第１２３５堀：仕事はやっぱり忙しい (Part1)
### Chapter 1235: Work is, as Expected, Busy
**Side: Yuki**
"Yuki-sama, the representatives from the Zrable Great Empire, the Kingdom of Roday, the Holy Nation of Enaria, the Zilba Empire, and the August Kingdom have all arrived as of noon today."
I checked the clock following Orelia’s report, only to find that it was already past three.
"Ah, is it that late already? By the way, Fiora, how are the documents coming along?"
I called out to Fiora, who, like me, had been buried in paperwork here for quite some time.
"Yes, I have gathered as much as possible. Though, I must admit, it is only to the extent of my own knowledge."
"That’s more than enough. I’m grateful you included the common sense of the smaller nations, too. The major powers will surely compile their own, but their perspectives are bound to be skewed by their own status."
"That is only natural, I suppose. As for the common sense of the general populace that Yayui and Hovis are compiling..."
As I turned my gaze toward them, both looked up.
"Yes. We have finished the Rogali Continent portion, but the If Continent and the New Continent are still in progress."
"For the If Continent, Horst-sama of Betan is assisting, and for the New Continent, Catherine-sama has promised to have it done by this evening."
"Understood. It looks like we’ll make the deadline. Now, as for the greetings to the kings..."
"Regarding that, the kings of each nation are currently enjoying Weed at their leisure today. They mentioned that such tedious formalities can wait until the actual conference."
"I see. They’re all in that kind of mood, are they?"
"Yes."
Well, that’s far better than having them on edge.
Incidentally, the folks from the Rogali Continent have been coming to Weed for several days now, spending their time freely and relaxing.
In fact, that old man Blade from Samantha’s homeland of Roday comes by about once a week with the air of someone who belongs here.
The kings of the other nations aren't much different, really.
They just pop in whenever they please and hold their own little mini-summits.
It’s a testament to how peaceful the world has become.
Since there was no immediate need to rush the greetings, I thought I’d get back to work, but then Yayui spoke up as if she’d just remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, it seems Nairua-sama and Wazfi-sama are also cooperating on the common sense of the If Continent. Deryu-sama informed us of this."
"Ah, I heard about that too. Both of them are lending a hand with the general knowledge project."
I had heard that this would mean their "training" would be delayed, but wasn't their primary role that of researchers?
I did wonder just how far they intended to take this "training," but I decided to keep that thought to myself.
Deryu surely has her reasons.
Especially since Wazfi’s main focus is monster research, I can understand why the basics are important.
Well, as long as they don’t come crying to me for a direct appeal, I’ll leave that education to her.
"Anyway, we’ll continue with the paperwork until the scheduled time, but since it’s three o'clock, let’s take a snack break. Everyone, stop what you’re doing."
At my command, everyone set their work aside.
Orelia immediately began preparing tea.
I scanned my Item Box list and addressed the group.
"What does everyone want to eat today?"
Since a break in this workspace is an almost daily event, the snacks have inevitably become a bit repetitive.
Even so, I do my best to ensure we don’t have the same thing two days in a row, but the novelty of "what’s next" has long since worn off.
Is this just what happens when people get used to things?
Or is it because I don’t have much of an interest in sweets myself?
As I pondered this, Ria, who was on guard duty today, shot her hand up.
"I’d like a cream puff."
"Anyone else?"
As I turned my gaze to the others, Hovis raised her hand.
"I would like some pudding."
*Oh, we’ve got a split.*
Just as I thought that, Yayui raised her hand.
"I think I’d like a *manju*."
*Hmm, everyone wants something different.*
Well, I suppose that’s just how it goes.
I was wondering how to reconcile the requests when—
"Yuki. If you try to accommodate everyone, it won’t be efficient. Why not give those who requested specific sweets what they want, and you can simply provide something else for the rest?"
"That makes sense. I’ll adopt Jessica’s suggestion."
And so, I provided the requested items to those who asked, brought out some other snacks for the rest, and our leisurely tea time began.
The snacks that weren’t chosen could just go back into the Item Box.
"Yuki-sama, are you having *dango*?"
"Yeah, it caught my eye. *Anko*-covered ones are delicious."
I picked one up and showed it to Fiora.
"Anko. That’s the same thing inside the *manju* that Yayui is eating, isn't it?"
"Yeah. It’s sweet beans boiled down and mashed into a paste. This one has it spread over rice dumplings."
This "anko" is something unique to Japan.
Specifically, the word *an* originally referred to "something stuffed inside" in China, so the fillings of *manju* and *gyoza* were all called *an*. When *manju* was brought over from China, the filling was meat, but after it reached Japan, Zen monks who were religiously prohibited from eating meat substituted it with sweet bean paste—boiled, mashed adzuki beans.
Conversely, in Japan, the word *anko* has become synonymous with the sweet, boiled bean paste.
I munched on the *anko dango* while lost in these thoughts.
"Mmm. Delicious. It’s been a while, so it hits the spot."
I muttered this while sipping my green tea.
My body felt warm and relaxed.
"Haa... if only there weren't any work, I could spend the rest of the day relaxing with my wives."
"Agreed!"
Ria was the only one who enthusiastically jumped on my comment...
"Now, now, Ria, don't encourage him. If Yuki slacks off, it will affect tomorrow’s conference."
"Indeed. Jessica-sama is right. We know you care for us, but this is a time when we must persevere."
I was immediately shut down by Jessica and Fiora.
Knowing it was a lost cause, I gave Orelia and the others a sidelong glance, but—
"I cannot agree, either. It is true that nothing moves forward without Yuki-sama."
"Ahaha! Let’s do our best, Yuki-sama. We’re almost there."
"That’s right! We’ll be finished soon, and then we can all relax together!"
Orelia looked at me as if to say, *What are you talking about?* echoing Jessica and Fiora’s sentiments, while Yayui and Hovis were in "let’s push through" mode.
Well, the talk of slacking off was just a joke anyway.
"Alright. Then let’s eat quickly and finish this work properly. And once we’re done for the day, I’ll treat you all to dinner at my place."
" " "Yes!" " "
" " "Eh!?" " "
Orelia and the others were stunned by my declaration, but this was something I had discussed beforehand.
"I know how hard you’ve all been working. Seraria told me it’s about time I brought you all over to the house. Well, I’m not against it either. But if you’d rather not, that’s fine too."
"N-no! It would be an honor! I-I’ll do my best!"
"Y-yeah! I-I’ll finish my work quickly!"
"R-right! Y-Yuki-sama’s house!?"
They all seemed strangely excited, but it’s really just a normal inn, you know.