第９８８堀：これが始まりである (Part1)
Chapter 988: This is the Beginning
This is the beginning.
Side: Yuki
"……Hah, haa. Thank you for coming all this way."
For someone like Shou, he was wearing an unusually stiff, dignified expression, returning the greeting with a look of bewilderment.
The reason for such tension was simple.
"Hmm. It seems we are being doubted as to whether we are the real deal, Queen Emerald."
"No, it is only you who is being doubted, King Haiden. After all, this is Sea-Cypho Castle."
The King and Queen of their respective nations spoke with such frankness. It was no wonder Shou was confused.
"King Haiden. Even if you say that, there is no way I can believe it. Normal people wouldn't believe that you traveled all this way just to meet with an envoy from the Zurable Empire."
Archbishop Enol, the head of the Haire Religion who had returned from Zurable with us, chided him.
Yes, the reason for Shou’s confusion was...
"Hey, don't show your face without bringing almost any guards, King Haiden."
"Hahaha! You say funny things. This is an allied nation, isn't it? Who would attack me? Besides, not only is Weed's consort here, but Kagura and the others are present as well. There is no problem at all..."
*Whack!!*
Before King Haiden could finish, Princess Carrie, who had been standing behind him with a plastered-on smile, swung a paper fan down from overhead with a speed that defied the eye.
"Y-you... to a king of a nation..."
"Your Majesty. You are taking your jokes too far. You will end up making the Zurable Empire's envoy lose all respect for you. That would be a loss for the country. Besides, I will report this behavior to the Queen and your mother."
"Alright, alright! I'll behave. Just don't report me to my wife and sister."
Man, Princess Carrie has really become more imposing lately. Ever since she was appointed as a Hero of Haiden, she’s been putting a lot of effort into her training. Maybe I should have some custom equipment made for her soon? That fan was a joint effort between Narjia and Comet, after all.
Well, that’s neither here nor there, but if people start thinking Haiden is a strange country, that would be a problem, so I should probably follow up.
"Shou-dono. They are undoubtedly the King of Haiden and his niece, Princess Carrie, in the flesh."
"Hah. But I heard the Haiden Kingdom is quite a distance from the Sea-Cypho Kingdom. To visit Sea-Cypho specifically for someone like me... the travel time doesn't seem to add up..."
"Ah, that’s just a coincidence. It’s a fortunate stroke of luck that they happened to be here for negotiations with the Sea-Cypho Kingdom."
"Ah, I see. That explains it."
Shou seemed satisfied with that. The source of his doubt was simply that King Haiden had appeared at this exact moment to meet him. By the common sense of the Zurable Empire, it was physically impossible to be here at this time, so he was genuinely suspicious of how the King could even be present.
I mean, normally, you don't just happen to run into a foreign king while visiting the Sea-Cypho Kingdom. You don't just greet a foreign envoy—especially from a country you're meeting for the first time—with a casual "Hey there." If you don't make proper preparations, it reflects poorly on the nation. That’s exactly why Princess Carrie was so angry.
In reality, though, when I contacted them via call, they just said they’d use a Gate to get there and hung up on me.
"……Um, Husband. Didn't King Haiden likely come here solely to meet Shou-dono?"
"Probably. But we haven't told the Zurable Empire about the Gates yet. They wouldn't believe it easily, and if they did, given the current situation of the Zurable Empire, they would demand we build one immediately. That’s why I planned to explain it step by step."
As Rurua said, King Haiden probably came just to see Shou. But the method he used... if they find out about the existence of a Gate—a transport route that ignores distance and time—the Zurable Empire would undoubtedly want one at any cost.
However, I can't just say, "Sure, I'll build you one." That’s why we’ve brought Shou along—to handle all the necessary preparations.
"I see. ……Well, do you think this is a good opportunity?"
"Ahaha... I suppose so. I'm sure that’s what King Haiden is aiming for, too."
"……Haiden surely wants to get along well with the Zurable Empire."
Well, it’s not just about wanting to be friends. The fact that Haiden was the first to agree to the Zurable Empire joining the alliance in upcoming negotiations means more allies for Zurable. For Haiden, it’s a way to gain an advantage in trade negotiations, and it also helps support Sea-Cypho. Above all, doing nothing is not an option for Haiden.
That is precisely why Princess Carrie, the top diplomat and Hero, is also present.
"Yuki-sama, is something wrong?"
"No, it’s just that Princess Carrie has it tough, doesn't she?"
"Not at all. This is for the benefit of the nation."
The world is so full of vested interests, it’s exhausting. ...Though it’s still better than war.
Man, Princess Carrie’s intuition has gotten sharp, too.
"I apologize for His Majesty’s constant silly jokes. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Carrie Haiden, the niece of His Majesty, serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Haiden Kingdom."
"Thank you for your courtesy. I am Shou, serving as a military and diplomatic aide for the Zurable Empire."
"Military? I believe the Zurable Empire is currently in a state of war. Despite that, was it really alright for someone in your position to come here?"
"Yes. As I’m sure you can understand, Princess Carrie, the Magic Gear provided is extremely valuable. You can surely see how useful supplies like wireless radios would be for the military."
"I see. I understand perfectly. If it weren't for Weed, our country would have been swallowed by the Mad God Religion as well."
The Mad God Religion. The organization behind the series of incidents that ravaged various countries, centered around the Haire Religion, which was triggered by Aqueno...ki. It was certainly thanks to Weed's power that the situation was turned around. Well, it all started with me being kidnapped, though.
"However, I heard you came to negotiate with Sea-Cypho, Princess Carrie. If it is not too much trouble, may I ask the purpose of your visit?"
Shou asked, seemingly aware that he might not get an answer, but...
"Yes, I don't mind. Originally, this visit was to discuss our relationship with the Zurable Empire. That is why we have come to greet you, Shou-sama."
"So that was it."
As Shou nodded in understanding, Queen Emerald opened her mouth to speak.