第８７掘：今後の予定を話し合う
**Dungeon 87: Discussing Future Plans**
Sorry for the delay; things have been hectic.
**Discussing Future Plans**
**Side: Yuki**
As Seraria and Shera pointed out, if we intend to connect this dungeon to numerous other countries, the perception that this is merely a piece of Roschur’s territory will certainly not sit well with the others. However, that is a concern for once we start moving in earnest.
"So, that’s the situation. Even if we wanted to declare independence from Roschur, we have no track record yet. We can’t just declare it and expect to be recognized."
"Huh? Why not just declare it and then counterattack if they try to invade?"
Seraria is as bellicose as ever.
"Lady Seraria, Yuki-sama is looking for a path that doesn't involve bloodshed. How about we try cooperating instead?"
"I’m joking. Still, it’s impossible to get independence recognized unless you have significant leverage. Perhaps we should just tell them that Lady Lilishe and Luna are backing us?"
"That won't work. My father, King Gartz, and the King of Roschur might be convinced, but not all their vassals will accept Lady Lilishe as the real deal."
"True. Even if we convince the monarchs, if we start talking about gods to the vassals, the political balance in Litea will tilt again. Isn't there a better solution?"
As the two princesses sat there pondering, Riel muttered...
"Wait, how does one even get independence recognized? I don't really know much about that."
Well, she’s right. It’s not like there’s a manual on how to secede from a nation and start your own. I don't know the rules of this continent either.
"Well, usually, if you achieve a great military feat, you are permitted to claim the enemy's territory as your own and name it a new country," Seraria explained.
"Or," Shera added, "after large-scale development, if the results are recognized, independence may be granted."
"In reality, though, it’s usually just them dumping troublesome land on you," Seraria continued. "The former is land filled with dissatisfied citizens from an enemy nation; the latter is land that requires grueling, expensive development work. Once it's an independent nation, the costs of reconstruction and development fall entirely on them."
"That’s a very blunt way of putting it," Riel noted. "But as Lady Seraria says, they grant independence simply because they don't want to deal with the headache themselves."
I see. They grant independence so they can wash their hands of it, while still hoping to maintain trade relations.
"Um, what about this place?"
"Normally, it would be considered 'troublesome land' and independence wouldn't be an issue, but..."
"We’ve already proven its utility," I said. "It’s not a burden; it’s a treasure vault that produces countless riches."
"The heavyweights in Roschur won't want to let this go," Shera agreed.
"Yes, I believe so," Rurua added. "Lady Seraria granted a five-year tax exemption, but the goods produced here will generate profits far exceeding that. When the time comes to pay taxes after five years, they will surely try to impose heavy levies to fill the national treasury."
That’s likely. From a narrow perspective, if Roschur monopolizes this dungeon, they can dictate prices for goods and charge fees for the dungeon’s gate travel, making a fortune. But from a broader perspective, doing so would invite the scorn of other nations and could even lead to an invasion.
"…Hmm. Hearing all this, isn't it impossible for us to become independent?" Riel asked, tilting her head.
Well, as things stand, yes.
"You heard Seraria and Shera," I said. "Without achieving some kind of result, there’s no talk of independence."
"Yes, I understand that, but... what should we do?"
"Indeed. Thanks to Yuki-san, I’ve even managed the Adventurer’s Guild, but this is beyond me. Should we ask the Grand Master?"
Eris and Milly seemed at a loss as well.
"Don't worry about that. I’ve already thought of a plan."
"Oh? Won't you tell us?"
"Yuki-sama, what kind of method is it?"
Seraria and Shera were interested. It’s not like it’s a secret, so I might as well share it.
"My prediction is that by cooperating with Rurua’s Litea and Shera’s Gartz, this dungeon city will be recognized as an independent nation."
As I said that, Rurua, who had been deep in thought, muttered:
"I see. By loudly announcing that two major powers—Litea and Gartz—already know about this dungeon, we prevent the profits from being funneled solely into Roschur. For those two nations, if this dungeon becomes independent, it makes negotiations easier for them, and they won't have to go through Roschur."
"Exactly. If those two nations loudly recognize our independence, Roschur can't refuse without looking like they’re blinded by greed. It could even crack their existing alliances. Since we haven't generated massive profits yet, most will lean toward recognizing our independence. If we were already trading heavily and making huge profits, there would be more opposition."
Seraria and Shera nodded in agreement.
"That’s the advantage of dealing with major powers," Seraria said.
"Indeed. A smaller nation would cling to it no matter what. Using the major powers like this is a clever strategy."
The others seemed to grasp the situation and fell silent.
"So, in other words, we’re going to go ask Litea and Gartz for help?" Riel asked, her brain clearly working hard.
"That’s right."
"Yes," Rurua added. "Though for Litea, it’s just a matter of talking. I can speak with Lady Alstaire via call anytime, and Litea finds the dungeon issue quite troublesome since it involves Roschur anyway."
I’m an acquaintance of Alstaire, and I’ve done her a few favors, so she shouldn't refuse. If anything, there’s more to gain for her, so maybe I can get something out of it?
"…That means, Yuki-sama, the biggest problem is my negotiation with Gartz?" Shera asked, looking at me seriously.
"Yes. Shera, I need you to return to Gartz soon to discuss the dungeon, promise support for our independence, and build a dungeon gate in their basement to connect directly to this place."
"W-wait a moment, Master," Kirue interjected in a panic. "Lady Shera has only been married for a short while. Sending her back to Gartz as an envoy so soon... they’ll think she was sent back!"
"I understand that, but this is a race against time. If we leave a gap, Roschur will start making demands. We need a promise of cooperation as soon as possible. Besides, our relationship is fine, and I don't mind if they get suspicious."
"Yes. Kirue, there is no need to worry," Shera said confidently. "This is a stepping stone for Yuki-sama to save the continent. Why would I, his wife, refuse? And as you said, Yuki-sama and I love each other deeply. If they suspect anything, you can tell them the truth, or I can even undergo a medical examination to prove I am no longer a maiden."
Shera said this with total confidence. By the way, my nights with Shera are usually one-on-one, but lately, Aslin and the others have been joining in. It’s nice that they get along like sisters, but sometimes I feel like they’re getting *too* close.
"For this matter, I’ll be heading to Gartz using a dummy... a Doppelganger. Actually, it’ll be good practice for Shera and Kirue to learn how to use Doppelgangers as well. Anyway, that’s the plan, but the dungeon council is dragging on longer than expected, and we have inspectors coming from Roschur. We’ll start after we handle those."
"So, for now, it’s business as usual," Riel concluded.
"And Yuki-san is leaving his real body here..."
"L-leave big brother's body to us!!"
"We will take responsibility for taking care of big brother's body!!"
"…*Giggle*."
Wait, the look in the women's eyes has changed. Lilishe had granted me various "night combat" skills, saying, "You won't last against multiple women otherwise," but...
"…Um, while I’m still conscious..."
"It’s fine!! Even if big brother is asleep, we’ll feel good!!"
"That’s right!! Big brother is always moving, so now it’s our turn!!"
"…*Fufufufu*."
…Yeah. Somehow, this feels more difficult than the national negotiations.
Since there are so many things going on, I know it’s hard to keep track, so I’ll try to summarize everything in the next chapter.