第５７１堀：イフ会談 混迷と説明と企み (Part1)
**Chapter 571: The If Conference – Confusion, Explanations, and Schemes**
**Side: Popuri Lancer, Principal of Lancer Academy of Magic**
"The New Continent was discovered, and I’ve been busy. That’s why I’m late."
Yuki-dono stated this top-secret, world-shaking information with such casual ease that it felt like a slight understatement. The kings of the various nations were left speechless by the sheer absurdity of the revelation. King August, who had prompted him to speak, was even holding his hand to his face.
I suppose that’s to be expected. He had likely intended to criticize the delay to suppress internal dissatisfaction and gain an advantage in negotiations, but that goal had been rendered utterly irrelevant by the bombshell that just dropped. The kings of Zilba and Enaria, wary of Yuki-dono’s tendency to lead them by the nose, were cautious and suspected a trap, yet even they couldn't find the words to respond.
Amidst this, King Roday suddenly spoke up.
"For now, let me confirm this once more: the discovery of a New Continent isn't a lie, is it?"
"Of course not. We want this intercontinental exchange to succeed, too. If I wanted to establish a hierarchy, I wouldn't have gathered everyone here from the start, nor would I have bothered with any sort of welcome."
"Fair point. So, what are the details of this New Continent?"
"I’m not sure what you define as 'details.' It was only discovered about a month ago."
He wouldn't go so far as to say they were kidnapped via summoning, would he? If he did, they’d likely demand to be allowed to participate in the war.
"…I see. So the reason our conference was delayed this long is because of that continent?"
"King Zilba, you hit the nail on the head. It’s been a struggle building diplomatic routes over the last month. They don't exactly trust the idea of another continent existing."
"…That is only natural. Even we would not have believed it had we not seen the Gates and this town of Betan."
"So, are you satisfied? Do you want me to provide proof?" Yuki-dono asked, turning his attention to King August.
Even if he provided proof, it would be easy to claim it was fabricated. However, since the other nations were already inclined to believe him, complaining would only mean isolation. No one dared to speak.
"No, that is fine. I understand why you were late, Yuki-dono."
They had no choice but to accept it. They probably never imagined another continent would be found. But King August, being who he is, didn't let it end there.
"However, when it comes to a New Continent, this is not something Weed can handle alone. It is undesirable for meetings to be delayed as they have been."
"Indeed. Well, we’ll do our best."
"No, we should offer Weed our assistance in this matter—"
"Before that, please make the If-Rogari conference a success. Weed is fundamentally on the Rogari side, and since an intercontinental alliance hasn't even been formed yet, we cannot accept your assistance."
"Hmm. But surely you need help?"
"As I said, just do your best without involving me. That will be the best help. You understand now that this is real, so I will provide the venue; please settle the discussions yourselves. You might be under a misunderstanding, but Weed is essentially a trading nation that uses Gates; we are not a Great Power, and we do not hold the initiative in these talks."
I suppressed the urge to laugh at such a ridiculous statement. In reality, if Yuki-dono said a single word, most of these Great Powers would bow their knees. Yet, it is also a fact that they aren't a "Great Power" in the traditional sense, and it is natural that they don't hold the initiative. It is truly mysterious how he can speak the truth and yet have it sound like nothing but lies.
Just as I was thinking this, a knight from the August delegation stood up and shouted.
"To think you would speak such words to our King August and the kings of the other five Great Powers, despite being from a small nation! Know your place!!"
The man who shouted likely acted out of concern for his country's face, but it had the opposite effect. He was immediately restrained by those around him. King August, as well as the other kings, remained silent, watching Yuki-dono’s reaction.
Yuki-dono pretended to think for a moment. His expression didn't change on the surface as he spoke.
"Hmm. 'Despite being from a small nation,' is it? Well, that is only natural. In that case, there is even less reason to involve Weed. The introductions are over, so shall we consider my participation in this conference concluded?"
As Yuki-dono moved to stand up, King Roday and King Enaria stopped him.
"Wait, wait. We clearly need you, Yuki-dono."
"Indeed. If you leave now, we have no means of communicating with the Rogari Continent or the New Continent."
"Ugh. King August, say something! This is because of your poorly disciplined subordinate."
"..."
King August remained silent, offering no response to King Zilba’s words. If he said the wrong thing, August would end up at the very bottom of the If Continent Alliance that was about to be formed.
"King August. You may have your own schemes, but that was a failure on the part of your subordinate. That is the consensus of everyone here. Whether a Great Power or a small nation, respect is due. Furthermore, Yuki-dono is royalty to Zilba and Enaria, kin to a ducal house in Roday, and a hero who resolved the incident in our Ex. Weed may indeed be a small nation, but its economic and military power is, at the very least, equal to or greater than our Great Powers. If you cannot understand that, we will have no choice but to exclude the August delegation from the conference. If you cannot cooperate, we will have to consider sealing the Gates."
King Noble of Ex spoke with such detachment. No, it wasn't just speaking; it was a threat.
"…Yuki-dono. I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinate."
King August finally apologized. Had he finally grasped Yuki-dono’s true standing? In August, hidden behind Amanda’s Dragon Knights, Yuki-dono’s presence had been ambiguous. Even though they had gathered some information, they hadn't been certain. It was understandable, in a way.
However, the truth is that the ones holding the most influence in this If Conference are not the nations of the If Continent. It is Yuki-dono—it is Weed. Since he dangled the "new bait" of the New Continent, if they let this opportunity slip, they would face nothing but condemnation.
"I accept your apology. So, what now? I think you all understand the truth you were so eager to learn."
"…Indeed. The Rogari Continent exists."
As King Zilba said this, the other kings nodded in agreement.
"The rest is just a matter of discussing how to handle the Rogari Continent. Ah, I can arrange a meeting with the kings of the Great Powers over there, but first, you need to get your own house in order, don't you?"
"That is true. We need time to summarize what to discuss at the conference. By the way, do you have any information on the characteristics of the Rogari Continent? We don't even know what we should be discussing."
That was King Roday. A natural question. They couldn't talk without gathering information on the Rogari Continent.
"I have information. But there’s a mountain of it. If I explain it step-by-step, it’ll take days."
"If it can be done in a few days, that is a small price to pay. Please, we would appreciate the explanation."
The other nations nodded at King Enaria’s opinion.
"Then, it’s going to be a long one, but let’s begin. Everyone, please look at the rectangular board hanging from the ceiling."
When Yuki-dono said that, I looked up and saw a television monitor hanging there. However, it was difficult for us sitting at the round table to see, or rather, it would make our necks hurt...
Just as I thought that, Vilia and the others appeared and placed a monitor in front of each of the kings.
"It would be painful for the kings to look up, so I’ve prepared monitors right in front of you. Please look at those."
Most of the kings tilted their heads at the monitors, but King Roday, who knew about things like video cameras, nodded in understanding.
Once the preparations were complete and the images appeared on the monitors, the various nations were astonished. Ex and White Forest were surprised as well, though it was an act. Naturally, I was surprised too.
And, surprisingly, King August seemed the least shocked of all.