第９９１堀：迎える準備は実は大変 (Part1)
### Chapter 991: Preparing to Welcome Guests is Actually Hard Work
**Side: Tori**
"Ugh, what should we do about the security detail!?"
My best friend, Riel, was pacing back and forth, her eyes spinning in a daze.
We’d been tasked with the sudden preparation for the visit of the Emperor of Eupia, but Weed has been in a state of chronic labor shortages lately. With the declaration of intercontinental exchange and the construction of the massive shopping mall, the influx of tourists has been relentless.
Naturally, the police force is feeling the pinch, too. As the population grows, so do the incidents; we’re constantly swamped.
Fortunately, thanks to the ban on carrying weapons, we haven't had any murders, but violent crimes and thefts still happen...
Anyway, in the midst of all this, I’d asked Poni, our current Police Chief, if she could spare some personnel for the security detail, but...
*“We have none.”*
She’d shot me down instantly. There wasn't a single person to spare.
"Poni, don't say that. We’re on the verge of seeing if another major power will join the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, you know?"
*“No matter how much you beg, it’s impossible. Or what? Do you want me to drag people out of their time off? That would be a direct violation of the Labor Standards Act that Yuki-san is always preaching about—the one that says we must ensure everyone gets proper rest. Is that what you want? For the police, who are supposed to uphold law and order and serve as role models for the citizens, to be the ones violating the law by denying their officers rest? Riel-senpai, are you saying you don’t mind if the country ignores your time off?”*
"Ugh..."
Riel slumped, completely silenced by Poni’s sound logic.
Well, I suppose just asking for personnel isn't enough to get a "yes, right away."
"Riel, let me take over. Poni, I understand the situation on your end. But we absolutely need a certain number of people for this."
*“Yes, I understand that perfectly. Yuki-san has already informed me that the Emperor of the Zrable Great Empire is coming. However, for the protection of a VIP and the surrounding security, we need a minimum of twenty personnel on the ground and three operators.”*
"Hmm. That’s quite a lot of people."
*“Yes. And we can’t exactly assign rookies. As you know, VIP protection requires professionals within the police force. Such personnel are constantly out on duty lately... because the various kings, especially King Roday, keep coming here to eat ramen.”*
"…Honestly, I think we should just leave him be. It’s not even good for Samantha’s stomach."
*““No, no, no.””*
Poni and I immediately chimed in to correct Kaya’s suggestion.
Even if it’s an everyday occurrence, we can’t just leave a king wandering around without protection.
"Oh, Kaya. How did it go? You checked with the other departments, right?"
That’s right. While we were talking to the police, Kaya had gone to see if she could scrape up some help from other sectors.
*“Is that so? Can’t the military provide some people? We can only spare ten at most.”*
"Ah! You can spare that many, Poni!"
*“If the security detail doesn't reach the required number, it’s the same as having no security at all. I cannot force the few people I have to handle a job that requires more. Please, use your head.”*
"Grrr!"
*“*Sigh*... Riel-senpai, you really haven’t changed at all. And you’re a mother now, too... Aren’t you causing enough trouble for Tori-senpai along with your children?”*
"Ahaha. Even so, Riel is super popular with the kids; they’re always calling for their mommy."
"Hehe~"
Riel puffed out her chest proudly at my attempt to smooth things over.
Well, I didn't say she *wasn't* causing trouble, though.
*“...That’s on the same level... No, never mind. Kaya-san, how did it go?”*
Poni seemed to catch on, but she wisely didn't push it. Good save. Riel would have just gotten grumpy again.
"The military can move Steve’s unit, which was sent to the Zrable Great Empire. That was meant to show off Weed’s power, and now that the talks have progressed, there’s no reason for them to stay there."
"Oh, right. Steve and his group are coming back, aren't they?"
"Yeah. Since the gate has been recognized by the Zrable Great Empire, they can return openly."
*“That is the best news. General Steve is well-accustomed to VIP protection. The police will provide personnel to support them.”*
"…I think that’s for the best. It’s an unofficial visit anyway."
"It’s the usual 'Weed Sightseeing' tour. The Eupia Emperor is going to be so surprised!"
"Ahaha. That’s true."
*“There isn't a single person who visits Weed for the first time and isn't surprised. That’s exactly why we need support staff. For now, I will coordinate the formation with General Steve. Tori-senpai, please handle the adjustments with Queen Seraria and Yuki-san.”*
"Yeah, got it. Leave it to me."
With that, we headed straight to Seraria’s office, but...
"I am terribly sorry. At the moment, Her Majesty and I are buried in a mountain of paperwork that has piled up, and we cannot step away."
Qual, Seraria’s adjutant and captain of the Royal Guard, replied apologetically without even looking up from the stacks of documents.
She’d been a huge help during our trip to the Zrable Great Empire, but it looked like she was paying the price with this massive backlog of work.
"Um, Seraria. About the visit from the Emperor of the Zrable Great Empire..."
Riel tentatively brought up the subject.
Seraria looked up.
"Ah, that’s right. My husband mentioned it. Once the gate was successfully recognized, the Emperor of Eupia decided to jump right in. They’re surprisingly light on their feet, aren't they?"
She didn't seem as irritated by the paperwork as I’d feared.
*Phew*, thank goodness. If she were in a bad mood, we might have ended up getting dragged into the paperwork ourselves.
"That is likely why they have managed to maintain such a vast territory. However, we must consider the size of their entourage... depending on the scale, we may need to secure a large venue."
"According to my husband, they’re coming through the small experimental gate, so it shouldn't be an absurd number of people. Twenty at most. They’re coming to gauge us, and they know we only have minimal security, so they wouldn't bring a military force that would cost a fortune to maintain."
"Even so, twenty people... we’ll need to secure lodging. In that case, should we consult Eris-sama or Ratz-sama? No, first we should confirm the exact number with Yuki-sama."
"Oh, I can go ask him. It’ll be a nice change of pace..."
"Absolutely not. The paperwork is not finished. You enjoyed yourself plenty, so please, do your job properly."
Seraria was shot down instantly.
Qual is as strict as ever.
Or perhaps... is it just that Seraria is too free-spirited for her own good?