第１３４６堀：訓練の後 (Part2)
"This time around, our time off is so limited that everyone is just doing as they please. We simply felt like breaking a sweat with some training. If we were to call our husband over..."
"It wouldn't exactly turn into the kind of training we’re looking for, would it? Or rather..."
"We’d have no choice but to spend the morning getting intimate, wouldn't we?"
"Yes, that’s true."
As we—myself included—nodded in agreement among the wives, Aju, Quar, and Sasari chimed in...
"My, you all certainly get along well. Or is it that this training is the issue?"
"It’s hard to call it an 'issue,' exactly. What do you think, Sasari?"
"Isn't it better than not exercising at all? We feel refreshed, too. In truth, days like yesterday where we could train to our hearts' content for a full day have been rare lately. Lady Aju, you participated a little yourself, so you must understand the feeling, right?"
"Well, I suppose it was refreshing to run, leap, and swing a weapon with such abandon."
Aju, too, had been swinging her weapon, partly out of admiration for me. Perhaps she had been harboring some pent-up stress from her recent administrative duties and instruction work. Though, while she is being trained by Lady Enor, her swordsmanship still has a long way to go.
"Hmm. For some reason, I feel a mocking gaze from my sister. Oh well. But then, why is Brother leading Orelia and the others around? Isn't he supposed to be resting?"
"It’s not as if he’s giving them instruction. He’s just acting as their full-fledged attendant. So, if anyone is tired, it would be..."
"I see. You mean Orelia and the others?"
"And then there’s Prof."
"Prof? Who is that?"
Aju tilted her head, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
"Prof is someone recommended by Senior Kirue and Lady Kirika, who now serves as the department head for both the Resident and Information divisions at the General Government Building."
"Oh? She must be incredibly talented. But I’ve never heard of her—why is that?"
Aju tilted her head further, perplexed by her own ignorance of someone in such a position. It is true that Aju’s standing is a delicate matter for the Findall Empire and the Haire Church. Consequently, she is well-versed in the inner workings of Weed, and in the event of a crisis, she holds a level of command authority just below that of my husband, Seraria, and their immediate circle. Before her, the chain of command includes Lord Souta, Lady Enor, Taizo-dono, and Taiki-dono.
Given her position, it is only natural for her to be puzzled by her lack of knowledge regarding Prof. However, those of us who know *the* truth about Prof could only offer wry smiles. Seeing our expressions, Aju, quick on the uptake, realized the situation.
"I see. So Brother is acting separately for the sake of this Prof. But I suppose she must be worth the effort if he’s going to such lengths."
"Exactly. Her talent is immense; it would be a waste to abandon her just because of her flaws. Though, with only three days, it’s hard to say if she’ll change."
"Or rather, we’re all meeting up today, so it’s effectively only one day. And since it’s nominally a holiday, at that."
As Deryu said, if it were that easy to fix her in a single day, we wouldn't have any trouble at all.
"Then, Brother gets no rest at all?"
"That’s why today and tomorrow are for meeting up and relaxing at home. Now, shall we finish up with our baths and head out for some shopping?"
"Shopping? I thought we were going to cook?"
"We are, but Weed changes every single day. We like to buy various things during times like this to try them out. I’m sure everyone else is doing the same."
"Come to think of it, when we were summoned yesterday, Aslin and the others were doing quite a bit of shopping..."
Ah, Aslin and Hiiro had mentioned meeting up with friends from school, so they were likely picking up souvenirs as well.
As we chatted, we finished our baths and began to prepare for the night ahead. Our princesses are often of the martial sort. After all, a fighting princess is a classic, isn't it?