It's more about rescue. You have food in your stockpile, right?

Yes, we have more than enough. I had each of the warehouses submit their actual numbers, and about 80 percent of the books actually exist.

So 20% of the money is gone due to corruption or something.

We're not going to pursue that right now. Anyway, the first thing we need to do is prepare a meal.

"Yes.

I don't care if there's a surplus. It doesn't matter if there are too many, just make sure there are enough.

Yes, sir.

And fresh water. After a disaster, epidemics spread. Make sure there is plenty of fresh water and proper sanitation.

Yes, sir.

I gave orders to Mimis one after another.

He didn't say or ask for a single detailed number.

At this point in time, as the chief executive of the territory, I can't help but stare at the detailed numbers.

Anyway, the first priority is to give a direction of what needs to be done.

"My Lord.

What is it?

We've received requests for help from the neighboring territories of Grace and Chithiakis.

Can you turn your hand?

If it's just supplies, we don't know how many people we'll need at the moment.

If that's the case, just give us the supplies as requested. There's no such thing as territory in disaster relief.

Yes, sir.

Mimis broke her back and agreed.

After giving a series of orders, I stood up from the head of the family chair.

"My Lord?

I'm going to go look around, I'll be back in a couple of hours, so if you really need me to make a decision, you can put it together until then.

"Yes.

I jumped out the window and leapt through the air with my flight magic.

I've given you a set of instructions.

I decided to look around on my own and deal with what needed to be done on the spot.

☆

After Hermes had flown out, Thora came into the office.

Solar asked Mimis.

"Mimis, where's Hermes?

The head of the family has left for a visit.

I see. ...... Are you working properly?

"Yes. The master always works diligently in times of disaster.

Yes, that's the kind of girl she is.

Thora nodded and approached Mimis.

He peered at the papers Mimis was holding.

You're going to support the neighborhood?

"By order of my lord, sir.

"Are you okay?　Are your finances in order?

Solar voiced the obvious concern.

Disaster relief is a costly business.

In particular, there are merchants who raise the prices of goods every time there is a disaster, so it costs more money than usual to do the same thing.

She knew that, and asked Mimis about it.

There is no problem at all.

Mimis said simply and without a trace of color.

Is that so?

Yes. The silver mines the master had improved, Mithril's new construction methods, and the profits from Petrudite. As long as these three things support the finances of the House of Canaan, we will not be affected by something like this.

Mimis said flatly.

The accumulation of the things that Hermes has "done" at every turn has created the current financial health of the Canoes.

The Canoes' income and reserves.

Both were almost twice as high as ever.

Even with disaster relief, they still had plenty of room to spare.

Yes. Yes, we still have enough.

What he had accumulated so far, in Hermes' absence, was what made the disaster relief for the once-in-a-decade storm go smoothly.