第１５１６堀：知り合いの多い女神様 (Part1)
Chapter 1516: The Goddess with Many Acquaintances
Side: Seraria
“...And that is why we are currently in contact with Lord Bamai.”
Before me, my husband is explaining the situation to Lilishe, who had been unaware of our recent movements. It is true that if we are to act regarding the current state of Vinosia, cooperation from Litea is essential. Sharing information to a certain depth is necessary.
“I see, I see~. Bamai-san must have it rough, being suspected by you and Yuki-san like this~.”
When my husband mentions that we are cooperating with Lord Bamai while remaining vigilant, Lilishe says this with a smile.
Hm? That sounds a bit off, doesn’t it?
“Um, Lilishe-sama. Is there a specific nuance to the way you say Bamai-dono is being ‘suspected’? It sounds as if you are implying he is not an enemy.”
As Rurua points out, Lilishe’s words indeed carried the implication that Bamai is not our foe. As I wonder why that might be, she continues.
“That’s right, because Bamai-san is an acquaintance of mine~.”
“““...Huh?”””
I am being surprised by Lilishe-sama far too many times today.
“May I ask for details?”
“Sure~. Though it’s not a complicated story. I often change my post, you see~. He’s just one of the merchants I met during those times. If I recall, it started when his family was attacked by the Dark Guild, and I helped them—or rather, brought them to the church, I suppose?”
“Ah, I see. In other words, you know for a fact that Bamai-san is genuinely hostile toward the Dark Guild.”
“Exactly~. Oh, he hates the Dark Guild from the bottom of his heart~. Well, since his merchant company has grown so large, I can’t say for certain that his underlings aren’t involved—either knowingly or unknowingly—but there is no doubt that he himself is clean~.”
Lilishe states this with absolute certainty. Hearing her words, I exchange a nod with my husband.
“In that case, would it be alright for me to attend the discussion with Bamai-dono?”
“I think that would be fine~. Though I suppose timing is everything~. Do you want to sit in from the start~?”
“I see. You mean to act as a mediator or witness on behalf of Litea?”
“That’s right~. Though, if anything, I’d be on Bamai-san’s side~. Since Mikos-chan is backing Hayden and Weed, the power balance would be a bit lopsided if I didn’t support Bamai-san, wouldn’t it~?”
Ah, indeed. Even though we are the ones proposing negotiations, if Hayden, Weed, and Litea are all on the other side, it would feel more like a threat to Bamai. It would be difficult to call that an equal negotiation. Well, it is rarely an equal footing when dealing with the heads of nations versus a merchant company, regardless.
“True. Still, a merchant company might be wary of Litea getting involved. Perhaps it’s best to frame it as a meeting between friends?”
“That sounds good~. I am, after all, an envoy of Litea, but framing it as ‘because we are acquaintances’ should work~. I would like Alstaire-chan’s permission, though~. This whole affair is likely to cause even more chaos, isn’t it~?”
Lilishe says this while resting her cheek on her hand, offering a wry smile. I am reminded of the gravity of the situation. Lowel, having realized the same, wears a troubled expression.
“Ah, yeah... that’s going to be quite tough for Alstaire.”
“...Indeed. Following the Suurus incident, now the problem of old Vinosia. The fact remains that the Dark Guild was lurking right under their noses.”
“If we handle this poorly, it could be interpreted as them having turned a blind eye to the remnants who fled after the Lumel headquarters collapsed.”
As the two of them speak, the severity of the situation becomes increasingly clear. Those listening, like Prol, seem to share the sentiment.
“Indeed, as Lowel-sama says, this is a situation as painful as it gets for Litea.”
“However, we have already informed them about the former princess. Is there no possibility that Litea is acting on its own? Yuki-sama was suspicious of them from the start...”
“Ah, as Orelia says, Litea is moving as well. They are aware of the possibility that the former Vinosia territory—or rather, the power vacuum there—has allowed shady organizations to infiltrate. That said, it was Litea that permitted the Hinsua Kingdom to annex Vinosia, and it is a fact that they were aware Vinosia would fall. I doubt how much of an investigation they can actually conduct.”
It is true. Even if Rurua gave the order at the time, if they were to try and investigate old Vinosia now, ignoring the intentions of that era, it would surely invite dissatisfaction from the Hinsua Kingdom and the surrounding nations. They would ask, ‘Why now?’
More than anything, it would be an admission that Litea’s judgment was flawed, which could damage their reputation internationally. And as mentioned, there is the Suurus incident as well. While one might get away with it by claiming it is for the sake of investigating the Dark Guild, Litea itself is partially responsible for the Vinosia situation.
If they move without concrete evidence, Litea’s reputation will undoubtedly plummet. If their vassal states decide they are incompetent and defect, chaos is inevitable. They aren't aiming for that, are they?
As I ponder this, Lilishe suddenly claps her hands together.
“Ah, I have it~. Why don’t I go in as an investigator not just for Vinosia, but for Hinsua as well~?”
She says it as if it were a brilliant plan, but... wait. Is that actually a good idea?
I exchange a look with Lowel and then turn my gaze to my husband.
“Whether it’s a viable option or not, it’s certainly a possibility. Alstaire would want to investigate the Canaria matter herself. If she doesn’t gather information in Vinosia or Hinsua before we arrive, she’ll lose face. To pull that off, she needs someone who is knowledgeable about Hinsua and Vinosia, and above all, someone Alstaire trusts. Considering that...”
“I’m the perfect candidate, aren’t I~? I have the trust and the track record~.”
Lilishe says this with a smile. Yes, indeed. Aside from the founders of Litea themselves, there is likely no one with more experience and trust than you. After all, you are the Goddess of Love herself.
“Well, that’s true, but Alstaire’s blood pressure is likely to skyrocket.”
“Ahaha... Since I also bear a portion of the responsibility, I shall accompany you.”
That’s right. It would be better for Rurua to go along. For the sake of Alstaire’s health and peace of mind. But thinking about it now, Alstaire has been cleaning up Litea’s messes for a long time. The Elju matter was certainly Litea’s responsibility, but it was carried out by high-ranking officials seeking power on their own authority. I, too, was harsh toward Alstaire as a representative of Litea back then, but seeing it come to this, I can’t help but sympathize.
Actually, is this not becoming seriously dangerous?