第１０６３堀：政治の汚いところ (Part2)
"Sigh, is it just Agil over there? I’m a bit worried with only her on the job... No, that’s just me being overly anxious. Anyway, back to the investigation. I haven't sent a report, which is my answer to your question—there wasn't anything to report."
I couldn't help but worry about Agil's complete lack of life skills, though I’m sure Yuki-sama is managing her somehow. I decided to answer the question, even if the truth was simply that there was nothing worth reporting.
"What is this? For someone of your standing, Taikobo Show, you simply played in the snowy mountains?"
"How rude. I gathered information on monsters and pioneered mountain climbing routes; those are significant achievements."
Indeed. While I didn't find the "Footprints of Gaeen" as intended, surveying the threats of the Great Mountain Range and mapping out routes is of great value. It will be immensely useful for constructing future defensive lines along the range. Therefore, the claim that I was merely "playing" in the snow is an unjust assessment.
"But you lack the crucial 'information on Gaeen,' do you not? Therefore, you were just playing. Confirmed."
"In that case, that would mean Aslin-dono and the others were also just playing. Understood. I shall be sure to deliver a stern reprimand to them on your behalf."
"Fool! It is a child's job to play! I am telling you that you are in the wrong! I, too, wanted to build snowmen with Aslin and the others!"
Honestly, this Emperor becomes such a child whenever Aslin-dono and the others are involved. While it is certainly heartening that His Majesty has found peers he can play with on equal footing, that is no excuse for him to belittle me.
"Is that so... You really do underestimate the snowy mountains, don't you? Yuki-sama, I’d like to toss His Majesty into the snowy mountains for a bit. May I take him there via Gate?"
"No, there's no way I'm granting permission for that. Playing is one thing, but 'tossing' him out there? He’d die."
Yes, that is exactly the point. I want him to go right to the edge. For a fool who refuses to learn the reality of the snowy mountains no matter how many times he is told, experiencing it firsthand is the best lesson.
"Hey, Emperor. Your subordinate is saying some pretty serious things. If you keep playing around like this, you might wake up to find yourself in the snowy mountains."
"Well, that might not be so bad. I’ve had enough of nothing but work. Let us make a trip to the Great Mountain Range for some snow-viewing sake, along with a visit to the hot springs."
"Indeed. Our path is only just beginning. While this is a time to exert our strength, we will burn out if we do nothing but push ourselves. Let us work hard while taking breaks in moderation."
When I said this, His Majesty smiled broadly.
"Oh, so you were just playing along? In that case, I have something I’d like to ask as well. Is that alright?"
"What is it?"
"What might that be?"
"It’s about why General Wave—or rather, the Hein Empire, which is fundamentally an inland nation—possessed a navy. They went out of their way to seize the coastline just to build a fleet, didn't they? Did something happen?"
"Hmm. Now that you mention it, I haven't interrogated the old man about that."
"Yes. We’ve been so busy that I haven't had the leisure to ask. Still, we cannot simply ignore it. Maintaining warships requires an enormous amount of capital. That’s the same for Weed, isn't it?"
"I suppose so. The military is always a money pit. Eris is quite strict about it."
"That is only natural for Eris. I was told the operating costs for that aircraft carrier, and I was truly shocked. Not to mention how the budget evaporates the moment we use those weapons."
If that carrier were to operate at full capacity, Eris would surely flip. I would, too.
"Anyway, I’ve digressed, but I am also concerned about the navy. I shall look into it and let you know. It likely means they confirmed a threat from the sea. We will need to consider how to coordinate with the carrier."
"A threat from the sea. That’s an unpleasant thought. I hope there won't be any trouble."
That is the crux of it. The Hein Empire wouldn't go to the trouble of assembling a navy just for a hobby. There must be a necessity for it. Yes, assembling "military power" to exercise force must mean exactly that...
"Well, if something happens, we’ll just have to cooperate and deal with it. After all, if we don't eliminate threats from the sea, the Sea-Cypho trading ships will suffer."
"Indeed, in that sense, warships are necessary for maritime security. Hmm, the sea. That is troublesome. We have absolutely no know-how in that area. All the more reason to hear the truth from Wave."
And so, the end of our work is nowhere in sight. We must force ourselves to take breaks and find time to breathe. That is simply how society works. Well, it isn't out of selfishness; sometimes we must ignore certain things to avoid unnecessary conflict. There is no point in pursuing justice if it only leads to greater casualties.