第３６７堀：亡き国の話と傍聴者たち (Part1)
**Chapter 367: Tales of a Lost Kingdom and the Listeners**
**Side: Dressa, Former First Princess of the Nassa Kingdom**
It began with that famine.
That year, the rains did not fall, and the food shortage was visible to the naked eye.
Our kingdom of Nassa faced the sea. We thought we could endure by simply sending more ships out to increase our fishing yields.
But misfortune is a persistent companion; a massive swarm of monsters appeared in the nearby waters, causing our catch to plummet overnight. We were forced to rely on importing food from other nations.
However, Nassa was a small country. In other words, we were not the only ones suffering from the lack of rain and the resulting famine.
Our treasury was quite flush with the wealth accumulated from our past fishing trade, so money itself wasn't the problem. The issue was that even with money, there was no food to buy.
The surrounding nations were all struggling just to keep their own people alive.
As for regions where the rain had fallen and food was abundant, they were far away, and the transportation costs were astronomical.
Our treasury, while healthy, was not deep enough to cover such expenses.
Under normal circumstances, one would have to leave it to each individual household to survive on their own, but my father would not accept that. He was determined to save his people, even if it meant emptying the national treasury or bowing his head to others.
That was the kind of country I and my people loved; it was our pride.
And in the midst of that distress, an offer came from the great Kingdom of Ex.
*"Your concern for your people is truly magnificent, and the stability of your nation leads to the stability of our Kingdom of Ex. Therefore, if you are willing, we would like to provide food aid..."*
That was the gist of it.
With our food supplies on the verge of total exhaustion, my father jumped at the offer.
He was prepared for the fact that some form of compensation would be demanded.
But even so, I did not oppose my father’s decision, thinking only that it would save the people.
In the end, we received the aid from the Kingdom of Ex, and the people were saved.
But the compensation demanded was something unexpected.
"…Eh? People?"
"That is correct. It seems the King of Ex wishes to expand his farmlands so that he can provide aid in times of crisis without issue."
"Then why not use his own people?"
"Haha. Dressa, if it were that simple, we wouldn't be having this conversation. His own people have their own lives and jobs to attend to. Well, there may be those without work, but unless one is a saint, no one is happy to build farms for another country."
"…So, you want people from our land? I don't understand. That would mean there’s no benefit for them at all."
"Indeed. Your doubt is justified. The number exceeds a thousand—a population equivalent to a small town. Moreover, he says he only needs those who cannot inherit the family business, such as second sons. He likely intends to establish a new town. In the long run, it will be profitable, but it is quite a bold investment."
"How could you… can we just hand over people like slaves?"
"I will make sure they are well-treated. Besides, these are people for whom our country cannot create new towns or jobs. In that sense, we should be grateful."
"…Yes."
Though some doubts remained, the King of Ex promised that they would be treated as laborers, so my father trusted him and sent the people away.
"Arne…"
Among those laborers was my friend.
She was the third daughter of a tool shop owner, close to my age, and we often played together.
No, even now, our bond remains.
I believe she is what one would call a best friend.
"Ah, Princess. Please don't make such a face. It will be alright. I’ll work hard and open a tool shop in the new town. You must come visit when I do."
"…Yes. I will come. I promise. You must send me letters, too."
"I know, I know. I’ll write to you every month."
But that promise was never kept.
No matter how long I waited, no word arrived. Unable to bear it any longer, I set out for the Kingdom of Ex to find Arne.
But I could not meet the King, and no matter where I asked, there was no mention of the laborers.
Sensing something was wrong, I began to investigate. Rumors circulated about strange activity at some ruins. When I went there, I saw soldiers coming and going, carrying supplies out of the ruins.
Seeing that sent a chill down my spine.
That was surely a mine.
A mine is a dangerous place where cave-ins or toxic gases can occur at any moment. They are places where criminals and slaves are primarily used for excavation, and if they die, they are simply replaced. It is an incredibly harsh environment.
I realized then that Arne and the others were being worked like slaves, like livestock.
I rushed forward and demanded to see inside, but they told me it was forbidden without permission.
Even when I revealed my identity, they refused, insisting that without the King’s permission, it was absolutely impossible.
So, I decided to return to my country to have my father negotiate, but…
A sudden swarm of monsters appeared. The castle was burned to the ground, and my father, my mother—everything was lost.
At that moment, perhaps having heard the news, the King of Ex and his army arrived and managed to annihilate the monsters. But that was not the end of it…
"Are you Princess Dressa? I am the Hegemon of Ex."
"…I am truly grateful for your arrival to rescue our country."
"No, no. There is no need for thanks. However, I am saddened by the loss of your father. He was a truly pleasant man."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
"Well, pleasantries aside, what do you intend to do now?"
"…"
"You seem to understand as well. As things stand, this country will cease to exist. No, its survival is already difficult. Therefore, I believe it would be best if you took a husband from our country and continued as the lord of a single territory."
"…But if that happens, only this area will remain, and what of the other people?"
"Do not worry about that. I intend to have others I trust govern them. For that reason, if the princess of the now-lost Nassa Kingdom enters into a marriage with our country, the people will be able to accept Ex's rule with peace of mind."
It was true.
But I was still hung up on the matter of the ruins, and I asked him about it.
"Your Majesty, are the people of my nation who went to your country doing well?"
"? …Ah, they are safe."
"Are they safe while locked away in ruins?"
"…Hmm. It seems the reports that the princess had been there were not mistaken."
"Please let me see them. If I can confirm their safety, I will gladly agree to the marriage or anything else. My country is not the land itself, but the people who gather there. A king who does not love his people, one who treats human lives as trifles, cannot be trusted."
"…A noble sentiment, and one I understand. However, reality is not so simple. My ambitions lie far ahead. I cannot allow even a fraction of a gap. You, Princess, are not someone I can trust. Therefore, I cannot grant your wish."
"Then, consider the marriage proposal null and void."
"Your people will suffer, you know?"
"I believe that is still better than falling under your rule."
"Hmph. You are difficult to deal with, being so upright. You are not moved by immediate profit or loss? Then, how about this?"
Saying that, the Hegemon dropped something in front of me.
It was… the high-quality ribbon I had sent to Arne, with my name and hers embroidered upon it.