第７００堀：新大陸の現在状況 (Part1)
**Chapter 700: The Current Situation of the New Continent**
**Side: Yuki**
"Welcome, Yuki-sama."
Greeting me with those words was Catherine, the female lord of Baide.
Following our discussion yesterday, we had decided to return—or rather, head back—to Haiden.
The gateway being used for this transit was the trade city of Baide, the very place where we were first summoned to this new continent.
Well, the fact that Baide had been ceded to us as our territory was also part of the reason.
"Thanks for the welcome. Did you hear why we’ve come?"
"Yes. Shera-sama informed me. I have already contacted Carrie-hime, and acting on the communication from Kagura-dono, she is currently preparing for a conference at the Haiden royal capital."
"Right away, huh? Well, we’ll discuss the details at the mansion."
"Understood. Please, this way."
To receive word yesterday and immediately hold a conference at the Haiden royal capital today—it’s quite rushed. They should still be in the middle of cleaning up the aftermath.
Thinking about that, I headed toward the lord’s mansion. Along the way, I remembered the dungeon beneath our feet.
"Shera, come to think of it, what happened with the Findar army?"
"Ah, regarding that matter, Prince George and George-in-dono have returned with the entire army, following their report on the annihilation of the Mad God faction within the Haire Church. You know that Princess Stasia remained behind to accompany Prince Age, with only a few attendants, right?"
"I see. That means there might be some movement on the Findar side as well... I wonder how to handle that."
"Hmm. Consideration is certainly necessary, but as for whether they’ll make it in time for the next Intercontinental Exchange Conference..."
"It’s difficult, isn't it?"
In yesterday’s discussion, we set the Intercontinental Exchange and Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishment conference for two months from now.
It might seem rushed, but it’s not as if everything needs to be decided in a single meeting. Most major nations can travel instantly via gates, so travel time isn't an issue; in that sense, it’s almost too late.
However, we haven't visited Findar yet, and we haven't installed a gate. Because of that, travel takes time, making their participation in the upcoming Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishment conference highly unlikely.
"By the way, has there been any word from Princess Stasia regarding Findar?"
"Nothing on that front, either. Perhaps there are various matters to attend to following this withdrawal. Well, if that’s the case, they’ll be cutting it very close."
"Yeah, I suppose so."
While we were talking, we arrived at the conference room.
"Now, from here on, it’s a meeting regarding Haiden. Catherine, if you would."
"Yes. Then..."
According to Catherine’s report on the last month of activity in Haiden:
- They are focusing on internal consolidation, with a scramble for the posts left vacant by the exclusion of the Assembly of Wisdom and the Mad God believers.
- Explanations to other nations have not yet been detailed. The prospect of a multinational conference at the academy has not been set.
- Because of the Haire Church incident, the meetings are in turmoil, with some arguing to pin all the blame on the Church.
- Negotiations with Weed are currently on hold.
That was the gist of it. Well, it was exactly as expected—or rather, nothing had progressed at all.
"Nothing has moved forward, has it?"
"I apologize."
"No, it’s not your fault, Catherine. Besides, it’s not like the internal purging and reshuffling of a country can be finished in just a month."
Even in Japan, a cabinet resignation and the dissolution of the House of Representatives take time—the voting period itself isn't long, but the election period lasts a month, and before that, each party has to select their candidates.
If that’s the case in Japan on Earth, then in a medieval European-style setting, filling vacant posts would surely lead to a fierce struggle. I hope there aren't any assassinations.
Under such circumstances, it’s impossible for diplomacy to function as usual.
Well, diplomacy is currently being handled through personal connections, so standard negotiations shouldn't be a problem, but they certainly can't provide answers regarding Haiden’s recent blunder. The leadership is in chaos, after all.
"So, what about the reactions of the foreign nations and the movements of the Haire Church?"
"Yes. As for the foreign nations, because the conflict ended in a reconciliation after only a single clash rather than an all-out war, they seem to be in a 'wait and see' mode. Additionally, the Archbishop of the Haire Church has informed various countries about the Mad God believers, and they seem to have begun purging them. We have not yet received the results of those purges."
"Both are understandable reactions. Even if the foreign nations wanted to get their hands on Magic Gear and run wild, they’d still need time to prepare..."
One month is such a delicate period.
"I’ve grasped the general situation, but won't our sudden appearance cause more confusion? Kagura, have you heard anything from Carrie-hime?"
"Not particularly. But I don't think the Princess would fail to consider something like that."
"True. That Princess is quite the schemer. Still, we can’t go in without knowing the details, so Kagura, get the specifics, including that."
"Understood. But it is strange. The Princess shouldn't be the type to call you and the others over without any prior notice..."
Kagura tilted her head and left the conference room to make the call.
"No, I think it’s just that nothing has been settled since yesterday."
"Carrie-hime is doing this on purpose, isn't she?"
"Yeah."
I nodded without hesitation at Shera’s question.
"To the Princess, it doesn't matter which way it goes. Whether the conference can be held or not, she’s likely planning to sort out who is an ally—those who agree with her and support the conference—and who is an enemy—those who oppose it. If you spring it on them suddenly, you get their raw reactions. Neutrals will just try to read the room."
"Did you tell them that?"
"No, but that Princess would do that much as a matter of course. Even if it were impossible, it was a proposal we made on short notice. It’s not like refusing would cause any major issues. In fact, we only came to inform them about the Intercontinental Exchange. There are two months until that conference. If you think about why she’d call for a meeting of the Haiden royal court while it’s in such turmoil, sorting out friends from foes is the only logical reason."
"I see. I was wondering about that myself, but now I understand. She is planning another purge, isn't she?"
Catherine and the others nodded in agreement.
"I don't know how far she’ll go, though. Now we just wait for Carrie-hime’s response. In the meantime, how is Baide? I don't imagine much has changed in a month, but has anything major happened?"
"As I reported earlier, now that Baide has been officially recognized as Weed territory, the Findar Imperial Army has withdrawn."
"Oh, so the envoy came?"
"Yes. They arrived with official documentation, and using that as proof, George-in-dono withdrew along with Prince George, who had returned from the Findar imperial capital. Princess Stasia remained behind to accompany Prince Age."
"Well, it costs money to keep them here for nothing. By the way, what happened with the expenses? Did that fall on Haiden too?"