第５０５堀：当然のこと 自明の理 (Part1)
**Chapter 505: A Matter of Course, A Self-Evident Truth**
**Side: Catherine Baide, Weed Affiliate, Lord of Baide**
"First, I’d like to correct a misunderstanding. Kagura, you believe you summoned us from another world, but that’s actually incorrect. I was summoned from the same world as you. That location is this continent. And the continent where you and your people reside is right here."
" " "Ehhhhhh!?" " "
A shocking truth was revealed by Yuki-sama.
The strange diagram projected before us was, apparently, a map of our continent.
"T-to what degree of precision is this map, may I ask?"
Jorgin-dono, sitting next to me, confirmed with a trembling voice.
That was only natural.
Such a thing did not exist in this world.
In the first place, no one had ever even considered that there might be another continent across the ocean. Wasn't it common knowledge that the ocean simply ended in a waterfall at the edge of the world?
"I thought I’d have you verify that right now."
"Verify, you say?"
"Yes. This map was captured from high above—from the sky—so it’s high-resolution. You can zoom in quite a bit, like this..."
*Captured?* *High-resolution?*
I didn't quite understand, but on the device they called a "monitor," a white dot appeared. As Yuki-sama manipulated it, the image suddenly zoomed in.
There, a familiar lake and city appeared.
"I-is this city Baide?"
"I believe so. I don't know if there’s another place with the exact same layout, so I can't say for certain. That’s why I’m asking you to verify, Catherine-dono. It’s your own city. You should know it well, right? Is there any doubt that it’s Baide?"
Prompted by his words, I stared intently, confirming beyond a shadow of a doubt that the city resembling Baide was indeed my home.
First, the lord’s mansion in the center of the city—the layout was identical.
Next, the buildings at the port for lake fishing and logistics matched perfectly.
The number and placement of the gates were also the same.
"...I believe there is no doubt that this is Baide."
"I see. Then the credibility of this map is high, isn't it?"
"What do you mean by that? Didn't you and your people create this map, Yuki-sama?"
"Unfortunately, I’m not some eccentric capable of breaking through the atmosphere to take photos from space. It was provided to me."
"M-my apologies. I am ignorant and do not understand what you are saying."
"Ah, don't worry about it. What’s important right now is confirming there are no errors in this map. Let’s also confirm the spatial relationships. That should help you understand that this map is accurate. And from there, you’ll be able to understand that the map of the continent where our Weed is located is also correct, right?"
"I see."
"Is that what this is about?"
"I understand now. I didn't know why you were showing us such a map, but you're having us use our own knowledge to confirm whether what you're saying is true, aren't you?"
"Exactly. You wouldn't believe me if I just told you Weed was in the same world, but if I show you a map detailing the very countries you live in, you can't help but believe it, right?"
Yuki-sama was right.
We had no way of judging whether Yuki-sama was telling the truth.
If so, the only way to build trust was to present something we could understand to prove he wasn't lying.
In this case, that meant the map of the continent we inhabit.
"Well, this confirmation is necessary for future strategic deployment anyway. Let’s confirm the other locations as well."
And so, we were left stunned by the precision of the map Yuki-sama showed us.
Not only the Royal Capital of Haiden and the Kamishiro Duchy, but even the Imperial Capital of Jorgin-dono’s Findall Empire, and every town and village in the imperial territory, were all visible.
It was likely true that it had been "captured" from the sky.
We could even see towns and villages in other countries that we had never visited, and we were forced to acknowledge that this was the real thing.
Jorgin-dono covered his face with his hands, speechless at this map that defied all common sense.
Beyond the technological prowess, this meant that the enemy’s vital strongholds were laid bare. If Weed possessed this map, it meant they held the advantage of the terrain in any conflict.
To think that Weed was capable of this much.
"Oh, Jorgin-dono. We will be forming an alliance with your side, and once a formal agreement and contract are signed, I will provide this map to you."
" "What!?" "
"Is that true!?"
Yuki-sama’s offer to provide such an incredibly valuable map left Kagura and me speechless, while Jorgin-dono was overjoyed.
"A-are you in your right mind, Yuki-sama!?"
"Yuki!? Do you even understand the value of this map!?"
"I know exactly what it's worth. That’s why I’m providing it. For the sake of a good relationship moving forward. Neither of us wants to fight, right? Not against an opponent like this."
"Indeed. You are correct. My Findall Empire certainly desires friendship with Weed."
"I-I see. So that’s how it is."
"...I see. There is that way of thinking, too."
Indeed, if they were willing to provide such technology, one would naturally want to be on friendly terms. If they were to monopolize it, it would inevitably be seen as a threat.
"Well, I’m only providing it because we have the strength to back it up. Now, since the accuracy of the map has been confirmed, let’s take a look at the continent where Weed is located. You’d want to hear about the situation on that continent too, right?"
We nodded at his words.
Jorgin-dono, to gauge the strength of the partner he was about to align with; Kagura, to decide how to interact with Weed; and I, to understand the power of the nation I serve.
And so, the situation on the continent where Weed existed was staggering.
As Jessica-sama had mentioned in the carriage, thanks to Yuki-sama’s efforts, the three great powers and the smaller nations that followed them had utilized Weed’s gate technology to form a coalition. Now, wars had become incredibly rare, and a formidable rule had been established where the coalition would intervene if any trouble arose.
Along with this, crime such as banditry had plummeted, trade had flourished, nations had grown wealthy, and employment had increased—a relationship between nations that could only be called ideal.
Looking at the map, the great powers on the continent where Weed was located all possessed territories comparable to the nations on our continent. Seeing them develop using the current gates, it was clear that they held the upper hand in national power.
"And so, that’s how it is. Now, Kagura."
"W-what? Is there more?"
"Just a word of caution. Never perform a summoning again. There’s no guarantee that the next person summoned will be someone like me. If you were to accidentally summon someone with a means of transport like a gate, it wouldn't just be the end of your country—it wouldn't be strange if the entire continent were swallowed up by the technological disparity."
"...Yes. I will never perform a summoning again."
Naturally.
If such a thing could happen, the kidnapping known as "summoning" should never be permitted for all eternity.
To destroy a continent in a desperate attempt to save one's own country—that is putting the cart before the horse.
I wonder if Kagura’s first ancestor was truly that gentle, or if she simply buried her suffering and chose to die in this land...
I don't even want to know. It makes me sick to my stomach.
"But with this much power, why doesn't Yuki want to conquer the world?"
" " "Haaah..." " "
"W-why is everyone sighing at once!?"
At such a childish remark, Yuki-sama, Jorgin-dono, and I all sighed in unison.
Well, young people tend to dream of such things.
"It just goes to show how young you are. To put it simply, it’s physically impossible. Even if you could defeat an enemy nation, you wouldn't be able to govern the people."
"Jorgin-dono is right. The reason Haiden still has so little territory is that we are overwhelmingly short on people."
Though, the policy of prioritizing magic above all else is the biggest bottleneck, really.
"What do you mean?"
"Listen, Kagura. There is a limit to the number of people. Do you really think you could win against multiple great powers similar to your own and successfully rule over them?"