第４２８堀：かがくのちからってすげー (Part1)
Chapter 428: The Power of Science is Amazing
The power of science is amazing.
Side: Seraria
"What is that?"
"Y-yes!! The children that man is shielding interfered with an important negotiation! Since those children claim to be adventurers, I was requesting that they be handed over to the Adventurer's Guild!"
What is this idiot talking about?
Is this the kind of person Roschur is appointing as a minister these days?
Is this the result of that old fool's personnel decisions?
No, Princess Aria would never appoint such a moron to a ministerial position; it must be related to the old man's political baggage.
...Ah, I see.
That old fool. He wanted to send these kinds of idiots into Weed to let them self-destruct.
If these fools cause trouble and get themselves arrested, their faction loses influence.
At the same time, he wants to signal to us that there are hostile factions within Roschur.
...I understand the logic, but I’m certainly not happy about having trash scattered in my backyard. I think I’ll refuse to let him meet with the children for about three months.
Now that I understand the old man's goal, I need to beat these people into submission.
"For starters, let me correct your perception. The person you referred to as 'that man' is my husband, Yuki."
"What!? S-such a shabby-looking man!?"
He is not shabby.
He just doesn't wear gaudy clothes like you do. He keeps things simple, he’s clean, and he looks handsome no matter how you slice it!!
No, stay calm. If I just cut him down in a fit of rage, it could cause problems. I need to get a proper admission out of him first.
"Also, these children are my acquaintances. I am practically their guardian. Would you mind telling me exactly what happened? Why is it necessary to hand them over?"
"I-I told you! They overheard the contents of a negotiation that must remain secret. If this gets out, it will harm the national interest! Furthermore, they snuck into the room to play. The fault clearly lies with those children, and even if you are the Queen... Yes!! Do not interfere!!"
He seems to have gained confidence, thinking he’s in the right, as his voice rises to a shout by the end.
His entourage of guards is nodding along in agreement.
However, that is impossible.
There is no way these children would sneak into someone else's room without permission.
"I see. In that case, let’s ask the children directly. You three, did you enter that room without permission?"
"No. We didn't do anything like that."
"We didn't."
"No way we would. Besides, with that many guards around, how could children sneak in to play?"
Dressa is right.
I don't know what those guards are even for.
"Guh... N-no, are you going to take those children's words at face value, Your Majesty? They are clearly lying!"
Taking them at face value? Given the situation, it’s impossible.
And besides, you’re the one clearly lying, aren't you?
"I see. So you’re saying these children are lying to escape punishment?"
"Exactly!! Now, Lord Yuki, hand them over!!"
...He’s switched to calling him "Lord Yuki" quite smoothly, hasn't he?
Ha, it’s rare for me to get this annoyed just because someone speaks my husband's name so casually.
"No, I won't hand them over."
My husband, however, isn't about to agree to such a foolish demand, and he refuses immediately.
"W-why not?"
"Why? Because there’s a possibility that you are the ones lying about them entering the room."
"H-how could you say that!! That is rude!!"
"Well, 'rude' or not, I am the Queen's consort, you know. But let's leave that aside. I’ll accept that you feel insulted. However, that is still no reason to hand these children over."
"Darn it!! This concerns diplomacy!! It could put my home country of Roschur at a disadvantage!!"
If they’re at a disadvantage over something like this, I think they should just hurry up and collapse.
"Whether it’s your home country or not is irrelevant. It is my duty to protect the people of my country. Besides, why are you holding a conversation that you'd be troubled to have overheard in a common inn in the Adventurer's District of Weed? I’m sure we provided proper meeting places for every nation."
"I’ve told you repeatedly!! It was for a private matter, so we decided to do it here!"
"In other words, you used an inn in the Adventurer's District for your own convenience. Even if we concede for a moment that these children entered the room, it was your own negligence that allowed them to overhear you. Demanding they be handed over for a child's prank is quite an overreaction. Or is it something else? Was the content something that would be problematic if heard by the adventurers of Weed? For example, a secret that would put Roschur at a disadvantage if it reached Weed?"
"..."
My husband’s pointed question leaves him unable to respond.
I should say he’s impressive; he really knows how to keep the conversation moving.
"Hmm. Your silence only makes me more suspicious. In that case, let’s do this. Let’s hear what it is that these children supposedly heard."
As my husband turns toward Vilia and the others, the minister hurriedly tries to stop him.
"Wait!! The children will surely say whatever comes to their minds! It’s not worth listening to! It’s not worthy of belief!"
"That’s right! A child’s words are not worth listening to! Not worthy of belief!"
" "That's right!" "
The minister’s entourage chimes in, deciding from the start that Vilia and the others' words are lies.
Normally, if you were to ask whose words carry more weight—a minister's or a child's—the answer would obviously be the minister.
However, in this case, the odds were stacked against the minister in more ways than one.
He surely didn't expect us to show up, nor did he expect the three children to return to the guild safely.
And to top it all off, there was *that* thing.
A common tactic from my husband's homeland.
*"Wait!! The children will surely say whatever comes to their minds! It’s not worth listening to! It’s not worthy of belief!"*
*"That’s right! A child’s words are not worth listening to! Not worthy of belief!"*
*" "That's right!" "*
The voices of the minister and his men, just spoken moments ago, suddenly echoed from my husband, causing the group to fall silent in shock.
"I didn't say that."
"Neither did I. What on earth..."
Watching them, my husband slowly pulls an IC recorder from his pocket.
"I used this to do that just now. It can record sound. Let’s call it a magic tool. Look, like this."
*"I used this to do that just now. It can record sound. Let’s call it a magic tool."*
My husband demonstrates it himself.
Incidentally, while this is possible with *Call*, it hasn't been perfected as a standalone magic tool yet.
I have high hopes for Zargis and Comet’s efforts.
"Now, I think you understand that this can record sound. As for this magic tool, it’s still far from being mass-produced, as we need feedback on improvements and ease of use, so..."
At this point, the ministers finally seem to realize why my husband was trying to let the children speak, and their faces turn pale.
"D-don't tell me!? You intend to have those children...!"