第６６６堀：そんなことあった (Part1)
Chapter 666: That Happened
That happened.
Side: Yuki
"Well, so that’s how things ended up between Zilba and Enaria."
"More troublesome than I expected, or should I say, to be expected?"
"Hard to say. I can't judge. I've never had to deal with something like this before."
"Neither have I."
With those words, Noble and I discussed the consultations held between Zilba and Enaria.
For the time being, after leaving Zilba and Enaria, I had come to Ex for an interim report—or rather, to align our information.
"So, the main things I want to confirm are: have you heard any information regarding the conflict with Zilba’s small states, or the rumors about Enaria’s Holy Sword?"
"...I’ve heard whispers of it. To be honest, judging by what I’ve heard, both are seeds that I sowed myself. I am ashamed."
Noble slumped his shoulders, looking dejected.
Well, that’s exactly the case.
I hadn't originally planned on giving an interim report, but since the remnants—or rather, the stains—of Noble and Hifi’s covert operations were visible across two countries, Zilba and Enaria, I had to return.
The cause of the backlash from the small states causing trouble in Zilba is the mass-produced magic swords.
The cause of the fake Holy Sword user in Enaria is the copied Holy Sword.
In short, the root cause of the trouble in both countries, for now, is this man, Noble.
"It seems the recovery of the mass-produced magic swords isn't going as well as you thought."
"Ah, well, Yuki-dono, you only recovered them from the major powers as a mercenary group."
"...I see."
Now that he mentioned it, I realized.
I had planned to pick a fight with the remaining five major powers.
Disturbing the capitals of the major powers was a given, but if the small states—who believed they were safe—raised the flag of rebellion, it would make it easier for Noble and his people to move.
That was why they had scattered the magic swords among the small states as well.
"The absolute number per country is higher in the major powers, but the groups causing a ruckus in the small states under Zilba’s jurisdiction have gathered the swords distributed to other small states. The total amount exceeds what was sent to any single major power."
In other words, General Yokiel of Zilba is essentially fighting a major power equipped with mass-produced magic swords.
It’s a wonder they’ve only suffered minor damage. Usually, they would have been crushed, but perhaps that’s why he’s called a great general?
"They probably bought them up from the other countries, too."
"Well, since we warned the major powers in advance and told them to be careful, the small states holding the mass-produced magic swords will likely release them soon. So, they must have gotten their hands on those."
As a result of me warning the five major powers about the mass-produced magic swords in advance, the six major powers were able to secure them and set up a defensive posture. In other words, terrorism and chaos in the capitals of the five major powers were avoided. Under such circumstances, if it became known that a small state possessed mass-produced magic swords, it would be natural to assume they were picking a fight.
Since the benefits of holding the mass-produced magic swords had vanished, if they had any sense at all, they would naturally let go of the swords and claim they had nothing to do with the incident.
"You did recover them, right?"
"Of course. I knew that leaving the mass-produced magic swords out there would cause problems for future developments. So, after reconciling and joining forces with you, Yuki-dono, I recovered them immediately. Those are just the leftovers."
"Leftovers, huh. What’s the approximate total?"
"About 500."
"We recovered around 300 from the major powers, so that’s a bit more than one major power’s worth."
So there’s a unit with 500 mass-produced magic swords.
Well, it’s not a lot, but it’s not a little either. If they came out into the open, we could surround and annihilate them, but it would be a pain if they holed up in castles or forts and functioned as artillery.
"Well, at least I confirmed that Zilba isn't just making excuses to annex the small states."
"As expected, there’s no way that King Zilba would attack just to annex small states. Though, in a sense, that would have been a simpler matter to resolve."
"It would have ended if I or the remaining five major powers had issued a warning. But this time, the cause is the mass-produced magic swords."
"Normally, one would think they couldn't achieve independence, but the fact that King Zilba changed his policy from what it had been until now is also one of the causes."
"Backlash. The 'we can't keep up' kind of thing. Come to think of it, hasn't there been a request for support from those small states to their neighbor, Ex?"
"No, there hasn't. They probably understand, too. If they ask for intervention carelessly, they’ll just be dragged in and taken over."
"I understand that, but then what is the goal of those small states? They don't ask other countries for support, they don't ask for mediation. What kind of resolution are they hoping for? Surely they don't think they can win against Zilba?"
"Who knows. Since they won't let us intervene, I can't guess what the small states are aiming for in their fight against Zilba. Well, the most likely scenario is just that they got a hold of a large number of mass-produced magic swords and got carried away."
That’s ridiculous.
Even if they are small states, that’s foolish. Can a country be maintained with such thoughtless, short-sighted behavior?
Perhaps my thoughts were showing on my face, as Noble sensed it and continued his explanation.
"It’s surprisingly common. From the start, it’s a frequent occurrence that they think it’s better to attack and plunder other countries than to develop their own and increase their income."
"Ah, I know that. But surely they wouldn't pick a fight without considering the difference in national power?"
"That’s why I said they got carried away after getting the mass-produced magic swords. In fact, Zilba still hasn't been able to finish them off. We, who know the internal situation of Zilba, have reasons—we want to minimize military casualties, and we can't move without clearing it with major powers like us."
"As for the small states fighting, they might be under the illusion that they can win based on the fact that Zilba is struggling to attack. To begin with, there are many small states in Zilba’s territory that are attacking each other. Zilba can't exactly stick their nose into every single territorial dispute."
Is that it? Like the Sengoku period in Japan?
It’s the kind of thing where you only listen when it’s an emergency.
They don't interfere in everyday territorial disputes.
Well, there’s the issue of both sides' claims, after all.
If they come on too strong, they might defect to another major power.
Even as a king of a major power, if you look down on small states and lack consideration, you’ll be tripped up.
That’s why I keep saying I don't want any territory.
And yet, my problem is that it keeps increasing—Betan on the If continent, and Baide Port on the New Continent.
"It’s my responsibility, but one could say it’s the Zilba King’s own fault for encouraging war."
"I thought so too. But leaving it as it is won't do, right?"
"Indeed. I understand Zilba’s wishes. I will draft a letter as well. Also, please tell them I will attend the unveiling of Enaria’s Holy Sword user."
"Understood. But, you know, one could think that the mass-produced magic swords gathered precisely because Zilba was encouraging war, right?"
"...Well, that’s not entirely wrong, but it’s hard to call that a good thing. Regardless, please keep an eye on Zilba’s movements."
"Understood."
Now, the matter of Zilba and Enaria was finished, but there was something I wanted to ask far more than that.
I had deliberately avoided asking during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs matter, but since I had started touring the major powers of the If continent, I couldn't avoid it.
"Now, the problem that is far worse than Zilba is August. I’m thinking of leaving them for last, but what do you think?"
That’s right. August, the other neighbor of Ex.
Cleena’s homeland.
"...Cleena-jo is here, isn't she?"
"It doesn't matter. Right?"
"Mm. King Noble, no need for concern."
"...Honestly, August is in quite a bad way. Just the other day, this letter arrived."
With that, Noble placed a letter in front of me.
"In short, the content is that they want to request troops from the Hifi Holy Kingdom."
"Huh? Why there?"
I thought we were talking about August, but Noble continued without minding.