第９９９堀：早速準備 (Part1)
**Chapter 999: Immediate Preparations**
**Side: Eupia**
Time spent in happiness always slips away in the blink of an eye.
I tore my gaze away from the glowing gate that threatened to separate me from this paradise on earth and my dear friends.
"As I said, I am not going back! I shall issue orders to Zurable from here!"
I declared this while clinging to Aslin.
"Um..."
"Help me, Aslin! Surely I am allowed to stay here a little longer!"
Oh, how delightful. Seeing Aslin looking troubled is also quite adorable.
Just as I was savoring the moment, a sharp *thwack* echoed against my head.
"Don't say such foolish things!"
"Oh, a nice retort. Very well, that is enough of my jesting."
I felt satisfied and moved to release my arms from Aslin’s back, but my body didn't pull away. To my delight, Aslin was holding me just as tightly.
"Come back again, okay?"
"Aye, I shall return as many times as it takes."
When I said that, the arms around my back released me. As I took a step back, I saw Firia and the others lined up, watching me.
"Emperor Eupia-chan. I’ll come to help you anytime!"
"Indeed. I feel we’ve become close enough for that, don't you think, Emperor Eupia-chan-sama?"
"Now, now, Labyris, that won't do. Emperor Eupia, I will also lend a hand as a friend, however little my contribution may be."
"Hiiro too!"
"Hiiro, no! I—I’m so sorry!"
"It’s not just Hiiro. Vilia, you should get used to it soon. We’re friends, after all. Right?"
"Indeed. As Dressa says, you are all my friends. Though, I shall mind my manners when in official settings."
Truly, I have made wonderful encounters here.
Moreover, every one of these girls is a rare talent—not just for Weed, but even for my own nation. They are the sort of people that even that sharp-tongued Schans wouldn't dare deny or criticize when we call each other friends.
"Well, as much as I hate to leave, Queen Seraria, Yuki-dono, I shall intrude again soon."
"Yes. I’ll be waiting, Emperor Eupia."
"Yes. We look forward to it. Let us eat Kiyu’s ramen again."
"Oh! That was a fine dish."
I was truly surprised to learn that the leaders of a nation would gather in such a place to eat, but more than anything, I was shocked by how delicious the food was. I must bring that to my country as well.
And above all else.
"Next time, let us drink until dawn here. Right, Seraria?"
"Yes, I look forward to that day. Make sure you have some high-quality liquor prepared."
"Aye. Though, even if I search every corner of Zurable, I doubt I could match Milly’s collection, so I must ask for your contribution as well."
"Understood. Though, for the record, that liquor comes out of my own pocket. Could you perhaps provide a little sponsorship?"
"Hmm. You ask that, but my personal funds are not exactly overflowing. That liquor is quite the luxury... Schans, I beg of you, can you spare some funds? This is for the future of Zurable..."
"Request denied. You were just having such a lovely farewell with Aslin-dono and the others... and you’ve ruined it at the very end. Why must you talk about evening drinks..."
I was rejected instantly and even made someone cry. I was merely talking about sharing a drink with a fellow sovereign!
"Well, I’ll cover the cost of the drinks when we meet, so if there’s a specific brand you want, just contact me through Milly. You don't know which ones are good yet, right?"
"Oh! Yuki-dono, I am deeply grateful."
"Yuki-dono, I apologize, but please do not spoil the Emperor so much."
"Is it spoiling... or is it a bribe?"
"That’s even worse!"
"No, no. I’m not asking for any secret preferential treatment. Besides, since I gave the OK openly right here, I don't think it counts as a bribe. And since all your subordinates are going home with plenty of souvenirs, wouldn't it be wrong for Emperor Eupia to go home with nothing personal? Besides, Schans-dono is doing some shopping too, isn't she?"
"Ugh!?"
"Well said! Therefore, there is no problem with me doing the same! Now then, when shall we hold the next one?"
That was yesterday—making firm plans for the next drinking party and playdates with Aslin and the others before returning to the Zurable Great Empire.
"Your Majesty. The supplies from Weed have arrived."
"Curry and liquor, I presume!"
I lifted my head, pausing the mountain of paperwork that had accumulated over the last few days. It is truly fast, considering it’s only been a day. Thanks to this, I shall be living on curry from today onwards! As for the liquor, I shall save it for when Seraria and Milly visit, and perhaps share it with the leaders of my vassal states.
"Why are you limiting it to those? I’m talking about the wireless radios."
"Hm? What is this, Schans has returned as well?"
Looking closely, I saw Schans standing behind my aide.
"Yes, I have returned. The arrival of vital supplies essential for war is a priority."
"The Gate is a godsend, truly."
"Indeed. Thanks to it, I might finally be able to stop your overindulgence in food and drink, Your Majesty."
"I have already promised not to go that far. Now, you say you brought the wireless radios, but I heard there would be instructors for installation and usage?"
Indeed, I had already experienced how easy it was to use a radio with a little instruction, but Queen Seraria and Yuki-dono had promised to send personnel to teach us the organizational methods to use them efficiently in warfare. When I first heard this, I wondered why they were being so generous...
*“The kings of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance are already using these tools. If the Zurable Great Empire were to suffer a defeat while using them, it would reflect poorly on our credibility.”*
They gave a very logical reason. Indeed, no matter how quickly one can communicate with a radio, it does not mean soldiers can be transported to the scene instantly. In the end, war is war—sometimes you lose. Any king who doesn't understand that much wouldn't be in the alliance. However, there is truth to the concern about credibility; if the public loses faith, governance becomes impossible. Therefore, if we lose, it could negatively impact Weed’s research into the magic depletion phenomenon in Zurable. That is why they are teaching us the proper methods.
So, who are these instructors?
"Yes. The instructors have accompanied the shipment. They are already waiting outside the door. May I have them enter?"
"How sudden. Well, it is an urgent matter, so it cannot be helped."
"I truly apologize for the haste. The deployment of the radios was a top priority, so the notification was delayed."
"Understood. Be more careful in the future. Now, let us meet the instructors immediately. They are the key to our future national strategy. It would be rude to keep them waiting."
"Yes. Please, send them in."
"“Yes, sir!”"
The doors to my office, opened by the guards at Schans’s command, revealed...
"I have been dispatched from Weed as the radio instructor and advisor for the Information Management Office. I am Firia."
"I am the assistant instructor, Aslin."
"I am Labyris."
"I am Shera."
"And I am the supervisor, Deryu."
"Ohhh!!"
Standing there before me were my dearest friends.