第７２４堀：気が付いたら人数が増えている (Part1)

I couldn't help but notice that the number of people had increased.

Side: Yuki

"…I wonder why. I can never rest when I want to."

"Now, now, this time we're just taking Prince Aage with us."

"That's right. From there, they'll become friends on their own."

…I hope so.

However, after seeing what happened with Lilishe and Faide, I wonder if my heart is clouded because I can't easily imagine them reconciling?

While talking about such things, we have finished explaining to Queen Miyabi and are now moving to our next objective, to carry out our work.

By the way, the useless goddess said she would play with Miyabi, so I gave her money and left her to her own devices.

Lilishe, Hifi, and Nonoa are also there, so she won't do anything reckless.

I don't know what will happen to Queen Miyabi's stomach, though.

Well, with this, the possibility of Queen Miyabi becoming hostile is probably close to zero.

Ah, no, could she turn hostile out of despair at the useless goddess?

However, she has received designated protection. She can't act out in this dungeon, so I don't have to worry too much.

It will be what it will be…

Since Luna is involved, I can also push the responsibility onto her.

Besides, she was doing various things on my land, so this is also a form of collecting compensation for the trouble.

"We've arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Let's talk to them first."

"That's right."

"Yes. We're on duty, so it would be best to pretend we've come to check on the top people here, Lord Souta and Lord Enol."

"Jessica's right. It's a bit sudden to take Aage away, so let's approach it from that angle. By the way, when did the cake buffet open?"

As I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I decided to ask Ratz, the person in charge of the commercial district, about the astonishing fortress of sweets that Seraria had told me about.

But Jessica answered instead.

"I'm surprised you didn't know. We, Yuki's wives, jointly invested and created it."

"Jointly invested?"

"That's right. Cakes were originally a luxury item that could only be obtained with DP. Well, recently, with the increase in residents and DP income, it doesn't hurt our wallets that much, but still, due to their popularity, not many people can eat them. Especially those who aren't wealthy."

"No, the Super Ratz also has cakes, doesn't it?"

About 398 yen for two slices.

The kind you find in convenience stores.

However, my words seemed to be mistaken, as Jessica looked very offended, and Ratz gave a wry smile.

"It's a place where you can eat proper cake, not that cheap stuff."

"Hahaha. Even if it's the same cake to you, big brother, a cake made by a professional is different, you know."

Oh, no, I understand that, but…

The cakes at the cake buffet are mass-produced, aren't they?

"It's a properly run cake buffet."

"That's right. After all, we are the investors. We provide cakes that we have carefully selected. Don't you think everyone should have a chance to eat delicious food?"

"Ratz is right. Our lives are made possible by our citizens, so we should give back. We want our children to smile."

"Well, thanks to that, it's by reservation only. Reservations can only be made the day before, and if you're even a minute late, it's over. No exceptions for nobles."

"If we don't do that, the nobles will take over."

Is that so…

No, wait a minute.

"In that case, I haven't made a reservation, so I won't be able to get in, will I?"

"No, Yuki, you are our husband."

"That's right. As our husband, the investor, you can get in without any problems from the management. Moreover, this time it also serves as an audience with Princess Stasia. Although the true purpose is a consultation with Prince Aage, the Queen has surely prepared a special room for her guests."

"...It's a convincing story, but is it okay?"

"It's fine."

As we were talking and walking through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we were suddenly called out to.

"Oh? What's wrong, everyone?"

"Hmm?"

"Oh, it's Aage, isn't it?"

"What a coincidence. We just had a little business to attend to."

Suddenly, we encountered our target.

Well, it's natural for Aage to be working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but I thought she would be in her room.

However, seeing her like this, it's strange because Vilia was about the same height as when she first came to Weed.

If she had aged normally, she would be the same age as Princess Carrie, and I don't know if she would be the same as Princess Carrie, but she should have become a fine woman. However, she looks like a child, which is strange.

Well, in Weed, there are dwarves, elves, and fairies, so small people are not that unusual.

In fact, not only goblins but even snake-type monsters are walking around normally.

"Do you have business?"

"Ah, ah. I have some business with Souta and Enol."

Aage. I can't say it's about you, so I'll keep quiet about that.

"So, do you know where the two of them are right now?"

"Are they not assigned to some department like Prince Aage?"

"No, according to today's schedule, unless there's an emergency, that shouldn't be the case. So, they should be in their offices."

"I see. Thank you."

"Yes. Well, I still have work to do, so I'll be going now."

With that, we parted ways with Aage for the moment.

"We came to take Aage out, but it's a hassle to have to part ways once."

"It can't be helped. It's also a fact that we can't just take her without permission."

"Jessica's right. For now, let's get permission from our superiors."

Now, the question is whether our superiors will grant permission…

"Yes, that's fine. We've been indebted to Prince Aage."

"That's right. It's also problematic that she's estranged from her sister. It could cause some issues in future intercontinental exchanges, so it's a good opportunity."

And so, the two of them readily agreed.

By the way, I asked if they would also come to the cake buffet, but they said they didn't need to eat much sweets.

If they were concerned, they asked for two portions of manju and senbei, so I left them there.

No, this is normal, isn't it?

It's tough to keep eating cakes and sweets to your heart's content.

I don't know if senbei are considered sweets, but they are famous as a snack. Salty things are good after sweets.

Well, that aside, we wandered around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking for Aage.

It seems that Aage was moving around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of delivering documents to various departments, and was not in the place where she was earlier. We are following her footsteps, listening to the staff.