第１５１９堀：意外な協力者たち (Part2)
"Indeed. I understand. It would hardly benefit me to see Litea fall. Or perhaps, with Rurua-dono at the forefront, it would be better to co-opt the recovery mages?"
"You jest, surely. Lilishe-sama would be furious. But I take it this means you intend to investigate the current state of the smaller nations?"
"Y-yes. That is correct."
I truly hope Eupia-sama’s words were merely a jest. Like Yuki-sama, when those who possess the power to lead a nation speak, it often implies that what seems impossible is merely a task waiting to be executed.
"How much do the smaller nations truly care about the situation in Litea? The great powers remain unshaken, but it seems the lower rungs are not so stable."
"Participating in the auction itself could be interpreted as a gesture of consideration toward those smaller nations. And yet, we have the matter of the former royalty enslaved, originating from Vinoshia—a territory under Litea’s umbrella. For the smaller nations, they may well feel that their own turn is coming."
"If they investigated thoroughly, they would know that is not the case, but manipulating that perception is a tactic in itself, is it not?"
"Precisely. Considering the other side did not reach out to the auction this time, one could surmise they are focusing their efforts on destabilizing the smaller nations rather than the slaves themselves. Regarding the methodology, I have a proposal. Would you be open to hearing it?"
"Shou-sama? Do you not have some objective here at the open-air market?"
Yuki-sama, and indeed his wives, all recognize Shou-sama’s talents. Seeking his cooperation here... while it is not a decision I can make on my own, I asked because I assumed the two of them had come to this market with a specific purpose.
"Indeed. Merchants from my Zurable region are participating in this market as well. I secured a corner for them, and I wished to observe the proceedings."
"I have heard there are no troubles, but I wanted to see for myself how the buying and selling are being conducted."
"I see."
That, I can understand perfectly. How are the goods from the Zurable region being received? Are there any communication issues among the merchants? These are concerns anyone would have.
In the meantime, I have been consulting with Yuki-sama about meeting Eupia-sama and Shou-sama, and their offer to assist.
"You accepted that quite easily. When I told the others the real reason, they grumbled, so I slipped away under the guise of going to eat."
"Well, there are many foreigners at the open-air market. You should try to empathize with your subordinates' feelings."
"Hah! Empathize with the feelings of those heartless wretches who scattered the moment I mentioned food? Not a chance."
"This is the fifth curry meal in a row, after all. Anyone would grow weary of it. Isn't that right, Orelia-dono?"
"Ahaha, I couldn't possibly comment on that. However, it is quite common for Yuki-sama to make appearances at sites like this."
Nearly two days of nothing but curry.
...To be honest, when I was purchased by Yuki-sama alongside Hovis and Yayui, the house provided for us required us to cook for ourselves. I ended up making three days' worth of curry... and surprisingly, it was edible.
It tastes better after it sits, after all.
Still, if one has a choice, five meals of curry is certainly something to avoid. Just as I was thinking this, a message arrived from Yuki-sama.
*“Oi, Eupia, Shou, help Orelia out.”*
It seems the open channel was not just for me, but for both of them as well; both were looking inward.
"Very well, we shall assist. I expect a reward, mind you."
Eupia-sama answered with a smile, and I thought we could finally get to work, but...
"Yuki-sama. Please, let the reward be something other than curry or time spent with Aslin-sama and the others."
"Why not! That is the best reward!"
"This is, after all, a request from Weed. I cannot have the reward consumed by His Majesty’s personal desires. Therefore, could you provide us with a reasonable number of free passes—or rather, discount tickets—for the Super Sento?"
"You’re the one full of personal desires! And pay for it with your own money!"
"Who said it was for me? My subordinates will be coming to use it at their own expense. A single visit or two is not a major expense, but it adds up. What is wrong with wanting to offset that?"
"Ngh... then just budget for that amount..."
"As if that were possible! Asking the accounting department for a budget to send subordinates to the bath would be blatant favoritism! There would be an uprising in Zurable! Or what, are you going to provide bath funds for every single bureaucrat in Zurable? Do you have any idea how much that would cost?"
"Ngh-gh-gh..."
Um, how am I supposed to settle this?
*“For now, calm down. Decide on the curry and the playtime with Aslin and the others on your own. As for the Super Sento, I will send a reasonable number of free invitation tickets, so just help with the work.”*
"Very well."
"Leave it to us."
...Should I praise Yuki-sama, or call the two of them simple-minded? Ah, but aren't those free invitation tickets a problem in themselves? Who is going to explain this to Eris-sama or Narjia-sama?
*“Orelia, I’m going to go explain later, so come with me.”*
"...Yes."
It’s me, isn't it?
I knew it.
Other nations are moving with their own various agendas.
Well, I suppose that just goes to show how many problems they believe exist.