第７４９堀：順調？ (Part1)
### Chapter 749: Smooth Sailing?
**Side: Yuki**
Should I call it the inevitable conclusion, or perhaps the expected answer? Even after consulting with Taizo-san and the others, the decision remained unchanged.
The top priority is hosting the First Intercontinental Exchange Conference.
Well, even after careful consideration, there is no other choice.
To be honest, the situation with the Seasypho Kingdom is an irregularity—a sudden intervention—and there is no reason to prioritize it over our current plans.
In the first place, dealing with other nations on the New Continent is something we have fundamentally entrusted to Haiden, Findal, and the Haire Church. It wouldn't be right for us to interfere.
I try to brush it off with that logical reasoning, but because of the nature of the situation, I have a bad feeling about it.
However, we don't have the luxury of sending people to the Seasypho Kingdom, and there are many dangers involved, so I end up back in a loop of circular thinking.
"Brother. Here are the documents."
"Ah, thank you."
While I was lost in thought, more documents for the First Intercontinental Exchange Conference kept piling up.
We have less than a month left until the event.
Weed is already in a state of chaos with preparations. Sending a reconnaissance or intelligence unit to the Seasypho Kingdom is impossible.
I pull myself together, steeling my resolve to focus on the paperwork. I can't afford to ruin the Intercontinental Exchange Conference due to a careless mistake on my part.
"Is this... the personnel deployment document?"
It covers security positioning, VIP protection, and the 24-hour shift schedule for the conference.
For the main areas, the police officers led by Poni are in charge.
For the close protection of VIPs, it’s the human military led by Seraria—well, since Seraria is the Queen, it’s mostly handled by Quar as her proxy.
Then, for the shadow security, we have the monster unit led by Surakichi-san and Kirika.
Finally, the members of the command center using the Call spell to coordinate them make up the core of the personnel plan.
The rest of the details will be handled by the specific departments assigned to those tasks.
As I was confirming that there were no obvious flaws, Dressa spoke up.
"I wonder if there's anyone who could slip past this setup."
"Impossible."
Hiiro shook her head vigorously at Dressa’s comment.
"Well, external infiltration is nearly impossible."
"What about from the inside?"
"Exactly. In situations like this, you have to be careful not just about external intruders, but also about internal sabotage."
"You mean there might be a traitor?"
"That’s right. Those who don't want this intercontinental exchange to succeed have no choice but to blend in if they want to wreck the conference. They’ll pretend to be in favor of the exchange on the surface."
Yes, that is exactly what we need to be most careful about.
"Those who are openly opposed won't even be able to come to Weed in the first place. Well, they might try to come to see Weed to be persuaded, but that’s just an element of anxiety, so they’ll likely avoid it for the first one."
"Indeed. But if that’s the case, how do we prevent it? It’s difficult when it’s not from the outside, but from within."
"Just like Vili-onee says. They could do whatever they want."
"Well, we’ll restrict movement. If they don’t want to be suspected of anything strange, they’ll have to stay out of unauthorized areas. Especially the kitchens. I’ll make it clear that anyone approaching those areas will be captured without question."
It’s a classic trope in murder mysteries, isn't it? Kitchens, gardens, and the like.
It’s important to tell them not to move around as they please.
"I see. That’s the best way. If we say that, it will be harder for them to move."
"That’s right. If we do that, the only incidents that could occur would be among their own people."
"Brother, if the culprit is one of their own, isn't that bad in its own way?"
"It’s bad, but it won’t affect the intercontinental exchange itself. Even if something happens, they’ll likely try desperately to hide the fact that one of their own went rogue."
As I said that, Jessica, who had been silently working at the desk, spoke up.
"Because it would be a massive disgrace. It concerns the nation's face. Here, Samantha."
"Yes. Let’s see... this is the participant list. Roday is included, and all that’s left is August. As Jessica said, it concerns the nation's face, so they should handle it internally."
"The participant list for August... where did it go? It’s not here... It’s a pain to go ask. Should I leave it to Agil?"
"Please don't even joke about that. It concerns your reputation, Yuki."
"That’s right. If it gets out that Yuki-sama cut corners on the intercontinental exchange, you’ll be made a fool of."
"...Sorry. I’ll do my best."
With that, while lightly participating in our conversation, the members from the If Continent busied themselves with their work.
"With that said, those are the lines for security and surveillance. Restrictions on moving to the kitchens and other rooms or zones. I’ll summarize this and issue a proclamation to each department, and we need to inform the participating countries as well. I’ll draft the document. Once it’s done, I’m counting on you all to copy, distribute, and explain it."
" " "Yes!" " "
Hearing their response, I immediately set to work.
And so, the busy days passed by...
When we were half a month away from the start of the Intercontinental Exchange, a follow-up report regarding Seasypho arrived from Haiden.
"So, a second messenger has arrived?"
"Yes."
It was Kagura who answered my question, not Princess Carrie.
It seems it wasn't an urgent matter after all.
"What’s the content?"
"We don't know. We only found out after the letter was sent from Haiden. I have a letter here entrusted to me by the Princess."
With that, Kagura handed me the letter. I accepted it and asked:
"Are you and the others not sitting in on it this time?"
"No. The Princess who handed me the letter said that the Intercontinental Exchange must be our top priority."
"I see. Then, if you’ll excuse me..."
I read the letter on the spot. It stated that the next messenger from the Seasypho Kingdom had arrived, and that they were still confused and half-doubting the claims regarding the actions of the Mad God’s followers, just like the previous messenger.
Regarding the supply of goods, they expressed their gratitude and said they would prepare them immediately, just as before.
"There’s nothing particularly problematic in the content. How is Princess Carrie doing? Does she seem to be having any trouble?"
"Ahaha, she has dark circles under her eyes..."
"Yuki-sensei, please listen! The Princess keeps making sarcastic comments about how she envies our life with the open-air baths!! Even though Micos-chan and the others just use regular baths!!"
"No, Senpai. You go to the Weed public bath almost every day..."
It seems Princess Carrie is quite exhausted from dealing with the Seasypho Kingdom situation alongside the Intercontinental Exchange.
Of course, Kagura and the others have dark circles too, so the Princess was probably just joking.
She isn't the type to be genuinely spiteful. That Princess is the type to take action before she even starts complaining.
Actually, Princess Carrie shows up at the Weed cake shop with her maids—not every day, but often—though it’s probably better not to mention that.
"Well, the Seasypho Kingdom matter is on hold until the supplies arrive, but how are things going with the Intercontinental Exchange?"