第９２０堀：介入 (Part1)
Chapter 920: Intervention
Intervention
Side: Yuki
"This is Seeker 1. I can see the town lights."
"Roger. I can confirm them from here as well."
In the aircraft carrier’s operations room, the feed sent by Steve and his team is being displayed. In the distance, the lights of the port town are visible.
"No noise or distortion in the video or audio. That’s a relief."
"You're telling me. Glad we can get the job done right on schedule."
Just as we were having that laid-back conversation...
"Wait. General Rake, Yuki-sama."
General Rake, who is out on reconnaissance with them, suddenly speaks up.
"There are lights further beyond the town."
"Beyond the town?"
Prompted by this, I shift my gaze further past the port town, and sure enough, I can see multiple lights flickering in the distance.
"You're right. Though, for a port town, it wouldn't be strange to have inns along the outer roads."
As Steve says, in a bustling port town, it’s common to build inns outside the defensive walls to welcome travelers, even with the risks of monsters and bandits. The more people gather, the higher the defensive capability, which can actually increase safety. Naturally, the biggest reason is that it’s profitable.
However, the tone of General Rake’s voice suggests something less than ideal...
"That is certainly a possibility, but... I believe we should go and investigate before confirming the status of the ships."
"Are you that concerned? Well, General Rake’s judgment takes priority, so that’s fine, right?"
"I’ll leave that to you. What about Diplomat Menou?"
"I also defer to General Rake’s judgment."
"Understood. Then, we’ll split the unit. Seeker 2, you take the lead. Even-numbered members, proceed with the ship fleet confirmation."
"Roger!"
It’s a deviation from the plan, but by splitting the unit, we can avoid delaying the confirmation of the diplomatic fleet while Steve and the others head toward the lights beyond the port...
"Whoa!?"
"As I thought..."
Whatever they found, the sounds of Steve and General Rake’s surprise reach us.
"What is it? The camera feed is too dark from here to see anything but the lights. What did you find?"
When I ask that...
"An army! I can't be certain of the exact number because it's night, but there are at least ten thousand!"
"So, those were indeed military lights."
"What!?"
We are stunned by the unexpected information.
"General Rake, can you identify the banners?"
"Diplomat Menou, my apologies. I cannot confirm the banners yet..."
"Steve."
"No luck on my end either. I can't make them out. Anyway, what do we do? They don't look like regular soldiers of the Gusdo Kingdom at all."
"If they were regulars, they would have already entered the town. Or perhaps... no, it’s impossible that they are in the middle of a night exercise."
General Rake starts to suggest it, then denies it himself. If it were just an exercise, that would be fine, but that’s far too optimistic.
"Seeker 2, what is the situation in town?"
"This is Seeker 2. Despite the late hour, there is a lot of foot traffic. There are many people entering and exiting the port, perhaps preparing for departure."
It seems the town is quite frantic as well. If that’s the case, the army Steve and the others discovered doesn't seem to be an ally of Gusdo.
Now, how will Sea-Cypho move in this situation?
"General Rake, we’ve made a preliminary confirmation. What’s the plan?"
"...I believe we should not just scout, but land directly in Gusdo and ask for an explanation. Diplomat Menou, what do you think?"
"...Judging by this situation, it is safe to assume the diplomatic mission has been captured or detained. If you and General Steve were to land there, how much progress do you think you’d make? It is highly likely you would be detained as well."
That’s likely true. As Menou says, a massive enemy army is closing in, and their defensive strength is meager. The Sea-Cypho diplomatic fleet arrived there without knowing this. Naturally, they would want to seize the battleships as military assets. Or perhaps they were asked to intervene for a ceasefire...
General Rake landing there wouldn't move the conversation forward. A general-level officer shouldn't be making unilateral decisions about interfering with another nation. But that option...
"That may be true, but if we do nothing, we are abandoning the diplomatic mission. We can assume all the ships have been requisitioned. If that happens, we lose both the people we sent as diplomats and the ships themselves."
Exactly. As General Rake says, if a battle breaks out with this mysterious army, the diplomatic fleet sent here will be lost. We came here to prevent that, so this would render the mission meaningless.
"I understand. I have already used the gate on the aircraft carrier Lilishe to seek instructions from the home country."
"We don't have the luxury of such a slow process!"
"Even so, if you act on your own authority, General Rake, you will be punished! Besides, we are talking about an army. Even if you go to the scene alone, the situation will not improve."
"But, at the very least, we could help the diplomatic mission escape..."
"If you do that, we will become enemies with both the Gusdo Kingdom and the army attacking the port! Do you think His Majesty or the country desires that!"
"Guh..."
Still, as Menou says, simply saving the mission isn't the end of it. In this case, it would mean starting a war with the nation attacking the Gusdo Kingdom. Even if we don't intend to, we would be labeled as hostile.
"If we manage to avoid direct hostility, there is a possibility that the invading nation, being from far away, might not want to engage with Sea-Cypho. What do you think?"
The atmosphere is getting a bit suffocating, so I toss in a light joke. Well, since they are an army, they must belong to some nation, and they would likely want to avoid unnecessary expansion of the front lines. ...Well, it’s a hole-ridden argument full of excuses, but still.
"Yuki-dono’s opinion is entirely possible. Therefore, General Rake, please stand by..."
"If there is a possibility of safety without engaging in combat, we must negotiate with the army stationed there and obtain their consent to protect our nation's ships. If we don't do that, it is highly likely they will refuse to return them, claiming them as spoils of war. It is a mistake to act on such optimism. Or should I go to that mysterious army and negotiate myself?"
However, it seems General Rake cannot abandon his fellow soldiers before his eyes. My argument was indeed too optimistic, and I understand that securing safety requires prior negotiation. He hit the nail on the head.
"...General Rake, you know that yourself, don't you?"
"Of course. But they are here on a mission ordered by the country. Not giving up easily and doing everything we can until the end is the final tribute the country can pay them. If we neglect that, the hearts of the people will eventually drift away."
Both are making valid points. Well, considering the current state of the Sea-Cypho Kingdom, I don't know if this will result in them being left to die, but it’s better to watch how things develop and wait for the outcome. If they happen to be saved, that’s fine; if they are captured, we can send a messenger to protest.