第１５３４堀：最終的判断は？ (Part1)

The final judgment?

Side: Seraria

Before I knew it, things were ready while I was working. I suppose I should commend my subordinates for their competence.

However, I was hardly involved in this matter, and I can't accompany them, so frankly, I'm dissatisfied.

My husband seemed to understand this.

"Endure it. If something were to happen, it would be spread around that the entire Weed was wiped out. If we were to be taken out by doppelgangers, the damage would be limited to us, but the damage to Weed's reputation as a whole would be unavoidable. We need you to handle that."

"I understand what you're saying. It's just a matter of my feelings."

I can say with absolute certainty that it won't happen, but if I, my husband, Deryu, Riel, Rurua, Agil, Kiyu, and Covil were to be taken out, it would be perceived as half of Weed collapsing.

Furthermore, even though they are our own people, Enola and Senal, who were dispatched from another church externally, are also involved. If something were to happen, not only Weed's reputation but also the alliance's reputation would suffer a significant blow.

Considering that, it's only natural to divide the troops.

But as I mentioned earlier, my personal feeling is that I want to wield my sword alongside my husband.

"Sigh, being a queen is a tough job, isn't it~"

As I realized this anew, I truly understood why my father had worked tirelessly without moving from his post.

"Well, do your best. It's thanks to you working hard on internal affairs and diplomacy that we can now confront the Dark Guild, or rather, the Dungeon Masters."

"It's not decided yet, is it? We haven't even found them yet... However, you think the probability is high, don't you?"

"As Seraria, who has read the documents, you must know that, right? Covil from the Adventurer's Guild will also be participating. If the Dark Guild has a Dungeon Master, there's a high chance they'll target her."

"That's true. With the original members, plus important figures from each country, and even the Goddess, they'd definitely want to capture her if she can convert magic power into DP."

Well, the question is whether we have enough forces, but I expect them to gather their forces no matter what.

I agree with that.

"However, it's not like there won't be any other movements, is it?"

"That's right. In that sense, we want Seraria and the others to remain in Weed."

Yes, the reason we are staying in Weed is for that purpose as well.

The Dark Guild might lure Yuki and the others out and act elsewhere.

The previous incident with Surlus was easily suppressed by the intervention of Weed and the alliance, so they have some understanding of our forces.

Considering our hands-off approach until now, it's also possible they're planning to act in another land while Weed is busy dealing with Vinocia.

That's why I'm remaining as part of the remaining force in Weed.

"When you put it that way, I can't disagree."

Really, it's not just my emotions, but the situation itself that doesn't allow me to move.

Well, if it were just emotions, I would go with them.

Honestly, they are so thorough in these matters.

While thinking about that, I also convey our situation here.

"We've also told the other countries, especially the major powers on the Rogari Continent, to be vigilant, including their affiliated nations."

"I appreciate that. I should explain as well, but if we prepare too much, they might sense it."

"That's true. For them, this time, they'd want it to be as much of a surprise as possible. However, you've already announced that you're heading to Vinocia, haven't you? Is that okay?"

While we haven't decided on the exact departure date, we have informed all countries that we are heading to the former Vinocian territory.

No, they probably know without us even saying it.

In other words, the Dark Guild members also know this.

That's precisely why we believe they will try to trap us at the dungeon base that is likely in former Vinocia, and we can also predict that they will lure away our main forces and act separately.

We don't know the timing, but there's a possibility they've already started moving.

"If they plan to cause a great flood or something in other countries, that's fine too. If we investigate the circumstances of its occurrence, we'll know how much preparation the other party had made."

"I see. So, for you, it's about seeing the other party make a move, isn't it?"

"Ah, this matter. Uh, this incident after the great flood in Surlus. Since we intervened, the Dark Guild's movements have been almost completely silent."

"They attacked in Irinau."

Yes, they were quiet in Kinauf, but in the next country, Irinau, they interfered with our negotiations.

In a way that incited the populace.

"Certainly, if you call it an attack, it was. But considering their objective, it's hard to say it was against Weed or the alliance, isn't it?"

"...That's true. The commotion in Irinau should be seen as an action to secure at least some funds. In other words, it was for the Dark Guild?"

"Ah, it's correct to say they acted to gather funds. Of course, it might have been to stop the alliance's interference in Irinau, but the objective wasn't to inflict damage on Weed or the alliance. It was an action for the preservation of the Dark Guild, or rather, to accumulate power."

"In other words, with this action, the Dark Guild will be acting to inflict damage on the alliance and Weed?"

"There's a possibility they'll ignore it, but I think they'll latch onto one or the other."

"Indeed, our actions this time are obvious, and if they don't act, the Dark Guild's reputation will fall."

The great flood in Surlus was confirmed to have the Dark Guild involved in Kinauf.

Even though Irinau denies involvement, or rather, claims the war itself was a misunderstanding, we have confirmed that the Dark Guild was secretly operating behind the scenes.

In other words, the Dark Guild's major operations have failed.

There's no way to improve their evaluation.

Even if they succeeded in minor assassinations, the current public opinion is that they were ultimately incapable of dealing with a nation.

However, from our perspective, one town in Surlus has effectively fallen, and the damage is immense.

Well, even so, one could say that a nation was fortunate to only lose one town.

"What if they don't latch on?"

"In that case, it can't be helped. Well, we'll pursue them steadily. For now, all the members we've found are being monitored. It will take years to investigate all their bases, but that was our original plan."

"That's the members you found in Irinau, right? Speaking of which, have those members been contacted about the auction or the visit to Vinocia? They're also using doppelgangers for substitution, aren't they?"