第３７０堀：思惑と便乗 (Part2)
"Yes, understood. And Popuri-sama, please take care of these documents. Also, you have received a personal letter."
"Documents aside, a personal letter? From some person of influence?"
"No, it is simply addressed to you, Popuri-sama. There is no sender listed, and it is sealed with a specialized magic. I thought it might be problematic to handle it carelessly. Do you have any idea who it might be from?"
"Hmm. A contact in technical development, perhaps? Pranks like this happen from time to time... but you're right, it is sealed with a magical ward. The spell is designed to burn up if forced open... effective for maintaining confidentiality. If we provided this to Yuki-dono and his group, they might be pleased."
"...I suspect they have already created something similar."
"...Don't say that. It makes it harder to offer it. If I present it with full confidence only to find out they've already made it, I'd die of embarrassment. For now, I'll ask them about it casually. Now, let's check the contents."
I wonder whose work this is.
I have taken in countless students over these last three hundred years, so only a small fraction of them remain in my memory.
I hope I can recall them once I see the name.
*"Now, let me begin by expressing my gratitude for opening this letter. Thank you. And I appreciate you accepting such an impudent missive, Principal Popuri of the Lancer Academy of Magic."*
Huh?
What a cheeky opening.
*"I am Noble, the Overlord of the Ex Kingdom. You should be able to tell by the crest that this is no forgery."*
Yes. It is certainly authentic.
But why reach out to me in this manner now?
I should have already summoned Hifi-dono and my master...
*"Let me be direct. Come to my royal capital. Numerous technologies have been developed, just like this letter. I would like you and the other principals to inspect and evaluate them. The mages of mine who were under your care are also eagerly awaiting a reunion with you. I also wish to see the rumored Dragon Knight. I look forward to a favorable reply. Oh, I am contacting other nations as well, so other acquaintances of yours may gather there. In that sense, I would be pleased if you could come. From Noble, Overlord of the Ex Kingdom."*
...This is blatant.
He intends to pin down the heavyweights of his rival nations all at once with this.
"Lara. Contact Yuki-dono and the others immediately. I leave the document processing to you."
"Eh? Is that letter something serious?"
"It's an invitation to the royal capital from the Overlord of Ex."
"...Understood."
I relayed what happened to Yuki-dono, Hifi-dono, and my master.
*"Hmm, he's aiming to reel in Popuri and the others."*
*"Indeed. He probably thought he could stage a touching reunion with us to make them feel comfortable joining his side."*
"However, that involves August, and with the Dragon Knight Amanda in the mix, and..."
*"You were enemies, weren't you? It also serves the purpose of mediating a meeting between you. On the surface, Hifi and Comet have never met him, right?"*
"I see. I haven't left the academy. Even if I knew the name of the Hifi Holy Kingdom, he likely doesn't connect it to Hifi-dono or Comet-dono. No, in truth, I hadn't given much thought to the Hifi Holy Kingdom myself."
*"Right? Since other nations are becoming increasingly wary of Ex, they'll likely send someone of appropriate standing. But if he presents his magic swords there, those people might just wag their tails."*
*"Ah, I see. I wondered why he would send invitations to wary nations, but he's aiming to show off the power gap and win over those who are dissatisfied with their current situation."*
So that's it.
Indeed, it is hard to imagine those in high-ranking positions switching sides due to their status and psychology, but there are many in mid-level positions who are dissatisfied with the status quo.
Moreover, if I were to say on the spot that I am on good terms with Ex due to my master and Hifi-dono, the balance of power would shift drastically. He intends to exploit that as well.
"Then, we should not accept this invitation."
There is no need to play into the enemy's hands.
My master and Hifi-dono are already heading there, after all.
*"No. Go ahead and go."*
"Eh?"
*"We are already connected behind the scenes, and they don't know that. We have to take advantage of this."*
"But that could accelerate a declaration of war."
*"Well, we can decide the details of that later. In the worst-case scenario, Popuri, Hifi, and Comet can go on a rampage there, and we can have Mauve, Kirika, and the others cause chaos in the city. Plus, Steve and his group can launch a dungeon attack."*
What kind of massive chaos is that?
No, I admit it would be effective, but in that case...
*"If you cause that much trouble, the royal capital will be reduced to ashes. Hehehe..."*
*"Hey, Comet!! This is no laughing matter!? Yuki-dono, please stop making such malicious jokes!! If you do that, the people of Ex will suffer!!"*
*"To prevent that, Hifi and Comet, who are entering in advance, just need to do their best."*
*"What!? Th-that's unreasonable..."*
*"Hee, my stomach hurts. What is this? This guy Noble, hasn't he pressed the switch on a time bomb himself? Hehehehe..."*
...This is bad.
Yuki-dono is serious.
If I don't move as slowly as possible, the Ex royal capital will truly cease to exist.
My master is unreliable, and Hifi-dono, I am counting on you.
Still, I cannot go without bringing the Dragon Knight. No, should I just delay the departure date?
Wait, would it be better to arrive before my master and the others?
But would Amanda or Eoid be in danger? Still, it's better than letting my master and the others go first...
And so, Popuri and the others also set out.
It is the end of the New Continent arc, after all.
It feels like it might turn into an all-star appearance of the New Continent members.
As for the report on the doujinshi event:
Only 30 books were sold, with 120 left in stock.
That's how local events go.
With 15,000 yen in sales, it was a total loss.
Well, the real joy is participating in various events and selling them off, though.
Oh, and I played *Kancolle Arcade*.
It's fun, but there are too many people.
They really need to increase the number of locations!