第８７９堀：ウィード大会議 (Part2)
"Ah, about the conditions. First, we’ll set a budget cap for the gifts. This is out of consideration for nations currently exhausted by war or financial hardship. There’s no need for them to drain their national treasuries for this. Well, they’ll have to use their wits instead, but the conditions are the same for every country. It’s not about financial power, but about what they choose to present. That way, no nation will have to feel ashamed."
"I see. I’m grateful for that. The Princess was happy about the talk of our marriage itself, but she was agonizing over how to scrape together the budget for it."
I see. Kagura’s Hayden and Stasia’s Findar have taken quite a hit because of the Akenoki, and under normal circumstances, small nations simply cannot afford the same kinds of gifts as the great powers. If they forced themselves to keep up appearances, it wouldn’t be impossible, but the result would be crushing taxes on their people. It’s not a laughing matter. The thought that people might suffer under heavy taxes for the sake of Kagura’s wedding—and the fact that I can’t even tell my husband that no country would be so foolish—is frustrating.
While I was thinking about this, my husband began the next topic.
"Next, I’ll have each country set up stalls. No, wait, that might be too many. Two shops per great power should be the limit."
"Huh? Wait a minute. Where in this flow of conversation did we decide that the great powers would be setting up stalls? This is a wedding celebration, isn't it?"
"Exactly. That’s why it’s a golden opportunity. Right, Ratz?"
My husband looked toward Ratz as he said this.
"Ah—I see. So, we’re going to use this to boost the name recognition of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance all at once. And while we’re at it, show them that there are all sorts of delicious things on other continents. And it’s a way for the general public to deepen their interactions, isn't it?"
"Ah, I see. It’s true that while there are travelers passing through Weed to the Commercial District or the Betaan of the If Continent, you couldn't exactly call the numbers high. Even though many foreigners come to Weed, it’s not like there’s a massive influx of travelers between the great powers or across continents. So, this is the chance to make the Intercontinental Alliance a reality in both name and substance."
With Eris following up on Ratz’s explanation, I finally understood what my husband was aiming for. If it were just the Intercontinental Exchange Conference, it would be nothing more than a stiff meeting for the bigwigs. There would be some festive atmosphere, sure, but that would be it. But by adding stalls for the general public from each great power to the wedding, the participants wouldn't be limited to nobles or merchants. The people living in this world would truly feel the reality of intercontinental exchange.
"That’s right. Well, as for the stalls, food and maybe some small souvenirs would be best. Actually, now that I think about it, rather than stalls just for the wedding, it might be better to build a large-scale commercial facility where shops from each country are gathered. A shopping mall project."
"That’s a great idea!! That—wait, but wouldn't that end up like Japan? Where the local shopping streets end up deserted because of it..."
I thought it was a good plan, but for some reason, Taiki, after agreeing at first, looked a bit troubled. Deserted shopping streets? What does he mean?
"Dear, what is Taiki talking about?"
"Hm? Ah, well, it’s a common occurrence in Japan—or any world, really. People naturally flock to where there’s a wide variety of goods. And the places that stay in their old forms end up fading away. If you build a large shopping mall..."
"The people who make a living selling local goods in small ways would be driven out of business, you mean. That’s no good. You’d invite nothing but resentment if you did that."
"Ah, wait, wait. What Taiki is talking about applies to private commercial enterprises. The purpose and direction here are different."
"What do you mean?"
"The reason shopping malls caused shopping streets to go under on Earth was that the products they handled overlapped completely. You understand, right, Ratz?"
"I see. This is strictly to make the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance known, so the products handled will basically not overlap. So, there won't be any fighting over customers."
Ah, I see.
"This time, it’s just about bringing together the specialty products of each country. Plus, we’ll limit the number of shops, so it won't pressure the merchants of each country. Well, we’ll build a model case in Weed first to identify any issues, and then build them in countries that have gates..."
"It becomes a profit for each country, too. Without stealing the market share from the local merchants."
"That’s it. I needed to show the citizens some clear, tangible benefits of the Intercontinental Exchange starting up anyway. We might as well make the most of it. If they’re going to spend money on a celebration for us, it’s better received if it’s used for the citizens through shops like that."
My husband said this with a bright smile. He really never misses an opportunity, even when he trips. I wonder how the various countries will judge my husband’s actions?
He is holding the Intercontinental Exchange Conference and the wedding all at once to trigger various information and actions. It’s a hassle to do them separately, after all. And by mixing in the wedding celebration, this fact will permeate all the countries in the alliance, reaching even the general public.
Taking steady, calculated steps—that is Yuki’s way. There is also the fact that doing things all at once is easier. Well, it’s a lot of work, but in reality, it’s common to bundle events together if they’re happening anyway.