Chapter 48
"Roa-dono, it has been a long time. Though belated, please accept my congratulations on your victory in the war against Riflerea."
"Salisha-sama. Thank you. With your country's help as well, we were able to defeat the traitors without incident."
Salisha-sama, who had arrived last, exchanged greetings with Roa.
As I, Rocabill, watched the exchange idly, Salisha-sama tilted her head and said, "By the way..."
"Why is Roa-dono here? Weren't you planning to wait in the royal capital?"
Roa tilted his head in puzzlement at the question.
"Huh? Didn't His Majesty tell you? We were originally supposed to meet up in Beeland, and once we received the district plan, we'd head to the ruins while His Majesty went to the royal capital, but..."
Hearing that, I immediately caught on. Father was getting his revenge, I realized. He must have been frustrated at losing the argument, so he had deliberately kept quiet.
...He never learns. This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this. In the end, Salisha-sama would get furiously angry with him and retaliate threefold...
Salisha-sama seemed to realize it right away, too. She wore a frightening smile, and a chill ran down my spine.
"Um..."
Salisha-sama continued, still wearing that smile, as Roa looked perplexed.
"It seems there was a slight miscommunication on our side. I sincerely apologize. Now, shall we proceed with the handover of the plans as scheduled? Drak also entrusted me with a few messages concerning the plans."
"I see. However, it seems we arrived a little early as well. Shall we have breakfast first?"
"Oh, that sounds lovely. Will you and everyone else be joining us, Roa-dono?"
"Yes, if you would permit us to join you."
"Of course. I would have liked to hear all about it at leisure in the royal capital, but this was our oversight. At the very least, let us enjoy a leisurely breakfast."
At Salisha-sama's words, the fortress guards immediately began making preparations to show us in. It seemed Roa had already made arrangements for breakfast.
"Lapiria, it's been a long time!"
"Luluria! That recipe for jam you taught me was wonderful. I brought several kinds today, too, so would you like to taste them?"
"Of course!"
While waiting for Roa and Salisha-sama to finish their greetings, Luluria began chatting happily with Roa's close aides.
The trust between them was evident from their correspondence, and I was rather impressed by the breadth of my sister-in-law's connections.
Thus, a breakfast gathering was held with Roa and his close aides.
For me, however, it was about to take an unexpected turn.
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"It's such a shame... yet again."
The conversation began with those words from Salisha-sama during breakfast.
What she meant was Roa and the others heading to the ruins. The Gridol delegation was scheduled to continue on to the royal capital, meet with the King of Rudek, then return home via Gadeland.
An audience with the King of Rudek could not be rescheduled, and everyone, myself included, was busy. A change of plans for a few days might be possible, but a long-term change would be difficult.
In other words, Salisha-sama was saying, "I wanted to see the ruins too." And Luluria felt the same way.
However, one was a vital pillar supporting the Empire, while the other was responsible for managing Dragen, currently the Empire's most important stronghold.
Surely, both of them knew the meaning of "self-restraint," and I could tell they were forcing themselves to endure it despite their frustration.
"...Well, it can't be helped. When the city is complete, I would very much like you to invite us."
"Of course."
"Me too!"
"I have a feeling Luluria will come several times before it's finished... But of course, I intend to invite you. Tsetsii will come too."
"...Then that's fine. This time, I'll prioritize reuniting with Lufa, who's waiting in the royal capital!"
I listened absently to their conversation while nibbling on some bread.
That was when it happened.
"But... once the city is complete, Drak will probably dump all the work on Rocabill again, won't he? I feel sorry for Rocabill."
Salisha-sama began saying something ominous. I had no particular interest in the city being built at the ruins. I probably wouldn't be invited, and I had no intention of going.
Before I could say so, my sister-in-law agreed with Salisha-sama.
"That's true... Then Rocabill-sama might be the only one who doesn't get to see the ruins."
"Ah, no—"
Neither of them heard me.
"That's right. Luluria's right. We also need to get back at Drak... Why don't we extend Rocabill's vacation and give that man even more work?"
"No, that's not what I mean..."
"Whatever Father-in-law-sama's work situation, more time off for Rocabill-sama is a good thing!"
"Roa-dono, would it be possible to take Rocabill along to the ruins?"
It was Rivote, not Roa, who objected to Salisha-sama's proposal.
"Salisha-sama, I'm afraid I cannot agree, from a security standpoint."
However, Rivote's objection was refuted in an instant.
"Oh, Rivote, if you accompany us, there won't be a problem, will there? We have reliable guards with us, including Ryuzel-dono."
Rivote made a face of frustrated defeat. By the way, when would anyone finally listen to what I had to say?
"What do you think, Roa-dono?"
When Salisha-sama repeated her question, Roa answered with a wry smile.
"If Rocabill-sama wishes to go, we have no objection."
Although Roa had indeed said there would be no problem if I wanted to go, I ended up accompanying Roa and the others to the ruins.