第５２４堀：希望から絶望 そして無情 (Part1)
**Chapter 524: From Hope to Despair, and Then, Heartlessness**
**Side: Yuki**
We had taken a day off due to overindulgence, but there were no particular issues, and we were back on the road, aiming for Haiden.
"Lady Catherine—or rather, Countess Baide—is it your understanding that Baide is already considered Weed territory?"
"Yes. Since it was essentially abandoned, it would be unreasonable to demand that we continue to pledge loyalty to Haiden."
"Hmm. I understand your dissatisfaction, but... this is difficult. Could we not at least keep it under Haiden’s jurisdiction while serving as a diplomatic window and trade port for Weed? If I report the truth, from an outsider's perspective, it will look like a simple betrayal. That could become a spark for conflict. I imagine that is not something you or your people desire, Yuki-sama."
"That is your perspective. Haiden has already abducted the royalty of Weed through the summoning performed by the Princess and Kagura-sama. What kind of compensation will you provide for that issue, not just for Baide? We are already in a position where we are assisting in reconciliation with the Empire."
"…Uuuuugh."
Duke Kamishiro and Catherine continued their discussion as we traveled.
As it turned out, Duke Kamishiro had also noticed that something was amiss in the Haiden royal capital, and he had intended to head there for this very reason. Currently, he was trying to persuade Catherine and the people of Baide to return to Haiden’s jurisdiction, but it wasn't going well.
*Ah, in that case, why not do it like we did with Betan?*
"How about something like a leased territory?"
"A leased territory? What would that entail?"
Ah, I suppose the term "leased territory" doesn't exist on this continent. Or rather, I wonder if the concept even exists in this world. I recall that the concept of a leased territory only emerged on Earth after the 1850s.
There’s likely no precedent here for the idea of lending an entire region to another country under specific conditions. At a medieval European level of civilization, the norm is simply de facto rule; if you want to use a place, you just take it by force.
In reality, the only reason we say "we are leasing it" is because the method of fighting and seizing land is considered ethically and socially unacceptable on Earth today. Unlike a colony, the laws of the leasing country apply, so there are no unreasonable mandates. It’s certainly better than a colony, where the ruling nation structures laws to suit their own convenience at the expense of the locals.
I explained it to them, leaving out the colonial aspect.
"…I see. So, you would pay money and resources to 'rent' Baide?"
"Wouldn't that prevent complaints to some extent? Catherine-dono would remain in Baide to oversee things, so it wouldn't be a betrayal. Weed wants a foothold like Baide, and the Empire doesn't exactly want to actively wage war against Weed or Haiden, so having a neutral territory like this should be acceptable."
"Hmm. However, Baide is a trade city. Even if we were to lease it, the amount would not be trivial..."
"That is something you will have to negotiate. Originally, this was your blunder, and for our part, we don't mind just keeping it as a seized territory. It would be unfair to ask us to make all the concessions."
"Mmm-mmm-mmm..."
Well, as a high-ranking official of the state, it’s only natural he wants to secure the best conditions possible. It’s a tough spot. That said, I don't really want to pick a fight with Haiden either, so I decided to throw him a lifeline.
"If you're worried about 'concessions,' you could frame it as having protected the students of your Magic Academy. Including Kagura."
"Ah, I see. Let us try persuading them from that angle. Thanks to the people of Weed, the students suffered no harm—if they have any pride as nobles, they should see the logic in that."
"Exactly."
It’s only a problem if people see it as "Baide was stolen." If you frame it as "saving Baide and its promising students," it sounds much better.
"Furthermore, it will serve as a buffer against the Empire."
"Indeed. There is no doubt that things have become strained due to this incident. Having Weed in between is a relief. So, we receive money and resources through the lease, and we can leave the defense of Baide to Weed?"
Honestly, what kind of misery is it to be forced into these negotiations while on a journey to investigate the state of Haiden? Necessary as it may be, it’s such a hassle.
The world doesn't just end once you defeat the evil. Someone always has to be the one to clean up the mess after the "heroes of justice" go on a rampage.
"Hey, so Kagura's sister is a researcher at that Magic Research Bureau?"
"In our academy, that would be equivalent to a seventh-year student or a teacher-class rank."
"Come to think of it, Amanda and Eoid are magic students from a different continent, aren't they? What kind of studies were you doing? Ah, excluding the training with Deryu-san, of course."
Kagura and the two she brought along on the school trip were chatting away, looking for all the world like close friends. Well, it’s better than them getting along poorly, but it’s still not quite how I’d planned things.
Duke Kamishiro, noticing me watching Kagura and the others, spoke up as if he had just remembered something.
"However, I never imagined that Kagura and the Princess would succeed in the summoning. It must be a blessing in disguise."
"Come to think of it, have you ever performed a hero summoning before?"
"Never once. To begin with, that pendant was considered a reserve for emergencies to store magical power; no one actually believed the legends."
"But Duke Kamishiro, didn't you hear about it from the Water God?"
"No. Mizunotatsu-no-Mikoto-sama was the one who was summoned; she did not grasp the summoning technique itself."
"Ah, I see. Since the summoning was performed by the first generation of royalty and the Shrine Maiden of Spirits, you were unaware of how it worked?"
"That is correct. However, Mizunotatsu-no-Mikoto-sama did tell me that it was no different from kidnapping, and warned me not to use it lightly. Well, I thought it would be better to just extract the magical power and fire it myself."
"I suppose that makes sense."
It’s a logical judgment that increasing your own ammunition is better than attempting a fairy-tale summoning. Though in this case, even if we had increased our own ammunition, it would have been almost meaningless.
"Well, in that sense, even if we say Baide has become Weed territory, it’s going to cause an uproar."
Claiming that a summoning no one believed in succeeded and saved Baide is a statement that makes one sound insane.
"By the way, is it strange to ask about the last one—where is the Shrine Maiden of Spirits of Haiden now?"
"The Shrine Maiden of Spirits resides in the Haiden royal capital. She does not govern like the royalty; she serves as a bishop at the Haiden Temple."
"Should I try to meet her once this Haiden business is over?"
"Indeed. That would be for the best. After all, it is a recreation of the first generation's deeds."
A recreation, huh? I pray that this doesn't trigger any strange events.
"Hm? Everyone, stop!! There are people in the sky!!"
Deryu shouted, and everyone’s attention turned upward. Indeed, three people were floating. Or rather, flying would be more accurate. They were heading straight toward us.
"That is... the Saber Magic Corps."
"The Saber Magic Corps?"
"It is a unit within Haiden’s magic forces. A special unit known for their terrifying magical application in close-quarters combat. And their captain is..."
Before Duke Kamishiro could finish, Kagura screamed.
"Clay-sama!!"
"Ah, so this is where you were. My Kagura!!"
*Pfft!!*
Damn, I spat it out. What? Is this the cliché I think it is?
"Yes, Clay Igot. He is also Kagura's fiancé."
Here it comes!! A handsome man, a fiancé!!
He has a beard, but in this era, only a very small minority shave. That is normal. In other words, Taiki-kun and I have achieved a grand victory!! Eoid, I’m sorry for complaining until now.
From here on out, let’s enjoy the rest of the journey in celebration!!