第１４２３堀：独自調査の結果 (Part2)
"Well, it didn't take long for us to dig up the information once we started looking. That said, regarding the actions of those two nations, it’s clear they were banking on seizing Suurus’s territory. You’re aware there were border skirmishes between them already, right?"
"I’ve looked into it, yes. I suppose that’s to be expected. They likely assumed that since they weren't part of the alliance, no one would dare intervene. But the Great Flood changes the equation. Regardless of alliance status, it was inevitable that our Intercontinental Exchange Alliance—with Lithea at the helm—would show up. The question is, why did they try to exploit that?"
"As for that, it seems they didn't think we could mobilize so quickly."
"Hm?"
Lowell tilted her head, clearly not grasping what I meant.
"To put it simply, the smaller nations outside the alliance didn't know the speed of our response. Specifically, the Gates. Even Suurus, the nation we saved, was taken aback by it."
"Ah, I see. They assumed that even if the Great Flood occurred, any help from the major powers would be significantly delayed."
"That seems to be the case. There were even deliberate efforts within Suurus to obstruct messengers coming from Lithea."
"If that’s the case, the response would have been delayed even further. I see. For those two nations, it was the perfect pretext: they could 'help' Suurus while simultaneously snatching up their land. They gambled that even if the Great Flood happened, they could just play it off. Suurus wouldn't dare look kindly on the major powers that arrived late, and they wouldn't be very proactive about investigating the Great Flood either."
Lowell nodded repeatedly, fully convinced.
"Exactly. And since they had already moved on to the northern town after the western one, they could have effectively crushed two of Suurus’s three major hubs. No, wait—the eastern town was already effectively under their occupation..."
"So, it was all preparation for the fall of Suurus. And since the Great Flood had already begun its mass migration, no one would even know where the epicenter was."
Yeah, if we hadn't intervened, there’s a high probability that Suurus would have already fallen and been partitioned and annexed by those two nations.
"But the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance arrived immediately, crushed the Great Flood, and ruined their plans. And now, you’re planning to visit those two nations?"
"That’s the plan. If the Dark Guild is involved, those two nations must have information, but we have no idea where to start. That’s why I was hoping you, having been tracking the Dark Guild, might have some leads."
"I understand the situation, but... honestly, that’s a tall order."
"What do you mean?"
Seraria asked the question, looking at Lowell’s troubled expression. I suppose she thought it would be simple enough to just point us in the right direction.
"Seraria, if you were in their shoes, what would you do the moment your plans fell apart? You’d know full well that the enemy is coming to investigate in broad daylight."
"That doesn't even need thinking. Immediately... I see. You mean there’s a high probability they’ve already pulled out."
"Exactly. If they were fools, maybe not, but you can’t treat the Dark Guild like that. We know messengers were sent and visits were scheduled, so they’re well aware that their scheme failed. It’s too late for them to act, but they can’t exactly just go through with the visits either. It’s a difficult spot."
Thinking about it logically, that makes sense. If there’s a chance your crimes have been exposed, running away is the best option. Still, we can’t just throw our hands up and give up.
"Lowell, even if we can’t reach the Dark Guild itself, isn't there a way to track down the people who contracted them?"
"Ah, if you’re aiming for that... they’ve likely disposed of all the contracts and documentation. If they didn't, they’d know the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance would crush them. If a nation decides to cover its tracks, there’s not much we can do."
"Then what about appealing to their conscience or sense of justice? Threatening them with the fact that they have people in their inner circles who utilize the Dark Guild?"
"...That would be enough to tear a country apart. Not everyone is using the Dark Guild, so we could drive a wedge between them. But in that case, the Alliance would have to get even more deeply involved in those two nations. Are you sure you want to exert that much pressure on countries outside the alliance?"
"What if Lithea takes the lead?"
"Hmm. Lithea acting as a major power to resolve this trouble... That’s not something for me to decide alone; it should be settled in a meeting. More importantly, it’s meaningless unless I speak to Alstaire about it."
And so, it was decided that I would bring Lowell along to hold a meeting. I wonder if everyone is still at Weed?
A princess who can actually get work done. Though, I do wish she’d do a bit more paperwork.