Scenario:A Sweltering Eternal Getaway - Chapter 2: A Tour of the Hot Spring District - Episode 4

A Sweltering Eternal Getaway - Chapter 2: A Tour of the Hot Spring District - Episode 4

Albert and Yurius are in an alley, deep in discussion. Though they are happy with the hot spring district's success, at the same time, they worry if some form of rebellion will arise from Audric's recent activities as king. Meanwhile, at the town's abandoned arena, the lord Galia makes a report to Audric's younger brother, Victor.

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As (Captain) and company are exploring the main street of the district, two figures slip away from the town center and into an alley.

Albert: The head of the hot spring district's association seemed happy. According to him, profits are on the rise in every part of town.

Yurius: Only to be expected, with this many people visiting. We will need to think of ways to prevent overcrowding in the future.

Albert: I never thought the day'd come when Levin would welcome so many tourists.

Yurius: The results are as they should be, seeing how much effort His Majesty has put in.

Albert: Ever since you taught His Majesty how to gather documents and other materials, he's really changed. Just what in the skies did you teach him?

Yurius: Nothing special. I simply listened to what His Majesty had to say and agreed to help him gather things that could be of support.

Yurius: I am also making it a point not to speak as a D.O.P.E. during our study sessions, as debate is not our main objective.

Albert: Still, His Majesty's trade and urbanization project is so clear and straightforward. It doesn't seem like something he thought of himself.

Yurius: He most certainly thought of the project himself—five years ago, or so I've been informed.

Albert: That long ago?

Yurius: Apparently he had proposed it to his father, the king at the time, but it was rejected.

Yurius: Well, that is no surprise. His Majesty's ideas were too novel for a country like ours that did not favor change.

Albert: I see...

Albert: I must say, I'm very surprised by His Majesty at the council meetings. The air in the room changes the moment he begins to speak.

City Lord: I have taken a thorough look over the documents. As for our next objective...

Galia: Sufficient technological supply for the hot spring district? While it is true that our investments in the district have brought favorable results and become a source of income...

Countryside Lord: With this much profit already, the hot spring district should be satisfactory in its current state. On the other hand, my area could use more work...

Albert: (Once large-scale changes are made, the lords of each district will start to compete.)

Yurius: (It cannot be helped—we all want the best for our country. We have no choice but to work on a little at a time...)

Audric: ...

City Lord: Your Majesty? Is something the matter?

Audric: Well, um...

Audric: Whew...

Audric: Levin is a strong country. It is thanks to the resilience of our knights and their unparalleled abilities that Levin was able to come this far.

Audric: I take pride in the history that Levin has created. However, change happens with time, and countries, too, must adapt to such change.

Audric clasps his hands together and bows his head.

Audric: From here on out, Levin must become a land where culture can grow—and for this, I ask for the wisdom of all those present here.

Audric: I beg you. Lend me your power to expand Levin to its full potential.

District Lords: ...!

Galia: ...

Albert: The proposal to focus our efforts on the hot spring district was also agreed on with a single word from His Majesty.

Yurius: When the king himself asks that earnestly, no one can refuse. And that is exactly what puts His Majesty in danger.

Yurius: I understand what His Majesty is trying to say. When I first heard about the trade and urbanization project, I felt it was a worthwhile effort as well.

Yurius: However, the king's consecutive achievements are also what strikes fear in the lords. They worry that, eventually, having a council will no longer have meaning.

Albert: No longer have meaning?

Yurius: Up until recently, the council has always been a fair place where there was no absolute leader.

Yurius: But now that His Majesty attends the meetings, the balance of power among the participants has shifted.

Yurius: And someday, it may eventually become like how it was in the Glory Age, where all policies were decided by the king alone.

Albert: You think... that might be a good thing?

Yurius: In terms of propelling change for our country, yes.

Yurius: With the current state of our council, deciding on a single policy takes time, since discussion and proper procedures need to take place.

Yurius: But with an absolute monarchy, matters can be put into action with a single word from the king. The country can be built exactly the way His Majesty wishes.

Yurius: Of course, it is a double-edged sword. The kingdom can both prosper and decline in the span of a single generation.

Albert: That does bring up new insecurities...

Yurius: Yes, it is a matter of concern. Personally, however, I am more interested in something different...

Yurius: In Levin, there are people who think about nothing but their own profits—as we have already learned and experienced.

Yurius: If these people begin to feel their own influence threatened, what do you think they will do?

Albert: In the worst case... they may start a rebellion.

Albert: Now I understand. That's why you were worried that something might happen on the day of the fireworks.

Yurius: The fireworks festival is an idea that the king proposed. If any accidents were to occur during the event, the fault would fall on His Majesty himself.

Albert: Right. Well, the increased security measures may appear to be for the protection of the king—but in actuality, the guards are to ensure that the fireworks festival runs smoothly.

Yurius: We are truly fortunate to have a strong ally like Jeno to defend His Majesty in any situation.

Yurius: As someone who is loyal to only those of the royal family, he would go as far as to become the enemy of the kingdom for his master. He is the most qualified to be the king's knight.

Albert: I was surprised when you wanted to nominate Jeno to be His Majesty's personal guard, but you're right after all—we never know who may be plotting against the king.

Yurius: Exactly. And right now may be the perfect opportunity to unmask those against Audric.

Just then, Yurius's gaze shifts to a young man walking down the main street just outside of the alleyway.

Yurius: ...!

Albert: Hm? What's wrong?

Yurius: Ah, nothing... I caught a glimpse of His Highness just now.

Yurius: Whew... His Highness is looking more and more like our father. Sometimes, I cannot help but be on my guard.

Albert: I don't blame you... But what is His Highness doing here in the hot spring district?

Yurius: Who knows? Though I doubt it's simply a fun excursion.

Wiping off the growing sweat on his brow, Yurius heaves a deep sigh.

???: There you are.

Galia: Ah, Your Highness. I apologize for having kept you waiting.

???: Are the preparations well on their way?

Galia: Indeed. My squad is superior—they will ensure that all goes according to plan.

Galia: It appears quite a number of guards has been positioned to watch over your brother. However, security is much looser outside of the hot spring district.

???: I see. Then tomorrow morning, once you have finished disposing of the werewolf, I will approach my brother.

Galia: The day I can refer to Your Highness as "Your Majesty" is finally arriving... Aah, long have I waited for this day.

???: Heh.

The young man walks to the center of the building and looks over the crumbling remains of an arena.

Galia: You have quite the refined taste, Your Highness, to choose this arena to be the place of your battle against your brother.

Galia: This arena hosted many battles between proud warriors who fought ruthlessly against each other in the Glory Age, bringing much excitement to its spectators at the time.

Galia: The walls and ceiling may be in ruins now, but this was once a place that even architects of faraway lands spoke highly of.

???: I don't care for old stories. Don't speak of them to me again.

Galia: A-ah, my humblest apologies, Your Highness.

???: I simply wish to carry out my promise with my father.

???: I cannot forgive that weakling of a king who has made such a fool of our precious land...

Victor: Fear not! I, Victor Levin, will correct the errors of my brother!

The young man makes his declaration among the ruins of the arena, a strong fighting spirit burning from within his eyes.