第７４３堀：使者との対談 (Part1)
### Chapter 743: Dialogue with the Envoy
**Side: Mikos**
I, Mikos, along with the others, was currently under extreme tension.
The reason was simple...
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for accommodating our sudden visit."
"Not at all. If it is a request from the Kingdom of Seasifo, Haiden will gladly welcome you."
I was assisting Princess Carrie in dealing with the envoy from the Kingdom of Seasifo.
Well, in truth, Princess Carrie was handling the heavy lifting, but that wasn't the issue.
The Kingdom of Seasifo might be an enemy. That, in itself, was fine. I knew full well that if anything went wrong, Yuki-sensei would come to our rescue.
The real problem was... this room was being monitored by Yuki-sensei!!
Yuki-sensei had graciously accepted the Emperor's request for assistance, but the method he chose was to record the conversation via camera.
I suppose if there’s a record, it’s easy to prove who said what later, and I have no complaints about that.
However, we were also being captured in those video records.
How did I know? Because I accidentally stumbled upon the setup.
This had to be intentional, right!? He’s clearly trying to see how we react!!
In other words, I couldn't afford a single clumsy mistake. These records would last forever, and furthermore, they would be viewed by everyone later.
It wasn't just about looking good for Yuki-sensei; other high-ranking officials would be watching too. In every sense, my life was on the line.
To put it bluntly, Mikos-chan is in a super pinch!!
Ignoring my internal turmoil, the conversation continued.
"I must say, I was surprised that Princess Carrie herself would handle our reception."
"Due to the recent incident, many followers of the Mad God—the Akenoki—had infiltrated Haiden. We’ve had to punish quite a few of them, so we are currently short-staffed. You may find me lacking in experience, but I ask for your patience."
"Not at all. Quite the contrary, I find your handling of the situation quite favorable. I see, so it was those Mad God followers who were acting so high-handedly toward us? That explains everything."
"...I see that is what happened. I offer my sincerest apologies."
A shocking truth. Those idiots had been picking fights even with the Kingdom of Seasifo.
"It is not the Princess's fault. Since you have offered an apology, I have no reason to hold a grudge, and I have not reported it to my country."
"Thank you. But may I ask why you haven't reported it?"
"Hahaha... well, there is the matter of magic technology, and frankly, it is common for people to act coercively in diplomatic settings like this."
I see, so that’s why things had remained peaceful until now.
If things had gone differently, we might have been at war by now.
They really are a troublesome bunch.
"We both have our struggles for the sake of our countries, don't we?"
"It is difficult, but it is a rewarding job."
"A splendid response. Now, let us set aside the small talk. I would like to introduce the item I wish for you to use. Where is my luggage?"
"Yes. Kagura?"
Finally, it was our turn.
Prompted by the Princess, we stepped forward and placed the envoy's luggage on the table.
"Is this correct?"
"Yes. Thank you for your care. If I may be so bold, who are these young ladies? They don't appear to be maids."
"As expected of the envoy. You are correct. In the defense of Baide—which began due to misunderstandings and the conspiracies of a cult—these two served as my right hands and messengers despite still being students: Kagura Kamishiro and Mikos Jarna."
Wait, what!? I’m being credited as having played a major role!?
"Oh! So these are the legendary Kamishiro family's second daughter, the great archmage who defended Baide, and her companion?"
"Eh!? Ah, my apologies. I didn't realize I was held in such high regard."
Kagura let out a strange sound at the envoy's comment.
Well, I couldn't blame her. I didn't think word had spread like that.
"You seem surprised. Rumors are often exaggerated, so it is best to just laugh them off. Denying or confirming them only leads to trouble. Though, setting aside the lightning, the story about sinking the earth along with an entire army is a bit of an exaggeration. It would be quite troublesome to be credited with such things, wouldn't it?"
"Ahahaha..."
Ah, that. That’s Yuki-sensei.
"And then there is Mikos-dono, who bravely infiltrated the chaotic Findall army to arrange the peace talks. I offer my respects to your courage. Gender matters not; it is the heart that counts."
"Fah!?"
What is that about!?
That was Shera-chan and the others, wasn't it!?
I panicked, thinking this was bad, and looked back at the Princess...
"It is a classified matter, but it seems the story has reached you after all."
She replied with a smile.
Excuse me? What does that mean?
"Haha. I suppose you can't stop people from talking."
As I stood there, confused by the envoy's laughter, the Princess leaned in close...
"That battle is being presented to foreign countries as a victory achieved by us, not led by Weed. The arrangement of the talks with Findall is also being credited to us."
"Huh? Why would you do that?"
"It was Yuki-sama's instruction. We didn't want foreign nations to know Weed's true strength too easily, and our priority was resolving the chaos in Haiden and Findall. It seems it has served as a good cover for those who are suspicious of Weed's existence. Even Yuki-sama's large-scale magic is being attributed to Kagura's efforts."
...I see.
So other countries don't really trust Weed.
I wanted Yuki-sensei and the others to get the credit, but if it was an order, I had no choice.
While we were whispering, the envoy took something out of his luggage.
"This is the item I would like you to use this time."
He placed it on the table...
"A large spoon?"
Kagura tilted her head.
"Haha, young lady. Close, but not quite. Though it does look similar."
It certainly looked like a large spoon.
But I’d seen this shape somewhere before...
As I was thinking that, Solo, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"Is this... a shovel?"
"Yes, exactly. You are quite knowledgeable, young lady. Nobles rarely know of such tools."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I..."
Solo looked uncomfortable and tried to explain, but the Princess stepped forward.
"Her name is Solo. She is of commoner origin. I apologize if it offends you."
Many people look down on commoners handling diplomatic duties.
I had brought Solo along as a diplomatic assistant, but had I made a mistake?
I felt the need to protect her, and Kagura and I moved closer to her side...
"Oh, is that so? No, no, I am not offended at all. I am of commoner origin myself. The Kingdom of Seasifo evaluates people by their ability, not their birth, so I have no ill feelings toward Solo-dono."
Phew, that was a relief.
But this idea of evaluating people by ability... it sounded a lot like Weed.
"Anyway, as Solo-dono said, it is a tool called a shovel, an improvement on the hoe."
A shovel? Ah, I remembered.
A shovel was a tool often used in Weed's fields and during battlefield training.
...Wait? They have the same thing as Weed?
What does this mean?
Like me, Kagura and Solo, who recognized the shovel the envoy had produced, stared at it with wide, surprised eyes.