第３５２堀：過去と現在の研究者の邂逅 (Part2)
I believe the name was Agil. If I recall correctly, she holds the rank of general and a research position in Enaria.
"And who is the woman with you all? I don't believe I've seen that face before."
"Ah, um, this is Comet..."
"I serve as the technical and magical advisor for the mercenary group led by Yuki. We don't really use formal titles in the group, though. Everyone just steps up whenever they see something that needs doing."
"Is that so? A pleasure to meet you. I am Agil, a researcher, magic sword user, and general here in Enaria. Well, no need for formalities between us."
"I appreciate that. I’m something of a researcher myself, so I’m not really one for hierarchies."
"Haha, I hear you. I feel like I could share a good drink with you, Comet. It’s not just that I’m high-ranking; thanks to my position as a general and magic sword user, I have plenty of funding, but the workload is endless. It’s unbearable."
"Oh, I hear you. I understand that feeling all too well. Before I joined Yuki’s mercenary group, I was juggling all sorts of things myself."
Well, though thanks to Hifi’s magic, it was mostly automated.
"The world just doesn't go the way you want it to, does it?"
"You can say that again."
However, this Agil... I feel like we’re going to get along. Depending on the nature of her research, it might be worth suggesting to Yuki that we bring her into the fold.
"So, Agil, what brings you here? Based on what you said earlier, aren't you busy researching the recovered magic swords?"
"That’s the thing. I have this strange feeling about the swords we recovered. Compared to my own magic sword, they feel... crude, or perhaps lacking in finesse. I came here to compare them with the original—the true Holy Sword. I’ve gathered a mountain of data, but I thought examining the real thing might reveal something new."
Oh? So she’s noticed the difference between the magic swords that I and the rest of the "Betu-ken" crew created and these shoddy imitations. If I drill some real knowledge into her, she could be quite useful.
"Still, it’s a relief to have run into you all. Even though I’m the one who discovered the Holy Sword, my position as a general ties me closely to the Royal Family. It takes forever to get anything cleared through the Church. So..."
"We get it. We’ll use the Saintess’s name or something to make sure you can get a look at the Holy Sword with us."
"As expected of Milly, you catch on quick. I’ll have some good liquor sent your way later."
"You catch on quick, too."
"That’s a pretty cheap reward. We’re helping you out with political issues, so surely you could do a bit better..."
"Ah, Ratz is right, but honestly, the only thing I have to offer that you’d likely enjoy is liquor. After all, with the pretense of Royal blood, you’re practically higher-ranking than I am, and you don’t need money since you have the backing that comes with that status. I suppose I could offer to sell myself? But it seems you have a healthy marital relationship with Yuki, and there’s no real productivity in doing that with me, is there?"
"Ah, I see. Well, gender isn't really a barrier when it comes to desire or affection, but I don't particularly have the urge to 'do it' with Agil. Besides, in that case, Agil would just be joining the mercenary group, right?"
"That’s true. If I sold myself, that’s how it would go. But given my position, that’s impossible... Wait? Now that I think about it, if I sold myself to Yuki, could I escape all this troublesome work?"
...I can't help but feel that Agil’s words are overlapping with my own thoughts. It must be a coincidence, but I feel a strange sense of kinship. Why is that?
"What are you talking about? Considering the magic swords, there’s no way the country would ever let you go."
"That’s true. Though, I suppose the country would acknowledge a marriage to Yuki."
"Wait, isn't that a bit contradictory?"
"I’m not great with politics. The issue is that Agil would have to resign from her general and research posts. As long as she keeps doing those, they’d probably welcome the marriage. General Prism seems to be single, and having noble blood is necessary to support the country. Oh, and the magic swords don't matter; we can just find more, and foot soldiers are easily replaced. And if, in the process, your brother and Agil were to marry, it would be a win-win. As Agil said, our mercenary group is in a very difficult position here in Enaria. I’m sure there are people who think that having Agil as a liaison would make things much easier."
Hmm, hmm. For now, I’ve learned that the higher-ups are truly a pain in the neck.
" "But we won't accept a marriage born from such impure motives." "
"Ah, yes. I know, I know. So please, don't glare at me like that."
Well, I suppose that’s only natural. Though, if he joins Yuki’s group, his workload will probably be even more intense than it is now. But I think he’ll find it fulfilling. After all, Yuki loves putting the right people in the right places.
Now then, I’ll get to work investigating Enaria’s mysterious Holy Sword, using my own "right person for the right place" approach.
And so, the investigation into Enaria’s "Holy Sword" begins!! Before that, though, this meeting between the new and old researchers of the New Continent. I wonder if everything will go off without a hitch!!
Only two days left until the 24th!!
Dark Souls 3!!
Sengoku Risshiden!!
Dragon Quest!!
Wooooo!!
Can’t someone make a day 48 hours long?