第７０掘：後始末 (Part1)
**Dig 70: The Cleanup**
**Cleanup**
**Side: Alstaire**
"Are you certain about this? Allowing such a reckless military action to proceed?"
One of the proponents for trade with Roschur approaches me with a worried expression.
"It is fine. In truth, Seraria-sama anticipated that such factions would emerge from the start."
"If that is the case, then sending such a small force to face them..."
"That, too, is exactly as planned."
"Pardon?"
"If the opposition fails or is completely wiped out, it will prove that my judgment was correct. However, if we do not allow them to experience the true strength of the dungeon's forces firsthand, it will only lead to further problems down the line."
I recite the explanation exactly as Yuki-san instructed me.
I explain that allowing the opposition's military maneuver to proceed serves two purposes: to ensure there are no lingering loose ends, and to purge the factions that harbor dissatisfaction toward me.
"Ho... That is brilliant. If the opposition's army fails or is annihilated as planned, we can pin any number of crimes upon them. I see, so Seraria-sama truly does possess hidden military strength after all?"
He knows that the Roschur dungeon defense force, which he scouted beforehand, numbers fewer than 400. He also knows that the opposition has mobilized a force of approximately 5,000. Naturally, he assumes that the information regarding the dungeon's size was a deliberate deception. It is a logical conclusion to reach.
"No, Seraria-sama truly intends to face the opposition's army with only those forces."
"You must be joking. That force wouldn't even stand a chance, would it?"
Indeed, it wouldn't be a contest. The opposition will be easily annihilated.
"Ah, I see! Kiyu-dono will strike from the rear, correct? In that case, the enemy will fall into chaos and be forced to retreat. Do not worry, Kiyu-dono. We will protect Alstaire-sama firmly. Please, feel free to drive those opposition forces into a retreat!"
Seeing Kiyu-san, he offers his theory as if he’s had a sudden epiphany. Well, if Kiyu-san were to attack from the rear, the speed of the annihilation would certainly increase.
"No, no, as I said before, I will not be participating in this battle. My role is strictly to act as Alstaire-sama’s bodyguard and as a mediator with Roschur."
Kiyu-san gently denies the claim. Looking at him now, one wouldn't guess he possesses such power, but when he first arrived—or rather, when he delivered Seraria-sama’s declaration—it was nothing short of extraordinary. The opposition, as expected, flew into a rage. They likely intended to kill Kiyu-san, the messenger, as a warning and use it as leverage to drag me down from my position... but those who lunged at Kiyu-san, or those who attempted to harm me, were beaten into submission in the blink of an eye and thrown into the dungeons.
If not for Kiyu-san, I would have been stripped of my position as Saintess on the spot. Thanks to that, however, many in the upper echelons who were already pro-trade have come to trust my words. Furthermore, since the Fairy race is already located within the dungeon, there were many who were naturally in favor of the idea. Rurua-sama’s influence is truly remarkable.
However, there are always those who will oppose.
"There is no need to bow our heads to Roschur! There is no proof that they attempted to assassinate Elju-sama! This is clearly a threat! Furthermore, to suggest stuffing the Fairy race into a place as dangerous as a dungeon—I cannot believe anyone is in their right mind! We should annihilate the dungeon, rescue the Fairy race, capture Seraria for casting such baseless suspicions, and demand reparations from Roschur!"
With such seemingly plausible arguments, they gathered the opposition. And then, there is the most pressing issue: the refugee crisis.
"There is no need to send them to another country. And to provide funding for it is utter folly! Alstaire-sama, please keep your wits about you. The refugees here chose this path themselves. They should save themselves; it is not our duty to provide salvation! Besides, we are already providing proper relief measures, such as soup kitchens and medical aid! Anything more will only make the commoners arrogant!"
Well, there is some truth to that. They didn't just come here seeking salvation; many are refugees because they sought work but could not find employment. But that is not the whole story. I show the man, who is barking these claims, the documents Crack compiled detailing the flow of money.
"The funds listed here have already been... no, most of it was used for personal gain and could not be recovered. While it might not have been enough to save every single refugee, it certainly would have been enough to help more than half of them. Can you look at this and still claim that proper relief was being provided?"
"Th-that is..."
"Naturally, everyone involved in this matter deserves punishment... capital punishment, to be precise. As for the refugees, we are saying that if we provide temporary support, they will be able to manage on their own from there. I have seen the city with my own eyes; it is more than sufficient for them to live. We cannot have them dying here in vain and becoming a source of pestilence."
"Why would people dying lead to pestilence?"
As I list the benefits of sending refugees to the dungeon, many tilt their heads in confusion regarding the disease aspect. I only realized it myself after Yuki-san taught me, but once explained, it makes perfect sense. If you eat rotten food, you get a stomachache. Therefore, you dispose of rotten things. I explain this obvious fact to those around me, including the reality that the birds and rats that feed on such waste become the vectors for disease.
"I see. That is logical. Moreover, as Alstaire-sama said, sending the refugees to the dungeon eliminates our concerns about pestilence here, and we can secure the labor force for the city that Seraria-sama desires. Should we not accept Seraria-sama’s proposal? This is not a threat at all. Trade is also much safer than transporting goods over long distances. Plus, we get Fairy-made goods."
Once one person says this, many others begin to nod in agreement. However, there are still those who refuse to budge.
"Damn it!! Do not be deceived! They might be using the dungeon to kill us all! Besides, to provide support and escort our own citizens to another country is tantamount to broadcasting to the world that we are incapable of managing our own people! Furthermore, Rurua-sama has not returned! This is clearly a hostage situation!"
"That’s right!"
It is not a matter a nation can easily agree to. That is precisely why Seraria-sama left this proposal on the table.
"I understand the opinions of those who oppose. However, the opposition is in the minority. I would like to proceed with the trade agreement."
When I say this, those outside the opposition seem convinced.
"Guh...!"
The opposition members twist their faces in humiliation.