第１８８９堀：最近の悩みと移送された人たち (Part1)
Chapter 1889: Recent Worries and the Relocated
Side: Mikos
"Phew..."
Mikos-chan finished writing her report and completed the final check on the catalogs scheduled for distribution to various nations. All that remained was to show them to Yuki-sensei and his wives, and then make any necessary corrections.
"Sigh, there’s still such a long way to go..."
It’s not that I’m not fulfilled, but being this busy is a problem in itself, isn't it? I turned my favorite hobby into a career, became the editor-in-chief of a magazine, and handle diplomacy, but...
"I thought things would get easier once I got married, but that’s not the case at all."
Oh, it’s not that the environment at Yuki-sensei’s place is bad. It’s just that the face of Princess Carrie always floats into my mind, asking, "Mikos, are you pregnant yet?"
The catalog strategy is a massive hit, especially in places like the Jeyaes Kingdom in the southern part of the New Continent, which is great for diplomacy. But of all people, it’s my boss, Princess Carrie, who keeps pestering me about children. Of course, she’s not just asking me; she’s asking Kagura, too. Actually, maybe it’s harder on Kagura?
Well, I understand the sentiment. Nowadays, the only members of Weed who don't have children are basically those from the Haiden region. There aren't many members who joined at the same time as me and the others, but more than half of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance already has children. In other words, you could say Haiden is lagging behind.
"But still, children are a gift, no matter how much you want one..."
Exactly. No matter how much you wish for it, they don't just drop from the sky. It requires a man and a woman to be intimate, and the result is a new life. We’re doing our part, so I suppose it’s just a matter of time, but...
As I was thinking about this while heading toward the General Government Building where Seraria was, I heard a voice.
"Oh, Mikos?"
I turned toward the sound and saw Rurua and Riel standing there.
"Yo."
There was no reason to avoid them, so I greeted them and walked over. Both of them seemed to be carrying documents.
"Are you two reporting to Seraria as well?"
"Yes. It’s a progress report on the people relocated to the south," Rurua said.
"And I’m here regarding the demi-humans we protected in the north," Riel added.
"Oh, right. Rurua, you went to check on them, didn't you? And Riel, you were managing the people rescued in the north?"
Rurua’s case is fine. She helped Enola and the others back in Haiden, too. For her, helping people like that is second nature. I suppose that’s only natural for a doctor. But this was the first I’d heard that Riel was managing the people rescued in the north—the ones who were essentially hostages brought by the Giadana Kingdom Allied Forces.
"Actually, I haven't been doing much 'management' per se. Since those people have come to Weed," Riel clarified.
"That’s right, isn't it? Whether it was the northern towns or the southern ones, Ohe’s economic situation couldn't support them."
Ohe was caught between enemies in both the north and south, leaving them unable to farm. They were in a dire state, struggling just to feed their own citizens. Adding refugees who had been held hostage to that mix would have been a disaster, a source of trouble, and would have needlessly stoked Ohe’s will to fight. That’s why Yuki-sensei made the decision to relocate them to Weed. So, it shouldn't have been Riel’s responsibility...
"Ah, it’s not that Riel is managing the refugees," Rurua explained. "She is simply providing progress reports on their injuries and health."
"I see. That makes sense. Riel is definitely the best person for that."
"Haha, there are plenty of people more capable than me, though," Riel replied modestly.
"Riel, have some confidence," Rurua said firmly. "While there are certainly many who surpass you in medical skill, when it comes to being by our husband's side, there is no one else. Aside from myself and Enola, you are in a position to contact our husband immediately. Of course, you are irreplaceable. Our husband trusts you precisely because you are who you are."
"Haha... I understand."
"Well, it might sound like an exaggeration, but it’s not a lie," I added, offering some support to Riel, who looked a bit overwhelmed.
It really wasn't a lie. We’ve studied a bit of medicine, but it’s only a little. We can't compare to actual doctors. Among us—or rather, among Yuki-sensei’s wives—the only ones who truly qualify as doctors are Rurua and Enola. There are helpful figures like Lady Lilishe, Lady Hairen, and Lady Hifie, but we can't exactly order them around. Riel’s presence among us is surprisingly significant. Above all, we have great respect for the mental fortitude Riel showed in recovering from that tragedy. She didn't just pull herself together; she seems to have turned it into her own strength.
"So, since we’re all here, are you reporting too, Mikos?"
"Yeah. You know how we decided to send catalogs to all the countries?"
"Ah, that. It was a well-made piece of work. It’s certainly convenient for those who want to use it as a reference without having to travel all the way here," Rurua noted.
"I agree," Riel added. "There’s a simplified version at the South Fortress, too. It’s very useful for ordering supplies."
"Oh, that’s right, we did send those out, didn't we?"
The catalogs turned out to be surprisingly useful, so we’ve been sending them to Weed’s key strongholds. They cover everything from weapons to furniture. Before this, orders were just text on paper, making it hard to grasp the reality of the products. You had to go see the actual items to understand what they were. I used to think that was normal, but after coming to Weed and seeing books with photos, I realized you could imagine the quality quite well without seeing the real thing. That’s why I suggested making the catalog to Yuki-sensei.
He was surprised at first. He hadn't thought about generalizing photography for product ordering. Well, there were various reasons—production systems, transport methods, explaining it to other nations... He had considered catalogs once before, but gave up because of the lack of manpower and the hassle of updating them. After all, Yuki-sensei and his group can see everything like a catalog at any time using the DP system. He didn't see the need to go through all that trouble.