第２２８掘：各国の動き (Part1)
### Chapter 228: Movements of Each Nation
**Side: Holy Kingdom of Enaria, Holy King Enaria VII**
"…This magic sword, you say it truly works?"
"Yes."
"…There is no mistake."
We were currently under heavy guard, listening to the reports from General Prism, who had returned with his forces largely intact, and General Wooley, who had been sent as reinforcements, along with his subordinates.
Initially, I was shocked to hear that they had returned without reclaiming the Betan region, but once I heard the sequence of events, I could only nod in understanding.
An unknown army had appeared. If we had recklessly attacked them, we might have driven them into an alliance with Zilba, leading to an even more disadvantageous situation.
And above all, the one who appeared to be the leader of these monsters was a legendary creature: a Minotaur.
Fortunately, unlike the legends, it spoke our language. Perhaps it disliked conflict, as it did not blindly attack General Prism or General Wooley’s soldiers. In fact, even though General Prism had seized food from the ruins they inhabited, the Minotaur had handled the matter peacefully.
To top it all off, while General Agil was held as a captive until the supplies were returned, they had entrusted our generals with a mountain of magic swords and legendary armaments—all to prove their sincerity.
"…And it doesn't even require specific aptitude; even I can use it. This is…"
"Yes. It is unthinkable to simply hand over such armaments under normal circumstances."
"However, I thought that perhaps to them, these items are of little consequence, or perhaps it should be seen as a display of sincerity. Even if the opponent is a monster, we have exchanged words and promises. As a knight and a noble who supports the people, I have come to seek the judgment of the Holy King."
Indeed, even I could use this magic sword. A weapon of this caliber had never existed before. When I held the sword and focused, flames erupted from it. I could likely generate even larger fires depending on my intent.
It was clear that clashing with a monster army that could so easily hand over such weapons would be a grave mistake. These generals had committed no blunder. While they failed to achieve their original objective due to unforeseen circumstances, this discovery was of far greater significance than reclaiming the territory.
"…Hmm. I understand the generals' report. Normally, I should punish you for failing to achieve your objective, but if there were a king who would still punish you after seeing these magic swords and armaments, he would be a fool."
As I said this, the Chancellor, who had been listening, nodded.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I believe you are correct. I do not know if they create these unprecedented armaments or merely possess them, but returning with the possibility of negotiation—even if not friendship—is a greater benefit to Enaria than reclaiming the Betan region."
"Then we must quickly speak with that monster army and invite them to our Holy Kingdom."
"Yes. There may be some confusion among the populace, but there are many places that already keep Goblins and Orcs. If we push forward with that narrative, it should be fine."
"…Hmm. Will that Minotaur not take offense? What do you think, Hein? Having actually spoken with that Minotaur?"
Hein was my trusted companion who had run across the battlefield with me since I was young. As expected of Hein, he had gone to negotiate with that monster army with only a few guards. He remained a man of great courage.
"Indeed. From what I saw, and judging by the Minotaur General and the Orc Vice-General, their control over their subordinates is firm. They treated us with courtesy, assuming we were unaccustomed to monsters. As long as we do not inflict actual harm, they are the type—no, the *being*—who will overlook minor slights. Or rather, if you intend to pick a fight, please do so when we are not around. They are an opponent who disabled our scattered units and seized our supplies without taking a single life."
"…Indeed. I would like to ask how much we can trust them, but the supplies were indeed seized and then returned after you fled, were they not?"
I turned my gaze toward General Wooley.
"I apologize. It is my responsibility that the supplies entrusted to me by Your Majesty were seized, and that the lives of my precious soldiers were lost, however few."
Yes, under General Wooley's strategy, they had attempted to divide and isolate the enemy to take them down one by one, but the monster army had exploited that, seized the supplies, and rendered them immobile.
There were testimonies that they had been defeated by two women, but the descriptions of their appearances varied. General Wooley claimed he was defeated by a Goblin with terrifying strength, and there were witnesses to that. Others claimed the unit that entered the forest was defeated by a snake monster; perhaps they had simply seen a traveler and mistaken them for something else.
"It is fine. Thanks to General Wooley, we can roughly gauge the strength of the monster army."
"Indeed. While the blunder of losing the supplies was committed, we gained the opportunity to learn the enemy's strength. If we had welcomed the monsters without knowing anything, there would certainly have been those who demanded we defeat them or place them under our control."
"As the Chancellor says, if such a situation had occurred, our Holy Capital of Enaria would have become a living hell. There are monsters capable of subduing over 300 men, including General Wooley, with just a few Goblins. It is a wonderful thing to have gained information that can prevent that. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is no exaggeration to say that General Wooley protected this country with his own body."
"…Thank you very much."
Before that, simply returning with this treasure would have been enough to cancel out any blunder.
"The problem is the Zilba Empire…"
"Indeed. There is nothing but disadvantage in continuing the war in this situation. We must quickly propose a ceasefire in order to invite the monster army here."
"Hmm. But will they not be wary if we suddenly give up on Betan? Furthermore, is there no possibility they will attack?"
Yes, I want a ceasefire, but there is no guarantee Zilba will agree. There is a possibility they might take this opportunity to attack all at once.
"That is hard to say, but if we gain the cooperation of the monster army, the possibility is high."
"…I see. We will let them know how powerful the monster army is as well?"
"Yes. Fortunately, only we know about these magic swords and armaments, and the monster army has no reason to gift these treasures to Zilba. Moreover, since we are already negotiating, if by any chance Zilba *does* attack, it would be possible to cooperate with the monster army."
"In that case, our army, cooperating with the monster army, would gain a powerful ally and deepen our ties."
"Yes. However, Zilba will likely agree to a ceasefire. An unknown army has suddenly appeared. If they attack recklessly, they will be struck where it hurts. Therefore, they will not do such a thing. They, too, have obtained Betan. If they can buy time, there is nothing better."
From my talk with the Chancellor, I know a ceasefire is the right path. Even if it fails, the monster army will become our ally. …My own people are noisy, but if I show them this treasure, they will be convinced.
"Very well. General Prism, General Wooley, propose a ceasefire to the General of the Zilba Empire who is occupying Betan. At the same time, offer supplies to the monster army as compensation for the release of General Agil. And, request the honor of their presence in the Holy Capital of Enaria. Tell them we permit the representative to bring up to 100 subordinates."
" "Yes, sir!" "
Now, the Chancellor and I must go and calm down the noisy warmongers.
***
**Side: King of the Zilba Empire, Fionha Reiga Zilba, Zilba VIII**
"Hmm. This calls for a ceasefire."
"Indeed. The situation is too unclear. We have no idea how the monster army will move. In the worst-case scenario, we may need to fight alongside Enaria."
I am reading the report from Miffy. Problems are occurring one after another. However, depending on how one looks at it, this might be good news.
Perhaps Air, who saw the report, arrived at the same conclusion, as she supported my decision for a ceasefire.