第４３０堀：軽いジャブでワンダウン (Part2)
"...Seraria. You still can't bring yourself to call him 'Father' normally, can you? I just hope your daughter, Sakura, doesn't pick up on that. If the old man in Roschur were to be called a 'shitty old man' by his own grandchild, he’d probably try to end it all right there..."
"Yuki. It might just be empty comfort, but I know you can do this. I know it."
"That’s right. You’ll be fine, Yuki-san!!"
"Mm. Yuki will be fine."
"Indeed. Our Yuki-sama is not the type of person to be stopped by something of this magnitude."
"Onii-sama will be just fine, I know it!!"
"Onii-chan will be totally okay!"
"...That’s some intense pressure. I think I’ll just stay quiet."
I’m actually grateful for Dressa’s consideration this time. The unconditional, absolute trust from my wives, as well as Viria and Hiiro, is a heavy burden. I’ve said it before, but I’m just an average person. There are countless people in this world who are far above me. Compared to my best friends and acquaintances, I’m nothing but ordinary. Though, I suppose since the average in this world is quite low, someone "ordinary" like me ends up being categorized as talented.
Well, cursing the impermanence of the world won't change anything. I just have to tackle the work in front of me, one piece at a time. Let’s do our best today.
With that resolve, I stepped into the conference room. The leaders of the three great nations were all gathered there. Under normal circumstances, one would naturally feel intimidated by such a lineup, but since this was an unofficial, internal meeting, there was no need for that.
"You're here."
"Took you long enough."
"It’s rare for the one who called the meeting to be the last one to arrive."
"I’ve got a lot on my plate, you know. So, what about tea and snacks?" I asked as I took my seat.
"Don't worry about the drinks. I’ve already asked Kirue."
"The snacks will be handled appropriately as well. She is Shera’s attendant, after all. Gartz can be proud of her."
"So, have no fear."
I see. As expected of the super-maid, Kirue. Forget about the old man from Gartz; the fact that she’s earned the recognition of the leaders of Roschur and Litea is impressive.
"Alright, let’s get to the main point. We don't seem to have the luxury of taking our time."
As I said that, the atmosphere tightened. I admire how quickly these leaders of great nations can shift gears.
"The intelligence gathering I mentioned previously has yielded certain results. That is the subject of today’s meeting, and the content is quite problematic. The details are from yesterday, but..."
I began to explain what had happened. The self-proclaimed idiot minister had been plotting to overthrow the current royal family of Roschur, with the Magic Kingdom of Nonoa involved in the background. According to a certain source, Nonoa and Nogosh—the Magic Kingdom and the Sword Kingdom—were working together. Furthermore, the shadow of a Dungeon Master, just like the one in Weed, had been confirmed behind them.
From this, it was highly likely they were using provocations to lure us into their territory to turn us into DP. I relayed the information that was safe to share for now.
"...I see. So that’s why my son was in such a panic, telling me not to touch the secret documents of the Magic Kingdom that came from that fool."
"Hm? Has the search for that self-proclaimed minister in Roschur finished yet?"
"Naturally. He’s been shouting for a long time that it’s unacceptable for only Seraria to be turning a profit."
"Why not just punish him already? Oh, wait—is his superior the troublesome type?"
"Exactly. Putting him aside, his superior is a Duke. If we punish him carelessly, they’ll use that against us. They know he’s an idiot, yet they use him anyway."
"...That is troublesome. But, setting that aside, where did you get the information that a Dungeon Master is behind this? Even we haven't been able to grasp that. It’s rather strange that Weed would obtain such information first."
"Indeed. Where is your source?"
"Exactly. Is it reliable?"
Here it comes. I decided to mix in some truth with a fabricated narrative.
"The other day, Priest Lilishe of the Litea Church in Weed received a message from an acquaintance."
"From the Priest?"
"Why the Priest, of all people?"
The old men from Roschur and Gartz tilted their heads in confusion, but Alstaire, the leader of Litea who knew Lilishe’s true identity, turned pale.
"N-no way... Yuki-san..."
"What is it? Leader of Litea?"
"You look a bit pale, don't you?"
"N-no, please, don't mind me. I-it's just... Yuki-san. That person you mentioned..."
"I think you’ve guessed correctly. One of her own kind."
"A-ahahaha... Pfft..."
At my response, she let out a dry laugh and promptly fainted.
"Are you alright!?"
"H-hey!? S-someone call a doctor!!"
Ah, it happened just as I thought. I wonder if Alstaire can handle the stories about the gods that are to come. And I wonder if the other two will be able to understand.
Ugh, what a pain.