第４７４堀：これからこれから (Part1)
### Chapter 474: From Here On Out
**Side: Yuki**
Well then, the New Year has passed, and the world has finally settled down.
And that goes for us, too.
Before the holidays, a stomach-churning job finally came to an end, and I’d like to say we’ve returned to our usual routine, but...
"Darling. Could you handle the negotiations with Horst?"
"Ah, right. But what about this side?"
"I’ll handle it. You have more pull over there than I do, so I’m asking you. Besides, I don’t think I could explain that royalty from another continent is coming. You’re good at that sort of thing, aren't you? The smooth-talking part."
"I wouldn't say I'm 'good' at it, but... well, alright. I understand."
That’s right.
From here on out is the real deal.
The three great powers, having finally grasped my position and objectives, have offered their cooperation quite willingly.
Though, it’s probably more accurate to say they had no choice but to cooperate once they realized that not only were their own countries in trouble, but there were serious problems looming in the future.
Well, they’re also keen on it because of the potential for foreign currency acquisition through diplomacy with the New Continent.
If all goes well, it could even lead to securing a new labor force.
In the coalition formed with Weed as its base, armed conflicts between nations have either become small-scale or vanished entirely, with everyone focusing on their own domestic development.
Originally, they had vast amounts of unused land, and with the end of armed warfare—coupled with the ability to safely transport massive amounts of goods via Gates—they’ve begun reclaiming their own territories, increasing production, and shifting into an economic war.
That’s still healthier than killing each other, I suppose.
So, the New Continent, with its vast, undeveloped territory, is a wonderful place for the three great powers to find new distribution channels, open markets, and tap into labor.
"For me, it feels like I’m finally at the starting line."
"Then do your best. If you stumble here, you’ll be waiting years."
"I know. Alright, I’m heading out."
"Yes. Please do."
With that, I headed to the city of Betan for the first time in a while.
Betan.
Originally, it was one of Enaria’s premier granaries, an important stronghold known as Enaria’s food storehouse, but it had been the site of a back-and-forth struggle due to invasions by the Zilba Empire.
I say "originally," but it didn't become Zilba territory either.
As a solution to various problems, it was decided that I would take charge of the entire Betan region.
"A 'solution,' you say? It felt more like you forcibly snatched it away."
The one muttering that was Jessica, former adjutant to the Zilba Empire’s Wind Magic Swordswoman, Princess Marly.
"Ah, come to think of it, Jessica, you were an enemy back then, weren't you?"
"In terms of position, there is no doubt we were enemies. But to be accurate, weren't Yuki and Ria more like 'subjects of observation' rather than enemies? To begin with, we weren't even capable of being your enemies."
Jessica sighed.
Well, as she said, since they weren't capable of being enemies, we defeated them in a way that was almost an afterthought—thanks to Steve.
"...Ugh. I have no complaints about my current situation, but I’m still frustrated that I couldn't even trade a single blow with Steve back then."
Samantha and Cleena looked surprised at Jessica’s words.
"You fought Steve? Before you were trained? It’s a miracle you’re safe."
"Yeah. You’re lucky to be alive after facing Steve."
These two had been trained by Steve just like Jessica, and they still couldn't win against him properly.
Steve is an unconventional fighter, after all.
Since he was originally a small goblin, I taught him every trick in the book. If this were a fighting game, he’d be a hybrid of traps, projectiles, and speed, wouldn't he?
"Of course, that was only thanks to his exquisite restraint."
"I see. That much I can believe. But how did you end up receiving Betan as a fief?"
"Yeah. I know you hold Betan as your territory, but I never heard how."
"Ah, come to think of it, I never told you two."
"We’ve been too busy until now, haven't we?"
As Ria said, we’ve just been too busy.
Because of that, Samantha and Cleena, who joined us in the latter half of the New Continent arc, didn't know the circumstances.
"To put it briefly: I raided Zilba, showed my strength by stopping the monster attack caused by the Holy Swordswoman in Enaria, and they gave me Betan."
"..." "..."
I think that was a very concise and easy-to-understand explanation, even if I do say so myself.
"...That is too concise. Because of that 'strength,' both kings were told to keep their hands off. You were given a strange position where you have no succession rights despite being connected to royalty. And to avoid provoking you—and to seal off certain movements—they pushed the territory of Betan onto you. However..."
"You don't seem to be 'sealed off' at all."
"Yeah. You’ve been moving around freely ever since. Who is governing Betan? Is it alright?"
"Betan is being governed by the former lord as a proxy, just as it was before. Or rather, it’s more active than ever. It’s become a testing ground for technology from Weed, so it’s overflowing with all sorts of things. In a sense, that Betan is the second most developed place in this world after Weed."
"..." "..."
Why are you both looking at me? I didn't do anything wrong.
"I had heard the plans, but I didn't realize it was already in such a state."
"Yeah. I heard you were planning to neutralize the magic circles by increasing the points of magical accumulation, but the speed of it is unbelievable."
That’s right. The revitalization and development of Betan isn't just about field testing.
In the New Continent, the countries are arranged in a way that cleverly forms a hexagram, which was accidentally causing a magical accumulation effect.
Well, I don't think this is the direct cause of the magic depletion in the New Continent.
The reason is that the continent of Weed also has magic circles arranged in a pentagram, yet the magic hasn't thinned out, nor is it accumulating in the center.
Perhaps it’s just because there are plenty of ferocious monsters there to balance things out.
I can't say for sure, but there must be other factors.
Anyway, if we leave it alone, there’s a possibility that monsters rarely seen in the New Continent might overflow, so this is also a strategy to create a place like Betan where people gather, effectively breaking the magic circles themselves.
Though, it’s a long-term project.
The magic accumulation points are being thinned out regularly, so it’s fortunate that there’s no immediate crisis.
Oh, the magic accumulation point is in the mountains and forests around Popuri’s Magic Academy, so Popuri is mainly the one doing the thinning.
"So, we’re doing various field tests, and it was decided that Betan would be the best place to welcome these big shots. It is my territory, after all. We considered Noble’s place, Hifii’s place, or the White Forest, but..."
"If we went to Noble-sama’s or Hifii-sama’s place, I think the Majesties would end up with holes in their stomachs."
"The White Forest is a country of beastmen. It’s inappropriate as a place to show the problem of magic depletion."
Exactly.
Even just meeting the "pseudo-gods" had them trembling, so if they stayed at their castles, they’d likely die of stomach ulcers.
And while the White Forest would probably welcome them with open arms—all hail Comet—a country of only beastmen wouldn't serve the purpose. Plus, it’s practically a winter country. If I were to guide them, that would be last on the list, depending on how the treatment and status of the beastmen are handled.
"Well, there’s also places like Roday or August, but..."
When I said that and looked at Samantha and Cleena, they both shook their heads violently.
"That’s impossible!! To secretly host kings of great powers that might even surpass Roday!?"
"Yeah. Impossible here too. My grandfather would die."
I understand that feeling.
You don't want to bring a ticking time bomb back to your hometown, do you?
If something happened, it would develop into an unimaginable problem.
"That’s why it was decided that my Betan, which I received from Zilba and Enaria, is the best choice."
"I think that is a wonderful decision."
"Yeah. Accurate."