第１４２６堀：強制捜査に関しての奥さんたちの反応 (Part1)
Chapter 1426: The Wives' Reaction to the Forced Investigation
Side: Enola
It has been one week since we began the investigation into the Great Saurus Flood.
By order of Yuki—no, by order of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance—the investigation has been concluded.
To be honest, we had finished investigating most of it by the fourth day, so the remaining three days were spent on reconstruction support, such as clearing away rubble.
Unfortunately, there were no survivors in the western town, and although we investigated the suspected point of origin, we found nothing.
Yuki claimed that "nothing" was the answer, but I’m not good at that sort of abstract thinking; I simply dedicated myself to treating the people we rescued.
Well, while the investigation might have been a "swing and a miss" for us, for Saurus and the western town, it meant the Great Flood had completely subsided. They were overjoyed to learn that our investigation had concluded, knowing it meant they could finally live in peace.
It meant the refugees who had fled to the northern town could return home.
So, I believe our investigation served a purpose. We helped as many people as possible return to their homes a little sooner.
Yes, I returned home feeling proud of what we had done, only for Yuki to drop a bombshell as if it were nothing.
"Welcome back. From here on, we’re conducting a forced investigation into those two countries, centered on Lithea. Things are going to get busy around here, so I’m counting on you."
Naturally, we were left wondering what on earth he meant, and thus began the briefing—or rather, the meeting—where he explained the circumstances leading up to this.
"……I certainly understand Lady Alstaire’s position. However, have the various member nations of the Alliance approved of this?"
Rurua asked, nodding in agreement.
I understand that Lithea’s reputation has been dragged through the mud, but launching a forced investigation into small, non-Alliance nations is bound to trigger massive backlash.
If we aren't careful, this could escalate into a war between the Alliance and the rest of the world.
I find it hard to believe the Alliance nations wouldn't foresee that……
"They’ve approved it. They’ve agreed that if we’re going to clash somewhere sooner or later, we might as well use this opportunity."
"By 'using this opportunity,' do you mean the incident with the Great Flood?"
At Stasia’s question, Yuki nodded.
"Yeah, though the Great Flood is hard to call the main point. We’re going to push forward by questioning what caused those two countries to adopt such an aggressive stance when they visited Saurus. Of course, we’ll also emphasize that the Dark Guild was behind it. So, we aren't charging the nations themselves with a crime; we’re framing it as the Dark Guild being the culprit."
"I see. In other words, you’re going with the narrative that those two countries were incited. If they deny it, they’re essentially declaring that their own nation is connected to the Dark Guild. In the case of this Saurus invasion, there is the fact that they ignored Lithea’s orders to stop. Furthermore, the timing is far too suspicious. It’s a difficult position to defend, even in the eyes of the international community."
Deryu nodded at Yuki’s explanation.
When put that way, I see the logic—if they refuse the investigation, they’ll be suspected of ties to the Dark Guild, but……
"I understand the logic, but do you really think they’ll let us step inside so easily?"
As Kagura said, even if they are suspected of misconduct or ties to the Dark Guild, it’s doubtful they’ll simply accept an investigation.
Every country has such criminal organizations, and how they handle them varies.
Moreover, they often have their own leads, and in that sense, they would hate for an investigation team to come trampling in.
Above all, it means their achievements might be snatched away.
"Normally, no. But the situation is dire this time. You know we’re considering the possibility that the Dark Guild and the Dungeon Masters are connected, right?"
"If anything, that seems the most likely scenario. After all, there’s no evidence left of the Great Flood."
"Exactly. As Kaya said, the lack of evidence is proof that they covered their tracks. That means there’s a possibility that a Great Flood could be artificially triggered in other countries, not just Lithea. The danger level of the Dark Guild has skyrocketed, and countries can’t ignore it. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, Alstaire is furious. She’s even threatened that if they don't accept the investigation, she’ll remove them from her protection."
" " "Hah!?" " "
We were stunned by such an outrageous statement.
After all, being removed from the protection of a major power means being left as prey for other countries.
To put it bluntly, it gives surrounding nations a valid excuse to attack.
The reason for this lies in how small nations currently secure their safety.
To put it simply, there are three types of security for small nations today.
First, the basic treaties and agreements—promising non-aggression between nations.
However, since these are only between the small nations themselves, they are often broken depending on the situation.
Second, coming under the umbrella of a major power. This means entering their protection, so if trouble arises with another nation under the same protection, the major power intervenes.
This includes non-aggression pacts, but unlike the weak agreements between small nations, these are backed by the major power. Breaking them means insulting the major power’s honor and facing severe consequences, or even direct intervention by the major power itself.
Since they pride themselves on being mediators, they cannot afford to be mocked as a major power that cannot resolve conflicts.
That would put them at a disadvantage in dealings with other major powers, so they cannot ignore it.
Of course, there is also "protection support" that wouldn't exist between small nations.
Since the small nation submits, the major power provides benefits that make it worth submitting.
In the case of the Lithea Holy Kingdom, that would be the support of excellent healers and the establishment of Lithea churches.
And finally, the security provided by the newly formed Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
As long as you are in this Alliance, you receive support that exceeds even the umbrella of a major power, and you can get help from many countries when resolving trouble.
It is an alliance where even wars between major powers can be mediated, and in the unlikely event that one occurs, small nations are almost never caught in the crossfire.
After all, even major powers want to avoid picking a fight with multiple other major powers.
Simply put, they can't win.
And the greatest advantage of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance is the simplification of logistics.
Because transport via gates is possible in an instant, the distribution of goods within the Alliance has flourished, and the possibility of famine has dropped significantly.
Not only can supplies be procured immediately in an emergency, but there is also support for such times.
Of course, major powers do this on their own, but since so many major and small nations are gathered together, the scale is different. If a food shortage occurs due to climate or other factors, the major and small nations in the same region suffer the same damage and cannot hope for support.
But this Alliance conducts trade with countries across the sea, so that worry is almost non-existent.
Of course, it’s not just about food; other goods are involved, so countries enrich each other.
Anyway, setting that aside, small nations without power are basically protected by this triple layer of security: the agreements between themselves, the treaties of major powers, and the Alliance treaty.
However, the two countries that invaded this time are not members of the Alliance.
Therefore, protection by the Alliance does not apply.