第２３３掘：動きだす過去とイレギュラー (Part2)
"Well, that's all well and good, but Princess Miffy, Mist-san, and the Holy Sword User were with you, weren't they? How did it go?"
"How did it go?"
"Ah, well, how should I put it... did it seem like a proper ceasefire was likely, or if there was some hidden agenda?"
"Ah, right."
Still, Ratz is quick to change the subject.
Once the conversation shifted to business, both Ria and Jessica's eyes, which had been glaring at me, transformed into a professional focus.
Now, about Princess Miffy and the others...
"From what I heard, the ceasefire seems to be an order from King Zilba, so I think the talks will proceed."
"That's probably true."
"But..."
"But?"
"While releasing the Holy Sword User is fine, the other party will likely object to Princess Miffy's marriage..."
"Ah, they'll want to keep Mino-chan and the others to themselves, won't they?"
That's right. Both Zilba and Enaria want a ceasefire, but the situation is interesting, and both are desperately searching for conditions to achieve it.
We mostly understand each other's internal situations, so it's amusing, but Zilba and Enaria are frantically trying to figure out how to maintain their own interests while stopping the talks without being found out.
That's why they're happy to have the Holy Sword User return. However, they desperately want to avoid a marriage where a member of Zilba's royal family, essentially a hostage, is given away.
This is because there's a possibility that their deal with Mino-chan will be exposed.
On the other hand, Zilba doesn't believe they can achieve a peaceful ceasefire while keeping the territories they've seized.
That's why they chose to return the Holy Sword User and offer Princess Miffy in marriage... this ceasefire conference is going to be a sight to behold.
"Speaking of which, that reminds me of Mino-chan. Are the Mino-chans who went ahead safe?"
Jessica asked, as if she just remembered.
As Jessica said, Mino-chan and the others were approached separately from us Zilbans and headed to Enaria ahead of us.
"They're fine. I've received their regular reports, and their treatment seems to be without issue. Of course, it's unlikely they'd be assassinated."
Enaria probably wants to negotiate with Mino-chan first, prevent information from flowing to Zilba, and steer the conversation to benefit only Enaria.
There's no reason for them to kill the negotiators they've brought along.
Well, if there's internal strife within Enaria, assassination might be a possibility, but Mino-chan isn't the type to be assassinated, and their subordinates are superior to the magic sword users, so they could handle even a large army on this continent.
"Is that so? Then it seems like we can relax as planned in Enaria."
"Relax, meaning we can do some espionage."
"Yes, and if possible, maybe we can have a date in Enaria too."
"Ah, Jessica, that's unfair!! Me too!! Me too!!"
"Oh my, then can I have a lovey-dovey time with Onii-san in Enaria too?"
With both my arms held by Ratz and Ria, Jessica stood before me, her face flushed red.
"...Right. I hope nothing happens."
As I muttered that, all three of them became serious.
"Is there something you're worried about?"
Jessica asked, sounding anxious.
"No, it's just that usually, at times like these, strange events tend to occur. It's always been like that."
"Ah, I see."
"Indeed."
Ratz and Ria, having known me longer than Jessica, have experienced such troublesome situations several times.
Ria became a hero and was immediately thrown into a battle against the Demon Lord.
Ratz has been involved in various events since Weed was still a dungeon.
"However, if there is a problem, what kind of problem would it be?"
"I don't know. But, at worst..."
"At worst?"
"Be prepared for the possibility that everyone around you becomes an enemy. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't distinguish friend from foe, then forget Zilba and Enaria, just subdue everything. Of course, there's no need to hold back; if by some chance they survive, don't deliver the finishing blow."
"...Could such a situation really happen?"
"Who knows. Of course, it's better if it doesn't. But if it does happen, we need to consider how to deal with it, otherwise, our losses will be immense. And if my wives get hurt, I'll cry."
"Um, in that case, the objective Yuki mentioned about secretly investigating this continent..."
"My wives are more important, so don't worry about it. It'll be troublesome, but at that time, we'll just raise a flag, crush our enemies, and then leisurely conduct our investigation."
I declared.
There's no need to weigh it.
The lives of my wives or a temporary alignment of forces – it's obvious which one I choose.
"Well, there's no point in worrying about something that hasn't happened yet. We should probably start preparing dinner by lighting the gathered firewood, or Seraria and the others will get angry."
"Oh, right. Ria, Jessica, please take care of the preparations."
" "Understood." "
Now then, what shall we have for dinner today?
Even in this doppelganger body, eating the same thing every day is tough.
...Hmm, it's getting hot, maybe I'll make somen noodles?
They just need boiling, and with the dipping sauce and toppings, they're delicious.
"Alright, let's get this made quickly."
Saying that, I took out the ingredients from my item box.
Now, the mysterious group begins to move.
And will Yuki and the others get caught up in it!!
Will they fall into an unprecedented pinch!!
You guys should worry.
Also, I haven't eaten somen noodles yet.
How about you all?