Urla Lavender rose from her chair and finally began her report.
"The eastern side of the plains... development... a little at a time... is underway."
It was a report delivered with all due gravity—but it was far too brief and perfunctory.
The eastern side of the Sabnock Plains was to be developed under the leadership of House Lavender, working alongside its vassal nobles.
Since House Lavender had not participated in the previous civil war, they were originally not slated to receive any land as a seat of cultivation.
However, in exchange for investing sufficient funds, manpower, and resources into the development of the plains, they had been granted a portion of the land on the eastern side.
(The eastern side of the plains has a lot of wetlands, so transporting materials like timber and stone from the west is difficult. Without borrowing the strength of the Lavender margrave—a great noble of the eastern kingdom—development would be nearly impossible, huh...)
Rather than taking the long way around from the west to avoid the wetlands and transport materials, it would be far more efficient to have them brought directly from the east.
House Lavender, alongside House Cattleya, was known as a martial noble house.
It would be wise to avoid shutting them out of the development entirely and leaving behind a source of future resentment.
"A little at a time... so that means progress hasn't been going very well?"
"............"
Urla nodded.
She only nodded—there was no elaboration.
"The eastern side of the plains is mostly wetlands, with relatively little flat land. That has been hindering development."
A woman whose name Rest did not know rose and took over the explanation in Urla's place.
In Rest's memory, she was a subordinate of House Lavender who had accompanied Urla when they first met.
"We are currently focused on developing the areas of flat land. As for the wetlands, we plan to conduct ecological surveys of the monsters there while assessing whether development is feasible. In some cases, large-scale flood control projects may be necessary... That concludes our report."
With the report from House Lavender finished, both Urla and the woman beside her returned to their seats.
"I see..."
Andrew's expression had turned slightly awkward, as if he wanted to say something.
Probably... most of the people around this round table were thinking the same thing.
*(Just let someone else speak for once!)* Nearly everyone present, Rest included, was thinking exactly that.
"For the time being, continue investigating the eastern wetlands. Report back if anything comes up."
"......"
At Andrew's words, Urla nodded.
Immediately after nodding, her gaze drifted back toward Rest once more.
An uncomfortable stretch of time had begun again.
"Now then, I'd like to request a report on materials and supplies."
"Yes... Timber and other resources have been gathered in sufficient quantities. At the moment, there are no shortages. However... stone quantities have fallen short, so we've placed additional orders with the commercial guild. Funds are no issue, as we've been selling off monster materials."
A man who appeared to be a civil official reported while holding documents in hand, but... he furrowed his brow and adopted a troubled expression.
"As for food supplies, shortages have become apparent. Due to the rapid influx of migrants, wheat and other staples have begun to run short. Transportation seems to be taking longer than expected."
"I see... I'll write a formal letter on my end to urge faster delivery. That should resolve things for now, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, thank you for your assistance."
"Very well... Now then, everyone."
Having listened to each report in turn, Andrew surveyed the round table once more.
He looked at each person in succession and began to speak in a clear, commanding voice.
"Thus far, frontier development has been progressing smoothly. That is a commendable thing. However, as the saying goes, fortune invites misfortune — I would ask you all to remain vigilant, especially in times of prosperity. If anything arises, reporting it is mandatory. Do not hesitate to bring any concerns to me."
They all nodded and bowed their heads toward Andrew.
"Very well. Until next time — at the next regular report meeting. That concludes today's session."
Permission to leave was given.
Those who had been seated at the round table rose from their seats one by one and took their leave.