第５１１堀：再会と今後の相談 (Part2)
"Exactly. That’s why I can’t seem to find the bandwidth for intercontinental exchange. I suppose we can leave the If Continent to Taizo and his group, and the Rogali Continent to the likes of Roschur, but all of that relies on Weed being a stable base. With the situation in Haiden and the Findall Empire, we can’t really spare the manpower. I wanted to consult you on how to handle that."
"A grave issue indeed. We can’t simply halt intercontinental exchange; it would only breed suspicion, and we certainly can’t tell them the truth. When everyone is already stretched thin just managing their own continent's affairs, introducing a new one will only lead to chaos, not progress. Besides, the whole thing started because you and your group were summoned and kidnapped. If that’s perceived as an obstruction to intercontinental exchange, we could end up with the continent where Haiden is located launching an invasion."
"That’s exactly what I’m worried about."
*Man.* Just listening to this makes it clear how much of a headache it is. Ranks has its own share of troubles, but I’m glad it’s not on the level of Weed.
"It’s manageable for now, but once I take Kagura and infiltrate Haiden, our personnel will be spread too thin. As I said before, I can’t use the monster forces, so the only ones I can freely deploy are my wives. But given how things have gone in the past, I’m still uneasy about that."
"It’ll be fine. We’ll just beat those idiots in Haiden into submission."
"No. Seraria, there’s no point if you just show off your raw power. The goal is to restore Kagura and the queen we’re rescuing to their rightful places, right? If they return propped up by Weed’s blatant interference, it won’t last. Besides, you can’t leave Weed during such a critical time."
Indeed, Seraria-san was looking quite agitated; I don’t think she’d be able to hold back against Haiden. Before we knew it, instead of rebuilding Haiden, we’d end up with a vassal state of Weed.
"Then, what about Mauve-san and the others?"
"No, they’re adventurers, so they’re in a different category. They don’t know the intricacies of Weed’s political situation. Even if you taught them, it would go in one ear and out the other."
Ah, that’s true. Mauve-san is the type who’s content as long as he can live a normal life.
"In short, you’re worried about your wives, Yuki-kun. They’re too emotionally invested. I doubt there’s any issue with their combat capability. So, you’re looking for someone to act as a coordinator for them? And you going yourself is..."
"Out of the question."
"I’d be furious if you put my husband on the front lines, you know?"
*Eek!?* The killing intent from Seraria-san and Sarsa-san is intense! Actually, the guards, Jessica-san and Ria, are looking pretty furious too!
"However, you were the one summoned as the hero, Yuki-kun. If I or Taiki-kun went as a substitute now, they wouldn’t be convinced. You’re the most capable when it comes to this kind of negotiation. Restoring the old Haiden royal family without you would be difficult."
"That is..."
"We know, but..."
"The number of personnel we can move is just too low. If you and your group head to Haiden, the problem of defending Baide and managing Weed’s diplomacy and intercontinental exchange remains."
"Then, how about I tag along, as if I’m just increasing your security detail?"
"Are you sure?"
"Aren't you busy enough with Ranks?"
"Well, I am, but I’m not juggling intercontinental exchange duties on top of it. And besides, 'security detail' just means I’ll be back the same day, like usual, right?"
"You know the Doppelgangers are becoming a pain, don't you?"
"Yes. But unlike you, Yuki-san, I don’t have to show my face for intercontinental exchange immediately. Plus, you helped us settle the Ranks issue; if I tell Ruth and the Chancellor that, they won’t complain."
In fact, I think they’d be all for paying back the favor quickly. They’d want to forge even stronger ties with Weed.
"Hmm. I don’t think it’s a bad idea. What do you think, Yuki-kun?"
"It’s a relief for us, too, since we can keep more personnel in Weed. If it’s Taiki-kun, we could even leave Haiden to him in a worst-case scenario."
"No, I don’t want that."
I don’t want to be in charge of any more countries.
"In a way, this is perfect for us, too."
"What is?"
"To see if Bicks is actually behaving himself."
"..." "..." "..."
Everyone nodded in agreement. After the Ranks incident, Bicks Terutora settled into the role of my aide and helped suppress the internal strife, but there are still those who believe he should be executed. So, this is a way to keep him on a leash and see if he causes trouble while I’m away. Though, with Terutora there, I doubt anything like that will happen.
And so, the Haiden infiltration team...
*‘The Hero has joined the party!!’*
That’s how it is.
In exchange, the wives will be staying in Weed to handle the work.
It was a bit of a slog, but we’re finally off to explore a new continent!!
Now, will Yuki and his group successfully rebuild Haiden?!
Onward to tomorrow, so we don’t have to take on any more work ourselves!!