第１７６９堀：お手紙書きます (Part1)
Chapter 1769: Writing Letters
Side: Jessica
*Scritch, scratch...*
The sound echoes through the office.
If you’re wondering what I’m doing, it’s writing invitations for the completion party of the Glass Port Town.
Yuki-sama writes the main body, and we, his wives who also serve as diplomats for our respective nations, are penning the accompanying letters.
Of course, we will be meeting them in person to hand them over, but we still need to have them written out. After all, this is an official visit.
"Ah, my arm hurts."
"Would you like to take a break, Yuki-sama? Is your hand aching? Shall I have Riel take a look at it?"
As Yuki shakes his hand out, seemingly tired from the writing, Prol is immediately at his side, taking his hand and making the suggestion.
Yes, that’s a different kind of support than mine.
No, you could even call it overprotective.
"Ah, it’s not that bad. Riel is busy preparing to head to the southern side with Tori right now, so there’s no need to call her over. Everyone here can use recovery magic anyway."
Yuki-sama refuses Prol’s suggestion with a wry smile.
"I see. As long as you are alright, that is fine. However, if I judge that you are pushing yourself, I will have you lie down immediately."
We all nod at Prol’s words.
Yuki pushes himself more than you’d expect, after all.
We didn't say anything earlier because we knew he was just a little tired, but when he’s truly overexerting himself, it reaches the level where we have to sleep beside him. Otherwise, he simply won't rest.
"I know. Besides, this is the last one. The detailed arrangements are Jessica and the others' job, anyway."
Saying that, Yuki hands the finished letter to me. I take it and check the contents.
"Hmm. No problems here. It’s a bit simple for Zilba and lacks a certain elegance in its phrasing, but since it’s a letter from Yuki, I’m sure the King of Zilba will be more than satisfied."
"The nuances differ for each country, after all. Well, normally one should be considerate of those things, but I don't have the time for that, so I'll leave it to you."
As Yuki says, normally, the etiquette of the country you are inviting—not to mention the care put into the wording—is a matter of course. But considering the short time since the formation of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, there’s no way we could memorize the intricate writing styles of every single nation.
Of course, the same goes for the Gartz side.
Well, to prevent trouble, we have decided on a unified standard of etiquette for our documents, so no major issues have arisen. Each country is also doing its best to research the cultures of others to ensure a good impression.
Yuki, however... no, given his position, Yuki doesn't really do those things.
He makes the excuse that he doesn't have the time, but the truth is that even deciding which country's style to learn first could lead to trouble. We don't want them getting the wrong idea that their country is Yuki’s favorite.
That is why he has us.
But, putting that aside...
"Yuki. It’s fine that you’re writing the party invitations with us, but what is the status of Oue? It’s been ten days since then, hasn't it?"
Yes, the party preparations are going smoothly.
There haven't been any major movements in the involved villages either.
The Adventurers Guild has also been informed of our movements by the Grand Master and is holding back.
However, regarding the Oue side, it feels as though there hasn't been any movement since we captured—or rather, trapped—the enemy army that was closing in on the northern town.
"Hmm? Oue, you say? We finally got word from the southern town, and Tori and the others are talking about gathering the troops to move out. Since we have to set the schedule, tomorrow is out of the question, so it’ll likely be the day after or later."
"By the southern town, you mean the talk of advancing to the southern side. I am glad to hear that is progressing."
"Well, this is just the start. We’ll build a fort, declare it Weed territory, and cooperate with Oue from there. Right now, we really don't have a foothold on the new continent, so it’s a hassle if the northern side keeps poking at us."
"Indeed, the northern side doesn't know about us yet. And even if we told them we were from another continent, they wouldn't believe us, so we need a solid location, don't we?"
"Plus, the Oue side probably wants to avoid having another country's army operating from within their borders."
"That is certainly true."
Having another country's army moving in and out of your own nation leaves no room for national defense. They have thanked us for our help, but we never know when that gratitude might turn into dissatisfaction.
Maintaining an appropriate distance between nations is vital.
"However, has the enemy army still not surrendered?"
Since Yuki hasn't brought it up at all, I decide to ask him myself.
It has been ten days since we captured the Human Alliance.
They should have run out of food by now...
"It was a miscalculation on my part that they had more food on hand than expected, and that there were quite a few among them who could use magic."
"If they had a lot of food, does that mean they didn't trust their nobles?"
"No, the lower ranks—the conscripts—surrendered in the majority once four days had passed. Well, we burned the supplies that were meant to be distributed, and the superiors were hoarding the food from the lower ranks to survive. That’s how it ended up like this."
"I see."
So they were surviving by stealing food from their subordinates.
Thanks to that, we succeeded in disarming the conscripted soldiers...
"What is the status regarding the treatment of those conscripted people?"
"Those who wish to leave are being released. They say they want to go home."
"It is a good thing to have a home to return to, but... won't they be executed over there?"
Defeated soldiers are, after all, in a position to be hunted.
Well, since they are fleeing having abandoned their supplies, they sometimes get hunted because they attack villages and towns to survive.
"They wouldn't go so far as to dispose of the commoners they conscripted. Besides, I’ve told them not to attack travelers or villagers, and we’ve given them travel expenses and food."
"You’ve gone that far?"
"On the condition that they tell people the demi-humans didn't do anything wrong, that we let them go, and that the Human Alliance was the one being tyrannical. Of course, I also told them they don't have to say it if it puts their lives at risk."
"...That is devious. No, I suppose it is only natural."
"If I don't do at least this much, there’s a possibility that even if Oue sends an envoy, they won't agree to work with us. Well, there’s also the possibility that the enemy might attack again."
Oh, that reminds me.
"Have you obtained any information?"
"Yeah, I’ve heard the circumstances and the information, but it’s nothing major. They don't seem to have any inherent hostility toward demi-humans. It seems that in recent years, the Church has been raising awareness by claiming that demi-humans are the spawn of the Demon Lord, though."
"...The Church?"
"Yes, the Church. I don't even want to think about what’s going on behind the scenes. After all, the commoners themselves don't have any hostility toward demi-humans."
"The spawn of the Demon Lord. That is intentional."
What exactly are they aiming for by inciting the exclusion of demi-humans?