第７９１堀：突然の案内 (Part2)
"I understand Eris's concerns. That’s why we’ll bring them in secret, and Ratz and Eris can observe them and make their own judgments. Besides, if we’re going to participate in the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, we’ll need the consent of every nation anyway."
Milly was right. While General Rake was busy assessing Weed, this was also our opportunity to determine if the Sea-Cypho Kingdom was a suitable partner for us to begin relations with.
"It’s possible we might uncover the Sea-Cypho Kingdom's true intentions, so bringing them along isn't a bad decision," one of the diplomats noted.
"Indeed. It’s a chance to hear things from General Rake in Weed, and perhaps gather information from other Sea-Cypho commanders in Haiden," another added.
"Mm. Jessica and Samantha are right. Probing the Sea-Cypho Kingdom here is important for the future."
The diplomatic team from the If Continent seemed to agree with bringing General Rake and his party to Weed.
"Leave the investigation to us!"
"That’s right. We’re police officers, so—wait, no, Riel. We have to take care of the children."
"……Yuki. Riel is neglecting childcare."
"Wha—?! N-no, I’m not!!"
"Yeah, I know, I know. Riel is doing just fine, Riel."
It seemed Riel, Tori, Kaya, and Ria were all managing their childcare and household duties properly.
"I’ll take your enthusiasm as a sign of support. Tori, you and the others just keep looking after the kids."
"Yes!"
With Ratz and Eris taking charge of the preparations to receive General Rake and his Sea-Cypho delegation, I had nothing to worry about. I waited for the General to finish his various directives, and when I went to the encampment to check on the situation, I found that, thanks to his orders, the troops were already efficiently preparing to hand over their supplies.
"They're quite diligent."
"It’s a relief to see such promptness. If I were to give orders to a group of adventurers, it would never go this smoothly."
"Well, adventurers generally operate in party units. They aren't really suited for large-scale military maneuvers. Plus, their hierarchy isn't nearly as rigid."
That’s exactly why they lack cohesion. They don't have the ingrained mindset that they must follow orders from above. While they do follow their party leader’s instructions, it’s rarely absolute. They always retain their own will and judgment. That’s why they move so quickly and are highly adaptable to unexpected situations.
Conversely, in an army, individual judgment is strictly forbidden. That is precisely why, when it comes to tasks involving large numbers of people or warfare, the movements of soldiers—bound by iron discipline and a clear chain of command—are so agile. Though, the trade-off is that it takes an incredibly long time to prepare orders and documentation before they can even start moving. It’s a double-edged sword.
As I was pondering this, Princess Carrie and Kagura approached, accompanied by General Rake.
"My apologies for the wait. I am sorry for the delay in making the arrangements."
The moment he arrived, General Rake bowed his head.
"Not at all. I have never seen such magnificent command."
It wasn't something he needed to apologize for, so I offered him some praise. Being able to organize such a large group so quickly was impressive, so there was no harm in acknowledging it. Usually, when a commander is away, issuing orders during that interim takes a significant amount of time.
Looking at this swift movement, I couldn't help but wonder if he had anticipated this.
"I am honored by your praise. Now, if you are ready, Yuki-sama, I would appreciate it if you could guide us to Weed."
While I was lost in thought, he thanked me and immediately asked to be taken to Weed. He seemed a bit impatient, but I suppose he was also skeptical that such an easy journey was even possible.
"Understood. If you’ll pardon the question, are you sure there are no oversights in your instructions? Even if we can maintain contact, communication tends to be delayed."
"Thank you for your concern. As an old man, I may have forgotten something, but if travel to and from Weed is truly as simple as you say, our army is not so hurried that a day or two would cause us distress."
"I see. My apologies for the rudeness. Then, please, follow me."
He really was skeptical. If he was this doubtful, it would be a headache if he started claiming it was all a dream or an illusion once we arrived. Still, he didn't seem like the type to say such things, so I decided to trust that it would be fine.
After all, the best way to deal with a skeptic is to show them the truth. Though, convincing them to come along in the first place is the hardest part—a task made simple thanks to the King of Haiden.
And so, will Yuki be able to make them believe in Weed in just three days!? Everyone is worried, aren't they? What are the Sea-Cypho Kingdom's true motives, and what will change once they see Weed with their own eyes!!