第１２２０堀：小国のお話 (Part1)
Chapter 1220: Tales of Small Nations
Side: Yuki
"I am truly, deeply sorry for the various troubles caused even before our departure. On behalf of Haiden, I offer my sincerest apologies once again."
Diplomat Codorissi, who is serving as our guide to the Goblin village, is currently prostrating himself with such intensity that I half-expect him to sink right through the floor of the bus.
He was recommended by Princess Carrie to serve as the lead guide for the Haiden Kingdom up to Baide. He had been riding in the bus driven by Kagura, and because he was unable to stop the reckless behavior of the guards his own country had dispatched, he has been reduced to this state of perpetual apology.
"No, you heard what was said earlier, didn't you? That was the plan from the beginning. You bear no responsibility for this, Codorissi-san. I will make sure to tell Princess Carrie that, so please, rest easy. Now, please, lift your head."
We can’t even depart if he stays like that forever.
Kagura, Ria, and the others are already on board, and they are looking at the endlessly prostrating Codorissi with expressions of genuine discomfort.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. The insults directed at you, Yuki-sama... I felt that if we were all beheaded on the spot, it would have been no more than we deserved."
That is quite a heavy sentiment.
I don't exactly have a hobby of lopping off heads just because someone is an antagonist, you know?
"I have received your nation's apology sufficiently, so please, raise your head. Let’s take our seats and talk properly."
With that, I finally got him to stop the prostration.
We then sat down in the rear facing-seat arrangement to continue our conversation. Incidentally, the bus pulled away the moment we took our seats.
"However, why did you think that way? Did someone from my side threaten you?"
"No, it’s just that Princess Carrie told us, 'Be prepared to offer your heads if even the slightest problem arises'..."
Good grief, that princess.
Ever since she dropped that "airheaded" act, she has become incredibly strict. Well, I suppose that just shows how seriously she takes the future of Haiden.
"Haha, Princess Carrie is certainly harsh on her own people."
"Yes, indeed. Most of the aristocrats who had their corruption exposed have already been sent to the guillotine."
Seriously?
Is she enforcing order that ruthlessly? Since those are internal Haiden affairs, I hadn't asked how far they were going, but won't that leave deep-seated grudges for future governance? I’d be in real trouble if a rebellion broke out.
Just as I was feeling uneasy, he continued...
"That said, the Princess’s words have more than a grain of truth to them. That is precisely why I am here. I didn't think I could just sit idly by without offering my gratitude to you, Yuki-sama."
"I appreciate that you understand our position, but won't the country become unstable if you use such hardline tactics?"
"Haha, she is careful about that, don't worry. Of course, the Princess isn't acting on her own whim. Everything is done strictly according to the law and in the name of His Majesty. Above all, those who were sent to the guillotine were truly guilty of heinous crimes—colluding with followers of the Mad God, abusing the populace, and extorting money. Therefore, I believe it was only natural. By the way, the captain of the knights from earlier also had various suspicious rumors surrounding him behind the scenes. Still, I never imagined he would go that far against you, Yuki-sama. I am truly sorry."
Codorissi lowered his head deeply once more.
I see. That knight captain must have been a colossal idiot. He certainly did say a lot of shocking things.
"I have already accepted your apology, so please, don't worry about it anymore. So, let's see... if anything happens, please contact Fiora, Kagura, Micos, or Solo, and we will be happy to consult with you. It would be problematic for us if something were to happen to Haiden, after all."
"Thank you. I will certainly do so if the need arises."
Good. That gives me an informant outside of Princess Carrie.
Well, knowing her, she’s probably placed all sorts of gag orders on them, but being able to hear the Haiden perspective from Codorissi is a welcome development.
With that settled...
"Codorissi-san. Let's put this matter to rest. Could you tell me about our upcoming itinerary?"
"My apologies for the oversight. From here, we will travel by carriage for about two weeks to reach the Sofno Kingdom, and then aim for the Zufuia Kingdom, which is about another week away."
"I haven't heard of either of those countries."
I had heard the names from the Haiden side in advance, but I have zero information on them. Even Kirika’s intelligence agency is short-handed, after all. We know the outlines, but certainly not as much as Haiden does.
"Both the Sofno Kingdom and the Zufuia Kingdom are under Haiden’s protection, and both are small in scale. The Sofno Kingdom borders Haiden, and the Zufuia Kingdom lies beyond it."
Well, that makes sense since we’ll be passing through them in that order.
"As for their characteristics... to be honest, there isn't much that stands out. The Sofno Kingdom focuses mainly on agriculture, while the Zufuia Kingdom supports Sofno’s agriculture through mining and industry, while also focusing on strengthening their military. However, neither surpasses our Haiden in any particular area."
"What do you mean? From what you say, it sounds like the two countries are in a cooperative relationship?"
Usually, neighboring countries are supposed to be at each other's throats, aren't they?
"Ah, these two countries are a bit special. They were formed after splitting from our Haiden. It was our nation that supported them during their founding and gave them their respective specialties."
"I see. So, their national characteristics were guided by Haiden?"
"Exactly. Originally, many ancient nations perished during the Age of Legends. That was when our Haiden Kingdom, our ally the Findar Empire, and the nations that supported them—the Nogia Kingdom and the Seasypho Kingdom—rose to prominence. However, those four alone could not govern all the vast lands of this continent."
"Ah, I see. So you used those four countries as a base to support colonization of the many lands."
The war against Sota-san and the Mad God’s followers must have been truly grueling. Well, most of those countries had already been half-destroyed by Dungeon Masters before the Mad God’s followers dealt the finishing blow.
I really don't understand what that Aquenoki was thinking. He kept blathering about it being "for the sake of the world," but considering the effort required to rebuild all those nations that were destroyed, it doesn't seem worth it at all, does it?
Wait, maybe not. To Aquenoki, the world only needed people who worshipped the Mid-Level Gods. So, anyone who didn't follow him was to be eliminated.
Hmm, even thinking about it now, it makes no sense.
Actually, I need to investigate the gods of the Mid-Level God faction, too. Come to think of it, I also need to hear from Senal, whom we captured during the battle between Zlable and Hain. I’ve been putting it off because things have been so busy lately, but since he hasn't caused any trouble, he must be willing to cooperate.
Oops, back to Codorissi’s story.