第１４４０堀：上を思う組織の人たち (Part1)
Chapter 1440: Those Who Think of Their Superiors
Side: Agil
Perhaps it should be called a blessing in disguise, but the compensation negotiations in Kinauf concluded without any particular issues.
All that remains is to finalize preparations, such as the stationing locations for the military and the investigation into the dark guild.
"The location is secured, so all that’s left is to have the Alliance dispatch the troops. How are their preparations coming along?"
I ask about the situation on their end while handing the documents over to Jessica and Stasia.
"I have been informed that they are ready to march at any moment. As originally planned, they are standing by to advance from Sulus."
"Honestly, I think it would be faster if we just created a gate at the designated site in Kinauf," Stasia says, handing me a document.
I check the contents: the size of the garrison is 3,000.
It’s about the same number that invaded Sulus.
For a small nation, that’s their entire military force.
It should serve as a sufficient deterrent.
Deciding this, I choose to respond to Stasia’s opinion.
"I agree with you there, but the fact that the Alliance is moving out from Sulus is what’s important."
"A show of force, then? It is certainly necessary to demonstrate how much power we hold to the Alliance members and Kinauf alike."
"It also serves as a check against the dark guild... Speaking of which, the dark guild’s observers, or rather, their liaisons, have made a move, haven't they?"
"Yes. As far as we are concerned, this is the main event. Oh, I’ve confirmed the military documents, so have Yuki and the others secure the marching permits."
"Understood."
I ask John, who is doing paperwork at the seat next to me, then turn back to Jessica and the others.
"Steve’s subordinates are tracking them, but it seems they are heading toward Irinau. Well, there’s a possibility they might change direction along the way, though."
I say this while projecting the footage of the moving dark guild members.
We are tracking them with both drones and familiars.
"Is there a possibility they have noticed us?"
"It’s not zero. Even so, if they try to dispose of them, we’ll still be able to track them."
"Considering the direction, are they meeting up with a liaison in Irinau? What about the situation on that end?"
"We haven't been negligent there, either. Kirika’s intelligence unit, which infiltrated ahead of time, has already discovered them. This one might be a big fish."
I say this and show the next piece of information.
It displays the person identified as a high-ranking official of the dark guild, based on an appraisal.
"A high-ranking official. I wonder what kind of standing they have."
"That’s hard to say. We can’t exactly make contact and start asking questions. Still, there will surely be some kind of movement."
"Will there be an uproar in Irinau?"
"Who knows? Normally, there would be no reason to cause a scene, but a high-ranking official has gone out of their way to come here. If there is any movement, we’ll be able to gather information. Kirika and her team will do their best."
This is the dark guild official who has finally shown their face.
Kirika and the others are likely thinking of various strategies, and all we can do is...
"Leave the dark guild matter to the intelligence department. Our job is to draw the enemy’s eyes. As planned, we’re heading to Irinau this afternoon. How are the preparations?"
That’s right; we plan to clear out of Kinauf and head to Irinau by the end of the day.
On the surface, we came here to negotiate compensation to maintain the Alliance’s face regarding the damage Sulus suffered.
Driving out the dark guild is the role of the newly established investigative agency.
There’s no point in us doing that much ourselves.
Though, that wouldn’t apply if they came after us first.
There were such provocations, but they didn't take the bait.
That being the case, we have no choice but to quietly move on to our next destination.
"Regarding preparations, we of Weed are finished."
"I have heard that Sulus has finished their preparations as well."
I hear from both Jessica and Stasia that there are no problems.
"Then, let’s depart on schedule. Are there any requests from the personnel remaining to welcome the military?"
"None in particular. We have already provided them with the necessary supplies."
"If I had to say, it’s just that our combat strength will be a bit thin since we are leaving."
"That’s true. I mentioned it to Yuki, too—the issue of our combat strength being spread too thin. Well, while our combat power will drop, Kirika’s intelligence department and Steve’s execution unit are standing by, so the knights from Litea and Sulus should be able to manage."
Well, what Yuki says is only natural.
Our role is that of envoys, so we cannot choose to stay in Kinauf.
No, we *could*, but that would imply we don’t trust Kinauf, and there’s also the possibility that the dark guild might launch a surprise attack.
Besides, people would wonder why we’re staying behind instead of doing our jobs.
"Hmm. I suppose Ria and Deryu could stay..."
"...I understand the concern about leaving those two behind. They don’t have political authority. As for command, Deryu aside, Ria’s authority is limited. ...Hmm, as Yuki-sama says, you are correct."
"Right? Besides, those two are in the position of being our escorts; they aren't military personnel or envoys. Well, given their background, they could offer input, but that would mean interfering with Litea and Sulus, and transferring command authority would be a hassle. It’s a question of whether it’s worth going that far. Besides, regarding safety, we have these, developed by Firia and Narjia-san."
" "Ah, indeed." "
And so, we concluded that considering the trouble, there is no reason to leave them behind.
Kirika and Steve’s units will remain in the shadows, and they have the bracelets that boast defensive capabilities that would drive anyone insane.
"Above all, it’s also a matter of finally needing to trust the people of the Alliance, and this will be the accumulation of trust for the future of the Alliance."
"That’s right. Indeed, we have moved as Weed alone until now, but that won't be possible from here on out."
"This was also meant to build that track record."
"Exactly."
For the Great Flood caused by the dungeon in Sulus and the subsequent invasion, we went to resolve it as an Alliance, not as Weed.
Or rather, if we hadn't, we wouldn't have been able to intervene, or even offer advice.
And as Stasia says, it is also to show the outside world that the Alliance is useful and that it will act properly according to the treaty.
We have shown that it is not just a nominal alliance incapable of coordination.
"In fact, the fact that they didn't think the Alliance would move immediately in Kinauf is easily understood from our confrontation with the generals."
"Ah, I remember that conversation. Though, the general’s prediction wasn't exactly wrong, either."
"Because it is usually impossible for a military to move to another country so quickly. It is only possible because of the immediate movement and communication from the base of Weed to other locations."
Yes, that is a truly amazing system.
I realized once again the magnitude of controlling economic distribution.
The convenience when repurposed for military use is incredible.
However, there are still problems.