第９５６堀：契約内容確認 (Part1)
### Chapter 956: Confirming the Contract Terms
**Side: Yuki**
"Honestly, why is Curse so stubborn about refusing the position of Lord?"
Seraria seemed genuinely puzzled by how Curse had flatly rejected her proposal to become the Lord of Aurelia Port. Well, looking at his reaction, it was obvious enough that he didn't just fail to see the value in the position—he actively disliked it.
"I told you. Curse is cut out to be an adventurer."
"Cut out for it, you say? I don't think he’s even been on an actual adventure lately, has he?"
"That’s part of it. Being a noble comes with all sorts of obligations, doesn't it? Nobody wants to shoulder those responsibilities if they don't have to."
"Usually, isn't it an adventurer's dream to achieve great things and become a noble? To land a stable job?"
As Seraria said, some adventurers do dream of being knighted as a reward for their exploits. In fact, third and fourth sons of noble families usually can't inherit land, so they have no choice but to live as commoners. If they want to return to nobility, they have to achieve something significant—like distinguishing themselves in war or making a name for themselves as adventurers.
However, that doesn't mean everyone thinks that way.
"You’re forgetting what the word 'adventurer' actually means. There are plenty of people who do it simply because they want to go on adventures. Besides, Curse was originally the eldest son of a lord. He threw that life away because he wanted to be an adventurer. He’s not going to agree to this easily."
"Sigh. I thought if I assigned Mauve and Raiya to him, we could make it work..."
"Curse respects Mauve and Raiya. Putting them under his command is out of the question. Anyway, never mind that. It’s almost time for the arrival of Sho, the Great Imperial Strategist."
Curse and the others had already moved out to welcome Sho. We needed to pretend we were stepping off the carriage we’d arrived in, or Sho would get suspicious.
"It can't be helped. We’ll think of another plan to make Curse the Lord of Aurelia Port later."
"What? You’re still not giving up? An adventurer is an adventurer through and through, you know."
"It’s just such a waste to leave talent like that sitting idle."
I understood the sentiment, but Curse wasn't interested in the first place. Even if we forced him into the position, he’d likely just do the bare minimum. No, knowing Curse, he wouldn't be that negligent, but I still felt bad about forcing him into a job he hated.
As I was thinking about this, a message arrived saying the carriage had arrived.
*"Boss. Please return immediately. You need to be the one to guide the Great Imperial Strategist, Sho."*
"I know. Seraria, switch gears. Quar, you too."
"I know, I know."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
Alright, time to get back to work.
"Welcome to Aurelia Port. Though, we are still in the midst of reconstruction, so we can't offer much in the way of hospitality."
I welcomed Sho with those words, maintaining the pretense that we had returned together.
"I understand that perfectly well, so please, no need for special considerations... though, what is that..."
Sho’s gaze was fixed on the aircraft carrier anchored in the distance. Naturally, something like that would catch his eye.
"To think a ship like that exists. As expected of Weed and Sea-Cypher... No, I shall ask for the details later at the Lord’s mansion."
Sho said this while forcibly tearing his eyes away from the carrier that had so thoroughly piqued his interest. As expected, he knew how to exercise restraint. In that regard, he was a cut above the usual researchers and technicians. He understood the proper order of things. If it had been Narjia or Comet, they would have been drooling and charging straight toward it.
After one last glance at the port, Sho walked straight toward the Lord’s mansion. Standing in front of the building were Curse and the others, waiting to welcome us.
"Welcome back, Yuki-sama."
"Yeah, thanks for the welcome. So, how is Aurelia Port holding up?"
"Everything is without issue. Though, I would like to say that, there are still many things to address."
We exchanged the lines we had rehearsed, putting on the act that the reconstruction of Aurelia Port was a daunting task.
"I see. Then it was worth having this person come. This is Sho, the Great Imperial Strategist, said to be the brain of the Zurabl Great Empire. Sho-dono, this is my subordinate, Curse. I’ve left the management of Aurelia Port to him while I was away."
"Nice to meet you, Curse-dono. I am Sho."
"Welcome. I am called Curse."
They exchanged polite greetings. Of course, I had already briefed Curse on everything that happened in the Imperial Capital, including the fact that Sho was a man of great intellect.
"Now, please, come inside the mansion. I’m sure you have many questions, but let us settle in first, and then we can talk. Is that acceptable to you, Yuki-sama?"
"Yeah, I don't mind. How about you, Sho-dono? Was there anything you wanted to look at first?"
"There are things that pique my curiosity, but first, I wish to grasp the situation in Aurelia Port. And understand what issues Curse-dono is facing."
"I see. Then, this way."
Since we were in agreement, we all entered the mansion and headed toward the conference room. Kirue appeared naturally as a maid and quickly served us tea.
"Once again, welcome, Great Imperial Strategist Sho-dono. On behalf of Weed, I welcome you."
"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule."
Curse and Sho exchanged formal pleasantries. Now, the real business began, but how should we start the conversation? I had told Curse he could handle it, but I wondered where he would begin.
"First, I would like to confirm: in what capacity and for what purpose have you come to Aurelia Port, Sho-dono?"
"Yes. I, Sho, have been dispatched by the order of Emperor Yupia of the Zurabl Great Empire for the purpose of diplomacy with Weed and to assist in the governance of Aurelia Port."
That was it. Sho had come to handle diplomacy and assist in governance. I vividly remembered Emperor Yupia grinning and telling him to "blow their minds." She had the face of someone just looking for a prank, but this was actually a troublesome situation. If she wanted to surprise Sho, it meant showing him something beyond his knowledge—something "unknown." In other words, she was using the guise of a prank to extract our secrets. That little girl Emperor was truly not to be underestimated.
Incidentally, when we parted, she had given the little ones like Aslin a permit to enter the castle freely, telling them to bring her anything delicious or fun. While acting like a friendly peer, she was quietly trying to use Aslin and the others to siphon off Weed’s technology and information. We had anticipated that, of course, and would be limiting what they could bring.
But putting that aside, "assisting in governance" was a broad term. I had to ask to what extent he intended to assist.
"I see. Assistance. And exactly what kind of assistance will you be providing?"