第６６９堀：情報整理 (Part2)
"Don't look so awkward. I wasn't talking about you specifically, nor was I trying to criticize anyone. Besides, it’s thanks to you that White Forest and Ex have been able to gather such solid information, isn't it?"
"……I am grateful for your praise."
Indeed, it was Difes, the leader representing the Holy Sword Users, who bowed her head.
"So, as someone on the front lines of intelligence gathering, what do you think of the recent movements in the If Continent?"
"……There are some drastic shifts occurring in certain circles, but those are matters far above the clouds; the common folk don't seem to grasp them at all. If we could address that, I believe we could gain support from the commoner class. Well, that is just the opinion of a simpleton."
"Don't belittle yourself like that. It’s a sound argument. If that’s the case, we need something that appeals to the commoners when we engage in diplomacy."
"True. Should we hold festivals in each country to celebrate the success of intercontinental exchange?"
"That’s a good idea, but we still have to deal with August, don't we?"
In the end, it always came back to that.
Whether it was the conflict involving the small nation possessing Zilba’s magic sword, the unveiling of Enaria’s Holy Sword Users, or the improvement of awareness regarding demi-humans in White Forest—nothing could truly be resolved unless August, one of the six great powers, made a move.
"Come to mind, I heard word reached Hifi that August sent a demand for surrender. How is that going?"
"……Regrettably, it is true. Though, one could say it is a consequence of our own actions."
"We were the ones who provided the catalyst for August’s instability, after all. But such a proposal is unacceptable."
Hifi said this with a grimace, as if she had bitten into a bitter bug, and Taizo spoke with firm resolve.
"But it’s not coming from the royal family, right? It’s just from one of their lords?"
"Yes. Well, since their territory is roughly the same size as the Hifi Sacred Kingdom, they are likely feeling emboldened. If they manage to force a submission on their own, it would be seen as a significant achievement."
"Well, there is no chance of them winning. However, given our previous blunders, we cannot openly counterattack. We must wait until August invades and causes damage before we intercept them; otherwise, they’ll just accuse us of being the ones who caused trouble for August in the first place."
"If they press that point, it’ll be difficult for other countries to intervene, won't it?"
"Indeed. After all, it was originally my own failure. In fact, I should technically be held responsible for the crime of invading August, but that was swept under the rug. It’s painful to admit that their demands aren't entirely baseless."
Indeed. On the surface, the strife between the Kingdom of August and the Hifi Sacred Kingdom was blamed on a criminal organization behind the scenes using mass-produced magic swords. But in truth, Hifi had genuinely intended to pick fights with various nations, so the demand from an August lord to submit and apologize wasn't entirely off the mark.
"Whatever the truth may be, we cannot afford to lose Hifi, Taizo-san, or the Sacred Kingdom right now. Resolving the August issue must be our top priority."
When Yuki said this, everyone nodded. It seemed to be a consensus among them.
"Visiting August is justified by the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Zilba matter, and the Enaria situation, but it would be problematic for Weed to go alone, wouldn't it?"
"……Mm. There are many who view Weed as an enemy. We should involve other countries."
Cleena finally spoke up. She had been silent throughout the entire discussion.
"……What do you want to do, Cleena?"
"Personally, I’d like to put all the nobles of August to the sword and replace them with other people."
"That’s not possible, is it?"
"I know. In that case, as much as I hate to say it, we have no choice but to support the current royal family, Princess Inis and the others, and crush the anti-royal faction."
"That’s right. Suppressing the agitators—that would be the most peaceful way. The question is how we get involved. And regarding the other countries we should bring along... if we take the six great powers, those who don't want to pick a fight might act superficially well-behaved, so the six great powers are out. We need a country that can act as a witness while also being capable of causing trouble..."
"……For that, we should bring people from outside the six great powers. Amanda, the Lancer Magic Academy, or... yes, Kaguya would be perfect."
*Huh?* Everyone was momentarily stunned by Cleena’s suggestion.
The Lancer Magic Academy was understandable. It was an important small nation on par with the Hifi Sacred Kingdom and served as the primary institution for training mages on the If Continent. They would have enough standing to act as guards and hold their own in negotiations. The people of August might even try to recruit them, which could be exploited.
That, they could use.
However, Kaguya was a figure from the New Continent, still completely unknown on the If Continent. In other words, she had little political value.
*Wouldn't she be useless as a deterrent?* Just as they were thinking this, Yuki and Noble seemed to grasp the meaning, a faint smirk appearing on their faces.
"I see. She’s a good opponent to provoke them."
"The visit of a diplomat from the rumored New Continent. Those who don't believe it exists will likely want to eliminate her just like they want to eliminate Weed. A decoy, then."
"……Mm. Can't we use that as a pretext to get something done?"
Cleena stated this, and from there, a wicked scheme began to take shape.
The conversation progressed toward having Kaguya and her group advance into the If Continent.
Though she would be a decoy, Princess Carrie would likely not say no, as it would provide protection for Yuki’s group and allow them to get a grip on August’s weaknesses.
And so, Kaguya—the New Continent's corporate slave OL—marches out to the front lines!