第９７２堀：本当の意味での中立 (Part2)
"I don't wish to call my father a fool, but I believe the Gusdo Kingdom fell precisely because we relied too heavily on the Hain Empire. Seeing how you are able to hold proper discussions with the Zurable Great Empire, I realize now that the Gusdo Kingdom should have engaged in earnest dialogue, much like you, Yuki-sama, and Weed have done. Well, it is easy to speak with the benefit of hindsight. In truth, I was once nothing more than an ignorant girl, believing the rumors that the Zurable Great Empire was the source of all evil."
Princess Parfil said this with a bitter smile, her expression tinged with a certain loneliness.
I suppose she must be feeling a sense of helplessness.
However, the next moment, her face hardened with resolve.
"I ask once more of you, Show, High Imperial Hope of the Zurable Great Empire. I swear that the remnants of the former Gusdo Kingdom shall submit to the Zurable Great Empire and fight alongside you against the Hain Empire. Could you please convey this to His Majesty, the Emperor of Zurable, once more?"
She pleaded with sincerity.
I see—Princess Parfil wanted to use this opportunity to declare her complete allegiance to the Zurable side.
Since the Zurable side had been keeping them in a state of limbo until now, this incident served as the perfect catalyst to resolve that.
Show seemed to understand this well.
"...Hah. Understood. I shall confirm this with His Majesty. You are surprisingly stubborn, Princess Parfil."
"Yes. I have learned much, and I wish to be strong. Just like you, Show-sama."
"You offer me excessive praise. But, I am happy to hear those sentiments."
Show looked embarrassed by the Princess’s honest compliment.
With this, the direction for the Gusdo Kingdom seems settled.
Now, I’ll give it a little push from my side as well.
"In that case, I shall lend a hand to ensure the Zurable Emperor accepts this proposal with open arms."
"?" "?"
The two tilted their heads in confusion, not understanding what I meant, but just then, Eris and Ratz entered the room.
"Yuki-san, the supplies requested by the Zurable Great Empire have arrived."
"All that’s left is for Show-sama and the others to inspect them~"
"What!? They have arrived already!?"
"?"
Princess Parfil wouldn't understand, but unfortunately, that is a secret.
"Our country's ships are fast. Besides, we were already offshore earlier, so it didn't take much time. Now, could you please inspect them? By the way, if you graciously accept Princess Parfil’s request, I will throw in ten of them for free."
"...That is quite the materialistic incentive."
"It is for Princess Parfil’s sake. It’s not as if we will be here forever."
I don't know what the future holds for this land.
There is a possibility that in the not-so-distant future, we might pull out entirely.
To protect the land of the nation that remains, such connections are necessary.
"I never intended to abandon them, but even so, having a reliable connection is necessary."
"It provides more peace of mind than a country far beyond the seas and mountains."
"As for me, I have been longing to visit that distant country someday..."
"I shall guide you there as much as you like once things have settled down. Therefore, please focus on the matter at hand first."
"Understood. If you insist that much, I will convey Princess Parfil’s request properly. ...In that case, perhaps."
Show turned back to Princess Parfil.
"Princess Parfil. If you have time now, would you care to accompany me? To convey what we discussed to His Majesty."
"Yes! With pleasure!"
No sooner had she said that than Princess Parfil happily followed after Show.
"So, Yuki-san. Here is the report on the information gathered by Curse-san and the others."
"At a glance, it seems there is no trace of a Great Outbreak ever occurring here. But then again, this is only information from within the Gusdo Kingdom..."
"It is possible it occurred in other regions. If we are to gather information on that..."
While listening to Eris and Ratz, I looked over the documents regarding the records of the Great Outbreak of monsters within the Gusdo Kingdom, as told by Aslin and the others.
Indeed, just as Eris and Ratz said...
"That’s true. We have the pretext of Princess Parfil and the delivery of supplies. We might as well investigate this matter in the Imperial Capital while we’re at it. Get ready."
"Yes!"
And so, we began our preparations to head toward the Zurable Imperial Capital once again.
Neutrality based solely on promises and written documents is a suspicious thing.
What matters is whether interests are intertwined.
In that sense, the neutrality of Aurelia Port is guaranteed.
I want to believe in human goodwill, but humans are also capable of malice.
That is precisely why neutrality in this sense is trustworthy.