第７６５堀：各大陸の様子 下 (Part2)
Ria was cautioned about that, but I had to agree that the image of Kagura and the others was much stronger in my mind. Well, we had been summoned to the New Continent alongside Yuki and had gone through quite a lot, but since the people we primarily interacted with were Kagura or Catherine, the recognition of "Haiden" remained rather thin.
Ah, was the recognition of the Findar Empire any stronger? They were the enemy that had been invading Baide, after all.
As for the Haire Religion... thanks to Enora—or rather, Hairen—the impression was somewhat faint.
And Aquenoki had been nothing more than a fool in front of Yuki...
While I was lost in such thoughts, I noticed someone standing at the end of the corridor ahead.
"Ah, Yuki. No, Yuki-sama. We have been waiting for you."
" "Yuki-sensei, we have been waiting for you." "
Kagura and the others bowed as they greeted Yuki and us.
"Did something happen?"
"No. It is almost time for your arrival, so we were here to welcome you."
"Has the conference settled down?"
"Yes. Well, there are few participating nations, after all."
"Indeed. That is why we were here to greet you."
I see. So the discussions have already been wrapped up.
The reason it went so quickly is that there are only two nations and one religion participating; since they aren't in a state of considering the entire continent, perhaps that part is easier? Or is it that the difficult issues are being pushed aside, making things harder in the future?
While I was thinking about that, we entered the conference room designated for the New Continent.
Inside, the King of Haiden, the King of Findar, and the Archbishop of Haire were huddled together.
Why did I describe it like that? Well... it’s not as if we prepared a separate room for each continent; the space is large enough to accommodate up to ten nations, so with only three participating, it felt cavernous.
Thinking about how to make the conference easier to conduct, the three nations had chosen to sit close together, which only made the room feel even more spacious.
"Yuki-dono, thank you for coming. It’s a lonely conference room, though."
"Indeed. I was getting bored after the conference ended. We must increase the number of participating nations."
"Well, it cannot be helped for now."
It seems the users of this room also felt the loneliness of the space; not only the kings but the dignitaries waiting in the back nodded in agreement.
Well, it is a conference room that can hold 150 people, and only about 45 seats were filled.
With space prepared for 15 participants per country, it certainly felt desolate.
Let us hope that one day, these seats in the New Continent's section will be filled as well.
"I heard from Kagura and Princess Stasia that the conference has already concluded. I will ask just in case, but are there any requests or issues?"
While I was lost in such impressions, Yuki promptly moved the conversation forward.
The Intercontinental Exchange Conference is almost upon us, so it couldn't be helped.
The flow until now had been: the opening ceremony, the declaration of the conference, briefings on the current status of each continent, adjustments through individual country meetings, the continental conferences, and then us making the rounds to confirm everything. Only after all that does the Intercontinental Exchange Conference finally begin.
I realized just how naive I had been to think that holding the Intercontinental Exchange Conference would be the end of it.
Well, that is precisely why I know I can rely on Yuki. Yes, that is my Yuki for you.
"No, there is nothing in particular."
"We would be grateful if things proceed according to these documents. Once the matter with the Seasypho Kingdom is settled, various talks will likely progress, but this is the limit for now."
"Yes. There are many things we must prepare for, and unlike the countries of the Rogali and If continents, our continent still shows signs of turmoil."
Indeed, as Archbishop Enora said, the New Continent has yet to unify and remains burdened with problems.
In that sense, the nations of the New Continent cannot yet fully commit to trade.
If something happens, their supplies would be taken away, so having the supplies move according to the documents is actually a relief.
"Understood. We will proceed with the New Continent as per the documents. Is there anything you would like special consideration for?"
"Reinforcements in the event of a war with Aquenoki or the Seasypho Kingdom."
"Ah. First, we want that clarified."
"Yes. That will be our nation's security guarantee."
"Understood. I intended to discuss that as originally planned, so leave it to me."
For the nations of the New Continent, they want a guarantee of defensive power using this Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
The movements of each country are still unknown. Or rather, the country was devastated thanks to Aquenoki.
Well, with that, we finished hearing about the state of each continent, and the Intercontinental Conference was finally about to begin.
The If continent certainly has some ambition, but for the sake of their own country, it is something that cannot be helped.
Still, they don't seem as unreasonable as King Roday.
And surprisingly, the New Continent is quite docile.
Well, there is still the anxiety that things might fall into chaos again.
Thus, the final confirmation was completed.
And finally, the Intercontinental Exchange Conference began.
Though, the main point of the conference is just to talk through the planned agenda and sign the papers.
It’s just necessary for the sake of the performance.