第１２０１堀：お姫様と幽霊 (Part2)
"Well, why don't you just send a message saying 'details to follow'? It’s not like it’s set in stone yet, right, Popuri?"
"True. It’s not decided yet. Though, I suppose the policy—or at least the general direction—is starting to take shape. So, is this the princess you’re planning to have meet Hivia?"
The person who looked at me while speaking appeared, for all intents and purposes, to be nothing more than a young child. Yet, this was none other than Principal Popuri, the woman who runs the greatest center for magical learning on the If continent.
"That’s right. Fiora, go ahead and introduce yourself."
"Yes. A pleasure to meet you, Principal Popuri. I am Fiora, and I have recently become a concubine to Yuki-sama."
"Mm. Nice to meet you. Let me introduce myself properly as well. I am Popuri, the principal of the Lancer Magic Academy. And this is our Vice Principal, Lara."
"A pleasure to meet you, Fiora-sama. We have heard much about you from Yuki-sama and his wives. We understand you will be primarily handling relations with the smaller nations moving forward?"
"That is the plan, and I am currently making the necessary preparations. I believe official word will be sent to the various countries in the near future."
"That should hopefully cut down on the number of idiots who try to spout nonsense directly to Yuki-dono. Oh, and should I be going through Princess Fiora for my own matters as well?"
"Um, regarding that..."
I knew that Popuri-sama and Yuki-sama were on intimate terms. Not knowing if it was truly necessary to go through me for every little thing, I glanced at Yuki-sama for guidance...
"No, there’s no need for you to go through Fiora. Besides, we’re already in a cooperative relationship due to the mana depletion phenomenon. That said, for anything outside of mana or magic-related issues, it would be better for the sake of appearances if you went through Fiora."
"Ah, I see. You mean that if I use my authority to meet with you directly for matters unrelated to magic, it might invite jealousy from others?"
I see. That is certainly a valid concern. People are prone to harboring envy over things they do not fully understand.
"Principal. I agree with Yuki-sama’s assessment. The very reason we are seeking this support is to mitigate the pressure caused by the jealousy of other nations. We should avoid doing anything that might exacerbate that."
"Fair point. In that case, Princess Fiora, I shall be in your care for any other matters."
"Please do not hesitate to call upon me when the time comes."
With that, my introduction concluded without incident, but there was still one more person who needed to be introduced...
"And Noriko, this is your first time here, isn't it? I’m glad you could make it."
"Indeed. Sorry to intrude, Popuri, Lara."
"Eh? You two are acquainted?"
"Lara and I have visited Weed many times. We’ve known Noriko, who is close to Yuki, for quite a while now. I never imagined she’d be able to come here, though."
"Same here. But it turned out to be surprisingly easy. Anyway, I’ll be primarily assisting Fiora with the Hivia situation, so I’ll be in your care."
"Yes, I’m counting on you. Actually, that brings me to a question I wanted to ask both Fiora and Noriko."
"Oh? What is it? Is something the matter with Hivia-dono?"
"Did something happen?"
"It’s not that something happened. I’ve already asked Yuki-dono and his group, but I wanted to know what you two think would be the path to happiness for Hivia—or rather, what should become of her?"
"..."
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Noriko and I exchanged glances.
"Is that truly something for us to decide? Shouldn't that be left to Hivia-dono herself, as the party involved, and you, Popuri-sama, who are currently providing her protection?"
"She’s right. It’s a matter of what the ghost herself wants, and if you’re considering how to utilize her, that’s a decision for you as the administrator here, Popuri. Or is there something else weighing on your mind?"
"You’re quite right. I suppose I’m just struggling with it myself. Hivia doesn't yet understand her own situation. I’m torn on whether it’s truly the right thing to force the reality that she is 'already dead' upon her."
Popuri-dono said this with a wry smile. I see—confronting someone with the truth is a painful thing indeed. That is why she is agonizing over whether or not to tell her.
"How do you feel about this, Yuki-sama?"
"I think it depends on the situation when Fiora and Noriko make contact. That said, if things go poorly, she might turn into a vengeful spirit. If that happens, we’ll have no choice but to exorcise her. I’m not sure if she can be reasoned with like Noriko."
"That’s true. So you’re thinking it’s better to act before any harm is done?"
"Something like that. Besides, I doubt she wants to become the kind of existence that hurts people. That’s why an indecisive person like me is sitting here agonizing over it."
That sounds just like Yuki-sama. Just as he told me not to push myself too hard when I took on this role, he is agonizing over this precisely because he is kind. However, ultimately, all I can do is...
"I understand your feelings. I will do my best to ensure we reach the answer you are looking for, Popuri-sama."
"We won't know until we meet her, anyway."
And so, we ended up spending some time at the Lancer Magic Academy.
"Oh, by the way, you can handle your paperwork here just fine."
"Eh? We’re doing that here too?"
"Well, it is our job, after all."
Ugh, perhaps I had underestimated Weed and Yuki-sama. I never expected that even on a business trip, I would be told to keep up with my regular duties simultaneously...
A new duo is formed.
Oh, and by the way, yesterday, July 27th, was my birthday.
Happy Birthday to me!