第７１２堀：そろそろいいかげんに…… (Part1)
**Chapter 712: About Time to Call It Quits...**
**Side: Yuki**
"I'm exhausted..."
I groaned, collapsing onto the desk in my office.
"You’ve worked hard. With this, the If Continent is just waiting for the conference date to be set," Jessica said, taking the documents I had finished double-checking.
"After this, we just need to make copies of the finalized documents and distribute them to each country," she added.
"Hmm. While we wait, we should resolve the issues in Enaria and White Forest," I muttered.
"But still... setting aside the fake versus real Holy Sword User in Enaria, issues like abolishing or mitigating demi-human discrimination and fostering friendship in White Forest aren't things that can be solved so easily, right?" Ria voiced her doubts regarding Cleena’s earlier comment.
I answered her while still face-down on the desk.
"As Ria says, it’s not like we’re going to solve everything, but it’s a sufficient starting point. After we cooperate in resolving the issues in August and Enaria, we’ll have time for the countries of the If Continent to interact with each other before the conference begins."
"Ah, so you mean they should get along to some extent during that time?"
"Exactly. The reason I started with fine-tuning the If Continent first was to take White Forest into account. Well, the order of things played a part too, of course."
Even while face-down, I raised one arm, using my fingers and hand to express my thoughts.
"I see! I was wondering why we were doing this when the conference is still over a month away, but that’s the goal, huh?"
"Pretty much. It would be best if they got along quickly, but if it were that easy, no one would have any trouble. And during this free time, besides Zilba and Weed, those who want to profit from trade with other countries will surely be discussing the next import and export items. Naturally, that includes involving White Forest."
"But wouldn't the people who discriminate against demi-humans try to take advantage of them?"
"That won't happen. Or rather, if it becomes known that they are trying to take advantage of them, they’ll be shunned by the countries we’re trading with. There’s no need to continue trading with someone who tries to pull a fast one. And if White Forest, having been treated that way, decides to stop associating with the If Continent crowd and prioritizes trade with the Rogari Continent or the New Continent instead... and then mentions how they were treated by the If Continent nations..."
I cut myself off there and lifted my face from the desk. The faces of my wives who hailed from the If Continent—everyone except Ria—had stiffened. They clearly understood what I was implying.
"...The international credibility of the If Continent nations would plummet to the bottom of the earth."
"And it seems like the people who tried to take advantage of them would get exactly what they gave."
"Hmm. Naturally. Well, it doesn't matter to me personally."
"It does matter, Cleena. Wait, didn't you reconcile with August?"
"That’s right, isn't it? Is there still something going on?"
"Hmm. Even though everyone from Weed helped settle the internal conflict in August, they gave all the credit to me and granted me a territory. It’s harassment, a new form of shackles placed upon me."
Cleena had reconciled to a degree, but she still didn't trust August. Well, Cleena didn't need territory, money, or fame anyway.
"No, no, Cleena-san. That was August’s reward. Well, it may be unnecessary for you, but while we requested it as a condition for our alliance with Weed, you were originally acting as a princess of August. They evaluated you as a capable princess who invited Weed and quelled the insurgents and the civil war. It was given based on the principle of rewarding merit and punishing faults."
"That’s right. If they didn't give a large reward like territory to Cleena, those who didn't contribute as much as her would have to receive proportionately smaller rewards. Many nobles had their lands confiscated during that rebellion, and by rewarding Cleena, they had a pretext to redistribute land to other active nobles, which also served the purpose of stabilizing the status of the August royal family."
As the two of them said, giving land to Cleena was an excuse to give land to other nobles. It also served to ensure that Cleena wouldn't be looked down upon within August in the future. After all, having land implies having a certain amount of financial power. Usually, anyway.
"I get the logic, but what kind of land did Cleena actually get?"
"Hmm. Listen, Ria. It’s just a field. No residents, nothing. Just a plain. Not even a water source."
"That’s terrible."
"No, I think they did it with the consideration that Cleena-san is a Weed diplomat..."
"Then, perhaps it could be used if Yuki ever conducts activities in August in the future."
As Samantha and Jessica said, they did take us into account, but they’re also likely hoping that Weed will introduce various technologies, just like they did in Betan. However, doing that would mean building everything from scratch, and other countries might start clamoring for us to develop their lands too. That’s a hassle, and I don’t have the capacity for it, so I’m leaving it alone for now.
"The conversation drifted, but for those reasons, there’s no chance White Forest will be ostracized or discriminated against. I’ve already conveyed these concerns to the kings in advance."
"I see. That’s a relief."
"Now, as for the issue between the Enaria royal family and the Church, that will take about a week to prepare, so I’m thinking of using this opportunity to resolve a request we received."
"““A request?””"
Yes, a request. Though it’s a matter that gives me a massive stomachache.
"Delivering Tora’s letter."
"““……””"
When I announced that, everyone fell silent. I completely agree with that sentiment. It’s essentially walking onto a minefield; that’s the only way I can perceive it.
"U-um... what about Stasia-san and Age?"
"Unfortunately, I entrusted that to Seraria and Rowell, and it seems they talked through various things yesterday. There’s no role for us there. That leaves the matter of Tora... Well, in terms of order, since the If Continent has settled down, it’s time for the Rogari Continent. There should be some kind of action from the Beast God’s country toward the High Elf country soon, so we can’t run away..."
"““……””"
Hearing that escape was impossible, my heroic bodyguards fell silent again. I really understand how they feel.
"Don't worry. I’m not going to drop this bomb immediately."
I said that and took out the strictly sealed letter from Litea, which I had received from Tora, from my Item Box.
"First, I’ll secure the surroundings, not the people themselves. I want allies who can restrain the two of them just in case."
"When you say the surroundings of Lilishe-sama and Faide-san...?"
"Presumably, you mean the other gods, right? Am I wrong?"
"No, you’re right. For Lilishe, I’ll need to consult with Nonoa, Hifie... and Hylen. As for Faide, I’m not that worried, but it would be safer to talk to Noble and Nogosh beforehand."
"That’s true. If those people are there, they shouldn't do anything reckless."
"Hmm. Ensuring safety is important."
Everyone seemed convinced, so let’s get started right away. Just as I thought that, Ria spoke up as if she had remembered something.
"Wait? What about the fine-tuning for the Rogari Continent?"
"Ah, that comes after this letter. If things get complicated because of the letter, we won't be able to focus on anything else."
"I see!"