第６８９堀：知り合いからの情報収集 (Part1)
### Chapter 689: Gathering Information from Acquaintances
**Side: Yuki**
"I'm sorry, Eris. It feels like I forced you into this..."
"No, don't worry about it. I'm actually happy that Kirue and the others are coming to Weed."
As she said this, Eris was chatting with the elves who had just stepped off the bus. These elves were the ones who had requested to visit Weed, as arranged by the Elder. Fortunately, I had a large-capacity vehicle in my Item Box, so I took it out and brought the twenty-three of them back to Weed.
Most of these elves were close to Eris in age and were apparently the youngest in the village. I had been worried about taking such young people out into the world, but the Elder had given me some stern words:
*"For now, as long as they don't die on the road, you can leave them to their own devices. They’ve been coddled because they’re children—that’s how someone like that 'Idiot Princess' came to be. Once they reach Weed, it’s their own responsibility."*
I couldn't exactly blame the sentiment, but they were the ones who had raised them like delicate flowers in the first place. If I just let a group of people who were unaccustomed to anything outside their village—let alone the common sense of Weed—run wild, trouble was all but guaranteed.
That was why, on the way back, Eris, Labyris, and the others had ridden on the bus, handing out pamphlets and explaining the basics of Weed to them. Apparently, there was no malice in the group—they were just like children visiting a big city for the first time. However, a bus ride wasn't enough to teach them everything, and it was obvious that they wouldn't grasp the nuances of life in Weed immediately. If I just let them loose, it would only create more work for us when they inevitably caused trouble.
So, Eris had taken on the task of guiding them personally.
"...Damn. That Elder."
It was rare to hear Eris mutter a curse like that. That Elder was truly silver-tongued. Eris had made the mistake of agreeing too easily, and now she was stuck with a mountain of sudden work as the one who had invited them.
Regardless, I had succeeded in gathering information from the village and obtaining the Elder’s introduction. While many questions remained, the primary objective was achieved. In terms of building a good relationship with the elves, the results were better than expected. We had successfully welcomed a group of elf tourists.
This could be the start of something bigger. People who wanted to visit Weed but couldn't for various reasons might now be able to come in organized tour groups. It was a further development of our tourism industry. I’d have to mention this to the other nations later.
Well, that aside, the people I had contacted had finally gathered in Weed, and I was scheduled to hear their reports the next day. Early in the morning, I headed toward the conference room in the government building with everyone else, but...
"Ah, Yuki-dono."
"Brother-in-law."
The ones who approached us were Irwin, a disciple of Kamiizumi Nobutsuna who managed the Gartz-side dungeon, and Reye, Deryu’s younger brother.
"Did something happen at the dungeon?"
"...No, the dungeon is fine, but..."
"Um, well, you see..."
Both of them looked uneasy. If there were no problems, they wouldn't have faces like that. If it wasn't the dungeon, then what was it? Just as I was about to press them for details, Nogosh and Nonoa burst out of the conference room.
"Hey, Irwin, Reye, don't run away!"
"I mean, that situation is just too much!"
The gods I had summoned looked incredibly flustered as they cornered Irwin and Reye.
"Wait a second, what happened? And putting Irwin aside, did you two even know Reye?"
"Hm? Oh! Yuki! Thank goodness! As for Reye, I met him through Deryu’s introduction. He’s been helping me out with a lot of things."
"See? Irwin manages many dungeons, but he’s spread thin, so he’s been having Reye support us instead."
"Yes. I met him through my sister, and he’s been very kind to me."
"I see."
Nogosh, the God of Swords, loved battles and spent his free time sparring with our strongest fighters to hone his skills. That was how he knew Deryu. So, he had met her brother, Reye, through that connection. Since Reye only managed one dungeon, it made sense that he’d been helping out with the support work.
"But this isn't the time to be talking about how we met!"
"Oh, right! Yuki, do something!"
"Hey, you two are gods—specialists in the rough stuff like swords and magic—what are you panicking about?"
"This isn't a problem that can be solved with force..."
"Look, the ones left inside are..."
Both of them averted their eyes, and Irwin and Reye just gave awkward smiles. *Who are the ones left inside?* I wondered, and Jessica muttered:
"...I suspect it is Lady Lilishe and Faide-dono."
"..."
Even those of us who hadn't understood immediately fell silent the moment the names registered. It wasn't that I had forgotten, but I had summoned them thinking that even if they were a divorced couple, they wouldn't start a fight in a formal meeting.
"...Did they start bickering?"
"No, it's not like that, but..."
"Yeah. There’s no physical conflict, but... you know?"
I see. It was a situation that would give anyone a stomach ulcer. Enough to make these four run out of the room...
"Is there anyone here who knows how to handle a divorced couple?"
Everyone shook their heads. I didn't either.
"Alright, then. First, we need to investigate the situation and think of a way to resolve it, but if a fight is about to break out, we need to intervene. How is it in there?"
"I don't think it will turn into a fight."
"Yes, I don't think so either. But it’s not good to keep the strategy meeting going for too long. Putting those two aside, Alstaire and Rurua are also present to discuss the nations around Litea, and that atmosphere won't last long."
Ah, I wasn't worried about Alstaire, but I was worried about Rurua.
"...It can't be helped. I'll go check on them."
"Ohhh."
Everyone looked at me with expressions of awe. I thought about telling them that if they had time to be impressed, they should at least offer to accompany me, but I knew how it was. Once you start worrying about something, you can't let it go. It’s like the urge to use the restroom—the more you think about holding it in, the more you need to go. A vicious cycle.
No, that’s a gross analogy. Maybe it’s more like being sensitive after watching a scary paranormal show? Though I’ve never heard of a "fun" paranormal show.
In short, it’s wrong to assume they’re fighting. I should just go in normally. I have to check on my wife's safety, after all. I steeled my resolve, opened the gates of hell, and stepped inside.
"Yo. Looks like you're all gathered."
"Ah, Husband."
"Yuki-sama. You’ve arrived."
Rurua and Alstaire looked toward me. Neither of them seemed particularly different, but their expressions were clearly troubled. Well, sitting in the same room as a divorced couple would do that to anyone.