第１４６０堀：会議前の雑談 (Part1)
Chapter 1460: Small Talk Before the Meeting
Side: Aslin
Today, instead of heading to the International Exchange School as usual, I’m accompanying my older brothers and sisters to the Grand Meeting. It seems the situation in Suls, following the Great Flood, has finally settled down.
“I’m so glad Deryu-oneechan and the others made it back safely.”
“Indeed. It is a relief to see everyone looking so well.”
Firia-chan nods in agreement with my words. She apparently helped my brother quite a bit during this incident by crafting various tools. I’m a little disappointed that I can’t do things like that myself. But then again, the older sisters often say they’re just happy to have us there to see them off and welcome them home every day, and we’ve been working hard to take care of the children, so I suppose that’s enough.
“True. It sounds like it was a surprisingly long haul.”
“Indeed. They spent at least a week in each country for discussions, so with travel and everything else, they were away for nearly a month.”
As Labyris-chan pointed out, I knew it had been a while, but I was shocked to hear Shera-chan say it was nearly a month. It makes sense now why the older sisters looked so relieved when they finally returned home, declaring their work finished. Even though they return to their original forms from their Doppelganger states every night, staying in that environment is mentally draining, and knowing they were dealing with enemies during their work—well, it’s only natural they’d be exhausted.
“I heard about it. They said it was tough because they had to rely on the local food over there.”
“Cleena-onee brought some food back for them, didn’t she?”
“...To be honest, it wasn’t exactly delicious.”
We all nod along to Vilia-chan’s comment. Having to eat that food day after day while trying to hold serious discussions sounds miserable. Good food is the source of one’s motivation, after all.
As we walked toward the government building for the meeting, we ran into Tori-oneechan and the others.
“Oh, hey there!”
“So, Aslin and the rest of you are here too?”
“Let’s go together.”
It looked like Tori-oneechan’s group was also scheduled to attend the Grand Meeting and had just arrived. Since there was no reason to refuse, we decided to head over together.
“By the way, how are things at school for you students? Any problems?”
“Hmm, not really? Though some of the studies are quite difficult.”
“The science curriculum seems to reject our understanding, in a way.”
“Reject? What do you mean?”
“It’s like this, Tori. Until now, we were taught that magic is a miracle of the gods. So, when they start talking about clear rules, activation conditions, and auxiliary methods to enhance effects, it feels like the ‘miracle’ is being stripped away. Some students really hate that.”
“Ah, I see. Well, there aren’t many of them in the higher grades, though.”
“Are there a lot in Hiiro’s group?”
Yeah, there were definitely kids like that. Especially among the younger ones.
“...I see. It must be tough to have something you’ve believed in your whole life denied. But aren’t they starting to come around to it?”
“It seems not. According to Ratz-san and Eris-san, many of the higher-ups in those countries are quite stubborn in their faith. They seem to be sending their children here hoping to sway them, but it’s the other way around. Well, we have those types in Gartz, too.”
Shera-chan says this with a wry smile. Unlike us in the primary division, the higher grades shouldn’t have such foolishness, but I suppose religion is a complicated matter. Or perhaps things were just different over in Gartz?
As we chatted and walked into the government building, waiting for the elevator, Labyris-chan suddenly spoke up.
“Come to think of it, I heard Riel snuck into the exchange party. Did something happen?”
The exchange party? Oh, the one for the people involved with the International Exchange School? It’s basically an orientation for newcomers visiting Weed for the first time. Since there are so many people involved with the school this time, we provide explanations beforehand, but words alone aren’t always enough. Even if they aren’t attending the school, these people are recognized as dignitaries from their respective countries, and many want to build connections with Weed and the other nations participating in the exchange. So, we created a space to facilitate that. It was supposed to be led by the police and the military, so it wasn’t strange for Riel-oneechan to be there.
Seeing my confused expression, Labyris-chan realized what I was thinking...
“Oh, when I say ‘snuck in,’ I mean she went as a participant, not as a police officer. She was posing as someone from White Forest, right?”
“I heard that too. Riel-san gathered the people attending the party and took them out to some restaurants.”
“Oh, I’ve seen that! Right, Firia-chan?”
“I have seen it, too. I thought she was just one of her usual friends. But now that you mention it, she had changed her hair color and length.”
Riel-oneechan is good at making friends, so I just assumed that was it, but it was actually a disguise to blend into the party.
“Now that you mention it, that’s right. I remember it because Riel-onee’s long hair is so rare.”
“Ahaha, it was surprisingly cute, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
Riel-oneechan’s long hair was a look I hadn’t seen before, and it was cute. Wait, that’s not the point.
“Yes, yes, that’s fine. But Riel, why were you posing as someone from White Forest at the party?”
“That’s... well, to listen in on things?”
Riel-oneechan’s answer sounded like a question, so Tori-oneechan explained with a wry smile.
“You see, there were reports that someone in Irinau was cooperating with the Dark Guild. We had her keep an eye out to see if anyone was leaking information to them, even unconsciously.”
“Of course, it was also to check if there were any troubles that people felt uncomfortable reporting to the police directly,” Kaya-oneechan added.
I see. We’ve known for a while that the Dark Guild has been asking various acquaintances for help, but it’s become clear that even within small countries like Irinau, there are people cooperating with them. The individuals themselves often think they’re just taking bribes and don’t realize who they’re actually dealing with. Unconscious collaborators, I suppose. That’s why the older sisters moved to strengthen security within Weed.
“Uncomfortable reporting to the police... I suppose that makes sense. You thought it would be a problem if they kept it bottled up?”
“Exactly. And in fact, there were some people who were frustrated by cultural differences.”
Riel-oneechan puffed out her chest as she said that. She really is good at adjusting these kinds of situations.
“Still, overall, things have been calm at the school and in Weed, haven’t they?”
“Mm. It’s definitely peaceful.”