落とし穴外伝：新年だから (Part2)
"Ultimately, the fate of this world rests with those who live within it. If you possess the strength to defeat the agents I’ve placed and force your way through, then so be it. Though, I don’t imagine it would be quite that simple. As I mentioned before, this situation is the result of various irregularities overlapping, which is why I have no intention of disposing of you immediately. It is, after all, a fact that you interfered with Holy’s objectives."
"But surely the survivors of the Ioa Kingdom and the other nations on that continent will not be satisfied with that?"
I realized then that I wouldn't be executed on the spot. But I couldn't imagine the side that had been decimated would simply accept a "very well, I understand."
"Oh, that will be fine. I have someone here who is quite skilled at talking people into things."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't seem convinced. Very well, why don't you explain it yourself?"
At Luna’s command through the door, several men entered. They were the same men who had stormed the throne room. The one called Yuki, if I recalled correctly.
"Good grief, what a hassle. Still, we aren't exactly thrilled about being used as mere tools, either. So, Holy-san, I am Yuki, the one tasked with stopping you this time around."
"And I’m Taiki, brought here to play the role of the Hero."
"Ah, yes. I am Holy."
What was this? We were supposed to be having a conversation between a Demon Lord and those who had defeated her, yet why did it feel so... surreal?
"Now, regarding the matter of 'talking them into it'—we’ve established ourselves as allies of the Ioa Kingdom by capitalizing on their desperate plea for aid. Of course, Luna was the one pulling the strings, but can you understand that if we hadn't intervened, we might have ended up destroying the Ioa Kingdom ourselves?"
"…I suppose I can, to an extent."
An unidentified army appearing out of nowhere. I didn't think the people of that continent were clever enough to negotiate with such a force.
"I’m glad you see it that way. So, we stepped in to help, but we can't work for free. Luna has compensated us, of course, but from the Ioa Kingdom's perspective, they’ve simply been saved. We have no desire to provide aid for nothing; we aren't exactly allies. More importantly, once the Demon Lord is defeated, they might start viewing us as the next great threat."
"That, I understand. They aren't noble enough to offer genuine gratitude."
"People are like that. They prepare for the next threat to ensure their own survival. It’s natural, but we can't just accept that, either. Yet, wiping them out leaves a bitter aftertaste. Therefore, we simply need a reason for Weed to remain on that land—a reason that the kingdom can find acceptable."
"And that would be?"
"Holy-san, you wouldn't want to abandon the land that holds memories of your husband and child, would you? I’m not saying you can't move, but there is a way to remain there."
"Is there really such a convenient solution?" I asked, unable to believe it, and waited for him to continue.
"It’s simple. We just need to maintain the pretense that Weed and the Demon Lord are still locked in battle."
"..."
I was so stunned by his words that my eyes widened and my mouth hung agape.
"With this, Holy-san, you can stay on that land, and Weed will have a legitimate justification for remaining there as well. The Ioa Kingdom will likely decide that ceding the land to us is acceptable, given the benefit of using us as their shield."
The man called Yuki explained this calmly, yet with a smile on his face. This… was this not the very image of the people I had come to despise? And yet, I felt in my gut that it was different. I couldn't put into words what that difference was—it wasn't necessarily devoid of malice, but it felt like… a prank.
Sensing my confusion, Luna spoke up.
"Right, that’s enough for now. That is the proposal. I’ll make sure you aren't going to cause any trouble here, so take some time to think about it. It’s the New Year, after all; you could use a little peace."
"New… year?"
"Ah, is it still a while away in your lands?"
"N-no, it is indeed the New Year."
So much had happened that I had forgotten; it should have been winter. Had it really been that long?
"Then, let’s go have some soba."
"So… ba?"
"It’s a tradition for the end of the year and the start of the new one. Besides, I’m hungry. Let’s fill our stomachs, get some rest, and then you can think it over."
And just like that, I was granted a moment of respite. A tragic tale that could belong to anyone. That was all it was.