第１０４５堀：つながった状況 (Part2)
"Oh. You’d thought that far ahead? Still, I’d like to keep the casualties to a minimum if possible. From our side, at least. After all, the situation is still an enigma."
"An enigma? If you are referring to my Hein Empire, any issues in our response were merely due to me being bedridden with an incurable illness. Or has my country truly fallen into such disarray?"
"No, I fully understand that the Hein Empire’s policies have been severe until now. As for the internal state of the Empire... Kirika."
"Yes. Allow me to explain. I have seen it with my own eyes."
"Oh. I would appreciate that. My subordinates tend to only tell me what I want to hear."
With that, Kirika began explaining the situation within the Hein Empire. Meanwhile, I used the time to piece together the puzzle and resolve the sense of unease I’d felt until now.
The head of state was bedridden, so they couldn't just send their military to other countries on a whim, and the idea of letting the rebels' envoys meet the Emperor was out of the question.
Yeah, that’s a standard response.
This was the reason the Zurable Great Empire hadn't been able to make contact with the Hein Empire until now. If word got out that the Emperor had fallen ill, the surrounding nations might have drifted away. If things went poorly, it could have plunged the world into a warring states period.
Currently, the power balance is split between the Zurable Great Empire in the west and the Hein Empire in the east. It’s like the Battle of Sekigahara in Japan, where the east and west clashed. If this structure were to collapse, we might be looking at a chaotic era of civil war even worse than the one before Sekigahara.
If the leading nations lose their strength, everyone might start fighting for their own interests. That would lead to total chaos, and in that scenario, the unified Zurable Great Empire in the west would clearly have the overwhelming advantage.
Given that, the Hein Empire’s basic stance during this time makes perfect sense.
However, there are still things that bother me.
"The way you handled the Gusdo Kingdom was a surprise."
"Yes. Or rather, that went well beyond mere surprise."
"Hm? The Gusdo Kingdom? If I recall, that was a small nation near the Great Mountain Range that possessed a coastline, was it not?"
Oh, surprisingly, his knowledge hadn't deteriorated that much. I decided to explain what happened back then.
"What a foolish thing to do. What kind of personnel selection does my country have..."
Emperor Hans looked aghast, covering his face with one hand and letting out a deep sigh.
Good. It seems they call that kind of behavior "idiotic" in this country, too.
"No, that’s what I wanted to ask you. Back then, even General Wave was pale as a sheet."
"Naturally. Anyone with even a shred of decorum would react that way. ...I see. It seems the interior of my country has become quite corrupted. It is no wonder a rebellion has broken out."
"Well, the root cause is the geopolitical difference between the east and the west, so it’s not entirely the Hein Empire’s fault."
Originally, the west was generally more impoverished than the east. They didn't have convenient resource-mining sites like dungeons. Naturally, that led to fighting over scraps, and the power imbalance often resulted in persecution. While the Hein Empire is the leader of this continent, they don't have the reach to mediate in such distant lands.
"...Such comfort is unnecessary. Either way, it means I failed in my duty as a leader and abandoned the innocent people."
"Well, I suppose so."
The Zurable Great Empire was formed to save the people who were being trampled by the nobility and the privileged class. Emperor Eupia, as well as Show, Vol, Mirabel, and the others, are fighting for that very reason—to escape the old curse of the Hein Empire.
"And now, an army seeking liberation is standing right before us."
"Yeah. Well, I know you’re going to fight, but wouldn't it be better to have a conversation first? We have tools that allow us to talk even from this far away."
"Very well. In any case, the battle will likely proceed, but speaking properly with that Emperor is necessary. For the sake of this world's future."
And so, a meeting between the two Emperors was finally arranged. Am I being too naive for hoping that they can resolve this just by talking?
"However, Master. In the end, the Emperor didn't touch upon the subject of the dungeons at all."
"Yeah. The possibility of a connection between the Hein Empire and the dungeon side has decreased even further... but there’s still a chance of interference. We have to stay vigilant."
Dungeon Masters. Are they truly wiped out, or are they still waiting for an opportunity?
Honestly, which is it?
Ah, I have a headache.
It seems Emperor Hans had been ill for the last few years as the Zurable Great Empire grew. That led to a stagnation of information and a worsening of the situation. Still, the fall of the various nations was their own doing. Especially the Nodal Kingdom.
And now, the long-awaited meeting between the two Emperors.
I wonder what words will be exchanged there.