第４２９堀：違和感と答え (Part1)
Chapter 429: Discomfort and the Answer
Side: Yuki
*Sigh.* As I thought, this matter directly involves my work.
After that, we moved to a conference room in the government building to hear the details from Vilia and the others, but...
"Eii, shut up!! I’ll just ask Lady Nonoa to occupy the Royal Capital of Roschur! Once we have that momentum, we can just take over Weed, too!!"
Apparently, that was what was said, and they started recording in a panic.
*Hya-ha!!*
They are already starting to move quite actively on the other side.
Weed is so impregnable that their intention to start from the easier targets is blatantly obvious.
Regardless, upon hearing this, Seraria contacted her father and her sister to request a search of that idiot’s estate.
Since they spoke so boldly, it implies a high level of confidence, meaning there is a high probability that they have prepared proper documentation.
We need to secure those before they can be disposed of.
Roschur, which previously lacked a sense of crisis regarding the Nonoa Magic Kingdom, will likely start moving in earnest now.
It’s possible that similar subversive activities are being carried out in Gartz and Litea, so we have to notify them as well. Shera and Rurua have left the conference room to make those calls.
Of course, Kina, the Vice Master who came from the Adventurer’s Guild, also rushed back to report.
"However, I cannot quite fathom what they are thinking, initiating such actions," Deryu muttered.
"Eh? Isn't it just to get in Weed's way?"
"Isn't that exactly what you said, Riel?"
Riel reacted to that, and Tori tilted her head beside her.
"Naturally, as Riel and Tori say, the ultimate goal is to hinder—or rather, overthrow—Weed. However, it feels too blatant."
"Ah, I see. Indeed, their actions have become quite direct."
"Is that what it is? If the ministers' accounts are correct, it means they are using Nonoa as a backer to manipulate Roschur, and using their own name to prepare for interference with Weed."
"Normally, you’d just provide some vague support, right? You wouldn't go out of your way to use your real name in a place that would damage your own standing, and you certainly wouldn't use an idiot like that as your hands and feet," Deryu said, and Ratz, Eris, and Milly agreed.
"...What does that mean? Do you understand, Ria?"
"No, not at all. How about you, Cleena?"
"Hmm. I don't really understand politics."
Kaya, Ria, and Cleena look like they’re thinking, but they definitely aren't.
Since those three are specialists in their own fields, I suppose that’s just how it is.
"...Kaya and Ria really should study a bit more."
"Cleena-san is just too focused on magic."
" " "No, not really." " "
" "We aren't complimenting you." "
This exchange has become a bit of a staple. I’m just happy that my wives get along so well.
"Husband. Tea is ready, so why not take a break? Vilia-sama and the others are here, after all."
"Ah, that’s right. Kirue, I’ll leave it to you."
"Yes, certainly."
Sasari, Aslin, Firia, and Labyris are looking after the children, and Vilia and the others probably don't have anyone they can talk to easily in this meeting.
Perhaps because they are nervous, Vilia and Hiiro are bowing repeatedly as Kirue serves them tea.
"Vilia, Hiiro, are you alright?"
"Ah, y-yes!! I'm fine!!"
Yeah. Vilia is hopeless. She’s completely tense.
I can't blame her, though.
She’s technically an acquaintance of this group, but almost everyone here is a former representative of Weed, and their current standing is incredibly high.
For the earnest Vilia, this is her first time participating in a meeting like this.
"Viri-onee is too nervous. The sisters haven't changed at all."
"H-Hiiro!! In a proper place like this, to say such things!!"
"Well, calm down. They’re former representatives now, after all. It’s for the sake of maintaining public order, but you don't need to worry about troublesome etiquette. Just the basics will do."
"See? Even Onii-sama says so."
"O-oh. Thank you, Onii-sama."
It looks like she’s relaxed a little.
Since we were the ones who brought them here to hear their story, I should have been more considerate.
I’m grateful to Kirue. As expected of a professional maid.
"...Hey. Don't you have a word for me?"
"Hm? What's wrong, Dressa?"
"...It's nothing. Kirue, I'll have milk tea."
"Yes, certainly."
She looks sullen and turns away.
Did I do something?
Even though I haven't known her as long as Vilia and the others, she has known about our true activities since the New Continent days. She knows more about the behind-the-scenes stuff than Vilia—or perhaps even some of the heavyweights here. Dressa herself is a former princess, so she isn't the type to shrink away from something like this.
"What should we do... I wonder how we should proceed."
"No, we should just watch from the sidelines. They haven't said anything to us directly."
"That's true. It would be meddling if we moved on our own."
"It's fun to watch, so I think that's fine too."
"Well... with that personality, it seems like it'll never work out, though..."
"Hmm. Then, wouldn't it be fine to just listen to them a little?"
"...That would be good. They won't move unless there's a catalyst."
"They're so young."
"Mhm. Youth."
"You two aren't that different yourselves, are you?"
"That's true."
My wives are getting excited on their own.
I feel like I'm being left behind, but if I can take a break, that's fine.
I’ll use this time to moisten my throat.
I slurp my tea.
When I was young, I didn't understand why people drank hot tea, but now, it’s not bad at all.
And so, after the break, the meeting resumed.
"Now, the topic was why Nonoa's name came out so easily."
"That's right. I don't understand the meaning behind that."
"It came out too easily. It’s as if they don't care if Nonoa is exposed."
Exactly as Deryu said, normally, they would create some secret society no one has ever heard of and launch various schemes through that, but Nonoa's name was dropped without hesitation.
If this continues, the reputation of Nonoa's country will plummet, putting them at an economic disadvantage.
"Ah, I see. I finally understand what everyone is saying. They’d be cornered by economic sanctions if exposed, so why would they do this?"
"Exactly. It’s almost like a form of self-destruction."
Milly responded to Riel's answer.
But Riel continued.
"But, according to what Faide-san said, they have a dungeon on their side too, right? Maybe they thought they could handle it?"
" " "Eh?" " "
The entire conference room went silent.
As always, Riel hits the nail on the head.
"I see. It wasn't a reckless act; they are acting boldly because they have a winning strategy."