第２４６掘：だから、無駄 (Part2)
"Sigh... I just hope I managed to force my way through. Actually, it was more like I was the one forced into a corner..."
"Was it really that bad?"
"It wasn't fake crying, Lara; I was genuinely sobbing. I was completely out-argued. No jokes, we are in a very bad spot."
Lara’s eyes went wide with shock for a moment before her expression hardened into one of grim professionalism. "...Is this report actually accurate?"
"It is."
"...Then 'bad' doesn't even begin to cover it. We turned away the couriers carrying the ceasefire documents and the transfer students. Now we have a formal letter of complaint signed by both King Fionha and Holy King Enaria VII. To top it off, the Principal, who stepped in to smooth things over, was publicly humiliated in a debate, making the situation even worse. At this rate... the Academy might actually be shut down."
"I know that. That’s why we have to have the preparations for the transfer students finished by tomorrow. We’ve already lost the battle, but we have to do whatever we can to mitigate the damage."
"I see. And since you understand that, I assume you've already taken steps?"
"Yes. I was chased off, but at the very end, I made sure to cry my eyes out in front of the women who seemed to be their companions. Those women are our target."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I’m going to drag them to the negotiating table tomorrow. I don’t stand a chance against those two men in a battle of words. So, I’ll deal with the women instead—they don't seem nearly as sharp. I'll gain the upper hand through them."
"Isn't that a bit of a gamble? I find it hard to believe that women acting as aides to such brilliant negotiators would be fools themselves."
Lara was right, of course. However, I had proof.
"You know my familiar, right? I had it keep watch to see if I could dig up any leverage."
"...Another display of poor taste, I see. If you're caught, the situation will only deteriorate further."
"Don't be ridiculous. It’s just a cat; no one will notice. There are only a handful of people on this continent capable of employing a familiar for scouting—mages like you and me."
"Hmph. Fine. And what did your surveillance reveal?"
"They were lecturing the two men who made me cry. I watched them until one in the morning. Don't you think that works in my favor?"
"I suppose so. If you can appeal to their sympathy and press the advantage, they might not impose such harsh conditions."
"Exactly. So, tomorrow—well, today, actually—when they arrive, if the women aren't with them, tell them I wish to apologize and ask them to bring everyone involved. Samantha won't be able to speak up against them after her blunder, anyway."
"Understood. It’s late, so please get some rest."
"I'll head to bed after I finish this candy."
With that, she popped another piece of candy into her mouth and crushed it between her teeth.
"...Hmph. Everything always piles up right when things are at their busiest."
***
**Side: Tori**
On our communication screen, we watched as Popuri left the room.
"...I'm going to make that bitch cry. And this time, it’ll be for real."
"...Agreed. To think she used us to scold Yuki-san and then had the nerve to call us stupid."
Kaya and Riel were practically radiating an aura of fire behind me. I’m fairly certain I looked exactly the same.
"Kirika, good work on the surveillance. You can come back now."
『Understood. Returning now.』
Yuki-san turned to look at us.
"So, there you have it. Our opponent has set her sights on my wives. I’ll leave the showdown with the Principal inside the Academy to you all."
"Leave it to us," Eris replied instantly. "I will utterly demolish that woman for making Yuki-san sit in *seiza* and endure hours of pointless lecturing."
"...Today was supposed to be my night with Yuki-san. I'll kill her."
"""Eep!?"""
Riel, Kaya, and I—despite our own fury—all took a collective step back at the sight of the hollow, lightless void in Eris's eyes.