The annexation of West Town was announced immediately after the Executive Branch completed its preparations.
This was one of the conditions set by West Town.
They also requested that the announcement be made before any of the other four cities, East, West, North, or South.
The objective was to politically elevate their standing by being the first to show their submission.
Meanwhile, as the announcement was being prepared, the Executive Branch was also diligently making progress on another matter.
When the preparations for that matter reached their final stage, Alec visited Kousuke.
“Our preparations are nearing completion, but is it really alright to announce it?”
There was no anxiety on Alec’s face as he asked.
He had already asked Kousuke multiple times and received the same answer, so he understood.
He knew that given Kousuke’s personality, it was highly unlikely he would object at this last moment.
Still, the reason he was confirming was because of what had happened with the Kingdom of Gates.
The people around Alec were urging him to confirm repeatedly.
“There are no problems.”
Kousuke, who already knew this, simply replied.
He then proceeded to ask about something that had been on his mind.
“More importantly, is that other matter alright?”
“That’s not a problem. …Or rather, is it really alright for you?”
“It’s fine. In fact, I’d be the one to ask you if I could. Besides, it probably wouldn’t be good for *me* to be the one to step forward, would it?”
Alec couldn’t help but agree with Kousuke’s words.
What he was referring to was the matter of whether Kousuke himself would become King.
The topic Alec had brought up was about creating a new country.
In that discussion, Kousuke had recommended someone else to be King instead of himself.
“Well, I can be content with that. The problem is the residents.”
Alec tilted his head at Kousuke’s words.
“Are they opposing it?”
“No, they aren’t opposing it, but…”
Alex, who was unusually hesitant, made Kousuke look even more puzzled.
“Did something happen?”
“No… well, to put it simply, they’re telling me to have a child soon.”
Upon hearing those words, Kousuke’s mouth formed an “O” shape.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I forgot to mention. …Or rather, should someone like myself be the one to say such things?”
Kousuke said this, offered a brief apology, and headed towards the deeper part of the management layer.
***
Returning, Kousuke had brought Floria with him.
It was Floria whom Kousuke had nominated as the King of the new country to be established.
If they were to choose from among the members, there was no one more suitable than Floria.
Floria had initially been hesitant, but she had eventually relented to Kousuke’s persuasion.
The reason Floria was hesitant was that if she became Queen, she would undoubtedly be very busy and unable to see Kousuke often.
Kousuke had offered a bitter smile at this and promised to make time to visit her.
Unfortunately, as she would become Queen, managing the Southwest Tower would become difficult.
However, Kousuke would not manage it in her stead.
He had plenty of time, and the plan was for Floria to gradually make changes to it.
“Floria is here, which means…?”
Alec looked at Floria with an expression of disbelief.
Seeing his gaze, Floria made a grim face.
“Ah. Father. Please calm down first. I understand what you want to say, but I think your imagination is probably mistaken?”
Floria’s words made Alec look skeptical.
“…What do you mean?”
“It’s not that we already have a child. It means that I have finally become capable of having a child.”
“??”
As Alec tilted his head again, Floria shook her head.
Thinking about it, she realized she hadn’t properly explained the situation to Alec.
There was also the fact that it wasn’t something that could be easily discussed.
“As you know, Kousuke is an Avatar. Naturally, there were problems with me having a child with him.”
“…And then?”
“So, don’t make that face. As I said earlier, I have now become capable of having a child with Kousuke.”
“There are no problems?”
“None. …Well, if there’s anything, it’s probably that I’ve become a High Human, so my lifespan has become much longer.”
Hearing this, Alec’s expression became one of utter astonishment.
“…Huh?”
Alec then let out a cry that was unlike him.
Seeing this, both Floria and Kousuke burst into laughter.
“See? Just like I said?”
“I’m impressed. You truly are a parent and child.”
“Naturally.”
Kousuke and Floria had predicted what kind of reaction Alec would have when she told him she had become a High Human.
And indeed, Floria had accurately predicted Alec’s current reaction.
“Wait! Could you say that again? I feel like I heard something I shouldn’t have…”
“Are you talking about my extended lifespan?”
“No, that’s… no, that too, but before that!”
“You’ve become a High Human?”
“That’s it!”
“Which one?”
Floria, who was unusually (perhaps?) playing dumb, found it utterly meaningless to the person she was with.
He was clearly more concerned about something else and pressed Floria.
“Wh-what do you mean by High Human?!”
Pointing at his reaction, Floria looked at Kousuke and said,
“See? This is the normal reaction, isn’t it?”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
When Floria became a High Human, there had been quite a commotion among the management layer.
To Kousuke, it felt like a “what now?” situation, but at that time, he was bombarded with questions from various sides.
And now, Floria was bringing it up again.
Ignoring the two of them, Alec’s mouth opened and closed.
“Is that… the truth?”
“What would be the point of lying? Here.”
Floria, asked, handed over the Crown Card.
The display clearly showed the species as
Even Alec, seeing the display on the Crown Card, did not doubt it.
Although they originated from the same source, seeing it confirmed on something familiar finally made him understand.
“Is this… alright?”
It was a question that could be interpreted in many ways.
“Father. If you don’t ask proper questions, I can’t answer.”
“No, I asked in many ways… Hmm. Is it alright to make it public?”
Floria had undoubtedly been a Human before.
The question was whether it was alright to publicize the possibility of a Human becoming a High Human.
“It’s not a problem, but… can we handle the public announcement?”
Alec shook his head at Kousuke’s straightforward question.
“No, I apologize. It’s probably best not to do anything that could cause an unnecessary disturbance.”
“Father. There’s no use in even thinking about that. After all, to become a High Human, you have to be directly involved with gods.”
Currently, the only one who could be directly involved was Kousuke.
The other gods were in their Divine Realms, and those in this world who could not go to their Divine Realms could not interact with the gods.
The only possibility was Kousuke, who existed in this world.
Furthermore, Kousuke was not inclined to engage deeply with anyone other than the current members.
Perhaps his feelings might change over a long period, but for now, he hadn’t considered it at all.
If Kousuke himself wasn’t willing, becoming a High Human would be impossible, so Floria’s words were not incorrect.
If the other gods could stay on the ground for extended periods, Floria’s words might be mistaken, but in the current world, that is almost impossible, so her statement remains correct.
