第１２５６堀：魔王との秘密会談 のんびり (Part1)
While reviewing the documents, the former Demon Lord, now the first Queen of the Last Kingdom, Liliana, responded, "I see. So that's why you brought me here..."
Yesterday, as a result of discussions between her husband and members of the Adventurer's Guild, it was decided that it would be best to temporarily invite rare species to Weed to avoid trouble.
"Hmm, hmm. I understand what's written in the documents. By the way, Seraria, what are your personal thoughts on this?"
"Personally, I'm not satisfied. But from a national perspective, it's understandable," I replied, and Liliana nodded.
"Indeed. There's the effort involved in discovering and bringing in species never seen before, and from their perspective, it might seem like they're being taken away. It's a bit of a quibble, but if they discover a way to keep the Jewel Tribe alive, it's as good as discovering a treasure trove."
"A way to keep them alive... Just as Queen Miyabi said, if you take their jewels..."
"Yes. In my kingdom, the Last Kingdom, it's generally believed that taking jewels from the Jewel Tribe results in their death."
"If that's known, does that mean you've had some interaction with them?"
"We have. However, it's mostly limited to bartering. Besides, currency has no meaning in their settlements."
"I see. But why haven't the demons interfered until now? While I understand Liliana and her faction would want to resolve things peacefully, wouldn't the former Demon Lord, the perverted Dekira, have wanted to obtain them for his own power or to gain foreign currency?"
It's a strange story.
Certainly, it's understandable that Liliana and her group would try to resolve things peacefully, but for Dekira, who believed in ruling by force and invading others, it wouldn't be strange for him to try and obtain a species that produces jewels that could be exchanged for foreign currency or used to gain power.
Yet, there were no such stories.
The most we heard, through the heroes of Rumel, was about him exploiting commoners of his own race or those in the slums.
"They were originally a very small population, and their habitat is difficult to advance troops into. Furthermore, the Jewel Tribe can amplify and unleash magic using their jewels. That's why even that pervert gave up, as he found them troublesome."
"The way you put it makes it sound like the Jewel Tribe has the upper hand in terms of magical power."
"There's no mistake. Generally, the Jewel Tribe's magical power is superior."
"...Is it that much?"
"Well, now that I have Yuki's support, my power has increased, so I probably wouldn't lose. But in my past, I could only handle about two or three of them at best. If I were to face their chieftain, defeat would be likely."
"I see. That's why they can survive in such a harsh environment."
"Yes. Moreover, they have a good relationship with the Winged Tribe, and it's common for the Winged Tribe to transport them when they descend to the villages."
"So, you have air superiority as well..."
Hmm, if you think about it, that means they can unleash powerful magic from above.
Without exaggeration, they have an aerial bombardment capability.
If it's not Weed, then hostility is out of the question.
"So, if we make contact with the Jewel Tribe, we can also get in touch with the Rock Tribe, the Gold Tribe, and the Winged Tribe?"
"Yes. There's no doubt about that."
"For now, could you explain our situation and arrange a meeting?"
"I will accept that, but I believe it would be more convincing if someone from Weed came..."
"As expected. In that case..."
"It has to be Yuki."
When it comes to dealing with entirely new species like this, my husband is the best.
"Furthermore, Queen Miyabi, who is an acquaintance, and the Dragonewt Chief Gaul-dono and Coral-dono have agreed to cooperate, so if they were to attend, the success rate of the meeting would increase."
"That's true, but Queen Miyabi and the Dragonewt Gaul are now the focus of attention from the major powers. If they were to go to the Last Kingdom without proper cause..."
"...They might be subject to strange suspicions, is that it?"
"There's a possibility. It's possible to declare it beforehand, but..."
"If the negotiations fail in that case, it would lower the evaluation of Queen Miyabi and the others."
"Yes. If Queen Miyabi's reputation declines, it could lead to a sentiment that the Dragonewts cannot be entrusted to her."
"...That's a problem. However, if Queen Miyabi and the others were to come to our kingdom without any announcement, it could also lead to suspicions that the Last Kingdom is plotting something."
"Haa."
This is truly troublesome.
I want to say that anyone should be free to go wherever they please, but as a nation, it's not that simple.
There were also problems when Elju, who was a saintess, wanted to travel to various countries simply to heal people.
"How about saying that we want to bring in, no, protect, the rare Jewel Tribe?"
"Well, that wouldn't be impossible, but wouldn't that still make it seem like the Last Kingdom is possessing and securing that species as a military force?"
"However, I believe it's more problematic to leave them unattended if they are to live in our kingdom. If we consider the future, wouldn't it be easier to clean up if we take on the mud now?"
"I see, that's how you think about it."
So, they'll take the blame for this incident, and by publicly revealing the Jewel Tribe's capabilities and bringing their representatives to Weed, they'll change the evaluation to show that their actions were not misguided.
"In that case, we could also say that Weed requested it regarding the student exchange program?"
"That, in itself, would be problematic if it spread rumors that the Last Kingdom is doing whatever Weed says."
"Ah, that's not good for a major power."
I see. Liliana and I are close, and we can have casual national meetings or tea parties like this, so I haven't paid much attention to it, but the Last Kingdom is a powerful nation that commands demons.
It holds a position comparable to the four major powers.
Well, if they didn't, it would raise the question of what the major powers were doing before the "Great Demon Conquest" if they couldn't defeat the Demon Lord.
Ah, politics is truly troublesome.
Although Weed was officially recognized as an independent nation with the endorsement of the four major powers, it is merely a small nation that cannot interfere in the diplomatic and trade relations of each country.
This is to show that Weed is not possessing immense power or hoarding profits, but is merely struggling with technological advancements at the behest of the major powers.
Otherwise, other countries might become wary of their gate technology and other capabilities.
As I was wondering what would be the most peaceful approach...
"In that case, how about saying that Liliana learned of Weed's troubles through Elju, and decided to cooperate to repay Elju's kindness?"
"You."
"Yuki, I'm home."
My husband had returned without me realizing it.
"Weren't you talking with Alstaire along with Rurua?"