第４８９堀：これはいいことかな？ (Part1)
**Chapter 489: Is This a Good Thing?**
**Side: George Findall, Second Prince of the Findall Empire**
The shocking truth confessed by Shera-sama.
No, perhaps I had simply been refusing to understand it. There was no way the current situation could be a coincidence. If it had been a natural collapse or a sinkhole, there is no way everyone would have been swallowed up so perfectly, and above all, there were no casualties.
Moreover, this happened right after the declaration made by "him"—the one standing on those castle walls.
As I pondered this, I heard the sound of my guards behind me reaching for their swords.
*This is bad!*
"Wait!! Do not act rashly!!"
"Indeed, do not be hasty!! Our army has suffered no casualties from that ground collapse. Furthermore, the Priestess-sama has come to talk. How could this be an enemy act?!"
I shouted, and Georgin followed suit.
"But!!"
"There is no 'but'!! Be more composed!! Shera-sama and her companions have come to negotiate!! Keep in mind that you are soldiers of the Empire and do not disgrace yourselves!! Take your hands off those swords this instant!!"
"Y-yes, sir!! I-I am terribly sorry!!"
Good grief. We hadn't even confirmed for certain that it was Shera-sama and her group who caused the collapse. And to think they would draw their swords on the Priestesses who came as envoys...
"Shera-sama, and all of your escorts, I am deeply sorry for the rudeness of my soldiers."
"We are terribly sorry!"
Seeing me bow my head in apology, the soldiers seemed to realize how foolish they had been and hurriedly bowed in unison.
It was too late for that now. I’ll have to keep an eye on Georgin and have the guards replaced...
"No, it is fine. I suppose I could have chosen my words more carefully. As guards, they are excellent in terms of protecting Georgin-dono. And I understand your consideration for us, George-dono. Weed will not make an issue of this. If we replace them with other soldiers, the same thing might happen again, and since they have already been warned, it would be easier to talk to them. Could we leave them as they are?"
"If that is what you wish, Shera-sama..."
...Indeed, it is better if fewer people hear Shera-sama’s words. If I replaced these soldiers, the information would inevitably spread.
"Err, where were we?"
"Hmm? Ah, I believe we were at the point where my soldiers jumped the gun, assuming you were the ones who caused the collapse..."
"That was it. Was there any damage at that time? We did take care to ensure there would be no casualties, at least."
"Yes. There were no deaths or injuries from the collapse."
"I see, that is good. As for us, we were suddenly dragged into a battle, so our priority was to capture the Princess and Kamishiro-sama who summoned us, and to take measures to get the Findall Empire, which was attacking Baide, to hold its fire. The situation was completely unclear to us."
"...I see."
So that was it. Even though they were summoned, it would be a problem if Shera-sama, the Priestess of the Weed spirits, were used as a pawn by another country. Normally, one without power would have no choice but to obey, but because Weed had the strength to resist both our Empire and the Kingdom of Haiden that summoned them, this situation had come to pass.
"The people of the Kingdom of Haiden keep insisting that the Empire is the one attacking and that the Empire is evil, but from our perspective, the people of Haiden are the very ones who kidnapped us..."
"...That is certainly a dilemma."
Georgin also offered a wry smile. Indeed, the words of those who kidnapped a citizen of another country—no, a Priestess of the spirits—are not worth listening to.
"That is why I thought I would like to hear the Findall Empire’s side of the story. You didn't come here to attack Weed, did you?"
"That is correct. We came to attack the Kingdom of Haiden."
"Then, we have simply met under unfortunate circumstances, and I believe reconciliation is possible. You wouldn't have known that Weed had suddenly occupied the city, and we didn't expect to be understood immediately. That is precisely why we took these measures—to show you our strength."
"...Indeed. However, reconciliation..."
It goes without saying that it would be better if there were no war, but we had attacked the trade city of Baide because we wanted its functionality. Naturally, this included the magic students who were conducting exercises there, as well as Princess Carrie and the daughter of Duke Kamishiro. It was to deal a heavy blow to the magic-heavy Kingdom of Haiden.
"Does reconciliation seem difficult?"
"...For my part, I think forming a friendship with you people of Weed would be a very good thing. But... I wonder if Father—His Majesty—will believe it."
"...That is true. If I told him that a Priestess was summoned from another world and stopped us with unbelievable magic, he would not believe it."
Georgin also seems troubled about how to explain this to my father. Or rather, if I told him this story, he would likely think I had lost my mind.
"In the first place, we came to Baide to use it as a foothold for the conquest of Haiden, so it is a bit of a problem if Weed takes Baide."
We had viewed Baide as a supply point. Being a trade city, it was well-stocked. We had moved to spread the army to other cities as a diversion for Haiden, intending to capture this place for certain. To lose that would be extremely painful.
"I see. ...It would be necessary to clear this with His Majesty, but I don't think there will be a problem."
Shera-sama thought for a moment before saying that. However, I don't know what "no problem" refers to.
"In what way is there no problem?"
"Err, you and your men want a supply route and a supply point in Baide, right? Not in the sense of looting it?"
"Yes. Looting is a one-time thing, and it would cast doubt on our nation's integrity. We only intended to change the rule of the Baide trade city from Haiden to the Findall Empire; we had no intention of harming the residents or the merchants."
"And supplies would be at a fair price?"
"Of course. If we didn't, Baide would collapse immediately. It would defeat the purpose of a trade city."
"I see. Then, how about forming an alliance with us, Weed, and taking the form of being stationed in Baide? We won't sell you supplies at an exorbitant price."
"“...Huh?”"
Georgin and I muttered in unison.
"Is there a problem? I don't mind you being stationed in Baide. Supplies will be at a fair price, and as for a place to stay, you have this place which shields you from the wind and rain. We will handle the governance of Baide."
"I see. So, we can secure supplies without the trouble of governing Baide, and you will provide this place as a stationing point..."
It is not a bad deal. No, I must hear the old man's opinion on this as well.
"Georgin. What do you think of Shera-sama's proposal?"
"Yes. The biggest advantage, as George-sama said, is that we would not have to divert manpower to govern Baide. The taxes from a trade city are tempting, but they would mostly be consumed by the costs of governance. However, there are, of course, issues. If I may be so bold, how much can we trust you people of Weed? Given the current situation, we can trust you to a certain extent, but it is not certain. Next is the question of how to prove that this country called 'Weed' exists. It is all too absurd."
Indeed, the old man is right.
"However, proof that Weed exists..."
"...That is difficult. For now, let us show you our power to manipulate this dungeon in a wide-open space. With that, I want you and Georgin-dono to correctly recognize that a country with such power exists. The collapse that led you here was far too abrupt, after all."
"Ah, I would appreciate that. If you could show us again, we will be able to explain it clearly to His Majesty."