第９８６堀：お付き合いは大変 (Part1)
### Chapter 986: The Burden of Diplomacy
**Side: Yuki**
"Geez! What on earth do you think you’ve done?!"
Menou Agate stormed into the mansion in Sea-Cypho, her face twisted in a mask of pure fury. While she was born and raised in Sea-Cypho, she was different from the average person—she possessed the memories of a Japanese person from a past life.
"What do you mean 'what'...? I simply retrieved the diplomatic fleet they asked for and finished by securing Aurelia Port."
"Ugh—?! You know exactly what I’m talking about! Why couldn't you just retreat like a sensible person?!"
"My wife insisted that we couldn't just abandon innocent people to their deaths. Pretty humanitarian of us, don't you think?"
"You're the head of a nation! You can't just look at what's right in front of your nose! Do you have any idea how close you came to dragging Weed into a full-scale war?"
"All's well that ends well. Besides, you're only angry because the situation in Sea-Cypho has turned sour, aren't you?"
I knew Menou. She wouldn't be this upset just because Weed was in danger.
"Obviously. Though, for the record, I *was* worried about you. Don't go making me sound like some heartless villain. My subjects will stop following me if you do that."
"I see. My apologies."
"But honestly, what else could we have done? Leaving those people to die in that situation..."
Taiki-kun chimed in, offering his support. He was right. It’s hard to turn a blind eye when you have the power to save people, especially when you’re certain you can pull it off.
"...I understand that part, too. The 'Japanese' way of thinking—that saving lives is a given. It sounds like a national policy, doesn't it? But it’s also a fact that Sea-Cypho’s position has worsened because of it. From our perspective, Weed didn't just take Aurelia Port; you’ve seized control of trade rights as well. It would be strange *not* to be nervous about that."
Well, I could certainly understand why Menou—or rather, Sea-Cypho—would be anxious. Who could have predicted that a simple observation mission for a diplomatic fleet would turn into a rescue operation, followed by Weed single-handedly defending Aurelia Port? And then there was the terrifying scale of the reward for such an achievement.
Still...
"...Technically, that was our own independent judgment, so it shouldn't be a problem for Sea-Cypho, right?"
That was the official stance, at least. We fought the Zurable Empire based on Weed’s own decision, not because Sea-Cypho requested it. It was a move made because Seraria, the Queen of Weed, and my wives all agreed to it.
"When we're just about to enter the international community, having someone we owe a massive debt to receive *nothing* in return... that’s what makes this so incredibly awkward."
"I suppose so. So, Queen Emerald and her subordinates have reached that conclusion?"
"No, there are still plenty of people who don't get it at all. They argue that while it benefited Sea-Cypho, Weed did it on their own, so there's no need to offer thanks. Some even go as far as to say that Weed only took Aurelia Port because you had imperialistic intentions from the start."
Wow. I suppose it’s no surprise such people exist. It’s only natural for them to feel threatened by Weed. Sea-Cypho prides itself on being the literal strongest maritime nation in this region. But that "strongest" label they cherished had been snatched away by Weed, who had just appeared out of nowhere. Some might say that doesn't matter, but in terms of national defense, a reputation for strength is vital.
We had done our best to save face for Sea-Cypho to help them maintain that reputation, but the fact that we took Aurelia Port was clearly fueling their fear of us. Or perhaps the real problem was the gossip spreading through the streets: *Why couldn't the Sea-Cypho military save them themselves?*
If rumors of the Sea-Cypho military’s incompetence spread, it wouldn't be strange for other nations to start plotting against them.
"So, I’ve guessed your dilemma. What do you intend to do? We can’t exactly pretend what we did never happened."
"I know that. The King summoned me and gave me strict orders to smooth things over. He told me to find out what you want."
"So, the plan is to offer as much gratitude as possible?"
"Obviously. But there’s a limit to what we can provide. We only intended to see how strong the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance was—how did it end up with us occupying Aurelia Port?"
"Well, it started because you guys messed up and let the envoys get captured. We wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble, too."
Who would willingly go looking for a war?
"Haaah. I know. I know our estimates were way too optimistic. People who don't know the full capabilities of an aircraft carrier wouldn't dream that we’d resort to intervening in a war, would they?"
"I suppose not."
"And they certainly wouldn't expect you to go out with just one ship and win. But complaining won't change anything. Just tell me what you want so we don't end up at a disadvantage in the upcoming Intercontinental Exchange Alliance."
"What we want, huh..."
With everyone watching, some form of reward for our services was essential. But when asked what Weed actually needed right now...
"Menou. You know Weed can procure supplies from Japan, right?"
"...Of course I do."
"So, do you really think there's anything you can offer us?"
"That’s why I’m asking! I know we don't have superior technology to offer, and jewelry is out of the question. You have access to everything from food to clothing—all the daily necessities from Earth—which makes you superior in every way. The only thing left to trade is information, but..."
"We’re currently out in the field gathering information on the mana depletion phenomenon ourselves. Or is there something else? Do you actually have some earth-shattering intel?"
"We don't! Haaah... what are we supposed to do?"
Menou fell back into deep thought, but as for me...
"Why not compromise and just give us a set of Sea-Cypho’s specialty jewelry? Also, Haiden mentioned they’d like us to mediate the trade of marine products, right?"
Honestly, this whole affair was an unexpected irregularity for us. It would be cruel to demand heavy compensation for it. As long as there was a formal gesture of thanks that we could attribute to Seraria and the rest of us acting on our own, that would be more than enough. If we demanded payment for the costs of operating the carrier, it would be like delivering a finishing blow to Sea-Cypho, which had already taken a hit from losing monsters to the sea.
"...Hmm. I suppose that’s the only way, isn't it?"