第７５０堀：大陸間交流会議 早朝 (Part1)
**Dungeon 750: Intercontinental Exchange Conference – Early Morning**
Side: Yuki
"We’ve been through so much, but we’ve finally made it... haven't we?"
"Indeed."
I exchanged these words with Seraria as we met in the early morning. Under normal circumstances, such a conversation would lack context, but today is different. Today is, after all... the day of the first Intercontinental Exchange Conference.
"There were times I truly wondered if we could pull this off, but things have a way of working out, don't they?"
"That’s because we’ve put in the work."
We’ve been dashing across all three continents, adjusting and readjusting everything. Whenever a problem arose, we lent a hand to resolve it. All of this was to reach this day—or rather, to begin the era of intercontinental exchange starting from this day.
"Well then, I’m counting on you today."
"Of course. As the Queen of Weed, I’ll do my best to ensure our first commemorative conference is a success."
"Well, given the nature of the Gates, I suspect most future conferences will be held here in Weed anyway."
"Thinking about that makes me feel a bit melancholic. Is having to host dignitaries from every nation indefinitely just going to be a burden?"
"Don't worry, it’s not like you’ll be personally leading the charge every single time. It’ll mostly just be a matter of letting them use the facilities."
Though, if a murder or something similar were to happen, that would be a problem. Steve and his team will have to stay on their toes to ensure the security of the conference venue is flawless.
As we spoke, the rest of my wives began to file into the banquet hall. It’s a standard scene for breakfast, but today, everyone looks busy—not just generally, but specifically, with documents clutched in their hands.
"Poni, regarding the emergency contact from last night..."
"Ugh. There were so many troubles overnight. Deryu, please help me out."
"...Hmm. Well, it can't be helped during the Intercontinental Exchange. Now, about today's escort routes, Kaya, are you available?"
"...There’s a flaw in the current deployment, so I’ll be heading out to plug the gaps."
The police members maintaining order in Weed have been incredibly busy since three days ago, when the kings of various nations began arriving. With the need to guide the monarchs, a massive number of police and military personnel have been deployed. It’s truly hectic.
"Let's do our best today, too."
"Indeed. We must collect the trash properly today as well."
"That’s right. It leaves a bad impression when adults litter everywhere while the children are working so hard to clean up."
"...That is true, but Labyris, your expression is a bit frightening."
"Well, the Adventurer Guild has posted jobs for trash collection and issued reminders, so it shouldn't be that bad, right? We’re mostly just collecting from the trash bins."
"Mm. Everyone is actually using the bins quite well. The problem is the toilets. Many tourists are relieving themselves wherever they please."
"That’s no good. We’ve told them that shops will let them use their facilities, too."
"It can't be helped. The concept of a 'toilet' hasn't fully permeated yet. And this is just with the people from the Rogari Continent..."
"If tourists from the If Continent and the New Continent start coming, our dungeon is going to be covered in waste. We need to consider stricter penalties..."
"That goes without saying. I don't want our home being defiled."
"In that case, we’ll have to speak directly to Seraria and the others."
"Mm. Toilets are for toilets."
That conversation was coming from Aslin and the child cleaning squad. We’ve issued a request through the Adventurer Guild for the children to collect trash while enjoying the festival. This conference is being held in conjunction with a festival, and tourists from across the Rogari Continent have arrived. It serves as a grand advertisement for the start of the intercontinental exchange.
With the resulting increase in tourists, trash has piled up, and the toilet situation has deteriorated. It’s quite difficult to teach people who originally had no concept of a "toilet." If we add tourists from the If Continent and the New Continent to the mix, it’s going to be a major issue. I’ll make a note to add that to the agenda.
"Huh? The sweets in the commercial district are disappearing faster than expected? The chocolate is gone? We prepared plenty of stock, didn't we? There are too many customers buying by the box? The limit was three per person... and they misunderstood it as three boxes instead of three individual items? Is the manager of Store No. 4 an idiot?! And why am I being contacted about this... the representative is busy dealing with the street stalls? Oh, for heaven's sake, I’ll go once I finish breakfast, so just—"
"We found a budget with an unknown purpose just now? Where’s Tepha? Dealing with other unexplained budgets? ...Understood. I’ll head over as soon as breakfast is over. What? Right now? Don't be ridiculous."
"I have to pick up an adventurer who got drunk and caused a scene? Just throw that nuisance in the detention center until the festival is over. You can't? Because Rock and Kina aren't there, so I’m the only one who can pick them up? That’s why—wait, if I don't go, it’ll fall to the Grand Master? Don't do that, he has to attend today's conference. Oh, for goodness' sake, I’ll go!"
Ratz, Eris, and Milly seem as busy as ever.
"Yes, Lady Elju. What is it? More walk-in patients than expected and you're overwhelmed? But even if I go... I see. People are coming in with minor injuries just to see the hospital? I understand. I will make it clear that the hospital is for those who truly need treatment. I’ll ask the sisters of the Ritea Church to assist as well. Yes, please. You need the consent of the Ritea Holy Kingdom? That shouldn't be necessary at this point. Lady Alstaire is a capable person, after all."
Rurua is just as busy, juggling hospital duties and diplomatic work. It seems she’s decided to leave Alstaire to her own devices. In a way, that’s proof of her trust.
"Yes. Now you want detailed market data? I’ll have to ask you to wait until a later date... You need the market prices for Weed, not inter-state trade? But those are Weed’s market prices, and Zilba is... Regardless, you say it’s necessary? Understood. But it will take time. For now, let’s focus on today’s conference..."
"His Majesty Blade has disappeared again?! Where did that man go?! Contact Weed’s security immediately. The Royal Guard is with him? Honestly, just fire that guard!!"
"Mm. What is it, Sister Inis? I’m about to have breakfast... You want me to recommend a good cake shop after the conference? First, the conference has to be a success. ...You want me to take you even if it fails? No. Success is the condition."
The diplomatic wives are even busier. Ever since the dignitaries arrived, they haven't had a moment of rest, constantly dealing with reports and work unless they’re sleeping. It’s a good thing, as the kings are enjoying their time in Weed, but it has caused their workload to skyrocket.
And the most precarious situation of all...
"Ah, yes. Yes. Again? ...Understood. I will head over as soon as I finish breakfast. Please have the three of them ready as planned."
That was Shera, speaking to Kagura and her group. Kagura has brought representatives from the nations of the New Continent. Unlike the situation with Findar, where we engaged in battle and installed a massive Gate in the royal capital, many of them still harbor deep distrust toward Weed.