第９１４堀：お店サミット (Part2)
Jessica, standing beside me, remained frozen with a look of pure astonishment.
Marly, the free-spirited soul, doing *that*...
Well, I suppose since her primary profession is that of a general, such tasks should naturally be within her repertoire. Still, it would be rude to leave her standing there in shock forever.
"No, it’s not that it doesn't suit you. It’s just that the image of you as a general is so strong. Tell you what—wouldn't it make sense to Marly if I said it was like seeing Jessica in an apron, cooking a meal?"
"Ah, I see."
"Marly-sama!? Why are you convinced by that?! And Yuki! Ever since I got married, I’ve been acting like a proper woman!"
"That’s right, Yuki-san! You shouldn't say things like that! She’s gone from only being able to serve charred meat to actually remembering to add salt and pepper!"
"Gah...!?"
Ria, you terrifying child. That follow-up was a friendly-fire critical hit that finished her off.
I know Jessica has been trying her best, but perhaps due to her long life as a soldier, the first time she cooked for me, it was a combo of "fast, foul, and barely edible."
Well, they say "better a clumsy speed than a perfect delay"... though I suppose that doesn't quite apply here.
If you can procure food on the spot and eat it without complaint to keep moving, that’s all that matters. Maintaining a soldier's morale requires a good meal, and the ability to endure poor rations is a virtue of a soldier. So, Jessica was undoubtedly an excellent soldier who could fight even on meager fare. Whether that’s a necessary skill for a woman is another story.
"Well, I suppose Jessica was doing something that didn't suit her, then. I see, so I was the one giving everyone a sense of incongruity."
"Please don't be convinced by that!"
"Hahaha..."
We managed to turn it into a laughing matter.
*Sigh.* Still, Jessica is glaring at me with half-lidded eyes; I’m going to need to make it up to her later.
"So, looking at you, Queen Miyabi, and the gentleman behind you—you must be the rumored Dragonfolk. Are you here for a tour?"
"Your intuition is as sharp as ever. Though, I see you already knew of Queen Miyabi."
"Yeah, I run into her in town from time to time."
"Indeed. There is no need to introduce me every single time. I am already acquainted with the dignitaries from the Rogari and If continents who have come to Weed."
"Actually, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting everyone. Regardless, it seems you are already aware of me—I am Gaul, the chief of the Dragonfolk village."
As Gaul-dono bowed his head...
"My apologies for the formality. I am Enol, the Archbishop of the Haire Church in the New Continent," a voice suddenly appeared from nowhere, and Archbishop Enol bowed deeply.
Just as I was thinking that, Princess Stasia, Princess Carrie, and Menou of the Seasifo Kingdom emerged from behind the Archbishop and headed toward us.
"Please forgive the late greeting. I am Stasia, Princess of the Findall Kingdom in the New Continent. Ah, though I will soon be leaving Findall's nationality as I am to be wed to Yuki-sama."
"And I am Carrie, Princess of the Kingdom of Haiden, also from the New Continent."
"And I’m Menou, a technical advisor for the Seasifo Kingdom, also from the New Continent. Nice to meet you, Queen Miyabi and Gaul-dono."
"Indeed. A pleasure. Though, this is an unofficial visit, so I ask for your discretion."
"Of course. We are simply here to see how Weemall is faring."
They were greeting each other quite normally, but...
"It’s as if the heavyweights of every nation just naturally gathered here..."
"Well, that’s to be expected, isn't it? Yuki is here. You’re the consort of the host nation, Weed, the de facto boss of the If continent, and you hold significant sway in the New Continent as well. It would be stranger if they *didn't* come to greet you."
"Blade, old man. Stop saying things like that; it’s going to ruin my image. Besides, the Ex Kingdom, the Enaria Holy Kingdom, and various others aren't here."
"Did someone call?"
"Whoa!?"
The moment I said that, the rest of them showed up in unison.
Agil stepped out from the crowd...
"No, no, Yuki. This place serves as a marketplace for commoners to buy local specialties, but it’s also a venue for dignitaries from large and small nations to meet. It would be stranger if we *weren't* all here."
"Agil. I get that, but there’s no reason to show your faces here every single day. If you want to talk, you can just rent a conference room."
"You’re such a fool. Why would we want to talk in a stuffy conference room in the middle of a festival like this?"
As Agil said that, everyone nodded.
What is this? You guys just want to party!?
Well, as long as they’re having fun, I suppose!
Weed is peaceful again today.
In this way, the friendships between nations continue to deepen.
It’s all going according to plan, which is a relief.
It seems there was a point to building Weemall after all.
Now then, while some comments suggest this is just aimless wandering, well, to each their own.
I believe this is necessary.
It’s only through this kind of accumulation that the crucial moments become truly interesting!
So, with that said, I look forward to your continued support!
In other words—things might get intense from here on out?