第１１６５堀：久々の集まり (Part2)
"Well, knowing Yuki, there’s likely some underlying purpose to it all. It’s to ensure Kishua can conduct a thorough investigation into Roday. That goes for you too, Sia, doesn't it?"
As I confirmed this, Sia offered a wry smile.
"Haha. Well, the Church has been cooperating quite willingly. However, there’s been no contact from the royal family."
"The situation in Enaria is a bit fraught with friction between the religion and the state. They say they’re making adjustments behind the scenes, but for those who only see the surface, hearing about you, Sia, might just trigger a meltdown."
"That is true. Which is likely why I haven't been introduced. But, setting that aside, today's gathering is for Micos, was it?"
"Yeah, a request from Micos. Probably something to do with the magazine, I’d guess."
"Magazine?"
Kishua tilted her head in confusion, so I handed her the copy I had been carrying.
"Oh, this one? What are they planning to cover by gathering us all together?"
"Perhaps an introduction to this stuffed animal shop?"
"That’s plausible. It is a feature on the shops in Weed."
"Whoa. Well, if it isn't Claudia and Kaya."
Claudia and Kaya had arrived. It felt like everyone was converging all at once. Then again, since they were all arriving via the gate, the distance didn't really matter—provided they weren't away on a mission in some remote region where the gates couldn't reach.
I greeted the two of them.
"Hey, you both look well."
"Yes. We’re working without any issues. Right, Nina?"
"That’s right. We’re demi-humans, so our investigations are focused in that direction."
"Well, it’s rare to suspect your own kind, I suppose. Still, there must be extremists out there, right?"
"Indeed. There are certainly those who dislike the idea of hiding away in White Forest."
"That’s my jurisdiction. I can use illusions, so infiltrating human towns is my specialty. Besides, thanks to Weed, the treatment of demi-humans has improved significantly lately. Because of that, a new power base is forming around the demi-human villages near Betan."
I see. So the number of extremist demi-humans is dwindling. It really didn't seem like there would be any major trouble ahead.
"Well, it’s been a while since we’ve all been together. Once Micos finishes the interview, we should take some time to relax in Weed. I’ll speak to Noble about it myself."
"Oh, Difes, you’re the best. A true leader."
"Agreed. She really is a leader."
"Kishua, Kaya—you two are far too indulgent. Honestly."
"And that leaves Nefeli, Fio, and... Alfin, I suppose."
"..."
Nefeli and Fio were fine. Even though her younger sister Fio had become an undead, I heard she’d been regaining her emotions lately, and Nefeli was fine too—just a bit of a sister-complex, that’s all.
The problem, the truly terrifying, monumental problem, was Alfin, the lover of all things sweet. This had come to light after we arrived in Weed; it wasn't just that she loved sweets, but she would force us to eat them until we were at our breaking point. It was completely unexpected, but that was the first time I’d ever felt like I couldn't take another bite of something delicious. I even felt nauseous just looking at a cake for a while afterward.
"No, lately, you know, she opened a candy shop in Weed and apparently hired a 'Dragon Butler' to keep things settled."
"Yeah, I heard that too, but it makes absolutely no sense. Still, I don't think the story about a dragon being a butler is a lie."
Yuki had mentioned that Coral, one of the Dragonkin who appeared during the Dafaio Kingdom incident, was living in Weed, but I still couldn't fathom why that 'dragon' would be working as a 'butler.'
"As always, Yuki and his people do things on a completely different scale."
"It’s unimaginable, isn't it?"
"That cannot be denied."
"Yes. It cannot be denied."
Sia and Claudia nodded solemnly at Kishua and Kaya’s words. I felt the same way.
As we were chatting like this, more people entered the living room. I thought it was Nefeli and Fio, but—
"Hey, it’s good to see everyone looking so well."
"Yo."
"H-hi there."
Standing there, for some reason, were Leila, Alfin, and Comet-san, who was carrying Fio and Nefeli.
Oh no. We’d been set up.