第１３９７堀：まずは対話を (Part1)
Chapter 1397: First, Dialogue
Side: Yuki
Well, I’ve left the investigation of the dark guild to Fiora, Prof, and the others, but we have our own matters to attend to.
"Right then, let’s confirm the situation in Suurus for today."
My wife, Seraria, takes the lead in saying this, but the one to provide the report is...
"Understood. Regarding the current situation in Suurus, the armies of the two invading nations, the Kingdom of Kinauf and the Kingdom of Irina, have already retreated. As for the subsequent negotiations, we have already dispatched envoys jointly with Suurus and Lithea. Our response will likely shift once we receive word back from them."
The Saintess of Lithea, Alstaire—should I call her the party involved, or the representative of the involved nation?—explains the progress.
Well, it’s a natural course of action.
"After going this far, do you think they’ll honestly swallow our demands?"
"Normally, they wouldn't. These are clearly the demands of a defeated nation. If they accept them readily, it would be a blow to their national pride, but..."
The King of Roschur speaks, and the King of Gartz hesitates.
Usually, even if you’ve lost a war, you’d do anything to negotiate the opponent's demands down. If you don't, you’re at the mercy of the other side. You’d also face backlash from within your own country, with people claiming the current administration is weak-willed.
However, there is a prerequisite to that logic.
"In this instance, if they cling to their pride, their country will cease to exist."
"That’s true. It’s an act that turns the entire alliance against them. Besides, you’re going to inform them of the declaration Lithea made earlier, aren't you?"
"Yes, that is correct."
It’s a declaration of doom—a warning that they’ve made enemies of a formidable power and that they are being cast out from the protection Alstaire mentioned previously. The hope is that once they realize this, they’ll be more compliant.
"If they were the type to accept things that obediently, they wouldn't have meddled with Suurus in the first place. They might even fly into a rage and join forces to attack us instead."
"Indeed. If they didn't have at least that much spirit, they wouldn't have initiated this action. Though, that’s assuming the premise of the Great Flood support still holds."
The Emperor of Zuraburu, Yupia, speaks, and the King of Zilba agrees, noting that the underlying conditions have shifted. I agree with that point, but...
"It’s not easy to back down from a fight you started yourself. Still, as Zilba says, it’s also true that the conditions for them to wage war are no longer met. Let us pray that the envoys return safely with an answer. Even if it leads to war, it’s better to have at least some information."
As the Queen of Emerald says, even if it comes to war, without a window for dialogue through envoys, we’ll be left in the dark about what they truly want. And if we can’t talk, our only option is total annihilation.
Such a war of extermination is nothing but a headache for us, and there’s no guarantee we could wipe them out completely. No, they would definitely escape. And then they would become a latent threat.
If we keep their nations intact, we can leave a certain degree of monitoring to the parties involved, but having us do any more surveillance than necessary is just a chore.
"However, it’s already decided that we’re moving the military, isn't it? Who will be in charge of that command?"
"In this case, the involved nations should be the ones to move. Among those here, who would try to press Lithea and take command... perhaps Zilba or Zuraburu?"
The King of Gartz smiles as he looks at the two of them, but...
"Don't be a fool. If we stick our necks into problems on other continents, it’s a guaranteed quagmire. We have no intention of crushing Lithea’s face. Besides, what is the Goddess doing?"
"I feel the same. We are already stretched thin trying to pacify our own country; we have no time to spare for others. At most, we will send troops in accordance with our agreement. And as Zilba says, what does the Goddess think of this matter?"
It seems both Zilba and Zuraburu have decided, as a matter of course, not to take on any extra trouble. And it seems they are more concerned about the movements of the Goddess Lilishe than those of the Saintess Alstaire.
Well, even though Lilishe is that fluffy, air-headed figure recognized as a god, she possesses genuine inhuman power; if she were to go on a rampage, the damage would be catastrophic. More than that, there’s a risk that the Lithea faith—which has the largest following not just in the Rogari continent, but potentially within this entire alliance—could run wild. Considering that, it’s only natural they’d be concerned about her movements.
The other nations seem to share this opinion, as they all turn their gazes toward me. I’m the only one who can contact Lilishe, after all.
"I haven't heard that she wants to do anything in particular. Ah, she did say that if there’s a Dungeon Master among the enemies, she’ll crush them."
"Come to think of it, she did say that. She said that while she doesn't mind territorial disputes between nations, she would take a stand if it involved gods or Dungeon Masters."
" " "Ah." " "
Everyone nods in understanding. Lilishe is surprisingly trusted in these matters. She draws a clear line. Or rather, should I say she’s very good at distinguishing her enemies? She shows no mercy to those she deems adversaries.
I need to convey her current status so the kings can rest easy.
"Lilishe is calm for now. She’s driven back all the enemies and is currently heading back to the royal capital of Suurus to report. She won't be interfering with this matter in particular. She’ll leave that to Alstaire."
"Yes. That is what I have heard from Lady Lilishe. Since things have stabilized, we will be sending additional envoys from Lithea alongside Lady Lilishe to finalize the future schedule."
"That’s good to hear, but when visiting the two nations, it’s decided that Lithea and Suurus will go, but what about the alliance? Will you participate? Or will Lithea handle it concurrently? You’re going to conduct an investigation, aren't you?"
The King of Roschur looks at me as he asks. That’s the part I’m struggling with...
"I think we should conduct the investigation even before we get their consent. Either way, we’ll likely assign guards for safety, and act separately from the envoys. But I’m questioning whether there’s any point in accompanying them as envoys."
"That’s a difficult point. If the other side is determined, we’ll be dragged into a fight. In the first place, even if they say they’ll let us investigate, they’ll definitely hide the evidence. If anything, haven't the ones who built the dungeons already gone into hiding?"
"However, if we are going to be dragged into a fight, doesn't that make it all the more necessary to increase the guards and support the return of the envoys? There’s no need to send them out knowing there will be casualties before we even talk about the investigation. Since dungeons are involved, wouldn't it be better to accompany them with an army?"