第１５８２堀：貴女の好きな事はなんですか？ (Part1)
Entry 1582: What Do You Like To Do?
Side: Dressa
With Yuki's report concluded, a palpable sense settled among us that our expedition to the old Vinoshia Royal Capital and the search for its hidden treasures had come to an end. After all, every enemy had been apprehended. We had found what appeared to be the hidden treasures, and the portion of wealth designated for Hinsua had also been safely secured.
As for the refugees remaining in the old Vinoshia Royal Capital, Rurua and her team had forcefully healed their injuries and illnesses, significantly reducing the burden on Sister Kunoshia and Sister Magnolia of the church. Soup kitchens, utilizing appropriate amounts of the provided food, were also being run, ensuring everyone's stomachs were sufficiently full. Shelters and supplies had been prepared, and finally, work had begun to circulate. Not only agricultural workers, but also self-defense forces, town cleaning crews, and reconstruction efforts had begun to mobilize.
As for commerce, Lord Bamai had taken the initiative to establish peddling routes, through which Weed would supply goods for sale. This also meant that in times of need, emergency supplies could be distributed. The introduction of wages had stimulated purchasing activities, and at last, a healthy living environment for the populace had been established.
With that, there was nothing left for us to do but return. The only lingering concern was that half of the residents, apart from the original inhabitants, had been members of the Dark Guild. Yet, they ultimately made no moves during our search for the hidden treasures, appearing to be mere pawns hired for surveillance, or perhaps just personnel tasked with gathering information. Thanks to our provision of food, clothing, shelter, and employment, they had become remarkably compliant. We saw no reason to believe they would harm the Sisters after our departure, so there were no issues. Whether the old Vinoshia would truly revive now rested entirely on the shoulders of its people.
Come to think of it, my homeland is also recovering quite well now, isn't it? I was just thinking I should ask Noble about it next time when,
"Um, Lady Dressa?"
"Hm? What is it, Canaria?" Unusually, Canaria had spoken to me.
"Lady Dressa, you seemed somewhat distant, perhaps a little sad. My apologies if it was just my imagination." It seemed she had spoken out of concern for me. Even so, Canaria's expression remained as unmoving as ever. Her poker face was truly perfect. Well, setting that aside.
"You're right. Just as you said, Canaria, there is a touch of sadness knowing this is the end. But if I'm saying that, don't you feel anything similar? This is your homeland, after all." Yes, Canaria should have a stronger attachment to this land than I do. Though, I had heard she received extensive elite education, so I suspected she might not harbor much sentimentality.
"How should I put it? I honestly don't know. I grew up within a fragment of that ruined royal castle. It had also been decided that I would soon be married off. I believed it best not to harbor too many lingering emotions."
"That's right. It's normal for women to marry into another family."
Fundamentally, the purpose of women marrying into other families is to augment the power of the royal house. There are countless examples of women being married to subordinates to solidify connections, or to neighboring nations to secure peace. Or rather, Yuki's position is a prime example of that.
From Yuki's perspective, being offered women as tributes, or as symbols of peace with a nation, seems to be something he deeply dislikes, given Japanese common sense, yet he understands the underlying reasons. It is precisely because they desire amicable relations with Yuki and Weed, and wish to avoid hostility, that they send their own kin as wives. While promises made through conversation and written agreements certainly exist, they cannot feel truly secure with just those, which is why they dispatch their own family members. Naturally, those with orders to harm Yuki are unacceptable, but many of his wives are by his side for a certain kind of surveillance, or to act as a deterrent. And Yuki understands that too.
Oh, right, I was in the middle of a conversation with Canaria.
"Yes. Moreover, there's the fact that I abandoned this country and fled, and then was sold and have since received generous protection, so I feel... ambivalent. No, to be honest, I believe only danger awaits if I were to remain here now."
"That's certainly true."
Even if Canaria were to declare her intention to stay, if asked what she could possibly accomplish here, I could only tilt my head in bewilderment. This place was already the territory of the Hinsua Kingdom. If a remnant of Vinoshia, or rather, a sold princess, were to return here, it would only sow further chaos. At worst, she could be killed by the very residents of this Vinoshia Royal Capital. She would be a presence capable of shattering the peace they had finally found, the security to eat and live. If she understood that, there would be no reason for her to stay, unless she had an extraordinary attachment.
"However, I do have anxieties about what will become of me from now on."
"From now on?"
"I was needed by Lord Yuki, and by extension, by Weed, to pursue the Dark Guild. Specifically, my role was to ascertain the hidden treasures' location and guide you there. Now that this task is complete, if asked what I can do, I can only tilt my head in uncertainty." She must be feeling anxious, but from what I could see, she didn't look that way. Even so, the fact that she voiced it must mean she's concerned about her future.
"Hmm, well. To be honest, I don't think Canaria will ever be left to wander aimlessly. Yuki and the rest of us wouldn't do such a thing."
"I certainly believe that. It's clear from Weed's actions and what you've done here in Vinoshia. More than anything, you've treated slaves so well. However, once this is over, I honestly don't know what I'll be able to do."
"Ah, that's what you mean. You're talking about whether you can acquire a skill, right?"
"Yes. I do possess some education, but that was from a bygone era. I also underwent combat training, but if asked if I'm on par with everyone in Weed, I am undeniably inferior."
"If that's what you mean, then I don't think you need to worry particularly."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. If you're talking about starting with nothing, then I, or rather, most of the people in Weed, were in the same boat."
"That's right. I was also a slave, just like Canaria, and not a princess like Dressa and the others." Saying that, Ria joined the conversation and offered us tea. Canaria and I accepted the cups.
"That's true. Though, I was also a troublesome person, much like Canaria. I had no information about treasures or anything, so in a way, I was even less useful than Canaria."
"Ahaha, you were, weren't you? Dressa was quite prickly back then."
"It's a funny story now, but I was serious back then."
"Um, serious about what?"
"Ah, I was determined to exact revenge on the country that had enslaved me—no, that had destroyed my homeland. That's when Yuki, or rather, Mauve and his companions, purchased me, and I came to Weed." Oh right, that's how it was. Come to think of it, what happened to the female mercenary captain's company that took care of me back then? I should ask Mauve and the others about it.
"I see, Lady Dressa also has quite a dramatic past."
"Or rather, when you first came to Weed, you were like a cat that would bite anyone."
"It wasn't *that* bad... Probably. Well, let's not dwell on me. Ria was also a common slave and now stands by Yuki's side, so Canaria should likewise be free to pursue whatever she desires."