第６３１堀：それぞれの動き (Part1)
CHAPTER 631: Each Person's Movements
Each Person's Movements
Side: Yuki
"…Hmm."
I paused my paperwork and took a breath.
Then, Ria brought me tea.
"Here. Tea."
"Thank you. …Phew."
I felt relieved after drinking the warm tea.
But, somehow, things in the world just don't go smoothly.
"What's wrong, Yuki? You look down."
"Well, Kagura went to Weed safely, but she won't even see me, you know? She definitely hates me now."
I suppose it's a natural reaction since I kind of bullied her, but I didn't mean any harm.
"My mistake was using her as a convenience because she was right there."
"..."
The two of them didn't say anything in particular to my words.
Normally, they'd say something like "it can't be helped" and try to comfort me, but the absence of that means they also thought I went too far.
"Well, there's no use regretting it. I'll just pray that Kagura rests in Weed and does her best in the future. I've apologized to Sou-san and Kanna-san, and they said they'd listen if anything came up."
"...As usual."
"...Well, he is Yuki-san."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize."
Deryu and Ria offered their mild rebukes as I started making excuses.
I used a girl until she vomited and collapsed, and this is the aftermath.
I deserve to be criticized.
"Ah, no, I didn't mean it in a bad way."
"It's good that you're your usual Yuki-san, that's what we're saying. Kagura doesn't hate you. Please meet with her again sometime."
"That's right. If you truly regret it, don't be afraid and make sure to create an opportunity to apologize properly."
"Understood. Once I've dealt with the paper-pushers behind the Haile Church, I'll talk with Kagura properly."
"Yes. That's the spirit, Yuki-san."
"...It's like… going on a blind date, isn't it?"
"Asking for forgiveness takes a lot of guts, you know. I'm a timid person."
"...I need to look up the meaning of 'timid.' Well, I can't really say that, can I?"
After that conversation, I resumed my paperwork.
"...Speaking of which, it does sound like a blind date, doesn't it?"
"...That depends on how many allies Kagura makes in Weed."
"...Exciting~"
"...Well, we'll probably need to offer some support from our end."
A blind date?
Huh, I see.
While my recent mistake was indeed due to my lack of consideration, for Kagura, it's a perfect opportunity to deepen her relationship with Eoid.
He showed his good side when he was alone, and the previous time I visited Weed, Amanda and Eoid were there as support.
This time, I'm also planning to go down to Weed with Kagura, so it will be a blind date in the safe haven of Weed.
I didn't think their relationship had progressed that far.
Later, I'll contact Taiki-kun and discreetly check on Kagura and the others in Weed.
And then, as a mature adult, I'll give them my backing.
If I remain dejected, Kagura will surely worry about various things. As Deryu and Ria said, when I see her next, I should apologize properly and tell her that I have no particular concerns and want her to work in Weed.
That way, Kagura won't have to worry about me.
The fundamental reason Kagura collapsed was that she felt extremely sorry for burdening me with the Haile Church.
If those useless gods, the Papers, hadn't meddled, neither I nor Kagura would have been bothered by the Haile Church.
That's right. It's all their fault.
The situation in Findal is also complicated by the Haile Church's machinations, so we can't act until we investigate further. And originally, it's not a place that can be easily traveled to by horse.
While my younger brother, the prince, is investigating various things after swapping with George, George, upon learning about the Splatter incident, hastily sent a letter to stop the investigation into the Haile Church.
Not only might they be suspicious, but they are completely black, Schwarz, Noir, Black.
If we poke them carelessly, Findal could erupt into a hellish religious war, the Empire versus the Haile Church.
Therefore, for Kagura and the others to pursue their romance with peace of mind, and for us to move around this new continent safely, we must flush the intermediate Paper-or-lower faction behind the Haile Church down the toilet.
I'll blow them away completely and cleanly.
"Alright! Let's do this!!"
I renewed my resolve and started organizing my documents.
No, it was simple.
It's all their fault. That's the only truth.
So, they will pay for all their past transgressions. That's all there is to it.
I will crush them utterly.
To give me the dishonorable misunderstanding that I bullied a young schoolgirl!!
It's defamation of character!!
"...He's definitely misunderstanding."
"...Well, I'm glad Yuki-san is feeling better."
Alright, first, regarding the Haile Church's headquarters, I'll have Steve guide them, and consider a high-altitude, guided, vaporizing bomb attack by the Wyvern Corps…
"Whoa, whoa, calm down!!"
"The entire area will be blown away!?"
"It's fine. No one will know what happened."
Before I knew it, it'll be a complete wipeout.
They'll just think it's divine retribution.
And if there are any survivors, it will definitely be the Paper faction.
The dead are enemies. Those who are not dead are well-trained enemies.
…Hmm? Isn't this like a witch trial?
While I might have gotten carried away with such thoughts, I will proceed with the proper steps to corner them by hearing the details of the investigation from Steve on the scene.
Side: Stasia Findal, Findal Empire, First Princess
"...I hope we make it in time."
George said this with a grave expression.
The investigation into the kidnapping incident that occurred near the Haiden Magic Academy the other day confirmed a connection and involvement between the Assembly of Wisdom and the Haile Church, causing considerable panic among us superiors.
Indeed, we had heard from the incident in the Haiden royal capital that the Haile Church was suspicious, but we had only recognized it as the Assembly of Wisdom doing so for the purpose of creating a diversion.
The Haile Church is now the established state religion in surrounding countries, and it was proof that the Goddess had saved the world.
That is why we found it hard to believe that they used monsters, but while searching for the perpetrator's base in the student kidnapping incident involving Solo, we arrived at the Haile Church in Ounok, near the academy.
I was shown the underground conditions there through video and photographs, and words cannot describe the state of it.
Certainly, in a battlefield, people die, but the bodies are not usually damaged to that extent.
No, if it were torture, it might be done out of necessity, but to do that to a student…
And it was the Haile Church doing it, and for the production of Magic Gear.
If we carelessly provoke such a fanatical Haile Church, Findal could end up like Haiden.
"We will make it in time. It's just a matter of vigilance. George only needs to report this matter to His Majesty; he has no right to interfere within Findal. Moreover, His Majesty will not take rash action based solely on the fact that the Haile Church is an enemy. George probably knows that too."
"...Indeed. My apologies. I was being rude. I felt a great sense of unease."
"A sense of unease?"
"Yes. The hellish state of the Ounok church, as if driven mad. Using that to create Magic Gear. And the implied kidnapping of Lord Kagura, who visited. For some reason, it brings to mind Lord Aage."
Hearing George's words, I finally realized it too.
Why didn't I notice?