第７１７堀：おてがみとどきました (Part1)
Chapter 717: The Letter Has Arrived
Side: Yuki
"I have to say, that was a bit of an anticlimax."
"I think it’s for the best that way."
I was relaying the contents of the letter from Litea to Seraria.
Since the idiots had immediately dived into a banquet, I’d agreed to foot the bill, though I’d set a strict cap on the amount. I’d specifically warned them that if they tried to pack leftovers into containers, they’d be kicked out. Noble was one thing, but Nogosh had caused a scene before by trying to doggy-bag the entire spread. Well, it was an apology for having to pry into the contents of the letter addressed to Faide, so I suppose it was warranted. The two of them had helped me out, after all.
But setting that aside, the contents of the letter weren't exactly problematic...
"The content itself is a major discovery. It’s enough to end the marital spat between Lilishe and Faide."
"Lilishe had been complaining that Faide didn't offer any support when the Holy Nation of Litea was suffering from a food shortage. But in reality, the father had been secretly helping his daughter all along."
"He’s so clumsy, isn't he? He should have just been honest and said he was helping her."
"It was a matter of conflicting principles. I don't think that’s enough of a reason to blame Faide, is it?"
"I suppose not. But at least they can make up now. A married couple should be together."
I wish I could say the same, but in this world, there are countless couples who end up in total ruin. Well, no point in voicing such ominous thoughts. Seraria is an adult; she surely understands that as well as I do.
"The only thing left is to hope the letter reaches Lilishe safely and that she actually reads it."
Just as we were talking, a call came through.
*“Big Brother, I’ve delivered the letter to Lilishe-onee-sama.”*
*“It has been delivered safely.”*
*“Nonoa and Hifie immediately went in to provide backup. We should hear back from them either way in a little while.”*
"I see. Thank you, all four of you. But we don't know if she’s actually read it or grasped the contents yet, so please stay on standby nearby."
I thought that would be the end of it, but...
*“Um, Yuki-sama. There is something I’d like to consult with you about...”*
"Hm? What is it, Shera? Did you run into trouble while delivering the letter?"
*“Oh, no, there was a bit of trouble, but nothing particularly problematic. However, I discovered a different issue, separate from the letter.”*
"A different issue?"
*“Ah, that’s right, Big Brother. You see... apparently, there are children who are skipping school to hang out at the church.”*
*“Skipping school is bad.”*
*“When we went to the church, the sister got angry at them. She asked, ‘You’re here again?’”*
Sigh. Skipping school, huh?
"Hmm. It’s definitely a problem, but it’s not something I can just fix right this second..."
*“Why not? If you scold them and bring them back...”*
"‘Scold them,’ you say. Ah, I suppose you’re the type who never questioned the need for studies, Shera."
*“What do you mean by that?”*
I knew it. Well, Shera was the quintessential "young lady" of high society. I don't want to think about it, but there’s a possibility of bullying... Shera was loved by her siblings and grew up in a blessed environment, after all.
"Well, I hated studying too, and I often snuck out to practice my swordsmanship," the Queen beside me chimed in.
I really wish she’d been raised to be a bit more graceful.
"Look, as Shera says, there’s no doubt they’re breaking the rules. But they’re sneaking out of school because they have some kind of dissatisfaction. Just scolding them won't resolve that underlying frustration."
*“...You mean it’s important to remove the source of their dissatisfaction? Even though they are being treated so well?”*
"If it were just pure selfishness, scolding them would be fine. But if it isn't, they’ll just become twisted. Children don't know how to express their frustrations honestly... no, wait, even adults rarely do. On top of that, children don't have the tools adults do to vent their frustrations, so it just builds up until they explode."
*“Are you saying there might be a serious underlying problem that caused them to act selfishly?”*
"Exactly. If the problem isn't the children themselves but the responsibility of those around them, and the children are just enduring it, then it’s not a problem that can be solved just by scolding them."
*“...I see. Indeed. Scolding children for something they aren't responsible for won't solve anything.”*
"Well, I understand the situation. I’ll look into it from this end, so, sorry to ask, but could you hold off on the scolding for now?"
*“Yes. I understand the reasoning. I’ll keep a close eye on things when I go to the school.”*
Just as we were discussing the school issue, a call came in from Hifie.
*“Excuse me. Oh? Are you in the middle of a conversation with Aslin and the others? Is now a good time?”*
"It’s fine. If you’re calling at this timing, it means there’s been progress regarding the letter, right? Aslin and the others need to hear this too."
*“I see. Well, first, regarding the letter: she read it without any issues.”*
"I see, that’s good."
*“However, the contents have revealed a shocking truth...”*
"Did she tell you what was in it?"
*“Yes. She is quite furious about it...”*
Furious? Is it about Faide secretly supporting her? Is she angry that he claimed he wouldn't support her, yet did so in secret?
"Is it bad? Is she going to rally Litea and destroy the intercontinental exchange?"
*“No, it’s not that bad. Even while angry at us, she was still the usual Lilishe.”*
I breathed a sigh of relief hearing that. It seems the intercontinental exchange won't be affected. Or so I thought, but...
*“However, while she was venting her anger at Faide, she started rolling up her sleeves and tried to head out.”*
Oh boy. Please, spare me. I don't know exactly how strong Lilishe is in actual combat, but I know it’s not comparable to an average person throwing a tantrum.
"You managed to restrain her, right?"
*“Yes. Nonoa is holding her down for now, but we’re trying to figure out what to do... Wait, what about Faide?”*
"Faide has already received the letter and grasped the contents."
*“Is that so? And the contents...”*
"It’s about Faide secretly supporting his daughter, Litea, right? There’s no mistake there."
*“Yes, that is correct. And she is furious, saying he should have just helped her openly from the start.”*
"I can’t say I don't understand Lilishe’s feelings, but I also understand why Faide, as a god, would be resistant to helping humans so openly..."
*“Yes. Even I don't think it’s right to save people solely through the power of a god. Though, what I’m doing isn't much different from Lilishe... In fact, I had intended to wipe them out with my own hands.”*
Hifie had a complicated expression on the call screen, clearly reflecting on the situation. I wouldn't say everything is the same, but there’s no denying that Hifie has taken similar actions in the past.
"And Lilishe can't accept that."
*“Yes. She says, ‘Don't hesitate to save the lives right in front of you because of such trivial pride.’ She believes that if Faide had helped openly, many more lives could have been saved...”*
"There was a food shortage at the time, apparently."
*“That is exactly why she is so angry to find out that Faide was helping behind the scenes.”*
"Hmm. It’s hard to say who is right. Certainly, lives could have been saved, but then the question becomes: what happens to Faide after that?"
*“...It’s a difficult situation. Regardless, if Faide has read the letter, could you convey the situation here to him? Whether we need to discuss this or run away, I can't keep Lilishe restrained for long.”*
"Understood."