第５８０堀：次なる舞台へ (Part1)
### Chapter 580: To the Next Stage
**Side: Yuki**
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Agil, dispatched from the Kingdom of Enaria, serving as a diplomat, general, and comprehensive technical advisor."
Agil delivered this greeting with sharp precision. Despite her youthful appearance, she radiated an air of immense dignity. As expected of someone holding such high-ranking positions in Enaria, she was a truly impressive adult.
In contrast...
"I-it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Kagura, a diplomat dispatched from Haiden."
Kagura was a bit stiff, though she seemed to be getting used to the role.
Now, the reason Agil and Kagura were meeting face-to-face was simple...
"Are you truly from a different continent?"
They were both asking each other that very question. There were still those in both the If Continent and the New Continent who doubted the existence of other lands, so this meeting was meant to dispel those notions. After all, anyone can talk, but seeing is believing. Showing off goods and culture is fine, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting. Anyone who has encountered us in Weed knows that well.
Agil had arrived in Weed yesterday and spent the day playing to her heart's content, so today was strictly for business. This was the first step. Facilitating cross-cultural and international exchange is the diplomat’s job. My role was simply to oversee things while taking it easy.
"Well, leaving those two aside, you two seem quite relaxed," I remarked.
Popuri and Hifie, who were ostensibly dispatched alongside Agil, were leisurely sipping tea.
"Eh? Even if you say that, I’m here as a technical envoy," Popuri replied.
"Likewise, I’m a technical envoy as well, so I don't have any diplomatic duties," Hifie added.
"Besides, we’re past the point of needing to believe or disbelieve, aren't we?"
"I understand that, but Kagura is involved in that technology too. She’s a student at the Magic Academy, after all. Since she’s a top-tier student, I expect she’ll be quite active in that field as well."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"I’ve heard as much, but isn't she busy with diplomatic work? Especially as a student?"
"It’s about cherishing connections. Through Kagura, you might be able to link up with technicians from Haiden and the New Continent, right?"
As we spoke, Agil seemed to have been listening in, and the conversation picked up steam.
"Ho-ho. Is Kagura-dono a talented mage?"
"No. As you may have heard, I am still a student. There are many far more talented than I."
"Hmm, I see. That’s no different from the If Continent. By the way, Yuki-dono."
"What is it?"
"Does the Rogari Continent have a place like a nation dedicated to studying magic?"
"Hmm. Since most people on the Rogari Continent can use magic, there are tons of places like that. If I had to name one, there is a 'Nation of Magic'."
"A Nation of Magic?"
"Yeah, that’s the most famous one. They place great importance on magic, and naturally, their education and research are quite advanced."
Well, since we were hostile toward them, it was quite a hassle, though.
"I see. I assume there will be exchanges with that country in the future?"
"Maybe. But that’s a story for another time. First, we need to solidify our foundation."
"I understand that. So, the meeting with Kagura-dono is over, but what do you intend to do now? Are you going to go out and play again to deepen ties like yesterday?"
"No, save that for your days off. Today is for selecting goods."
"Selecting goods? Ah, deciding on things for export, I assume?"
"Exactly. Kagura needs to decide on hers too, so it’s a two-for-one deal."
"Wait, wait. That depends on the country and involves policy, so is it really wise to do it together?"
"Understanding each other's countries is important, isn't it? Besides, isn't the current job of a diplomat to gather materials to persuade their respective nations? Since you’re in the same situation, wouldn't it be better to put your heads together and come up with a good plan?"
"Ah, I see. You can look at it that way. Well, that seems to be the case, but are you okay with that, Kagura-dono? If you want to refrain due to national policy, feel free. Yuki isn't the type to force unreasonable things, despite how he looks."
Agil spoke with consideration for Kagura, but Kagura did not refuse.
"No, I believe exchanging opinions with Agil-dono will be beneficial, so I would like to join you."
"Is that so? Then, I look forward to working with you."
"Yes. Likewise."
And so, the two began the process of selecting the goods to take back to their respective countries. I handed them the catalogs and took on the job of procuring whatever they requested. Incidentally, Popuri and Hifie had already left to head to Comet and Zargis's laboratory. They didn't want to get in the way of the two who had just started their diplomatic duties.
Needless to say, the selection process took quite a while. Since these items were meant to persuade their nations and would serve as a measure of their own professional performance, both were incredibly serious. It concerned their own career paths, after all.
By the way, my wives, who also hold the status of diplomats for the If Continent, had already done their own selection, but they had done it while chatting leisurely at home. Since they’ve been together for so long, they didn't need to look at catalogs; they had already decided the direction of the goods to be sent after talking with Ratz and Eris.
With that, despite the time it took, the items were decided, and we began sending the requested goods to each country.
"Well then, I suppose the next stage is the New Continent," I muttered while looking at the documents for the goods sent to each nation.
That’s right. The troublesome parts were mostly settled. As for the finer details, I’ll leave that to the others to handle.
"That’s what I’d like to say, but you’ll have to show your face at the Rogari-If joint conference, you know?" Seraria said, looking over the documents.
"I’ll show my face, but that’s still a ways off. Right now, each country is probably in an uproar over the goods we sent."
"In the meantime, you’re going to pour your efforts into the New Continent, aren't you?"
"That’s the plan. With the goods sent this time, Haiden will start to move as well. We need to solidify Weed’s position in the New Continent by riding the momentum of those movements."
"It’ll be interesting to see how well Princess Carrie handles it."
"Well, if it goes smoothly, I’ll be happy. If it becomes a hassle, I’ll just have to use force."
In that case, the raid we pulled in the Zilba Empire would be the most straightforward example. I’d rather not do that, though, as the aftermath is such a pain.
"I’ll look forward to that day, then. Changing the subject, you care about Kagura more than I thought you would."
"No, isn't that natural? Kagura is a descendant of the Japanese who came here. And above all, she is the person who will serve as our foothold in the New Continent. She has connections with the upper echelons of Haiden, so it’s only natural to treat her with care."
"Is that so? You didn't necessarily have to use Kagura to introduce the kings of each country, did you? You could have brought Princess Carrie instead. That would have been a direct achievement for the Princess, wouldn't it?"
"Maybe. But wouldn't dragging Princess Carrie here for a day trip invite unnecessary suspicion?"
"I suppose so. Excessive power tends to invite caution, after all."