第６５８堀：アラタナル タタカイ ハジマル (Part1)
Chapter 658: A New Battle Begins
Side: Eris
"Now, if you’d follow me."
"Y-y-yes!!"
"Understood."
Following us were the young ladies—or rather, the diplomats from Heiden—Kagura-san, and her assistants, Mikos-san and Solo-san. They were the ones who had snatched our husband away.
Technically, I had met them once when Princess Carrie held an audience, but this was the first time we were having a proper conversation. Milly had only caught a glimpse of them when she was summoned and abducted; after that, she had been occupied with pregnancy and childbirth, and hadn't been active on the New Continent.
Because of that, Milly and I had brought Kagura-san and her group to our favorite café to talk after the meeting concluded. Honestly, I wanted to use a corner of the government building, but Tori and the others stopped me. For some reason, they seemed to think Milly and I would cause harm to Kagura-san and her group.
...We wouldn't do something like that.
That’s right, we wouldn't!
Since everyone else had already met with Kagura-san and reconciled, we wanted to do the same. It wasn't so much that we didn't want Yuki-san to know we were on bad terms and worry about us—well, actually, we didn't want to cause him any unnecessary stress! Everything we do is for Yuki-san, our best friends, and our daughters!
...So, we would talk to them, and if there was even a hint of danger, we would simply dispose of them. See? No problem at all. When I told Tori and the others that, they insisted on coming along. Honestly, they’re such worrywarts.
Well, that aside, we had Kagura-san’s group sit at a table in the back while we took the seats facing the entrance. Tori and the others pulled up an adjacent table and pushed them together. That’s the beauty of cafés; they’re flexible with seating. Plus, it’s nice not having to prepare tea ourselves.
"Now, let’s introduce ourselves properly. I am Eris, one of Yuki-san’s wives. Pleased to meet you."
"And I’m Milly, also Yuki-san’s wife. Nice to meet you."
"Y-yes. My name is Kagura Kamishiro."
"I-I am Mikos Jarna, likewise."
"U-um, I’m Solo, a commoner."
The three of them were nervous, but they returned the greetings properly. Well, that’s the bare minimum, isn't it? As I was thinking that, Riel and the others spoke up with wry smiles.
"Yes, yes. Both of you, smile. Smile. Your eyes aren't smiling right now. A smile that’s only on your lips is actually pretty scary."
"...That’s exactly why we can’t let you two meet Kagura and the others alone."
"Well, I get how you feel, but Kagura and her group are already necessary people for Yuki-san and for Weed. I’d like you to understand that, okay?"
"Naturally, I understand that."
"That’s right. It’s fine, it’s fine."
We knew from the reports what Kagura-san and her group had done. We knew they had properly reflected on their actions and apologized to Riel and the others, and that they had continued to support Yuki-san until they were exhausted. It was just a bit of light teasing, really.
But, as expected of someone Yuki-san decided to utilize, they didn't run away. Even while trembling, they faced us head-on, so I couldn't really complain. ...Honestly, Yuki-san is really good at finding people like this.
As I was lost in that thought, Kagura-san, whom I thought was just terrified, spoke up.
"U-um, Lady Eris, Lady Milly, I am terribly sorry for the delay in apologizing for the summoning—or rather, the kidnapping—of Yuki-san and the others. I offer my deepest apologies."
As she said this, Mikos-san and Solo-san bowed their heads along with her. Just then, the tea we ordered arrived...
"What’s this, Eris? Lecturing your juniors again? Let them rest during their break, will you?"
Waitress Lari said this as she set down the tea. Wasn't Lari supposed to be an adventurer exclusively for the Weed Adventurer Guild? Milly asked the question I was thinking.
"Wait, why is Lari working as a waitress here?"
"Huh? You didn't know? Riel and the others know, right?"
"Yeah, we know. She’s working here to prepare for when she retires after having a child with Ovik, right?"
"Exactly. Well, as long as we’re working in Weed, I don't think Ovik or I will die or get seriously injured on the job. It’s like insurance, and I told you and Eris before that I wanted to try running a shop, didn't I?"
"Now that you mention it, you did."
"We also asked about tax-related matters."
"Nufufu. My Ovik is just as kind as Yuki-san. I’ve already gotten the approval of the other wives, so I’m the one with the strength to test the waters first. Well, Ratz told me that if an amateur tries to run a shop, it’ll go under immediately, so she’s been teaching me a lot of things."
I see. A shop run by husbands and wives. That sounds nice. Oh, a café is stylish, after all. The ramen stalls are always so... pork-bone smelly. Though they are delicious.
"I hope Lari’s dream comes true."
"Yeah. I’ll come by for tea when you open."
When I replied, Lari was called by another customer and started to walk away...
"Thanks. And you three over there—these people are actually nice if you just talk to them normally. Relax, okay? See ya."
She offered a follow-up for Kagura-san’s group before heading back to work.
"Um, who was that?"
"Oh, that’s Lari. She’s one of the most skilled adventurers in the Weed Adventurer Guild," Riel answered Kagura-san’s question, and Mikos-san looked surprised.
"What!? A person that young and beautiful is? Adventurers are the people who exterminate zombies and such, right?"
"Not just zombies, but yeah, that’s mostly correct."
Milly replied, looking a bit troubled. I recalled that the reports mentioned Mikos-san and the others had undergone training to become zombies to accompany the church’s operations. So that’s why zombies came up. ...I started to wonder about Yuki-san’s teaching methods.
Wait, no, no. I was almost lulled into a relaxing tea party, just as Lari intended. I had to respond to their apology properly, or else they’d think we were wives who couldn't even hold a decent conversation.
"Ahem. We’ve had a bit of small talk, but we accept your apology, Kagura-san."
"Ah, yes. That’s right. You apologized to us properly, so we won't hold a grudge."
When I replied, Milly seemed to realize it too and followed up immediately. If we said we didn't forgive them here, Lari would probably barge in again, and other customers were watching. Tch, she planned this.
"Thank you very much. And, um, if I may be so bold, I have a question for Lady Milly..."
As I was thinking that, Kagura-san asked if she could pose a question to Milly.
"Eh? To me? What is it?"
I wondered why she’d ask Milly instead of me, since I manage Weed’s finances, but there was no reason to refuse, so Milly gave the go-ahead.
"It’s a bit rich coming from someone who summoned him, but I heard from Yuki-san that Lady Milly gave birth safely. I just wanted to confirm if the child is doing well..."
"Oh, I see. Kagura-san, you’re quite earnest, aren't you? We received so many gifts from Heiden back then. It’s fine. My daughter, Yumi, is doing very well."
"Is that so? I’m so relieved..."
Kagura-san sighed in relief upon hearing Milly’s words. As expected, just like the reports said, she really was a good person.