第１７０９堀：意外と難しい各国の動き (Part1)
Chapter 1709: The Unexpected Difficulty of International Relations
Side: Ratz
As I was relaxing at home after finishing my usual demanding tasks, a visitor, not exactly rare but still noteworthy, arrived.
"I'm home~!"
A familiar voice echoed from the entrance.
Hearing it, Seraria sighed.
"She's here again."
Yes, that's right. She's here again.
Honestly, she visits so often that it doesn't bother me much.
As I was thinking this,
"Hmph, I'm back,"
"Welcome home."
Lowell, who had just entered, was greeted with those words.
She is the princess of Gartz, Seraria's friend, and Shera's older sister.
In that sense, she is also close to us.
Of course, during combat training... she also shares information about the movements of various countries and organizations, making her an incredibly helpful external? collaborator for us.
I've even considered suggesting that Shera, following in her footsteps, have him by her side, but he still has reservations about having multiple wives. With his wives increasing, the frequency of his visits naturally decreases, and Lowell himself wants to continue traveling the world, so he apparently politely declines Seraria's invitations.
However, the fact that she visits so often makes it clear that she doesn't dislike us.
"Honestly, if you're going to come back like this normally, you should just join us."
"It's not that simple. I am the princess and general of Gartz. Changing my affiliation isn't an easy matter."
"The King and Crown Prince of Gartz told me to get married quickly."
"Hahaha, well, there's no one worthy of me marrying, is there? Well, Seraria, you know that too. Unless you can defeat me."
Hmm, she really is like Seraria.
Is it a case of birds of a feather flocking together?
"Well, it's nothing to worry about, as usual. I've also wandered for quite some time."
Deryu, the Demon Lord, stepped in to support Lowell.
Well, she's a good comrade now.
Enough to properly secure and share the older brother.
As I was thinking this, the older brother, who had returned with her, spoke.
"Lowell is with us today because she gave Holy and Viria some training."
"Yes, we received special training."
Viria, who had returned with the older brother, said this, and the others present, including Orelia, nodded.
So, they were all training together.
"I see. So, Lowell, what's your assessment?"
"Of course, it's a complete failure."
Lowell answered Seraria's question with a sharp retort.
"If you could become a master on your first day, no one would struggle. Even with talent, it takes time. Let's see, you'd need at least three or four days."
"Well, that's natural. So, what about Nina?"
All eyes turned to the older brother.
Nina, as a separate operative of the Holy Sword Wielders, is on a solo investigation disguised as the adventurer Snow.
Our deployment depends on her report...
"She's scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I don't expect her to find anything on the first day."
"She's not a specialist, after all."
Indeed.
Nina is currently investigating as an advance party, posing as an adventurer. She won't be able to do anything significant physically.
She's alone, and there's no specialist accompanying her.
"However, I entrusted Nina with the task of gathering preliminary information. Well, that's why Nina will be investigating for a few days. Or rather, what's the status of the higher-ups? Has Weed's investigation team been allowed to infiltrate, or rather, enter the country?"
Yes, the reason the older brother, or rather Weed, can't make a large-scale move is that the place where the summoning and kidnapping are occurring is in villages located on the border between the countries under the jurisdiction of Roschur and Gartz.
Therefore, we cannot move without permission.
At worst, it could be perceived as a military incursion and lead to war.
"I want to believe it's okay..."
"It should be fine. Since the incident in Surlus and the matter in Hinsa's former Vinocia, the vigilance of each country has increased. Diplomacy is within Charle's purview, but I hear she's currently in negotiations."
"My sister Aria is also working hard on our end..."
Seraria's response is more hesitant than usual.
Everyone seemed to notice.
"Did something happen?"
Eris asked with concern.
"What happened is that according to my sister Aria, they're saying it's just a case of missing persons..."
"Hah?"
Most of the members thought, "What is she talking about?"
"Ah, so they're going to deal with it internally as a matter of dishonor, huh?"
The older brother said, as if he understood.
"That's right. They seem to be saying there's no need to make a fuss over something that isn't true or lacks concrete evidence. Well, I can understand their feelings, though."
"Considering the situations in Surlus and Hinsa, it's understandable... but it's also like tightening the noose around their own necks."
As Lowell said, we understand that tarnishing their name like in Surlus and Hinsa is not good, but refusing an official investigation by Weed, or rather, the International Exchange Alliance, implies they have something to hide. It feels like a Catch-22.
"If there's nothing, then only the stain on their reputation will spread. It's a matter of how they interpret the fact that the International Exchange Alliance conducted an investigation."
"That's the difficult part. We have no reason to slander that country, but it depends on how other countries perceive it."
"Ah, as Rurua said, no matter what we say, it's about the citizens going missing and being left unattended. If we make a fuss, things that would normally be overlooked will become noticeable."
Indeed, it's because we are conducting an investigation that various countries are paying attention. If nothing were happening, a simple missing persons case, while unfortunate, is something that occurs in countries around the world.
Of course, it doesn't happen within Weed, but it's true that we hear about travelers who disappear en route to Weed.
It's not happening within Weed, but during travel between countries.
After all, bandits still run rampant.
There are fools who try to prey on travelers.
While countries do crack down on such fools, they inevitably appear, and it seems they are being targeted for that.
"Hmph. They might even be under invasion, and they're acting so leisurely."