第１７１７堀：動くために必要なこと (Part2)
“True. In that case, while I don’t know why they’re resorting to summoning-kidnappings, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the other side came flooding in. If a nation lacks the strength to suppress such a threat on its own... they’ll have no choice but to rely on us, right? Just like it was with Fiora.”
Seraria let out a cold laugh, following Yuki’s lead.
We have been insisting on an investigation precisely because of these risks. Even if they come crawling to us later, it is only natural that there be a penalty. After all, Fiora herself had to accept a fitting punishment before she could secure Weed’s aid.
“...That may be so, but won't there be casualties in that scenario?” Fiora asked, her expression clouded with worry.
It was a natural concern. The "casualties" she spoke of weren't the military, but the civilians. Unless the state took proactive measures, damage from an invading force was inevitable. The army would be the first to fall, but the common folk would be hunted as well. That is the nature of an invasion.
And yet...
“I understand how you feel, Fiora, but we can’t do a thing unless they actually ask for help. All we can do is save the people in the remote villages. Whether they choose to let their country perish for the sake of their pride is up to them—whatever it is they’re hiding.”
Just as Seraria said, we cannot interfere unless the country formally requests assistance. We have no desire to spark a war. Nor are we simply waiting to say, "I told you so."
We have to maintain a clear line of conduct; otherwise, the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance will be branded as a pack of outlaws. The most we can do is rescue the villagers who might be caught in the crossfire of their government's incompetence.
“Now, Seraria, stop teasing her. And Fiora, even if your homeland was small, as a princess, you surely understand the implications. By doing this, we create the justification to act.”
Stasia spoke to Fiora while gently rebuking Seraria. Fiora looked startled for a moment, reconsidering how they would move when the crisis finally broke, and her face quickly flushed crimson.
“I am terribly sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me.”
“It’s quite alright. It’s only natural to react that way when faced with the decision to abandon people. However, without an incident of that magnitude, intervening in another nation’s affairs is difficult. It was the same with Suurus. Fortunately, the lord there was exceptionally capable, so the casualties were limited to the soldiers and the lord’s own kin.”
Indeed, regarding the Great Stampede that occurred in Suurus, if the lord hadn’t effectively evacuated the townspeople, they would have remained in the path of the disaster, and the damage would have been catastrophic.
Granted, there was the lingering question of why the monsters didn't attack the townspeople even as they passed right by them, but that mystery was eventually put to rest by attributing it to the Dungeon Master’s orders. Without that, the populace would have been slaughtered. From what I’ve heard, there were escort soldiers and some prior reconnaissance, so they must have acted with at least some degree of certainty.
“Well, now that we’ve reached a consensus, let’s decide our movements for when the time comes. In fact, we’ll proceed on the assumption that we’re practically letting it happen.”
“““Understood!”””
Everyone responded in unison to Yuki’s declaration. Yes, at this stage, while we don't know how the situation with the summoning destination will be resolved, we have no choice but to utilize the chaos. If we don’t...
“Either way, we can’t intervene unless something happens. To step in openly, we’ll let them flood into that country, regardless of who the summoners are. That’s final.”
“I suppose there’s no other way. Without that, we have no ‘just cause’ to save the remote villages, and the reputation of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance would suffer. It’s one thing if the threat were a lie, but ignoring a factual crisis would be a problem.”
“Seraria is right. Fiora, you might have your reservations, but this is necessary to save the greatest number of people—and it’s vital for us, too. Now, regarding the coming events... how many military and police units can we mobilize for peacekeeping?”
The detailed strategic discussion was finally beginning, but...
“““Hmm...”””
Everyone groaned in unison.
“““We don’t have enough people.”””
They lamented the harsh reality of Weed’s current situation. No matter how brilliant the plan, people don't just spring out of the ground.
Between the reconstruction of Old Vinocia, the port development projects, the investigation into the dark guilds, and a mountain of other tasks...
It was a nightmare.