第９４７堀：兵器輸出をする意味と覚悟 (Part1)
**Chapter 947: The Meaning and Resolve Behind Weapon Exports**
*I’m planning to post the "New Year’s Dream Special" once a week in the Pitfall section. Thank you for your support. It ended up being unexpectedly long.*
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**Side: Yuki**
"Phew. That’s finished on our end, too."
"Apologies for the wait, everyone."
Menou, the representative of Sea-Cypho, and General Lake returned to the room as they spoke.
"That was surprisingly fast," I said, welcoming them.
It was only natural for me to think so. After all, less than two hours had passed since the discussions between Sea-Cypho and the Zurable Empire began. When we had our own meeting, it had been a grueling six-hour marathon that started at 9:00 AM and lasted until 3:00 PM. But for the Sea-Cypho delegation, it was still not even 11:00 AM.
"Well, we’re essentially just an addendum this time," Menou said with a shrug, acknowledging their position.
"Indeed," General Lake added, explaining with his usual diligence. "Maintaining Aurelia Port is impossible for Sea-Cypho alone. That land is effectively Weed territory now."
I see. That was to be expected. Still...
"Isn't that a vital trading partner for Sea-Cypho? Shouldn't you have discussed that in more detail?"
"We can't iron out the specifics any further right now. We just agreed that we would take over the trade in place of the Gusdo Kingdom. That said, since the Zurable Empire’s primary interest seems to be Magic Gears, the overall volume of trade will likely drop significantly..."
Ah, I see. Since Magic Gears are the only thing the Zurable Empire truly needs, the other trade goods are essentially just filler. It’s difficult to maintain the same level of trade as the Gusdo Kingdom had.
As I was thinking this, General Lake gave a wry smile.
"Menou-dono, it is fine. More importantly, through the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, led by Weed, we can expect massive trade revenue."
"Well, that’s true, but... if we try to gather the amount of trade goods they’re demanding, we’ll have to mobilize the military to focus on fishing."
"Is that not a good thing? The navy can catch fish and enrich the national treasury. It will help clear the stigma of them being freeloaders."
"Muuu..."
Menou groaned at General Lake’s words. Ever since the intercontinental exchange began, Sea-Cypho has been flooded with astronomical requests for seafood exports. It seems the situation has reached a point where they have no choice but to deploy the military to meet those demands. It’s a difficult dilemma; forcing a military meant to protect the nation to engage in fishing could lead to a decline in their readiness for emergencies.
As I was pondering this, Seraria spoke up, as if to say there were more important matters to discuss than the predictable affairs of Sea-Cypho.
"It’s a relief that things were settled with Sea-Cypho without issue. But we have some significant problems on our hands. Like the matter of Princess Palfil and the export of Magic Gears."
Ah, both are massive headaches. I’ll have to speak with Princess Palfil while we’re still here in the Zurable Imperial Capital. And regarding the Magic Gears... we have to proceed with extreme caution.
"Indeed. We must discuss that thoroughly," Deryu said. "Yuki, what are your thoughts on the Magic Gears? To export something that takes so many lives... If we handle this poorly, Haiden, Findarl, and the Haire Church will become our enemies."
As Deryu pointed out, if we mishandle the Magic Gear situation, it will surely invite complaints and dissatisfaction from the nations of the New Continent. Exporting such blood-stained items as a primary trade commodity—and using them to escalate wars—is something that would normally never be permitted.
In that case, I should start by asking the parties involved for their opinions.
"That’s how it is. Kagura, Mikos, what do you think about this? Give me your answers regarding Deryu’s concerns."
"Well," Kagura replied. "Personally, I don’t like it. But if it’s limited to the Magic Gears that already exist, Haiden won’t have any objections."
"Same here," Mikos added. "It doesn’t affect us, and if it helps build a good relationship with the Zurable Empire—a great power beyond the Great Mountains—I think Princess Carrie would gladly accept it."
That sounds exactly like Princess Carrie. Getting rid of dangerous goods to another continent, being thanked for it, and building a good relationship with a great power there—it’s all upside for her. Well, there’s the worry that those weapons might eventually be turned against them, but if you worried about that, you’d never be able to manufacture weapons at all. There will likely be some fine-tuning involved, but she’ll probably grant permission.
"Wait, hey. I can’t say much since I was thinking about how Princess Carrie would judge it, but the final decision rests with the King of Haiden."
"Ah, that’s true," Kagura said. "But that’ll be fine. If the Princess, who heads our diplomacy, makes the call, His Majesty won’t deny it."
"Yup, yup. The Princess has worked so hard until now, so no one around her is going to complain."
Ah, that’s right. Before the intercontinental conference, Princess Carrie had already dealt with anyone who might have complained.
"Understood. Still, I’ll go talk to them properly later, so please let them know about this in advance."
"Got it."
"Leave it to me, Yuki-sensei."
The outlook for Haiden seems good.
"Next, Stasia. How about Findarl?"
"I don’t think His Majesty will have any complaints about the exports themselves," Stasia replied. "However, I suspect there are those who feel a fair amount of anxiety about selling tools capable of summoning such monsters to other lands."
As a soldier, Stasia had noticed the issue.
"True. I’m concerned about that, too. We’ll likely be exporting versions that have undergone some adjustments."
Since the ones doing the adjusting will be the mad scientists—Zargis, Comet, and Narjia-san—I’m not worried about the effectiveness. I just have to make sure they don’t add any... strange functions.
"If those countermeasures are solid, Findarl will have no particular objections," Stasia continued. "We were burned by the Magic Gears and the Aquenoki, but if they can be turned into a benefit, then perhaps that battle had some meaning for Findarl as well."
I see. It won’t end as just a waste of lives and resources, so there won’t be any complaints. The world isn't just about ideals, after all.
"Lastly, this seems like the toughest one. How do you think the Haire Church will react?"
"…Haaah," Enora sighed. "Yuki, I think you know well enough. They won’t openly say they hate it in front of Weed, but deep down, they’ll be dead set against it. You know how many believers were sacrificed because of the fanatics who worshipped the Aquenoki—no, the Aquenos—that appeared within the Haire Church. Including me..."
Enora trembled slightly as she spoke.
"I’m sorry. I made you remember something scary."
"It’s fine. Being held like this is a perk, after all."
Hey, hey. I was trying to be considerate, and that’s how she takes it? Well, if she can crack a joke, she’s not doing too badly. I pulled away from Enora, and her face had returned to a healthy complexion, unlike a moment ago.
Well, the stares from the people around us are starting to sting, so I’d better move the conversation along.