第４９１堀：攻めてきた理由 (Part2)
"I see. So, you want me to act as a shield."
Well, under normal circumstances, I would have complained, but I can't afford to let go of Baide, which I've turned into a dungeon base. I suppose I have no choice. Besides, one should always take what they can get.
"I understand the situation. We have no desire to pick a fight with the Findar Empire either. However, our supplies will run dry at this rate, so could we ask for your assistance?"
"Yes. Since we are the ones forcing the role of a shield upon you, we can at least handle that much. We had already prepared supplies for after the occupation of Baide, after all."
"And we have received some magnificent magic tools as payment, so there is no problem—ah!?"
Jorgin, who had been speaking, suddenly shouted as if he had just remembered something.
"Old man. Don't shout so loudly. It’s rude. Your voice is booming; you'll startle people."
"Hah. My apologies, Your Highness. However, Your Highness, there is something we must tell Yuki-sama and the others..."
"What is it?"
"Yes. After this discussion, if we receive permission, may we contact our home country?"
"Certainly. We wish to establish friendly relations, and it would be impossible to coordinate supplies without communication."
As I replied to Jorgin, George also shouted as if he had just remembered.
"Ah!? My older sister!?"
"That is correct, Your Highness."
"My sister?"
"Yes. The conquest of Baide was more difficult than anticipated, so we had reinforcements sent early for the future. The one leading that army is my older sister..."
"Ah, if we don't contact them quickly, they'll attack Baide."
"Yes. For the sake of our future relationship, I would like permission to send word."
"That is fine. Who will be going?"
"Let's see. It would be best to have someone who can speak directly to His Majesty, so it will likely be either myself or the old man here."
"But it would be problematic for both of us to leave. We have the military to oversee."
"I suppose I should be the one to go... The old man, Jorgin, is overwhelmingly better at making decisions on the ground. If Jorgin goes, it might be seen as if a royal like me has been taken prisoner, which could lead to a hostile situation."
"Indeed, it might be better for Your Highness to speak directly."
"...Sigh. But I don't know what I'm going to say to my sister."
"You must be prepared for a scolding or two. After all, you have to explain something that is far beyond the realm of imagination."
Hmm. I caused the collapse to finish things quickly, but seeing them struggle with how to explain it to the people on the ground makes me feel a bit guilty.
The front lines are tough, aren't they? That’s how it goes.
Pushed from above, and dealing with problems on the ground.
Middle management is always the one getting stomach ulcers. That hasn't changed, past or present.
"How many guards do you need?"
"Let's see. We'll be traveling by horse, so ten riders should be sufficient."
"Indeed. Even if attacked by bandits, they should be able to break through. We shall select them from the Royal Guard."
With that decided, Prince George busied himself with preparations and departed the dungeon.
"Ah, the sun. It’s been a while."
"Indeed. Though living underground without rain or wind was comfortable enough. Seeing this, perhaps we should consider an underground city in the Imperial Capital as well?"
"No, we are only able to maintain the underground because of the 'Dungeon' ability. Doing it by human hands alone would raise concerns about structural integrity."
"Hmm. So it doesn't work out that easily, then. Well, Your Highness, take care on your journey."
"Jorgin, I leave the oversight of the army to you while I am away. See to it that you do not cause any trouble for the people of Weed."
"Hah!!"
"Then, Yuki-sama, I expect to return in about twelve days."
"Yes. Take care."
And so, the young man headed back to headquarters to tell a story that sounded like pure fantasy...
"Do you think they'll believe him?"
"Ultimately, they will have no choice but to believe, but until then, they will likely say that His Highness has lost his mind."
"...Is that alright?"
"Well, let us consider this a good experience."
Oh, this old man is more Spartan than I thought.
Good luck, young man! Emotionally, I’m on your side.
"Now then, next is the discussion with the Lord of Baide, correct?"
"Yes. For now, I would like you to wait in the room next door and listen in."
"Understood. This is a situation we couldn't have asked for better. They will likely reveal their true intentions to the summoned Yuki-sama and the others, and we, too, wish to know what is happening in Haiden."
Yeah, you can never underestimate an old soldier.
***
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize.
The story is currently in a state of extreme busyness, so the Valentine's Day trap will be postponed or canceled.
Well then, it seems Haiden is making more restless moves than expected.
Though, we also need to hear what Catherine of Baide has to say.
And now, the sister's army from the Empire is on the move, and the younger prince is trying to stop them.
The problems are still piling up!!
And, as I mentioned earlier, it’s Valentine's Day in reality.
Did you have any success, gentlemen?
By the way, I bought chocolate for myself because it was cheap.
My workplace is basically all men, after all.
I only think of Valentine's Day as a period when chocolate gets cheaper.
It’s a conspiracy by the confectionery companies. (This is not sour grapes. Probably.)
Excluding family chocolate, friend chocolate, social obligation chocolate, and self-chocolate...
In other words, those "normies" who received "true love" chocolate should do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, run 10km, and spend the day without turning on the heater.
If you do that, you might go bald and become strong.