第１４９３堀：鏡のお姫様 (Part2)
There, I saw eyes that had surrendered to despair, merely existing in a hollow shell.
Ah, I see...
She is who I was back then.
She must be...
"I see."
Upon returning from the theater, I immediately spoke to Yuki about her. I told him that she had lost her reason for living, just as I once had.
"I hear you, but well, that’s a common enough story, isn't it?"
It wasn't Yuki who answered my sentiment first, but Seraria. Her expression was deeply pained.
"Oh, that... well, I suppose you're right..."
Her situation, her circumstances—they weren't particularly unique. Just as it had been for me, many who came to live in Weed arrived carrying the weight of despair; it is a burden anyone might bear. Losing a loved one, being betrayed—it is by no means rare for the heart to shatter under the pressure of such things.
"Oh, forgive me, Ria. I didn't mean to be cruel. I understand your desire to help her, and truly, we share that sentiment as well."
"Eh? You do?"
"Hey, why are you questioning that now!"
For some reason, Deryu, who was standing nearby, retorted.
"I’ve been studying, you know, so I understand the situation. That girl is the centerpiece of this auction. If a major power buys her, those who were eyeing the treasure will be dissatisfied, and people will claim the alliance isn't fair, right?"
"..."
"What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
For some reason, everyone, including Orelia and the others, looked stunned. It was incredibly unpleasant.
"My apologies. As Ria said, it would be difficult to save her in Weed. So, Yuki, what will you do?"
Jessica conveniently shifted her gaze away from me to address Yuki.
"Well, we’re all in agreement that we don't want to line the pockets of our enemies, aren't we?"
"Wait, are you saying someone connected to the Dark Guild is selling that former princess?"
"Eh? Wait a moment, that means... Yuki?"
Something clicked in my mind.
"Please wait. Have you confirmed this? Wouldn't saying such things cause unnecessary chaos?"
Fiora, perhaps realizing the implications, signaled for Yuki to hold. Even I understood that if this were a mistake, it would cause an uproar across various sectors.
"That is precisely what we are here to verify. Where the funds from the sale of the former princess flow—you all know that, don't you?"
Yuki answered without reacting to our agitation.
"It’s just a matter of who is putting up the money. From the moment the former princess was mentioned, we’ve been investigating the background, and there were already whispers that the situation was suspicious. After all, slave trading is their primary source of funding."
"True. We did discuss that. But we haven't heard anything about a base of operations, have we?"
"Nothing is set in stone. As Fiora said, we haven't confirmed it yet. Currently, Eris, Ratz, Milly, and Rowell—not to mention Asu and various others—are just tracking the source."
"And the answer?"
"Not yet. This is part of the process of checking our findings. That said, the situation is highly suspicious."
Yuki said this, holding up a single finger.
"First, for the Dark Guild, a place without government interference is ideal for hiding."
"True. The former princess's country collapsed and fell into anarchy. Other nations intervened, but because they were hesitant, they needed funds."
"Suspicious, isn't it? For someone being chased by a major power, it’s a good place to hide. Well, selling a former princess for a high price wouldn't be enough to sustain such a place on its own, though."
"Wait, the one who sold the former princess wasn't the collapsed country, but the one that annexed it, right? Could the upper echelons be involved?"
"Who knows? We’re investigating that, too. Actually, I have a few more predictions, so could you hold your questions for later?"
"Ah, that’s true. My apologies."
"Now then, let’s organize the current situation and consider how we might save her."
With that, Yuki smiled at me.
Ah, he’s the same as ever.
It’s a hassle, but he always chooses a path that avoids unnecessary friction.
A condition I’ve seen somewhere before.
No, it’s different from Ria’s case, but the nature of emotional trauma is truly multifaceted, isn't it?