第８８２堀：ご挨拶へ (Part1)
Chapter 882: Paying a Visit
Side: Yuki
"Well now, thank you for coming. I’m glad to hear everything went smoothly. And, congratulations on your marriage."
"Indeed. Kagura and Mikos looked quite happy as well."
The ones who welcomed us were the two top officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sota-san, and his wife and Vice Minister, Enoru-san. It seems Kagura and the others had already reported the results to them.
"Thank you. I apologize for the delay in paying my respects. Ideally, Kagura and Mikos should have come to greet you together with me, but..."
Kagura and Mikos were currently occupied with separate duties preparing for the Intercontinental Exchange Conference. I felt it was a bit rude not to be able to report to Sota-san and Enoru-san—who had taken such good care of us—alongside them, but...
"Nonsense, there’s no need to worry about that. You’ve come to greet us properly, even if it is separately."
"Indeed. In our case, we couldn't even manage a proper greeting back then. Just having that sentiment is more than enough. I’m sure they’ll offer their formal greetings on the big day, so I’m looking forward to that."
Ah, right. They couldn't even manage a proper greeting during their own time. Sota-san’s home was Japan, and Enoru-san was originally a wandering adventurer, after all.
"Yes. Please look forward to it. Kagura and the others are already picking out their dresses."
Of course, I planned to have both of them attend the wedding. I had that much covered. As I was thinking that...
"So, Yuki-kun. You didn't just come here today to report your marriage, did you?"
"That’s right. If you tell us you only came for the wedding greetings, I’m going to be angry."
"Haha, of course that’s not all. So, how are the preparations for the Intercontinental Exchange Conference coming along?"
Just as Sota-san said, there was no way I had come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just to report my marriage. I had come to check on the current situation with the overall supervisor of the Intercontinental Exchange Conference—the commander-in-chief, Sota-san.
"Well, despite some minor confusion regarding the shopping mall and the wedding celebrations, we have received confirmation that all nations will be participating."
"There isn't a single place that wouldn't come under these circumstances. If there is a problem, it’s that we’ve received numerous petitions from smaller nations wanting to participate in this conference as well."
"I thought as much."
"Well, it’s a natural reaction. Being able to participate in this conference means being recognized by the major powers. That said, just like last time, please have them only observe the proceedings."
"Understood. I will allow them to observe, but not to participate in the discussions. If I don't, things will certainly become unmanageable."
As Sota-san pointed out, there were countless small nations that wanted a say in this conference, but it was impossible. If we allowed that, it would take an incredible amount of time just for every country to voice their opinions. Therefore, we would only allow them to observe. The major powers of each continent would have to handle the coordination themselves.
Enoru-san seemed to understand this perfectly, nodding as she spoke.
"That is true. However, Yuki, there are exceptions to that, aren't there?"
"Of course. If it’s a nation that a major power can take responsibility for and introduce, that’s a different story. For example, the Kingdom of Saisifo, which is the subject of this conference."
If a nation is properly recognized by those around them, even a small country can participate in the conference. However, to actually make that possible, significant achievements are required. In the case of Saisifo, it was largely because there were few participating nations in the New Continent alliance, and they were already a major power respected in the region, as well as being a maritime nation that everyone was craving.
"Well, only when conditions like those of Saisifo are met do we discuss allowing direct participation in the alliance and the conference. As of now, those are the conditions for participating in the Intercontinental Exchange Conference. It’s a convenient precedent to explain."
"I see. So we are using this as a model."
"Hmm, hmm. It’s easier to proceed if there’s a precedent."
"Yes. With this, the major powers should have an excuse for the smaller nations. Well, I’ll explain that while I’m making my rounds."
Even Weed was dealing with this, so the major powers acting as direct intermediaries for the smaller nations must be having an even harder time. Reconfirming that was necessary. Since the official reason for my visit was to report the marriage, I likely wouldn't face much interference.
"I see. That saves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the trouble of explaining it ourselves, which is a big help."
"Even so, the need to issue an official document remains, doesn't it?"
"I would appreciate it if you could do that."
Relying solely on verbal explanations without official documents would be far too sloppy.
"Then, I will have the documents completed by tomorrow, and you can use them to make requests to each country."
"Understood. Then, I’ll go make my rounds in the New Continent first."
"Indeed, that would be best. Many of the small nations in the New Continent still aren't even aware of Weed's existence. It will be a long time before they start asking to participate in the conference."
With that decided, I headed off to the New Continent to pay my respects, contacted Kagura and the others, and prepared for the next day.
The following day, I first used a gate to travel to Baide...
"Yuki-sama. Congratulations on your marriage."
"Ah, thank you, Catherine."
The first to offer me her congratulations was the Lord of Baide, Catherine.
"I apologize for the delay in reporting this to you, Catherine."
"There is no need to apologize. I am but a vassal."
She was as earnest a female lord as ever. It felt like a lie that we had been enemies at the beginning. As I was thinking that, Catherine offered the same greeting to Stasia and Enora, who were beside me, before standing in front of Kagura and Mikos.
"Kagura-dono, Mikos-dono. No, I suppose I must call you Kagura-sama and Mikos-sama now. My sincerest congratulations. I am truly happy for you."
"Eh, Catherine-sama, that’s..."
As Mikos started to speak, Kagura quickly reached out to stop her.
"Catherine-dono. We are who we are today because of you. First, please accept our heartfelt gratitude. Come now, Mikos. You’re a member of the nobility, you understand, don't you?"
"Ah... My apologies. It is thanks to you, Catherine-dono, that we have reached this day. Thank you very much."
Kagura and Mikos replied. Being a noble is tough. However, this was Weed; such stiff greetings were only for the beginning.
"So, what’s your honest opinion?"
"I feel like strangling these little girls for getting ahead of me."
"Catherine-dono!?"
"Wait!?"
It was no wonder they were surprised to hear such a statement delivered with a bright smile. However, she was a mature woman.
"I’m joking. Well, there is a small part of me that’s honest, but I have already found someone good for myself."
She countered with that. It was her way of saying she wanted our relationship to remain the same as before, but at the latter half of her statement...
" "Eh!?" "
Kagura and Mikos let out voices of surprise. Immediately, Catherine grabbed the two by their collars...
"Oh? I heard some strange noises. Yuki-sama, would you mind if I borrowed these two for a moment?"
"Sure. We have to go report to the others after this, so don't go too hard on them."