第２５７堀：反省会と調査結果と今後の動き (Part1)
**Chapter 257: Post-Mortem, Investigation Results, and Future Moves**
*Today’s Out-of-Character Notes:*
*“Mami-ed,” flags.*
*Anyone who thought of this must stand in the middle of the street and shout “Tiro Finale.”*
**Post-Mortem, Investigation Results, and Future Moves**
**Side: Yuki**
We are in a secret room within the academy’s library, attempting to decide our future course of action. Naturally, the wives who aren’t enrolled in the academy are participating in real-time via *Call*, and the members involved in the magic depletion issue—including the research team led by someone named Zargis—are also present.
But before we get into the tedious main agenda, there is something that needs to be said.
“Everyone. First of all, thank you for your hard work during the summer festival and fireworks display the day before yesterday. Thanks to you, it ended safely without any major issues. Thank you.”
Yes, despite how incredibly busy we were, we pushed through with the fireworks display and brought it to a successful conclusion. I have to make sure I thank them properly.
*“There’s no need for thanks. That festival has raised Weed’s reputation even further.”*
Seraria says this with a smile. She was in the most troublesome position, after all, since I left all the socializing with the royalty of other nations to her.
*“That’s right, big brother. Weed’s reputation has risen, and those who look upon our nation with disdain have surely realized by now that they can’t easily lay a hand on us. Also, requests for fireworks funding are pouring in. It looks like we might be able to establish ‘pyrotechnician’ as a legitimate profession.”*
Ratz’s merchant spirit is truly formidable.
*“Yes, just as Ratz-san said, the funding requests are coming in one after another. And not just from merchants, but from noble houses of various countries as well. Rurua-san and I have received quite a few inquiries.”*
*“Indeed. Even Archstaire-sama has expressed her desire to be listed as the top sponsor for next year’s fireworks display... Well, I’m happy to see her developing an awareness of her position at the top, but…”*
*“...I received the same request from my father and Teague-onii-sama, wanting to be the top sponsors as well…”*
*“Oh, you too? Well, I suppose they realized the importance of entertaining their citizens through this summer festival. My own crappy father and sister are also aiming for the top sponsorship spot.”*
It seems the three major powers are looking to be recurring sponsors. Well, if I pick one to be the “top,” it’ll cause friction, so I’ll just have them provide the same amount. Still, without Shera and Rurua, the diplomatic side of things would have been much harder. I’m glad to have them as my wives.
“The security team is pretty exhausted. I think we need a few more people. There weren’t any major incidents, but there were quite a few pickpockets and fights.”
“Yes. As Riel said, the personnel assigned to security were a bit thin. We cooperated with the military, but even so… Is it possible to recruit volunteers to help maintain public order on the day of the event?”
*“I see. That wouldn’t require increasing the permanent staff, and it wouldn’t hurt Weed’s coffers too much. Or rather, should we create a budget for hiring festival-specific security? Eris, can you handle that?”*
“I think I can. There’s a possibility that the security guards might collude to cause trouble, but if we issue the request through the Adventurer’s Guild and designate the patrol areas ourselves, it won’t be a fatal blow even if something goes wrong. Milly, do you think the Adventurer’s Guild would go for this?”
*“I think it’s totally doable. The Adventurer’s Guild wants to advertise that they’re on good terms with Weed, and they’re planning to sign up as fireworks sponsors starting next year. Well, they’ll need a training period for security, though.”*
“In that case, why not make it a licensing system for security? It would serve as proof that they were entrusted with security at a Weed festival and completed the job, which would be useful for finding work elsewhere. Since the security for nobles and merchants changes every time, we could standardize it here and prevent problems for everyone, don’t you think?”
*“Hmm, Eris’s idea sounds quite viable. I’ll talk it over later.”*
So, there are quite a few issues with security. Well, it was all very sudden, so that’s to be expected.
“And from my side on the broadcast team, there were quite a few lost children. Many people, both adults and children, got separated because they were too mesmerized by the fireworks.”
“Ah, I found two lost children myself.”
“I found one as well. Thanks to the security, there were no kidnappings, but since it was at night, I can’t say for sure that it won’t happen in the future.”
“Given the situation, we’ll just have to keep announcing on the broadcast to hold hands so you don’t get lost during the festival.”
The lost child problem is the same everywhere, isn’t it? I can’t think of any other preventive measures besides making maps and putting them up in large, visible places.
*“Oh, I forgot. There are many voices from the Merchant’s Union and outside merchants asking to expand the stall areas. Actually, reservations for stalls have already started. It’s guaranteed to be a huge sale, so I suppose it’s inevitable.”*
*“Oh, Yuki-san. Why don’t you open a stall too? A ramen stall with alcohol.”*
*“O-oh, if big brother opens a stall, I’ll reserve a spot for you. Naturally, I’ll be the proprietress of that shop.”*
“Wait a minute!! Ratz-san, I cannot allow that. It has been decided that the proprietress and Yuki-san’s right hand will be me and Jessica!!”
*“That’s right. Ratz should be busy with the Union, and we will be the ones helping at Yuki’s stall, so there is no problem.”*
“Yes, yes, calm down. I don’t intend to open a stall for now. Besides, I’m a pyrotechnician on the day of the summer festival. By the way, how were the children? Kirue?”
Yes, I was most worried about the children, and in truth, they were the ones I wanted to show the fireworks to the most. Even though we had designated protection, I knew it was quite dangerous. But I wanted to show them the fireworks. The scenery of my hometown... the sheer scale of the fireworks I saw when I was a kid.
That’s why, though I feel bad for Kirue, Deryu, Aslin, and the others, I had them stay with the children as guards the whole time.
*“Well, most of the children were asleep. But when the fireworks started, they woke up and seemed to enjoy watching the flowers dancing in the night sky.”*
*“What are you saying, Kirue? There’s no need to hold back for Yuki’s sake. Listen, Yuki. The children were crying their eyes out at the sound of those explosions. Thanks to that, the five of us were in a total panic. We finally had the leeway to watch the fireworks only after nursing them and soothing them. Well, as Kirue said, they were happy watching the fireworks in the end.”*
I see. Of course, the children would react like that. They aren’t even a year old yet, so that’s only natural. ...Is it a consolation that they were happy at the end?
“Big brother, it’s okay. The babies were all happy, so please take them every year.”
“That’s right. It was hard for us, but that’s a piece of cake!!”
“That’s right. It’s not good to worry about us and leave the children behind.”
*“Indeed. You just need to think of countermeasures for next time. I understand well enough that you wanted to show the children those fireworks, Yuki.”*
*“Husband. The effort to show the children that radiance is no effort at all. Please don’t worry about it, and do your best again next year.”*
Yeah, they really are good wives. I have to make sure I reward them properly.
“Now, lastly, the magic fireworks team…”
As I say this, I look at the two of them, who are currently silent. For some reason, these two are glaring at me while I’m holding the post-mortem meeting. Did I do something?