第１０６５堀：ことが終われば次がある (Part1)
**Chapter 1065: When One Thing Ends, Another Begins**
**Side: Yuki**
It’s a recurring thought, but reality, unlike a story, doesn’t just end neatly.
In a story, the protagonist defeats the ultimate evil, gets married, and lives happily ever after. *The End.*
It seems this time is no different.
"Alright, let’s begin the meeting to decide our future plans."
"Understood."
Everyone responds in unison to Seraria’s declaration.
As always, the room is packed with my wives, along with Taizo-san, Taiki-kun, and the others who know the true significance of Weed.
"First, regarding the current situation: the series of disturbances that began with the request to search for the diplomatic mission that went missing on its way from Seasifo to Port Aurelia is, despite some lingering issues, heading toward a conclusion. Our role is mostly over. It’s been a long road, hasn't it?"
As Seraria summarizes this, everyone nods.
It really was long. I feel the same way.
"It sure was. At first, I had no idea how things would turn out."
"Indeed. And we burned through quite a lot of supplies."
"Not to mention the DP and money that vanished," Milly, Ratz, and Eris mutter with a sense of weariness.
Milly had been digging for information on monsters through the local Adventurer Guild, and Ratz had been working tirelessly—not just for our base, but providing relief supplies for the reconstruction of Port Aurelia and support for the Zurable Empire.
And Eris... managing the budget for those supplies, the personnel, and the deployment of our military forces must have been a massive headache.
After all, we even mobilized an aircraft carrier and launched fighter jets. Personally, I’m glad we were able to verify our combat capabilities, but it’s a shame the tanks didn't get a chance to shine. In the end, it became a matter of "staking one's pride," so we couldn't just roll up in tanks and settle things quickly.
Well, I suppose I should be happy that we were able to divert them to defensive duties instead.
As I was reflecting on this, Riel suddenly asked a question.
"Um, so, in the end, can we say the Zurable Empire won?"
"Ah, I’m the same as Riel. I don’t really understand how it all wrapped up."
"...Hmm. Hans is alive. The Haine Empire still exists. How did it settle?"
"Ah, I didn't explain that part, did I? Well, how should I put this..."
As I struggled for an answer, Rurua stepped in to explain.
"Let’s see. I suppose you could say it was a victory on points for the Zurable Empire, leading to a policy of reconciliation."
"Indeed. Based on the reports, that seems to be the case. Crushing the Haine Empire entirely would have invited too much backlash from the surrounding nations."
"That’s right. Besides, the reason the chaos settled so quickly this time is because the Haine Empire didn't choose to fight to the bitter end. They admitted their defeat and surrendered to the Zurable Empire. Above all, they did it for the safety of their citizens."
Deryu and Agil add their explanations.
That’s exactly it.
"Yeah, that’s the gist of it. The Haine Empire didn't choose a fight to the last man, and they didn't drag their citizens into the crossfire. Because they gracefully admitted defeat, in terms of winning and losing, it’s definitely a victory for the Zurable Empire. The Haine Empire will likely see its national power diminished, but it will remain. Whether we should be happy that it didn't turn into a quagmire or regret that the Haine Empire was left standing—that remains to be seen."
"Indeed. As you say, Yuki-sama, the significance of the Haine Empire remaining will depend entirely on the Zurable Empire's future governance."
"I see. So Zurable won, then."
"Well, the real work starts after you win, doesn't it?"
"...We have our work cut out for us, too. So, the fighting is over, but what are Zurable and Haine planning to do next?"
Exactly as Kaya says, the real problem starts now.
Maintaining the peace you’ve won is far more difficult than winning a war.
How they move from here will be the key to whether this peace lasts or if the world descends into further conflict.
"For now, the priority is investigating the church where Senal was. We’ve captured the mastermind, but we can’t just nod and say 'case closed' and leave it at that."
"Naturally. As a nation, they will have to conduct an investigation."
"...Hmm. That said, Weed should keep its involvement to a minimum from here on out."
"True. As Cleena says, the war is over. The rest is a matter of their internal governance. It’s not a field for us outsiders to meddle in. Also, I’m concerned about the sea—you’ll have a report on that later, won't you, dear?"
"Yeah. They promised to explain why the Haine Empire was building up its naval power. They’ll definitely want to coordinate with us on that front."
"That goes without saying. Now, is everyone clear on the situation so far? We can say the series of problems that started in Seasifo, which we were involved in, has been resolved. As for the rest, those countries will have to adjust things on their own. Our goal is to investigate the magical depletion in that newly opened land. We’re all clear on that, right?"
As Seraria confirms this, everyone nods firmly.
Oh, even I was starting to forget our original purpose, but they’ve kept it in mind.
"That said, the Zurable Empire’s territory is incredibly vast. How are we going to investigate it?"
"We’ll build on what we have. Milly will continue gathering information through the local Adventurer Guild. Since the guild that sided with the Zurable Empire will likely become the dominant one, their authority will allow them to investigate across the entire territory."
"Ah, that makes sense."
On that continent, the Adventurer Guild had been split between East and West, locked in conflict.
With the Zurable Empire’s victory, a hierarchy will naturally form within the guild.
"Still, it’s one of the remaining sparks of conflict. Please be careful."
"Indeed. Understood. I will keep that in mind."
Right, the Adventurer Guild itself hasn't fully settled its own internal issues. We have to be careful there.
Well, even that is a problem we won't be directly involved in. That’s another thing the Zurable Empire will have to work hard to manage.
"Agil, I’m counting on you to continue the investigation of the Great Mountain Range."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
"And Comet, continue the oceanic survey, focusing on the Blue Hole. It’s the only base we have in the sea. It’s perfect for research, right?"
"Obviously. Leave it to me."
The number of locations to investigate for the magical depletion phenomenon has increased significantly.
As for the Great Mountain Range, there’s the matter of searching for Gae-en, but that area is also right next to the Great Barrier originally deployed by Hairen.
Investigating that place carries a lot of weight.
"Finally, Ria, Jessica, Cleena, and Samantha: continue the investigation of the books that Youpia and Show secured personally, as well as the ones the Zurable Empire provided."
"Yes. Leave it to us."