第４８６堀：世の中書類仕事は大事 (Part2)
"So, regarding the contents of the meeting: our requests were basically accepted. In terms of our standing, we are merely the rulers of Baide, while Lady Catherine remains the feudal lord. We are to provide information, of course. Lady Catherine had no intention of changing her position as lord, and the residents are to be treated as they always have been. She seemed relieved that there were no unreasonable levies. Though, frankly, such things would be more of a disadvantage to us anyway."
"Fair enough. Looking at the future, I want to get along with the people of Baide."
"They were quite flustered when they heard our numbers and scrambled to prepare rooms for us, so they seem favorably inclined. Though, I suspect fear plays a larger part in that than anything else."
"I'm just glad they weren't openly hostile."
Honestly, it’s better that they’re at least capable of rational conversation.
The "flower-brained" princess we’ve taken prisoner is a lost cause; all she does is go on about how "amazing" the heroes are. It’s impossible to talk to her. She keeps demanding to be taken to the capital of the Hyden Kingdom—it’s not even that she’s difficult to talk to; she’s completely disconnected from reality.
As for the black-haired girl, Kagura, she’s been in a deep, comatose sleep ever since she invited the Imperial army into the dungeon.
Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. She was juggling the defense of the city, managing magic usage, and dealing with that airheaded princess all at once. She must have been exhausted.
She’ll likely wake up by tomorrow, so I’ll let her rest until then.
"Regarding the information gathering, please keep in mind that this was just a preliminary inquiry. Once Lady Catherine finishes her designated protection period, we will need to have a proper discussion in the dungeon conference room, with you present, Yuki-san."
"Understood. For now, just tell me what you've got."
Honestly, I had intended to go and speak with the lord, Catherine, myself. But Shera and the others put their foot down, telling me that it wasn't necessary and that I shouldn't take any unnecessary risks.
So, my job became "strategizing" here at home.
Which, by all appearances, is just paperwork. *Sigh.* It’s a bitter irony that even in a world where I can teleport anywhere, I’m still shackled to a system that requires document authorization.
Even though I’m the one who built the system for management...
"Now, first, the information confirmed by Kagura-san remains consistent. There are no monsters. It seems they treat the 'Shrine Maiden of the Spirits' with a reverence bordering on the sacred, especially regarding Beastmen. Thanks to that, as I mentioned earlier, I was worried that my sudden appearance might complicate things, but the talks proceeded more smoothly than expected."
A Shrine Maiden of the Spirits, huh?
We have mountains of those maidens living in Weed.
But that’s not the real issue here.
The fact that there are so few Beastmen in this region is the point.
Including the lack of monsters, it’s safe to assume this is the result of a mana drought.
Well, the fact that Luna’s power is being obstructed probably has something to do with it, too.
"Next, the Empire that attacked Baide this time is formally known as the Findar Empire. They aren't exactly at war with the Hyden Kingdom, but their relationship hasn't been particularly good. That said, they aren't in a state of active war either; this was their first invasion in a long time. According to records, there was only a minor border skirmish about fifty years ago."
"Why now, then?"
"I can't say for sure, but the Hyden Kingdom is generally known as a 'Magic Superpower.' Despite having less territory than its neighbors, it seems to hold significant influence and power. From Lady Catherine’s perspective, they have been acting quite arrogantly. You can see that just by looking at the princess’s... 'flower-brained' nature."
I see.
I don't know what caused the princess to be so airheaded, but Shera, being a princess herself, seems genuinely irritated by that level of obliviousness.
Then again, that might just come down to individual personality.
"...So, you're saying there might be problems within the Hyden Kingdom itself? And to think Catherine would openly criticize her own country."
"It seems that being a female lord is extremely rare in this region, and she has been severely ostracized for it. We discussed the possibility that this might be the reason Baide was targeted."
"Targeted, or rather, an attempt to make Catherine fail?"
"That is merely speculation and conjecture, of course. The members of the invading Findar Empire are still here, so I will go and ask them for the details once I’ve had a short break."
"Oh, in that case, I'll—"
I started to say I’d join them, but...
" " "Absolutely not." " "
"Right."
It was a hard "no."
It seems I’m stuck with paperwork.
As we were talking, Labyris returned, presumably finished with her communications to Weed.
"Oh, everyone. Welcome back. And, Yuki, what are you doing?"
"Welcome back, Labyris. Yuki-san was just saying he wanted to go outside again, as usual."
"Ah. The usual, then. I’ll keep an eye on him."
"Yes, please do."
After that exchange with Shera, Labyris sat down on my lap.
"Now, you have reports to file and budgets to manage, don't you? Leave the negotiations to Shera and the others."
"...*Sigh*."
"Don't you 'sigh' me. Work, work."
In the end, that’s what matters most.
*Correction: DP recovery rate adjusted from 10 million to 3 million per few hours.*
*Reason: There are no Fairy-kin present, so there are few individuals with high MP. If Fairy-kin were present, it would be dozens of times higher, but in the current environment, a few times higher is the best we can expect.*