第５２５堀：本当に忙しい半日 昼之部 (Part2)
"This is getting complicated. I’d heard rumors, but this is something else."
"Indeed, it is."
I was in a room at Baide, discussing the situation with Labyris, George, and Catherine.
I had already contacted the Weed members via call, and the core was already being analyzed. It wouldn't take long to determine if it was genuine, a forgery, or some other kind of tool.
Similarly, the captured Lizardmen had been sent to Weed, where the process of identifying their specific origins had begun.
While monsters are generally categorized into broad types like Goblins or Orcs, they are living creatures, and their characteristics vary by region.
Dungeon-born monsters sometimes carry equipment, while those from swampy areas often coat themselves in mud.
The Lizardmen we’d been forced to deal with this time had poor equipment but possessed higher-than-average magical resistance.
Investigating their origin might reveal a great deal.
Since we were waiting on those reports, we had gathered to discuss the Empire incident in more detail, as it shared the common thread of using monsters.
"Still, I never expected the Lira Kingdom to surface here."
"Well, we don't know for sure if this traces back to the Lira Kingdom yet."
"It’s almost certain. In the last hundred years, the Lira Kingdom is the only one known for incidents involving the use of monsters. The timeline fits, too. The war with the Lira Kingdom was seven years ago, and Haiden has been destabilizing for the past ten. It would be harder to believe they are unrelated."
"True enough."
"For us, in a sense, this is a welcome development. I don't know if this is a remnant of that monster incident, but we have been desperate to uncover the truth to clear the Princess's name."
"And this 'Assembly of Wisdom,' was it? Does Lady Catherine know what kind of organization that is?"
"No, I don't know the details. I only know they were a research team dedicated to creating magical tools."
"Lord George, do you recall hearing that name during the war with the Lira Kingdom?"
"No, I do not. They never went by any other name. My understanding was simply that the Lira Kingdom had gone rogue."
"Hmm. It’s problematic to speculate on which came first, but is it natural to assume that remnants of the Lira Kingdom flowed into Haiden? If it were the other way around, they would have been able to use their organization's name within the Lira Kingdom."
"That is true. That is the most natural conclusion. However, it might be worth investigating that incident once more."
"Agreed. For now, keep this under wraps. It could easily become a casus belli for war, regardless of who is at fault."
Whether they fled from the Lira Kingdom to Haiden or were operating out of Haiden within the Lira Kingdom, the ultimate dynamic remained the same: the Findal Empire versus the Kingdom of Haiden.
"But thinking about it that way makes the Baide incident even more mysterious. Why go out of their way to frame it as an Empire vs. Haiden conflict? If they trigger a state of war, they won't be able to continue their research on those monsters, right? Or is this a separate matter, and the Assembly of Wisdom is unrelated?"
"..."
"..."
In the end, no answer came from worrying about it; I’d have to wait for the reports.
I understood why they were targeting the Princess and Kagura’s magical power, but if they did that, they’d be making themselves a target, wouldn't they?
Or perhaps, were they already fully prepared?
Ugh, even then...
Well, since thinking about it wasn't getting us anywhere, I was about to dismiss the meeting when a knock came at the conference room door.
"A messenger from Prince George has arrived."
"Enter."
"Pardon the intrusion."
With Catherine’s permission, a soldier entered and handed over a letter.
"...Yuki-sama. It seems the Empire’s reinforcements will arrive in five days. They are requesting permission for the reinforcements to station themselves here, and they are bringing First Princess Stasia and her senior retainers as negotiators. They ask that we prepare a welcome, if possible."
"Stationing is permitted. That was the plan, so that’s fine. And since the Princess is coming separately, is this a test of our resolve?"
"Likely. His Majesty could hardly come himself, and Stasia-sama is capable of acting as his proxy."
"I see. In that case, I’d like to prepare a grand welcome, but a 'Weed-level' welcome might be a bit much, don't you think?"
"I suspect that would only make them wary."
"Hahaha. That would be entertaining, but since Stasia-sama is a cautious type, she might indeed be on guard. Perhaps it would be best to consult with Lady Catherine and provide a Haiden-style welcome, while using Weed’s cuisine?"
"That sounds like the best approach. Yuki-sama, if you don't mind, please leave the preparations for the welcome to me."
"Then I’ll leave it to you. I’m not familiar with the local customs. The food is one thing, but let me know if anything else is needed."
And so, no sooner had I returned than I was tasked with preparing a welcome for the Findal Empire.
Oh, and I still had to interrogate Clay, whom I’d left in the Kagura Duchy.
Heh heh heh. My workload isn't shrinking; it's only growing.
The world is a real sweatshop.
Well, since Kagura was left with the Duke of Kagura alongside Eoid and Taiki-kun, I suppose I have the advantage in the 'favorability' race.
That, at least, is a silver lining.
Now then, please enjoy Yuki’s busy half-day.
This is just the beginning, and Clay-san is little more than a side note.