第９０８堀：急な参加は色々大変 (Part1)
Chapter 908: Sudden Participation is Quite a Hassle
Side: Seraria
"So, what is it?"
"Ah, right. I wanted to consult you about the Dragonkin."
I was incredibly busy, and just when I thought he’d come to visit me while I was rehearsing at the Cathedral, it turns out it really was about that.
"Oh, what a shame. I thought you’d come because you couldn't wait to see me in my finest hour. I’m even wearing a dress since I’ll be greeting everyone as Queen, you know? I had it specially prepared for the wedding day."
"I get that. It suits you, and you look beautiful. But you’re really putting a lot of effort into this. I feel like I’d get scolded if I said my old tuxedo was fine."
" " "Naturally." " "
Honestly, he’s so indifferent about these things. Well, perhaps that’s just how men are.
"Anyway, you said it was about work. What’s going on with the Dragonkin? Should we move to a different room?"
"No, having the religious leaders of each continent here is convenient. There are things I want your opinions on, so this place is fine. Now, I assume the pathetic cake dispute is over, but can you listen to me now?"
" " "..." " "
My husband is as sharp-tongued as ever. I was the one who came up with the solution to just prepare every kind of cake they preferred. Isn't it truly diabolical how he uses even such petty arguments to silence them? It’s not like I was being mean, mind you. I mean, I wouldn't go so far as to say it was 'just cake,' but it’s unacceptable for the heads of religions to have such disputes in public. They only have themselves to blame for giving my husband leverage over them.
My husband takes their silence as consent and proceeds.
"Good, I see you're ready to listen. To begin with, how much do you know about the Dragonkin situation?"
"I have heard that you headed to the Dragon Mountains with Gartz to investigate, and that you brought back guests," replied Archstaire, the Saintess of Lithea from the Rogari Continent.
Well, since the issue concerns the Rogari Continent, it’s only natural she’d know. As for the members from the other continents...
"I heard about it from Agil. She said Yuki-sama was busy with that matter, so he might not show his face around here for a while."
"I have also heard from Comet and Taizo-san."
It seems the If Continent representatives heard through acquaintances. And finally, the New Continent.
"Yes. I have also heard from Enola. If I recall, it was to confirm and negotiate with the legendary Dragonkin said to dwell in the Dragon Mountains."
"That’s right. It seems everyone is already informed, which makes things faster. Setting aside Lithea of the Rogari Continent, I’ll give a detailed explanation to those from the If and New Continents. As you’ve heard..."
He briefly explained the overview of the Dragon Mountains and his intention to negotiate with the Dragonkin—or dragons—living there, to prevent any strange interference with the upcoming Intercontinental Exchange Conference and our wedding. Hearing it again, the result was certainly unexpected.
"...I see. It was supposed to be a simple negotiation, yet you ended up bringing them here."
"It is a brilliant feat of negotiation, but it has certainly thrown a wrench in the plans."
"Indeed. To suddenly have the Dragonkin participate in the Intercontinental Exchange Conference... It is certainly the best opportunity to make the world aware of their existence. However..."
"If we cannot provide a convincing explanation—or rather, proof—to the nations that had already decided to participate, and to those who wanted to but couldn't, it might lead to a backlash."
As expected of the religious leaders; they immediately grasped what my husband was getting at.
"And we, Weed, who forced the Dragonkin into the schedule, will likely be criticized as well. That would be troublesome."
"Exactly. That’s why I came to consult you. I’ve secured their seats, but I’m not sure how to introduce them. There was an idea to have them transform into large dragons during the introduction at the conference, but..."
I see. That would certainly be effective, but it won't work.
"It would be best to avoid that. First of all, the venue would fall into chaos. Even if we informed everyone beforehand, just how large would they become? You would likely need to move a significant number of seats."
"As Archstaire says, that plan was rejected because we couldn't secure a space for them to transform."
"That is true. However, if we only introduce them in their human forms, it feels a bit underwhelming."
"It’s a difficult situation. I understand the intent to make the world aware of the Dragonkin race, but doing too much is bad, yet doing nothing is also counterproductive."
Everyone fell into deep thought. But my husband wouldn't come here with only half-baked ideas.
"So, dear. What is your primary solution? Surely you didn't come to consult us just because you couldn't come up with one?"
"Of course not."
My husband answered easily. He really is a wicked man.
"Do you have a good plan?"
"Yes. I wanted to hear your thoughts and ask for your cooperation. However, if I had just blurted it out, you might have wondered why I chose such a method. That’s why I brought up the failed plan first—to make you realize the scale of the dragons and the limitations of the venue space."
" " "I see." " "
So that was his intention. It’s true that presenting an answer without the necessary context wouldn't have worked.
"And as for that promising plan, it was actually Ria’s suggestion."
"Eh!?"
"Oh, it was Ria’s idea?"
"Yes. Ria is growing every day."
Mm-hmm. It’s wonderful that she’s achieving new growth for my husband’s sake. As expected of our household’s Hero. However, she looks surprised, as if she never expected to be introduced as the originator of the idea here. She doesn't seem used to this kind of thing yet. How adorable.
My husband, however, continued without minding Ria’s reaction.
"If it’s not okay for the dragon to grow large on the spot, then the solution is for them to appear in their large state and then shrink. In other words, have them arrive at the venue in their dragon form, and then shrink at the entrance."
A great idea. If they can't transform inside the venue, they should just do it outside. This could work.
"Hmm. A reversal of perspective. Indeed, that way, we wouldn't have to worry about the space inside the venue. However, it seems like it would cause quite a commotion before they even reach the venue..."
"That can be managed if we notify everyone in advance. The citizens of Weed, in particular, won't be startled by a mere dragon. The problem is the dignitaries from each country and their guards. It would be best to have them wait in a bus or something for the time being."
"Indeed, as Seraria-sama says, if we have them wait in a bus, we can avoid chaos even if someone happens to panic."
"The rest depends on how thoroughly we can notify everyone in advance. Well, as long as safety is ensured, we have no objections."
Archbishop Enaria and Holy Maiden Hifie agreed with me. Now, only Archbishop Enor of the New Continent remained.