第７５９堀：大会議を見守る者たち (Part1)
**Chapter 759: Those Who Watch Over the Grand Conference**
**Side: Taiki**
It has already been four days since the Intercontinental Exchange Declaration was announced, yet the nations connected by Weed and the Gates remain in an uproar. It is still a festival-like frenzy. Well, the Grand Conference hasn't concluded yet, so that is only natural, I suppose.
As I thought this, I looked out from the terrace at the bustling castle town of Ranks.
"Well, I'm riding the wave of this festival myself, so I suppose I'm no different."
I, too, had jumped on the bandwagon of the festivities to boost the vitality of Ranks. The participants of this Grand Conference are primarily the major powers, but many smaller nations have also visited to witness the declaration. According to reports, some fool without an entry ticket tried to force their way in. What a massive blunder to make at such a high-stakes conference. That idiot is bound for ruin.
Ah, for the record, the smaller nations were also granted priority entry tickets through the major powers, so under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be stopped at the gates like that. In other words, the incident at the entrance was caused by a fool who just wanted to show off. Since they are a noble of such low standing, getting their house dissolved would be a lucky outcome. At worst, it’s execution.
"Is it really that important to be at the site of that declaration?"
"Naturally. To hear that declaration in person is a great honor, is it not?"
When I muttered that, a voice answered from behind. I turned to see the Captain of the Royal Guard, Ruth, and his wife, Airi, standing there.
"Well, I suppose Lord Taiki only sees it as a tiring ordeal," Airi said with a laugh.
She knows me all too well. I understand what Ruth means, but as for me, I prefer to spend my time in peace; hearing the reports is enough.
"Still, it would be meaningless if you had your house destroyed for the sake of that 'honor,' wouldn't it?"
"Ah, are you referring to that incident? Lord Dest of Litea was quite troubled by it."
"Lady Alstaire was as well," Airi added.
"…Did both of you meet with the people from Litea?"
"Yes. We exchanged brief greetings while His Majesty was chatting with Yuki-sama."
"As expected, it would be impossible to meet with those from other continents, but we made sure to greet the dignitaries of the major powers on this continent. Even you, Lord Taiki, greeted the King of Gartz, did you not?"
"That’s true… I caused so much trouble regarding Bicks, after all. But is it really okay for me to go around greeting other major powers? I don't want to be glared at by the other small nations."
The goal of this Grand Conference is for the major powers to determine the policy to a certain extent. If a small nation shows its face there, it’s highly likely to earn the resentment of other small nations. Well, conversely, they might be seen as having potential, but you never know how things will turn out.
"In that regard, His Majesty is the Hero King, so I believe there is no issue."
"Indeed. I doubt there is anyone on the Rogari continent who would insult Lord Taiki by calling him merely a king of a small nation."
"That’s exactly the problem…"
I am still called the "Hero King" in the streets. That includes the people of the major powers. Once the intercontinental exchange begins, I can already picture Yuki-sama suppressing a laugh while explaining, *"This is the Hero King of Ranks, Taiki-dono. Pfft..."*
In terms of combat strength, I don't even reach the level of Yuki-sama’s wives, so it’s incredibly embarrassing to have a name I can't live up to. Nevertheless, Ranks exists because of my name, so I can't exactly stop using it.
"Regardless of what name you are called by, it does not change what you have accomplished, Taiki-dono. You should be happy that you are being evaluated for it."
The one who said this as he stepped onto the terrace was…
"Bicks… no, is that tone of voice Uesugi Terutora-san?"
"Indeed. The girl herself is tired from yesterday’s patrol, so I am making use of her body today."
It was Uesugi Terutora-san, who had borrowed Bicks's body when the Kingdom of Swords and Ranks were at odds. I don't know if he is the "real" one, but he is the very person who calls himself the incarnation of Bishamonten—the original *chuunibyou* warlord, Uesugi Kenshin. Since that incident, he has been enjoying this other world as Bicks's instructor, my bodyguard, and a monitor for the anti-Hero King faction.
"I mean, Bicks actually doing patrols seriously… I still can't believe it."
Since that incident, Bicks has been taught the reality of things thoroughly by Terutora-san, but I’m surprised that selfish princess has made it this far. I fully expected her to give up halfway through.
"People change. Of course, some do not. However, it will be interesting to see if she can raise the flag of rebellion against you, Taiki-dono, at this rate."
"Don't even suggest that. If there's another civil war, I won't just be glared at by Yuki-sama—I'll be targeted by the Intercontinental Alliance. If the citizens start fleeing, it'll be a disaster."
"Well, that was the agreement from the start. However, if this girl prioritizes revenge, I will lend my strength to that cause. I prioritize the feelings of my host."
"You're quite principled, aren't you? Where did your sense of justice go?"
"It is not 'Great Justice,' but it is justice for this girl. That said, I do not wish to make an enemy of Weed, either."
"Terutora-san, for some reason, you always avoid Yuki-sama. Even back in the New Continent, there was talk of Bicks going, but in the end, it was Ruth."
At the time, I said it was because Bicks wasn't ready and couldn't be trusted, and that she needed to consolidate the hostile factions within Ranks, but the real reason was that Terutora-san was avoiding Yuki-sama.
"…Hmm. What you say is true, Taiki-dono. For some reason, I find that man named Yuki terrifying."
"Terrifying? Come to think of it, you said the same thing at the beginning."
"Indeed. He appears ordinary, yet he is not. He is unfathomable."
"Well, I mean, Yuki-sama is a Dungeon Master, after all."
Actually, he’s not just a Dungeon Master; he’s an otherworlder, and treated as a direct subordinate of Luna-sama, who is a High God. His standing is higher than even the lesser gods of this world. If his true identity were revealed, it wouldn't just be "troublesome." He might be treated as a madman—or, well, some people already believe in him, but it would certainly cause chaos.
However, Terutora-san’s intuition seemed to be different, as he shook his head slowly.
"That is not it. Well, I am simply avoiding him. From what I have seen so far, I know he is a person who can be trusted. I honestly acknowledge that what he is doing is magnificent. But still… it is merely my own personal sensation."
Ah, so it’s just a personal clash of temperaments. That happens. Sometimes, as a person, you just don't click with someone.
"But, my apologies. Setting that aside, Taizo-dono and Hifi-dono have arrived."
"Hm? Taizo-san and the others? Ah, is it about the Grand Conference?"
"That, and they seem to want to hear about the current state of our respective continents and nations."
"I see. Well, they probably want to know if there have been any developments on the fourth day of the conference."
With that, we headed off to meet Taizo-san and Hifi-san.
"Taiki-kun, sorry to bother you while you're busy."
"Hero King-dono. Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule."
The two of them welcomed me together in the conference room. They are a perfectly matched couple, completely in sync.
"No, it's fine. A king's work during a festival is mostly just preparation, the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony, and then the cleanup."
"I suspect you are doing all of that, though."
"Aren't you the same, Taizo-san?"
When I replied with that, there was a moment of silence, and then we both laughed.
"We both have it rough, don't we?"
"Indeed. But it’s nothing compared to Yuki-sama."
"Ah. He must be incredibly busy right now. He is doing something that will go down in history. But we cannot leave it all to him."
"Yes. It is only natural to help Yuki-sama. So, where shall we begin?"
Taizo-san and I have both been taken care of by Yuki-sama so much that we couldn't possibly refuse to help during such a busy time. Besides, this Intercontinental Exchange Declaration is a welcome development for us as well. I have no intention of sparing any effort to maintain it.
Ah, though I would like to avoid "black company" working hours. As I was thinking such trivial things, Taizo-san opened his mouth.
"Indeed. First, let's talk about our respective nations. Since both the Hifi Holy Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ranks are participating in the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, how is the state of the festivals that began three days ago to celebrate the Intercontinental Exchange Declaration?"