第１２７２堀：やるべきことは？ (Part1)
Chapter 1272: What Needs to be Done?
Side: Yuki
The defense verification tests for the international student district had concluded successfully, and with the representatives, school principal, and vice-principal now appointed, I finally caught a moment to breathe.
"Man, those two were the only ones truly suited for the roles, but I wonder if I’m pushing too much on them."
"It’s fine. Those two will manage just fine."
"Exactly. They’ve calculated everything out, after all."
"Indeed. Both of them are perfectly capable of self-management."
"Mm. Master Eris is precise with her time. Ratz is reliable, too."
My four guards dismissed my worries as mere groundless anxiety.
Incidentally, Eris and Ratz had already headed off to the school and dormitories to conduct inspections based on the improvements identified during the test.
Honestly, the question of who would manage the facility had completely slipped my mind.
When we started the international student program, the biggest hurdle was security against hostile factions. Once we decided to entrust that to Tori and her team, everything else had just flown out the window.
But since Tori and her group—people I trust implicitly—are handling security, Ratz and Eris should be able to operate effectively even in that environment.
"I was surprised as well. Since you had already decided on the security detail, I assumed the district’s administrators had been settled long before that," Fiora said, sliding a cup of tea toward me.
"Thanks. Yeah, it was a lapse in judgment on my part. Since this is a system implemented by the nation of Weed, I suppose I thought of Seraria, as Queen, being the top authority, and because we were all working on it together, I never stopped to think about who should be the representative for the district itself."
"It is true that in terms of the system, Seraria-sama is at the top. However, she cannot handle the day-to-day operations herself."
"That’s true. I had all the necessary departments filled, so I didn't think about a representative for management either," Jessica and Ria nodded in agreement as they sipped their tea.
Right? In that situation, with Seraria at the top, there wasn't really a need for a specific manager or representative.
Actually, while it’s Seraria in name, it was my idea, so by rights, I should be the principal, but I don't have the luxury of time for that.
"It just goes to show how focused we all were on the international student program. Besides, even if Ratz-san and Eris-san are in charge of management, we’ll still be showing our faces there, won't we?"
"Mm. Even if the goal of the program is exchange, it’s better to have guides. In other words, we will act as the intermediaries."
"That’s right. I’ll likely be out there guiding as well."
"Eh? Does that mean I’ll be alone again?"
Ah, right. If Jessica and the others are working on diplomatic affairs, Ria would be the only one left acting as my dedicated guard.
However...
"This time, Ria, you won't be alone."
"What do you mean? Wait, ah!"
Ria seemed to realize it as she watched Orelia and the others preparing snacks.
"Exactly. Orelia and the others also serve as my guards. Well, someone will have to remain for diplomatic duties, of course."
"Yes. We have a proper rotation set up. The general petition work will be heavier for it, but serving as Yuki-sama’s guard was our job from the start," Orelia said, and the other two nodded.
Even though I have them working as the diplomatic window for the public, they are my guards.
So, moving forward, Ria won't have to shoulder the burden alone.
"Well, that’s that. You’ve got juniors on the guard detail now, so make sure to give them some advice as their senior."
"Understood. Wait, haven't we been training together quite a bit already?"
"Y-yes! We’ve been training with Ria-sama often!"
"Oh? Is that so? Isn't that Kirue and Sasari?"
"We’ve been taught by Kirue-sama and Sasari-sama too~! But lately, Ria-sama has been joining the training sessions~"
"Yes. You know, ever since I finished my maternity leave and started retraining."
"Ah, right. You were with Tori and Riel during your leave, so you were able to manage."
"That’s correct."
Ria and the others have fully returned to their duties now, but they had been on maternity leave until recently.
Regardless, I’m just glad the children were born safely. The problem had been my security and the handling of minor tasks during that period, which is why I brought Orelia and the others on as my subordinates.
It helped in many ways.
Still, I hadn't realized they were training together.
"Then I’m even more relieved. Our work is going to be busy once the international student program starts. When Cleena and the others can't move, I’ll be counting on you."
" " "Yes!" " "
With that, there shouldn't be any issues with our deployment once the program begins.
"...Yuki. The international student program is ready to start now. Well, adjustments with each country are still needed, but that’s not something we can get involved in. So, how do you intend to move from here?"
Right. I had thought one job was finally finished, but Cleena threw a sharp question my way.
Indeed, just because this task was done didn't mean all my work was cleared.
If anything, I now had to turn my attention to the other tasks I’d been putting off.
For example...
"First, the investigation into the magical depletion phenomenon. There’s the Great Forest, the Goblin Village, the Blue Hole, the Zuraburu region—there’s so much to cover."
"There is already too much information regarding that. Just sifting through it will be a monumental task," Jessica said, shrugging at the 'work' I’d listed.
She’s right.
Even for just one of those areas, the data is already vast; just processing it is enough to make one’s head spin.
"And then, I have to look into the god-related matters, too."
"When you say gods, do you mean the faction of intermediate gods?"
"Yeah. You remember well, Samantha."
"I could never forget. They appeared at Kagura-san’s place and Empress Eupia’s place, causing all sorts of trouble. In a sense, they are a very clear hostile faction for your objectives, Yuki-sama."
"...A hostile faction. Yeah. I suppose that’s the best way to look at it."
I muttered, staring at the ceiling with a slightly melancholic feeling.
The intermediate god faction.
I group them together with that single term, but to be specific, they are the gods of Aulito who did not follow Luna.
The one who interfered in the war between the Zuraburu Great Empire and the Haine Empire was a goddess named Senar.
Although, that goddess herself wasn't necessarily following the intermediate gods; she was simply rebelling against Luna, an upper-tier god.
In other words, they are actually divided into the true intermediate god faction and the anti-upper-tier god faction.
So, if I were to summarize them, they’re the 'I Hate Luna' group.
I’d like to join that group myself, honestly.