Creating a village

I do not have the words to describe this scene.
However, according to the samurai in charge of the installation, this is

‘I reminisce about sun-drying kelp in my hometown.’

That’s what they said.
Kelp… I have never seen it grow, but I know its processed form as it was part of the ‘Mamiya’ stockpile rations.
As a dashi ingredient, it’s exceptionally excellent. Just by steeping it in hot water, the umami flavor effortlessly seeps out.

While Lombard also has a dashi culture to some extent, their royal-style broth involves simmering bones, meat, vegetables, and herbs for a long time, which is not widely embraced.
In that regard, the bonito flakes and konbu from the beastman country are convenient.
Once again, like soy sauce and miso, it seems that production has been prohibited in the Imperial Kingdom for over ten years… They should learn not to ban everything but instead try to incorporate it.

…Or perhaps the thoroughness without leniency is part of the occupation policy in that country. It seems that such an approach has become ingrained as part of the nation’s constitution.
Whether it’s for better or for worse, they have become accustomed to it…

Anyway…

The scene before me reveals a vast array of solar panels lined up.
The total area - approximately two hectares.
To put it in terms of soccer fields learned at ‘Mamiya,’ it’s the size of two fields.

Equipped with self-driving wheels, all of these are newly manufactured panels produced using the factory facilities within ‘Mamiya.’
The sight of rows of jet-black panels is quite spectacular. Indeed, in terms of color and the way they bask in the sunlight, while the scale is extraordinary, there might be a resemblance to the appearance of sun-dried kelp.

The Megasolar System.

This is the hidden village we are aiming for - the heart of the future new state.
It is said to be a system created by a civilization that existed long before even the super-ancient civilizations. Due to technological advancements, there is a vast difference in power generation capacity. According to Eve, it can ‘convert solar energy into electricity with almost no loss.’

Electricity.

What we learned this past week is the name of a power different from magic.
Its main feature is the ability to produce without being dependent on individual skills and to operate various tools using this power.
Research on tools moved by imbuing them with magical power has been a long-standing desire of mages, and I have dabbled in it. Still, none of my attempts have been successful.
To achieve that through a different method, I can’t remember how many times I’ve used these words, but it truly aligns with what one would expect from a super ancient civilization.

It seems that the Megasolar installed this time can produce electricity equivalent to about 1400 households on average.
By the way, the ‘Planet Reactor,’ which is the primary power source of ‘Mamiya,’ seems to be a semi-permanent engine that can produce energy comparable to the sun itself. Its power generation capacity reportedly far exceeds that of 10 billion households.

One might think that solar power is unnecessary then… However, due to various future roles assigned to ‘Mamiya,’ it cannot be left as a mere generator.

Therefore, in the establishment of the hidden village, we decided to prioritize the installation of power generation facilities.
Power facilities are essential in creating a settlement using ancient civilization technology, more than water or food sources.
This is a fact learned from the city-building simulation game left by ‘Mamiya.’
It’s not like we were just playing around all the time!

Utilizing the electricity generated by that power facility, the area around the fountain made by Keaton saw rapid progress in agricultural development.

*Durururu.*

Electric excavators and tractors moved around, digging up the surroundings of the spring for irrigation and soil preparation for the fields…
Nobody is riding those large, heavy machines - in fact, they don’t even have a cabin.
While there are types that people can ride, it is more practical to opt for unmanned models due to the current labor shortage, so they were produced internally in ‘Mamiya.’

In lieu of human operators, these machines were equipped with simplified artificial intelligence like Keaton’s, working diligently under the guidance of the samurais.
Upon closer inspection, it appears that the samurais have named these machinery and seem to pour affection into them, akin to treating them like beloved horses.

“Everything is going smoothly, isn’t it…”

Banho, who had been overseeing the site, told me with a towel, wiping the sweat off his face.

“Everyone is working remarkably precisely and efficiently, which is a big help…
In fact, it seems like I don’t have a role to play here…”

I looked at the progress of the entire project on the terminal-like device in my hand and returned with a wry smile to the elderly samurai.

“Hohoho…
After all, for the past ten years, I’ve been protecting Uruka-sama while pretending to be a peasant.
Well, after ten years, it’s no longer a pretense…
We are samurai, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that we are also peasants.”

“There must have been many hardships, but those days of yours are helping me now.”

These were words of appreciation and admiration.
If it weren’t for their knowledge and experience, I would have had to fumble my way through everything…
After all, I am nothing more than a nobleman raised in the palace.

“If you say so, I am immensely honored…
Of course, thanks to the heavy machinery, the work is unbelievably easy.
Well, with this old body, agricultural work strains my back, so I am truly grateful.”

“Ah, someday I hope to spread these across the entire continent.”

“That would indeed be a dream-like scene.”

While discussing such distant future prospects…

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

…a gigantic footsteps approached us.

“But, are you sure about this, Master?
To be frank, if the great me takes action, everything will be over in no time, you know?”

Looking up, there stood Keaton.
He was holding a whole apple tree that he had uprooted.
Keaton was tasked with removing trees that obstructed agricultural development and planting them in another location.

“Of course, I am aware of Keaton’s abilities…
However, my ultimate goal is nation-building.
No matter how versatile you may be, you only have one body.
So, in that case, it is essential to accumulate knowledge and experience in a way that does not rely on you.”

“Even if I understand it logically, as someone created to be of use to others, it’s a stressful matter.”

“Hohoho, Keaton-dono is indeed a hard worker!”

Banho chuckles at Keaton, who expresses dissatisfaction.

*Gwaaaaaan!*

That sound echoed at that moment.
The source of the sound was beside ‘Mamiya’…
There, beside ‘Mamiya,’ a simple cooking area was set up with only a large tent for a roof, where Uruka was neatly lining up rice balls.
Seeing steam rising from a large pot, it was definitely hinted at miso soup being prepared.

By the way, Eve was assisting in the cooking there, and the true identity of the sound was an instrument she held called cymbal.
…Yeah, I wonder if there’s another way to signal lunchtime?
Perhaps, despite being a cooking assistant, is she discontent about not being allowed to do the seasoning?

But there’s no helping it. After all, I still value my life.

“Anyways, sorry, Keaton.
We will go and have a meal.”

“That sounds good!
Enjoy the cooking of your young wife to your heart’s content!”

Despite Keaton’s teasing, I had lunch with the samurais, including salted rice balls and miso soup.
My adorable wife’s cooking was a bit salty, but it was a pleasant taste for my tired body.