第１３６２堀：不透明な今 (Part2)

第１３６２堀：不透明な今 (Part2)

Given my position, it was only natural, yet the conversation was proving impossible—or rather, it was because Lilishe led the largest religious sect on the Logari Continent that I couldn't speak to her carelessly.

One wrong move could easily ignite a war between nations.

The same held true for Hairen and Senal.

If they were to bestow divine protections upon the citizenry, some fool would inevitably emerge claiming to be the true messenger of the goddess, undoubtedly sowing chaos across every continent.

Thus, the tacit understanding had become to leave such matters to Weed and simply let them be.

And now, the very source of that potential catastrophe was volunteering to head to the Suurus Principality herself.

I found myself wondering how to handle this.

"Come to think of it, Lilishe, didn't you once work in Suurus?"

"I did indeed~. Let's see, was it two stints before I came to Weed?"

"How many years ago was that? By the standards of divine time, you wouldn't have any acquaintances left there, would you? And if any did survive, the time elapsed would be enough for children to have become elderly, which makes things dangerous for you, Lilishe. You’d be branded a suspicious person the moment you arrived."

"Oh my~. Are you worried about me~?"

"Well, naturally."

"Absolutely!"

I was thinking of the collateral damage caused by a walking bomb like her, while Alstaire was genuinely concerned for Lilishe’s safety.

Lilishe, however, remained unfazed.

"It's fine~. It was only about ten years ago, at most~. Back then, I was a high-flying priestess traveling all over the place."

"Ten years, huh... If people saw you as being in your twenties back then, would you pass for being in your thirties now?"

She looked like a beautiful woman in her early twenties, no matter how you sliced it. Wouldn't that raise suspicions?

Actually, if she was a priestess in Ria’s village over ten years ago, that would have been even earlier.

Did Ria really believe in this ageless goddess without a shred of doubt?

"My~, what a rude question. A woman is always young~."

"I understand the sentiment, but there's no point in provoking the locals. Well, come to think of it, there are long-lived races like elves, so maybe we can just say you have some of that blood in you?"

"That's true~. That should work~. Now, all that's left is for Alstaire-chan to prepare the appointment papers and the letter of introduction, right?"

With that, Lilishe gazed at Alstaire.

If one could turn a blind eye to the fact that she was a goddess and a ticking time bomb, she was undeniably excellent at diplomacy and had no issues with interpersonal relations.

As a goddess, her inherent power was sufficient, so I wasn't worried about her capability.

Though, she would certainly need an escort.

Still, I wondered if Alstaire would truly be willing to send a goddess worshipped by Lilishe to a nation currently embroiled in a battlefield.

I had my own concerns about the risks—such as the goddess becoming a DP—but I had assumed Alstaire would struggle with it on a personal level.

"...Lilishe-sama. I humbly request that you serve as our envoy to Suurus."

Alstaire bowed deeply, her request earnest.

It was clear she had grasped the situation fully before making her decision. Her hands were clenched tight, trembling slightly.

"Very well. Leave it to me."

"However, you must take an escort. Yuki-dono, would you be willing?"

"Understood. I’ll arrange the escort—or rather, it would be best to send my wives from the fortress. It will serve as a show of force to the other side."

It would act as a clear signal that the nations of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance were providing reinforcements.

If the Suurus Principality was being threatened, it would reassure them to know they had such allies, and if there was no threat, it would serve as proof of how far we were willing to go for them.

Though, it wasn't without its dangers.

"Yes, that would be for the best. I shall prepare the documents immediately, so please wait a moment."

With that, Alstaire rose from her seat.

She had likely returned to her home country to explain the situation and draft the papers.

It was the burden of a nation that even writing a simple document couldn't be done on a whim.

And as for me...

"I need to ensure we have prior reconnaissance as well."

And so, I began to set things in motion.

Lilishe had volunteered. There was anxiety, certainly, but there was no denying her utility.

Clutching my stomach, I watched as Lilishe prepared to depart.