第９９１堀：迎える準備は実は大変 (Part2)
"Sigh, I suppose it can't be helped this time. I’m scheduled to meet the Emperor of Uupia face-to-face as a Queen, so I’ll put my efforts into preparing for that."
"Oh, come to think of it, Seraria, you never actually told them you were a queen, did you?"
"Yes, I wanted to surprise them. Though, if I’m being honest, I also wanted to properly gauge the Zuraburu Great Empire first."
"…Seraria. And, what was the result of your assessment?"
When Kaya asked that, Seraria smiled brightly.
"I have judged that they are more than qualified to participate in our Weed and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. What about you, Tori and the others?"
"I feel the same as Seraria. I’m sure we can build a good relationship with the Emperor of Uupia."
I answered honestly. I believe that if it’s her—if it’s them—they won't make a mistake.
"I think so too. Well, the war with the Hain Empire is a bit concerning, but I’m sure it’ll work out somehow."
"…I think it’ll be fine, too. She—they—will be fine. What about you, Quar?"
"I am the sword and shield of Her Majesty. I shall not interfere in political matters. …However, I believe it is a joyous thing to forge friendships and deepen ties with a nation that possesses proud warriors with whom I have crossed blades."
In the end, it was unanimous.
"Well, since there are no objections, let’s start the preparations immediately for the sake of the future. Tori, Riel, Kaya, I’m sorry to treat you like errand runners, but could you handle the coordination with my husband, Eris, and Ratz?"
Well now. I was supposed to be planning the security for the Zuraburu Great Empire’s visit, but before I knew it, I seem to have become the person in charge of the whole thing...
While thinking about that, I went to ask Yuki-san about the number of visitors, only to be redirected to Labyris, who told me there would be a total of 25 people. When I showed up at the accounting department in the government building where Eris was...
"…Looking at it again like this, the consumption rate is truly staggering."
"…Yes. The accounting staff member who was tallying it up turned pale. So, we’re resupplying this?"
"It’s not coming out of Weed’s budget, so don’t worry. Besides, we got the aircraft carrier from Luna for free anyway."
"I feel like it’s incredibly strange that you’re consuming things you received from Luna-sama without a second thought. …Anyway, does that mean there’s enough budget to resupply the materials used by this aircraft carrier?"
"No. For the time being, we’ll use the stockpiles. It’s not impossible to replenish them with DP, but the savings would vanish in an instant."
"Right. In that case, I’ll firmly refuse."
"..."
We were talking about money on a level that was giving me a massive headache.
"Um, Eris. Do you have a moment?"
I wanted to avoid hearing any more and making my headache worse, so I spoke up quickly. Eris and Tiffany, who had been facing each other with serious expressions, turned their gazes toward me.
"Oh? If it isn't Tori and the others. Is something the matter?"
"Tori-san, Riel-san, Kaya-san, hello."
"Yahoo. Tiffa. You look as busy as ever."
"Yes. Ever since the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance started in earnest, I’ve been swamped. I know you can do calculations too, Riel-san… wouldn’t you like to help?"
"No."
"…We came to discuss the upcoming visit from the Zuraburu Great Empire. There will be 25 people."
"Ah, that matter. It’s good that the number is clear. That leaves the budget and the venue. For the venue, we have that detached inn we built for the test of courage the other day, don't we?"
"I thought it was some kind of joke when I heard you built an inn of that scale just for a test of courage."
Ah, come to think of it, we did build an inn to try and scare Yuki-san and the others, didn't we?
Luna had been so enthusiastic that she even went through the trouble of preparing a separate space, but for some reason, Hairen caused a miracle to happen.
Actually, Yuki-san and the others weren't scared at all; they were having the time of their lives defeating enemies from start to finish.
Yeah. They were so cool. Yuki-san, back then.
Wait, now isn't the time to be thinking about that. I need to get the schedule sorted.
"So, we can use that inn, right?"
"Yes. The staff there are already trained to handle VIPs, and we should leave the management to Kirika. We’ll likely need the intelligence gathering, too."
"The rest is the budget. How much do you intend to spend on the people from the Zuraburu Great Empire?"
"Ah, I don't know about that. Yuki-san said they’d probably just go shopping and eat their way through the city like always..."
"In that case, we can allocate the small-group guest budget, Tiffa."
"Yes, understood. I will prioritize that. Once it’s finished, I will contact you, Tori-san, so please come to collect the budget."
"Eh?"
"What are you surprised about? We have to pay properly, or the shopkeepers will be in trouble, won't they? That’s what Ratz and I always do."
…Wow, I didn't realize preparing to welcome guests was this much work.
"Ah, I just remembered I have something to do!"
"…And I have to go fry some tofu."
"I’m not letting either of you escape!!"
Whether you’re the one going or the one welcoming, the world is a tough place. And someone, somewhere, is always carrying the burden of the work.