第９５８堀：戦う理由と交渉という戦い (Part1)
**Chapter 958: Reasons for War and the Battle of Negotiation**
**Side: Yuki**
"……This is delicious. Truly, every single day, meals that I have neither seen nor tasted before appear before me."
So said Shou, also known as the Great Emperor’s Hope, as she continued to carry food to her mouth without a moment’s rest.
"I am glad to hear you enjoy it."
We were currently in the middle of our lunch break.
Several days had passed since Shou arrived at Aurelia Port. She had finished her tour of the aircraft carrier—which she had been immensely curious about—and was now steadily proceeding with support for the reconstruction efforts.
It seemed she wasn't just a figurehead or a hollow advisor; she spent her days walking around the port, grasping the situation, calculating the necessary repairs, and requesting supplies from the imperial capital of the Zurabul Great Empire. Even Curse and the others, who were managing her, had nothing but praise for her performance.
As expected of someone pushed forward by Emperor Eupia, she was proving to be quite capable.
That said, for Taiki-kun, Taizou-san, and myself, that alone felt a bit lacking. To truly fill that void, she would need to take command on the front lines. In other words, to truly understand her, one would need to see her in war, so her true caliber in that regard remained unknown. Unlike the muscle-heads we had dealt with before, she showed no intention of engaging in a contest of strength with us, and that moment seemed far off.
Well, what cannot be known cannot be helped. For now…
"How is it? What are your impressions of Aurelia Port after looking around for a few days?"
I asked Shou for her thoughts on Aurelia Port from the perspective of the Zurabul Great Empire, using the casual atmosphere of our meal as an excuse. To be honest, when we first arrived, Aurelia Port was already under wartime conditions; it was far from its normal state. I didn't know what it looked like in its original, healthy state.
For the time being, I had asked Curse to restore it based on our own standards, the input of Princess Palfil and the people of the Gusdo Kingdom, and the accounts of the locals. However, it was also important to hear how it measured up in the eyes of someone from another nation.
"Let’s see. It might be rude to the people of Weed and the residents of Aurelia Port who have worked so hard to say this was unexpected, but I think it is recovering at a considerable speed. Well, the Zurabul Second Army was unable to invade the port itself, so I suppose there wasn't much damage to begin with."
"I see, regarding the port itself, that is. How about the roads?"
I asked with a hint of sarcasm. It was a matter of course, after all. In the end, the Second Army led by General Vol never reached Aurelia Port. Therefore, the damage was light, and the speed of recovery was naturally high.
The problem was along the roads. Due to the invasion by the Zurabul Great Empire, the residents had been almost entirely wiped out. They were slaughtered to ensure no roots of resentment remained.
"I have already confirmed that as well. There was some fighting along the roads, so there is a fair amount of damage, but thanks to the active support of everyone from Weed, I did not get the impression that it was all that severe."
However, she stated her impressions of the damage she had seen along the roads quite frankly, without the slightest agitation. Well, it was war. And she was the one who had devised this operation in the first place. If she were to change her expression over a few deaths, she wouldn't be fit to stand at the top.
Nevertheless, I harbored a certain worry alongside my sarcasm. She had offered to cooperate with the reconstruction of Aurelia Port, but she was, after all, a person of the Zurabul Great Empire—the very people who had attacked this place. In other words, to the people living along the Aurelia road, she was a target for vengeance.
"I see. And was there no danger? It is difficult to say, but there are many who resent the Zurabul Great Empire. Especially along the roads."
"Thank you for your concern. However, we have been waging war. Therefore, it is common to be the target of resentment."
Shou dismissed my concerns instantly. Given her ability and level, it was true that there was almost no one who could harm her, and she had guards assigned to her, so those aspects were likely well-covered. And, like Vol, she had steeled her resolve. Well, if she hadn't, she wouldn't be trying to govern even an enemy nation.
"Besides, though it is a bit rich coming from us who started it, the damage to the roads here is still on the lighter side."
"……"
When Shou said that, the gazes of my wives turned sharp. It was as if they were saying, *What did this person just say?*
But, completely unfazed by those piercing glares, Shou continued.
"In this continent, even worse pillaging is taking place. And in many places, too. His Majesty stood up to stop that tragedy. And so did we. Rather than continuing to worship an emperor we don't even know—one who wouldn't help us at all—we decided to stand up for ourselves."
"And to do that, you are willing to pillage the very people who are a mirror image of yourselves?"
Seraria asked quietly but clearly in response to Shou’s words. However, even to Seraria’s question, Shou did not hesitate in the slightest…
"You cannot save a country or its people with pretty words. These are the necessary sacrifices for that purpose. It is not just the people who lived on the Aurelia road. Many of our comrades who walked with Zurabul have also fallen. And for their sake, too, we must create peace. A world where everyone can smile, eventually."
She declared that she had no doubts. *Necessary sacrifices.* What is someone aiming for peace and the comfort of the people saying? It was a resolve that would likely be condemned on modern Earth as a contradiction.
But in this world, that was not the case. No, it was the same on Earth, too. Somewhere, someone is being sacrificed to maintain peace. That does not only mean life and death. One must work desperately to maintain a livelihood. It is the same story.
The difference is simple. On Earth, if you don't work, you don't eat tomorrow. In Aulorito—or in this case, the Zurabul Great Empire—if you don't fight, you don't live tomorrow. That is all there is to it.
Once upon a time, people on Earth also had to fight to live to see the next day. The Zurabul Great Empire was simply seeking a path to live by standing up rather than waiting for death.
"I’m sorry. I asked an unpleasant question while you were eating."
Hearing that resolve, Seraria apologized honestly. It certainly wasn't a topic for mealtime. But I had managed to hear a fair amount. That was a success.
"No. It is a good opportunity to have you understand our objectives once again. That is the reason why we, the Zurabul Great Empire, are fighting against the former Imperial faction. If it could be settled through discussion, that would be for the best, but unfortunately, the former Imperial faction has designated us as enemies and shows no intention of engaging in dialogue."
"If they recognize that nearly half of their territory has been taken, I suppose there is no room for discussion."
"Yes. From their perspective, we are traitors who have drawn bows against the Emperor. Their answer, for now, is that there is no need to respond to any dialogue."
"But, if you look at it the other way, it means the Zurabul Great Empire has already taken half of this continent into its grasp. You have to admit that power. ……Is the fact that the territories are still evenly matched the problem, I wonder?"