第９２掘：ガルツの反応 (Part1)
**Dungeon Dig 92: Gartz’s Reaction**
**Side: Seraria**
My husband has a difficult look on his face.
It’s no wonder.
Where should I even begin to explain things so that I can be understood and bring them over to our side?
If I explain it poorly, everything could fall apart in an instant.
King Rocksten of Gartz easily dismissed his attendants after hearing my words, but... well, let’s do it this way.
"Well then. To begin with, even if I try to speak from my end, I don't know how much you are already aware of. If you don't mind, could you tell me what information you currently possess?"
"……Pardon my rudeness, Seraria-dono. Are you asking me to disclose our intelligence? I cannot agree to that. It would be like showing you our hand. I do not doubt Shera, but Seraria-dono, Rurua-dono, you are both key figures of Roschur and Litea. Shouldn't you be the ones to speak first?"
He’s surprisingly calm for someone who was crying his eyes out after being scolded by Shera.
Well, I suppose he doesn't hold the reins on Lowell for nothing...
"No, that is not what I meant. Let’s see. Let’s take this one step at a time. Are you aware of where I am currently stationed... or rather, where I am serving as a lord?"
"…Is that about the dungeon that Elju-dono governed?"
"Yes. As Shera seems to know, you are aware of that much. Then, are you aware of why I married my husband?"
"No, I know nothing about that. In fact, I only learned of your marriage today, Seraria-dono."
Hmm, so he really didn't know...
Well, it is the marriage of a princess from an allied nation after a reconciliation.
Since he should have been the first to send congratulatory words to strengthen the alliance, there is no reason for him to hide it.
Well, even if he is hiding something, it’s nothing that would trouble us if it were exposed, so I should just get on with it.
"I see, let’s start from there. I heard from Shera that you are investigating the source of the recent reparations?"
"……!? Shera told you that?"
"Yes, my husband heard it quite clearly while we were in bed."
"Seraria-sama!?"
Shera’s face turned bright red.
It’s adorable, but from their perspective, you’ve committed a complete act of betrayal, haven't you?
"Shera, what is the meaning of this? This could cause a rift in our relationship with Roschur. You understand that, don't you?"
"I-it’s not like that. T-there is a reason……"
"Yes, there is a reason. So, please do not bully my husband’s precious concubine. To return to the topic, surely you can guess a little bit now, knowing about my marriage and the source of the reparations?"
"……Are you saying that Seraria-dono managed the reparations? That amount? That’s impossible. And you’re trying to tell me this? I don't understand your intentions at all. There is no benefit for Roschur in this."
"Naturally, what I seek is only the benefit of my husband."
When I stated that clearly, the room fell silent.
And for good reason; this declaration is...
"……Seraria-dono. Do you intend to point your sword at your motherland?"
King Rocksten stares at me with a serious expression.
Yes, this is effectively a declaration that I no longer belong to Roschur.
Though, that is the goal.
"Well, that is not all there is to it. If you continue to probe Roschur clumsily, a massive serpent will emerge, so I decided to speak directly to King Rocksten to stop the investigation. This is not official, but it is also a request from my father."
"……I see. You are trying to prevent the spread of inconvenient truths by giving the information to those who seek it before it is learned the wrong way."
"Exactly."
"I understand. Continue."
"Then, regarding my younger sister... Elju..."
Before I could finish, Lowell stood up.
"You don't have to say it!! Seraria, I know how much you suffered!! Now that you and I have joined hands, we can cut down any Demon Lord that stands in our way. ...Your... sister..."
Lowell was also kind to Elju.
She must have had many thoughts about this incident as well.
Even while saying I didn't have to say it, her eyes were brimming with tears.
"Thank you, Lowell. But this is the core of the matter."
"…*Sniff*. What do you mean?"
I took a breath, waiting for everyone’s gaze to gather on me...
"The Demon Lord’s conspiracy, the mutual attrition of our two countries, and the assassination of Elju. ...The truth is that Litea orchestrated it all."
"「「What!?」」"
The Gartz delegation’s eyes went wide.
Well, when you think it was the work of the Demon Lord, being told that a third country was pulling strings behind the scenes is quite a shock.
"Were you aware? That at the same time Elju was called a Saintess, Litea’s internal politics were becoming unstable?"
"……To some extent, but… hmm. So Elju-dono was an obstacle for the Holy Nation of Litea..."
"D-don't be ridiculous!! Don't mess with me!! Did they lay a hand on Elju just because they couldn't control their own country's unrest!!"
"……Sister, calm down. I understand how you feel. But while it was a poor strategy, it was an effective solution."
"Higil!! You!! In front of Seraria!! And besides, if that’s true, it means Litea is the reason the war started!! Do you have any idea how much blood our people shed, how many friends, lovers, and families were lost!!"
"I know!! But what good will it do to say that here!! What do you intend to do now!!"
"That’s obvious!! We will join forces with Roschur immediately and crush Litea!! If we don't, Elju and all those who died will have died in vain...!!"
Lowell and Higil began to argue.
This is just the royal family; if this information spreads poorly, it will be catastrophic.
"Silence!!"
"「「!」」"
King Rocksten stopped their argument with a single shout.
Heh, he’s just as imposing as that old man, isn't he?
"……Seraria-dono. Your father made a compromise with a heavy heart, didn't he?"
"Yes."
Though, Elju is actually alive.
"A compromise?"
"…Lowell. You really should study more. The King of Roschur judged that there was no reason to expand the conflict any further."
"Why!! My daughter was killed!! Why!!"
"……Perhaps that is why. If we fight any longer, Roschur, Gartz, and Litea will surely be exhausted. And the ones who will suffer the most from that are the people."
"……"
"Lowell. I understand your feelings. I know you cherished Elju-dono as if she were your own sister. But if the three countries fight and exhaust themselves here, what will happen when the Demon Lord’s army truly approaches?"
"That is..."
"A bitter struggle would be inevitable. All three countries would be drained. That is why the King of Roschur prepared this compromise. So that we would not have to fight any longer. So that the people, and his own daughter, would not have to be hurt any further... A brilliant, heroic decision."
"Damn it, damn it all!! T-to think it was for such a ridiculous reason... Elju, and the people of Roschur and Gartz..."
As expected of my friend, she still doesn't seem convinced.
But I find that part of her very endearing.
"……And regarding the reparations I managed to secure..."
"……From Litea?"
"Yes. We could not simply let them get away with manipulating us. So, I went to negotiate directly."
"Negotiated directly, you say. They must have been terrified."
"Yes, that is why the amount ended up being what it was."
"……It is difficult to ask, but were you satisfied with that, Seraria-dono?"