It's finally over.
Sabi-Colé duo duo study abroad in Japan…
No, I didn't particularly dislike it.
They had helped me out in so many ways, and I wanted them to enjoy a life a little more like children, rather than being immersed in studying as a princess and a vassal, and I thought that studying abroad would definitely be beneficial for their future.
Apart from Colette-chan, a commoner, Sabine-chan had no friends who were close in age, had similar interests, and didn't seem to have any strange ambitions. ...Really, not even one!!
Well, for the genius girl Sabine-chan, there were almost no candidates who were "Close to her age and get along well."
And even if by some miracle such a child were to appear, the fact that he or she "Doesn't have any strange ambitions and is easy to get along with" would almost certainly mean that it would be a no-go.
Of course, the daughters of high-ranking nobles who got close to the princess were all those who followed their parents' wishes...
Colette-chan also had friends from the "Vistount Yamano House Maid Girl Squad" at the mansion, but all of the members other than Colette-chan were maids, and Colette-chan was not one of them. Therefore, although they could play and have childish conversations, they were unable to have any further conversations.
That's why it was my wish for these two to study abroad for a short period of time.
…so, that's fine.
That's fine, but…
I was insanely busy!
On Earth, it's my home, a monthly mansion, and Wolffang's home base.
In the other world, on the old continent, there is the royal capital and territory of Kingdom of Zegreius. In the New Continent, there is Kingdom of Vanell and the surrounding countries, as well as the delivery of goods to the member stores of the International Network of Women Business Owners, Society tea parties, visiting the younger group, arranging for items that members want to buy, and so on.
I was also in charge of the food and drinks for the tea party.
There were also many other things to do, such as watching practices at an orphanage and visiting the "Gold Coin" galery cafe.
Even though all of this was done in one operation, I couldn't leave Japan while Sabi-Colé duo were at school to prepare for any unexpected situations. My crazy behavior was already restricted and I couldn't do anything about it!
So, if Sabi-Colé duo returned to Kingdom of Zegreius, I could be wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted, whether it's on Earth or the other world.
…ah, this feeling of freedom! How wonderful…
"Ane-sama, I have a favor to ask of you…" (Sabine)
Gulped!
As I was basking in the feeling of freedom I hadn't felt in a while, I heard Sabine-chan's voice from behind…
This new way of speaking was used when someone was about to say something troublesome…
And Sabine-chan still had loan points to me…
"…wha-, what is it?…" (Mitsuha)
Sabine-chan noticed how wary I was, but she completely ignored it.
And….
"You know… I think I'd like Beatrice-chan to join us too…" (Sabine)
"Eh" (Mitsuha)
Instead of making a request, Sabine-chan spoke in a very weak way.
She didn't look like the usual Sabine-chan.
...But I could understand the reason.
It meant, "I'm going to tell Beatrice-chan, the daughter of Marquis Bozes, my secret."
And that meant the chances of my secret being leaked to the Bozes family, whether intentionally or negligently, would be a much higher.
It allows me to easily transport other people and large amounts of supplies freely through crossing without any drawbacks.
I can bring in an unlimited number of tools from a civilization that far surpass those of this continent.
…of course, this includes weapons, mysterious useful tools, and handy gadgets (magic tools).
No, I have already told Marquis Bozes that it is possible to teleport without much strain.
…however, it was a story when I was only transferred over a relatively short distance… at least within the country, and it took on my life force to carry a large load or travel to the continent where my home country was located.
And I didn't mention how much of a burden it would be to carry others. I did say that it was the priests of my home country who carried everyone from Wolffang during the Absolute Defense of the Royal Capital, and I explained that several priests died from the strain at that time... Of course, I didn't tell them about my trip to the New Continent, or about "Operation Funatama", which used the maids.
Well, I don't know how much the Marquis believed those explanations, though…
However, on the surface… there were major restrictions and disadvantages (related to vitality) of my transfer ability (crossing).
However, if definitive information were to leak through Beatrice-chan…
Beatrice-chan might not betray me, but she's still a child.
…Well, she finished the debutante ball the other day and became an adult, but for me, 15 years old is still considered a child.
Therefore, I cannot deny the possibility that someone might accidentally slip their lips during family gatherings.
And I can't predict how Marquis Bozes-sama and Iris-sama will react when they find out.
They both are on my side.
…as long as it didn't put me at a disadvantage.
They both are nice people, but only if there's no conflict of interest or if there's some benefit to them as well.
What if it brought great benefits to the territory and its people?
What if it was an order from His Majesty the King?
Not only they are a kindly noble couple who were trying to protect a young girl who had no one to rely on, but also nobles who were responsible for their territory and its people, and as a high-ranking noble of this country.
…it's not like they're trying to sell me or anything.
By just making a small, effective use, there will be no significant disadvantage for me, and in fact, I will likely receive a large reward from the country.
In that case, I wouldn't feel so guilty if I told the king about me.
Yeah, it's not a big problem.
…except that I absolutely refuse to do that.
Well, if that happens, I'll just have to leave this country and move my base to Kingdom of Vanell in the New Continent. Let's return the territory to the country and, if possible, ask it to be incorporated into Bozes's territory. That way, Marquis Bozes's territory and Alexis-sama's territory will be connected, and if it's Marquis Bozes, it'll be okay to leave the Yamano territory to him. Let's ask them to keep employing the servants of the mansion as well.
…of course, I'll take Colette with me. It would be a good idea to let her return to her village by teleportation twice a year. People who go to work in towns from rural villages are supposed to be able to go back to the ministry once a year, so there's no problem with that… Woah!
"…did you hear it out loud?" (Mitsuha)
Sabine-chan didn't reply, but continued to pound my chest with tears in her eyes.
"Forget about that earlier incident!" (Sabine)
Sabine-chan said this after finally calming down a bit, but...
"No, I've been thinking about that for a while too… Beatrice-chan is my second friend in this country, after Colette-chan. Besides, she's also an old friend of Sabine-chan, right? However, I took away Sabine-chan, who is a friend of Beatrice-chan, and Sabine-chan took away me, who is also a friend of Beatrice-chan, and the two of us are hiding things from Beatrice-chan and excluding her. …isn't this a little cruel? Sabine-chan thought the same thing, so that's why you asked Beatrice-chan to join, right?" (Mitsuha)
"…yeah…" (Sabine)
Well, that's right.
Beatrice-chan felt bad because of me. She's not the kind of girl who could tolerate that kind of thing, like Sabine-chan…
I would rather put myself in a difficult position than do something like that.
It's the proud princess, Sabine-chan.
That's why…
"Okay, let's bring Beatrice-chan into our group!" (Mitsuha)
"Eeeeeee~h!!" (Sabine)