The day went by pleasantly. Emi and I enjoyed lively conversations and fun moments as she showed me around all the corners of the palace. Before we knew it, evening had settled in. The next day, my family, Emi, and I woke up early. We had plans to head back to my territory, where I would show Emi the weapons that were in the process of development.
Certainly, we initially sought permission from Emi's father. While I was prepared for some initial resistance, Emi's father surprisingly granted us permission quite easily for Emi to accompany us, along with my family. Surprise was evident on Emi's face too, revealing that she also didn't expect her father to accept our request so readily.
With Emi's father's permission in hand, we boarded a carriage back to my territory. My parents occupied the seats in front of me, accompanied by Anna, while Emi and I shared a seat side by side. During the journey, Emi's voice unexpectedly broke the silence inside the carriage, almost like a whisper.
"This place looks quite different compared to the last time I was here"
Upon hearing Emi's words, my curiosity was piqued, so I asked.
"Have you been here before?"
I asked suddenly. My words seemed to mildly surprise Emi, causing her to turn towards me and then she said.
"Did you hear what I said? Sorry, I was just daydreaming"
Emi said, seeming genuinely apologetic. To me, that didn't make much sense, as I wasn't accusing her of anything.
"No, it's okay. I was just surprised to learn that you've visited this place before"
I replied with a slight chuckle. Upon hearing my words, Emi seemed lost in thought about the past for a few seconds. Then, she closed her eyes and continued.
"I've visited this territory a few times. Usually, when a lord took control here, I used to ask my father to bring me to have a look at how things were going. However... as you've already noticed, this place never managed to develop as well as it has now"
Emi expressed, opening her eyes and gazing out of the carriage. Hearing her words raised some questions in my mind. Somehow, it was clear that Emi had a conviction that this place could be highly profitable.
"Why did you care to visit this place? If you prefer not to answer, that's okay. I'm just really curious about it"
I asked with genuine interest, trying to understand better the motivation behind Emi's visits. Her response came with a little smile on her lips and an adorable laugh, filling the air with her sweetness.
"Sure, it's not like it's a secret anyway. Well... I always had this hunch that this place had hidden potential. The territory is surrounded by vast areas of trees that could be utilized in various ways. The soil is nothing unfavorable either, and part of it extends toward the sea. I just felt that in the right hands, this place had the potential to become something great"
Emi said, her gaze turned outward, a nostalgic smile gracing her face. This made me realize even more the brilliant nature of Emi. Even without the technical knowledge I possess, she still managed to discern the potential of this territory in the same way I did. With its extensive tree vegetation, this place is practically a goldmine for paper production.
Furthermore, through controlled deforestation of the trees, we're able to free up an extensive area of fertile land for cultivation. With the addition of greenhouses, our cultivation capacity has diversified considerably. Besides these aspects, it's worth noting the proximity to the sea, which, if explored properly, could become a strategic location for both the fishing industry and the development of naval fleets.
All these thoughts brought a discreet laugh out of me in the somewhat amusing situation. Turning my gaze to Emi, I smiled and said.
"Well, I hope what I'm doing aligns with what you envisioned"
Hearing my words, Emi also smiled and replied.
"I've seen enough to realize that you're actually surpassing my expectations, as always"
After this brief exchange of words, the journey continued smoothly and comfortably, though the carriage seats, as always, seemed quite uncomfortable in my opinion. Upon arriving at the mansion, I chose to take Emi to the garden so we could enjoy some time together. Although Emi had been to my house before, in Albert's company, she hardly had the chance to explore, as her previous visit wasn't for tourism purposes.
After lunch, I planned to lead Emi to the development laboratory. Since we had left the castle early, our morning meal was just enough to satisfy our hunger during the journey.
As these thoughts wandered through my mind, Emi, by my side with our hands intertwined, posed an intriguing question to me.
"So, is there something you can tell me about this new weaponry you're developing? I'm really curious, especially since it's something you're leading"
Hearing Emi's words, a subtle smile formed on my lips. Emi always seemed to see me as a scientist, even though the actual development part involved more concept crafting and specifications, while the manufacturing phase was handled by true experts.
"Well, I believe there are some insights I can share that aren't too complex to grasp, even if they can't be directly visualized with your eyes"
I began, choosing my next words carefully.
"This new weapon has the ability to pierce through a metal shield at long distances. While it requires some basic training, it's relatively easy to handle. However, this convenience also comes with the need for caution. It's important to remember that even a young person could be lethal when using this weapon"