「Well now… What should we do?」
Today was the regular meeting where the heads of each region gathered. It was rare for everyone to assemble, as they were usually busy and sent proxies, but this time, everyone was present.
「There is nothing to be done, is there?」
「No, this is troubling. Truly troubling.」
Even Iris and Dama looked seriously troubled.
Meira-chan was even pressing her eyes, indicating that this incident was significant enough to drop other work and gather.
「Ah, by the way, although it is unrelated to the current matter, there was some good news. The Elves of the Yggdra Great Forest have newly joined our alliance!」
「Hoh… Those who secluded themselves in that forest, you say?」
「That is good news. The vegetables and fruits of the Yggdra Great Forest are famous for their deliciousness, and having high-quality timber distributed will be helpful.」
「…Come to think of it, I heard that person recently went to the Yggdra Great Forest and returned.」
「Could it be Young Master…?」
「Yes. Well, onii-chan is definitely involved.」
It was the same with Roukaku and the Empire.
Come to think of it, he also went to Amatsukuni. Could there be talks from Amatsukuni as well…? No, since the Empire lies between them, that might be difficult.
But Amatsukuni has its own unique technologies and cuisine. If they formed an alliance, it might offset the current issue… No, that would surely be too difficult.
「…Would it not be best to let him handle it? Would that not resolve everything?」
「Eeh… He would definitely refuse.」
「Come now. You are the representative of this country, so you should exert pressure.」
「I refuse! I finally feel that my affection rating with him has risen recently. If I do this, it will not just be offset; it will worsen to the point of no return!」
After all the trouble! After all the effort to obtain the healing presence of onii-chan, if I let him go, I will die!
I still want him to take me to hot springs!
I want onii-chan to melt me even more!
Because… onii-chan is already amazing!
「You are mixing public and private matters excessively.」
「In the first place, I have never forced the citizens to obey me, nor can I!」
「That is true. There were requests, but no orders. The citizens probably consider that to be Origol-sama’s good point.」
That is right, that is right!
So pressuring onii-chan and forcing him is impossible, impossible, impossible!
「Then what shall we do? In reality, there is no one in this country with more combat power than that man.」
「Ara. I have heard that Iris-sama’s guards are quite skilled, are they not?」
「They are merely guards. They excel more in group battles and ambushes… Ayame is strong in individual combat as well, but… she would likely be no match for Shiro, or even with the members of Red Line.」
Eh, is that so?
I knew Shiro-chan was strong, but had Aina-chan and the others become that powerful?
「What about Yasis-dono? I believe his wife is very strong.」
「She’s indeed strong, but he would never move.」
Ah… ah… That might be impossible.
He might be even more difficult to persuade than onii-chan.
「In that case… we have no choice but to ask Young Master…」
…What? Why are all three of them looking at me while talking?
Could it be that none of them want to be the one to tell onii-chan?
I will not stand on the front lines for such a thing!
「…I believe Iris, as the proposer, should say it.」
「Are you an idiot! If I push such troublesome matters onto him, I will never be able to eat ice cream again!」
「It is for the sake of food, isn’t it…」
「In any case, you are mixing public and private matters desu wa… Sigh… It cannot be helped.」
「Oh, what is it? Does Meira-chan have a good strategy?」
As expected of Meira-chan, who does not yield an inch even against cunning merchants despite her youth.
She is scary when she is an enemy, but reliable when she is an ally!
「There is no strategy. We will simply bow our heads and ask.」
「Eh? Ah… That seems the most effective.」
「Indeed. It is better than using petty tricks.」
「Then shall we all go and bow our heads?」
「Mm? Must I bow as well? You alone should be sufficient.」
「Although I will do so as well, it would be most unexpected for Iris-sama to bow. That is why it will convey that we are truly in trouble.」
「Hmm… Well, given the circumstances, it cannot be helped.」
「Yes. It is desirable for all of us to ask sincerely.」
Onii-chan has a track record of being weak to direct approaches.
Besides, we are truly in trouble, and it would be problematic if he did not accept… In the worst case, Reinrich… No. The rift between the nations would deepen to a point of no return.
Also, as compensation, I might be experimented on and cease to be myself…
「Aah, geez! Grrr… The Gigoshoku Republic… Suddenly doing something ridiculous like 【Withdrawing from the Alliance】…!」
「It seems the current Gigoshoku has become a nation where the strong rule, a survival of the fittest society… Apparently, a person claiming to be King appeared amidst the three nations that were originally competing in various fields. They tried to eliminate him by force but failed… The requirement that one must be strong to meet this King is also troublesome…」
「A King appearing in a Republic… Well, if strength is required, we have Shiro, and the Red Line, the best adventurers in this country. We should be able to meet the King first.」
「Yes. However, I am uneasy because I do not recall hearing the name of this King…」
That is right. That is exactly it.
Gigoshoku is a Republic, so there should be no King. Yet, a King suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The heads of the three nations had been establishing diplomatic and political rules through discussion, and then suddenly, a King…
「『Saracrim』, you say… Iris, you have been flying around the regions, so surely you have heard of him?」
「If he were a remarkable figure worthy of becoming a King, I would not have forgotten. But I know nothing.」
「Well, regardless of who he is, since he will not even accept our letters, we have no choice but to meet him and speak.」
「We cannot allow a hole to be opened in the alliance that has been going well. Also, those from Gigoshoku who have started businesses in this country are anxious.」
The shop that connected me and onii-chan is also in trouble.
I want that shop to remain as a place of memories for me and onii-chan, but more importantly, I want to protect those who came to this country with new hope.
「Alright. I will explain all the details to onii-chan and ask him from the bottom of my heart.」
「Hmm… However, it will take a few days to align our schedules.」
「You are forcing yourselves to come today as well…」
That is true… There is a full schedule of work after this too.
There is no helping it. I must do my own work seriously.
「This is not the only agenda item. Should we not decide on the head of the North District, rather than having a proxy, soon?」
「Ah… With this matter, I definitely cannot ask onii-chan anymore.」
「That cannot be helped… If we put more load on him, he will leave this country.」
「The Empire and others would welcome him with open arms… To hand him over to Sicilia… That is unforgivable!」
「Roukaku too… Their Queen seems to have not just fallen for onii-chan, but melted for him, and perhaps even trained by him.」
I heard that Renge-chan’s little sister is quite the sis-con, so if it becomes difficult for him to live in this country, she will likely come with all her might to secure onii-chan and Renge-chan.
After all, onii-chan is treated as a hero in that country…
「Training the Queen… As expected of Young Master. I am captivated.」
「…Dama. Your expression is dangerous desu wa. Restrain yourself.」
「Oops… My apologies.」
Onii-chan, don’t tell me even Dama…!?
Nevertheless, this sudden appearance of the Republic’s King, Saracrim…
I have a bad feeling about this…
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