第７１４堀：表と裏 (Part1)
Chapter 714: Surface and Shadow
Side: Miyabi Yashiro
"Whoa...!"
I let out a strange sound, unable to contain my excitement.
The streets were illuminated by lamps the likes of which I had never seen, casting away the darkness of the night.
This is Weed.
Though it is an emerging nation that hasn't even been independent for five years, it is a dungeon nation that has captured the attention of the entire continent—no, the entire world.
"Dungeon nation" is just what everyone calls it; fundamentally, it is a country governed by Queen Seraria, so it would be more accurate to call it the Kingdom of Weed.
However, this country is strictly referred to only as Weed.
It is the wish of the Queen—or rather, the wish of her younger sister, Elju—to have a government by the people and for the people. While the administration is currently handled by those Queen Seraria brought with her, the plan is to eventually hand over the reins of politics and national steering entirely to the citizens.
Many other countries tilt their heads in confusion, unable to grasp such a political system.
But I understand. They are aiming for democracy.
Just like in my husband Touya’s homeland, Japan.
It will surely be a long and arduous road, but it is the kind of goal one strives for eventually.
However, that is not what surprises me.
I have heard much about Japan’s methods of governance from my husband, Touya.
The High Elf nation has also adopted many of the governing methods Touya described from Japan.
Well, our country ended up isolating itself due to certain circumstances, so there were many methods we couldn't utilize.
But Weed is different.
It is an international city that Yuki-dono meticulously crafted from the very beginning to engage with the world.
And he has poured the technology of Earth’s Japan into building this nation without holding anything back.
I can only describe it as astonishing.
I was surprised by the car we used when visiting our country, but the sight of Weed is on an entirely different level.
"Well, it’s still not quite on par with a city in Japan, though."
"I find it hard to believe that this is 'not quite' there yet."
The one responding to my shock is Yuki-dono, the consort to the Queen of Weed.
"Come to think of it, you’ve openly admitted to being Japanese."
"Well, I never intended to hide it. It just became difficult to bring up given the circumstances."
"I suppose I was distracted by Kagura-dono and Taiki-dono, that much is true."
Yes, in truth, I had already suspected that Yuki-dono was Japanese.
When he visited the High Elf nation, he arrived in an automobile, and he spoke naturally about Japan with Taiki-dono. And the clincher was this country, Weed.
No matter how you look at it, the city planning draws from a cultural lineage not of this land. As far as I know, only someone who knows Japan could accomplish such a thing. In other words, I was certain Yuki-dono was one of them.
However, he never let it show, so I didn't expect him to admit it so readily. Yet, when I asked, he answered with a simple "Yes."
"The conditions for trust were met, after all. If I were to say 'I am Japanese' with this blonde hair while Taiki-kun and Kagura weren't around, you wouldn't have believed me, would you?"
"I suppose not. You likely took care because I can read Japanese, but... wait, why the blonde hair? Japanese people should have black hair, shouldn't they?"
"To avoid unnecessary trouble. If people knew I came from another world, I’d be paraded around as a Hero, wouldn't I? Like Taiki-kun. By the way, this is a wig."
"Ah, I see."
Yuki-dono said this and removed the wig to show me.
So he was avoiding being exploited like Touya.
He ensured that the credit for Weed’s success went to Queen Seraria while he remained in the shadows.
"However, I was surprised as well. I didn't expect you to arrive at night. We do allow entry, but we have restrictions during the night hours."
"I assumed the gates would be closed at night as well. I was surprised to find them open. Though, I did try to pass through under a pseudonym, I didn't expect to be stopped and for Yuki-dono himself to show up."
I didn't come to Weed just for sightseeing, after all.
Besides, it wouldn't do for the Queen of a reclusive High Elf nation to appear in Weed so openly.
"Ah, I see. That’s why you tried to enter Weed. But in a way, it helped. We check night-time entries very thoroughly, so if it had been during the day, I might not have realized you were visiting."
"Indeed. Even at night, it is safer to enter if one can. That worked in our favor. Though, regardless of when I arrived, I couldn't exactly state my real name and status."
"True. But why come to Weed?"
"I hadn't conveyed that, had I? We reached a point where we needed to see Weed for ourselves before giving an answer regarding intercontinental exchange. I was also asked to relay what happened to the Beast God’s country."
Yes. We came to Weed to discuss intercontinental exchange.
And to talk about the Beast God’s country as well.
Seeing is believing, as they say.
I also had the objective of seeing Weed, which Yuki-dono—whom I suspected had ties to Japan—had built, but I am currently overwhelmed by it.
"I see. I will issue you identification papers so you won't have that trouble next time."
"Yes, that would be helpful. Still, what an incredible cityscape."
"Well, if we didn't do this much, we would just end up as a small, insignificant nation."
"Indeed. But there must have been corresponding hardships to reach this point. Governance does not go well with strength alone, wisdom alone, or popularity alone. It requires a high level of ability in all those areas."
One cannot reach this level with half-baked knowledge or power.
I know this well, as I have struggled immensely while building a nation alongside Touya.
Perhaps Yuki-dono’s true ability is far higher than I imagined.
"I am honored to hear you say that, but let’s save such long talks for another day. Please heal the fatigue of your journey at the inn today. I will set up a meeting for tomorrow."
"Oh, that’s right. It’s so bright that I forgot it was night. I can understand why Touya stays up so late now."
What reflects in my eyes is the brightness of the shops, as if to say the darkness of night is irrelevant.
And within them, the figures of customers enjoying themselves boisterously.
"I would like to look around once our business is concluded."
"I will guide you then."
"Yes. I’m counting on you."
And so, guided by Yuki-dono, I stayed at what they call a "Japanese-style inn"...
It was a series of surprises.
First, the *tatami*. I had heard of *tatami* from Touya, but experiencing it firsthand is different.
It has such a pleasant scent of rush grass. I almost want to find a way to bring it to our country.
And the open-air bath.
I see, this is why Touya makes such a fuss about baths.
I shall enjoy it as well.
Thus, the first day of our visit to Weed was a very good day for us...
"I'm sleepy..."
"Your Majesty. I understand your feelings, but this is our own doing..."
"Hah, that may be true, but aren't you the same?"
The Prime Minister scolding me from the side has dark circles under his eyes just as deep as mine; he has no room to talk.