第６７３堀：準備が整う (Part1)
Chapter 673: Preparations Complete
Side: Popuri Lancer, Principal of Lancer Magic Academy
As usual, I wasn't doing paperwork in the principal's office. Instead, I was peering into a crystal ball alongside Lara, the vice-principal.
For the record, I hadn't lost my mind; this was a legitimate magical communication tool. It was a magic item provided to us by Yuki-dono and Weed. While using communication magic like "Call" would be easier, that only works for those recognized as allies by Weed or Yuki-dono. Under normal circumstances, the only way to communicate with someone at a distance is to go speak to them directly or send a letter.
That is why the value of this communication tool is immeasurable. It has the drawback of requiring both parties to possess a pair of linked crystal balls, but for those who govern a nation, the ability to communicate instantly is something they would give their right arm for. I use this to maintain close contact with August.
Furthermore, by framing this as a development of our academy, the power dynamic between Lancer and August has shifted slightly in our favor. Add in the "paper tiger" that is the Dragon Knight Amanda, and overall, we are in a very strong position.
I often feel as though I am the only one unilaterally benefiting from this, but I am a member of Weed’s faction—it wouldn't be wrong to call me Yuki-dono’s subordinate. My position is useful for the various things Yuki-dono and his people wish to accomplish. They have provided me with extensive support to solidify that standing, and that support has proven useful today.
There is no tool more convenient than this for gathering information on the current turmoil within August.
"Hellooo, Big Brother Feigel. Can you hear me?"
"Pfft..."
Lara snorted for some reason at the sound of my uniquely childish voice.
"M-my apologies. However, is that tone really appropriate for provoking Feigel-dono...?"
"It’s better this way, isn't it? They’ve been on edge ever since the If Continent conference."
"Ah, well. I suppose so..."
"Especially in the last ten days, the regular reports from Princess Inis and Feigel have been quite prickly. That just shows how little breathing room they have. ...In other words, things are looking quite dire."
"...Does this mean the outbreak of war is imminent?"
"Well, they claim that won't happen, but for people who say there's no possibility, they lack far too much composure. And if the war starts before Yuki-dono and our party arrive..."
"Then we would have no choice but to cancel the visit."
"Yes. Yuki-dono has been sharing information with those around him, gaining the consent of other nations, and ensuring the groundwork is laid so no one can interfere. If that all goes to waste... Perhaps I should have been more insistent and made the visit to August our top priority."
As a subordinate to Yuki-dono and my master, how could I be so thoughtless? To be a hindrance is the height of stupidity. I suppose I can’t look down on the Holy Sword users anymore.
"Actually, just hurry up and answer!! You lolicon Feigel!!"
『...My apologies, Principal. It is not the teacher.』
I had been shouting at the silent crystal ball, but a response finally came. It wasn't Feigel, but Princess Inis.
"...Princess Inis. If you are the one answering instead of Feigel, has something happened?"
Lara, standing beside me, wore a grim expression. They say speak of the devil and he shall appear, but I asked this while praying it wouldn't become reality.
『Has something happened? Yes. It has. Principal, the teacher has been arrested for embezzlement.』
"Arrested? Embezzlement? What on earth does that mean?"
『...It is nothing but a false accusation. He was merely my advisor, and I paid him nothing more than a consultation fee, yet they arrested him claiming he pocketed the budget provided to him.』
...At a time like this. No, stay calm. I need to gather more information; I don't understand the situation yet.
"...I believe the notice has reached you, but in two days, dignitaries from Weed, our Lancer Magic Academy, and Haiden are scheduled to visit, correct? What will happen now? Is it being postponed?"
『We will not postpone, but the reception will no longer be handled by us.』
"Does that mean the Duke faction?"
『Yes. They say they will welcome Weed in our stead.』
"What is their objective? Don't they dislike Weed? If they try to pull something, the dignitaries of the six great nations are with us; it could invite the disapproval of the other great powers."
『...The members of the Duke faction intend to use this visit to establish superiority over Weed and seize the initiative of the six great nations and the If Continent Alliance.』
Huh? Some incomprehensible words just came out.
"...How exactly do they intend to establish superiority over Weed? And why would that lead to seizing the initiative of the If Continent Alliance?"
『...They intend to threaten Weed, force them to promise and sign an agreement to give preferential treatment to August, and then claim to the five great nations who cannot do so that they are the ones fit to hold the initiative—in other words, fit to be the representatives.』
"...Threaten them? If they were capable of such a thing, the other great powers would have already done it. Besides, taking that attitude toward Weed could be seen as picking a fight with the Rogari Alliance. Or rather, are they idiots?"
There is no other way to describe them but idiots. Before the Rogari Continent and the If Continent Alliance could even clash, the moment they laid a hand on Yuki-dono, his wives would annihilate August. Naturally, we would cooperate, and the five great nations of the If Continent Alliance would seize the opportunity to crush August, wouldn't they? Do they not understand that?
『I wholeheartedly agree with the Principal that they are idiots. It seems the reason the Duke faction has acted so foolishly is that they only know them as a mercenary group and believe they are a small nation based solely on the size of their territory.』
...What kind of intelligence-gathering capability is that? Is the Duke faction a collection of fools? No, she already called them idiots.
"But you know full well what will happen if you let them face off, knowing this, don't you? August's standing will only worsen. Can you not do something to stop them? What does the King of August think about this?"
『...As a result of his recent domestic and foreign policy responses, the King has little support from those around him, and he has lost the ability to intervene in matters regarding Feigel's arrest or the visitors from Weed and other nations. Even as King, he can do nothing without his subordinates.』
"...So the problem is that they don't understand the true strength of Weed and Amanda?"
『Looking at the current results, that seems to be the case. At the time, I thought minimal cooperation was optimal to avoid unnecessary debts, but that became the reason the Duke faction was allowed to run wild.』
In other words, no support can be expected from the current royal family.
"The King cannot move, and Princess Inis cannot move. Instead, the Duke faction comes forward... This will not end peacefully. Are you prepared for that?"
『...It cannot be helped. The primary cause of this is the decline in our royal authority. Regarding this matter, I have a request for you here and now. I ask that the Lancer Magic Academy and Weed support us, the current royalist faction, and apply pressure to the Duke faction.』