第７３１堀：懐かしき友たち (Part1)
**Chapter 731: Old Friends**
**Side: Agil**
Today, just like any other day, I was at the gate to welcome our guests. However, today’s visitors weren't Yuki and his group...
"Welcome to Weed, Light Revive. You are most welcome here."
"Yes. Thank you very much, General Agil."
Indeed, it was our country’s very own Holy Sword User. Finally, today was the day of the Holy Sword Unveiling Ceremony, an event we had prepared for extensively. Thanks to that, I’ve been working overtime for the past three days and am severely sleep-deprived. I’m sure my skin is looking terrible. Well, I was always sleep-deprived back home because of my research, but this is different.
"...Agil. Don't you have a word of welcome for me?"
As I was lost in thought, Prism, who had come along, suddenly spoke up.
"I mean, you’ve been here before, Prism. Besides, you aren't exactly the guest of honor today, are you?"
"I know that. But you could at least say it for the sake of formality."
"Fine. Welcome, Prism."
"How half-hearted."
I only said it because she told me to, and yet she still complains. Well, knowing her as long as I have, I can tell this is just her way of showing she was worried...
"It can't be helped. The reason I ended up being stationed in Weed in the first place was because *someone* messed up. Thanks to that, I’m so busy I barely have time for my research."
To be fair, I leave all the actual paperwork to my subordinates. As their superior, I just check the documents and stamp them. The rest of my time is spent communicating with Weed’s leadership, but they aren't stiff or formal at all, so it’s actually quite relaxing.
Plus, discussing research and conducting experiments with Lady Comet, Lady Narjia, and Lord Zargis is incredibly fun. Honestly, my life here is more fulfilling than it ever was back in our home country. Because of that, I’d actually hate it if they told me to transfer back now, but I figure there’s no harm in throwing a little sarcasm Prism’s way.
After all, the reason I had to take on this diplomat job—which I wasn't interested in at first—is entirely Prism’s fault, no matter how you look at it. She knows that better than anyone, so when I pointed it out, she looked visibly awkward.
"That... that couldn't be helped. No one would have thought that the swordsman we met back then was the Queen herself!"
"True. But the root cause was your habit of wanting to test your skills against everyone you meet, wasn't it?"
"Ugh..."
I really wish she’d stop picking fights with anyone who looks strong. Besides, after coming to Weed, we realized that Queen Seraria had been holding back immensely during their duel.
As a result, the fundamentally serious Prism wasn't chosen to be the diplomat for Weed—I was. No country in their right mind would send the person who tried to pick a fight with the head of state as their official representative.
As I was teasing Prism, a voice called out from behind us.
"Now, now, leave it at that."
"I understand how you feel, but she’ll get her revenge later, you know?"
I turned around to see General Marly Heat, the Magic Sword User from the Zilba Empire, and her adjutant, Hivia. Because of her Wind Magic Sword, she’s known by titles like the Wind Princess or the Wind Knight. She looks like a gentle, airy sort of person, but...
"I didn't just try to recruit Lord Yuki and Lady Ria; I lost to them in a fair fight! And that was a battle leading an entire army!"
"...Sigh. Please don't say things like that in a place like this."
Contrary to her appearance, she’s a boisterous woman. Back when we used to do the traditional 'neighborly greetings' between our countries, she would often invite me to—well, not a fight, but a 'test of skill.' If she just kept her mouth shut, she’d look like a refined lady waiting by a window. It’s a shame she’s like this the moment she starts talking.
"On that note, Prism. Why don't we have a match? It’s been a while."
"...You really haven't changed, have you? Perhaps you should learn how to behave in a manner befitting your station. Also, I’ll pass on the match. Peace has finally arrived; we don't need to go lighting any new fires."
"Don't be so stiff. Let’s do it. It’s just training between friends. Right?"
She turned to Hivia for agreement, but...
""Absolutely not.""
"Wait, even Jessica is joining in? When did you get here?"
Just as Marly said, Jessica was suddenly standing next to Hivia.
"I am also one of the diplomats dispatched from Zilba to Weed, after all. If there are guests from my home country, of course I’ll come to greet them."
That made sense. She was here for the same reason I was meeting Prism and the others.
"At any rate, I apologize for the trouble our Lady Marly has caused."
"Our deepest apologies."
Jessica and Hivia both bowed deeply in apology.
"You two certainly have it rough."
"Wait? Why does it sound like I’m the bad guy here?"
"""Because you are."""
Yeah. In a way, Marly has a knack for bringing people together—by making them all agree on how troublesome she is. I suppose that’s a talent in its own right, though I’d rather not have it myself.
"Hahaha! What perfect synchronization. It seems we really do get along. Now then, the one behind Prism must be the Holy Sword User. It’s been a while, Light Revive."
Marly, completely unfazed by the criticism, turned her gaze toward Light, who was standing behind Prism. Come to think of it, Marly did know Light. She was the one who led the assault on the fortress Light had been defending.
Hmm. Is this bad? Can Light stay calm? I watched Light’s reaction with a bit of caution.
"Hello, General Marly. Thank you for everything back then."
"Don't mention it. More importantly, I’m glad to see you’re doing well."
"Yes. Well, there were some issues that led to my current situation, but I’m fine."
"Bah, don't let it get to you. If anyone calls you a fake, just show them the power of the Holy Sword and blow them away. After that, let’s have a spar for old times' sake."
"Ah, that’s a bit... I can't exactly use the Holy Sword for that."
"I’m not telling you to use the Holy Sword. We’ll use regular wooden swords."
"In that case, I don't mind. Just like back then."
"Exactly."
Wait, what? Far from being on guard, they seemed to be on quite good terms. What on earth happened? I was worried she might have some kind of trauma triggered, but...
"Um, Light. You seem quite friendly with General Marly. Where did you two get the chance to bond?"
I couldn't see the connection at all. They shouldn't have had any chance to interact other than when she was a prisoner. Did they meet somewhere else? I looked at Prism, but she just shook her head. So Prism didn't know either.
"Oh, right. Actually, when I was captured by the Zilba army, they treated me very well. We became friends during that time."
"They were brave warriors, even as captives. Besides, they had just been hit by Lord Yuki’s weaponry and wiped out in an instant; they were in a state of extreme panic. Some of the common soldiers were so badly affected that their minds simply broke. I couldn't bring myself to be harsh to soldiers in that state. I was busy providing comfort alongside Olive at the fortress."
Ah... that makes perfect sense. I never faced Lord Yuki’s forces head-on, but after coming to Weed, I’ve learned just how terrifying the performance of their weapons is. Having faced that directly, it’s no wonder people were traumatized.
"Well, because of that, I started having doubts about that border conflict. I tried to talk to my superiors about whether we could resolve things through dialogue..."
Ah, so she did the one thing you’re never supposed to do. She was likely suspected of being a spy or wanting to surrender to the enemy.
"No wonder you were removed from the front lines."
"And I suppose because a reconciliation was reached shortly after you were dismissed, you were able to come out like this."
It was mostly thanks to Yuki, but it seems that’s how she kept her head. We had received reports that the Holy Sword User had suffered a mental breakdown, but I see—in a sense, it *was* a breakdown of her military discipline.
As I thought about this, Marly reacted as well.
"What? Is that what happened? Light, you shouldn't say things like that so carelessly. You could have lost your head."
"Ahaha... I’ve reflected on it."
However, the two standing behind her had a different reaction.