第５９４堀：出発前の顔合わせ (Part1)
**Chapter 594: Pre-Departure Introductions**
**Side: Mikos Jarna**
"Alright, is everyone ready?"
The one looking over us as he asked that was Yuki-sensei—also known as Yuki, the Prince Consort of Weed. Despite his royal status, he was a friendly and approachable person, and he was also the man Kagura had feelings for.
I felt like I wanted to help her out somehow, but since I couldn't do anything about that right now, I decided to focus on the task at hand. And that task was...
"Now, I will announce the formation for the investigation into the Academy's Seven Mysteries."
Yes, the investigation into the Academy's Seven Mysteries. Just the other day, while Kagura was giving Labyris-chan and the others a tour of the academy, they found a message from the Three Houses on the back of a stone monument, which we concluded was linked to the Seven Mysteries. I had joined this VIP group as an informant regarding the rumors, partly for the sake of the academy newspaper.
"Kagura, Mikos—that is all. As for the rest of you, remain in this classroom. If an unforeseen situation arises, contact the relevant authorities immediately. Under no circumstances are you to attempt a rescue mission on your own. Consider the possibility of secondary casualties, and above all, do not approach the rumored locations alone."
While Yuki-sensei was talking about such serious matters, my attention was honestly being stolen by something else. Because...
"She's huge."
The woman standing beside Yuki-sama was huge. What was huge, you ask? Her chest. Her bust. Her "assets." They were absolutely bountiful. She was wearing something like a loose robe, so you wouldn't normally be able to tell her figure, but her chest was protruding so prominently that it actually made it easier to see. And despite being that large, it didn't look strange at all. It was likely the perfect balance of size and beauty, pushing the limits of what was possible.
Yeah. I always thought I was reasonably well-endowed, but I couldn't compare to those. The gazes of the scumbags who had been in Taizo-sensei’s class today were almost entirely fixed on that woman. Well, it was a relief that no idiot actually tried to call out to her. We couldn't afford to pick any more fights with the people from Weed. The academy might end up being wiped off the map.
But still, I was curious. Were those assets under that robe really the real deal?! If even a woman like me, Mikos-chan, was curious, I suppose it couldn't be helped that the scumbags were staring.
"...Mikos. Why are you staring so intently at Rurua-sama?"
"Ah!"
I finally returned to my senses when Kagura called out to me.
"Rurua-sama? You mean that woman in the blue-haired robe?"
"That's right. She's Yuki's wife now, but she used to serve as a Saint, the top leader of the Ritea Holy Kingdom, one of the five great powers on the Rogari continent. Even now, she has deep ties with Ritea and the current Saint, and it's said that a single word from her can move the entire nation."
"...What kind of super-important person is that?"
As expected of someone standing by Yuki-sama’s side; she was no ordinary person. No, she was a beauty with assets like that—in a way, it was only natural.
"It's not just Rurua-sama, you know. I told you, didn't I? Weed is a trading nation that connects countries via gates. Its connections are incredibly vast."
"I see. So, by marrying off women to Yuki-sama, they’re securing those connections. But Yuki-sama is the Prince Consort, right? I heard the Queen holds the real power."
"That's right. Queen Seraria-heika holds the real power. But even so, she can't just welcome men from other countries. If she were to get pregnant, that man would be entrusted with the real power of Weed."
"Ah, so that's why it has to be Yuki-sama."
"Exactly. Since they are technically concubines to Yuki-sama, the Prince Consort, the number two spot is firmly held by Yuki-sama."
"So Yuki-sama is the convenient middleman for connections with other countries."
Queen Seraria-heika, was it? She was quite the operator. By using Yuki-sama as a buffer, she could strengthen ties with other nations without having to welcome foreign men into the country, all while keeping her own position stable by having the women become Yuki-sama’s concubines.
"Well, in reality, Yuki is the one at the top, though."
"What do you mean?"
"The details are a secret. But you can see it, right? Even Rurua-sama and Labyris don't show any dissatisfaction toward Yuki."
"Certainly, Rurua-sama doesn't look like she dislikes being by Yuki-sama’s side. If anything, she looks happy."
"Yes. Their marriage is perfectly harmonious, and their relationships with the other wives are good too, so in that sense, Yuki’s existence is essential."
"So, the current situation is all thanks to Yuki-sama’s maneuvering."
Because Yuki-sama managed the wives from other countries so well, Rurua-sama and the others were here today. Without that, Weed’s foundation would be shaky. In other words, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Yuki-sama was the backbone supporting Weed.
Hm? But by that logic, it wouldn't be strange for a concubine to come from Haiden, too. Does Kagura have a chance?
While I was thinking about that, Yuki-sama told someone to enter, and three people walked in from the hallway. One was a woman around our age, then someone who looked like a maid, and finally, a small child. What was this combination?
"Eh? W-why is she here!?"
For some reason, Kagura, who was standing next to me, turned pale upon seeing the three who entered. I was worried, but since they were in the middle of introductions, I couldn't open my mouth.
"I’ve decided to have one of my wives, Cleena, join us for the investigation of the mysteries this time."
"Nice to meet you."
So the red-haired woman was Cleena-sama. She looked close to our age; I should talk to her later. I hoped she was as friendly as Ria-sama or Deryu-sama. Ah, I needed to talk to Rurua-sama, too, of course.
"Next, this is Cleena’s daughter—which means my daughter as well—Shuten."
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
The little girl with the same red hair was named Shuten, and she greeted us politely and adorably. Wait, hold on—if she had a child that age, did that mean Cleena-sama was older than she looked? And why on earth would they bring a child to such a dangerous place!?
"Finally, this is Kirue, a maid and also my wife, who I brought along to take care of Shuten."
"Greetings, everyone. It is a pleasure to be here today."
Kirue-san bowed beautifully. Wow. That was a completely different level of crisp greeting compared to the maids at my place. That was elite. A maid who worked in the royal palace. Every single movement was refined and graceful. Wait, was this Kirue-san also Yuki-sama’s concubine?
Eh? He said "maid," so that meant she was a mistress or something similar, right? But if that was the case, was it really necessary to introduce her like that?
"Master. I appreciate the sentiment, but in my position, I fall into the category of a mistress. Please refrain from causing misunderstandings for those meeting us for the first time."
"Well, that’s how it is, but Kirue gets along well with the other wives, so please don't bully her just because she's a maid."
"...*Sigh*. Wives, please say something too."
Kirue-san addressed the wives with words bordering on resignation, but...
"It's too late to tell Yuki-san to change his ways now."
"I can't imagine Yuki treating Kirue so roughly."
"We wouldn't treat Kirue that way either."
"Mm. I’m always being taken care of by Kirue. I’ll burn anyone who bullies her."
"...Such are my masters, but if you have any needs, please do not hesitate to ask."
Kirue-san bowed her head once more. No, I definitely couldn't "not hesitate." There was no way she was just a trusted personal maid. If I wasn't careful, she was the type of person who had more authority than my father, a small-time baron!
"Now, some of you might find it strange that I brought Shuten along, but this child seems to have the ability to sense these kinds of mysteries. I brought her along hoping she could be of help. As I said, Cleena and Kirue will be looking after her, so I don't think she’ll be a burden."
I see, as expected of Weed. They had personnel for these kinds of mysteries. Well, I didn't know how true that was, but since he was bringing his own child, he must have that much faith in her. I just hoped he wasn't a doting parent.
After the introductions, Yuki-san began the final pre-departure meeting with the academy directors, while Cleena-sama, Shuten-chan, and Kirue-san began re-introducing themselves to the people from Findar.
In the meantime, I decided to ask why Kagura had turned so pale.
"Hey, Kagura, why are you so pale? Tell Mikos-chan. If there’s a problem, I’ll help you out."
"...I wonder if it’s a problem on that level."
"Just tell me. You won't know until you talk about it."