第４８８堀：話が通じる敵 (Part2)
"This is His Highness, George Findar, the Second Prince of the Findar Empire. I am Georgin, the assistant to Prince George, currently overseeing the Haiden Kingdom occupation force."
The speaker was an elderly man with a rugged face. Vilia and Hiiro both wore tense expressions, but the voice that emerged from him was not one of intimidation. It was a gentle, grandfatherly tone, modulated to a volume that showed consideration for those around him.
"Thank you for your courtesy. I am Shera, a diplomat for Weed, the nation that occupied Baide," I replied, returning the greeting with the formal etiquette expected of a noble.
The young man introduced as the Second Prince stepped forward and returned the gesture in kind. I am unfamiliar with their specific customs, but his movements were precise and sharp; it was clear he had received a proper education.
Come to think of it, Princess Carly hadn't offered any such greeting. Then again, she was bound in a roll of matting, so that would have been difficult. I prefer to believe she simply lacked the opportunity, rather than the refinement.
"Priestess of the Spirits, I am humbled by your polite greeting. Please, call me George. And may I address you as Shera?"
"Yes, that is fine. May I also address you as Prince George and Georgin-dono?"
"That is acceptable. Please, have a seat."
Following his invitation, I sat in the chair and prepared for the discussion.
"If you will forgive me for confirming, you mentioned that Weed—the nation that occupied Baide—is who you represent. Is that correct?"
"Yes. There is no mistake; it was we, Weed, who occupied Baide."
"…Shera-sama. Please, do not take offense, but we honestly do not understand what is happening to us right now. That includes the things you are telling us. This morning, when we attempted to attack Baide, we were suddenly plunged into darkness. I barely understand what is happening myself."
"That is only natural. It is precisely to explain this that I have come."
"Explain… you say?"
"Yes. I assume neither Prince George nor Georgin-dono have ever heard of a country called Weed?"
When I asked, both of them wore troubled expressions.
"If you will excuse my ignorance, I have never heard of such a nation…"
"I, too, am unlearned in such matters, so I have not heard of it. However, given that a Priestess such as yourself is present, it is hard to believe such a place could exist without being known…"
They looked genuinely apologetic, as if they couldn't fathom why they didn't know. I see—the position of a Spirit Priestess must be that unique.
"No, it is only natural that you do not know. We were summoned here only late the other night."
"Summoned?"
"Summoned… Summoned!?"
Prince George seemed confused by the term, but Georgin-dono let out a loud exclamation, as if he recognized the word.
"Old man, do you know something?"
"Hah, well, no… but that is impossible."
"Speak. I have no idea what is going on."
"Y-yes. Shera-sama, may I explain this to the Prince?"
"Yes, please do."
"Very well, if you will excuse me, Prince George. You are aware of the legends of the heroes who founded the Haiden Kingdom, are you not?"
"Hm? Ah, you mean the three families they revere as the founders."
"Yes. While those stories are circulated as fairy tales to make them easier for children to understand, there is a passage that speaks of a 'Kamishiro' with black hair and great wisdom who was called forth from another world. That is what is referred to as a 'summoning.' In other words…"
"…Wait a moment."
Perhaps realizing the implication of Georgin-dono's explanation, the Prince covered his face with one hand.
"In other words… Shera-sama, you were called forth from another world?"
"That is, if the summoning from the fairy tales is true."
As I said this, their gazes converged on me.
"It is a fact. I—and indeed, everyone behind me—were summoned here from Weed. Therefore, it is no fault of yours that you have not heard of our nation."
"That does not sound like a joke."
"I agree."
"Then, Shera-sama, what of the state of the Imperial Army…"
"Yes. We were the ones who caused it."
As I said this without hesitation, the soldiers waiting behind them reached for the swords at their hips.
"Wait!! Do not act rashly!!"
"Indeed, stay your hands!! Our army suffered no casualties from that ground collapse. And the Priestess has come here to negotiate. Does this look like the behavior of an enemy to you!!"
My, my. The Imperial Army seems quite reasonable. Perhaps it would be better to join forces with the Findar Empire than the Haiden Kingdom.
Yuki-san, who is watching this meeting through *Call*, what do you think? It’s certainly better to deal with people who can actually hold a conversation, isn't it?