第１０８０堀：ドラゴンのことはドラゴンに (Part1)
It was just another day, enjoying sweets at Weed, when it happened.
"Ah, found you, Miyabi-oneechan!"
"We found you!"
"W-wait a moment!"
"Onee is slow."
The girls who came running up, calling out such things, were Aslin, Firia, Vilia, and Hiiro.
Following them, Labyris, Shera, and Dressa approached with a more composed demeanor.
They truly looked like guardians.
"What is it, little ones?"
"Boo, we're not little!"
"That's right. Firia and the others are proper ladies!"
"Uh, um. Yes. We are proper adult women."
"Yes, Hiiro and the others are proper ladies."
Hmm. That's precisely why they seem like children.
As I was thinking this, the guardians also arrived.
"Eating sweets again, are we, Miyabi-sama?"
"While I'm glad you enjoy them, please be careful not to overindulge."
"No need to worry about that. I eat a balanced diet of delicious foods, not just sweets. My health is guaranteed. Besides, there's never been a time when I was more grateful to be queen than now."
I can indulge as much as I want!
Let the prime ministers work hard in the country.
The queen is meant to indulge like this!
"That sounds like you're saying something profound, but it also sounds like you're wasting tax money. Shera, don't you think so too?"
"Hahaha! I have no comment."
"Haa, it's not like anyone would complain about something like this. Miyabi-sama has worked hard enough."
"Indeed. Dressa, you understand. I shall praise you."
"I don't need praise for something like this. More importantly, Miyabi-sama, I came because I have business, but isn't Elder Gaul with you? Based on the reactions, he was with you just a moment ago?"
"What? You have business with Gaul, not me? How tiresome. Or rather..."
Gaul is a dragon.
If you have business with Gaul, it means...
"Did something dragon-related happen?"
"Yes! That's why we came looking for Grandpa Gaul."
"I see. Wait, Aslin. This is confidential, so you should keep quiet about such things."
Even though I'm the one asking, Aslin's straightforwardness is a bit problematic.
"It's alright. Aslin only speaks to those she can trust."
"That's right. Aslin may look like this, but she has a good eye for people."
"Indeed. Now, that aside, where is Elder Gaul?"
"Ah, Gaul. Look, he's back."
In the direction I was looking, an old man was approaching, carrying a plate piled high with cake.
"Oh, isn't that Aslin-chan and the others?"
Yes, it was Gaul, who loves sweets, approaching us.
"Ah, it's Grandpa Gaul. Hello!"
"Hello!"
"Yes. Hello. So, what is it? Do you have business with Miyabi-dono?"
Gaul said this as he took a seat.
Well, given the situation, he would assume I had business with him.
However...
"No, Gaul. You have a guest."
"Me? Is it alright to have them while I eat cake?"
"Yes, that's fine. It's not something that needs to be dealt with immediately."
"Yes. Please eat your cake slowly."
"Then, I won't stand on ceremony."
With permission granted, Gaul began to eat his cake leisurely and without hesitation.
"No, is it really alright? It's about dragons, isn't it?"
Yes, if it's a dragon, it should be a matter of national concern, yet Aslin and the others don't seem to be in a hurry.
Well, with Aslin and the others' abilities, a dragon would likely be no match for them. However, for others, dragons are symbols of absolute power. They are even treated as natural disasters.
It's not something that would normally be acceptable to be so relaxed about while eating cake...
"Oh? Dragons? Have you found a dragon other than those of our clan?"
"Yes. My older brother discovered one when he went to resolve a water shortage in a small country."
"A dragon in a small country? Where?"
"The Kingdom of Daffio!"
"Daffio? Which country is that?"
"I've heard of it. It's a small country under the umbrella of the Kingdom of Roschur."
"Oh, Queen Miyabi, you know a lot."
"I intend to open our gates to various countries soon. I'm aware of such things. Besides, since being introduced alongside Gaul after the Declaration of Intercontinental Exchange, I've been busy meeting with people from all over."
Now that we have officially begun intercontinental exchange, we are often requested for meetings due to novelty.
I am not here just to eat cake.
I am staying for diplomatic reasons.
"More importantly, Gaul, you should remember at least the affairs of your own country soon."
"Haa, I'm not good at those kinds of things."
"You can't just say you're not good at it. There are many who covet dragon power."
Gaul is a dragon person.
He is a dragon.
There are many who seek exchange with him, aiming for his power.
I have also acted as an intermediary for Gaul with Lord Yuki, so I am busy in that regard as well.
This is why I can only endure by eating delicious food.
In such circumstances, can one so casually announce the discovery of a new dragon?
It could lead to new chaos.
"So, you came to hear Gaul's story because a new dragon was found, is that correct?"
"Yes. We found a dragon, but we haven't spoken to it yet. We only spotted it from a distance."
"I see. So, you can't just carelessly take its head off, can you?"
"Yes. If there are companions somewhere like Gaul, and you make a rash move, they might call for reinforcements, and we would have to respond with our full strength..."
"I don't want to say this, but it also affects Gaul's reputation. People will say dragons are indeed ferocious."
If that happens, Gaul's position will worsen.
Not only will he be slandered without cause, but there's also a possibility of direct harm.
That's why they sought his cooperation.
"I understand the situation, but is it alright to proceed further here?"
"It's too much to do here. Grandpa Gaul, after you finish eating, let's go to the conference room at the General Affairs Building."
"Understood. And Queen Miyabi, what will you do? Will you come with us?"