第７０３堀：悪いがシリアスは…… (Part2)
"You know as well as I do, Sister, that such logic won't hold up. My existence would bring chaos to Findarl. That is not something I desire."
"……I understand, I do, but you don't need to string together such complicated arguments. A child is allowed to say they want to see their family. It’s not as if you’re going there in an official capacity. Isn't that right, Yuki-sama, Kagura-dono?"
Well, don't put me on the spot like that.
Both Kagura and I wore troubled expressions.
I understood how both of them felt.
Stasia wanted to reunite the family. Arge couldn't return for the sake of the nation.
Still, if we didn't say anything, it was clear we would remain at a stalemate forever.
"I understand both of your feelings. So, let’s go with a compromise."
"A compromise?"
"What kind of proposal is that?"
"The problem lies in Arge-denka entering Findarl. You fear it will lead to domestic instability. Am I correct?"
"Yes. I cannot allow Findarl to be thrown into turmoil because of someone who is supposed to be dead."
"But, just meeting your family..."
"Yes. I understand Stasia-denka's feelings well. However, if some trouble were to occur and you were never able to visit Findarl again, there is a possibility that Arge-denka and her family might never be able to meet again. If that happens, this one time would be the only time Arge-denka and her family could ever meet. That would be far too cruel. I believe that is not what Stasia-denka desires."
"……That may be true, but that was just a figure of speech, saying it would be the only time..."
"Sister. I think you should discard such naive thoughts. Besides, I don't want this one time to be the last."
Well, I understood she meant it as a figure of speech, but it wasn't an impossible scenario.
Even if that did happen, it might be possible to meet in secret, but if there were a way to meet openly without resorting to that, it would obviously be better.
"……Yuki-sama, please continue."
Perhaps Stasia had considered that possibility, as she urged me to go on.
"Yes. The problem is that Arge-denka entering Findarl as a princess and meeting people would cause instability, centered around those who know her. Therefore, you simply shouldn't meet in Findarl."
"“Huh?”"
"In other words, if you simply meet in Weed, no one will complain. Even if there are people who know Arge-denka, we can pass it off as a case of a stranger who just happens to look like her. And it would be understandable for Stasia-denka and her family to want to meet a girl who resembles the late Arge-denka. If she isn't inside Findarl, they won't be able to use her as a spark for anything."
"“……”"
The two of them stared, eyes wide and frozen.
But in their place, Dressa and Hiiro cheered.
"That's it!! Arge should just stay in Weed forever!!"
"No need to force yourself to go meet her. Just like big brother said!! Until then, I'll work hard helping out!!"
"……You two."
"No, it's the truth, isn't it? Arge leaving would be a matter of life and death, especially for me."
Vilia held her head at their claims, but Enora provided a calm response.
Well, with Kagura, Mikos, and Solo currently away, the general chores of intercontinental exchange were being handled by Vilia, Arge-denka, and Enora, so an increase in the burden due to further personnel shortages would be tough.
Moreover, since the New Continent group was responsible for creating the materials regarding the New Continent, Arge leaving would suddenly dump a massive burden onto Enora.
"……Sister. Let's be calm. There is no need to force a meeting this time. It has already been seven years. I don't mind waiting a few more years."
"You're right. I seem to have been impatient. But I won't make you wait a few years. Let's meet at the intercontinental exchange in two months. With the whole family."
Stasia, who replied so clearly, was no longer the disappointing sister, but a sharp, beautiful woman.
Seeing that, Arge...
"Yes. I will look forward to that day, Sister."
She replied with a smile.
"Well then. Arge, you're staying in Weed with me to work. Man, this is a huge help. If Haiden, Findarl, and the Haire religion all join the conference, our workload is going to explode."
"……Wait a minute, Sister. As I thought..."
"Arge. As someone in a position of leadership, I have to say that using 'meeting family' as an excuse to slack off on work is not allowed."
"Guh!? Kagura!! Mikos, Solo!! Someone, help me..."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was ordered directly by Princess Carrie, and I have to offer greetings to Findarl as a representative of Haiden..."
"And Mikos-chan is Kagura's assistant, so... right?"
"Ah, um, well, wouldn't I be a poor substitute..."
The world doesn't always wrap up neatly, does it?
"I think it wrapped up quite nicely. As long as it ends with a laugh."
"You think so?"
"I do. You know, laughing. It’s important."
Saying that, I shared a bitter smile with Seraria as we watched the ugly game of passing the buck on work.
The serious atmosphere had been eaten like a bowl of cereal.
Well, it is what it is. Just calm down, that's all.
With this, things were nearing a conclusion for Arge as well.
All that remained was the conference in the Imperial Capital of Findarl.