第６３３堀：先の話し合い (Part1)
**Chapter 633: The Discussion Ahead**
*Author's Note: I'm so sorry, everyone! There were so many typos that I panicked. I completely forgot that Luna was making maps by taking high-altitude photos of the terrain. You guys are sharp!*
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**Side: Yuki**
To be honest, I was in a bind. However, refusing wasn't exactly an option either.
"I understand your position. However, we currently have scouts investigating the site. Once we receive their report, you will be required to integrate into our operational plan. Is that acceptable?"
I addressed Princess Carrie, Princess Stasia, and a visibly tense Georgin with professional detachment. All three nodded in agreement.
"That is only natural. It is clear that if we went alone, we would be throwing our lives away for nothing," Princess Carrie said.
"Yes. If you are willing to take us to the front lines, we are perfectly fine with being treated as common soldiers," Stasia added.
"……"
And so, Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia declared their intent to join us in the raid on the Haile Church headquarters. Georgin, who had accompanied them, looked like a man who didn't know what to do with himself.
Poor guy. I wondered if he was developing a stomach ulcer. I should probably have Rurua give him a check-up later.
"Very well. Once the scouting report arrives, we will hold a strategy meeting. Until then, please remain on standby."
"Yes, we understand. I am truly grateful for your cooperation," Carrie replied.
"Indeed. I was worried we would have to resort to storming the place on our own," Stasia said.
"……"
So that was why Georgin was just bowing his head in silence. They must have threatened to go rogue if he tried to stop them. These two princesses had sworn revenge for Prince Age; they had never neglected their training and were formidable in their own right.
If the two of them decided to act independently, Georgin’s current forces would have a hard time stopping them. That was why he was tacitly approving of them following me.
If I were to ignore this situation despite knowing about it, it might not lead to a direct legal responsibility, but it could certainly crack the foundation of trust between Weed, Hyden, and Findal. Of course, there would be a reward for my cooperation, but since they were making this request personally, it also meant they weren't officially billing their respective nations for it.
As usual, Princess Carrie and Princess Stasia were quite shrewd in these matters. Or perhaps that was just the mark of a proper ruler.
*Sigh.* Even if they were coming along in a personal capacity, I’d still have to provide some level of support. If they went in with subpar equipment, they’d just be a liability. I’d have to have them geared up in Weed.
...I hoped they weren't secretly trying to scout Weed’s military strength. Well, even if they were, they’d only see the equipment used by Steve’s special forces, so they wouldn't learn the full extent of our power.
There was no point overthinking it.
"In that case, you will be attached to Steve’s unit as rank-and-file soldiers. While you wait, I’d like you to participate in their training to get used to the special forces' equipment. Is that alright?"
"Yes, that is perfectly fine," Carrie answered immediately.
"I will do my best to master the basics so that I don't become a burden," Stasia added.
I couldn't help but wonder why two princesses were so quick to agree to a grueling military special forces training regimen. It just went to show how consumed they were by their desire for revenge. In more ways than one, these two were incredible.
"Alright, Hiiro. I’ll issue the orders. Can you guide the princesses back to Weed?"
"Okay! Let’s go, Big Sis Sta, Big Sis Carrie!"
"Very well."
"Yes, let us go."
I left the task to Hiiro, who had brought them here in the first place. She was immediately sandwiched between the two princesses, and they left the room hand-in-hand. To an outsider, they looked like nothing more than a group of close-knit sisters. Well, they practically were sisters at this point.
Setting that aside, I turned my attention to the remaining Georgin.
"...How do you intend to report this to your superiors?"
"...I have already sent word that the Haile Church may be the mastermind and that I am collaborating with Lord Yuki to gather evidence. I certainly can't tell them that two princesses are planning to join a raid."
I figured as much. It seemed that even a renowned hero like Georgin couldn't escape the shackles of bureaucracy and politics. It was enough to give anyone a stomach ache.
Now that the personal "stomach-aching" matters were settled, it was time to move on to the national "stomach-aching" matters.
"...So, how do you think things will play out from here?"
"From here? What do you mean?"
"I apologize, Lord Georgin, but I think the conversation is about to get even more stressful. Specifically, on a national scale."
"...Ah, I see. Indeed, we cannot avoid discussing that."
Georgin clutched his stomach reflexively and his expression darkened, but he quickly understood my intent and nodded. This man really was sharp.
I wondered why it was that whenever I encountered generals or high-ranking officials, the old-timers and veterans always seemed to be the most competent. I mean, the female generals weren't bad either, but where were all the "promising young warriors" you usually see in stories?
Well, never mind that. I needed to hear Georgin’s take.
"To be blunt, even if we resolve the Haile Church situation cleanly, chaos among the nations will be unavoidable," Georgin said.
"I thought so."
"Once the truth about the Haile Church comes out, Hyden—which revered them as its center—and Findal—which allowed a monster attack to happen—will be looked down upon by other nations. In fact, given our past conduct, there was never much trust to begin with."
He was right. Other nations would likely see this as the perfect opportunity to move against two countries that had been played like fiddles by a monster-worshipping cult.
There was even a high probability that the Haile Church had already leaked information to other countries about the internal turmoil in Hyden and Findal. Given the flow of events, it was almost a certainty. They had been doing so well until we arrived, so they must have had their feelers out elsewhere. Since they were aiming for an era of Hyden’s absolute supremacy, it was only natural they’d use international connections to gather intelligence.
However, now that their plan to take over Hyden had been ruined by our intervention, it would be easier for them to pull out of Hyden and Findal and incite other nations instead. To the rest of the world, the Haile Church was still a bastion of faith. Even if we announced that the Church was the villain behind the scenes after the dust settled, who would believe us?
The Church had successfully created a situation where the two nations had weakened themselves, making them ripe for the picking.
"Actually, considering the circumstances, there's no way to resolve this 'cleanly,' is there?" I remarked.
"Indeed. A 'clean' resolution would require the Haile Church to stop leaking information and for all its followers to suddenly regain their senses and support our nations. That is impossible."
"But do you think other countries will actually launch a physical invasion taking advantage of this chaos?"
"...Hmm. I would like to say a physical invasion is unlikely, but if they have acquired the Haile Church’s techniques for controlling monsters..."
"Ah. A repeat of the Rila Kingdom incident."