第１５２７堀：豪華なホテルは一般人は気が引ける (Part2)
Following behind them, I entered the reception room, where Lilishe, Kagura, and Lord Bamai were present.
Everyone's gaze was directed at me, and I, too, gave a slight bow.
"Lord Bamai. It's been a while, hasn't it? I am Yuki of Weed. Thank you very much for agreeing to speak with my wives this time. Regardless of the outcome of our negotiations, I am grateful that you came here."
First, I thanked Lord Bamai for getting involved in this troublesome matter.
From his perspective, if he were connected to the Dark Guild, that would be one thing, but if he were unrelated, he could easily get entangled in trouble.
Even though I knew that, it would be wrong not to thank him.
Well, I had thoroughly listened to their discussion via eavesdropping, so there wasn't really a problem, but still.
And, as soon as I finished speaking, Lord Bamai immediately responded.
"Such thanks are unnecessary. It is an honor simply to be allowed to stay in this hotel. Furthermore, your wives' requests are a favorable proposition for our merchant company. It is we who should bow our heads and earnestly wish to cooperate."
Lord Bamai, too, as if humbled, offered a graceful bow and greeting.
Yes, I really don't get the sense that this person is an enemy.
"When we met before, there were also royals from allied nations present, so there must have been some tension. Today, it's mostly just us. Please make yourselves at home... though perhaps that's a bit much to ask?"
However, if things continued like this, it would take time for the discussion with Lord Bamai to progress, so I tried saying it, meaning "let's get straight to business."
"Ahaha, while I will certainly be courteous, I would like to quickly finalize the discussion regarding the matter I heard from Priest Lilishe, if that's alright? Wasn't she brought in as an intermediary for that very purpose?"
"You are quite perceptive. I asked her because I heard Priest Lilishe was acquainted with Lord Bamai, but has she always been the same?"
Before getting to the main topic, I decided to soften the atmosphere with a question about Lilishe.
Then, Lord Bamai turned his gaze to Lilishe.
"Indeed. She hasn't changed since I was a young man. Apparently, she has elven blood, and it's quite enviable that she remains youthful for so long."
"..."
At this new information, all eyes turned to Lilishe.
"That's right~. I'm beautiful, so you're happy, aren't you~?"
"Ahaha, she truly hasn't changed."
Is this person going around doing things like that?
Still, several hundred years would be impossible, so it feels like it's just for this period.
She's probably saying the same thing to the King of Suulus as well.
However, I've never heard that having elven blood keeps one youthful.
No, I hadn't looked into it.
I should ask Zargis about it later.
As I was thinking such things, Lilishe continued speaking.
"So~, Yuki-san. Regarding the discussion, it's about what level of cooperation we can expect in return for our cooperation~. He's already agreed to investigate and crush the Dark Guild with us~. Right~?"
"Yes. Crushing the Dark Guild is my fervent wish. I heard from Priest Lilishe that you intend to make a move because their actions in the Suulus incident were intolerable?"
"Yes. That is my intention. However, their base has yet to be pinpointed. It's a bit embarrassing, but it hasn't even been two months since the Suulus incident."
The great flood in Suulus and the mediation with Irinau and Kinauf had only just concluded.
As a result, with adjustments with other countries, preparations for auction participation, and hotel construction, among other things, we haven't yet managed to apprehend the Dark Guild itself.
We are tracking the Dark Guild members who were dispatched in connection with Suulus, but their locations are too ambiguous to be called bases.
"I see. Certainly, it's understandable given the timeframe. Rather, wasn't it quite a stretch to participate in an auction held in a non-allied nation within such a short period?"
At Lord Bamai's question, it wasn't just me, but everyone else around nodded in agreement.
"As everyone around us also believes, both as an alliance and as a non-allied nation, we cannot simply ignore the possibility that the Dark Guild artificially caused the great flood."
"...That story. May I hear more details?"
Oh, it seemed Lord Bamai hadn't imagined that the great flood was artificially caused.
Perhaps I should press him on this point.
Thinking that, I proceeded to get to the core of the discussion.