第４３８堀：話し合い始まる (Part2)
Ria is also a Hero, but as a bodyguard, she lacks experience. Therefore, it has been decided that she will focus on rear-guard disruption, utilizing her overwhelming firepower and defensive capabilities.
As for the two remaining as bodyguards, Jessica is a former knight and is accustomed to such duties, while Riel remains due to her superior scouting abilities, honed through her keen Cat Beastman hearing and her time as an adventurer.
Eris and I, along with Faide, will leave the protection to our guards and proceed to negotiate with Nonoa.
"But still, I'm worried about whether I'll be able to hold back my laughter," Comet said.
"Hahaha! I certainly couldn't. I’m confident I’d burst out laughing the moment I saw that Nonoa’s face. I’m glad I’m on rear-guard duty. Good luck, Riel."
"Comet, that’s not fair!"
As we were having this conversation, our escort arrived.
It was finally time.
"Excuse me. Only three bodyguards are permitted; the rest of you must wait here. Is that acceptable?"
Three, huh? I’m grateful to have that many guards nearby.
"Yes, that is fine. I’ll leave this to you."
"Yes, sir!"
I put on a show of acting, just in case. I made sure the escort soldiers recognized them as my bodyguards. Once that was settled, I followed the guide...
"Here we are. I have brought the envoys from Weed!"
"Enter."
"Yes, sir! Excuse me!"
As the door opened and we were ushered inside, a woman stood alone in a room that looked like an unremarkable reception area. Well, there were people who looked like guards standing in the corners of the room, but she, in the center, was likely...
"Welcome to the Magic Kingdom. I am Nonoa Wizard Shine, the ruler of this nation. I appreciate you making the journey from Weed. And Faide, thank you for your hard work."
She said this with a smile, offering her gratitude. She was likely considered a beauty, but unfortunately, whether it was because I lacked interest in such things or because I now had a partner in Hifii, I felt nothing. I even briefly wondered if there was something wrong with me as a human.
Wait, I mustn't forget my manners.
"You are too kind. I am Yuki, serving as a strategist for Weed. This is Eris, a talented woman who handles negotiations and financial management for us."
"I see. And the other three?"
"The others are my bodyguards, so please, pay them no mind."
"Very well. Then, let us not stand on ceremony. Please, have a seat."
At her invitation, Eris and I sat on the sofa.
"However, I am surprised. I did not expect you, Yuki-dono, to come in person."
"I am merely acting as a proxy for Her Majesty the Queen. Regardless, I am grateful that you accepted our sudden visit."
"Not at all. This was a matter of great importance to me as well."
Hmm. Even at this stage, she remains perfectly composed. The fact that she is still being so polite suggests she either doesn't doubt her own overwhelming advantage, or she has a plan to wipe us all out at once—though the latter seems unlikely. I haven't received any reports from Comet or Steve, either.
How should I address this gap in our perceptions...?
"If you recognize the importance of this matter as well, may we proceed to the main topic?"
"Yes, that is fine. I, too, wish to avoid wasting time on clumsy probing. You have come here after hearing the circumstances from Faide, have you not?"
"Yes, that is correct. I would like to move to the main topic, but what about your guards?"
"It is fine. They include Heroes I have selected myself, so they are well aware of the underlying circumstances."
...I see. So, one of the four guards is a person recognized as a Hero by the gods.
"Then, I will speak frankly."
"Please."
"I have heard the details regarding your contact with Lilishe-dono through Faide-dono."
"I believe you understand your own position now. If things continue this way, you will make enemies of everyone."
...She truly has the expression of someone who does not doubt her own absolute superiority.
"Based on that, here is the decision we at Weed have reached..."
"And that decision is?"
She prodded me, but I’m certain it won’t be the answer she’s hoping for.
"There are far too many discrepancies in our understanding, and acting rashly will only lead to problems. I would like to request that we sit down and have a proper discussion once more."
"...What is that supposed to mean? Did you not come here to beg for my intercession, having realized you were doing something foolish?"
The temperature in the room dropped instantly. Nonoa, who had been smiling, now glared at us with a blank expression.
"Do you even realize what kind of situation you are in right now?"
"Yes. We understand that you have unilaterally identified our nation as an enemy and have been taking various actions."
"That is wrong. Do you not understand that the cause is because you are fools who cling only to the power of Luna-sama?"
"That is exactly it. That is where our perceptions differ."
"That?"
"For now, even if you are angry, it won't be too late to listen to what we have to say after. This is your castle, is it not?"
"I ask this of you as well."
"...Fine. I will listen to your excuses. I hope you have something better to say. Otherwise, you know what will happen to all of you, don't you?"
...Well, at least I managed to keep the conversation going. Whether this ends in a display of force or a peaceful discussion depends entirely on how I handle this from here on out.