第１５７２堀：同盟全体で宗教の見直しへ (Part2)
"There is much to be anxious about, but if we interfere, it will only invite further complications."
"You are quite right, Stasia. After all, these are the internal affairs of another nation. Under normal circumstances, the pretext of a 'treasure hunt' within the former Vinosia territory—now under Hinsa administration—would never be permitted."
Whether it concerns the search for secret treasures in Hinsa or the subjugation of the dark guilds, the fact that Weed, a foreign power, is meddling so brazenly is an extraordinary situation. The only reason this has been manageable at all is due to the cooperative framework established by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, which my husband has championed.
The incident in Saurus also revealed the existence of hostile forces capable of toppling smaller nations with ease, which served as a wake-up call. Thanks to that, the smaller nations have finally grasped the gravity of the situation. It is a delicate balance of circumstances that has allowed for this quasi-military deployment to Hinsa. If someone were to throw a wrench into the works now, the entire operation could collapse. Not everyone, after all, is a proponent of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
"Sigh. Well, as far as this is concerned, we must ensure Rurua and Lilishe handle things diplomatically—or rather, tell them to keep a low profile until the investigation concludes."
"That would be for the best. My husband and the others are currently in Hinsa; if a withdrawal order were issued now, it would be a disaster. And what of this picture book you mentioned?"
"Ah, I am sending the data now."
As she spoke, the data arrived from Quar. I opened it to confirm the contents, and the title caught my eye.
"The Hero of Vinosia, is it? A rather common title, I suppose."
"It’s the sort of title you’d find in every nation. It’s unlikely to hold any connection to the secret treasure—or the location of the dark guilds—but it did serve as a hint during the incident with the Holy Sword. Regardless, the instruction was for everyone to read it."
"The Holy Sword... that would be the matter of the If Continent."
"Exactly. The nickname for the 'conveniently overpowered' sword that Comet crafted."
"It remains a peculiar name, no matter how many times I hear it."
I offered a wry smile at the mention of the name. I couldn't help but think there might have been a more dignified choice.
"Well, I suppose they preferred to avoid giving it an overly grandiose name that might not live up to the hype. I understand the sentiment. Besides, Lady Comet is a researcher. To her, performance is what matters."
"True enough."
If I were asked to name a legendary weapon in my possession, I would certainly struggle. If it were something I had crafted myself, it would be humiliating if the name were too lofty and the weapon failed to live up to it. She likely just gave it a name based on its concept.
"But, we’ve digressed. Regardless of how busy you are, please do read the book. Also, I believe we should get a firm grasp on the amount of religious donations being funneled across the various continents—it could easily become a powder keg. The sums involved are staggering, and we certainly don't want to be ravaged by religious strife a second or third time, do we?"
"Indeed, we have all been forced to drink from that bitter cup. However, asking Enola, Sota, or Enol... no, that would be futile. They would have surely corrected the ledgers before it reached the higher-ups."
"Precisely. Neither Enola nor the current leader, Enol, would ever willingly accept unnecessary donations. Of course, we must also investigate the If Continent and the Zrabur region. Fortunately, we are not lacking in personnel capable of conducting such inquiries."
"That is true."
There are many of us in positions to scrutinize the flow of capital or negotiate with various nations. Above all, many have realized the inherent dangers of these religious organizations through recent events. Even so...
"I understand the sentiment, but I believe we should discuss these movements before taking action. If we don't coordinate with the religious leaders of each continent, it will lead to utter chaos."
As we grew animated, Quar pointed this out with her characteristic composure.
"...You're right. If we act on our own accord, we risk turning the religions of every continent into our enemies."
"Even if we have been burned by them, we cannot be too blatant. After all, the upper echelons are undoubtedly working for the sake of their faith, and there is no denying they have been of assistance to us."
They are not merely a nuisance. They have contributed significantly thus far. It is simply that the time has come for a review. However, without proper coordination, the resulting confusion would be catastrophic.
"I want to have the groundwork laid by the time my husband returns. I will arrange the meetings with the various nations, and as for you, Stasia..."
"Understood. I will inform Findar. I doubt he will refuse, but..."
"Conversely, we must remain vigilant to ensure that, upon receiving this news, he does not resort to hardline measures against the Haile faith."
"Indeed."
And so, I left the office, pondering how best to broach the subject with my father and younger brothers. A review is a difficult undertaking, to be sure. Even in the modern age, such matters are fraught with messy, real-time conflicts.