第８４１堀：それぞれの仕事 (Part1)
### Chapter 841: Their Respective Duties
Side: Yuki
"…And so, I’d like to ask General Agil and Comet-san to cooperate with the lectures."
That was what Kagura had suddenly proposed.
Well, I understand the logic. As far as I know, the two of them are the leading authorities on magic and magical research. It makes perfect sense that including them might lead to some progress in teaching magic to the Sea-Cypho Kingdom.
It makes perfect sense, but…
"I won't get in the way."
"Indeed. I’m quite interested in Haiden’s magical education."
Agil and Comet declared this with exceptionally pleasant smiles. To an outsider, they might look like nothing more than enthusiastic researchers, but…
"You two are just bored, aren't you?"
"Oh my, whatever could you mean? By the way, I’ve finished the weapon maintenance properly."
"Exactly. We’re offering to cooperate with Kagura and the others only after finishing our work, you see? There’s no way we’re just 'bored,' is there?"
"…Fine, whatever. Just make sure you don't get in their way. Also, help them select the personnel to be sent to the Haiden Magic Academy."
"That was our intention from the start."
"Precisely. Strengthening the Sea-Cypho Kingdom’s military power is essential, after all."
*Sigh.* These geniuses will do whatever they want regardless of what I force them to do. It’s better to just let them help without saying anything unnecessary.
"Understood. But, I’ll say it again: don’t get in Kagura and the others' way."
" "HAHAHA! We wouldn't dream of it!" "
These two are hopeless. They’re liable to start conducting human experiments for fun. Why is it that even with such pleasant smiles, their credibility is absolutely zero? Agil is a general, so I can still trust her to an extent, but Comet…
"Kagura, Mikos, Solo—if these two start acting out, let me know immediately. Got it?"
"Ah, sure."
"Um, Yuki-sensei, I really don't think Agil-san and Comet-san would do anything so reckless or foolish…"
"…Did something happen?"
"No, it’s just that those smiles of theirs are untrustworthy."
" "How rude!?" "
The mad scientists seemed to say something, but I ignored them. I had something more important to confirm with Kagura.
"It’s a bit late to ask, but Kagura, are you alright?"
"Eh?"
Kagura made a strange sound at my sudden question. Ah, I skipped ahead too much.
"My bad. Shera-chan flew all the way to the deck, didn't she? Did you get hurt at all during that? Of course, that goes for Mikos and Solo, too."
"Ah, yeah. I’m fine… I just got splashed with some fishy seawater."
"Mikos-chan was fine, too."
"I’m alright as well."
Only one victim out of three. Still, the fact remains that there was a victim, and being doused in fishy seawater is a fatal blow for a woman. I heard from Milly that they went to the bath, and it’s my responsibility that they had to go through that trouble right before starting their work.
"I’m sorry. I’ll have Aslin give Shera-chan a proper talking-to."
That damn fish. What is she doing, causing trouble for Kagura right before she’s supposed to start a lecture? She’s going to invite complaints not just from the Sea-Cypho side, but from Haiden as well. That said, I can’t give her a punishment that would render her combat-ineffective. She is, after all, the captain and supervisor of the First Undersea Guerrilla Unit.
"It’s okay. I can’t say 'don't worry about it' given my position, but… yeah. Your sincerity came through, Yuki, so I’ll keep this between us."
"I appreciate that."
If Kagura had insisted on protesting to the higher-ups, it would have become a significant issue. Seriously, once this is all over, I’m going to turn that fish into salted grilled mackerel! Though, since she’s a bone-fish, there probably isn't anything edible on her.
"Besides, it would be a problem if I caused a scene just because I got splashed with seawater."
"No, you’re the victim here. Though, I suppose you have your own circumstances, too."
"Yes. We have our circumstances. Truly…"
As Kagura said that, Mikos and Solo nodded in unison. The hardships of middle management, I suppose.
"Regardless, it’s a fact that you were inconvenienced. I know it’s hard to complain politically, so if you have any personal requests, I’ll grant them."
" "Really!?" "
They latched onto that immediately.
"Then, um…"
"Yuki-sensei, Mikos-chan would like…"
*Grab!*
Just as I thought that, Solo grabbed the two of them firmly from behind and said with a smile…
"Alright, seniors. It’s time to get to work. Agil-san, Comet-san, let’s go."
" "…Yes." "
" "Yes, ma'am!" "
With that, she led the four of them away. Wow, that was quite intense. I saw a side of Solo I hadn't expected.
"She might actually be well-suited to being the group leader."
"Well, she probably just thought they were being annoying."
"It is work time, after all."
I see. Solo must have felt it was imprudent for the two of them to be making personal requests to me while they were supposed to be on the clock. Solo attended the Magic Academy despite being a commoner, so she must be disciplined in that regard. She’s what you’d call street-smart.
"Well, I should ask Solo if she wants anything, too. If I don't make up for this properly, it’ll come back to bite me later."
"True. It’s a fact that Kagura and the others are working hard."
"Not just as diplomats, but as magical instructors for the Sea-Cypho Kingdom, too. It’s tough."
Even though Haiden’s Magic Academy will accept them after the personnel are selected, Kagura and the others have to do the selecting themselves. It’s not really Kagura’s place to judge whether a regular soldier is useful or not, but I understand that Princess Carrie is thinking about various things. She probably wants Kagura to gain experience. She wants her to develop the ability to judge people.
I need to show my appreciation, including for that. As I was thinking about this, a communication came through.
『From Ship One to Carrier Lilishe. Please respond.』
"Connect it."
As Dressa said that, an image appeared on the entire monitor. Viria was on screen, with Maran, who had been our opponent in the mock battle the other day, standing beside her.
"Did something happen?"
『According to Captain Maran’s report, we are nearing the designated sea area.』
"That’s earlier than scheduled. Was there that much speed?"
『Captain Maran says that because the carrier took the lead, it acted as a windbreak. Isn't that right?』
At Viria’s prompt, Captain Maran spoke up.
『Yes. As Viria-dono says, the carrier acted as a windbreak against the headwind, and by drawing in the wind from behind, it created a tailwind, allowing us to arrive earlier than usual.』
"I see. Understood. As planned, we will sail for another hour and then anchor. We will begin the survey of the sea area and the search for monsters. All ships, prepare yourselves."
『Yes!』
Viria replied crisply.
『Okay~』
Hiiro replied lazily.
『Yes.』
『Understood.』
Amanda and Eoid replied together. These two are participating at Popuri’s request. Of course, they’ve been training, so even if they aren't on par with Viria or Hiiro, they won't lose easily.
By the way, it’s Maran’s fleet that is accompanying us on this survey. They were so impressed by the mock battle that they volunteered to become our escort fleet. It’s only three ships, but they’ve provided valuable strength and are accompanying us on this voyage.
Originally, we had planned for the returning Third Fleet to join us, but they were half-destroyed. According to the testimony of the returning Third Fleet, one ship was heavily damaged in an engagement with sea monsters and had to be abandoned. Half of the crew who fled into the sea were eaten by the monsters. Because of that, the Sea-Cypho Third Fleet has been sent to the docks, and most of the personnel are on leave. Some of them have even said they never want to go out to sea again.
Well, I can’t blame them. To see your comrades eaten in the sea and still say you’re willing to go back out—you’d have to have nerves of steel for that.