第９２３堀：どうしたらいいでしょう？ (Part1)
### Chapter 923: What Should We Do?
**Side: Taiki**
For some reason, I found myself walking down the hallway of the lord’s mansion in Aurelia Port, located within the Gusdo Kingdom’s territory.
"So, now that we’re here, what exactly did you call me for?"
Yes, I needed to clarify the reason for this.
"A bit late for that, isn't it?"
"No, it was sudden, wasn't it? You just asked if I could come over immediately."
When a request like that comes in, I can't exactly refuse it, given my position as a representative of Ranks. Assisting with Yuki-san’s work—even if it’s unofficial—increases the support funds we receive from the country.
...The world runs on money, after all. That’s why both Ruth and the Prime Minister are more than willing to cooperate with Yuki-san—or rather, with Weed. Personally, as long as there aren't any major issues, I don't mind helping out Weed or Yuki-san.
However, in this particular case, I had absolutely no idea why I’d been dragged along.
"...Is there any reason for me to go out of my way to meet with a princess from a kingdom that has already fallen?"
"You shouldn't meet her as the King of Ranks. I called you here, Taiki-kun, to discuss our future course of action. Honestly, I wanted to call Taizo-san too, but he seems busy right now, so I'll have to talk to him later."
"Future course of action, you say?"
"Seraria decided to intervene, but the only place we can realistically defend is Aurelia Port. Beyond that, the supply lines for the front won't hold up. Or rather, we don't have enough personnel to wage war against an army of ten thousand."
"Well, if it’s just about wiping them out, we could do that anytime, couldn't we?"
I asked that on purpose, even though I somewhat understood Yuki-san’s intentions.
"Sure, if it’s just about wiping them out. We could turn the place into a literal scorched wasteland, but you know as well as I do that we can't actually do that, right?"
"That’s true. If we did that, there’s no telling what the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance would think, and more importantly, we wouldn't be able to confirm the magical power depletion phenomenon."
"Exactly. This continent is also a testing ground for the new magical power depletion phenomenon. Besides, I want to avoid exposing Weed’s military strength as a side effect of all this."
That was the crux of it. Weed could win the war, but the result would be disastrous, leaving us with nothing to show for it. We simply lacked the manpower to maintain and manage any territory we might seize, so we’d end up just annihilating the enemy and leaving a void.
"...Should we try ruling through fear, then?"
"I’d rather avoid a government that could crumble at any moment. Well, a proper government is just as difficult. We’re already at our limit just managing Weed. There’s no way we can manage an exclave on top of that. We’re overwhelmingly short on people. So, I wanted to ask for your advice on how to solve this."
"I understand the situation, but..."
I thought about it for a moment, but no brilliant ideas came to mind. If there was one solution...
"Isn't the best option to leave it to the princess of the Gusdo Kingdom we’re about to meet?"
"The classic trope, huh? A princess of a fallen kingdom struggles to reclaim her country. It’s a beautiful story. It’s a beautiful story, but the main force in that scenario would clearly be us. And we don't have the personnel to harvest enemy territory beyond Aurelia Port. I suppose we could take in former Gusdo Kingdom retainers or soldiers from the Zuraburu Empire..."
"And that’s a lot of trouble, too. It would be great if the Gusdo princess could handle it all, but..."
I thought to myself that it was an unreasonable expectation. Even Yuki-san and his people were struggling; there was no way a princess of a fallen kingdom would have that kind of capability. If she had that kind of talent, the kingdom wouldn't be in this state to begin with.
Yuki-san seemed to realize this from the start, and with a grimace, he said...
"...For now, we’ll listen to what she has to say, take it back with us, and consult with Taizo-san and the others. We can at least defend this port town, so we have some time."
"That’s true."
As we were talking, Steve stopped in front of a room and opened the door.
"Glad to see the consultation is finished. The key figures are already gathered in this room, so please, go ahead and hear the details."
We stepped into what appeared to be a large conference room. In the corner of the room, I saw a group of people huddled together.
...I wondered why they were sitting in such a cramped corner, and when I looked closer, I saw that their hands and feet were bound. Almost exactly in the center of the group was a person who looked like a princess. The people around her all had stern faces; they were likely soldiers. Even now, they were trying to protect the princess as a final act of resistance...
"I was worried they might cause trouble if they got reckless, so I had them tied up for the time being."
"What about the regular servants working here?"
"They didn't have much combat capability and showed little hostility, so I’ve kept them in a separate room without binding them. I’m letting them use the restroom and such, so there’s no problem."
"I see. Well, don't let your guard down."
"I know. For all we know, there could be a 'strongest cook' hiding in there like in the movies."
No, if there were a "strongest cook," even Steve and his team wouldn't be able to hold them down. And wait, he’s actually watching those movies?
Now wasn't the time for such retorts. The current problem was the remnants of the Gusdo Kingdom. It seemed the princess and her group were wary of us—the mysterious newcomers—and were focused entirely on us. Well, if you were tied up and unable to move, you’d naturally pay attention to any new, unknown person entering the room.
"Uh, good evening. That’s... well. How far have things progressed?"
"Nothing much. We just suppressed them and locked them in here. We don't have the luxury for anything else."
"Well, I suppose that’s true."
Yuki-san straightened his posture and...
"Nice to meet you, people of the Gusdo Kingdom. My name is Yuki, and I’ve been requested by the Saishifo Kingdom to assist their diplomatic mission. And this person here is..."
"Nice to meet you. I am Lake, appointed as the commander of the navy by Her Majesty the Queen of the Saishifo Kingdom."
When General Lake introduced himself, the people of the Gusdo Kingdom all looked shocked. One of the men among them leaned forward involuntarily and spoke.
"G-General Lake, did you say!? The general who visited Aurelia Port from Saishifo for the first time!"
"Yes, that is indeed me."
"T-then, I beg of you! Please, take Princess Palfil to Saishifo!"
The man said this and bowed his head deeply.
"May I ask why?"
"I am terribly sorry. Please, take her without asking any questions. I beg you. You can take all the wealth currently in the port, everything. So please..."
*Oh boy.* It was clear that even these people understood they were dumping a massive burden on us.
"...I assume you’ve realized it to some extent since we occupied this mansion, but we are already aware that you have detained our country’s diplomatic mission."
"That is a misunderstanding! We were merely making a request..."
A request, huh? "Either commit suicide with us here or take us with you"—that wasn't a request; that was an ultimate ultimatum. And it’s nearly impossible to deny someone when your life is on the line. It’s only natural for people to value their own lives.
I thought that, but then...
"Sorry to interrupt, but can I say one thing?"
"What is it, Yuki-sama?"
"...Uh, go ahead."
Yuki-san stepped into the conversation...
"If it were me, I’d just toss any troublesome baggage forced upon me into the ocean during the voyage. Have you considered that possibility?"
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
No, that was certainly a valid option. In fact, it was a very likely one.