第１４５２堀：騒ぎが大きくなりすぎる (Part2)
"Yes. We have received word from our agents on the ground. As for the content of their protest: Why is the Alliance coming to Irinau to negotiate? They claim that since we went to save Suurus, why have things turned out this way? Shouldn't we be thanking them instead? That is the gist of it."
"..."
We all fell silent at this report. I finally understood what my husband meant when he said, "So that's how they're playing it." Alstaire, in particular, wore an expression of profound dissatisfaction.
"So they’ve managed to win the public over to their side, have they? Sweeping their own actions under the rug... Wait. Hold on a moment. This was all a diversion for the Dark Guild’s raid and the safe-cracking, wasn't it?"
"That’s right."
"Doesn't that serve as blatant proof that Irinau and the Dark Guild are in league with one another?"
"Indeed. A protest this well-prepared couldn't have been organized on the fly. I don't know how deep the rot goes within Irinau's hierarchy, but it’s clear they are using the Dark Guild to drive us out, isn't it?"
I confirmed this with my husband while explaining Alstaire’s observation.
"Likely. Though, the entire upper echelon of Irinau is looking suspicious right now. It’s bizarre that the details of our discussions with their envoys are already circulating among the common folk. Still, we can't just haul everyone in. If we aren't careful, they might even use the public to pin the blame for the safe-cracking on the Alliance, using that as a pretext to expel us. They’ll claim the real party they were paying was the Dark Guild all along."
"How utterly petty. But wouldn't that lead to a dead end for them as a nation?"
"It depends on how you define a 'dead end.' They’re betting that if we can't investigate, we can't produce evidence—and they’re right. Even getting them to cooperate with an investigation is a tall order for the Alliance. If we were to announce that they have ties to the Dark Guild while the public is already protesting, it would only incite them further. To the people of Irinau, who know nothing of the outside world, it is the Alliance that is shaking the foundations of their lives. If we were to tighten the screws on trade, you can imagine what would happen."
"That would only invite more public outcry. Even so, Irinau can't use that to justify a war, can they? Isn't this a checkmate for them regardless?"
War is only an option if victory is guaranteed. You cannot enter a contest when you know you will lose. For Irinau, it’s the end of the line either way, but...
"Seraria, don't jump to conclusions. Do you know what 'checkmate' actually means for Irinau?"
"Eh? Well, surely it means being destroyed, doesn't it?"
"Do you think it’s that easy for us to just destroy them? I’m talking about politics, not physical force."
"In political terms, crushing the nation of Irinau is impossible. It would undermine the very purpose of the Alliance. But if it comes to this, even if they delay the inevitable, the current leadership—the King and his senior ministers—won't be able to escape accountability, will they?"
"And what if those responsible are gone by then?"
"Huh?"
I was so stunned I could only stare, but then that old bastard let out a laugh.
"Bwahaha! I see! Indeed, while they might eventually be unable to escape the suspicion of their ties to the Dark Guild, if they simply claim the guilty parties have already been purged, then it would be misplaced to hold the Irinau of that future era responsible."
"So, they intend to frame it as the fault of their predecessors, leaving the current Irinau blameless. Well, that is a logical defense. From our side, if the culprits have already been punished, we’d have to accept it. We would still conduct an investigation, but the narrative would shift from 'Irinau is evil' to 'the former leadership was corrupt.' Since crushing Irinau would only create more headaches for us... I suppose this is what you’d call a convenient outcome?"
As the King of Gartz added his explanation to the old man's words, the room grew quiet.
"They are signaling that they don't want to be held accountable right now. Fine. Our goal is to crush the Dark Guild. As long as Litea is satisfied, it would be best to withdraw for now. We can retreat without further conflict."
It was true. If this was a situation Irinau orchestrated in tandem with the Dark Guild, staying any longer would only invite more backlash from the populace. Everyone around us could easily become an enemy. We could defeat them, of course, but Deryu and the others would never strike down commoners.
As long as we agreed to settle the score with the Dark Guild and Irinau at a later date, there was no issue—though, as my husband noted, it all depended on how Litea would react.
"...I understand. We do not wish to cause suffering for the people of Irinau. If we can gather concrete evidence and hold them accountable for the chaos they caused in league with the Dark Guild... then we shall withdraw."
Alstaire was clearly unhappy, but to push further would be to turn the public against us. That was not our intention, so we chose to retreat.
Incidentally, while there were attacks and safe-cracking attempts by the Dark Guild, we suppressed the assaults without issue. As for the safe-cracking, we left it unmentioned.
Now, all that remains is to head home. I’ll have to make sure to thank everyone and offer them some respite once we return. Irinau knows how to strike at the Alliance's weaknesses. It makes my blood boil, but as a stopgap measure, their strategy is remarkably effective.