第６５６堀：めでたしとはじまり (Part1)
### Chapter 656: A Happy Ending and a New Beginning
**Side: Kagura Kamishiro**
The Mad King Aquenos—or rather, the Mad Mushroom Aquenoki—had been dealt with by Luna.
With this, the greatest problem in the New Continent had been resolved.
This was, however, a top-secret matter. Officially, it was to be reported that the Hayden Kingdom, the Findar Kingdom, and the Haire Church had cooperated to defeat the Mad King’s followers, so all involved parties were instructed to keep their stories straight.
That was, in short, what was written in the documents handed to us by General Steve’s subordinates.
"““Huh?””"
It was only natural that we let out such vacant sounds upon reading the papers.
After all, we had just asked to have our clothes laundered, taken a bath, and rested for a bit. Not even half a day had passed; we had eaten, relaxed, and then this document was circulated.
It was no wonder we found ourselves thinking, *What on earth happened?*
So, we hurriedly cut our post-meal tea short, asked Steve’s subordinate to guide us to where Yuki and the others were, and upon arriving at the conference room…
"Yuki, what happened!?"
"Oh, hey there, Kagura-chan. And are these your friends?"
For some reason, there was an unfamiliar red-haired woman present.
What’s more, she addressed me by my name as if we were old acquaintances.
"……?"
I felt a little irritated, but this was a conference room. Even if I called her rude, honestly, the only people in this room with a lower standing than me were Mikos and Solo.
That meant this red-haired woman was someone of high status.
…A red-haired acquaintance, an acquaintance… Ah, I see.
"…Excuse me, are you Cleena’s sister or a relative?"
Yes, Cleena had short, bobbed red hair.
If Yuki was accepting her so naturally, it was only logical to assume she was a blood relative of Cleena. Her daughter, Shuten-chan, also had red hair.
I asked, half-convinced I was right, but the red-haired woman just tilted her head.
"Who’s Cleena?"
"Pfft—hahahaha!? That’s right, isn’t it!! You’re meeting for the first time, so that’s the natural assumption!! You really should try to grasp your own situation a bit better. Uhee, my stomach hurts."
"Eh? Eh?"
Luna-sama was rolling on the floor laughing beside us.
However, the red-haired woman didn’t seem to understand why she was being laughed at and looked bewildered.
Watching this, Yuki looked at me with an extremely troubled expression.
"…*Sigh*. Kagura. That airheaded woman is apparently someone called Hairen."
"Hah!? What do you mean 'airheaded'!?"
"…How else would you describe someone who hasn't even realized the fact that Kagura doesn't know who you are?"
"Nugugu…!?"
Ah, I’ve definitely seen this kind of exchange before.
"Um, is she really Hairen-sama?"
We couldn't quite believe it, so we asked Sota-sama and Enoru-sama, who were standing nearby.
I mean, it’s not easy to just accept that the woman standing right in front of us is the Goddess we worship…
"…Forgive me. Regrettably, it is Hairen."
"It really is 'regrettably,' isn't it? She was revived through Luna-sama’s power and the core provided by Yuki-dono."
"Who are you calling 'regrettably'!?"
"Ah, geez. Shut up, you piece of junk, you’re holding up the conversation. So, that’s that. Are you convinced?"
"Y-yes."
I couldn't believe it, but with Yuki and Luna-sama here, I suppose these things happen?
"No, they don't."
"Eh?"
Did I say that out loud?
"Looking at my face just now, you thought that with me or Luna, anything is possible, didn't you? Never mind that useless goddess over there, don't go thinking of me as some kind of Dora-emon who can do anything."
"Dora?"
"Well, anyway, I left the disposal of the Mad King to Luna, and that’s finished. You’ve all read the documents, right?"
We nodded at Yuki’s question.
"And incidentally, Hairen has been revived. That’s all there is to it."
"That’s all… but I think that’s plenty important…"
"It’s not like we needed to gather and discuss it immediately, right? The desperate situation is over. I was planning to explain it slowly tomorrow anyway. Kagura, you were also feeling unwell because that piece of junk was using your body."
When he put it that way, I couldn't say anything back.
"But even so, couldn't the Mad King matter have waited until tomorrow? Why do it while I wasn't there…"
I started to say, but Luna-sama cut me off.
"Non-non. That would be tactless. Yuki didn't want to confront Aquenoki in front of you, Kagura, after your body had been hijacked."
"Ah, I see."
In other words, Yuki had taken care of it quickly for my sake.
"Sigh, well, you wouldn't be convinced unless I told you. That’s the reason. It would be a problem if something happened afterward."
"Yeah. Thank you."
Yuki really is kind.
While I was feeling all warm and fuzzy, Mikos spoke up.
"Um, in that case, why are Yuki-sensei and everyone else gathered in this conference room? I assume the concrete discussions start tomorrow, right?"
It was Princess Carrie who answered Mikos’s question.
"That is because we decided to consolidate our policies to a certain extent. Setting Kagura aside, Mikos and Solo are not in a position to be present for this. Up until now, we allowed it due to the emergency, but from here on out, this is a discussion between nations. If you stick your nose in out of curiosity, you might find yourself having to lose it, you know?"
"A-ahahaha. My apologies."
Mikos said that and stepped back.
…Lose it, as in her head, right?
Well, the Princess’s point was valid.
The only reason we were able to get involved in state secrets until now was primarily because Yuki requested our presence. Without that, there was no way such young girls could be allowed to listen to talks that would sway the future of nations.
For better or worse, Mikos and Solo’s positions were merely assistant diplomats.
"In that case, should we withdraw?"
I just wanted to avoid my friends dying because they asked something carelessly.
"No, it should be fine, right? Mikos and Solo are assistant diplomats, aren't they? It would be troublesome if they didn't know the future developments. It’s not like we’re going to disclose the specific monetary exchanges between Hayden, Findar, and the Haire Church right now. Princess Carrie’s comment was a form of intimidation. She’s just warning Mikos to be aware of her place. Right?"
The Princess made a slightly difficult face at Yuki’s words, but she nodded immediately.
"As Yuki-sama says, but from what I’ve seen, Mikos tends to ask around about various things carelessly, so depending on her actions, it could become a disadvantage to our country. Please be very careful about that."
"Ah, yes. I won't cause trouble for Yuki-sensei."
"For us in Hayden!!"
"Y-yes!! I’m sorry!!"
Mikos, you idiot.
"Sigh… Well, if things go well from here, there shouldn't be a problem. For now, Mikos, watch your words and actions. Solo, continue to build a good relationship with Amanda-san and Eoid-san."
"Y-yes. I’ll d-do my best."
"Now then, I’ve lectured you quite a bit, but let’s get to the topic at hand. Yuki-sama, may I have Kagura and the others take their seats?"
"Sure. Kirue, tea for everyone."
"Yes, certainly."
I only just noticed, but the maid, Kirue-san, and all of Yuki’s other wives were gathered there.
Riel-san, Tori-san, and Kaya-san waved at us, and Samantha and Cleena seemed to be their usual selves.
Labyris, Aslin, and Firia were there too. It seemed they had been guarding the academy since the ghost story incident.
And, led by the Queen of Weed, Seraria-sama, the administrative staff like Ratz-san seemed to have been very busy with domestic affairs, but they were attending this meeting as expected.
But seeing the calm atmosphere everyone carried, I truly felt that it was all over.
As I was having that thought, Kirue-san brought the tea, and after confirming it, Yuki began to speak.
"Now then, as I’m sure you all know, the Mad King—a mid-level god faction member named Aquenoki, who was a case we needed to process—has been returned to human form by Luna here and exiled. The reason for this is to bait any future contact from the mid-level god faction or Aquenoki’s followers."
Yeah. I think that’s the right move.