第１１６０堀：なぜ彼女たちを？ (Part1)
Chapter 1160: Why Them?
Side: Yuki
"You’re surprisingly Spartan, you know. Those girls were stiff as boards with nerves."
Seraria said this while casually lifting a piece of meat from her dinner to her mouth.
"Well, yeah. They were suddenly introduced to the top brass of Weed. Anyone would be nervous."
In Japan, it would be like an average citizen being suddenly ushered into the presence of the Prime Minister. Of course they’d be tense. Besides, in this world, showing disrespect to royalty or nobility can lead to immediate execution. It’s a world where life is cheap and hearts are often narrow.
But putting that aside, Yayu and the others had managed to finish today’s introductions without any major incidents.
"Wouldn't you usually take things in steps, given your usual self?"
"Even if I took it in steps, they’d have to face everyone eventually. Isn't it easier to just get it over with on the first day?"
"You’re far too rational. Well, as Tori and Riel were saying, it doesn't seem like you chose them based on personal preference, does it?"
"Hey, I don't pick subordinates based on that kind of criteria. I just want things to run smoothly. Besides, the whole point is to delegate work. So, I don't see why I’m being criticized for buying slaves when that was the goal."
Indeed, it was Seraria and the others who had originally told me to buy slaves so that I could "delegate the work." I had fulfilled that condition perfectly, so I had no reason to be lectured now.
"Ahaha. That is true, Husband, but I am still curious why you chose three of them."
Rurua offered a wry smile, clearly puzzled as to why I had taken in three people at once.
"It’s not that mysterious. In a sense, it’s the same as the first nine who are now my wives. This time, they’re meant to be my right hands for the various Weed-related operations I oversee. It’s a general recruitment strategy—if I hire a bunch, hopefully, a few will stick. And while I focused on women for my immediate right hands, I intend to bring men into their departments later to strengthen the Monster Army and my diplomatic circles."
"I see. So you intend to entrust them with the parts of your department that can be delegated."
"Yeah, I figured it was about time. Ratz’s sector, Eris’s sector—no, all the related districts are seeing a change in leadership, aren't they? And the Blacksmith District representative is Narjia, but the deputy is a man, right?"
"The current representative of my Agriculture District is a man."
"That’s how it is for Kaya’s place, too. It’s about time we stop harping on the idea that being a woman is a disadvantage."
"That is true. Over these past few years, we have shown through our studies in Weed that women can perform just as well as anyone in leadership. So, it is only natural to look toward those of lower status next."
"An 'Encouragement of Learning,' as they say. If you study, you can rise to the top."
Though, Fukuzawa-san was a bit of an extremist in his own right. He argued that those in power keep the masses uneducated to prevent the nation from growing, then turn around and tell the uneducated, "You’re stuck where you are because you don't study." Still, it’s a hard truth.
"In Weed, we’re showing that men can also rise to the top properly. Though, my district hasn't seen a change in leadership at all... I’d like to have Rock or Kina take over soon, though."
"Ahaha, it won't be that easy for Milly’s district. The Adventurer’s Guild itself is, by nature, an external organization independent of the state. Managing the Adventurer District as part of Weed’s jurisdiction is a different matter entirely."
Exactly. As Ratz pointed out, the reason Milly’s succession is so difficult is that the talent for the Adventurer’s Guild inevitably comes from outside Weed. It’s tough to find someone who, like my wife Milly, is originally from Weed, possesses the operational knowledge, and has the track record of handling the guild’s affairs. Nevertheless...
"Well, I’ll consult with Rock and the others. They’ve lived in Weed long enough now that I think it’s fair to recognize them as 'residents of Weed'."
"But from the perspective of the Guild Master, how would that work?"
Shera tilted her head, posing the question. Since Rock is the head of the guild, his workload is already significant; it would be necessary to confirm if his position could handle the added responsibility.
"Well, it would be a dual role. But Milly handles the reception desk and such, doesn't she?"
"Yes, I do. But even though I’m the one suggesting it, taking on both the Guild Master’s duties and the Representative’s duties might be a bit too heavy for Rock or Kina."
So, it comes down to the sheer volume of work between the reception desk and the leadership roles.
"Either way, that’s a topic for consultation. Still, Milly can’t be the representative forever, so we need to find someone who belongs to the Adventurer’s Guild and is capable of managing the Adventurer District."
"Yuki-san, I understand your desire, but I feel it will be quite difficult in practice."
"You think so too, Eris? Yeah, I agree."
That’s the crux of it. It’s incredibly hard to select a 'leader' who has to manage things while coordinating with other organizations.
"Looking at it this way, it really shows just how irreplaceable Milly has been."
"I’m happy to be praised, but I really don't have any time off!"
"I’ll find someone somehow, so please hang in there a little longer, Milly."
"Yes. Understood. Now, back to those three—in the end, you’re just entrusting them with Weed’s operations, which isn't quite the same as being your true right hand, is it?"
"For now, at least. Whether they actually become my right hands depends on their future efforts. Besides, I don't know if I’ll entrust it to just one of them or if all three will step up. More importantly, unlike when I had Milly and the others, we aren't in a situation where we *have* to force them to succeed."
"Hmm. Indeed, back then, we had to do everything in our power—or rather, we had no choice but to make it work."
"In that sense, the selection of Mauve and the others was spot on."
Milly, Ratz, and Eris for internal affairs. Tori, Riel, and Kaya for security and brute force. Aslin, Firia, and Labyris for the future path. They really were a versatile group. If even one of them had refused the work back then, Weed might not be what it is today.
"I’m truly grateful."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, we were saved and were able to build warm families. However, as Ratz said, our situation was born of necessity."
"In that sense, this time we had the luxury of choosing from a pool of applicants. But since we don't know if they’ll be useful or not, this is how we’re proceeding."
"Yeah. Well, it’s the same as Seraria selecting knight candidates. I can grant them the ability itself through skill bestowal, but interpersonal relationships are another matter. What do you think, Samantha?"
I asked Samantha, who serves as a fellow diplomat...
"That, indeed, requires a certain sense."
"…Mm. Probably."
"Ahaha. Cleena is cute, so it’s fine."