第７３９堀：新たな力を (Part1)
**Chapter 739: A New Power**
**Side: Kagura**
Information brought by Lady Catherine regarding the arrival of an envoy from the Kingdom of Seasypho at the royal capital of Haiden.
"Princess."
"Kagura."
Though I was startled by the sudden development, I immediately approached the Princess to verify the contents of the letter received from Lady Catherine.
"What are the specific details?"
"Only what Lady Catherine relayed. An envoy from the Kingdom of Seasypho has arrived. That is all. Their objective is unknown. However, considering the timing, it makes one suspect it concerns the Magic Gear or the Aquenoki. My uncle, His Majesty, likely made the same deduction and contacted us for this reason."
"What is the status of the envoy right now?"
"Due to the recent disturbances, it seems they have delayed the audience for about three days. The message says that in the meantime, we should contact Yuki-sama."
"That timing was fortunate."
Yuki was in the same conference room, scolding Hairen-sama for her lack of seriousness.
"At least listen to the conversation, you idiot."
"But—things like this were always Sota or Enol’s job—"
"Did you sleep through the entire mass at the Weed Church, too!?"
"Eh? I was playing with the children who came along, you know?"
"..."
"What’s with that look? Like, 'What an idiot, she’s just like Sota and the others.'"
"If you know, then act properly."
"I don't understand difficult things, you see—"
"W-well, well, Yuki-sama. I believe Hairen-sama has her own deep thoughts on the matter."
"Eh? Enol-san, I don't. Not at all."
"…Hairen-sama. Could you please be a bit more… Also, you may call me just 'Enol' without the honorific."
"But that would overlap with Enol, so 'Enol-san' it is."
"Sigh… if Hairen-sama is satisfied with that, then fine…"
…Hairen-sama.
She is the Goddess worshipped by the Haire Church, and the person who traveled with the ancestor of our Three Houses.
"…For now, I intend to take Yuki-sama to Haiden, but Hairen-sama’s laid-back nature could become a problem during the meeting. No one knows her true identity; they will simply think she is a suspicious person. Therefore, Kagura, please step out of the room temporarily during the meeting."
"Yes. Understood."
The Princess spoke to me after observing Hairen-sama.
I feel it is rude to Hairen-sama, but is it a failure as a believer that I find this response only natural?
"Stasia-oneesama, General Georgin, and Archbishop Enol, what will you do? If you wish to see the state of the Seasypho Kingdom’s envoy with your own eyes in Haiden, I do not mind if you accompany us."
"No. Our presence together would only invite strange suspicions or doubts, so we will refrain."
"Indeed. We do not know how much information the other party has grasped, so it would be better for us to avoid going to Haiden. I would appreciate it if you could share the information with us at a later date."
"That is true. It would be somewhat strange for me, an Archbishop, to go to Haiden to meet an envoy from the Kingdom of Seasypho. I believe it is better to observe from here."
It seems none of the three will be coming to Haiden.
Well, as General Georgin said, the issue is how much the other party knows about us.
Especially since these three are well-known by name and face on this continent; even if they don't introduce themselves, it is hard to believe the Seasypho envoy would be such a fool as to not recognize them upon seeing them.
As I was thinking this, someone else entered the conference room.
"Sorry I'm late. I heard there was an urgent meeting… wait, Kagura, Mikos, Solo? What’s going on?"
The person who entered was Enora.
Come to think of it, she had mentioned being called to the church.
"Don't ask 'what’s going on.' Uh, where should I start explaining? Princess, do you still have time?"
"Yes. There is no problem with the time it takes to explain. It seems Yuki-sama has already contacted Weed about heading to Haiden."
When I looked at Yuki after being told this, he appeared to be communicating via Call.
Well, we thought the meeting would be the end of it, but then an envoy from the Kingdom of Seasypho arrived in Haiden.
"So, what happened? Everyone seems quite flustered. Even Yuki-dono, who is usually a poker face, seems that way. Has something truly terrible occurred?"
Why can she tell that just by looking at Yuki’s face?
No, Yuki basically keeps his expressions unreadable during negotiations, so I understand that it is rare for him to look flustered—or rather, annoyed. But why is the standard for judgment Yuki’s profile?
What is this? Is Enora acting uninterested while actually keeping her eyes on him?
"What? Your face is grim. Did something that bad happen?"
Oh, I must be careful. Yuki is important, but if I don't explain, I will be seen as a woman who cannot work, and Yuki might be disillusioned.
"For now, I will explain in order. First, the reason we gathered here is that a monster disturbance occurred within the territory of the Seasypho Kingdom."
"A monster? Ah, could it be the misuse of Magic Gear?"
"It would be fine if it were just misuse, but what if the Aquenoki was involved in that misuse?"
"…That means it has started moving. But the Aquenoki shouldn't be in the Seasypho Kingdom, right?"
"Well, yes. That is why we cannot gauge the truth of this incident. It would be fine if it were just an incident where Magic Gear was brought in by chance, but in that case, the reason for our intervention is weak, and it might lead to us having to talk about what we caused and the Aquenoki."
"So you’re afraid of being taken lightly. But in that case, couldn't you just go to the Seasypho Kingdom secretly to defeat the monsters?"
"And what if they are waiting for us? We could end up facing total annihilation."
"…No, I don't think Yuki-dono and the others would be wiped out."
"Ah, if it were Yuki, that might be true, but it is still a problem. If word spreads that the King of another country defeated the monsters of their nation, their pride would be shattered, and for us, it would be a territorial violation. And if it were a trap, that would trigger an all-out war. At worst, they could spread rumors that we planned an invasion or assassination."
"…Well, that is true. In that case, it would be bad if we didn't get official permission."
"Yes. But as I said earlier, in that case, we would have to disclose our information."
"So that is what you are agonizing over. How to bring it up."
Enora was convinced, but the story did not end there.
Just as I was thinking about revealing the remaining bombshell, Mikos chimed in from the side.
"Tsk, tsk, that’s not all. The reason everyone is in an uproar is because we received word that the envoy from the Seasypho Kingdom has arrived in Haiden."
"Huh? They’re already here? Isn't that too fast?"
"Yes. It is too fast. We don't know their aim, so everyone is flustered about what to do."
"I see. And I arrived late in the middle of that."
"And I heard you were late because of church work?"
"Yes. It was just a report. When I returned, everyone was gone, and I heard they had gone to Haiden."
"I see."
As Mikos was satisfied with that, the Princess spoke up.
"Mikos. No more chatter is necessary. It seems Yuki-sama has finished his talk as well, and we are heading back to Haiden now. What will you do, Enora-sama?"
"Please wait a moment. Archbishop Enol."
"Yes? Ah, Bishop Proxy Enora. You have come."
"Should I head to Haiden?"
"Well, it is originally your place of work, Bishop Proxy Enora, so there should be no problem if you accompany us. Please observe the Seasypho Kingdom’s envoy closely from your perspective as well."
"Yes."
And so, Enora’s participation was decided.
Hearing that, the Princess immediately began to move.
"Then, we of Haiden will begin the gate transfer first, so Yuki-sama and the others will follow—"
"Ah, wait a moment, Carrie."
For some reason, Hairen-sama called a halt.
However, Yuki did not stop her. It was not as if she were in front of strangers.
"Yes. Was there a problem?"