第５７６堀：こっちも大変 (Part2)
Even the small staff I received has some sort of incomprehensible ability attached to it.
"Please, be extremely cautious when selecting items from the armory. Naturally, we will perform our own screening as well, but you must remember that items that are 'too much' are problematic."
"Understood."
I replied with a firm sense of resolve. If the people of Weed were to hand over some bizarre weapon with their usual casual flair, it would inevitably throw the country into chaos. They would surely create something capable of wiping out an entire army with a single swing—no, they have likely already created such things. I could not afford to bring back the seeds of such conflict. The responsibility was immense.
Seemingly satisfied with my response, the Princess nodded.
"Very well. Continue to do your best as a Weed diplomat."
"Yes."
"Now, we have discussed the major issues. Let us move on to the finer details."
"The finer details, Your Highness?"
"Yes. What did you think of your time in Weed? You must have observed many things, from the lives of the common folk to the economy. And besides Yuki-sama and his companions, did you make any friends? I know it is all written in the reports, but I wish to hear it directly from Kagura. Think of it as casual conversation."
"I see..."
Indeed, hearing things firsthand is different from reading a report. Although the Princess had stayed in Weed herself, it was not for very long, and her knowledge was likely just a fraction of what I had come to know.
"There is much I would like to ask, but... well, when I visited Weed, there were rows of shops that were as bright as day despite it being night. Those weren't just set up for that occasion, were they?"
Ah, because we lack the concept of using electricity as a light source, I had initially assumed, just like the Princess, that it was some special event or something arranged specifically for our sake...
"Yes. That is standard for Weed. Shops generally close between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, so that lighting is essential until then."
"My, shops stay open until 9:00 PM? I heard that light is a scientific technology called 'electricity,' but how much does it cost to maintain?"
"My apologies. I had not grasped that detail, so I shall investigate it thoroughly next time."
"Yes, please do. If we begin exchanges with Weed, I would like to introduce that lighting technology here first. It would make working at night much more comfortable."
As the Princess said this, she poked at the candlestick sitting beside her. The light from a candle and the light from electricity were simply incomparable... but there was a downside to it as well.
"As you say, Your Highness, but Yuki mentioned that since it becomes possible to work even at night, sleep time decreases drastically, so it is hard to say it is purely convenient."
"...Hmm. I see. Indeed, it would be problematic if working late into the night became the norm. We must ensure that working hours are strictly observed. For those of us in administrative roles with heavy paperwork, we could work indefinitely if we had such light. It would be counterproductive if we worked ourselves to exhaustion every day just because the light was available."
While the Princess prepared her official letter, I kept her company with such small talk until the topic of my friends unexpectedly came up.
"Kagura, I forgot to mention this, but within the past month, the student corps that had been detained in Baide has been returned to the Magic Academy."
"Oh, is that so? But was that wise? They know about Weed..."
"That is precisely why I had them returned. I want them to convey the reality of Weed properly."
Ah, I see.
"It seems they were thoroughly disciplined, so they won't be picking any fights with Weed. Though, I suppose they wouldn't have much room to complain after being soundly trounced by Shera-sama, Aslin-dono, Feeria-dono, and Labyris-dono."
"...They do look like children, after all."
"It should serve as a good lesson not to judge people by their appearance. And they must have realized that simply learning magic is meaningless. They relied on you so heavily, Kagura, that it should have left a deep impression."
For the sake of appearances, the battle in Baide is credited to the command of the Princess and myself in Haiden's records. Of course, it was definitely the Princess and I who summoned Yuki and his group, and since the Princess was feigning incompetence at the time, she put me in the spotlight. It was likely to bolster my position as a diplomat.
"Oh, speaking of friends, do you remember the two people I was with on the road, Amanda and Eoid?"
"Ah, that young couple. It was heartwarming to watch them."
"Yes. Those two were being instructed by Deryu-dono, so I assumed they were from Weed, but it seems they were personnel dispatched from the If Continent."
When I said this, the Princess's eyes widened in shock.
"Is that true?!"
"Y-yes. Yuki said so as well."
"...Nnggh, that man is truly impossible to let your guard down around. No, I suppose it is only natural. Does this mean we have already been evaluated by the people of the If Continent?"
"...That appears to be the case."
"How is your relationship with those two?"
"Pardon? Recently, we have been deepening our friendship by touring Weed together."
"...I see. We should consider the people of the If Continent to be in a similar position to you, Kagura. Then, I have an additional mission for you."
"Yes, Your Highness. What is it?"
"Deepen your friendship with Amanda-dono and Eoid-dono even further. They will serve as our foothold for establishing exchanges with the If Continent. Yuki-sama likely intended for this as well."
"Huh? Is that how it works?"
"Yes. With this, Kagura, your position will be unshakeable. You have connections not only with Weed but also with the monarchs of various countries, and now a link to the people of the If Continent. Here in Haiden, you are becoming a more important figure than even I am."
"Surely not."
"It is not 'surely not.' You have ties to people from another continent with superior technology that most people on this continent are still unaware of. You will become an important figure for Haiden and for this continent as well. Be aware of this, and be very careful with your actions."
...It seems my need for stomach medicine is only going to increase.