第１３８９堀：女神様のゆったり指導 (Part1)
Chapter 1389: The Goddess’s Leisurely Guidance
Side: Lilishe
“Unau. Are you sure it was alright for me to leave the eastern town?”
“It is fine, Princess. Reinforcements from Surus are already heading that way, and we have left envoys behind as well. Right now, our priority must be to drive back the Irinau Kingdom, which is attempting to lay its hands on the Spirit Spring in the south.”
While being jostled in the carriage before me, Princess Hasnia and Captain Unau of the Knights were engaged in that very conversation.
Well, for a princess without such experience, I can certainly understand the desire to check on the state of a town that had been unjustly occupied until just moments ago. But as the Captain says, the situation hasn't fully settled yet, so it’s only natural that things would turn out this way.
Besides, Princess Hasnia’s primary focus is politics; she wouldn't be familiar with the common sense of warfare.
I wonder if they sent such a girl to me because they trusted me that much? Or perhaps they saw that we couldn't just abandon a girl who is trying so hard, even if she is a bit soft-headed?
It seems likely to be a bit of both.
“Is that so?”
Princess Hasnia, perhaps not quite grasping the Captain’s point, turns her gaze toward me.
I offer her a smile before responding.
“That’s right. What we, the Allied Forces, and the envoys from Surus need to do right now is drive out the foreign nation that is illegally occupying Surus territory. Ensuring the stability of the eastern town is the responsibility of the Surus Kingdom; if we were to interfere, it might lead to accusations of occupation or the like.”
It’s a bit concerning that she doesn't even grasp such basic common sense, but then again, she likely views us as a benevolent ally.
“I see. You are certainly correct. It would be a blow to Surus’s honor.”
“Of course, if you were to ask us to protect it in your stead, we would do it, but that’s only in truly desperate circumstances. In this particular case, there hasn't been a massacre, and your forces haven't been depleted, so leaving it to you was the right call.”
After all, our objective this time is to repel the nation invading Surus territory. We cannot afford to waste our efforts on the reconstruction of a town.
Besides, if they relied on us that much, it would call into question the very existence of Surus, and as the Princess said, it would be a matter of honor.
“Our role is strictly to ensure the security of Surus. The subsequent reconstruction is something Surus must lead. Princess Hasnia, your job is to strengthen the alliance so the enemy never does this again, or to apply pressure on the opposition.”
“Strengthen the alliance, and apply pressure?”
“Yes. Both carry the same meaning: taking measures to ensure the enemy doesn't attack again. Well, strengthening the alliance also broadens the scope of trade and offers various forms of support, so I think it’s better to focus your efforts there.”
Threatening the enemy doesn't earn you a single coin, after all. You spend diplomatic funds just to prevent a war. Strengthening an alliance, however, has the potential to increase revenue and offers various other conveniences. That is precisely why the number of allied nations continues to grow.
“Which one is the correct path to take?”
“Ahaha, there is no ‘correct’ answer to such things. Or rather, it’s rare to do only one or the other. You pursue both and place more weight on whichever shows the most promise. The people in charge of diplomacy should be able to guide you on that. It isn't a decision for Princess Hasnia to make alone. The final authority lies with the King of Surus.”
“My father...”
“Of course, if Princess Hasnia has a plan you’ve developed and wish to push forward, there is a possibility you could explain it to the King of Surus and receive his permission. Though, naturally, that would come with its own set of responsibilities.”
“Responsibilities. The responsibilities of a princess and the responsibilities of the work itself, I see.”
“That’s right. There is no position where responsibility does not arise. Even if you are a child, if you do something excessive, you will be scolded, and your parents will have to take responsibility. The King of Surus was quite the handful in his day, after all.”
“That story comes as a surprise to me. Is that true, Unau?”
“Ahaha... I am hardly in a position to speak of His Majesty’s younger days...”
“That’s true. It would be disrespectful, wouldn't it?”
I never thought that mischievous boy would turn out so capable. It was partly because of that concern that I did my best to keep him in line before leaving the rest to his successors and heading off to the village.
“Ahem. Setting that aside, has any information reached us regarding how the Irinau Kingdom is deployed?”
“Yes. According to General Agil, they are positioned two kilometers south of the Spirit Spring, split into two groups of one thousand, east and west.”
“It would be troublesome if they were to flee recklessly. If they turn into bandits, the damage will only spread.”
“You don't seem to think we’ll lose at all, do you?”
When I ask this with a smile, the Captain makes a troubled face...
“Having seen what happened in the eastern town of Suakania, the strength of the Allied Forces is clear. If I were to worry after seeing that, I wouldn't be fit to serve as a Captain.”
“I see. I’m glad to have your trust. However, the issue of numbers is one that cannot be solved so easily. It is true that we can handle the Irinau Kingdom forces deployed on the west side, but the eastern side will likely begin to flee the moment the west collapses.”
“Indeed. If they would only retreat quietly toward their own country in the south, that would be fine, but...”
“That’s usually impossible. Most of the army is made up of untrained farmers, after all.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
Princess Hasnia raises her voice in surprise once again.
“Oh? Does Surus not conscript farmers?”
I ask the Captain to confirm if my understanding is correct.
“No, as Lilishe-sama says, the majority are farmers, Princess. In an army of this scale, regular soldiers make up only ten to twenty percent. The rest are brought in through conscription from villages or by hiring adventurers. It is likely the same for the Irinau Kingdom’s army. Therefore, when the army collapses and flees, few will be able to make a calm decision to retreat. They will simply scatter on the spot.”
“In that case, those who cannot make it out of Surus territory will fear capture, won't approach the towns, and will start attacking travelers and merchants to secure supplies.”
“Th-that sounds disastrous!”
“Precisely. If they scatter recklessly, Surus will be thrown into chaos. If only we could guide them...”
Yes, yes. I’m glad she understands the problem now.
Still, is it common for a princess to be this ignorant regarding military matters? Ah, perhaps because she is the third princess, they didn't intend for her to be involved in state affairs to this extent. If you let the wrong person get involved, it can tear a country apart.