第１２５１堀：思い出してください彼女のことを (Part2)
"Heh-heh-heh. It was stuff that would have just rotted away if not for the Gate, so that’s been solved in one fell swoop. We’ve been stocking up on massive quantities of fresh fish in Weed, too. At a significantly reduced tax rate, of course."
Ratz made a circle with her thumb and index finger, wearing a wicked grin.
"I actually wanted to make it tax-exempt, but if I did that, it would end up being cheaper to buy in Weed than anywhere else."
"If you did that, the Sea-Saifo Kingdom—or rather, the entire New Continent side—would dry up, so I begged you not to do that, remember?"
Kagura looked visibly drained at Eris’s mention of 'tax exemption.'
Well, she had a point. If Weed were to make Sea-Saifo’s primary source of income tax-free, there would be no merit in anyone bothering to purchase directly from Sea-Saifo. Everyone would just buy whatever Weed had imported.
In reality, it wasn't quite that simple, but since Sea-Saifo was in a position where they had caused trouble for Weed in the past, they were essentially being allowed to import at special rates, which had led to this current state of affairs.
Yeah, I can only imagine how incredibly busy Menou must be, managing all of this.
If goods could be sourced cheaper through Weed than by negotiating directly with Sea-Saifo, there would be mountains of people lining up to cut a deal.
Wait, if she’s the one handling all that correspondence...
"So, is Menou actually still alive?"
"Yes. I was worried, so I brought her some energy drinks the other day, and she just snapped: 'Are you trying to make me die of overwork in this world too?! "I can fight for 24 hours"—what era are you living in?! Give me a break!' she said."
"Ah. So energy drinks were the wrong move for someone on the brink of death by overwork."
"It would seem so."
It appeared Taiki had inadvertently delivered a landmine to Menou and had to beat a hasty retreat.
"In that case, she should just take a break."
"You’re being awfully cruel, aren't you? Do you really think there’s anyone else in Sea-Saifo who can handle the coordination with other nations as well as Menou? Especially when it comes to Weed?"
I understood what Seraria was saying. The reason Menou was the best talent for Weed was because she was a former Earthling. She understood our intentions and could maintain connections behind the scenes. Above all, there was no one more trustworthy.
But still...
"I understand what you're saying, but if things keep going like this, Menou is going to drop dead and everything will fall into chaos."
Exactly. If Menou were to die of overwork, it would be entirely counterproductive.
"Well, if that happens, why not just make her an undead? Like me."
"Comet. Even then, you wouldn't work, so I had to move you around automatically, remember?"
I didn't dare say that Hifi was likely just keeping Comet bound and moving her through direct commands. That would be poking a hornet's nest.
"Setting aside the talk of madwomen, we do need to discuss this current matter with Menou."
"We do. She is one of the pillars of the New Continent, after all."
"Well, there have been many things, but ignoring her would only lead to more problems. Besides, the Sea-Saifo side is very interested in hearing the details about this new exchange student system, so a meeting is necessary."
"You mean about the Shrine Maiden of the Spirits? Menou-san isn't going to explode from overwork, is she?"
"..."
No one could deny the truth in those words.
It was true; as it stood, Menou was solely responsible for diplomatic coordination, import and export management, negotiations with the higher-ups, and a myriad of other tasks.
She was busier than I was.
Is she going to die?
"For now, if Menou collapses, we in Weed will be in trouble too, so please go and finish those discussions as soon as possible. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, I got it."
"At worst, we could just poach her."
"Sea-Saifo would be absolutely furious. Besides, she’s the type who values her family above all else."
Menou had nearly lost her mind when she first reincarnated into this world, but thanks to her kind family, she had managed to hold it together. That was why she was a heroine who continued to work in Sea-Saifo even now, all to protect them.
...Though I suspect she’d be angry if I told her that to her face.
"Still, the work really never ends, does it?"
"That’s just how the world is. Now, let’s eat, take a bath, and get some sleep so we’re ready for tomorrow."
"Yes!"
At Seraria’s words, everyone resumed their meal.
Man, I really wonder why it is that coming to another world didn't result in me solving everything easily with cheats, but instead, just led to my workload piling up.
Do you remember Menou?
She’s originally from Japan on Earth. Well, she’s a reincarnator, of course.
At the very least, there’s enough to Menou’s story to fill an entire novel on its own.
Don't ask me to write it, though.