第１５１６堀：知り合いの多い女神様 (Part2)
"Say, dear, regarding Litea—don't you think their reputation is spiraling downward a bit too sharply? Shouldn't we, as an alliance, discuss how to provide some damage control?"
"I share that sentiment. While Litea’s attitude during the Suurus incident was perhaps expected, it was undeniably harsh. Though I haven't heard it directly, I doubt the leaders of other nations view it as a mere blunder on Litea's part. I understand why Litea feels they must act that way, but if a major power begins to falter, that becomes a problem for everyone. Isn't it time we sat down and discussed this?"
Lowell, clearly unsettled by Litea’s recent maneuvers, voiced her concerns to my husband with even more gravity than I could muster.
"Hmm. You’re right. Perhaps it’s not just Alstaire—there have been too many incidents lately that have tarnished Litea’s reputation in such a short span. It wouldn't be surprising if people started questioning their governance."
"Exactly. Even if nothing is happening on the surface, we’ve been gathering intelligence from various nations, and there is a genuine risk that they might resort to extremist measures."
I felt Lowell’s imagination might be running a bit wild, but I couldn't outright deny her logic. The Suurus affair had exposed the shadow guilds operating in the dark, and we knew for a fact that certain nations were complicit. For Litea, that alone was a stain on their honor—after all, it was their own subordinates who had been pulling those strings. On top of that, the suspicion that the shadow guild’s headquarters might be located within their own vassal states was hardly a comforting thought. They might even be tempted to take drastic, erratic action against the Hinsa Kingdom.
"I don't want to believe Alstaire would go that far, but... caution is warranted. Lilishe, could you speak with Alstaire? Tell her we’re heading to the Hinsa Kingdom to investigate the former Vinosia territory, and while you're at it, could you provide some 'counseling'—or perhaps persuasion—to the upper echelons of Litea, including Alstaire herself?"
"I suppose I could manage that~. But they’re already on the move, aren't they~?"
"They are, but the Vinosia matter was something Litea officially sanctioned, so I’d like to believe they won't act with total recklessness. This is partly to confirm that."
"Understood~. I should head out right away, shouldn't I~?"
"Yes. I’m counting on you."
"Then I’ll take Rurua-chan with me~. She’s better suited to convey our intentions as an alliance, don't you think~?"
All eyes turned to Rurua. While it was true that Lilishe was a representative from Litea, Rurua was in a similar position—though she had married into our family, her primary allegiance was now to Weed. Moreover, as a former Saintess, her ties to Litea’s upper management remained deep. After all, they were the very faction that had once backed her.
"…Understood. For the sake of Litea, I suppose my presence won't be an issue."
Rurua nodded, her expression strained. I understood her hesitation. Alstaire was currently shouldering the burden of Litea largely because of Rurua’s own past failures. It was the foolishness of her subordinates—who had maneuvered to incite conflict between Roschur and Gartz—that had led to Rurua being ousted, but the fact remained that she had failed to keep those fools in check. A leader is responsible for the conduct of their subordinates, after all.
To an outsider, it looked like Rurua had simply been cut loose, but she carried the heavy burden of having failed to guide her nation. Of course, she frequently visited Litea for medical consultations, but those were strictly professional, as a doctor. This time, however, she would be going as a stateswoman, a representative of Weed, and that was clearly weighing on her.
"I’m counting on you. Lilishe, please look after Rurua as well."
"Leave it to me~. I’ll be off now~. What about the schedule~?"
"I’ll confirm with Mikos and Kagura. Regardless, it will be within the week."
"Got it~."
With that, Lilishe and Rurua departed. But I still couldn't shake a lingering sense of unease.
"Dear, could you have Kirika’s subordinates verify the situation between Litea and Hinsa?"
"Understood. And Prof, check the status of the communications with Mikos and Kagura, and report on what just transpired."
"Understood."
And so, the hurried meeting concluded, and everyone returned to their respective duties. Lowell and I still had much to discuss regarding how our alliance should handle the fallout from Litea’s actions. Lilishe truly is a goddess—she actually does her job. And given her longevity, she certainly has no shortage of acquaintances.
(I shouldn't call her old, though.)