Upon finishing the report to Kousuke, the construction plan for the Magic Power Supply Facility was decided to officially begin.
Previously, they had been using a building constructed in the suburbs of the city on the fifth floor for research, but this building would be expanded for full-scale use.
With this, various projects would commence, and the movement of people and goods into and out of the tower would increase even further.
Naturally, with that much material moving, it was to be expected that it would draw attention to Crown planning something new.
However, information about the preparatory research had already leaked, so those with the ability to gather information were likely thinking, “They’ve finally made their move.”
By the way, the reason information was leaking was not due to employee leaks, but because Crown was deliberately disseminating it.
After all, this was a facility that had never existed before, one that could completely change people’s lives.
It was decided that it would be better to gradually introduce it and make it easier for residents to accept, rather than causing confusion with a sudden announcement.
Of course, the crucial and important parts were kept completely hidden from the public.
In that sense, there was no worry about their technology being stolen.
While the hard aspect of the plan proceeded smoothly, the soft aspect also steadily cleared up issues.
The biggest problem, who would hold the leadership – the nation or Crown – was ultimately decided to be Razek Amamiya.
If the plan proceeded as intended, the magic supplied by the facility would be immense.
Depending on how it was used, or rather, it was certain that someone would attempt to use it for military purposes.
Therefore, it was judged to be better for the nation to control it, rather than an organization like Crown.
Indeed, Crown held the power of adventurers as a fighting force, but adventurers were not beings who would absolutely obey an organization.
They lacked the coercive power of a nation’s army, so there was no telling if they might betray them in a pinch.
The conclusion was that it was risky to entrust the operation of such immense energy to such an organization.
There was a possibility of building facilities abroad in the future, but at that time, important locations would be made into black boxes and operated as such.
By making it appear as a national policy of Razek Amamiya to spread it, they expected to some extent deter nations who might make unreasonable demands to disclose the secrets.
If it were Crown, no matter how powerful an organization it became, it would still be seen as just an organization, and the nation might make excessive demands.
From these various perspectives, it was decided that Razek Amamiya would hold the leadership.
Kousuke heard about these matters from Floria.
“Hmm. So, in the end, the country decided to take the lead.”
“Yes. While Crown has become a major force within the continent, it’s still not that strong on other continents. They would undoubtedly be underestimated.”
“I see.”
Kousuke wholeheartedly agreed with Floria’s words.
Crown’s expansion to continents other than the Central Continent had been a goal from the start, but it had not been progressing well as of yet.
Indeed, the fact that Crown was seen as synonymous with Razek Amamiya was the biggest bottleneck.
The benefits of the Crown Card, which had spread rapidly in the monster-infested Central Continent, had not been as effective on other continents.
Of course, behind the scenes, the nation was leading a rumor campaign saying, “Status displays are not really necessary.”
Countries that had actively accepted branches were not spreading such rumors, but minority opinions were still currently losing out to the prevailing trend.
The branch in Seichun, located at the foot of the tower and seemingly capable of efficient operation using Status, might be able to counter such rumors, but it had only just been established.
It was still difficult to say that they held an advantage.
Mia, who had been listening to Kousuke and Floria’s conversation, looked at Floria.
“You seem quite relaxed. Did you, after all, delegate your work to your older brother?”
“Ah.”
To Floria’s brief reply, Mia simply said, “I see.”
Recently, Floria had been delegating most matters outside of long-standing projects to Towa.
The other staff members, seeing this clear delegation of authority, were rumored to be considering retirement.
Floria herself was not stopping these rumors, so they were spreading with a certain degree of confidence.
After all, Floria had always publicly stated that she governed solely by the delegation of the Avatar (Kousuke).
It was only natural to her that Towa, Kousuke’s son, who was already an open secret, would soon succeed her as king.
As if sensing these thoughts, those around them no longer spoke about it.
Of course, there was not a single person who underestimated Floria’s work as queen.
However, if she remained on the throne without a legitimate reason, who knew what might happen.
While she had a good relationship with her son, it was not impossible for a faction to arise that would support Towa and oust Floria.
Especially foreign powers might not hesitate to take such action.
To deter such individuals, it was not a bad thing for these rumors to spread as an open secret.
Seeing through Floria’s thoughts, Mia let out a sigh.
“Your brother will be even busier now.”
Mia hadn’t necessarily said this to Floria, but perhaps Floria took it that way, shrugging her shoulders and looking at Mia.
“If you want, Mia can help too?”
“Please don’t joke. I have no intention of replacing your brother.”
Though they spoke in a light, playful tone, it was only because they were in the management layer where no one but family members came.
If their current conversation were to leak outside, it would cause a stir both internally and externally.
Of course, it would be a movement to make Mia, not Towa, the next monarch.
However, Towa had already shown himself to be a dependable Crown Prince.
Even with Mia gaining such backing, she had a weak power base or relied on foreign forces, leading to no good outcomes for either Razek Amamiya or Mia herself.
Besides, as she had told Floria, Mia herself had no intention of taking the throne at all.
Floria, who understood this better than anyone but Mia herself, nodded profoundly.
“Well, you would say that.”
“Honestly… even if this is the management layer, aren’t you being too careless?”
Mia, with an exasperated expression, glared at Floria.
“Don’t say that. It’s because it *is* the management layer, isn’t it?”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Mia, who had to maintain her position as princess when they returned to the castle, could only agree with Floria’s words.
Floria had to constantly bear even greater pressure than Mia.
In the management layer, the desire to be in her natural state was understandable.
However, with the next action Floria took, Mia rolled her eyes.
“That’s why it’s my natural right to dote on Kousuke like this.”
Saying that, Floria moved closer to Kousuke and entwined her right arm with his.
Her attitude was clearly meant to show off to Mia.
“You have no such right! And furthermore, PDA in the management layer is prohibited!”
“Don’t be so rigid. There are only parents and children here right now, aren’t there?”
Even as Floria said that, Mitsuki was actually nearby.
However, Mitsuki was simply smiling as if watching something interesting.
Realizing she was in a disadvantageous situation, Mia, like Floria, moved closer to Kousuke and took his other arm.
“In that case, I’ll be on this side!”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Sandwiched between the two who had started to eye each other warily, Kousuke simply remained still.
He knew from past experience that interjecting at such times would not end well.
Ultimately, the two’s battle (?) would continue until Shurein arrived.
And so, it was the mother and daughter’s battle lol.
N-no. Mia has completely become a daddy’s girl.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Her marriage prospects are getting even dimmer…
