落とし穴外伝：２０２５年明けスペシャルその３
Side: Yuki
"Hey, I just realized the New Year holidays are already over!"
Menou, a diplomat from the Kingdom of Seasypho, was clutching her head and lamenting this bizarre realization.
"Well, it’s already the 5th. Once the first three days pass, the New Year’s break is effectively over, isn't it?"
That’s just how the world works. If you’re in school, you might still have a few days off depending on the calendar, but working adults rarely get such luxury. Getting until the 5th is already a blessing. Menou, of all people, should know this. After all, she is a reincarnated soul from Japan.
Judging by her memories—or lack thereof—after falling asleep as an office worker, she was likely the type who passed away from overwork at home. She must have worked for a "black company" where a New Year’s break was a pipe dream.
"I know that, but it’s still not fair!"
"You’re not making any sense. Complaining to me won't magically grant you more time off. Take it up with your superiors."
Since Weed doesn't employ her directly, I can't just grant her leave. She’s here for the national interests of Seasypho, after all.
"Why does the New Year have to be nothing but 'nomunication' every single day!"
"Ah, I see. That’s the issue."
I understood exactly what she meant. As a diplomat, her job involves negotiating with other nations. During the New Year, it’s standard practice to pay respects to allied countries, which inevitably leads to endless banquets.
"Thanks to that, from the end of the year to now... *urp*."
"Don't you dare throw up in this room. Orelia, medicine."
"Yes, right away, Menou-sama."
Orelia, who had been standing by, immediately produced a hangover remedy. Menou thanked her and downed it in one go.
"*Gulp, gulp, gulp*... Phew. That’s a lifesaver."
"So, what? You just came here to beg for medicine?"
"That’s not it! Can’t you, or rather, can’t Weed just tell the other nations to take it easy for the first three days? If you did that, maybe those diplomatic types would settle down a bit."
"Actually, Weed *is* taking it easy for the first three days."
"Huh?"
Menou’s eyes went wide at my words.
"Why would I want to spend my New Year buried in work? Sure, Seraria and the others pay their New Year’s respects, but actual, heavy-duty work doesn't start until after the 3rd."
"Eh? Then why are the diplomats...?"
"They’re probably acting on their own, or maybe they just want an excuse to drink. They *are* in Weed for work, after all."
"Argh! Argh! Seriously! Enough!"
Menou shrieked, having finally grasped the reality of the situation.
"It’s 'nomunication' in its purest form. A drinking party wearing the mask of professional duty."
"Ugh! Don't say it! Why is my life like this..."
"Look, you might hate it, but there are plenty of people who find happiness in drinking and partying during the holidays."
"Just let me sleep at home..."
I can sympathize with that sentiment. Going out into the cold just to drink with coworkers is basically a punishment game.
"Still, I assume the food and drink count as business expenses. Couldn't you have played that to your advantage?"
"Hm? That’s a blind spot. Even if Weed isn't officially working, the interactions with other countries haven't stopped. If I hosted a gathering centered around, say, a specific favorite food, could I make it work?"
"I suppose so, but would that even count as diplomacy?"
"Of course it would. Gathering people over food is a classic form of hospitality. It builds rapport. That’s standard. Come to think of it, I was always the one being invited, never the host."
"So you were just dragging your old memories along and going with the flow."
"Exactly. I was a commoner originally, so the idea of being the organizer never even crossed my mind."
I get that. I’m still not entirely sure how I ended up being the one who hosts parties for high-ranking officials.
"And yet, you managed to climb the ranks in the Seasypho Kingdom."
"Ah, well, my parents are still there, and they provided a lot of support. Besides, I was more in the product development department."
"And you still managed to end up on the front lines?"
It’s baffling that someone from a back-office product development role could fight so effectively.
"Don't underestimate the countryside. My generation grew the territory significantly, but in a world where local lords are expected to hunt monsters themselves, you need a baseline of combat ability. Especially when you’re the hope of the territory as a lord’s child."
"I understand the logic, but that doesn't necessarily grant you talent for combat or war."
It was a mystery to me. Just because you have the brains to invent a gun doesn't mean you have the perspective to use it effectively. A blacksmith who makes the best swords isn't necessarily the best swordsman.
"If you know Japanese history and world history, you can at least draft a basic strategy. Though, I was terrified when I actually had to execute them."
"I bet. But you had the guts to see it through."
"If I didn't, the village and the land would have been plundered. I told you, right? Those who let their guard down die quickly. That 'let’s sit down and talk' nonsense is something you say only after you’ve torn the enemy’s limbs off."
"That’s a bit extreme, don't you think?"
If you tear their limbs off, they can't do anything at all.
"Unless you have a clear, decisive victory like that, the other side will just keep throwing a tantrum."
"Ah, I see. I can understand that."
Talks and negotiations are just polite words for us; fundamentally, it’s about forcing the other side to accept our demands. Unless the situation is so overwhelming that they know they can't win, the opponent will always resist desperately.
"Well, putting that aside, are you planning to host a party yourself now? You said you hadn't done it before, right?"
"I only did what the state requested. I never proposed anything myself. I thought it was a waste of budget."
"Well, it is a New Year’s celebration party. It might be a waste."
"But there’s no doubt that everyone is desperate to network. I’ll push that angle. Since it’s Seasypho, I’ll frame it as a seafood-themed gathering."
"That’ll bring in every nation that’s craving seafood. But are you sure you can handle the increase? You’re already struggling to keep up with demand, aren't you?"
Regarding seafood, the sheer strength of the monsters in the ocean keeps the distribution volume relatively low. Since everyone discovered how delicious Weed’s seafood is, they’ve been scrambling to secure it, making Seasypho a very hot spot.
"There’s no helping that. The plan to increase ship production is underway, but building a single ship is a massive undertaking. There’s even talk of asking Weed for help."
"Whoa, hold on. Just because I can make things with DP doesn't mean I can just hand them out for free or make them on a whim."
I’ve already become the neighborhood handyman for every nation; if I do any more, the workload will become unsustainable.
"I know that. That’s why, to push the production plan forward, I’m going to leverage things other than Seasypho’s seafood."
"Ah, so you’re securing the budget that way."
"Exactly. I just thought of it, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to solicit sponsors for the ship-building budget, would it?"
"Looking for sponsors, huh? It’s possible, but if you’re not careful, you’ll lose credibility. And you’ll have to be very clear about rights if you involve other nations."
If you actually take on sponsors, you’ll end up in a massive mess regarding interests and rights. You have to be meticulous.
"Mmm, you’re right. It feels like someone trying to hijack my house."
"I doubt they’d interfere with a major national industry that easily, but still. Keep your contracts airtight. Don't let yourself wake up one day to find all your seafood rights held by another country."
"Ugh, I need to talk to the Queen and hammer out the details of the 'Sponsor Strategy.' I’ll get the documents ready. See you!"
"Yeah."
As I said that, Menou quickly exited the room.
"..."
The others, including Prof, were staring blankly.
"Hey, Yuki. Didn't Menou just complain about not having any time off?"
Nina’s sharp observation hit the mark.
"She just went and increased her own workload."
"Yes, just as Prof-san said."
"Um, shouldn't we have stopped her?"
"W-what should we do? Yuki-sama?"
Since all eyes were on me, waiting for a conclusion, I decided to wrap it up.
"The New Year holidays are over. It’s back to the daily grind. Don't tell her that, though—she’ll die of self-loathing. That’s what you call a workaholic."
When I finished with that, the group nodded in agreement, as if it all made perfect sense.
Incidentally, it is said that a few days later, Menou came rushing back, complaining once again that "I have no time off!"
The New Year holidays are over!
Well, I suppose many people aren't really "off" during the New Year anyway, given how many places they have to show their faces, right?
As long as you can enjoy yourself, that’s all that matters.
Starting next time, we return to our regular story.