第９２３堀：どうしたらいいでしょう？ (Part2)
"It’s a simple question of whether a delegation forced to obey would go so far as to strangle their own necks just to bring a princess back to Seasifo, right?"
"Exactly. If it were me, I’d dump them. Playing dumb is the best policy."
As expected of Yuki-san. It’s incredible that in this situation, he can make the judgment to toss aside a princess who was entrusted to him by people bowing and scraping for her safety.
As I was inwardly admiring his cold-bloodedness...
"……That is enough. Everyone, you have done well to come this far. But if we continue to treat envoys from other nations with such discourtesy, we are no different from the Zuraburu Great Empire."
With a dignified air, the princess—called Parfil—spoke in a quiet but clear voice.
She had long, wavy, light-brown hair reaching her waist, fair skin, and yellow eyes.
...Wait? She looks surprisingly normal compared to everyone else I’ve met. I mean, look at this world—everyone has hair colors like blue or pink.
Well, that aside, she’s about the same age as Vilia, but there isn't a shred of an aura that suggests she’s a fighter. She fits the definition of a "princess" exactly as I know it. Yuki-san’s circle is full of exceptions who don't look like princesses at all.
"Princess, but..."
"It is enough. We cannot drag the Kingdom of Seasifo into a war with the Zuraburu Great Empire. We have been refused many times now. But that is only natural. I will stand against the Zuraburu Great Empire here to the end as a member of the Gusdo Royal Family. You all intended to do the same from the beginning. We held a glimmer of hope because a ship from Seasifo happened to arrive, but that was a fleeting dream—it was impossible from the start. And if we were to go across the sea, who knows when we would ever be able to return to this land..."
"..."
While I was busy appraising the princess, the conversation had moved quite far along. Before I knew it, the princess was busy persuading the people around her.
Well, it’s only natural. Even if they managed to escape, the chances of them ever returning are extremely low.
"People of Seasifo, I am truly sorry for all the trouble we have caused you. Please, forget about us, board your ship, and return to your country. As a small token of apology for what we have caused, please take the treasures in the lord’s mansion... It is the least we can do."
With that, Princess Parfil offered a smile that looked like it was being forced with every ounce of her strength.
"Still, it doesn't look very comfortable being tied up like that."
"Guh!"
As always, he destroys a serious scene with a single, unreserved comment. And the terrifying part is that it’s so accurate, you can't even deny it.
The princess was standing with her wrists bound behind her back and her ankles tied together. She was barely standing upright, and her posture looked incredibly painful. Balancing on a single point of support is surprisingly difficult.
"Y-you! Just now, you! Ah, wah, wah!?"
The princess, whose serious moment had been shattered by Yuki-san’s interruption, seemed angry, but she lost her balance and began to wobble, only regaining her footing when the people around her caught her.
"Thank you, everyone. Now, then. Who exactly are you? It is rude to interrupt a conversation between myself and General Lake."
"I know it was rude to cut in, but the conversation wasn't going anywhere. So, the army outside—they’re definitely the enemy, right?"
Yuki-san didn't answer the princess’s question, just shrugged his shoulders and said that...
"The ones outside are indeed the enemy. But before that, who are you—"
"That doesn't matter. I’m going to eliminate the Zuraburu Great Empire army outside, so just tell me which areas are off-limits for attacks. It seems like we can't talk properly until I deal with them."
"Huh?"
Just as I was thinking he’d said something outrageous, suddenly...
*Kiiiiiin...*
A loud, high-pitched sound roared from above.
"Wait!? Yuki-san, don't tell me!?"
"Yep. The carrier-based aircraft have already launched. It’s night, so they shouldn't be spotted."
"What are you talking about!?"
"Exactly. So, I have some work to do before we continue our chat, Princess. I’ve already deployed the dungeon. The identification of friend and foe is perfectly clear."
Ah, I see. Since he deployed a Gate, this area has become a dungeon. Even if he couldn't bring in personnel, the information analysis was already complete.
"My preparations are done. The ones deployed outside aren't just local rioters; they’re a terrorist group calling themselves the Zuraburu Great Empire. The Princess of the Gusdo Kingdom is requesting support. Response, Wifey, I’m counting on you."
*"Understood. Leave it to me. I have received the request from Princess Parfil of the Gusdo Kingdom. All units, commence attack."*
Ah, it’s over. The Zuraburu Great Empire is finished.
He has the power to save them, but the global repercussions are unknown. Furthermore, Weed will now have an openly hostile nation, and they will have to support the country fighting it.
Will you shoulder this trouble, or ignore it? In this situation, what choice would you make?
Now then, I wonder what Taiki-kun and Taizou-san would think of this choice.