第１３１８堀：反ウィード連合への対応 (Part1)
### Chapter 1318: Dealing with the Anti-Weed Coalition
**Side: Seraria**
"I-I am truly, t-truly grateful to be allowed to participate in such a m-meeting, despite my, my humble self..."
The one who offered this stuttering greeting was the protégé championed by Kirika and Kirue.
That said, it seems her extreme stage fright hasn't been cured.
I had wondered why they would bring someone of that caliber before me, but considering she is the head of the Information Division and the Resident Division—the very departments that hold and manage information on the anti-Weed factions currently infiltrating Weed—it was a different matter entirely.
"I understand your feelings. It is clear that you are doing your utmost to show respect. Therefore, participate in this meeting. Prol, your information will protect the citizens of Weed and the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. I will not accept a refusal. Is that understood?"
As I deepened my expression as Queen, the wavering in Prol's eyes solidified into resolve...
"Yes! I shall provide my assistance, however small it may be!"
I was surprised to see her suddenly act so composed, and since Kirue was nearby, I asked...
"Why does she seem so much better?"
We had all consulted on what to do about her before, as she was usually so hesitant that conversation was impossible.
There was no doubt she was talented, but once she exceeded her time limit, she was beyond help.
Yet, this time, she had surpassed that limit.
"It is likely a coincidence. Well, perhaps she has improved slightly because she is being supported by Master and Kirika-sama."
"That is plausible."
Whether it was a coincidence or the result of support, both seemed likely.
This girl worships my husband, after all.
That might have inspired her, or perhaps his support helped her regain her composure.
"Very well. Before you take your seat, introduce yourself once more."
"Yes! My name is Prol, and I serve as the department head for the Information Division and the Resident Division at the Weed General Government Building! Your Majesty, and ladies, I look forward to working with you!"
Ratz and Eris, in particular, stared with wide, round eyes at Prol’s crisp, professional greeting.
That was to be expected.
Even among us, we had thought this girl couldn't be put on the front lines, and above all, those two had been supporting Prol as the ones working in the same location, right after Kirika and Kirue.
If she keeps this up, I won't have to worry, but for now, I’ll just have to keep an eye on her.
Once I confirmed Prol had taken her seat...
"Now then, you called this meeting, but may I ask for the specific reason?"
I directed my question to my husband, who was sitting next to Prol.
I had heard the gist of it, but it was necessary to hear it properly.
"The reason I gathered you all is regarding the Anti-Weed Coalition that has infiltrated—or rather, is residing in—Weed."
No one was surprised by those words; they simply waited for him to continue.
In the past, they would have been in a panic, but they’ve grown accustomed to this.
I suppose that shows how much experience everyone has gained. It’s hard to say if that’s reliable or just sad.
"We have confirmed three groups so far. Fortunately, as planned, they are all residents of the New Residential District..."
He then explained the actions the Anti-Weed Coalition had taken thus far.
Even so, the content was pathetic.
They were just talking to spies or sending letters, and since we were already tracking the contents, it was at a level that posed no problem.
"So, that is the situation. They are acting exactly as predicted. Prol is tracking their movements within Weed, and I have left the rest to Kirika. We are currently tracing the spies they’ve contacted and the recipients of their letters. What I want to discuss is what to do with these spies. I expected someone to infiltrate, and I had planned to use them as decoys to investigate. However, after discussing it with Steve and the others, it seems the total number will eventually exceed fifty. They aren't carrying weapons or poisons, but the question is whether we can afford to ignore a group of fifty."
"I see."
As my husband said, we had anticipated from the start that hostile forces would try something, which is why we created the New Residential District as a decoy to lure them in.
So far, so good. It was truly going according to plan.
However, the increasing number is a problem.
"I’ve discussed it with everyone here, and many are of the opinion that kicking them out wouldn't look good, either to the outside world or to the enemies themselves. On the other hand, just leaving them be is also problematic."
"Indeed... that is true. By the way, you mentioned you are investigating their backgrounds, but do you know which entities constitute the Anti-Weed Coalition? If we knew that, our approach might change, don't you think?"
"Rurua is right. Where do these members of the Anti-Weed Coalition come from?"
Indeed, if we knew their affiliations, we could use various connections to apply pressure or handle them accordingly.
Whether that is the right thing to do is another matter.
"We know that all three groups immigrated from the Rogari Continent. We don't know their exact origins, but their entry routes were surprisingly varied, coming from the directions of Roschur, Gartz, and Lithea."
"In other words, the Anti-Weed Coalition exists within three of the five major powers, or within smaller nations related to them. Is this unexpectedly troublesome?"
At this early stage, we are already looking at hostile elements within the spheres of three major powers.
However, my husband didn't look particularly troubled.
"It’s not necessarily troublesome. We don't yet know what the 'Anti-Weed Coalition' actually signifies. Their actions will change depending on whether they are just against Weed or against the concept of intercontinental exchange itself. Even if they intend to bring disadvantage to Weed, they don't necessarily have to cause direct harm. We could simply change the opinions of the major powers."
"Ah, that’s true. Right now, they are just living in Weed and gathering information. Every country does that, and our allies are likely gathering information as well."
As Shera said, every country is gathering information on Weed.
It just comes down to whether or not that results in actual damage.
"But they call themselves the 'Anti-Weed Coalition,' so aren't they aiming to cause us harm?"
"As Quar says, that cannot be denied. However, they haven't made a move yet. We still don't know what their objective is. That’s why. For now, we leave them be, gather information, and decide at what point we move to secure them, or whether we contact each continent."
"Oh? You haven't told that shitty old man yet?"
"I only heard the report today. If I tell him clumsily, he might just crush them, don't you think?"
"Well, naturally. People who are working to destroy the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance are operating within his own country, after all."
"Well, I suppose so. But how far do you think he’ll investigate before he crushes them?"
"...Ah, I see. So you’re worried that if he ends it too easily, it’ll be a problem for us. Setting aside the shitty old man, I’d like to trust the older sister, but... no, their technical capabilities are too different. There’s a high possibility the investigation will hit a dead end somewhere."
So, my husband is talking about the limits of the investigation.
Originally, for criminal or hostile organizations with bases outside the country, the protocol is to request the respective country to handle it.
While we have the authority to conduct joint investigations, there is always the possibility of being obstructed...
"Come to think of it, how is the selection and training of personnel for the international investigative organization coming along?"
I remembered the training of personnel for the international investigative body.
I couldn't quite recall how far along it was.