第３９３堀：騙し騙され演技合戦 (Part1)
### Chapter 393: A Deceptive Performance
**Side: Popuri**
Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to seize decisive control of the situation before my master and Lady Hifie arrived. However, since Lady Eris had come up with a strategy to gauge Noble’s military strength while simultaneously whittling it down, my master and Lady Hifie had agreed to prioritize that plan for the time being. It seemed unlikely that my master would go on a reckless rampage of his own accord.
Furthermore, taking advantage of that operation, Steve and the others were planning to infiltrate the dungeon again to gather information and, if the opportunity arose, seize control of its functions. They had even brought Narjia-san into the fold, which meant they were quite serious about this.
If things went well, this could potentially resolve the Ex issue almost entirely. Even if they couldn’t seize the dungeon’s functions, the results would still allow us to improve our standing. No matter how it turned out, it was a favorable situation for us, so I wouldn’t hesitate to cooperate with the plan.
Fortunately, the discussions over the past two or three days had yielded a positive reaction from Noble. Our evaluation of their magical tools seemed to be something Noble found agreeable, and he had been speaking to us much more freely compared to the first day. Since he had mentioned last night that Lady Hifie of the Holy Kingdom would be arriving, he was likely planning to stage a moving reunion to win over us, Lady Hifie, and my master.
It was moving exactly as I had anticipated.
"I’ve received a report from Kirika. Lady Hifie and Comet-san have arrived at the Ex royal capital. They should be entering the castle in about thirty minutes."
"I’ve got a report from Mauve and the others, too. It seems they’re heading to the castle without any issues."
"I see. Thank you. The main event is about to begin."
Lara said this while looking at me.
"That’s right. Now the question is whether we can pull off this performance properly, given that we’ve already had our 'emotional reunion.' Actually, I’m more worried about Master. Is that guy even the type who can act?"
"Ah, it seems that will be fine. Comet-san is going with the setting that she’s an undead with no sense of self."
"Wow, that’s just like something Master would think of. Should I do something weird to make him laugh?"
"Don't even think about it. If you do that, all our previous groundwork will go to waste."
"I know, I know. I’m just joking. Still, even if it’s an 'emotional reunion,' I’m not sure how to go about it. I can’t really picture myself acting it out."
"Hmm. Indeed, as the Principal says, how should we make it look convincing? And how many of us are going to meet with Lady Hifie?"
"Ah, that’ll just be me and Lara. The others have no established connection to us from Noble’s perspective. There’s a risk of being suspected, so it’s safer if it’s just the two of us."
"That’s true. We didn't accompany you during the evaluation of the magical tools, and to Noble and his people, we are outsiders. If we tag along, they might become wary."
"Indeed. There’s no need to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. Well, I suppose we’ll just have to leave the acting to you two."
"Well, I guess it’ll work out somehow..."
"Isn't it a bit too serious? Even in this world, not all 'emotional reunions' are the same. I don't think you need to cry or anything. They know we’ve aged accordingly, after all."
"I hope so. Oh, by the way, Yuki-kun and the others are planning to do various things to Noble’s side in conjunction with this, but how are the preparations coming along?"
If the preparations weren't ready, we would need to adjust the schedule. Since we didn't know the full extent of Noble’s total strength, things might change depending on what they discovered. We would need to follow up on those aspects.
"There’s no need to worry about that. I’ve received word that the dungeon infiltration team, the monster interception team, the royal capital investigation team, and the castle investigation team have all finished their preparations and are ready to deploy at any moment."
"If it’s just about suppression, we could do it whenever we want. Even in the worst-case scenario, we can secure our escape route. Well, I don’t know what would happen to the Ex royal capital in that case, though."
"...The rest is up to us, then."
I suppose I should be grateful. If not for them, the continent might have already been plunged into a great war over Lady Hifie and her Holy Sword users. The Magic Academy might not even be safe right now, given the accumulation of magical power.
Is it too greedy to ask for more from Yuki-dono and the others? They had handled everything so easily until now that it created a strong image, but what they were doing was merely the accumulation of the most fundamental things. "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will not be in danger in a hundred battles," wasn't it?
In that sense, we were better suited than Yuki-dono’s group to persuade Noble. Lady Hifie and I had lived on the same continent; we knew each other’s faces to some extent, and they knew us as well. Naturally, it was better for us to do the talking.
"Oh, it seems Lady Hifie and the others have entered the castle. It looks like Noble is greeting them directly."
"That’s to be expected. Lady Hifie is a god, just like Noble-dono. She should be of overwhelmingly higher importance than us."
"The rest is just a matter of when Noble introduces Popuri to Hifie. Probably tonight at the earliest, or tomorrow at the latest. It’s unlikely to be right this second."
"That’s right. Noble probably needs time to probe things, like whether or not it’s safe to let them meet."
"As Lady Eris says. Well, thanks to that, I’m going to be on edge for a while."
"Principal. It might be a mere distraction, but why don't you have some tea and calm down?"
"Hmm. You’re right. There’s no point in being nervous here. Let’s have some tea and relax. Oh, by the way, are Amanda and Eoid still going to be acting separately on the day of?"
While Lara was preparing the tea, I asked about the two students who weren't present. We couldn't let them hear our discussions, so we had them waiting in a separate room. With Taiki-kun watching over them, there shouldn't be any issues.
"Yes. They will be acting separately and waiting at the castle. That’s safer than them coming with us."
"True. In that case, Lady Eris and the others will be with Amanda, right?"
"Indeed. When the operation begins, we will be at the castle, while you and Lady Hifie will be with Noble. It’s perfect for diverting the opponent’s attention."
"I don't think there’s anyone who can deal with the dungeon infiltration, the castle infiltration, and all of this at the same time. Well, as long as the safety of my students is ensured, I’m fine with it."
To use them for my own convenience and then wish for their safety—I wanted to laugh at my own selfishness. This whole affair was my own whim because I wanted to be the one to make contact before my master and Lady Hifie. Even if I talked about the crisis of the world or the lives of many, I had no right to threaten the happiness of Amanda and Eoid, who knew nothing of this.
"Yes. Everyone, the tea is ready, so please help yourselves."
"Thank you, Lara."
"Thank you."
"Mhm. Let’s have some."
Perhaps because the tea helped us calm down, we didn't spend the rest of the time confirming the schedule. Instead, we chatted about what was interesting in Ex, which souvenirs were best, and other lighthearted topics with Amanda and Eoid, until the moment finally arrived.
"Pardon the interruption during your after-dinner conversation. His Majesty would like to introduce you to some people he would like you to meet, Popuri-sama, Lara-sama. Would you be willing to accompany me?"
Arne visited the room and said this. After dinner—well, just as I expected. We looked at each other and nodded.
"Is that about the people His Majesty mentioned?"
"No, I haven't been told who you will be meeting. However, if I may offer my personal opinion, I believe it is the Holy Maiden Hifie-sama, who arrived as a guest today. There have been no other visitors of note."
"I see. Thank you. Well, there’s no reason to refuse. Could you lead the way?"
"Yes. Please, leave it to me. This way. Oh, and for the Dragon Knight and the guards, this may turn into a long conversation, so please do not worry if it gets late. I will ensure they are well protected here."
"Ah, yes. Please take care of the Principal and the Vice Principal!!"
Amanda bowed her head in a panic.
...They still have a long way to go. The fact that their guards couldn't follow them was a failure. Well, it actually helped us, so it was fine, but it was something I’d have to worry about regarding future educational policies. If I educated them any more sharply, they would likely realize what we were doing. Yet, if they kept this "ordinary person" mindset, they would likely be swayed by foreign nobles into making verbal promises or signing contracts they shouldn't...