第１０７３堀：なぜ受けたのか？ (Part2)
"But aside from that, I believe the only other agreement was for the training of investigators, right?"
"Yes. As you say, Mikos-sama, we secured their promise to conduct surveys within their own borders in exchange for a measure of support, but..."
"Well, you can't really count on that. I imagine many of these nations see support as something they're entitled to just by existing."
That’s for sure. Even if they made a promise, it’s hard to believe they’ll actually do the work just because of a little aid. A "connection" is only as strong as the paper it's written on, and they can always just claim they were too busy to get around to it.
"Indeed. However, that alone won't be enough to resolve their dissatisfaction. Ah, and that is precisely why we are addressing the water shortage, isn't it?"
"Right. Solving a water shortage is a massive deal. Even back in my territory, we had a terrible time when we ran out of water."
Exactly. I heard Princess Fiora’s story, and as a Baron’s daughter whose land relies heavily on agriculture, I’ve lived through a severe water crisis before—it’s not something you can just laugh off. When the village well ran dry, we couldn't sustain our lives. My father had to abandon the fields and move the entire village. It was a nightmare.
"That’s the logic. By achieving a major success here, we increase the chances that the smaller nations will soften their stance in the future."
"Precisely. And by having the Master go there himself, he demonstrates that he is willing to treat these small nations with equality and sincerity. By resolving this water crisis, the Master’s request for them to form their own survey teams—and his right to intervene in that process—will finally carry real weight."
"If Yuki goes out of his way to help the Dafaio Kingdom solve their problems, it would look terrible if the other small nations just took our support and did nothing in return. It would be a matter of pride."
She’s right. If Yuki-sensei properly helps the Dafaio Kingdom, and the other nations just sit on their hands after receiving aid, that would be a bad look. I’d definitely write an article about it and drag them through the mud in the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
"But won't that just lead to a flood of requests from the other small nations?"
"There is no need to worry about that. While we are helping the Dafaio Kingdom, the official pretext is that they are accepting the risk of becoming an 'experimental site' for new magic tools to solve their water shortage. I doubt many nations will be eager to hand over their land under those conditions."
"Oh, I see. Wait, doesn't that contradict the reputation of 'helping' a small nation? In the end, we’re taking what we want from the Dafaio Kingdom."
"That is fine. We know for a fact that this temporary fix for the water shortage will succeed, but from the perspective of the small nations, it looks like they are lending their land and providing a budget for a gamble that might force them to give up their territory entirely."
"Well, normally, one wouldn't ask another country for aid so easily. It forces them to be very careful about the power dynamic moving forward."
"Ah, I get it now. Thanks to Kirue-san and Stasia’s explanation, it finally clicks. Princess Fiora asking for help this time was actually quite unusual."
"Yes, exactly. Under normal circumstances, it would be unthinkable. If she only wanted more support, she should have kept it to a formal greeting like the other small nations. This request is the kind of thing that will leave them beholden to Weed forever."
That’s true. She’s putting herself in a position like Princess Carrie’s. I guess this situation is similar to what happened with the Hayden Kingdom. Though, honestly, the time we kidnapped Yuki-sensei was way more dangerous.
"So, while I don't expect failure, if by some chance we do fail, it won't just hurt the Dafaio Kingdom's reputation—it will damage Weed’s as well. Please, be very careful."
"Ugh... suddenly I feel a lot of pressure..."
"Mikos, calm down. Everyone else will be there to support you. And Yuki will be the one handling the royals, primarily."
I mean, that’s true, but I’m sure I’ll be asked to weigh in at some point. I should probably prepare my answers just in case.
"Now, everyone seems ready, so please, follow me. Show-sama will be accompanying us, so let us work together."
"She is coming too? I shall rely on her knowledge."
Wait, if Show-san is coming, maybe I won't be put on the spot? Maybe? Probably not, right? Hoping for the best, I moved to join the others. We were setting out to manage the emotions of the small nations and assert our influence over the upcoming surveys.