On a certain day, Irenes mansion received a letter from Suzette, who has been looking for a way to help our city get recognition from the governing bodies.
From there, she stated she had gathered so crucial information that should be important to us, and is currently rushing her way to report back.
Since the letter stated that shell explain when she gets here, I had no choice but to wait for her arrival, half-anxious and half-excited about the matter.
Then, on the appointed day,
The carriage in which Suzette was riding appeared in front of the mansion.
Irene and I hurriedly greeted her.
When she ca out of the carriage, she wasnt wearing a mask.
I felt happy. This ans Suzette now trusts this city very much.
Welco back, Miss Suzette. Its good to have you back.
Thank you for the good work. You must be exhausted. Co inside.
Suzette stared at us for a mont. Then, she giggled.
Puzzled by her unexpected reaction, we tilted our heads, in which she then spoke.
Ah, you dont have to be so confused. Its just that I havent had anyone greeted like this for a long ti. It has been so long that Ive already forgotten how to react to it.
Hearing this, Irene, also with a smile, replied.
Ara? Even though its only an ordinary welcoming greeting? Youre a part of the parliant. Dont you have soone over there to entertain you on your job?
My job is not as easy as you think. As long as Im wearing that mask, Im completely divorced from my job. There is no Suzette, only a strict public official. And because the job is a public one, I cant be entertained overly well, or Ill be criticized by my peers.
Shaking her head, Suzette answered back.
So, the mask is like a switch of her own?
Anyway, lets go inside. Ive prepared so tea for you in my room.
Very well. Ill accept your offer.
And so, we walked into the house with Suzette in tow.
Soon as we arrived, we took a seat on the couch inside the room as the maid served us tea.
We waited for the maid to finished everything, and once she left, Irene began the talks.
Let us get to the point. What kind of information did you obtain?
Irenes eyes turned serious.
The air in the room beca sharp in an instant.
Then, Ill be straight right away. There seems to be a faction in the governnt that is possibly willing to formally recognize this city.
Is that true?!
Irene stood up in reflex.
Irene, please. Calm yourself. She aint even started yet.
I quickly soothed the flustered Irene.
The words formally recognize might have dealt quite a significant impact on her, but this is the negotiation table. One must not give away any sign of weakness, or it will be taken advantage of by the opponent.
Still, its not that I dont know how she feels. On the contrary, I knew it well, as it was her who is pouring her heart and soul into this problem more than anyone else.
However, reality shouldnt be this sweet.
Can you tell us more about it?
In the anti, I obliged Suzette to continue.
Aah, of course.
Upon wetting her lips with tea, she began her speech.
After I left the city and returned to the central, I gathered information through my personnel right away, utilizing every possible ssenger and subordinate that I could find.
Speaking of which, are the other co-workers of yours in the central as well? You seem to be fewer than the last ti you ca here.
Yeah. If were too big, theyll know that were in this city. Its not a good idea to raise the banner at this stage. They might get reluctant to give out information if they found out were supporting you guys.
Strengthening the foundations before the big move is a wise choice, else the whole house will collapse.
There isnt a need to draw attention at this stage.
The information weve learned in the course of that process is that there is currently a movent happening which goal is to drag down the current political leadership.
And what does it have to do with the city?
Right now, the majority of the officials of this country, are pushing for the promotion of facial and appearance discrimination, to only have an opposition rose up against them. Albeit only a minority, they are now trying their best to undermine the situation at all costs. One of them is the movent I am speaking of earlier.
What do they an by promoting facial discrimination? Moreover, in appearances?
Suzette, who noticed my expression continues further.
The majority group boasts a lot of power right now. If we want to overturn it, we would need to have an impact that is enough to destroy the common sense. By that, we can only eliminate the now widespread discrimination of appearances, and these people who support them will follow suit.
Its that big!?
My voice had risen because of the shock, but it was no use.
Although I havent been here for long, I have lived in this world long enough to know how much ones looks had affected everyones life.
And because I could say without a doubt that their perception of beauty is deeply rooted and cannot be easily changed.
Yes, what were doing right now is that dangerous. If we get found out, well definitely be crushed by these groups. Thats the extent of the information I was able to find out.
Suzette concluded the topic with a bitter look on her face.
Indeed, if such a story spreads, it will be us who will be targeted next, and the repression against us will intensify.
At that point, this city, which is not attracting much attention at the mont, may indeed get destroyed.
We dont know yet where this started and whos its mastermind, but if you want to have that recognition of yours, we better find that minority group, side with them, and win. But if you lose, you being driven out from here wont be the last thing that theyll do. You should be prepared for that as well.
An escape route to another country, huh.
As much as it hurts as well, Yes.
Irene had a somber look on her face.
Shes gonna run away, leaving the city, in which she spent years building in her own blood, money, and sweat behind.
She wont be able to bear it when it happens.
Lets not think about that, and look at the bright side. For now, its good to know that there still exist so people that have the sa interests as us.
I forced myself to uplift the mood and spoke in a cheerful tone. Because if I dont, things will gonna be a funeral later on.
Yes, I cant keep getting depressed like this. After all, its the information you have all worked so hard to gather, even more during these rough tis.
Looks like It made Irene feel better.
Thats a good sign.
Sorry. If I had a little more authority, I could have gotten more information-
You dont have to apologize. In fact, youve already done a great job.
Tomo is right. Youre a big help to us, Miss Suzette. If it werent for you, who can freely go to the outside, we wouldnt have known of this matter at all, and might have worsened our situation because we werent able to find the appropriate timing for our actions.
On our continued praises, Suzettes face turned red, as if she was touched by our words.
Then, as if noticing that her own face has turned into a tomato, she cleared her throat, then continued speaking.
T-thank you for the praise. For now, well continue to gather intel that will be able to help you in your predicant. Just leaving this here, though. The danger is just too high for what its worth. Dont try anything that might alert them for now.
I know. Im not the type to let out my cards easily.
As expected of the one who built a city from scratch. Were in good hands, then.
In the end, we reached the consensus of keeping the status quo for now.
Even though we have no detailed information yet, its already enough for us to decide on a more valuable option.
And thats what matters the most.
Speaking of which, you must be tired from the journey from the central to this city.
You can say that again. Although I used a carriage, its not a very comfortable one, but I cant use the governnt-issued carriage either, due to the risk of being found out. Honestly, it has been a pain in my ass ever since. Literally.
Now that she ntioned it, the carriage Suzette rode in this ti was more modest-looking than the previous one.
I guess its a must if they want to act incognito.
But because of that, it must have made things much harder for her.
In that case, I guess we shall end it for today. Take your ti here to get so rest.
Its as Irene said. How about I prepare the bath for you to relax?
A bath, huh. I guess Ill do that.
Suzettes cheeks relaxed at my words.
The bath here is great, as far as I could rember. In fact, I was secretly looking forward to it as I journey along the way here.
Really? Then allow to prepare it for you right away.
I said as I got up from my seat.
Ill call you when its ready.
Then, I left the room.
Soon after, with the help of the maids, I was able to prepare the bath.
It was a bit of a trial, however.
Since the magic that our maids can use was barely enough to heat up a tub of water, it took us a significant amount of effort to just to set up in just filling it up .
Due to the lack of hot springs, as well as the limited amount of available mana, they have to cover the cost by putting heated stones into a bath filled with water.
That said, heating the stones usually takes a lot of ti, especially when heated from the inside, but whats important here is that the heat lasts longer.
As we have already prepared a large amount of these baked stones, we were able to imdiately prepare a bath with lesser effort.
The only problem I encountered is that the maids wont allow to help, and they stop whenever I try doing so.
To think Julie can do sothing like this all by herself, though.
Nevertheless, even though they arent as good as her when it cos to magic, with their wits, they were able to use their mana effectively.
So, as they say, the scarcer the resources, the more efficiently they use it.
Soon, the preparations were finished, and I went to call Suzette in the room.
Suzette, the bath is ready.
When I opened the door, she was there, but no Irene in sight.
Wheres Irene?
Oh, her? One of the maids ca in just now and told her that there was a problem at the governnt office or sothing, so she left. Officials are always busy, no matter what city it is. Sigh.
Well, shes the mayor as well as the leader of this entire city, so it couldnt be helped.
Since its an unofficial governnt office, there are very few qualified personnel. Because Irene is the only one with a well-educated background on governance, it took quite a heavy burden on her.
I see, shes having a hard ti as well.
Suzette gave a sympathetic look through the window. Then, she stood up from the couch.
Out of the blue, she puts one of her hands on my shoulder.
By the way, Tomoaki will enter the bath, too, right?
Eh? W-what are you talking about?
Her face, slightly flushed, approached my own.
Ive been sitting in a hard chair for a long ti, and because of that, my ass has gotten hard. I need you to loosen it up for .
Sh-shouldnt you ask a fellow woman to do that sort of thing?
Ah, you dont worry about that. I got Irenes permission.
I-is that so!? Wait, thats not what I an, butokay?
Also, when did you two get close enough to be able to call Irene on a first-na basis?
That said, it has been a long ti since we t, and I want to thank her for bringing such precious information.
I have to do my best to return the favor as her partner.
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