第７４５堀：嫌な予感はするけれど (Part1)
**Chapter 745: I Have a Bad Feeling, But...**
**Side: Yuki**
Ah, how embarrassing. My prediction was off.
I had said with such a smug look on my face that there was a possibility their information-gathering was just lagging behind.
Well, it’s not *that* embarrassing, I suppose. It was just one of many hypotheses.
"Even looking back at the recording, it seems their goal was purely to provide material aid," I noted.
"That’s true. But the fact that they used a shovel still feels off," Ria said, staring at the shovel with a look of lingering doubt.
"As I said before, they probably wanted to gauge how we’d react to this tool, right? In reality, it’s not just for war; it’s incredibly useful for farming and civil engineering as well."
The shovel is counted among the legendary weapons, but its versatility is so high that it’s used in all sorts of places. It’s at the level where every household probably has one. Some families might just have a small trowel, though. A trowel is the best tool for growing plants in a planter.
"Brother. I understand the situation, but what will you do from here? Did you see any suspicious movements from the envoy named Keys?"
"He didn't even have a Magic Gear, let alone anything that looked like a weapon; he handed everything over to the guards at the castle gate, didn't he? And the weapons he did have weren't anything special either."
Just as Viria and Dressa said, the envoy from the Kingdom of Seasifo had shown no suspicious behavior from the moment he arrived at the castle until he left. He was completely clean. Well, if you’re looking to negotiate, you wouldn't do anything to invite suspicion, would you?
"That person really just came to talk."
"Hiiro is likely right. That is the primary job of an envoy, after all."
If they couldn't even do that, they’d just be incompetent.
"So, regarding our next move—I’m curious about the developments on the New Continent, but there’s no need to rush into anything right now. It’ll take three months for the supplies to arrive. We only have word that a second envoy will come before then. We can have them call us again when that happens. For now, I’m thinking of returning to the Intercontinental Exchange. King Haiden, Princess, are you two alright with that?"
When I looked at King Haiden and Princess Carrie, they nodded in agreement without a moment’s hesitation.
"Yes, I don't mind. In fact, if the Intercontinental Exchange begins, it will put us in a more advantageous position for future developments."
"The King is correct. If the Kingdom of Seasifo is trying to scout us out, we should simply make the existence of Weed clear and undeniable. If we do that, they’ll realize that trading is a better option than picking a fight. For that reason, holding the Intercontinental Exchange is essential."
Well, I do need to continue gathering information on the Kingdom of Seasifo, but the priority is starting the Intercontinental Exchange. If I can get that off the ground, I’ll have the freedom to move regardless of whether the Aquenoki move or the Kingdom of Seasifo tries to start a fight. The Exchange itself will serve as a massive deterrent.
I’ll need to be there for the first one, but after that, they can handle it themselves. I’ll have to show my face at the big meetings, but there’s no need for me to attend every minor discussion. We’ll need to involve third parties to ensure fairness in negotiations, but if I were the one doing that all the time, I’d die of exhaustion.
"Then, we’re heading back to the Exchange. Are you all going to continue dealing with the Kingdom of Seasifo?"
"No, Carrie and the others should return with you. We will keep an eye on the Kingdom of Seasifo from here. If anything happens, we’ll send word."
"Understood. Then, we’ll head back to Kagura, Mikos, Solo, and Baide."
"Yes!"
With the talk here finished, I was just about to head back to Baide when...
"Huh? We’re going home already? What about the plan to blow up the Kingdom of Seasifo and the Aquenoki?"
The idiot was saying something stupid again. She hadn't listened to a word of the conversation.
"That was never the plan to begin with. Come on, let's go."
"Eh—!? I didn't get to do anything!! What was the point of me joining Carrie and... Mmph!?"
"Oh ho ho!! Lady Hairen, it was so kind of you to join us, and I’m just glad nothing happened!! Now, let’s go!!"
"Hm? Ah, well, take care."
Fortunately, King Haiden didn't catch on, but since she kept trying to dig her own grave, Princess Carrie gagged her and rolled her up like a mat to be transported back to Baide. Naturally, she was wearing a muzzle. Just hearing her speak is a disaster in itself.
"Mmph—!? Mgo—!! *Puh!* What did I even do!? Isn't that cruel!?"
She didn't even understand why she was being treated this way.
"You did plenty... and at the end, you were about to blab about the divine protection."
"A-that was just a slip of the tongue. Just a slip."
"Yuki-sama, I don't mind. More than Lady Hairen, we must convey the news about the envoy from the Kingdom of Seasifo to the people of Findall and the Archbishop."
"More than me!?"
No, the priority is higher than you. Actually, I don't have any use for you, so just go home. When I said that honestly...
"No way—!! I can't go home like this!!"
"No, it’s just a meeting from here on out. We’re just keeping an eye on the Kingdom of Seasifo for now."
"Eh? We aren't going to storm in?"
"You really don't listen, do you? I’ll tell Souta-san and Enoru-san about this, so go get yourself thoroughly scolded."
"Noooo—!! I’m definitely going to get yelled at—!?"
"Go get yelled at. Steve, I’m leaving the delivery of this useless goddess to you."
With that, I left the delivery of the idiot to Steve, whom I’d called to Baide.
"Sure thing. Though, I’m not a delivery company, you know."
"Steve! Let me go!! I don't want to get scolded!!"
"...If you’re aware of that, I suggest you think a little more before you act."
"It can't be helped, can it? Helping people in need is the right way to live, isn't it?"
"...Please don't say that as if it’s a matter of course. It’s true that there are people in need, but because of that, the Boss and the others are the ones in trouble, so please consult with them or at least listen to what they have to say first."
"Ugh—!? I feel like I just heard some very sound logic. But in the end, everyone is happy, right?"
"Results-based logic doesn't work here. Anyway, Souta-san and Enoru-san told me to bring you in no matter what, so let’s go."
"Noooooo—!! Someone, help!! Help me!! They’re going to make me eat bell peppers—!!"
What kind of child’s punishment is that?
And seriously, you can't eat bell peppers?
Watching her get dragged away by Steve reminded me of some kind of horror movie.
"..."
The members of the New Continent gathered at Baide were left in silence by the sheer absurdity of the situation. Of course, the members of Weed were already preparing to resume the meeting as if it were just another day.
"Well, never mind Hairen. Regarding the envoy from the Kingdom of Seasifo..."