The Seven Founding Fathers Revitalize the Kingdom

Day Off Part 2

Before George started singing, he gathered information first inside the bar. The demographics, behavior, mood, and theme. It may help him choose a song that will have a subconscious effect on their mind. After gathering the available information at hand, he began singing.

The title of the song he sang is “Heaven Knows” by Rick Price. He sang the song splendidly and flawlessly with his youthful voice, it became lovely and beautiful. The drunkards who were minding their own business such as playing cards, drinking beer, et cetera. Stopped for a moment to listen to the harmony of musical instruments along with George's young sweet voice.

“♪ Maybe my love will come back someday...Only heaven knows...And maybe our hearts will find a way...Only heaven knows...And all I can do is hope and pray `cause heaven knows ♪”

The song ended as George thanked all the listeners who listened to his song. At the moment the song ends, the atmosphere becomes solemn, quiet, yet awkward. Wearing their keenly surprised expression. In an instant, a round of applause resounded in the bar. The waitress, customers, and even Lumi and Lux were astounded at his young angelic voice. They’d known that his voice was lovely since when he was young he liked to sing. But they’d never expected that he could sing a song that is unknown to them that resulted beautifully.

The customers that turned crowds clapped their hands joyfully after his performance. He’d never expected that they'd love it.

“That’s our boy!” Benjamin rose to his seat and cheered proudly.

“Yeah! One more! One more! One more!” Jay chanted, and after a moment the customers and the workers in the tavern joined.

…

“I’ve never heard that kind of melody since I started my singing career,” Lux said, she wears an expression of amazement, “Did his Majesty composed it?”

“This is my first time hearing it so I don’t know,” Lumi replied.

…

Meanwhile, George was still on the performance deck gulping his centipede beer in one go.

“Okay...This is the last one okay?” George said.

“Okay!” They agreed.

…

The next song he’ll be singing is titled “Sad Song” by the We The Kings. Compared to the song he sang earlier, this song affected the atmosphere of the tavern. It turned solemn and gloomy. Maybe one of them got hit by the lyrics of the song. But some of them liked the nature of the song. Of course, they would love it, it’s a wonderful song.

“Thank you all for listening to my song...I hope you liked it”

George along with his ministers who participated in his performance went back to their table. While walking to their seats, the customers of the tavern and the waitress glanced at them with admiration. Like who is that young man who can sing a lovely song? Thanks to their disguises. It seems like they cannot figure out who’s the young man they are referring to.

“That’s a quite lovely song, your Majesty,” Lumi whispered to his earlobe.

“Did you compose it yourself?” Lux asked enthusiastically.

He can’t just straightly answer Lux's inquiry because of some reasons. First, he just performed a song that existed in his former world, and secondly, he can’t just claim it even though he’s in another world. Copyright is not an issue in this world since the original performer does not exist in this world.

“Uhm...secret,” George said, trying to evade the question.

…

“That’s a lovely song, sir!” The waitress said while carrying a tray that contained food. She placed the plates on their table gently.

“Aren’t you performing miss Lux?” Adams asked, “It seems like the stage is now clear. I want to hear more of your soothing voice”

“Thank you for that sir but I can’t compare my voice to the person who performed earlier,” Lux said softly while looking at George who was joyfully drinking his beer.

Adams stared at him intently, “George,...you are one hell of a seducer” He wanted to say it to him but repressed it. Jay noticed his deadly glare on George.

“By the way, let’s enjoy our day-off,” Jay raised his mug in the air, making them do the same. “Oh, Lumi and you young lady. Why not join us on our drink?” He offered.

“I would love to, sir” Lux replied.

“Same here,” Lumi said.

…

And then, they enjoyed their day off as if it was their last. They exchanged embarrassing stories, funny stories, and sad stories. At last, the work that they had been doing since George took the throne slipped away like it never existed. Day-off really does create a magical escape to reality.

Four hours later. Five out of seven were knocked out by the strong beer. Only George and Adams were left standing.

“I’ll nyever luss to yoww Gweorge,” Adams said incoherently slurring his words.

“You’ve still got energy left in you?” George replied, his voice began to keenly slur. “Hehe...Among us, I’m the strongest dwinker...amung ash.”

Lumi and Lux were still at their sides observing the king and the ministers enjoying their drinks. While Adams and George were competing to become the last man standing. They began to exchange words with each other.

“It's refreshing to see them enjoying their day-off Lumi,”

Lux was informed about their day-off that confirms her hypothesis about why’s the king is in the tavern.

“But, why are they not drinking in the palace? The booze is tastier and richer there” She added.

“It's because the king and the ministers want to explore the kingdom.” She said and continued, “But instead of exploring, they began to drink in this tavern…”

“My, my. Lumi calms yourself. Even the strongest man needs a break. You said that they were working 24/7 without a break since George took the throne right? It's unusual for him to work to that extent but I am seeing the development that happened within his reign. Imagine an inept prince proposing reforms, policies, projects one after another. His industrialization plan is promising and quite intriguing. He may be along with his minister, become the savior of the west.”

“For me, they are the heroes of this kingdom. He is doing his very best to save the kingdom from the food crisis, external and internal threats et cetera....”

“Look at them Lumi, when they are drunk, it is an opportunity to ask them and they will answer truthfully. Probably?”

Hearing that, Lumi's face turned red, “Wh-what are you saying? Stupid.”

“Hey, I’m the one who knows about your true feelings towards George.”

“Well, it turned out sideways.”

“What?! He dumped you?”

“Something like that.” She said with a gloomy expression.

While having their casual talks. The master of the tavern approached the two girls and informed them that the tavern will be closing. Hearing that they found the ministers and even the king knocked out by the beer. They were sluggishly sleeping on the table. Their snores and their breath reek of alcohol were dancing in the air.

But thanks to Lumi's proactiveness. She already has the carriages waiting for them outside. He called the royal guards to lift them out of the tavern safely and put them inside the carriage. Lumi stayed beside George who was her king. As the chief attendant of the King. She must stay at her side at all costs. While traveling back to the palace. Lumi looked at George’s sleepy face. She can’t still believe that the man he loves was not the one inside his body but another guy from a different world. The carriage tipped off in the side in an instant and George’s head slid to her shoulder. He woke up for a moment.

“Alice?” He gently touched Lumi’s face. Her face began to turn red.

Alice? Who’s that girl? Why is George referring to her as Alice?

“You look like an angel that descended upon the heavens. God truly gives me an amazing and beautiful gift. You’re a gift...a gift that turned me into someone amazing. Just like you are amazing” He smiled and went back to sleep again. His hand which was touching her face fell down. Meanwhile, Lumi was taken aback at the words thrown at her. Who’s Alice? Is it someone from his world? If so, why is he mistakenly identified Lumi as Alice? Question one after another appeared in her head. But it wasn’t a big deal to her. She let George sleep on her shoulder as her gratitude.

Tomorrow arrives.

George and his ministers used this day as an exploration and inspection of the projects. First, they went to the power plant which is still under construction. Wearing their white hats, they asked the lead engineer of this project. He reported that the project is going along schedule and will be up and running in the next two weeks. Secondly, they went to refineries, which are the future petrochemical industry, and mines. Heavy types of machinery were roaming on the ground. Most of the construction workers are experienced. They were taught by George and Jay about the new tools and equipment that hasten up the development.

Thirdly, they went to the dry docks and shipyards. Upon arrival, they saw huge ships made out of metal alloys that soon will become freight ships and other types of ships that will help them economically and logistically. Big cranes such as the Gantry cranes were built while container cranes are still under construction. This shipyard is located near the western coast of the Kingdom of Ametus and soon will become a new city. Most of the workers here are humanoid golems created and led by Zeppy. Her abilities come in handy as she can program them like a modern shipbuilder just by reading books created by the founding fathers.

Lastly, railways, bridges, and new roads are beginning to bear fruit as they will be in service in the next months. Imagine a world where industrialization is non-existent, metallurgy was limited to blacksmith and forging. They are not even in the pre-industrialization age and yet the founding fathers with the help of their cheat abilities. They were able to terraform the kingdom nearing its modernity. Those are one of their goals in the first place. However, such rapid development attracts attention to other countries, especially eastern countries. Espionage is common here and most are from the Empire. Those spies are feeding the Empire with tons of information about the Kingdom.

The founding fathers can’t wait to establish the homeland security department that primarily focuses on this kind of job. The reason why the department of homeland security was established was because of the 9/11 attack. The same event happened in this world when the Principality bombed the theater that killed the royal families, ministers, officials, high-ranking nobles et cetera. But their heirs are alive and well. So, continuity is still in place.

The next day came as George and James were walking in the hall.

“George, the people that we will be meeting is not an ordinary family but a f*****g huge family that when you added their net worth. It will be approximately 80% of our national treasure.”

“I know, but the royal family is still rich in a sort of way. We can’t just sponsor all the projects as we will drain our coffers very quickly. I need them James and you just gave it to me”

“What do you mean? This is part of the revitalization plan. Of course, I would do this.”

“Hurry your pace as we don’t want them to wait”

“Who cares? You’re the king.”

…

They entered the assembly hall where a big round exquisite table can be found inside. Around them were nobles around 70 of them to be exact. While the other nobles were sitting on the sides observing the meeting. They can interfere and suggest anything that they have in mind when the meeting starts.

“Thank you for your patience as I’ve been busy sorting the documents. This is James, my minister of commerce. I called you here today because you will be a crucial part of this revitalization plan. So, without further ado, I suggest that we should get moving on the proposed agenda.”

George and James found their seats and started the meeting.