第６９９堀：報告と次の目的地 (Part2)
"Steve and his group joined up with the Zilba army over the past week. It seems they took a casual stroll, infiltrated the enemy-held royal capital, and caused quite a ruckus."
"…That was fast."
"It went exactly as you planned, didn't it?"
"No, I actually thought they’d have a bit more trouble. I mean, there were nearly a thousand soldiers equipped with R-Magic Swords, right?"
I understand my husband’s sentiment, but the Steve you trained isn't the type to face such troublesome opponents head-on.
"They slipped in at night using stealth, neutralized the enemy by slipping slow-acting poison into the wells, seized the supplies—including the R-Magic Swords—and then opened the gates to let the army in. That was the end of it."
"By the book, then."
"Exactly. The Zilba army is reportedly overjoyed."
"I bet they are."
Thanks to the slow-acting poison in the wells, the small-nation coalition army became dysfunctional. With almost no one left capable of fighting, they were suppressed in the blink of an eye. No nation would be unhappy with that; it was essentially a bloodless surrender.
"With this, we can say the concerns regarding the Zilba region have been resolved. The only thing left is to confirm the number of magic swords. According to Steve’s independent investigation, all the ones lost on the If Continent have been accounted for. Well, we’ll see how the official Zilba report turns out."
"Then that begs the question: why were the coalition forces holing up in the capital? What were they planning to do without any reinforcements?"
"Who knows? We’ll likely get a detailed report on those specifics later."
The logic of such small nations often leans toward the bizarre; it’s a waste of time to even try and imagine it.
"That being the case, we can continue to focus on intercontinental exchange, but is there anything that needs priority?"
"Nothing at the moment. The groundwork for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishment meeting is finished; we’re just waiting for the date. It seems the nations of Rogari and If are already gathering to discuss the finer details."
"So, we just need to show our faces at the end, hear the terms, make the public announcement, and prepare our responses."
"Yes, that’s about it."
"Then, I suppose I’ll go back to burying myself in paperwork for the establishment of the Ministry."
As I said that, the expressions on Kagura and the others soured instantly. They really are easy to read.
"Come to think of it, how are Vilia and the others doing?"
"No problems at all. Right?"
"Yes. We finish our work properly every day."
"…Well, for better or worse, I’ve gotten used to it."
"Big Brother, praise me."
Since Ratz hasn’t issued any complaints, it seems they are doing what they’re supposed to. I’ll give them a concrete reward later, but for now, my husband petting their heads should suffice.
*Ruffle, ruffle.*
"Big Brother, be a bit more gentle."
"You’re messing up my hair."
"Hmm. This is just right."
The two of them complain, yet they stay still while being ruffled. If only they could be a bit more honest. As for Hiiro, it goes without saying—I want to touch those wolf ears, too.
"Speaking of which, seeing Kagura and the others reminded me. Shouldn't we inform Heiden, Findarl, and the Haire Church about the intercontinental exchange?"
"Hmm. Honestly, it’s a delicate situation. It’s been a month since the incident with the Haire Church, but it’s *only* been a month."
That’s right. My sense of time has been warped by these intense days, but it really has only been a month. In the New Continent, the home of Kagura and the others, the conflict between Heiden and Findarl, along with the Haire Church incident, just happened. If anything, there are likely many believers who still don't know about the collapse of the Mad King and the Mad God who were hiding behind the Haire Church. I know as well as anyone that this isn't a place you can just contact with a single phone call.
"But we should ask about the situation over there, right? And it’s necessary to convey our situation as well. Right now, we’re only communicating through Kagura and the others, aren't we?"
"I suppose. I feel like if we show our faces there carelessly, we’ll just get dragged into more trouble."
I understand my husband’s point. The situation in the New Continent is still unstable. I can’t deny the possibility that showing up there would lead to some kind of conflict.
"But we have matters to discuss regarding the intercontinental exchange, so we can't just ignore them, can we?"
"That’s true. *Sigh*, it can’t be helped. Let’s make it look like we’re going to check on Baide and Catherine."
"Then, I will go contact Catherine-san."
With that, Shera, the assistant to the Lord of Baide, moved quickly. In the New Continent, her position as a Spirit Maiden carries immense weight.
"Next, let’s finalize the schedule for the Rogari and If intercontinental exchange and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishment meeting. If we declare that to them, they shouldn't be able to demand anything unreasonable."
"Agreed. I support that."
I share his sentiment—if we don't set a deadline, things are bound to get troublesome.
"Then, Kagura, could you and the others please handle the communication with Heiden?"
"Understood."
And so, my husband and the others headed toward the New Continent once again.
"And here I am, stuck in Weed with paperwork..."
"Your Majesty, please, just bear with it."
I really want to go on an adventure with my husband again soon...
With that, Tori’s father will be executed once he arrives in Weed, and as for the rest, I’ll leave it to the Wild King’s capabilities.
And so, Yuki and his group headed back to the New Continent. What has become of Princess Carrie and the others?