第１５２０堀：妖精さん考える (Part2)
"Ah, I see. Naturally, everyone else would start expecting the same treatment. So, they’re asking for free passes or discount vouchers as compensation for their cooperation. Financially, it’s not as if we couldn't afford it, but yes, for the Zurables, we’re talking about covering even the lowest-ranking members. If we actually tried to summon them all or shuffle personnel to compensate for the gaps, the total cost would be astronomical."
"Likely so. And yet..."
"If you ask whether we can shoulder that much of the burden, it’s impossible..."
It was only then that I finally understood why Orelia-chan had been so troubled.
It comes down to how much we can permit, and whether we should be the ones to offer it.
In other words, it’s a question of how much Eris-san and I are willing to...
"It also means declaring exactly how much we’re willing to accept from our end, doesn't it?"
"...Yes, exactly. If we offer our cooperation but fail to pay the promised rewards satisfactorily..."
"Weed would look incredibly rude. That’s a situation we want to avoid at all costs. Besides, considering the future, giving away too much isn't good either."
"Yes. There’s a high possibility this would be used as a precedent. We could try to swear them to secrecy, but..."
"Well, stories like this tend to become bragging rights, and with more people coming in and out of Zurable, keeping it hidden is impossible. If word gets out, everyone else will come demanding the same. But whether we can provide the same for everyone is another matter entirely."
Yeah, yeah. When you think about it again, it really is a headache.
Ah, so that’s why.
It finally clicked why I was sent to go pick up Orelia-chan and the others.
"I see. Since Orelia-chan can't make the call, I’m the one who has to handle it directly. I’m the only one who understands the weapons, and regarding the ticket balance, I know the profit margins and details of the Super Public Bath much better than Eris-san does."
The idea is to settle these negotiations through the bathhouse first.
"Um, what do you mean by that?"
Orelia-chan tilted her head.
She had assumed, of course, that she would be the one to mediate between me and people like Yupi-san to handle it herself.
"It’s simple. I’m the only one who can bring this matter to a close. Once Orelia-chan brought them to me, she was effectively released from the negotiations. You just need to focus on support."
"Is that so?"
"That’s right. After all, you can’t make decisions on your own regarding the Super Public Bath’s free passes or the weapons, can you? And you don't know the ripple effects of those decisions, either."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Normally, you’d be the one mediating, smoothing out the compromises, and drafting the conditions, but right now, grasping the situation and acting quickly is what matters. Still, delaying rewards for those who cooperated isn't good either. That’s why..."
"Yuki-sama gathered Narjia-sama, as well as Yupi-sama and Show-sama at the Super Public Bath to save us that trouble?"
"Probably. We can ask him about that later. For now, let’s take a nice, long bath and enjoy some delicious food with Yupi-san and the others."
"I suppose so."
With that explanation, the tension finally faded from Orelia-chan’s face.
If things had gone poorly, she would have been caught in a vice between me, Eris-san, and the Zurables.
Naturally, that’s not a pleasant state of mind to be in.
I’ll have to tell Yuki-san later not to be so unreasonable.
Orelia-chan is a subordinate; she doesn't have the freedom to make decisions like his wives do.
Though, I suppose she would have consulted him anyway, and he probably anticipated that I would be there to follow up.
"Oh, by the way, weren't you supposed to meet up with Fiora-san at five?"
"Ahaha, as it turns out, I’ll be joining you all for the bath, so that’s off the table. I’ve already sent word, so it’s fine. But, if there is one problem..."
"And that is?"
"It’s a bit of a shame to miss out on the chance to eat dinner with my family."
"Ah, Yuki-san and the others do try to have dinner together whenever possible, don't they?"
Their policy is that families should be close, after all.
And more than anything, the food over there is delicious.
Though, for me, it’s a bit tough because my ice cream dessert is restricted.
Only five cups of Häagen-Daz is just too little, isn't it?
I’d eat at least twenty, wouldn't I?
Orelia-chan just gave me a wry smile when I said that, which was strange.
When Narjia-san shows up, it’s always about weapons, ice cream, or the hot springs.