第１４７９堀：物は有限である (Part1)
**Chapter 1479: Resources are Finite**
Resources are finite.
**Side: Prol**
Having received permission from Yuki-sama and the others to explain, I gather everyone’s gaze.
While this is a workplace and normally a situation where one should make a quick exit, it is, after all, the workplace.
I must present myself sharply; I need to act as a guide for Orelia and the others, and this serves as proof of how closely I have been monitoring and investigating the affairs of various nations.
Even though my primary duty is intelligence within Weed, it does not mean I can afford to be ignorant of the outside world—of foreign nations.
Still, to think a country has collapsed.
I, like Yuki-sama, feel the urge to hold my head in my hands, but my priority is to ensure Orelia and the others can keep up with the explanation.
"Now, since I have received permission, allow me to explain this in a way that is easy for you to understand, Orelia. First, do you understand what a 'business bankruptcy' is? Hovis?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. I understand. It’s literally a state where a shop or similar establishment can no longer continue its operations, right?"
"Yes, exactly. The primary causes are things like the death of the proprietor making it impossible to restock or trade, or the business becoming unprofitable. Of course, there are many other reasons, but in the end, these two are often the ultimate causes. A 'national bankruptcy' is, quite literally, replacing the shop with a country."
I state it bluntly for clarity. However, Orelia still looks dissatisfied...
"Prol-sama, I understand business bankruptcy, but surely a national bankruptcy is impossible? It’s not as if there would be no successor, and as for being unprofitable... they are the ones collecting the taxes, aren't they?"
"Y-yes, that's right. Can such a thing really happen?"
Yayui agrees, mirroring Orelia’s words. They don't want to believe it—or perhaps they simply cannot comprehend that a nation could end up in such a state.
"Unfortunately, it can happen. When it comes down to it, money is finite. If the scale grows, the amount of money one can use increases, and of course, for a nation, one can expect a certain amount of revenue from taxes from the citizens, so it doesn't just disappear easily. ...However, there is a limit. This situation likely means they have exceeded that limit. Am I mistaken?"
I check with Seraria-sama and the others. They nod with bitter smiles.
"That’s right. While I am very happy that you trust in nations like Orelia does, money is indeed finite."
"Yeah, well, successors are finite too, but regardless of which one it is, there are always idiots who will spend without end."
"..."
Receiving those words from the two of them, they seem to finally grasp that a national bankruptcy is possible, and they are left speechless.
"And the prime example—though that might be putting it lightly—is Ranks, governed by Yuki-sama’s sworn ally, Hero Taiki-sama. That place was on the verge of becoming a fallen nation. They relied on the name value of a hero like Taiki-sama to pile up debts under the guise of assistance from neighboring countries, and the citizens were burdened with unreasonable, heavy taxes. Left as it was, the country would have collapsed from within. That, too, is a national bankruptcy."
"...So that is why Yuki-sama had such a difficult expression."
Finally convinced, Orelia answers and turns her gaze toward Yuki-sama.
"Well, that’s about the size of it. Though, for a country to actually go bankrupt, it takes a special kind of incompetence. Still, that princess is being put up for sale as a slave now? And she knows the location of the treasure? That part is strange."
"Ah, that was my question as well. Was my explanation acceptable?"
I confirm that my explanation was correct while agreeing with Yuki-sama’s doubt.
"Yes, there are no issues."
"Explaining it in detail would be a real pain, and that level of summary is optimal. As for why now, it seems she was on the run and has finally been caught."
"Ah, so she was running from debt collectors."
"I see. So they are trying to recoup even a fraction of the absorbed debt?"
"Recoup?"
Yayui tilts her head at our conversation. Ah, I suppose this explanation is necessary as well.
"This isn't a difficult concept either. If money is lent and cannot be recovered, the one who suffers is the lender. In this case, the country that absorbed and took in the bankrupt nation likely took on a mountain of debt. Leaving it alone isn't really recommended, either."
"Eh~? Is there any merit in taking in a country drowning in debt~?"
"It’s to prevent further disadvantages. If you hold the country, you can collect taxes, and in the long term... it might somehow work out."
Rebuilding a nation is that difficult. It is not on the level of paying back an individual's debt, after all.
"A 'might' level, then. But what are the disadvantages?"
"A national bankruptcy also means there is no one left to govern. If that happens, the country will fall into ruin and become a gathering place for outlaws. It could become like a dark guild, or a nest for monsters. Neighboring countries must avoid such things."
Leaving it alone is the worst possible outcome, but neighboring countries would hate that, and it would invite intervention from major powers. If the country had simply been defeated in a war and annexed, the matter would have been settled quickly, but obtaining a country riddled with debt means shouldering those liabilities as well. Well, one could ignore it, but then one must consider the possibility of being beaten to a pulp by others.
"So that’s why one of the neighboring countries stepped up. They’ll probably be granted some leeway on repayments, but..."
Since they took on a bankrupt nation at the cost of literally shedding their own blood, it would be meaningless without at least that much. However, if they don't make the repayments, their credibility will plummet...
"It’s just a delay. Taking on a bankrupt country means paying in their stead, after all. To pay for that bill... does that mean this slave trading flyer is state-led?"
As Yuki-sama says. Considering the situation so far, it would follow that the country that absorbed the debt-ridden nation is selling off the former royalty—the beautiful girls and boys—to pay back even a little of the debt, but...
"No, that’s not it. It’s just one of the eye-catching items. Or rather, Yuki, you understand, don't you? The treasure of a fallen nation that went bankrupt is nothing to write home about."
"That’s true..."
"Eh? Is it small?"
Rushi asks, looking surprised.
"Indeed, from an individual's perspective, it might be a large sum, but if that treasure were enough to rebuild a country, they would have used it, wouldn't they?"
"Ah, I see. So you mean it’s not much from the perspective of a nation."
"That would be the assumption. It is highly likely."
"As Prol says. The people who bankrupted the country in the first place were big spenders. It wasn't that they failed at public works or anything. If it were that kind of failure, the surrounding countries would have been more lenient."
"Well, since money is involved, it’s complicated regardless, but can’t you see the difference in impression between debt from mere dissipation and debt from failing while trying to improve the country?"
When I said that, Orelia and the others nodded, but Rushi tilted her head.
"Um, even so, if there is a possibility of recovering even a little, wouldn't it be better to get the treasure first... and then, well, excuse the phrasing, but sell off the princess?"