第１０６１堀：皇帝たちの見解と目指すもの (Part1)
**Chapter 1061: The Emperors' Perspectives and Their Goals**
**Side: Eupia**
"Hmm. As I thought, they clearly had an objective."
I muttered this to myself while scanning the report I had received from Schans.
"That goes without saying. There is no way that someone like Yuki-dono would visit that goddess's church just for a sightseeing trip. By the way, thanks to this, we have successfully retrieved all the soldiers from our nation and the Hein Empire who were recuperating there."
"So, at the place of the one calling herself a goddess, there are no soldiers left, nor even any wounded. Still, I never imagined they would use wide-range recovery magic to heal them all. Just who is that young man?"
"Hah. Do you really think I’d tell you that so easily? Or have you gone senile? You know full well he is the consort of the Weed Kingdom."
I scoffed at the old man, answering him with a disdainful laugh.
Yes, Yuki-dono is undoubtedly a consort.
But he is no mere consort. He is the consort of a superpower that possesses incredible technology.
"No, I know that. What I want to know is... hmm, how should I put this so you understand?"
"Ah, I understand your sentiment well. That man is an enigma with no bottom to be found. You must never make an enemy of him. Even you seem to grasp that much, old man."
As expected of this old man. He truly has a high capacity for sensing danger in these matters.
He hasn't ruled a great nation for nothing.
"Good heavens, I didn't think it was to that extent, but is he really that dangerous?"
"Well, if there’s any fool who could still think of making an enemy of him after seeing the recovery magic—which one could only call a miracle—performed by Rurua-dono, I would certainly like to see them."
She is an incredibly rare recovery magician, capable of healing soldiers who were on the brink of death all at once, even if she had her own reasons for doing so.
I know of no one else like her, and there are likely no more than five such individuals in the entire world.
If one were to antagonize her—who could be called a saint—not only the general public but even my own soldiers would turn against us in an instant.
Even if Rurua-dono only possessed that recovery magic, it would be easy for her to bring nations to heel.
After all, having one's life and death held in another's hands is the same thing. Those who do not wish to die have no choice but to obey.
Well, I can personally guarantee that Rurua-dono would never do such a thing, having experienced her treatment through Schans.
And the fact that Weed possesses several such outstanding individuals is a testament to the height of their power.
"True enough. So, is the goal to crush that church?"
"Who knows. However, the only place in this Imperial Capital that worships the one calling herself a goddess is that church. Furthermore, the idiots we captured claimed they were incited by a goddess named Seraphina. It’s suspicious to the core. How could I possibly leave my soldiers there any longer? With this, the only ones left there on the surface are those affiliated with the church. Well, I don't know how deep those connections go, though."
"I suppose so. Still, it is strange that they possessed so many powerful monsters, yet until now, there hasn't been a single rumor, let alone a commotion."
"Ah, that would be the Magic Gear. They must have been using those to summon and control the monsters."
Yes, the sudden appearance of monsters on that battlefield.
And they were all monsters of unparalleled strength.
Thanks to that, the casualties among our frontline soldiers were significant. It is truly infuriating that the losses exceeded those from the battle against the Hein Imperial Army.
"Wasn't that the tool Zargis used to control monsters?"
"That’s right. Well, I don't know if it’s the exact same thing. But considering how many were exported, it wouldn't be strange if others figured out how to use them the same way."
Indeed, it was something we were able to use as well.
It is no wonder others could use it too.
It was quite some time after learning of the existence of those jewels—the Magic Gears—that we realized how to use them.
Since then, we have tried to monopolize them as much as possible, but it is not surprising that others might have taken them elsewhere.
Besides, one cannot rule out the possibility that those people were connected to someone called a Dungeon Master.
In a sense, what Yuki-dono feared most has come to pass.
Well, fortunately, we had prepared, so the damage was kept to a minimum.
However, if we do not suppress the shadows—the Dungeon Masters—the same thing could happen again.
Therefore, we must gather information at all costs.
If they were to suddenly make powerful monsters appear in the middle of the city like they did this time, it would be a catastrophe.
"Hmm... That said, the Seraphina Church is..."
"Hm? You don't believe it?"
"That's right. Up until now, and even this time, they have taken in all the wounded and sick, haven't they? You know that as well as I do."
"Ah, I am aware of that. However, there is the fact that they held powerful monsters and those idiots in their grasp during that decisive battle. Just because Yuki-dono handled it easily doesn't mean we can let our guard down."
Still, it seems Hans cannot truly grasp the reality of it.
Well, it is precisely because of their past devotion that their recent actions are so unbelievable.
"I understand that. But even this time, when the wounded and sick left fully recovered, the Seraphina Church did nothing but express joy. What do you make of that? If the church were pulling the strings behind the scenes, I would think there would be some kind of movement, wouldn't you?"
"They have been quiet all this time. In the first place, the rebellion was suppressed. If they were to say, 'We were involved in that,' the Seraphina Church would have no choice but to be destroyed. Do you think they would be so honest?"
"That is true. Well, in any case, the investigation is decided. ...Ah, I see. So that is why Yuki-dono and his group headed there."
"Did you notice something?"
"Yes. The reason he volunteered to conduct the investigation himself. Normally, it is we who rule this land who should be investigating. Even considering the potential backlash from the other party. Usually, people from a country no one has heard of suddenly appearing and demanding to investigate would not be accepted."
"Ah, that is true."
Now that you mention it, it is indeed strange.
Furthermore, it was our suggestion that we would assist in the investigation.
Well, it is possible that Yuki-dono calculated that we would definitely provide support, but rather than expecting that, if it were him, he would have likely pulled strings on our end first.
Then why did he settle for just reporting it to us?
"You have a face that says you don't understand."
"Indeed. I cannot read his intentions at all. Yuki-dono is not a person who doesn't understand such political balance. If that is the case, it must be 'intentional'... but I don't see the merit in it."
"I see, so you leave those things to your subordinates."
"I suppose so. I do what I must do. If I were to do everything myself, those around me would lose the place to demonstrate their own strength. Putting the right person in the right place—that is the basic principle."
"True. I was the same once... but that aside, the answer to the action Yuki-dono took: he likely intended to feign ignorance on purpose."
"Feigning ignorance on purpose? Ah, so that's it."
Now that it’s been spelled out, I understand.
I don't intend to be that dense.
"In other words, we are his place to retreat to?"
"Exactly. Yuki-dono is investigating with our permission, after all. This fact—that he 'obtained permission from us'—means that if we were to step in and stop him..."
"Yuki-dono would have no choice but to suspend the investigation. But in a sense, that would be tantamount to admitting there is something guilty to hide."