第２７３堀：厄介な事には隠し札 (Part3)
However, for now, we are stationed at the demi-human village as guards.
As Curse says, are we really being kept here for some other reason?
"Yes. We cannot leave this place for another reason. Of all the places Yuki has visited, this is the only one he has almost never interfered with."
"What do you mean? We are protecting the village, and we’ve been cooperating with maintaining public order, haven't we?"
When I said that, Curse looked a bit troubled. He picked up a notebook from the shelf and started writing something with a pen.
"Listen. Yuki secured this place solely as an entrance and exit for the dungeon. Look, you can tell that by the sheer, unrestrained amount of weaponry here, can't you?"
"Yeah, but doesn't that also lead to protecting the village?"
"It does. But protecting the village is a matter of indifference to Yuki. Didn't he say from the very beginning that he wanted the negotiations to break down quickly?"
"Yeah, he did. I can understand why he wouldn't want to be saddled with extra baggage."
That’s right. In this New Continent, humans and demi-humans are at each other's throats to the point of deep-seated enmity.
So, the fact that Yuki is getting along with the demi-humans is, frankly, bad for his image in many ways...
Ah, so that’s the reason.
"Have you realized it? To Yuki, these demi-humans could become a liability. Even though he has personal connections with Zilba, Enaria, the Academy, and Roday, if this were to become known, he wouldn't just be pointed at—he could end up making enemies of everyone around him. The King of Zilba has already suffered total defeat and understands that Yuki is both powerful and the one keeping the demi-humans in check, so he will never speak of the village's affairs. However, if it were to become known to the surrounding nations, hostility would be inevitable given the common sense of this New Continent. If that happens..."
"I see. He’d be politically paralyzed."
"Exactly. No matter how strong Yuki is and how easily he could handle things with force, his opponents would be the general public. He wouldn't use force against such people. Though, his track record has already mitigated that."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"The achievements Yuki and the others have made as a mercenary group are impossible to ignore. Sure, there are those who resent him and would try to trip him up, but with the public release of the video cameras, that’s likely over. A nation absolutely cannot ostracize someone who produces such over-technology. Even if they tried to monopolize the technology, the developers and providers—Yuki and his group—would have their faces known in every country by now. They wouldn't throw away a money tree on purpose. If they were to do anything, it would be poisoning or taking hostages to threaten him, but..."
"That’s impossible. Poison doesn't work on him, and how do they plan on capturing hostages?"
"Indeed. So, as it stands, the social situation is fine."
"Then, doesn't that mean there's no point in us being here? Because..."
"Wait. I see. That’s what it is."
Raiya, having sensed something, put a stop to my words.
"This demi-human village is the biggest powder keg, isn't it?"
"Yes. Hearing rumors that we—no, that the demi-humans—won, people are gathering here from settlements all over. What do you think would have happened if we weren't here?"
"...Right, the war would have already started. I see, we’re the stoppers for the demi-humans."
"Exactly. When you think about it, it’s obvious. Yuki has dealt with the heads of nations, making them understand their own weaknesses and his own utility, effectively making it impossible for them to interfere. But this demi-human village is different. It’s a disorderly collection of people who hold grudges and prejudices against humans. There is no leader to begin with. There are village chiefs, but they are hardly reliable enough to act as a unifying force."
"With the Holy Sword User situation, Yuki and the others are putting the demi-human issue on the back burner, but honestly, if things go poorly, it might be even more troublesome than the Holy Sword Users. Or rather, based on the information from the other day, we should really consider this the most dangerous spot."
"The information from the other day?"
"Yes. The fact that a demi-human nation exists. This is proof that, to some extent, demi-humans have built a state and have dealings with other countries. A nation cannot exist in isolation. There are always connections, whether friendly or hostile. And currently, the demi-humans are in a state of relative calm, even if they are technically at war. Roday even has trade relations with them, which is an open secret. In other words, the demi-human nation doesn't view humans as total enemies. Well, that’s only natural. They increase their allies to ensure the nation's survival. However, there are naturally demi-humans who cannot follow that policy. That is..."
Curse cut his sentence short and fell silent.
While hoping my bad premonition was wrong, I confirmed it.
"...You mean the demi-humans who are forming these settlements?"
"Likely. And until now, they probably abandoned their nation and acted as individuals, but because of our incident, demi-humans are gathering here. If that happens..."
"...There's a possibility that the pro-war faction will start a war against humans..."
"Yes. But before that, there is an opponent they must defeat as the signal for the start of the war."
Hey, hey, you don't mean...
"It’s us, the ones keeping these demi-humans in check. Well, 'eliminate' is a nice way of putting it; they’ll likely try to kill us."
Ugh, you just said that so casually! I didn't want to hear that!
"So that’s why Yuki put us here. It’s true that many of Yuki’s wives are beastmen. If it comes down to it, the question is whether they could bring themselves to kill them to stop them."
"Exactly. Some of them might choose the solution of 'kill them all.' But that would inevitably lead to someone being shaken. That’s why we, who are used to the field, are placed here. With the hope that, perhaps, we can improve the relationship—as representatives of humanity."
"...What a pain in the neck. But still, what are we supposed to do?"
Yes, now that we know the truth, what are we supposed to do?
"No, nothing in particular. We can just carry on as usual, can't we?"
"True. It’s not a problem that will be solved in a day or two. If a problem arises, we’ll get a report. We’ll just live leisurely with the demi-humans and build friendly relations."
"Sigh, so it’s back to business as usual after all."
I felt the tension leave me and turned my eyes to the TV.
『Well then, the break time is almost over. The second match is about to begin, so those who wish to watch, please return to your seats.』
『Uh, yes, yes. We have a notice for a lost child. Height...』
Oh, looks like the second match is starting.
"Ah, does that mean the bet on the shopping run is off?"
"Looks like it."
"Ah, in that case, I'll go. I was the one who steered the conversation in a weird direction anyway."
In the end, it seems our leisure time will continue for a while longer.
No, I wonder about that.
Even if they start rioting tomorrow, writing the report will be a pain anyway...