第７８４堀：笑顔の裏 (Part2)
That wasn't the original reason I came here today, so I got straight to stating my request.
The request itself wasn't particularly difficult, so neither King Haiden nor Princess Carrie had any real objections.
Well, it was just a matter of asking for 20% of the monetary value of whatever was discovered.
"Hmm. Well, it feels a bit cheap, but that’s as far as it goes for now. My apologies, but would you mind accompanying Carrie on her request for cooperation?"
"Yes. That was my intention from the start. However, when is the Sea-Saifo reconstruction support army expected to arrive?"
"We have messengers riding hard as we speak. Once they start moving, it will take thirty days at most."
"Even including that travel time, the three months we were told has become two and a half. Was that initial three-month estimate for travel between nations? Or was it the time until they reached the royal capital?"
"No, it normally takes three months for travel between nations. One and a half months is abnormal. It’s hard to think of it as anything other than them having started their movement before they even heard our answer."
"So, there’s no chance of a misunderstanding regarding the distance, then?"
"They might even be doing this to test our response. To confirm that we are properly maintaining control down here, perhaps."
"Well, that is a possibility. Regardless, having only thirty days to prepare for their arrival is quite severe under current circumstances."
Yuki-san was being quite diplomatic, but the truth is, there is no way to prepare for the arrival of 10,000 soldiers in just one month—thirty days.
For Weed, it would be perfectly feasible, but this is Haiden.
Just moving the necessary supplies is a monumental task.
Since the goal is reconstruction support, the response only needs to be the bare minimum, but ignoring them too much would be seen as an insult by Haiden.
"Indeed. If we don't secure cooperation immediately, we won't be able to prepare for their arrival. Carrie, I leave it to you."
"Yes. Leave it to me. Yuki-sama, if I can have the assistance of Princess Stasia and Bishop Enora, I will show you that I can secure their cooperation in no time."
Princess Carrie wore a lovely smile as she said that.
It seems this request for cooperation is going to include a bit of venting.
Princess Carrie truly has a fascinating personality.
King Haiden must have sensed it too, as he offered a wry smile...
"Keep it within reason. You don't want to build up too much resentment toward yourself, do you?"
"Yes, you are quite right. However, they are damaging the national interest, so a little bit of retaliation is acceptable. Surely they wouldn't dare refuse to cooperate with Yuki-sama, Stasia-oneesama, or Enora? I’m simply going to ask them why they refused earlier."
"Make sure you relay their excuses to me properly. There might be room for extenuating circumstances."
"Yes, of course. I’m sure some of them truly found it difficult to cooperate. I will keep a record and deliver it to you, Your Majesty."
It’s true that not everyone who hesitated to cooperate did so out of malice.
Still, looking at Princess Carrie’s expression...
"Now, everyone. I apologize for the suddenness, but would you mind joining me?"
She was beaming with a full, radiant smile.
"...Princess? Why do you look so happy?"
Perhaps she was fearless, or perhaps driven by a sense of duty as a subordinate, but Kagura-san steeled herself and asked Princess Carrie the reason for that smile.
"Because it’s obvious, isn't it? If I go with Yuki-sama and the others, the time I have to spend on those fools will be reduced. Ah, I can't wait to hear what kind of excuses they come up with."
"..."
Princess Carrie said that with genuine delight.
She must have been holding back quite a lot of frustration...
As King Haiden and Yuki-san—and even I—recoiled at her demeanor, Aslin and Feeria moved closer to her.
"Carrie-oneechan, it’s okay. Aslin and the others are with you."
"That’s right. You don't have to make such a sad face."
"...You're right. I have such kind, reliable people by my side."
Saying that, Princess Carrie embraced Aslin and Feeria.
...It’s only natural. She is only a little older than me, so it’s impossible that she wouldn't feel the weight of such a grueling situation.
With no one to help her, she had been struggling all on her own; she must have been crying behind that smile all this time.
"Alright, I feel energized now. Let’s go execute those idiots quickly."
"No, I said keep it peaceful."
Still, it’s a fact that she was angry behind that smile.
Princess Carrie has been doing her absolute best until today, and she will continue to do so.
Well, from now on, she has Aslin and the others, so she is invincible.
Now then, I wonder how exactly those who refused to cooperate will be "executed"...