第６９１堀：物語の終わりの続き (Part1)
Chapter 691: The Continuation of the Story’s End
Side: Yuki
"Hello? Ah, are you free right now? No, wait, you have to be. An emergency has occurred, so get over here. You have work? This is the top priority; I’ll explain the details later, so get to the High Elf country immediately. Contact me once you arrive, and I’ll send someone to pick you up. The reward will be the establishment of diplomatic relations with the High Elves. You’d be happy about that, right? Ruth is there with you, isn't she? So, I’m counting on you."
"H-huh!? No, wait, Ruth!? You, whose side are you on lately!? I mean, wait..."
Good. With that, I’ve prepared a new target for their attention.
Now, the only thing left is how to stall for time.
"Eh? Eh? What is even happening? Eh?"
Kagura was still struggling to keep up with the sudden change in the elves' attitude.
Well, for Kagura, being treated with such reverence by the elves—who are said to be the descendants of spirits—must be beyond her comprehension.
However, I—we—had grasped the situation from the earlier exchange.
This High Elf country is...
"Clearly, Japanese people are involved here."
"Indeed."
"...What are you going to do, Yuki?"
"Big brother. Are we going to keep it a secret?"
"I shall follow you, my Lord."
"But, but, we want information, so wouldn't it be a strategy to just come clean?"
"As Ria says, there is a possibility of obtaining information, but we might end up sticking our necks into even deeper trouble."
My wives huddled together to consult.
Thanks to Kagura stepping into the spotlight, no one had touched on my black hair yet, but if we were to have a proper conversation, they would inevitably bring it up. "Are you also Japanese?" I was worried about how to answer that.
But I had no idea what their intent was in building a city like this.
No, I understood it was to find Japanese people, but the question was *why* they needed to find them.
The first things that came to mind were protection, politics, or military use. Even "protection" has its pros and cons, and I couldn't make a judgment with the current information.
"...For now, I’ve prepared someone to divert their attention."
"Who?"
"The Hero."
"Me?"
"Ah, I see. Ria, that’s not it. The Japanese Hero."
" " "Ah." " "
Everyone was convinced by Eris’s words.
Yes, the person I called was the legendary Hero Taiki, whose name echoed across the entire continent for saving Ranks!
Quite the perfect shield, isn't he?
"So, we’re going to focus on stalling until Taiki arrives. If it gets out that I’m Japanese, my position might be exposed like a chain reaction. That would be troublesome."
When I said that, my wives nodded.
"And Kagura, you guys too!!"
"Eh? W-what!?"
I called over Kagura and the others, who were still stunned by the situation, and explained what we could infer and our policy moving forward.
"I-I’m sorry. I just..."
"No, don't worry about that. We overlooked that possibility too."
I knew well that it wasn't Kagura's fault. I had no intention of blaming her for that.
"Listen, as for Kagura, only tell them that you have Japanese ancestors. That’s not a lie. And keep our internal affairs a secret. Got it?"
" " "Yes." " "
"I’ll say it again: we don't know their objective, so don't say anything careless. At worst, we could be detained. If that happens, our relationship with the High Elf country will be ruined. I have no intention of handing you guys over, no matter what. If it comes to that, we’ll just blast our way out."
"Yuki..."
"Yuki-sensei..."
Having a diplomat entrusted to us by Haiden kidnapped would be a massive disgrace.
"Eoid and Amanda, you two as well, okay?"
"Understood."
"Leave it to us. We won't do something like selling out our friends."
...That’s a reliable statement, though I did wonder about a Dragon Knight, the trump card of the Lancer Magic Academy, being so swayed by sentiment.
Well, Eoid and Amanda are the leads of their own duo, so it should work out.
While we were getting our stories straight, a pompous group arrived from the end of the street.
"Oh, the Prime Minister!"
When the handsome captain of the guard who was with us said that, an old elf in the center stepped forward.
"I have heard the report. Are these the people?"
"Yes! This is Yuki-sama, royalty from Weed, and Kagura-sama, a companion who understands the Japanese language."
The handsome captain skipped over my wives and the former Saint of Litea, pushing Kagura to the front.
Well, I’m hiding it, but can they really not tell?
"Hmm. Looking at it, it seems the former Saint of Litea is also accompanying you. I see, that explains why the trust is so deep. Ah, my apologies for the late greeting. I am Notobuku, the Prime Minister of this country. I am truly happy to welcome everyone from Weed and Litea."
With that, Notobuku-san bowed deeply.
"I appreciate your polite greeting. I am Yuki, the consort of Weed."
"It has been a while, Prime Minister Notobuku. I am now Yuki-sama’s wife, so Litea doesn't have much to do with me anymore."
"Is that so? I am glad to hear you have found a good match. But, this is no place for a long conversation, so please, this way."
And so, surrounded by elves, we headed toward the High Elf royal palace.
"Um, where is this..."
"I have heard that you have matters to discuss. Her Majesty the Queen will hear you personally."
I was flustered by the sudden turn of events as we were led straight into the audience chamber.
At first, I thought I’d just talk to the Prime Minister and be done with it, but the Queen herself had moved.
Well, since the consort of even a small nation had come in person, it wasn't entirely wrong, but because of the Kagura situation, I couldn't exactly be happy about it.
Was there any way to stall...?
"I appreciate the sentiment, but we have just finished a long journey and are not dressed for an audience. If you could give us a little more time..."
"It is fine. I am well aware that you have been traveling."
The voice didn't come from the Prime Minister, but from the throne. The Prime Minister and all the soldiers bowed.
She’s already here? No time to wait.
With no other choice, we knelt on the spot and offered our respects.
"Raise your heads. There is no need for the consort of Weed to be as formal as a vassal. The attendants may also rise."
"If you insist."
When I lifted my head, a young-looking female elf was sitting on the throne.
About the same age as Eris? No, a little older?
"I am Miyabi Yashiro, the Queen who rules the High Elf country."
Yashiro?
Somewhere...
As I felt a sense of déjà vu, Lulua, who was beside me, asked on my behalf.
"The legendary Hero. Are you a descendant of Touya Yashiro-sama?"
Ah, I feel like I saw a record of that somewhere. Did I hear it from Lulua?
Well, it doesn't matter. It sounded like the kind of story that came up in relation to Liliana’s Last country.
"Ho. To remember that name upon hearing mine, as expected of the Saint of Litea."
"I am a former one now, though."
"Ah, the current Saint is Alstaire-sama, was it? Well, the governance seems much better than before, so I suppose that is a good thing?"
"Yes."
"If the former Saint says so, then it must be true. Now, this won't do. Consort of Weed, do you understand the reason for this sudden audience based on our earlier conversation?"
"Is it because I brought a Japanese person with me?"