第７５２堀：未来の為に 色々な意味で (Part2)
"Hmph." I puffed out my chest, feeling a sense of self-importance. As I mulled over Yuki's words, it dawned on me: he wanted me to continue acting as a bridge for Enaria, just like the other wives, while supporting Weed and Yuki himself.
To be treated properly as a woman...
Hmm. Thinking about it calmly, it wasn't a bad deal. In fact, if things went that way, I’d be settling down in Weed permanently. And being one of Yuki's close aides? That would be paradise.
Alright, career change decided. Though, nominally, I’d still be an Enarian diplomat, of course.
"Why are you suddenly looking so happy? Just a moment ago, you were in a foul mood after hearing what His Majesty and the others had to say."
"Oh, you know. I just got off the bus and felt the weight of those complaints lift off my shoulders. I was just smiling at the thought of how fun things will be once the exchanges with Weed start."
I spat out a plausible lie on the spot. If I told Prism, "So long, you spinster, I'm getting married," I’d surely be killed. Even with a physique like mine, I still had an interest in a woman's happiness. I had just assumed it wasn't in the cards for me in my previous environment.
Let's calm down. I hadn't received a definitive word from Yuki yet. If I made a blunder at this conference, it could all fall through.
"Alright, time to get fired up!"
"Whoa!? What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"W-what’s the matter?"
"Hm? Nothing. Just psyching myself up. Besides, the folks from the other countries on the If Continent have arrived, so we should go greet them. It wouldn't do for the Magic Sword Users and Holy Sword Users representing their nations to stay hidden."
"Huh? Hey, wait a minute!"
"General Agil!?"
With that, I decided the best course of action was to improve my standing with Yuki's wives by greeting the diplomats and spouses leading the other If Continent delegations. Having Prism and Light with me would provide the perfect pretext for a "Magic Sword User" greeting.
"Hey there, Marly."
"Hm? What is it? Agil and the others?"
I immediately called out to Marly, the Wind Sword Princess known as a battle junkie. In other words, my subordinate...
"General Agil. Thank you for your hard work. How is Enaria?"
Approaching me was Jessica, one of Yuki's wives. Well, since the others were high-ranking nobles or children of court magicians, their positions were all a bit complicated. I figured it was best to start with Jessica, a fellow knight, so I approached the Zilba group. Of course, there was also the calculated assumption that Marly wouldn't think too deeply about it.
"Since then, the royal family and the church have been getting along well. The anxiety has been resolved, so I'm relieved. It helped that you stood up for Light over there."
"What of it? If that’s all it takes to end the war, I’d do it any number of times. The folks from the other countries feel the same. Right?"
Marly said this while looking behind me.
"Indeed. It’s not as if we desire conflict, either."
"From the start, we were only fighting to protect our citizens. Peace is the greatest possible outcome."
"It took a long time to get here, though."
"That’s true. It really has been a long time."
Doge of Roday, Laraina of August, Kishua of Ex, and Kaya of White Forest—the Magic Sword Users of each nation were all gathered. It seemed everyone was in favor of this intercontinental exchange. No one killed people or attacked villages and towns because they enjoyed it; they only did so because of various conflicting interests.
And as Kishua and Kaya said, it had been a long road. It wasn't just my life; this chain of conflict had existed long before I was even born. Holding this intercontinental exchange conference meant that the history of war on the If Continent was finally coming to a close.
"That said, there are still small nations opposed to the formation of this If Continent Alliance and the Three-Continent Alliance. Don't get too relaxed and end up getting yourself killed."
"I don't need to hear that from you, Marly."
"Now, now, General Prism. It would be a laughingstock if we died after this conference was a success, so I’m sure she’s just worried."
"General Doge is right. If we were to fall in battle, it would truly be a farce. It might even become the cause of renewed chaos."
"Well, let's just keep our guard up and promise to meet here again, shall we?"
"Hah, Kishua, you never change. Regardless, the point is not to act rashly. We still have a long way to go."
As Kaya said, the road ahead was still long. This conference wouldn't solve everything. We—or rather, everyone participating in the alliance—had to cooperate to build tomorrow. There was only so much one person could do.
That was precisely why...
"Jessica. I might be in your care from here on out."
"Yes. I, for one, would welcome it. Though, I suppose the question is how you'll explain it to those around you to get them to understand."
I decided that, of my own volition, I would help him. Still, as Jessica said, what should I tell Prism? No, "work" would be a fine enough reason... the biggest problem was that Prism would be the only one left on the shelf.
And so, I began to worry about that.
At this point, Agil prepared herself for a career change. Well, exactly what will happen to Agil hasn't been decided yet. Even so, I do want talent. It’s a real dilemma, isn't it?