第１９２４堀：ナイトマンの活躍と敵の発生源は？ (Part2)
“I’ve already told them they’re free to add more staff if it’s just for routine duties,” I said.
“But that’s exactly why those hungry for power are so desperate to send in ‘replacements’ for Kagura and Mikos. Being close to you is undoubtedly an attractive prospect for them, but it’s also a massive landmine waiting to go off.”
“Actually, regarding that... a suggestion has come up,” Seraria noted. “Instead of placing them directly at your side, why not treat them as subordinates one rank below Kagura and the others? What are your thoughts?”
“One rank below? You mean handling the grunt work and logistics for them?”
“Exactly. When things get hectic like they did with the New Continent, we’re inevitably shorthanded. If they can take over the day-to-day operations Kagura and the others usually handle, it should lighten the load significantly.”
“I see...”
The New Continent affair had certainly been unexpected. I knew I’d pushed Kagura, Mikos, and my other wives to their limits. However, that was only during a crisis.
“It’s fine when trouble is brewing, but their work will dry up during peacetime. What do we do then?”
“We can just create specific roles for them. They can share the burden of Kagura’s regular duties. It’s better than letting the workload pile up until it becomes unmanageable, isn’t it?”
“True enough. And I suppose it might quiet some of the complaints directed at Kagura and the others.”
“That’s the goal. Even Princess Carrie mentioned it to them; it shows just how much the pressure is building from the upper echelons.”
“So, people are complaining because Princess Carrie has filled the Weed diplomatic corps entirely with her own pawns?”
“More specifically, they’re complaining about who gets to be near *you*. That’s the real crux of the issue.”
I figured as much. I’d have to tighten the information controls significantly, but...
“Well, that can’t be helped,” Seraria said. “The other side knows the risks. They’re trying to embed themselves into the inner workings of Weed and other nations, after all.”
“Fair point. Alright, I get it. Tell Kagura, Mikos, and Princess Carrie to look into the candidates. There’s no denying they’re overworked as it is.”
“Right. I’ll handle it.”
“Understood!”
Unlike a moment ago, Seraria looked relieved. This was clearly an issue I needed to handle properly. It was a chore, but there was no avoiding it.
“By the way, how are things on other fronts?” I asked.
“Other fronts?”
“The rest of the diplomatic team—the wives who came to me. They must be getting at least some instructions from their home countries, right? Are they being pressured to bring in reinforcements like Kagura and Mikos?”
“Oh, I’m sure there’s some of that. However, Kagura and Mikos are in a unique spot because their primary backing comes from Princess Carrie. That’s why those reports haven’t reached us directly yet.”
“Ah, I see. Princess Carrie’s faction isn’t officially that strong. The Duke Kamishiro household stayed mostly hands-off during the power struggles in Hyden.”
Because of that, while people might respect Duke Kamishiro if he stepped forward, they were baffled as to why Princess Carrie—the daughter of the former king—was heading the diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, she was associated with the blunder of ‘kidnapping’ me, the Prince Consort of Weed. While that incident had ultimately forged our bond, from a cynical perspective, one could argue that her actions had nearly ruined the relationship with Weed entirely.
“I understand the situation. Still, the wives have their own backgrounds to deal with, and it might cause friction if I ask them about these things directly. Seraria, try to gather information discreetly.”
“Leave it to me. It would be nothing but a headache to have some stranger suddenly forced upon us now. If we do take anyone in, it’ll be as subordinates to Kagura, just as we discussed.”
“Right. We’ll need to hammer out the details on that.”
Even if we delegated the work, we had to be the ones to decide the scope of their authority. Just as I was thinking that...
“Master. Lady Vilia and Nightman are withdrawing.”
“Oh, right.”
I turned my gaze to the monitor. In front of the massive crowd, Nightman delivered a grand finale, cleaving through the three remaining ogres in a single, sweeping strike—a classic hero’s exit.
“It seems Nightman’s part is played out.”
With those words, he departed. To the onlookers, it likely looked as though he had simply vanished into thin air. A roar of shock and awe rose from the soldiers and adventurers.
“He certainly knows how to make an exit—introducing himself, showing off his strength, and then vanishing. It leaves quite an impression,” Seraria remarked.
“Yeah. That should prevent anyone from linking Vilia and the others to Nightman. Now, all that’s left is...”
“All that’s left?”
“We need to look after Vilia. Unless she’s secretly harboring a dream of being a costumed hero, performing like that has to be taking a toll on her sanity.”
“Ah...”
Realizing what I meant, Seraria watched the retreating figure of Nightman with a look of profound pity.
Go, Nightman! You’re so strong, Nightman! The peace of the world rests in your hands! (Read with total lack of emotion.)