第４３０堀：軽いジャブでワンダウン (Part1)
Chapter 430: A Light Jab, One Down
Side: Yuki
To be honest, I was panicking about the current situation.
No, rather than panicking, I had a massive headache just thinking about how I’d have to give that insane explanation all over again.
Now that Nonoa and Nogosh have started moving, I have to take action to stop them.
This isn't something that can be brushed off as a simple rebellion.
If it were, the countries would handle it on their own, but the opponents are just too problematic.
A combination of a brain-dead god and a Dungeon Master.
The damage will likely be catastrophic, and if they suffer a single crushing defeat, the current power balance will collapse instantly, plunging the world into a warring states period.
To stop each country from acting on its own, I need them to understand the true strength of the hostile Magic Kingdom and the Sword Kingdom.
In other words, I have to explain why I came to this world in the first place.
Including that useless goddess.
Damn it.
Does anyone have an explanation that will make them understand immediately?
Or, can someone switch places with me?
No matter how I phrase it—"I'm here to save the world! *Salute*"—the punchline will just be them thinking, "Is this guy an idiot?"
Wait, hold on. Maybe I should just say that because the Dungeon Master’s power is so troublesome, throwing a massive army at them is pointless?
No, no, that leads to the question of where that information came from and if it’s reliable. If I introduce Faide as the source, it’ll be revealed that she’s a god, and then they’ll start asking who I am to be acquainted with such a person...
Actually, if I tell them the truth about the current situation, wouldn't the authority and faith in the gods plummet?
That would be a problem, too. I’d definitely be hated as the one who caused it.
Ah, seriously, I hate this.
In the end, time just passes mercilessly.
It’s almost 10:00 AM.
After yesterday’s meeting, everyone was in a frenzy. Seraria and the other royal wives finished contacting the three major powers, and an emergency meeting is scheduled for this afternoon here in Weed.
Tori and the others are coordinating with Steve’s group, handling troop organization and securing supplies so they can deploy at any moment.
The rest of the wives are taking care of the children and preparing the necessary paperwork for the deployment.
It’s not like it’s been a long time, but we’re at full capacity.
"Um, Brother. Why don't you take a break?"
"It would be bad if Brother collapsed."
"That's right. You have to talk to the kings soon, so why not leave the paperwork to the rest of us?"
These words came from Vilia and Hiiro, who finally learned my true standing yesterday, and Dressa, who already knew.
Setting Dressa aside, there were various issues with sending Vilia and the others home, so we had them stay at the inn last night with Aslin and Firia.
Thankfully, these two must have had an incredible amount of trust in me to begin with, as they accepted what I said without question.
Because of that, Lilishe, who was on standby to use her divine protection to convince them, didn't even get a turn—though she showed up anyway and bestowed her protection on them.
I mean, I don't deny that they need the protection since they know the truth now, but you guys are really free-spirited, aren't you?!
"Well, I understand you have a headache, but as Dressa says, there is a meeting coming up. It would be a problem if there were errors in the documents, so you should rest."
Jessica, who seems to grasp my internal struggle, says this with a wry smile as she takes the documents I was processing.
"??? Hey, Jessica. What is Yuki-san so worried about?"
Samantha, who is processing documents nearby, answers Ria’s question instead of Jessica.
"It’s simple. In this situation, he has to talk about his original purpose and his position. He’s worried about how to explain it so that it’s accepted without issue. Normally, it would sound like the ramblings of a madman. If he handles it poorly, it will cause problems here as well."
Samantha seems to understand the hassle and absurdity of what I’m about to do, and like Jessica, she offers a wry smile.
"Hmm. Understood. Indeed, if it was a god who caused such a problem, then no one would rely on those useless gods anymore. If that happens, to those who sincerely believe, Yuki would be the villain who dragged the gods into the dirt. That in itself is a huge problem. Conversely, if Yuki’s story isn't believed, Weed’s position will worsen, and we’ll face the misery of division. He can't afford a clumsy explanation."
Cleena isn't interested in politics, but she’s smart enough to grasp the whole picture if you explain it a little, which I’m grateful for. It saves me from having to explain it to Ria.
"I see. But, couldn't you just have Lilishe-sama bestow her protection on them like she did with Vilia-chan and Hiiro, and they’d believe you?"
"That’s the problem, Ria. Lilishe-sama is the god of the Litea Holy Kingdom. If the kings of other countries receive her protection, it could be taken as them becoming subordinates to Litea. Conversely, if it isn't handled that way, Litea would look like their faith in Lilishe-sama is inferior to other countries. The nation’s pride would be completely crushed."
As Jessica says, Lilishe’s specialty—using her protection as proof of divinity—is a move close to a forbidden technique. If it leaks out the wrong way, the alliance of the three major powers could crumble.
"Well, that’s how it is. It’s all very troublesome. To begin with, if I state my true purpose, it’s basically declaring that the gods are useless."
"Hmm. But in reality, they only engage in small territorial disputes. It’s not wrong to call them useless."
"I agree with Cleena-san. They are truly small-minded gods. But it’s a pain that we can't just say that plainly, considering the chaos it would cause."
"...Yeah. Anyway, I get that it’s difficult. Yuki-san, do your best!"
"Yeah."
I’m encouraged by Ria.
It’s blunt, but as she said, I have no choice but to do my best.
Leaving it alone would only lead to bigger problems.
Well, I shouldn't just look at the downsides; I should look at the benefits, too.
With this, it will finally stop being a top-secret project hidden from other countries.
Once this talk is over, as originally planned, research on magic power will begin in earnest across the world.
Research into magic depletion will be conducted not just in Weed, but across the entire continent.
Then, we can build connections with the New Continent, and research will progress even further.
In other words, my workload will decrease in the future.
If I think of my 100-year plan turning into a 10-year plan due to this unexpected turn of events, it’s quite a gain.
"Brother!! I, too, will offer my body to help you!"
"Hiiro too. I'll help Brother."
"That’s nice. Isn't this what they call 'virtue'? Of course, I know the circumstances, so I’ll help too. We can't have Weed being ravaged."
"Thanks. But for now, I’ll just take the sentiment. It’s a meeting with the kings, after all. Having too many people will just cause confusion."
While we were talking, a message arrived.
『My love. The old man, the Saintess of Litea, and the King of Gartz have arrived.』