第５３８堀：誰だって色々考える (Part1)
### Chapter 538: Everyone Has Their Own Thoughts
**Side: Kagura**
After the audience with Her Majesty concluded, I reunited with the waiting Lord Jorjin, and we headed out into the bright, bustling commercial district.
The commercial district was even more vibrant than it had been at night. There were many things I hadn’t seen during my previous visit. Yesterday, after we arrived and the audience ended, I had intended to spend my time leisurely sightseeing and shopping, but...
"..." "..." "..."
The Haiden party walked through the crowd in silence.
Well, of course they would.
Unlike Yuki, Her Majesty had been absolutely furious, and the Princess had made an impossible promise...
The future looked pretty bleak, didn't it?
"Hey. What's wrong with everyone?"
"What is the matter?"
"Ahaha. That’s what they call a 'political secret.' It’s the kind of thing you shouldn't ask about, you two."
"Indeed."
"Hmm..."
They definitely don't get it, do they? Aslin and Firia.
Lady Ratz, who had witnessed the scene, was giving a wry smile, and Lord Jorjin seemed to understand that asking would be like stepping on a landmine, so he wasn't trying to strike up a conversation. I suppose I should be grateful for that, but...
We really need to have a meeting just among the Haiden members, don't we?
I feel bad for Lady Ratz, who is guiding us, but it can't be helped... I need to find somewhere quiet...
With that thought, I spoke to Lady Ratz.
"Excuse me, Lady Ratz. Could we have a moment...?"
"Ah, I see. You must be exhausted from the audience, right? Let me guide you to a cafe that has private rooms."
She sensed my intent immediately and gave me a wink.
Yeah. This person is cool.
And so, under Lady Ratz's guidance, we headed to an establishment that served tea—a "cafe," as they called it.
"Alright then, we’ll be relaxing at the open seats downstairs, so just let us know if you need anything!"
"Hmm. A magnificent cafe. However, what should I order...?"
"How about a parfait?"
"That is correct. It is sweet and delicious. Parfaits are the best."
"Oh? If the two of you recommend it that highly, then I shall have that."
"No, no, that’s food, not a drink!"
As we exchanged these words, the four of them left the private room on the second floor.
That left the four of us in silence.
"E-e-err, let's order first. I'm thirsty!!"
I said that, opened the menu, and placed it in the center of the table.
"…I suppose so. Since they were kind enough to guide us here, we should partake."
"…Yes."
"…Indeed."
*Ugh, seriously!?*
Why do I have to be the one to worry about the atmosphere!?
The Princess and my father are both higher in status than me, aren't they!?
Regardless, I managed to get their orders and called for service.
*Hey, you! The Princess's maid! Do your job!*
Just as I was thinking that, the tea we ordered arrived without much delay.
"…It has a lovely fragrance."
"Yes. They must be using high-quality tea leaves."
"It is quite soothing."
I had ordered herbal tea, after all.
I suppose it really does have the effects described.
Perhaps if they drink this, we can actually have a conversation?
Thinking that, I encouraged the three of them to drink, and they complied.
"…Phew. I didn't realize even the tea could make such a difference."
"The variety is vastly different from our own country. It’s staggering."
"So, this is Weed..."
The Princess, the maid, and my father seemed a bit more composed.
In that case, is it time to ask?
"Princess. Regarding the transfer of land and, in the worst-case scenario, the transfer of the Duchy... surely you don't expect that to be accepted, do you?"
"Indeed. Transferring land is a condition equivalent to that of a defeated nation."
*Wait? Did she say that on purpose?*
"…Besides, haven't Yuki and the others said time and again that they would be troubled if they were given territory? Why bring up such a proposal?"
"I am well aware of that."
"Then why?"
I didn't understand.
Wouldn't that just make Yuki and the others angry?
"…Kagura, your tactical sense is remarkable, but you seem to struggle with strategy and political maneuvering, Duke."
"…I am still a student. Please forgive me."
*What? What does that mean?*
While I tilted my head in confusion, the Princess took a sip of her tea and opened her mouth.
"Very well. Let us organize our thoughts, and I will explain my intentions. The proposal for land transfer can be broken down into three meanings."
"Three meanings?"
"Yes. First, to put it simply, it is an apology to Weed. Words are cheap, after all. This is to show the sincerity behind that apology. As I said before, I offered an apology at the level of a defeated nation. …If we antagonize Weed, we will be destroyed. You understand that, don't you, Kagura?"
"…Yes."
Even if Yuki doesn't have the desire for it, I know the difference in national power is as vast as heaven and earth.
I'm forbidden from talking about it to the Princess, but they have monsters as a fighting force, and in terms of military might, I don't feel like we could win at all.
If it were me, I would have surrendered immediately.
"That is why I made the offer, knowing full well they didn't want it. In another sense, it was to prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"The worst case?"
"If my head had been taken during the audience earlier, there would have been no future for the current Haiden. In that event, if the Duchy had declared its allegiance to Weed, at least those who carry the bloodline of Haiden could have survived. It seemed they were planning to establish the Duchy as the next generation of Haiden, after all."
*Ah... they were talking about that.*
I see. If the Princess had been executed at that moment, the governance of Haiden would surely have fallen to my father.
He declared his allegiance to Weed to stabilize that position.
If he were perceived as supporting the Royal Family while being hostile, he would likely be annihilated.
Normally, executing foreign envoys or royalty who come for an audience is unthinkable, but we were the ones who broke the rules first, so anything could have happened to us.
As I was lost in these thoughts, the Princess looked at me and smiled.
"Besides, Kagura, it seems you are favored by Yuki-sama."
"Eh? Is that so? I don't think so, though."
After all, when I asked if he wanted to "attack" me, he said he didn't need it.
Well, that makes sense. His wives are all beauties. And there are even the Spirit Priestesses...
"You have been granted the honor of addressing Yuki-sama without honorifics, haven't you?"
"Well, there are various circumstances behind that..."
"Yes, I am sure. But in the event that the Royal Family falls, the fact that you, of the Duchy, have built a close relationship with Yuki-sama will be the greatest trump card imaginable. No, it is already a significant trump card. It is likely thanks to the blood of the first Duke."
Well, that is a big factor.
Because Yuki and I are connected by the blood of Japanese people.
"But I digress. For now, please remember that you, Kagura, hold an extremely important position within Haiden as someone who has a close relationship with the people of Weed."
"Yes. And, er, that was the first reason. What are the other two?"
"The second is a strategy regarding our own country."
"Regarding Haiden?"
"Yes. As you said earlier, Kagura, transferring territory is not something that would normally be accepted. No, it is common sense that one should stop it, even if it means going to war. However, war against Weed is something that must absolutely never be done."
Yeah.
If we fight, we lose.
"However, it is extremely difficult to explain the national power of Weed. I was skeptical when I heard it from you, Kagura, and only understood it after hearing it from Lord Jorjin. It wasn't until I came to Weed that I realized it exceeded my imagination."
Well, that can't be helped.
But isn't that logic strange?
"Princess. If it's something that can't be understood, why talk about land transfer? The Weed side says they don't want the territory, and the backlash from our country is inevitable. There's no merit to it, is there?"
"No, there is merit. Surely, they will demand to know why I promised to transfer land."
"That is true."
"Which means they will have to judge for themselves after seeing Weed. As a result, what do you think the vassals who are capable of rational judgment will think after visiting Weed?"
"…They will surely realize that we must never antagonize Weed."