第９９３堀：ひとまずプチ会議 (Part1)
### Chapter 993: A Quick Preliminary Meeting
**Side: Show**
……I am certain that just two days ago, I had finally crossed the great ocean and arrived at the Seasypho Kingdom, located beyond the Great Mountain Range. I had just finished meeting not only the Emerald Queen who rules that land, but also King Haiden, who happened to be there at the time.
Yet, here I am now, standing before…
"Look, Show! This is amazing! Just by pressing this button, this brilliant light turns on and off in an instant."
There stood Emperor Eupia, my master, playing with the room’s light switch like a mere child, clicking it on and off.
Yes, for some reason, I am currently in Weed.
In just two days—no, in an instant—we had managed to visit Weed.
……Ugh, I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.
More importantly, if I don’t calm the Emperor down, we’ll never be able to organize our thoughts.
"……Please, do not act like a child over something so trivial. It hurts my eyes. Besides, I believe I already reported that these were inside the aircraft carrier."
"That was merely your experience, Show. For me, this is a first. One must experience such things for oneself."
"I understand your sentiment, but please, calm down. We cannot discuss our future plans like this."
"……You are such a serious person."
"I believe it is only proper to remain calm, even in the face of such things, is it not?"
"I haven't lost my composure, you know."
Saying this with a look of clear dissatisfaction, the Emperor finally stopped toggling the light switch and sat down opposite me.
"Hmm. So this is what they call 'tatami.' Yes, this is good. Walking on the floor without shoes is surprisingly comfortable."
"Indeed. The scent of the grass used in these mats is quite pleasant to me as well. Now, before we begin, let me pour some tea."
I quickly prepared tea using the tea bag set provided on the carrier. The Emperor leaned in to watch, looking fascinated even by that.
"Honestly, if you keep going on like this, we won't make any progress in Weed."
"I know how to conduct myself. But, I see. They store the tea leaves in this tiny bag?"
"Yes, exactly. Though, if you leave the bag in too long, the flavor becomes too strong, so I recommend removing it at the right moment."
"I see, I see. But if it’s this convenient, there’s no need to have a maid do it. You two, feel free to sit as well."
The Emperor suddenly tapped the space beside him, issuing an order to the maids who were attending to him.
However, the idea of servants sitting in the same place as their master was unthinkable. Caught in that contradiction, they froze for a moment.
A good servant must respond with dignity, even to the whims of a king. As expected of the Emperor’s personal maids, they froze for only a second before their minds began to race……
"……Your Majesty, we are truly grateful for your kindness, but we are maids. We are not in a position to sit alongside our master……"
"Under normal circumstances, that would be true. But here, neither I nor any of you know the customs of this land. If we go out there without knowing them, I will be the one to lose face. This is a good opportunity. Aslin and the others said as much—that there are things one only learns by sharing a seat. And I myself have learned much. What, do you think I am such a fool that I would have you executed for such a minor breach of etiquette?"
"……No, Your Majesty is too kind. That is precisely why we must not take advantage of it."
"Hmm. I appreciate your concern, but the rise and fall of the Zrable Empire depends on this. I am the one requesting it, and I will not let even you, Show, complain. Is that understood?"
*Sigh.* Once it’s put that way, how can I possibly disagree?
"Yes. I have no objections. Above all, you all need to learn the common sense of Weed as maids. Please, tell us if you notice anything while you observe. Those are the very things we tend to overlook."
"If even Show-sama says so……"
"Head Maid……"
"Since our master has requested it to this extent, refusing would be the greater discourtesy. Let us accept this as a valuable experience granted by His Majesty’s grace."
With that, the Head Maid and her two subordinates cautiously sat down on the tatami, avoiding the cushions out of respect.
"Don't worry about such things. Sitting around the same table is what matters most. You may sit on these mats just as I do."
" "Yes." "
Having been told that by the Emperor, the maids sat down on the cushions, their faces stiff with tension.
"First of all, this 'zashiki'—or rather, the very experience of taking off one's shoes to enter a room—is rare, isn't it?"
"Yes. As far as I know, I have only heard rumors that such a style exists in a country far to the east."
"Ho. So there is a country with the same customs as Weed? Perhaps that place is the true Weed."
"Who knows? In my faint memories, the name of that country had a ring to it that I had never heard before……"
"Well, we shall investigate that in due time. Now, the tea is ready."
"My apologies. I have troubled you, Show-sama."
"Not at all. It’s just a tea bag, so it’s no trouble. Now, everyone, please have a drink. I would like your evaluation of the flavor."
"The flavor? Then, if you will excuse me……"
Though they tilted their heads at my request, they cautiously sipped the tea I had made. Both of them made an indescribable expression.
"……How should I put this? It is certainly not a high-quality product."
"Indeed. The brewing method is simple, but the tea leaves themselves were not crafted with much care. It is hard to believe this reaches the quality His Majesty is accustomed to. Serving something like this… it lowers my estimation of Weed slightly."
"Hahaha. You are both very honest. Well, you are correct. This was likely made so that anyone could drink it easily. And it wasn't Weed that served it to us. It was I—or rather, Show here—who prepared it himself. Aslin and the others did say to ask freely if we wanted tea, did they not?"
"Yes. The young ladies did indeed say that."
Wait? Is it starting to sound like it’s my fault for serving this tea?
Still, I couldn't stop the conversation here, so I decided to listen quietly for a while longer.
"Indeed. Yuki-dono would never treat me poorly. This is advice from my friend Aslin: to enjoy things for myself."
"Enjoy, you say?"
"Yes. This tea that Show went out of his way to prepare for me. It is true, the flavor is inferior to the tea you usually serve me."
"Yes."
……Should I be getting angry now?
"However, as you well know, Show—who cannot even tidy his own room, whose cooking is catastrophic, and whose soul is dedicated entirely to military and politics—brewed this tea with his own hands! And it is of this quality? Now, what do you think of that?"
" "Indeed!? This tea is amazing!" "
Right. I’ve made up my mind.