第１５０１堀：町はどうでしたか？ (Part1)
Chapter 1501: How was the town?
Side: Yuki
We returned to the hotel without incident, and a banquet was held in the conference hall, including the non-aligned nations.
This dinner party, believe it or not, is scheduled to continue for another three days.
You might wonder why, but it’s only a single day, and at most, the banquet lasts only two or three hours.
Given that we have to handle introductions, promises for future audiences, and the actual meetings we have planned, time is going to be in short supply.
That said, I am, for all intents and purposes, the Prince Consort.
"Good evening."
"Yes, Queen Seraria, and Yuki-sama, I look forward to our continued good relations."
So said the various minor kings as they drifted away.
I’ve already reached the point where I can’t match faces to names anymore.
Since they’re likely from the non-aligned nations, one might think, "Oh, that sounds tough," but ultimately, the face of Weed is Seraria. As long as they remember her, there’s no problem.
"Hey now. Could you stop leaving everything to me?"
After the guests had completely departed, Seraria fixed her gaze on me and said that.
"Can't be helped. On the surface, I’m just an ornament with no real power. I trust you, Seraria."
"You’re being far too forceful. Still, since they’re so blatantly ignoring you and flocking to me, it’s clear the rumors are having an effect."
"Isn't that fine? If we’re thinking about national interest, with so little time, they’d be better off trying to make an impression on you than on me."
It’s simple why more people greet Seraria than me.
It’s a matter of efficiency.
If greeting someone useless doesn't lead to results, there’s no need to talk to them.
"I suppose. But thanks to that, I’m in a foul mood because they’re neglecting my husband."
"Usually, I’m the one handling those trivial matters. But with these strange rumors spreading..."
"...Was that how it was?"
It’s true that Seraria is usually busy dealing with the major powers and our allies, but thanks to the rumors about me taking on a life of their own, I’ve been receiving petitions directly from both minor and major nations alike.
Thanks to that, I’m incredibly busy, too. I was just about to say that things would have been easier if Seraria had worked a bit harder on that front, but then she said that.
"Well, let’s do our best together as a married couple."
"That’s right. Spouses are meant to support each other, after all."
"How convenient for you."
"For you as well."
As we were talking, I saw another group heading our way.
Ah, I thought, small talk ends here. As I looked at the approaching figures...
"My, you’ve changed your impression quite a bit."
"Don't you think you could have left a bit more of your original self?"
Seraria and I seemed to be of the same mind, and when we voiced our opinions to the person, she replied:
"I can't exactly be so blatant about being one of 'our own' in a place like this."
The tone of her voice hadn't changed, but given her original appearance, the discrepancy was jarring, making it feel quite unnatural.
"Yeah, honestly, Dre-nee, I prefer you with your wheat-colored skin."
"I’m not sure if this is the right place to say this, but I also think you were fine as you were."
Her two attendants, Hiiro and Vilia, said the same.
In other words, the person in question was...
"Seriously, you guys. If people find out I’m connected to you, it’ll just cause all sorts of trouble, won't it? Why aren't you playing along?"
Yes, this person was Dressa, usually known for her wheat-colored skin.
Currently, however, she had pale skin and blonde hair.
She was a far cry from the impression Dressa usually gave off. She looked like a sheltered young lady of high standing.
"It’s not really a problem, though."
"Excuse me? I’m here to investigate things as a minor nation, right? If it’s discovered that I’m connected to you, Yuki, and to Weed, wouldn't that compromise the information I can gather?"
"Dressa’s not wrong, but at the end of the day, you’re already being watched. After all, you’re from a minor nation on the If Continent, not from Rogari. Aside from Lancer, you’re the only other one, so you can’t deny the sense of being an outsider."
"That’s true. Dressa came here to see the state of the town, but are you looking for future developments? Are you planning to become independent?"
"I am not. What would I even do with a plot of land that has nothing? I’m staying with you, Yuki, and the others."
"Right. So there’s no reason to put on a facade here. You were with Shera and the others, so there’s no point in trying to hide anything."
"...True. Then, all this effort I put into my appearance..."
"It’s not exactly a waste, but you do seem to be trying a bit too hard."
"Why didn't anyone tell me sooner!"
Dressa finally seemed to realize that she had been spinning her wheels.
Of course, if she intended to do various things with the status of a minor nation sovereign given to her by the King of Ex, she wouldn't be wrong, but based on our conversation, Dressa didn't seem to have that intention. Well, I guess that’s just how it goes.
As we were talking about that, someone else came over...
"Dressa, it’s not a bad thing, you know. You wanted to see the people of this town, Wean, precisely because you had been watching how people lived in Weed, right?"
"Shera."
"I thought you were putting in all that effort to protect Yuki, us, and the people of the town."
"Labyris."
"So, it’s not a waste at all! Big Brother, you should think a bit more about how you phrase things."
"That is correct. Dressa is wonderful."
"Aslin, Firia."
Yes, it was Shera and the others.
They had been keeping watch outside during the auction, but it seemed there were no major issues, and they were relaxing at the banquet.
Unlike Seraria and me, they were participating as subordinates of Weed.
Also, I got a bit of a scolding from Aslin and Firia.
Yeah, well, I suppose that was my fault.
"That’s right. Dressa performed her duties well. Unlike Mikos."
Just as I was thinking that, Kagura and Mikos came over.
Kagura was also participating in this auction to secure development personnel for the Jarna Barony, Mikos’s family estate.
In other words, Mikos was the main one, but...
"Ehh, Mikos-chan is working properly, too! I bought the slaves, and I gathered information about the town!"
"What kind of information? You just went into clothing stores and jewelry shops to browse and waste money."
"Tsk, tsk. There’s information you can only get in those places. Right, Yuki-sensei?"
"I suppose so. I hadn't gathered information in that sector. Kirue, how about you?"
"Yes. We haven't touched that area. As maids, we are, after all, just commoners."
"Ratz, how about you?"
"Still working on it. I haven't fully grasped the merchants in the town of Wean yet. After all, the people gathered here for this auction aren't just from this town."