第３９１堀：神と洞窟が目指したモノ そして 血の団長 (Part2)
"So, the reason you didn't cut down Hifi was because there were other plans like that in motion, I presume?"
"Indeed. As expected of someone who once teamed up with the genius Comet. There were various points that required monitoring, so I decided to observe her as long as she posed no immediate harm. Even if she was broken, her conviction to save the people remained unchanged, after all."
"I suppose so. I have never heard a single bad word regarding the reputation of the Holy Kingdom. Though, Hifi-dono may have been shedding tears of blood in her heart..."
"Likely. Both Sakuri and I sensed as much. If Hifi had truly intended to destroy the world, we were prepared to cooperate and assist her. After all, she had even begun to turn our friend Comet into an undead to utilize her. In terms of technical prowess, we had no way to compete, and the world had placed such a heavy burden upon Hifi. Considering the future, it was convenient for me."
"Indeed, with Hifi-dono as a shield, our nation remains secure. And since we share the goal of saving the world, she cannot become an enemy, and we can also make use of the legacy Comet-dono created."
"Yes, one of those is the mass production of magic swords. While utilizing that, I became King, analyzed the holy swords, and even limited their users through experiments—like the Light Revive of Enaria. I was standing by, ready to support Hifi at any moment, but..."
"Hifi-dono regained her sanity. Is that it?"
"She withdrew her declaration of war against August. I don't know what triggered it. But Hifi is kind-hearted by nature. She likely thought that forcing the coming tragedy upon the people was too much."
"If she were to take on the world, it would literally become a sea of blood."
"Well, it wasn't as if I hadn't predicted it. I had already arranged for inferior versions of the magic swords to be mass-produced and sent to various countries, so that they could be operated even without Hifi’s direct involvement. The only difference is whether Hifi is at the top or I am."
"And now, we are in the final stages?"
"Yes. If Hifi and Comet arrive tomorrow, our victory will be unshakable. Hifi will likely frown upon it, but the difference in raw power between the Holy Kingdom and the Ex Kingdom is too vast. Once she understands that, she will surely cooperate."
"...I hope so. I pray that Hifi-dono is not the first one we have to face."
"I wish to avoid that as well. While our total military strength is superior, her side has many powerful individual combatants, starting with her, the genius Comet, the surviving heroes, and the veteran undead. Even if we don't lose, we would suffer heavy casualties. That is why I brought Popuri-dono and the others into the fold."
"You have also prepared the staging for a touching reunion. Hmm, then the probability of them becoming enemies is low. At worst, they will remain bystanders, I suppose."
"Likely. For now, let's ensure tomorrow's reception doesn't end up on the back foot, like it did with Popuri-dono and her group."
"Understood. Leave it to me. Though, the fact that they are flying in on a wyvern is absurd."
"True. In that sense, I want to avoid hostility with any faction connected to Hifi. Now, it is almost time for dinner."
"Indeed. Thank you for sharing such interesting stories today."
"Don't mention it. I wanted to apologize for not telling you sooner, but the Chancellor beat me to the punch."
As we laughed together, a voice came from the guards outside the office.
"Your Majesty, Chancellor, the leader of the Blood Battle Mercenary Corps has arrived."
"Let him in."
As I said that, the door opened, and a refined-looking man wearing well-worn armor entered the room. His hair was blonde but kept short, and his physique was well-balanced. Looking closely, his body was covered in scars. The aura emanating from him was in no way inferior to the generals of our nation.
"What do you want, Schmidt?"
"The development you asked for was a success. I'm leaving the documents here."
With that, he carelessly tossed the documents he was holding onto my table.
"Schmidt!! I have told you time and again to change your attitude toward His Majesty!!"
The Chancellor shouted and tried to approach Schmidt, but...
*Clang!*
The knife Schmidt brandished crossed with my sword.
"Tch, don't get in my way, Noble."
"I cannot allow that. He is my right arm. As Chancellor, I am compelled to speak."
"...Is that so. My business here is done, so I'm leaving."
"I leave the security to you."
"I know."
Schmidt left the room as if nothing had happened. The Chancellor watched him go, looking somewhat lonely.
"...If he didn't allow himself to be misunderstood like that, he could have earned all the praise and honor he deserved."
"...It cannot be helped. He—Schmidt—is the kind of man who believes that if it means keeping his comrades alive, he has no need for praise or honor for himself."
"Even with those incredibly unpleasant rumors about him buying women and impregnating them with goblins?"
"If he stopped using goblins as decoys just because it's unpleasant, the ones who would end up as sacrifices would be Schmidt's own comrades."
"...He is clumsy."
"Yes. For his sake, and for the sake of the Blood Battle Mercenary Corps, we must make this succeed."
Schmidt drifted here in search of a place of peace. It would be a shame to let such a clumsy, kind-hearted man end his life while still bearing such a foul reputation. He chose a path different from mine, and even if he has to drink muddy water to keep his comrades alive, he never crosses that final line. In a way, that man might be more impressive than I am.
And that brings us to the present.
In this world, being straightforward isn't always enough. There are many ways of thinking and many different feelings. There is no such thing as the clear-cut good and evil found in stories. All that exists is each person's own justice.
And normally, this would be a grand war epic—a classic story where Hifi and her group try to protect the lives that exist now, against Noble, who swings his sword for the sake of the future... but...
There is an irregular in this story.
Someone who doesn't care about classic tropes, wishes, or sentiments. A weary person who has been forced to deal with all sorts of things.
By the way, today is "Sadako vs. Kayako," isn't it? I'd like to watch it if I get the chance.
Oh, and I've posted the June Q&A in the activity report.
See ya.