第３２６堀：口八丁手八丁、あの手この手で (Part2)
"We must not speak of what lies beyond this point. It is merely a possibility. And yet, if it is the truth, then we, who have come to know it, will be erased. We must verify the reality of this at any cost. If an impostor has taken someone's place, there must be an organization pulling the strings. Given that they are inciting nations to destroy one another, we must assume it is an organization of significant scale. This may well be the greatest crisis since the dawn of human history on this continent..."
"I-is it truly that dire?"
Perhaps finally grasping the magnitude of the situation, Amanda-dono turned pale, her body trembling slightly.
"You said you would begin moving. Does that mean you have confirmed the intelligence?"
"Yes. Milly has arrived here as well."
"Is that true!? I—my apologies. Is it really true?"
"Fufu, I have heard the story from Milly. We are well-acquainted by now, so let us dispense with the formalities."
"...Understood. So, you received a report from Milly-dono?"
"Yes. We found someone who appears to be the real article beneath the cathedral. Today or tomorrow, Milly plans to rescue her. Then, the real one, along with Milly and the others, will storm the location where Yuki-san and Taiki-san are currently negotiating with the impostor, and take them into custody."
"Should I not be cooperating in that as well?"
"No. We are the decoys. The enemy is wary of us because of our involvement in the Enaria incident. Staying put and waiting is the best way to fulfill that role."
"...I see. So, once the rescue is complete and the impostor is apprehended, I am to hear the account from the real Saintess Hifie-dono and return to August immediately?"
"Yes. If you do not, there is a risk that you yourself could be accused of pulling the strings from the shadows, Laraina-san."
"I see. So, the actions available to you, who move with the knowledge of the facts, and to me, are different."
"Exactly. Even if I say I know this because you told me, that is something no one else can vouch for. There is no guarantee that there isn't someone else who has infiltrated the inner circle besides Hifie-sama. Therefore, the procedure of hearing the story directly from Hifie-sama and being sent off with a formal letter is necessary."
Indeed, if I were to be detained, that would be the end of it.
It is not that Eris-dono and the others could not do it, but the means to relay information to August would be severely limited.
Any way I look at it, that would be falling too far behind the situation.
"However, hearing that, I feel like an afterthought."
"The result may seem that way, but if nothing else, we had no choice but to rely on you, Laraina-san."
"I suppose so. Still, a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Come to think of it, does His Majesty know of this?"
"We have not provided information to him directly. Since there is a tool to contact the Academy immediately, I suspect he has obtained some information from that end, but as for the details, I have no idea..."
"Likely, His Majesty knew as well and arranged this formation. He is a wicked man."
"It is not a matter with definitive proof. I believe he could not speak of it carelessly."
"That is true. I wouldn't even know who to tell such a story to."
As I let out a sigh, Ria-dono brought me some tea.
"We have time to kill until we move—or rather, we have time to kill even after we move—so let us drink some tea and do this."
Ria-dono said this and produced something that looked like rectangular cards.
What could that be?
"Ah, playing cards. You brought them with you?"
"Yes. I thought there might be times when we were left with nothing to do."
"Playing cards?"
I don't recall hearing that name. Is it a new game popular at the Academy?
"Oh, that sounds lovely."
"Mm. I want to play 'Millionaire'."
"...I feel like we need a bit more tension, though."
"Now, now, there is no need to be so uptight."
"...I suppose so. Jessica-dono, would you teach me how to play these 'cards'?"
"Sigh. If that is what you wish, Laraina-dono..."
And so, the card game turned into a wager, a fierce battle of reading hands began, and before I knew it...
*BANG!!*
The door was thrown open, and a wounded Saintess Hifie-dono and Milly-dono entered the room, accompanied by Yuki-dono and Taiki-dono...
"My deepest apologies, Laraina-do..."
"This is a Three-of-a-Kind!!"
"Too bad, this is a Full House!!"
*Ah, I lost again!?*
Why is your luck so good, Ria-dono!?
The portion I had set aside to buy something delicious for my sister when I returned...
No, it is not over yet.
I have not lost yet!!
I shall wager the repair costs for my equipment and win it back!!
"One more round!!"
"Hahaha!! It will be the same no matter how many times you try!!"
Yes, I just need to win!!
"The two of you, please stop for a moment."
"Jessica-dono, do not stop me!! If I don't—!!"
"No, um, Hifie-sama is standing right there, you know?"
"Huh?"
"Oh? Welcome back, Yuki-san."
I turned my face toward the door with a creak... and there was Saintess Hifie-dono, looking at us with a complicated expression.
"I-I am terribly sorry!!"
"N-no. I am glad to see you are relaxing... My acting has gone to waste..."
"Did someone say something?"
"No. I would like to explain the situation, if now is a good time?"
"Y-yes. Of course!!"
"Yay, I win!"
With that, the stakes flowed into Ria-dono's pocket.
...I will definitely win that back later!!
Well, that went well. The persuasion was a success!!
Now, all that remains is to squeeze the ruffians of each nation and hunt down the ones pulling the strings from the shadows!!
And, I wonder if next week will involve a pitfall trap?
The snow looks like it will be heavy again; I hate the cold.