第１４５２堀：騒ぎが大きくなりすぎる (Part1)
Chapter 1452: The Commotion Grows Too Large
The Commotion Grows Too Large
Side: Seraria
Today, I am monitoring the turmoil in Irinau alongside my husband and the kings of various nations.
The results of the meeting?
As usual, it ended in a stalemate.
It was painfully obvious that they wanted us to pack up and leave as soon as possible.
Well, they have plenty of things they don't want probed, and that goes beyond just the Dark Guild.
That is true for our Weed, of course, but it is also true for the other great powers.
There are countless plans being pushed forward in secret from other nations, and naturally, there are disadvantages to having those plans exposed.
Be that as it may, it is also a fact that we cannot simply leave the Dark Guild to its own devices.
That is why we are here to watch over the chaos that is expected to unfold this afternoon.
Thanks to that, we’ve barely touched our lunch, our eyes glued to the monitors.
The level of engagement is even higher than when we watch the movies my husband prepares.
『The afternoon the enemy mentioned is almost upon us... is it?』
『Well, everyone’s sense of time varies, but the lunch hour has already passed.』
The voices of Yuki and Kirika drift through the monitor.
Currently, my husband is away from his seat to oversee the surveillance and command the pursuit regarding the Irinau incident.
Because of that, any questions are directed toward me.
Though, at the moment, I am merely watching the broadcast.
Just as I was thinking that, one of the kings suddenly raises his voice.
"Finally, is it? Well, this is getting fun! Man, this beer is delicious."
The one saying such headache-inducing things is King Rodei of the If Continent.
I want to ask what he’s thinking, drinking on the job, but...
"Hmph, you never change. Drinking while on duty is out of the question. I pity your country."
The one saying that while sipping grape juice from a wine glass is King Zilba.
They appear to be at odds like cats and dogs... but they actually talk quite harmoniously.
"In that case, you can rule my country. If you guarantee the safety of me and my subordinates, and cover our living expenses from here on out."
"Who would ever agree to those terms? Stop talking in your sleep. Rule it properly with your son. If your people start flowing over here, I’ll take them in."
"Alright, then I’ll become one of your subjects too."
"Don't you dare. You’re nothing but a source of trouble. Honestly..."
Truly.
The troublesome thing about King Rodei is that he is actually capable of doing it.
If that happened, the Rodei territory would fall into chaos.
After all, there is no way his retainers, let alone his citizens, would accept a story about submitting to Zilba.
Zilba, who would end up having to govern such a territory, must have a massive headache.
Anyone who thinks gaining more land is a cause for celebration is an idiot who only sees what’s right in front of them.
It costs money for defense, development, and maintaining public order.
And the surrounding countries certainly won't accept it quietly.
While I certainly don't want to deal with troublesome matters, I would at least want to voice a complaint or two.
In other words, we would have to deal with the jealousy of the surrounding nations as well.
The sheer thick-skinned nature of King Rodei, who says such things so easily, is extraordinary.
Normally, this would be a case of high treason for being a traitor, resulting in the execution of his entire clan, but the Rodei side just brushes it off as "the usual," which is terrifying.
Actually, all of us participating in this meeting are...
"Again, that Rodei fellow is spouting nonsense."
"It’s the usual, leave him be. If you get involved carelessly, you’ll end up having his troubles pushed onto you. Just leave it to Zilba."
"That is true. He is calculating and troublesome in his own way."
"Indeed. As Zuraburu says. Seasifo will not interfere."
If you get involved carelessly, you might end up having troubles pushed onto you, just like my husband, so we can't speak up lightly.
Everyone here has no desire for pointless territorial expansion.
All we want is the labor force—the people.
The wars have calmed down, and each country has plenty of its own land it wants to cultivate.
Crops sell as fast as we can grow them, and there is even a minimum guarantee for purchases through our alliance.
However, accepting those people requires cooperation with the surrounding nations.
These days, people are no longer considered something to be culled through population control or war; instead, policies are being adopted to harbor as many as possible to increase production.
It seems many countries are encouraging their citizens to "be fruitful and multiply."
The sentiment is that the land one cultivates belongs to the person who cultivated it.
Though, of course, we still collect taxes.
Well, even so, pulling people from other countries is a recipe for trouble, so it isn't that simple.
While we were discussing such things, the start time for the operation seemed to arrive.
『The enemy has begun moving as planned. Eagil, Liriushe, please be careful.』
『Understood. We’ll stay alert.』
『We’ll put on a decent performance, so don’t worry~』
Honestly, I didn't know how much time the Dark Guild meant by "afternoon," so I thought we might be waiting for a while, but they started moving with more integrity than I expected.
"Well, the enemy is a Dark Guild. Even if there is a slight deviation in time, they will likely keep their word."
It’s annoying to agree with that old geezer, but well, it’s only natural.
Otherwise, there would be no point in operating as an organization...
"If they didn't, they wouldn't be able to break through the castle's defenses, even if it is a small nation. Well, even if they are defeated, it’s neither a shame nor anything else, but it serves them right."
"Haha. Well, Lady Alstaire is quite extreme... Still, it’s no joke for my country either."
"Yes, that is true."
As Alstaire says, even if it is a small nation, breaking through the defenses, harming high-ranking officials, and looting the national treasury shouldn't be possible.
Still, King Enaria’s face was twitching, so I thought he should calm down a bit, but he’s surprisingly collected now.
Perhaps because Enaria also has Siera as a Saintess at the top, he doesn't see this as someone else's problem.
However, since the Great Overflow, the people of Litea have been furious, and it is true that they are a bit too extreme.
Well, they have their pride, so I understand, but I really wonder if their diplomacy will be okay later?
It’s a pain to have to follow up on that... Just as I was thinking that, the situation began to move rapidly.
Red dots began to appear here and there on the map of the Irinau royal capital, which was displayed alongside the monitor.
『Reporting. Currently, there is a fire in the warehouse district in the southern part of the Irinau royal capital. A large-scale brawl is breaking out in the northern shopping district.』
"Ho-ho. They thought this through. No, I suppose it’s only natural if you think about it."
"Indeed. As a Dark Guild, they can't just cause a ruckus. This will force the soldiers to split between the north and the south. But..."
"This alone is weak. There is more to come."
King August, King Ex, and King Haiden say.
Indeed, it is a situation that requires moving troops, but it isn't on a scale that would require the castle guards to move.
Thinking that there must be a next step, the location where the new red dots appear is...
『Furthermore, a crowd of protesters has gathered in front of the castle gate and has begun to cause a disturbance.』
"Protesters?"
As everyone wonders what that means...
『So that’s how they’re playing it.』
Only my husband seems convinced.
"Dear, could you explain what that means? What do you mean by protesters? And wouldn't they be suppressed immediately in front of the castle gate?"
I ask my husband on behalf of everyone.
『Wait a moment. Kirika, do you know the content of the protest?』