In the palace’s meeting room, Scarlet, Reina, Sheila’s clone, and I were all gathered at the round table. I sat at the chief seat with Scarlet and Reina on either side, while Sheila’s clone was all the way on the other end of the table.
Naturally, we were here for a discussion, but Reina seemed to be bothered by the presence of Sheila’s clone. “Are you sure about this, Master?”
“Yeah. I’d like Sheila’s opinion too.”
Reina and Scarlet were regulars in these meetings, whereas Sheila’s clone was a special guest by my invitation—as per Lardon’s instruction, though only I knew this part. She’d told me that things would proceed much quicker if I said that it was my decision.
Honestly, I didn’t think Scarlet or Reina would have any issues with abiding by Lardon’s advice, but I just did as I was told without putting much more thought into it. I’d never gone wrong listening to what Lardon said.
Reina bowed. “If that is your will, then I shall abide.”
Meanwhile, Scarlet turned to Sheila. “Is this acceptable for you, Princess Sheila?”
“Oh? Whatever do you mean?”
“Unlike me, I believe you are hoping to establish your own state. Would this not pose any problems?”
“Not at all. Besides...” Sheila’s clone smiled brightly. “I am not the real Sheila. Who in their right mind would demand a magical clone to take responsibility for their words and actions?”
Scarlet pulled her lips into a pinched smile. “Impressive.”
Lardon chuckled. “That lass certainly has a way with words.”
“Now, let us formally begin.” Reina cleared her throat. “The dark elves, now named by and contracted to Master, are temporarily staying in the reception hall. Their houses are currently under construction and should be completed by tomorrow.”
“How are they all doing?”
“Physically, they have fully recovered thanks to the Familia contract. But mentally, they are spent. I believe we had best give them a good night’s rest.”
Scarlet hummed. “It sounds like we cannot ask them for more details yet.”
Reina shook her head. “Some of them appear to be energized after their instant recovery, but we’ve determined that they are still mentally and emotionally unstable.”
“Certainly... They could somehow cause harm to Master in that state.”
“Agreed. Hence why I suggested they rest for one night.”
“A good call.”
“Still, the problem remains,” Reina continued. “Master may have saved the dark elves—rather, the banshees near our borders, but many remain in foreign lands. Without a doubt, they are suffering from persecution as we speak. If possible, we should ask for them to be handed over to us.”
“That may prove difficult.”
“What makes you say that, Lady Scarlet?”
“Such a demand may be misconstrued as intent to interfere in their domestic affairs. It matters little that they see the monsters as foes.”
“I would say that the bigger problem is that it would give them a convenient excuse against you,” Sheila’s clone piped in.
Scarlet solemnly nodded. “Princess Sheila speaks the truth. Though they would be splitting hairs, even forced logic would be plenty of ammunition against a nation of monsters like ours.”
“You could also use that to your advantage—incite them to make the first move,” Sheila’s clone suggested.
“We would certainly emerge victorious with Master on our side, but many more banshees may be sacrificed as we battle.”
“A fair point... That play is best avoided if you wish to minimize sacrifices.”
As Sheila’s clone and Scarlet continued exchanging ideas, Reina piped in with a hum. “Lady Scarlet, what do you suggest we do?”
“It should suffice for us to declare that our nation is actively accepting banshees. In other words, it’s a simple announcement of our stance, rather than a direct diplomatic plea.”
“And with that, we can expect the banshees to make their way to us... Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“But is that not too passive? There is a high likelihood that other banshees will continue being persecuted in the meantime.”
“Hmm... Perhaps we could seek the aid of Master’s brother, or even Princess Sheila,” said Scarlet. “If she takes the initiative to gather up the banshees in her territory and relinquish them to us, then we could demand the same of other nations. All the better if we make this turn out favorably for her along the way.”
“Oh, no need for that. I’ve already received much from you,” Sheila’s clone remarked.
“That would certainly send a stronger message.”
Things were slowly starting to take shape. Scarlet and Reina went back and forth, with Sheila’s clone piping in every now and then. I wasn’t really following the entire time, but there was nothing new about that.
Eventually, Sheila’s clone turned to me. “You haven’t spoken for a while now... Is this all fine with you?”
“Of course,” I answered in a heartbeat. This was her first time participating in one of these meetings, so she had no idea that this was how things always went down. I hardly participated. “Magic is my forte. Everything else, I leave to them. It’s not my place to butt in.”
Sheila’s clone hummed. “So you’re that type of ruler, I see.”
“Huh? What type?”
“Reigning without governing... It is what rulers of old have always aspired to.”
“Okay...?”
It sounded like she was complimenting me, but I really couldn’t figure out why. All I could do was stare at her in confusion.