第１８０２堀：新大陸での会議 (Part1)
Chapter 1802: Meeting in the New Continent
Side: Tori
"His Majesty will be here shortly. Please wait a moment."
With those words, the maid who had been guiding us bowed and stepped out of the room.
We were in a conference room within Ohe Castle, prepared specifically for this summit—or rather, our upcoming discussions. I suppose it would have been safer to hold these talks down in the Weed dungeon, but since we are discussing matters concerning Ohe, this was a gesture of respect toward their sovereign.
My, how I’ve started to think about such things. Riel and the others still don't seem to give much thought to these nuances.
"Tori, is something the matter?"
Stasia noticed my shift in demeanor and spoke up.
"Oh, no. It’s nothing major. I was just thinking about how I’ve grown accustomed to being in places like this."
"Ah, I hear you. When you grow up as a commoner, these kinds of places feel like another world."
Yuki-san offered his agreement, and Prof and the others behind us nodded in unison.
"Is that how it is?"
"That’s how it is. It’s not a slight against you, Stasia. Ordinary people rarely have the chance to meet a king."
"Exactly. Even for adventurers, unless you’re exceptionally skilled, it’s not a common occurrence. Stasia, you didn’t often meet commoners in places like this either, did you?"
"…Indeed. I rarely encountered the populace within the castle walls."
"It’s like being in a workplace where outsiders don't belong. Only those involved are gathered here. Let’s see, for you, Stasia, it would be like the back of a supermarket or a restaurant kitchen, perhaps?"
"Ah, I see. I have never been to such places."
Yes, yes, Yuki-san is excellent with his analogies. He didn't frame Stasia’s background as "bad," but simply as a different workplace. As we were chatting, the door opened.
"Indeed, I have never entered a kitchen. Well, I have stepped inside, but I know nothing of the reality of the cooking floor."
"Naturally. The kitchen is the chef’s workplace; it is a battlefield. They are preparing meals for His Majesty and his guests. It would be improper for others to enter at will, and it would be a hindrance if His Majesty were to appear while they were in the middle of their work."
King Ohe and his guard, Martin-san, entered as they spoke. It seemed they had overheard our conversation.
"My apologies. It seems I have been eavesdropping."
"Not at all. We were merely chatting. We were discussing how everyone has their own version of a battlefield."
"I see. So, for me, this conference is my battlefield."
"That is true. Though, the disadvantage is that sitting around makes it hard to feel the reality of it."
"Yuki-dono, do you understand that as well? When I was younger, I left things to the previous king and—well, perhaps 'battlefield' is a strong word, but I did fight against monsters."
"That was permitted only because you were not the King then. Yuki-sama, I understand the sentiment, but please, refrain from any reckless actions."
"“Ahaha…”"
We nodded along to Martin-san’s words, while Yuki-san and King Ohe offered wry smiles. Well, King Ohe aside, Yuki-san is the type to dash to the front lines the moment he lets his guard down, so that just won't do. Every time we see that, we discuss among ourselves whether we should just put a collar and leash on him.
…Well, there’s the argument that since he’s a Doppelganger, we could just exhaust the main body, but that would exhaust us too, so that’s a problem.
"Now, let us get to the main topic."
"Indeed."
Ah, he dodged the lecture by changing the subject. Well, the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the future, so he isn't wrong.
"It has been about a month since we of Weed visited Ohe."
"It feels like it’s been a long time, yet also as if only a month has passed."
"True. If we could just reminisce and laugh about the future, that would be fine, but…"
"That is not the case. We must decide what actions Ohe and Weed will take from here on."
"Yes. Let us decide that now. The situation in Ohe has changed drastically over this past month. Orelia."
"Yes."
As Yuki-san called out to her, Hovis, Yayui, and Prof immediately moved to begin the preparations. The "preparation" was just setting up a whiteboard and distributing documents, but it wasn't a simple matter. After all, the people we were facing were the top brass of Ohe, along with their guards and senior vassals.
I really do think Orelia and the others have gotten quite used to this. Under normal circumstances, anyone would be stiff as a board facing such people. While I was thinking that, the preparations were completed.
"Then, I will outline the situation of Ohe from one month ago compared to the present."
As Yuki-san spoke, Orelia began to write.
**Ohe: One Month Ago vs. Present**
* Summoning rituals: Halted, subjects returned.
* Human invasion of the northern town: Enemy troops captured, awaiting further action.
* Monster swarms approaching the forest and southern town: Monsters in the southern town successfully repelled; forest being handled by increasing hunter-adventurers.
* Injuries of the King and guard Martin: Healed.
* Food shortage throughout the kingdom: Currently stabilized via support from Weed.
* Envoys to neighboring lands: Currently preparing for departure.
* Destroyed fields: Currently under restoration.
* Condition of the citizenry: Illnesses were spreading, currently being treated with Weed’s support.
"To be brief, these are the contents of today’s meeting."
With that, Orelia stepped back. The summary was brief in text, but the actual volume of information was staggering. I suspect the documents alone could fill this entire room.
"First, may I ask about the state of King Ohe and Martin-dono’s injuries?"
"By all means. Thanks to Rurua-dono and Yuki-dono, I am as you see me."
"Yes, I can handle both sword and shield without issue. I will not allow such a lapse in judgment to happen again."
Yes, even to my eyes, the two of them looked full of energy and the picture of health.
"That is good to hear. And, though it is a bit late to ask, I have a question."
"A question? Regarding our injuries?"
"No. You mentioned that the envoy used magic, but I heard about the defensive functions of the audience chamber—that there were tools to inhibit magic. I was curious about how they managed to use it."
Ah, I remember that story. I was surprised when I first heard it, too. In Weed, it would be like Yuki-san and Seraria being attacked by magic—and in an audience chamber that was supposed to be perfectly secured, no less. What could have happened? We had only heard the results and never the details.
"Ah, indeed. I found it strange as well, and upon investigation, it turned out the magic tool meant to inhibit magic had been destroyed."
"In other words, an enemy had infiltrated and destroyed it?"
Ah, that would make sense.
"No, that is the thing. Upon investigation, it didn't seem to be an external factor; it appeared to have been destroyed from within."
"Hm? You mean it had deteriorated?"
"That is not it either. Since it is a tool to protect His Majesty and other dignitaries, we never neglect its maintenance. Yet, it was destroyed from the inside."
"Meaning?"