第７９９堀：頑張る時 (Part1)
Chapter 799: Time to Give It My All
Side: Dressa
"……Why am I even here?"
As I muttered that, Vilia and Hiiro immediately chimed in.
"What are you saying? You were the one who said you wanted to be useful to Brother, weren't you, Dressa?"
"Time to be useful to Brother. Do your best, Big Sister Dressa."
"No, I mean, I’m not exactly an expert on monsters. What I said was about matters concerning the sea……"
For some reason, I—no, we—were currently at the Adventurer Guild’s archives, accompanying the group to research the monsters that General Lake and his men were fighting.
I mean, I *was* helping with the research, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was completely out of place.
"If you're going to say that, then we’re even more clueless."
"Kagura, you’re a diplomat mediating between the Sea-Cypho Kingdom and Weed, aren't you? Besides, Baide has a port that utilizes the lake, so you should know a fair bit, right?"
"The lord of Baide is Lady Catherine. Unfortunately, I’m just a student from a different city. I know nothing about Baide’s port or their fishing methods. Besides, speaking of which, Dressa, you were a princess of a country that held the sea as its territory, weren't you?"
"I only know a little bit about the sea; I’m not a fisherman by trade. If that’s the case, as Kagura said, we should have just called Catherine……"
I had impulsively offered to help because I wanted to be useful to Yuki and because I loved the sea, but I didn't have the skills of a true expert, and the expectations from Vilia and the others were so high that I was starting to feel a bit discouraged.
"Why are you saying that now? Yuki doesn't expect that kind of thing from you, Dressa."
"Eh?"
Labyris had approached me at some point and said something that dealt me a massive shock.
Yuki doesn't expect anything from me?
Does he hate me?
That can't be……
Just as tears were about to well up in my eyes……
"Labyris. That way of putting it is a bit misleading."
"Labyris-chan, you can't say that. Dressa-chan looks like she’s about to cry."
"You should say it a bit more gently."
Shera and the others were defending me?
Misleading? What did she mean?
"Oh, I’m sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Dressa, your job isn't to be the expert."
"What do you mean?"
"Yuki wants you to be the leader—the representative—for the marine survey."
"Huh? There’s no way I could serve as a representative……"
"You can. You were a princess once, weren't you? Your lineage is more than sufficient. Besides, you show leadership in your daily work, don't you? We can all fill in for whatever you lack. Actually, when it comes to paperwork, you can handle it better than most adults. You did plenty of that in your work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, right?"
"……Talent aside, I have to agree with you on the paperwork front."
That was a reason I could accept more than anything else.
While they gave a wry smile at how easily I was convinced, Shera continued……
"Besides, when we need to ask for support from various departments, we need someone who is acquainted with everyone and can talk to them easily……"
"Ah, that would be Dressa rather than me."
"Big Sister Dressa has no reservations."
"No, Hiiro, you’re the same way."
"I can't make Hiiro the representative, though. She’s too small and cute."
"Fufu. Hiiro is cute."
Hiiro’s smug face irritated me, but I didn't have time to deal with her.
"I understand. If that’s the case, I have no choice. This 'mere' Dressa will take on the job."
"Aren't you going to use your title as a princess?"
"I wouldn't go that far. If I used that title, the former subjects who are now in the Ex Kingdom would be confused. That’s not my intention."
"I see. Then I won't say anything more. If you run into any trouble, don't hesitate to ask. I’ll help you."
"Yes. Please leave it to me."
"I’ll help you, Dressa-chan!"
"I will help too. I will be useful to Brother."
"Alright. Let’s do our best!! Ooh!!"
"Ooh!!"
Just as we were all getting fired up……
"I’m glad you’re motivated, but this is an archive, you know."
"Ah, I’m sorry."
I realized Yuki was standing right next to us, giving us a warning.
……Why am I stumbling right from the start?
As I fell into a bit of self-loathing, General Lake and his men seemed to notice us.
"Ho. So that young lady is the one who will be in charge?"
He stopped what he was doing and approached us. He seemed like a gentle old man, and his gait was steady. But that wasn't all. One look at his sun-tanned skin made it obvious: this old man was a true man of the sea. An active one, at that. He was the type of man I had seen many times in my own country—someone who lived by the sea.
He seemed to realize the same about me, and after looking me over thoroughly……
"……I see. You have lived by the sea as well, young lady."
"Yes, Mr. Lake. Though I am a woman, I have lived my life by the sea. By the appointment of Lord Yuki, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of the marine survey for the Sea-Cypho Kingdom."
As I said that and bowed, I heard one of General Lake’s subordinates mutter:
"A girl like that is the person in charge of our Sea-Cypho Kingdom’s marine survey? Is he joking?"
"It’s impossible for a little girl to know anything about the sea."
"Putting a woman on a ship, let alone a warship……"
The words of denial reached my ears. Since the Sea-Cypho Kingdom is on the New Continent, they must have strong patriarchal views. Well, I was fully aware that I was just a "little girl," and I understood their dissatisfaction with me being in charge, so I remained silent……
"Refrain from such insolent remarks."
"Yes, sir!"
Before I even had to endure it, General Lake reprimanded them.
"I understand how you feel, but this is Weed. It is a different country on a different continent. The common sense here is naturally different from ours. There is a proper reason why this young lady was chosen. Isn't that right, Lord Yuki?"
"Yes, of course. Well, as you can probably tell from her demeanor and conduct, she comes from a distinguished house. Due to various circumstances, she is lending us her strength. It is inevitable that she might appear frail at first glance, but as for her connections, you can see that for yourselves by looking at us."
"I see. It is rare to find someone who can speak directly to Lord Yuki and his people. So, if we cannot reach Lord Yuki, we should consult her, is that it?"
I was grateful he defended me, but being seen as that kind of person made me nervous. However, if I didn't respond clearly here, General Lake’s subordinates would remain uneasy. A leader sometimes has to suppress their own anxiety and show that they are capable, even when they are unsure!!
"Yes. As you can see, I am physically frail, but I have deep ties with Lord Yuki and his companions. And since I was born of the sea, I can say with confidence that I will be of service to everyone in the Sea-Cypho Kingdom."
I bluffed and faced General Lake. He stared back at me intently.
"……"
Neither of us looked away. If I ran from this gaze, I would just be a little girl. I didn't want that. For Yuki’s sake, I would absolutely not look away.
"Good eyes. Straight and clear."
After we held each other's gaze for a while, General Lake said that, looked away from me, and turned toward Yuki.
"However, if I see any problems with her ability, I will have her replaced immediately. The field is a great place to raise young people, but it is also the place where lives are most easily lost."