第１４８１堀：問い合わせの結果 (Part2)
It’s not as if things will resolve themselves in a month, so it looks like we’ll have to be the ones to make a move.
"What’s wrong?"
"Oh, it’s just… about the reinforcements from Rumel..."
"Not happening. As I said before, this is an alliance-wide operation. Of course, we’ll provide defensive forces for the auction itself, but for the negotiations, it’ll just be the envoy and a few guards. Having too many people would just get in the way, right?"
"True. Glad to hear that. I was worried I’d have to make arrangements if Rumel was sending a separate detachment."
"Ugh, the number of people, their affiliations, the logistics—it’s all such a headache, isn't it?"
"Tell me about it. Still, I’m relieved that most of the team is being selected from our own inner circle. I’m counting on you, Lowell."
"Leave it to me. Now, what about the location for the lodging? Haven't you decided yet?"
Lowell asked, her gaze fixed on the map displayed before us.
"I have a preference, but that land has its own complications."
"Exactly. It would be disastrous if we accidentally violated some sacred site or taboo that we know nothing about. You should investigate those aspects while you're at it. Once you report back, we’ll give the final approval."
"Ah… well, I suppose that’s important."
Huh?
The reaction wasn't exactly enthusiastic.
"Is there a problem?"
"Well, you could say that. Whenever I’ve come across those kinds of 'venerable traditions,' I’ve usually crushed them. To put it bluntly, what they call a 'sacred site' or 'taboo' on the surface often turns out to be a dumping ground for the corpses of their enemies underneath."
"“Ah.”"
That sounds exactly like the kind of thing that would happen, and I hate it.
"Still, the aerial footage shows nothing but plains, so I don't think there will be any major issues... but I’ll keep an eye out. Oh, and they might try to offer human sacrifices. We’ll refuse the act itself but move to protect the victims."
"Wait, they actually do that?"
"Ah, I’ve heard of it. The idea that sacrificing a person guarantees the prosperity and safety of the land."
So, it’s like a *hitobashira*—a human pillar—back in Japan.
I had assumed it was some kind of demon-summoning ritual.
Either way, it’s nothing but trouble.
"Protecting them is fine, but can you cover it up? Won't it be a problem if you don't go through with it?"
Personally, I think the custom of human sacrifice is absolute garbage, but these stories are often tied to the peace of mind of the residents.
Like Seraria said, they believe that prosperity and peace exist *because* of the sacrifices.
There are people who find comfort in the ritual.
If you ignore that, you invite backlash from the locals. If any trouble arises, they’ll just spout some nonsensical theory about how it happened because we didn't offer a sacrifice.
...Wait, isn't it a bit hypocritical for me to say that, considering I have a daughter like Akuten?
"We’ll fake it. We’ll tell them we’ll handle the ritual ourselves and keep it out of the public eye. Most of these places don't let people see the actual process anyway, so it should work. So, if we can do it in Weed, we’ll provide for those we protect..."
"Right. In that case, we’ll guarantee their livelihood in Weed. Actually, would it be better not to tell them which land we’re choosing in advance?"
"They might try to offer a sacrifice after we've already set up shop..."
Seraria said this with a face like she’d just bitten into a bitter bug.
I had been thinking the exact same thing.
As for Lowell:
"That’s possible. They could create the 'fact' that they’ve already offered a sacrifice. If they do that, they might think we can’t treat them poorly. Or, externally, they could claim that even though they offered a sacrifice, we treated them badly."
"Hmm. I want to avoid being put on the back foot, so it’s probably best to tell them that we’ll decide on the location for the lodging and defensive facilities only after we’ve inspected the site."
"I’ve already told them as much, of course. For security reasons, there’s no way we’re following their instructions to the letter. I’d like to think they understand at least that much."
"There’s always some idiot who pops up at the wrong time in these situations, isn't there?"
"Well, Lowell, do your best. Just contact me if any problems arise."
"Ugh, I truly hope it doesn't become a hassle. Oh, and about the unit composition..."
And so, with our heads together, Lowell and I hammered out the details for our journey to the town of Wean in the Kingdom of Ewai.
There’s something unsettling about it when things go too smoothly, isn't there?