第１６４９堀：少しは休めるかな？ (Part2)
"I suppose I had expected to be assigned a room nearby and perhaps take on the duties of an attendant. Something along the lines of a maid, really."
"I see."
"Indeed."
Kirika and I nodded in unison at her words. It was, after all, the most logical arrangement one would expect under normal circumstances.
"That said, as the head of the Information Division, you need to facilitate seamless communication with the Master. A maid’s role would hardly suffice for that."
"It’s hard to stay in 'work mode' if you’re just playing maid. Well, we can talk normally now, so I suppose it’s fine."
"Yes, thanks to that, we can converse quite naturally these days. It is a welcome change."
We paused there, the three of us sipping our tea in a moment of quiet respite.
"So, Yuki-sama. We understand the situation regarding the Dark Guild and the port town, but what are your own plans moving forward?"
"Indeed. One could say the issues stemming from the Great Overflow in Suurus have finally settled. The development of the port town is largely on track, and with Seraria-sama and Rurua-sama overseeing it, is the Master finally ready for a well-deserved rest?"
Hearing them both ask, I had to admit that the immediate troubles before us had indeed reached a conclusion.
However...
"Unfortunately, a true vacation is still a long way off. I get my regular time off, so it’s not as if I’m drowning, but..."
"True. If the Master were to take an extended leave, the various nations would fall into a state of panic."
"Exactly. We still have to finalize the discussions regarding the provision of Cores, and until matters like that are settled, a proper holiday remains difficult."
"That’s true, I’d forgotten about that. Plus, I need to check on the progress of the International Exchange School."
"Come to think of it, the school project has been ongoing, hasn't it?"
"Yes. Was it not scheduled to move into full swing once the examinations were finished?"
"Right. And, well, it was through that connection that I ended up face-to-face with Prol. I apologize for how things went back then."
Indeed, my first real encounter with Prol—or rather, the moment I truly recognized her—was during the discussions regarding the population influx caused by the establishment of the International Exchange School. She was a refugee from Litea, a girl I had saved during those chaotic days.
"I cannot simply accept that apology, though. The school matter aside, the sheer effort required to construct additional housing was truly immense."
"Fair point. I caused you a great deal of trouble. And yet, the fact that you can stand here and point out my shortcomings to my face is exactly why I trust you."
"Indeed. It is a virtue to be able to properly point out when the Master is in the wrong. Of course, it is not something one can do easily, as it requires putting one's own position on the line."
As Kirika noted, Prol’s blind devotion had likely been tied to my status. Moving her into the residence had been a necessary step to strip away that barrier. But, setting that aside for a moment...
"Regarding the International Exchange School—or perhaps as a derivative of it—how should I put this? You remember when we visited the schools in the If Continent and the Haiden region, don't you?"
"I do. You were a student at the Lancer Academy of Magic on the If Continent, and a guest lecturer at the Haiden Academy of Magic."
"It is somewhat surreal to imagine Yuki-sama as a student, though I find the idea of you as a lecturer quite convincing. I would be eager to seek your tutelage at any time. But what of this 'derivative'?"
"Right. The major powers are aware of those visits. And regarding this International Exchange School, the regions that have been relatively receptive are the If Continent and the Haiden region. The reason is..."
"I see. It is because you visited their halls of learning in person."
"Kirika is right. It’s not as if the Rogali Continent or the Zurabl region are in a state of total upheaval, mind you. Weed has been heavily involved with Rogali for some time, and while our involvement with Zurabl is more recent, we did send troops there to end the war. So, it’s not exactly a crisis, but..."
As I trailed off, Prol picked up the thread.
"In other words, Rogali and Zurabl are complaining that it’s unfair?"
"That’s the gist of it. It’s not exactly overt, but since their youth will be attending, they want to get to know us better, too."
While the pretext was ensuring the success of the International Exchange School, the underlying desire was clearly to have us visit their own institutions. No doubt there would be talks about Core installations as well, and I would need to address all of that.
Ah, there is so much to do.
And so, the information exchange between Kirika, Prol, and myself continued. The major troubles had been quelled, but there was still so much left to be done. It is the tiresome reality of the world: defeating the villain is never the end of the story.