第３２掘：根本的な事 いろんな意味で (Part2)
"Well now, my friend. It’s the passionate friendship of women, isn't it? I think I’ll be able to get along just fine with Rurua."
The conversation was starting to get a bit too loud. If this kept up, the adorable Aslin and Firia would wake up.
"U-um, Aslin and the others are going to wake up, so could you please keep it down a little..."
As I spoke up, everyone froze.
"Right. I have something I need to discuss with you all. Let's move to the banquet hall."
"..." "..." "..."
Was it just my imagination, or did I hear everyone except me click their tongues?
When we stepped out of the room, Oriel was waiting, as she always does.
"Oh? It doesn't look like you're finished yet."
"Yes, Yuki-san has something he wants to talk about, so we've decided to move to the banquet hall."
"...I see. Is he lacking in guts? Or perhaps lacking in... other equipment?"
"Yes, right there!! Don't say things that cause misunderstandings!!"
Yuki-san, you barely have any composure left from earlier, do you?
With that, we arrived at the banquet hall and took a breather while having some tea.
"Now then."
"Are we doing it here? Where are the futons?"
"Come on, enough with the jokes. Rurua, you have something you want to say, don't you?"
When Yuki-san said that, Rurua took a breath and her expression turned serious.
"I wasn't joking, though. I will show you that I can conceive within a month, mark my words. But let's put that aside. Continuing from earlier—the method Yuki-san mentioned... it's democracy, isn't it?"
"Heh, so you know about it."
At Rurua's words, the joking look vanished from Yuki-san's face, replaced by a serious demeanor.
"Yes. There are documents in our Holy Kingdom of Litea stating that about 200 years ago, a Hero visited, defeated the Demon Lord, acquired territory, and attempted to use that method to enrich the lives of the people."
"And the result?"
"It worked to a certain extent while the Hero was still active. However, it is said that shortly after the Hero stepped back from the front lines, a rebellion broke out, and the method was deemed a failure."
"Hmm. So, what is it you want to say, Rurua?"
"...I will speak plainly. If you adopt that method, it will be impossible to build villages or towns in the dungeon that is your goal, Yuki-san. Please, reconsider."
I see. There was a proper reason why Rurua had been so vocal about what Yuki-san said. She couldn't just accept something she knew for a fact would fail.
I agree with Rurua's opinion. Sowing the seeds of pointless conflict among people should be out of the question.
"I figured as much. Normally, it would be a guaranteed failure. That Hero was just too much of a dreamer. And I understand what you're saying, Rurua."
"Then—"
"However, I am going to proceed with the plan using this policy."
"Why? Even though you know it will fail?"
"Hmm, don't you realize the premise is different? And think about it carefully. The people coming here are coming because they hate where they were before. It’s not like we’re telling people who have lived in a village or town their whole lives that we’re suddenly changing the laws."
"Ah."
"The majority of people gathering here are those who hated the previous systems. People who were cast aside by the policies you all consider 'good' are the ones who will gather here. Also, you're mistaken—this isn't democracy. And of course, what that Hero did wasn't democracy either."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It works because it follows an absolute authority—me, or the Hero. How is that democracy? It only becomes democracy once it can be maintained after I or the Hero are gone. If I had to name it, maybe 'Absolute Monarchy-Enforced Democracy'? A bit of a mouthful, isn't it?"
I see. I understand what Yuki-san is saying.
If you introduce a new system into a place where a system already exists, it causes problems. But here, he is declaring from the very beginning that this place has a different system. If it doesn't suit them, people will leave.
However, I still have my doubts. Why go out of his way to implement something with such a high risk of failure?
"Um, Yuki-san. As Rurua-sama said, it is democracy, isn't it? Do you really think it will be accepted?"
"Nah, it'll probably fail more than 90% of the time, right? If monarchy has been the norm until now, the foundation isn't there. Honestly, wouldn't it be more stable to build it using the method you all suggested?"
"Eh? Then why are you choosing such a method?"