第１８４掘：ジルバ帝国の落日 計画の章
**Dungeon 184: The Sunset of the Zilba Empire – Planning Chapter**
**Side: Yuki**
"Well, I suppose it’s about time to get some sleep."
"I suppose so."
I was spending a relaxing time in the private room we had been guided to, bringing the day to a close with Ria.
"The bed is a bit stiff, but I guess it can't be helped."
"Indeed. Weed is quite unique, after all."
We both touched the bed and shared a wry smile.
However, if we’re feeling dissatisfied with this, perhaps the standards in Weed should be lowered a little?
If things stay this way, the children who will eventually fly out of Weed into the world might end up feeling despair and becoming shut-ins.
No, "shut-in" might be an exaggeration, but there’s a high probability they wouldn't want to leave Weed at all.
This is something I should bring up at a general meeting as a potential issue for Weed. I’d certainly like to hear the residents' opinions on it as well.
"Um, Yuki-san..."
"Hm? What is it?"
As I was lost in thought, Ria spoke up, looking a bit uneasy.
"Is this situation really alright? Even if we are strong, if we are separated and attacked..."
"And if we are?"
"No, I suppose suppressing them would be easy. But wouldn't the negotiations become troublesome? Or rather, I’m worried about Aslin-chan and the others being in a separate room."
Well, the issue isn't the negotiations, but the safety of Aslin and the others. However, there’s nothing to be done about that now.
"I understand your concern, but this is part of the plan. Please, just bear with it."
"The plan?"
"Yes, the plan. From the start, based on our reconnaissance and the capabilities of the magic sword users, we’ve already concluded that there are no enemies here who can surpass us, right?"
"Yes."
"In other words, we knew from the beginning that we would have to seize the royal castle and negotiate with the King."
"I thought... Yuki-san was going to become the King..."
No, that’s not happening. Who would willingly take on such a troublesome job?
"Well, I’m sorry to disappoint your expectations, Ria, but if I did that, it would take far too long to gain control over the nation's citizens and the existing vassals. That’s why I negotiated to have our actions unrestricted. Our original purpose is to investigate the mana depletion; we can't afford to be tied down by a country."
"I understand that, but why did you approach the King of Zilba so openly, in a way that creates enemies? I think Tori, Aslin-chan, and the others staying in different rooms are in danger. Couldn't you have just threatened them secretly? Or rather, this feels quite bold compared to how you’ve done things until now."
Ria expressed her doubts about my actions this time. It’s true; unlike the continent where Weed is located, I’m putting myself at the forefront quite a bit more here. In Weed, I had Elju stand at the front, welcomed Seraria as the lord, and desperately tried to hide my own existence.
"You’re right. I did do that in Weed. But the purpose here is different, so the methods I use are different, too."
"Um, the purpose is to prevent the world's mana depletion, right?"
"Ah, that’s the ultimate goal, no mistake. But there are various stages—the goals in Weed, the goals here, and so on."
"Stages?"
"Yes, stages. You could call them easy-to-understand benchmarks for achieving the many steps required to reach the final goal. Let’s see... you know Weed is the first place I arrived in this world, right?"
"Yes. You were brought here by Luna-sama and started moving to save the world, right?"
I think it’s fine to just call her Luna.
"That’s where it started. Back then, I was penniless and knew nothing of common sense. So, I used the dungeon to build up my strength and negotiated with countries to prepare for the mana depletion. I had people live in Weed—the dungeon—to secure DP, and used the dungeon's functions to quell wars as much as possible."
"Um, in the end, it’s still for the mana depletion, right?"
"Yes, but that’s still a long way off, so I had to lay a solid foundation. At first, I couldn't even summon a Doppel, and my personal safety was the top priority. But the purpose of this new continent isn't just preparation for the mana depletion."
"Ah, so you’ve started acting more proactively now that the foundation is set?"
"Exactly. If I tried to obtain any more resources or technology, it would turn into a multi-decade plan. Luna guided me to a continent where the mana depletion is just right. Rather than haggling secretly and letting things get complicated, I figured it would be faster to trigger the conflict immediately so we can move freely."
"Is that so? Indeed, doing things secretly behind the scenes like we used to takes time. And our safety is already secured by the Doppels, and the dungeon is protected by Mauve-san and the monster troops, so there’s no worry there. Wait, 'trigger the conflict immediately'..."
Ria finally seemed to catch on.
"Did you have Aslin-chan and the others stay in a separate room to cause trouble?"
"The Zilba Empire side will be the ones causing the trouble. We’re just going to relax for three days."
"...Even if nothing happens in three days, does that mean trouble will definitely occur the next time we come back...?"
"That’s right. If trouble happens within three days, I can use that as an excuse to negotiate more easily. But even if the three days pass peacefully, there’s no way the vassals who gather later will be convinced by this story. So, instead of giving them a week to talk it over, I’m shortening the time to provoke them. Conveniently, I’m separated from you, Tori’s group, and Aslin’s group. Anyone who thinks they can take advantage of that will likely make a move."
Yes, it’s as if I’m telling them to reach a conclusion in three days. Moreover, it’s essentially a demand that says, "Listen to everything I say, you hear?"
So, if someone who wasn't there hears about it, they’ll almost certainly rebel. After all, it’s like someone suddenly walking into your house and demanding the right to do whatever they want. And there’s no time to persuade them. In that case, those who couldn't be persuaded will take action against us on their own.
"Well, it’ll be easier to handle things if they do come."
"Is that because you can squeeze money out of them?"
"No, no. It gives us a chance to demonstrate our strength, and more people will correctly recognize who we are, right? People are always suspicious of things they only hear about from others. So, we just need to make sure they recognize us properly through the problems that are about to occur. To show them that we are not to be trifled with. Also, when we go out to the provinces, if there are tyrannical lords causing us trouble, I want permission to cut them down without hesitation. It’s a hassle to contact the King every single time."
"...Um, you sound like a tyrant, Yuki-san."
"This is the method for the purpose of investigating the mana depletion on this new continent. I think it’s faster than any other way. It’s easier to gather information this way, and we won't be obstructed by the country."
"No, I understand that, but... how should I put it? It’s a method that’s only possible because of Weed, and because we’re here, isn't it?"
"That’s right. That’s exactly why I made all those preparations in Weed."
Well then, I wonder if the other side can hold out for three days.
As usual, it was a plan destined for hell no matter which way it turned. lol
Also, I apologize for the delay in responding to the typo reports in the comments. I’ve been reading them, but I’ve been busy and lacked the energy.
I’ll do my best to keep going!!