第１３８２堀：笑顔で現実を説く (Part1)
Chapter 1382: Explaining Reality with a Smile
Side: Lilishe
*Brrr-rumble...*
The space was filled only with the low hum of the vehicle’s engine and the slight vibration of the seats. It was an armored car, so it wasn’t exactly the height of comfort, but it was still leagues better than a carriage.
Outside the small window, a peaceful, idyllic landscape stretched out. It was hard to believe that this very land of Suls was currently embroiled in the ravages of war.
Yesterday, Yuki-san’s wives had returned home, partly to soothe Viria-chan and Mikos-chan. They had checked in on me properly, too, so I had no complaints. Still, it really drove home the fact that children like Viria-chan and her friends were under a lot of mental strain from these kinds of conflicts. Honestly, people who cause such things deserve a good thrashing. I’m of the opinion that a fist is a necessary tool for discipline. Setting aside children, when adults act like idiots, that’s the most effective remedy.
But, putting that aside...
"Princess Hasnia~. How are you feeling?"
I turned to address Princess Hasnia, who had been entrusted to my care. It was her first time traveling by car, so I wanted to make sure she wasn't feeling ill, and, of course, to build a rapport with her. After all, it was clear she was being groomed as our primary point of contact moving forward. It was both gratifying and a little sad to see that the brat was finally starting to think ahead. Well, using children for politics is common enough, but in this instance, she was an envoy sent to prevent a war. I suppose it was because of us—or rather, because of me—that they felt comfortable sending a child into such a burden. Honestly, I didn't think she had the same level of experience as Viria-chan or Mikos-chan. She was the biggest wild card here, which was why I needed to keep the lines of communication open.
"Oh? Ah, yes. I am enjoying it. Even though I experienced it yesterday, I still can’t get enough of it. Cars are truly amazing. They’re faster than carriages and so quiet."
She was still staring out the window with sparkling eyes, talking about the car. I was relieved to hear she wasn't feeling sick.
"That’s good to hear~. We’ll arrive at the eastern town by noon today, so please bear with us a little longer~."
"Only two days? No, if you consider just the travel time, it’s effectively one day. Unau, how long would this take by horse?"
"Indeed. Even with a fast horse, it would take four or five days. This vehicle can run continuously without needing rest. It is a remarkable piece of engineering."
"Is it really that advanced? Perhaps Suls has been lagging behind the times all this while?"
Hmm. So, there was a lingering concern that Suls might be falling behind the rest of the world. I decided to probe a little further.
"It’s not necessarily that you’re behind the times~. It’s more that we’ve only just managed to get these into operation~. In that sense, you could say you were lucky~. But tell me~, was the reason Suls hadn't joined the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance until now because you found us suspicious?"
"My father never told me the details, so I don't know for sure, but I did hear that many were of the opinion that things were fine as they were. Isn't that right, Unau?"
"Yes. It is embarrassing to admit, but Suls has not known war until now, so we saw no reason to join the alliance. In fact, many feared it would only invite chaos."
"Well, that’s a fair point~. Besides, since the major powers act as the gateways for smaller nations to join the alliance, it’s not as if you can just walk in, so a 'wait and see' approach wasn't entirely wrong~."
It wasn't as if Suls was at fault for this situation. While it was true that the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance had begun to mobilize, it was also true that many were skeptical and wary. People like Fioria-chan, who were facing national crises and looking for a way out, or those trying to curry favor with Weed as a form of advance investment, had come forward immediately. Everyone else, however, was playing it safe. After all, it involved the fundamental management of their nations; there was potential for profit, but also the risk of suffering losses. Navigating that was the true test of a nation's leadership, but there would always be those whose vested interests were threatened. Since the transport of goods would become so much easier, the prices of things they had previously sold at a premium would be driven down, cutting into their income. It was the duty of each nation to adjust to these changes, but if they called that effort a 'hassle,' then they were right. And for those profiting from the current trade, it was something they absolutely didn't want to happen. Even though, if they could see just a little bit further ahead, they would understand what was coming.
Well, people just don't let go of their current environment that easily. The misfortune here was the two nations targeting Suls and the occurrence of the Great Flood. Honestly, this event was a double-edged sword for Weed. It was bad that our enemies were making moves, but this would force the small nations that had been watching from the sidelines to finally decide which side to take.
And then...
"By the way~, since there were such opinions, does that mean there were also voices in favor of joining the alliance?"
"Yes. It seems my father was in favor of joining. However, the majority of his vassals were of the opinion that we should wait and see."
"I see~."
"And since we heard that Weed’s Prince Consort was planning to visit the Spirit Spring, the plan was to have us speak with him alongside the envoy from Litea."
So that was it. The reason this visit had gone so smoothly was because they had that goal in mind. But then, trouble had to go and happen before that could occur.
"That’s a shame~. But once this situation settles down, I’ll make sure to visit~."
"We will welcome you with the utmost hospitality when that time comes. But, if I may ask, what was this about wanting to go to the Spirit Spring?"
"Oh my~? You haven't heard the full story~?"
When I asked that, Princess Hasnia hesitated for a moment, then...
"Um, Priestess Lilishe. If you don't mind, please feel free to speak to me as casually as you do with my father. I am still young and inexperienced, after all..."
"Being young has nothing to do with it~. It’s just because I’ve known the King of Suls for a long time~. Well, if that’s what Princess Hasnia wishes, I suppose that’s fine, isn't it~?"