第１８９４堀：落ち着いてきたけどそれでも (Part1)
Chapter 1894: Settling Down, Yet Still
Side: Stasia
"I see. So that’s how it is."
"Yes. That’s why I came to hear the details directly from you."
Standing before me was Seraria, the Queen of Weed.
Still…
"You didn't have to go all the way to the northern town, did you? We could have spoken back in Weed before you left."
"If that were the only reason, perhaps. I’m not sure if Enora told you, but there’s been talk of a surge in morale among the medical corps after the rescue of the demi-humans. I came to see the situation on the ground. This northern town had a similar development, didn't it?"
"Ah, I see. Or rather, was that the real reason for your visit?"
If she had asked about my pregnancy first, I would have assumed that was the main point.
"No, the matter of children is, in a sense, the main point. Inspections are important, but I don’t believe they are negatively affecting the state of the troops."
"That is… well, I suppose so."
I should be grateful that she trusts my work, but somehow…
"Judging by that tone, you haven't been receiving any pressure from Findal, have you?"
"No, not particularly. After all, my assignment here was originally a way to get rid of a nuisance."
I gave a bitter smile as I restated my position.
Hearing this, Seraria’s face twisted with dissatisfaction.
"That’s right. I hate hearing things like that."
"It’s fine. Because of that, I’m grateful to be in Weed, where I can be valued for my position as a woman. As for children, I’m not overly worried. I’ve been getting along well with Yuki-sama."
"I see, that’s good then. In that case, I suppose it comes down to the situation?"
"Basically, children are a gift. I might report a pregnancy tomorrow, but if it’s a matter of mental state, it’s most likely to happen once things in the New Continent have settled down."
"True. Honestly, I wouldn't stop anyone from having children—in fact, I encourage it—but I suspect everyone is thinking the same thing: to hold off until the New Continent is stable. Oh, you aren't using contraception, are you?"
"It’s fine. I’m fully intending to have children. My sister has been pestering me about it, too."
Age is more than ready to take care of my and Yuki-sama’s children.
And I, too, want a child.
"Ah, now that you mention it, she was quite enthusiastic about it. Still, some compensation will be necessary."
"Compensation, you say?"
"I don’t intend to be as overprotective as Yuki, but I have no intention of letting a pregnant woman stand on the front lines."
"Ah…"
"That look on your face—you want to be out there, don't you?"
"Well, as Seraria knows, if a general were to retreat to the rear due to pregnancy, the reputation in Findal would be…"
"Tch. What do they think women are? And this is about the pregnancy of their own princess, no less."
"The princess would be happy for me, but the people who pushed me out of the general position found me to be an obstacle."
"…Misogyny. What a bunch of incompetent fools. Though, it’s not unheard of in the Rogari Continent, either."
That is exactly it.
In the end, when a woman works in a male-dominated environment, all sorts of things happen.
"Seraria, you must have faced complaints at the beginning, too, right?"
When I said that, Seraria sat on the sofa and sipped the tea that had been served…
"I did. Though, I crushed them all. Or rather, in the end, it felt like I was pushed into creating a female unit to get me out of the way. Even so, I achieved results."
She answered with a huff.
That sounds just like Seraria.
"I’ve heard. Even Qual and the others say that, thanks to you, a position for female knights was established."
"Still, when I think about it now, the elite guard we created moved entirely to Weed, so it feels like a convenient way to get rid of us. *Sigh*, I suppose I’m not much different."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, I’ve been saved as well. That’s why I’ve been entrusted with an army like this. My only regret is that I couldn't raise the status of female knights back there, in my homeland."
"Come to think of it, Stasia, you were surrounded by men, weren't you?"
"I petitioned the King, but it is difficult for a woman to become a knight. Well, I suppose it was also intentional exclusion."
"I suppose there’s also the sentiment that if you can’t overcome that much, you aren't worthy."
Indeed, there is resistance to female knights for various reasons.
If one were to become my aide, similar problems would surely arise.
Unless they had the strength to handle it on their own, they wouldn't be recognized.
In other words, when I was a general in Findal, there weren't many women of that caliber.
As I was thinking this, Seraria looked as if she were pondering something.
"…Hmm. Stasia. I’d like to ask: how many women do you think are aiming to become knights in Findal?"
"If you ask how many, I honestly don't know, but just as I was, I’m sure there are some. However, it’s not a profession you can just decide to enter. It starts with not even knowing where to go to apply. It’s better to aim for the top of a mage unit. In fact, female captains among mages aren't that rare."
"Well, magic is easier for women to handle than raw strength."
"Yes."
When it comes to a contest of strength, men often have the advantage, and I rarely hear of women with powerful physical enhancement.
I was an exception, possessing strong physical enhancement and proficiency in swordsmanship and martial arts, which is why I chose this path.
"But, we’ve strayed from the topic. Perhaps I should negotiate with Findal to recruit female knights."
"Is Weed not enough? Surely recruiting in Findal would put you in a difficult position?"
I couldn't help but offer a counter-argument to Seraria’s proposal.
After all, recruiting soldiers in another country is akin to a declaration of war.
"As for my position, that’s not a problem. And we are already recruiting soldiers in Weed. We can’t expect many more additions. Above all, the public safety in Weed itself is exceptionally good."
"I see. Since we need soldiers for expeditions, it’s difficult for residents who know the life in Weed to volunteer for the military."
After all, they can live perfectly well without putting their lives in danger.
There are few women who would go out of their way to become soldiers when it involves such risk.
Well, there are adventurers, but since Weed is built around its dungeon, there are many dungeon-specialized adventurers, but that doesn't mean they want to be soldiers.
If they wanted to be soldiers, they would have already become them the moment they arrived in Weed.