第９２７堀：敵の情報 (Part1)
Chapter 927: Enemy Intelligence
Side: Kirika
"……This is the capital of the Gusdo Kingdom."
Watching the video explanation in the conference room, we began marking up the map.
"It seems there are no major discrepancies with the information we gathered beforehand. Well, there are some slight positional shifts, but that’s likely due to differences in surveying technology and general knowledge."
"Yeah, that’s about right. The Gusdo Kingdom’s geographical understanding is limited to their own territory and a few neighboring regions at best."
As Steve said, after comparing the knowledge of the Gusdo princess and the maps stored in the administrative office with the maps we obtained in the previous battle, the differences were minor—mostly just slight shifts in location. I don't believe there was any intentional concealment of information.
Well, it’s also proof that the Gusdo Kingdom didn't have much interest in the outside world...
"The Zuraburu Great Empire, however, had a completely different volume of information, which makes sense given how aggressively they’ve been invading other nations."
In contrast, the map we seized from the Zuraburu Great Empire that John is currently examining covers an overwhelmingly larger area than what the Gusdo Kingdom possessed, and the density of information is staggering. Major roads, towns, and village locations are all clearly recorded.
"Yeah. But it’s strange. Why would the Zuraburu Empire army be carrying maps of regions beyond the Gusdo Kingdom? In this world, even a mediocre map like this should be a top-secret document, right? Not that I’m complaining since I’m the one who captured it."
Indeed, as Surakichi-san said, if their only goal was to attack the Gusdo Kingdom, they should have only needed a map of the Gusdo Kingdom. Yet, the Zuraburu Empire’s invasion force carried detailed maps of other regions as well.
"It ain't that mysterious. The Zuraburu Great Empire wasn't just here to crush the Gusdo Kingdom. That massive army was clearly overkill. Plus, the enemy camp had enough supplies to keep 80,000 people moving for another half a year. Well, some of that was gathered by raiding the Aurelia Port trade routes, though."
I see. I think Mino-chan is right. In the Zuraburu Great Empire’s plan, the Gusdo Kingdom was merely a waypoint.
"In other words, they had a next destination in mind. We should try to squeeze that out of the captured bandits."
"Agreed. However, for now, it is most important to hear the information from the Princess. We need to know why the war started in the first place."
Yes, that is the crux of the matter. Why did the Zuraburu Great Empire attack the Gusdo Kingdom?
"Right, that's the point. What is the Zuraburu Great Empire aiming for? If they want to conquer the continent, I’d think it would be better to force the Gusdo Kingdom to surrender rather than annihilate it."
"Sending a force of 80,000 costs a fortune, too. Well, they seem to have done a lot of foraging on-site, so they probably kept costs down to some extent..."
As we were pondering the reasons for the Zuraburu Empire’s invasion...
"Everyone, be quiet for a second. The boss is starting to ask the core questions."
Prompted by that, I focused on the monitor...
『I see. I have a general grasp of the geography now. Next question: Why was the Gusdo Kingdom attacked? What do you think the Zuraburu Great Empire’s objective was?』
『That is...』
For a brief moment, silence enveloped the room.
Now, how will the Princess answer?
『...I do not know. I knew nothing, absolutely nothing. By the time we realized what was happening, the enemy was already closing in on the capital. In a panic, the King ordered us to flee to these lands of Aurelia.』
So, she knows nothing even now?
No, looking at her demeanor, she doesn't appear to be lying. I glanced at Steve and the others, but they all shook their heads; they didn't sense any deception either.
However, the story didn't end there.
『But, while we were fleeing, I heard rumors about the Zuraburu Great Empire. It seems the Emperor aspires to be the Supreme Ruler. He intends to unite this continent through military might to bring about peace... and that there is no need for any king other than himself.』
...A Supreme Ruler, is it?
That is quite the ambition.
Well, we had already figured that out through our prior investigations, but hearing it from the parties involved carries a different weight. It seems they are truly, genuinely intending to unify the continent.
『...A Supreme Ruler. I wonder what drives that Emperor so intensely? He must know that the path he walks is stained with the blood of many.』
Then, Seraria-sama’s voice rang out, quiet but clear.
...A Supreme Ruler. That means attempting to unify nations through force. In other words, as Seraria-sama said, that path will surely become a river of blood and flesh.
『Well, sometimes people can't back down. Everyone has their own circumstances. We’re the same. Even Princess Parfil of the Gusdo Kingdom there is in the same boat. We can’t just let ourselves be destroyed. That’s why we need to prepare countermeasures.』
『That’s true. The information we gathered matches the content regarding the Zuraburu Great Empire. However, that means a war with the Zuraburu Great Empire is unavoidable.』
『...Yes. I never imagined there would be a country capable of repelling the Zuraburu Empire’s forces. But now, that Great Empire will be desperate to crush us. Just as they trampled the Gusdo Kingdom for the sole reason that it supported a friendly nation...』
『No, usually, you wouldn't leave a country that supported your enemy alone. If you don't touch them, it’s only because you lack the national strength to do so. Besides, if you don't crush them, you’ll just get stabbed in the back, right? I think the Zuraburu Great Empire just had enough surplus power to come and crush the Gusdo Kingdom.』
『...』
The Princess was left speechless by Master’s perfectly reasonable opinion.
Is this girl an idiot? A country that supports an enemy is, by definition, an enemy.
"Still, the fact that they were so ready to engage in a prolonged battle means they were prepared to take down the Gusdo Kingdom from the start, right?"
"That’s gotta be it. If there was an unexpected enemy, they’d run out of supplies if they kept fighting. Never mind us, 80,000 troops can't sustain that."
"It means they gathered their intel and came to Gusdo well-prepared."
They don't neglect intelligence gathering. And considering they possess aerial combat capabilities, we must view the Zuraburu Great Empire as a higher threat than any country we’ve faced so far.
『Well, I understand the situation. They came to the Gusdo Kingdom intending to crush it from the start. Was there no prior warning of surrender, or any demand to stop supporting the friendly nation?』
『...I have heard nothing of the sort.』
This is hopeless. This girl was definitely raised like a sheltered flower. What is with this level of uselessness?
『Well, usually, such talk isn't shared with a princess. She isn't on the front lines, nor is she commanding the rear. ...Wait, what? I’m an exception.』
...Indeed. Seraria-sama is an exception.
『...It’s only natural not to waste information on those who aren't easily involved in the war. Regardless, based on the information we heard from the enemy, the Zuraburu Great Empire’s base is quite far away. It’s located in the center of the inland region.』