第２４２掘：情報を集めに地獄へ (Part1)
After gathering various pieces of information, it seems the truth about the Holy Sword users is known to the Enaria royal family as well.
However, investigating further would be akin to picking a fight with the kingdom, and it's not confirmed information. Relying on intelligence from just one country is insufficient.
We need a multifaceted perspective and a greater volume of confirmed information.
It's not enough to simply champion our own country's justice, especially in our case.
We need to understand the origins of the problem, the actions taken, and the resulting consequences.
If we don't grasp how our predecessors failed, we risk repeating the same mistakes.
Of course, being "slashed from behind" by my wives is highly unlikely due to the designated protection, but still.
Therefore, the conclusion is that we need to travel to other countries and investigate further.
However, currently, our stated mission is to escort Princess Miffy. We can't move until the ceasefire negotiations are concluded.
A week has passed since we arrived in Enaria, but there's been no word on the ceasefire.
Moreover, there was a major incident in the Holy Capital just recently.
According to Jessica, they are using this incident to systematically eliminate those who oppose the ceasefire.
We can't afford to have our own country embarrassed or hindered.
In this situation, we have two options: either quickly conclude the ceasefire before any interference, or proceed after removing all obstacles.
No, since we made a significant blunder in front of Princess Miffy and the people of Zilba, we need to demonstrate that we are eliminating the anti-ceasefire faction.
It's probably impossible to completely eliminate the anti-ceasefire faction, and a peace treaty will likely be signed in a few more days.
"However, I don't think Princess Miffy will go through with the marriage as planned."
"Why do you say that?"
Agil is the one who reacts to my words.
He's one of the people busy with the aftermath of the recent major incident.
Sadly, his partner, General Prism, was seriously injured while defending the kings without our support.
We healed her and ordered her to rest, and the kings and dignitaries also told her to take a break for a while.
With one of our top combatants down, recovery is the priority.
So, Agil is working in Prism's stead, and he's also in charge of our reception.
In fact, the king has forbidden anyone other than Agil from approaching us carelessly.
This is to consider the possibility that someone might try to provoke us and ruin the ceasefire, given the presence of the anti-ceasefire faction.
However, provoking us would require the kingdom to be prepared for its own destruction.
The kings and dignitaries present at the time understood this.
They saw us instantly defeat the monsters that Prism struggled with, and we even healed Prism's injuries.
Anyone with a sound mind wouldn't consider making enemies of us, but those who weren't there might not think that way.
Thus, currently, only Agil and his subordinates are allowed to contact us.
Now, I need to answer Agil's question.
"It's simple. Look, there was a huge commotion until just now, right? If Princess Miffy were to marry and then be assassinated, what do you think would happen?"
"Ah, it would break the ceasefire."
"Exactly. They seem to be eliminating the nominal anti-ceasefire faction, but they can't completely succeed, can they?"
"That's true. It's difficult to define who counts as an anti-ceasefire faction."
"So, what do you think? Wouldn't it be better to conclude the ceasefire, have Princess Miffy return to Zilba temporarily, let the fact of the ceasefire sink in, and then go to pick her up?"
"But if that's the case, wouldn't assassinating Princess Miffy when we go to pick her up lead to the same outcome?"
"It would, if she were assassinated. But unlike this time, we wouldn't be in a rush and could prepare thoroughly for the wedding. Furthermore, Zilba's direct royal guard would accompany her. This would also give us more time to eliminate the anti-ceasefire faction."
"Ah, I see. The ceasefire is already concluded, so there's no need to rush that part. We'll establish a formation that allows us to maintain the ceasefire with both sides in a near-perfect state. Although, I doubt there will be better guards than you. Do you know? The reason we've been so accommodating to you during your reception is because King Zilba sent a letter to His Holiness the Holy King of Enaria, separate from the ceasefire documents, stating that provoking you would lead to ruin. It doesn't seem like a lie, considering the battle we witnessed."
"I can't believe they would go that far."
That old man from Zilba, he's gone and done something unnecessary.
...In a way, it's helpful, but in another sense, it's made things more difficult.
I need to have Kirika investigate the letter Agil mentioned.
"Speaking of which, will this ceasefire be announced to other countries?"
"Of course, we will. That way, it will serve as a deterrent to those at war with both Zilba and Enaria. Although, it will likely only be small-scale skirmishes at the borders."
"I see. So, will you send envoys to each country to announce the ceasefire?"
"Well, that's one option, but it might be seen as a strategy. Therefore, we will deposit the ceasefire documents and report to the Academy. It's not a ceasefire with anything to hide, and it's a formal one."
"...The Academy?"
Why are we talking about a school here?
"Oh, you probably don't know. Near the center of this continent, there's an academy where talented magic users from each country gather to study. You know about it, right?"
"...I've heard something like that."
"Oh, I thought you two were graduates of there. Is that not the case?"
"The way you put it, it sounds like there are quite a few magic users there."
"Indeed. They say they can do the same things as us magic sword users, and even wield different elements individually."
"If that's true, why aren't magic users from each country coming here? If they gather from all countries, they must return to their respective nations, right?"
"They do return. There's a unit called the Mage Corps, isn't there?"
"The unit that can rain down fireballs?"
"That's probably how you'd see it. But being able to do that with just magic power, even if it's just fireballs, is incredibly convenient. As long as they can rest, they can fire them again, and the only supplies they need are food."
"Ah, in that sense, it's very convenient."
"Only a select few are on par with or surpass us magic sword users, as I mentioned earlier. And those geniuses are generally difficult to handle."
"What do you mean?"
"They didn't become strong because of an accompanying magic sword. They achieved their power through their own talent. Therefore, they tend to have personality flaws."
"...I see."
"Not all of them, of course, but some talented magic users remain at the academy, working with the principal to monitor these troublesome geniuses. They also conduct research, naturally."
Well, it seems that in every world, geniuses and fools are separated by a thin line.
"And the reason we're depositing documents and reporting here is because this place is neutral. It's also the most suitable place for storing anything. If anyone were to attack this place, more powerful mages than us magic sword users would appear, and they would become enemies of all countries. So much so that treaties are sometimes concluded here in nearby countries."
"Because there's no interference?"
"Exactly. Well, our country isn't close enough to visit easily. Besides, we need to conclude the ceasefire quickly."
Behind the scenes, Enaria wants to establish personal connections with Mino-chan and the others.
I see. That's why they didn't use the Academy as an intermediary.
That's why they chose to simply report it later.
In reality, the distance and the need to quickly conclude the ceasefire, as Agil mentioned, were likely factors.