第７７９堀：国家の動きは？ (Part1)
**Chapter 779: What are the State's Movements?**
**Side: Solo**
"...I see. That information from Weed is certainly welcome. I suppose, for the time being, we can breathe a sigh of relief."
With those words, the Princess placed the report she had received from Kagura-senpai onto her desk. The documents I had delivered concerned the reconstruction support army from the Seasifo Kingdom that had appeared at the Haiden border.
"And what did Yuki-dono and his people have to say?"
"Just as the report states. They see no signs of hostile intent at this moment, so they believe there is no issue."
"No hostile intent, you say? It is impossible to know what lies within a person's heart. Yet, we cannot reprimand them for it, can we? I wish I could at least call them out for arriving with such peculiar weaponry."
"...I believe that would be difficult. A foreign army has come from afar to provide reconstruction support. It would be unreasonable to deny them the right to carry weapons meant to ensure their safety along the way..."
Kagura-senpai explained the obvious reasoning Yuki-sensei had provided, though she seemed hesitant to voice it to the Princess.
"...I am aware. Honestly, I cannot fathom why the Seasifo Kingdom is moving with such haste. They initially claimed it was merely reconstruction support, and yet, here we are. Who would have expected them to mobilize ten thousand troops? If they intended to send such a massive force, it is only proper to discuss it beforehand. But they did not. It is only natural to suspect they have some other objective, is it not?"
"..."
The three of us could say nothing; we could only nod in silence. The Princess was in a foul mood. She seemed deeply incensed by the actions of the Seasifo Kingdom’s reconstruction support army.
"Because of this, suspicions have arisen within the Royal Palace regarding our acceptance of Seasifo's support. They are even going so far as to suggest that we, the ones who handled the negotiations, are plotting something—that we intentionally invited this army in."
"How could they!?"
"That’s impossible!"
"Exactly! We didn't do anything...!"
I couldn't believe things had escalated to this point. We invited the Seasifo army? We gain absolutely nothing from doing such a thing!
"Yes, I know. Even those fools know that. We recorded the negotiations at the time, so there is nothing shady about the agreement itself. However, we did not ask for the scale of the force they intended to bring. That is the point they are attacking. At the time, I thought the more support, the better, but I never imagined they would bring so many."
The Princess looked out the window, her expression etched with irritation.
"In the first place, some of those very fools were among the ones who said we should gladly accept the reconstruction support if it meant gaining access to shovels. They have no integrity. At the time, the success of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance was still uncertain. While Yuki-sama did suggest that we should probe them regarding the shovels, my true intention was also to reassure those who did not trust Weed."
I understood the reason for the Princess’s indignation all too well. The stubborn people of Haiden were saying whatever they pleased, completely ignoring our hard work and doing nothing but complain.
"It seems they are quite envious that we succeeded in the intercontinental exchange. Back then, they acted as if they didn't even believe Weed or the other great powers existed. After being so incredibly rude, they have no right to expect a comeback. Or rather, they are likely trying to exploit our mistakes to claw their way back into power."
"...Princess. I understand your feelings, but the immediate problem is welcoming the Seasifo reconstruction support army to the Royal Capital. Are the envoys moving according to plan?"
"Yes. The envoys are already on their way to the reconstruction support army. You are aware that we are scrambling to prepare our defenses in the meantime, correct?"
We nodded at her question.
"I believe the plan is to invite them to the Royal Capital to confirm their intentions..."
"Yes. With an army of that size, it is clear they must have some objective. If we can secure an audience with the sovereign, His Majesty, perhaps their true intentions will come to light."
I see. It makes sense; they wouldn't invite ten thousand troops without some sort of plan or consideration.
"...But if something were to happen, wouldn't that be dangerous?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them. "Ah, forgive me."
"No, I understand your concern, Solo. Inviting an army of ten thousand to the outskirts of the Royal Capital means that if something goes wrong, the consequences will be that much greater."
"The outskirts? But earlier, you said you were inviting them to the Royal Capital..."
"Naturally, it is impossible from a national defense standpoint to house an army of ten thousand within the city walls. They will be required to set up camp in the outskirts. While many soldiers will likely visit the capital as tourists, that is where the main body of the Seasifo reconstruction support army will be stationed."
I see. They aren't bringing the entire army into the city itself.
"Of course, the representatives and generals leading the force will be invited to the castle to discuss matters."
"Will there be no complaints?"
"If they are the type of 'support' that demands food and lodging after coming to help, then we have no need for them. They are well aware of that. It would be a national disgrace."
Indeed, such troublesome people wouldn't be here to support us; they would only be here to get in the way.
"Well, that is fine. It is all according to the plan discussed with His Majesty and Yuki-sama. The problem lies in the handling of the Seasifo army once they arrive. They have told us to leave everything—the meetings with the representatives, the guidance to the encampment, and so on—entirely to us."
Hearing that, we could only tilt our heads in confusion. What did it mean to leave "everything" to us? As I wondered, Kagura-senpai asked immediately.
"What do you mean by that? There are countless tasks involved in handling a reconstruction army. What exactly do you mean by 'everything'?"
"I mean literally everything. Since we acted as the diplomats, they are telling us to see to every single detail, from start to finish."
"That sounds like a matter of course, doesn't it?"
As Kagura-senpai said, since we are the diplomats, I assumed that was our job, but the Princess’s face remained dissatisfied.
"That would be true, provided that the other departments cooperate. We will be requesting assistance from various sectors for the support army, but..."
Once she said that, I understood.
"You mean they might not cooperate?"
"Exactly. You’re catching on, Solo. There are those who hope we will make a blunder here, and by 'cleaning up' after us, they intend to usurp our position."
"They would involve the Seasifo Kingdom just for that?"
I couldn't grasp it. I couldn't understand how such people could exist in this world.
"It is precisely because they are involving the Seasifo Kingdom that our potential blunder becomes so much greater. They seem quite envious of the diplomats of Weed."
"However, Princess. Haven't the people who looked down on Weed or tried to interfere with us already been purged?"
"This is a different matter entirely. Well, greed knows no bounds. And in this arrangement, if the Seasifo Kingdom truly is plotting something, who do you think will be the first to be sacrificed?"
"..."
The three of us fell silent at the Princess’s words. It was a dreadful question. We knew the answer all too well.