第１７２９堀：新大陸の軽い情勢説明 (Part1)
Chapter 1729: A Briefing on the New Continent’s Situation
Side: Ratz
"Thank you. Well, that’s a relief. Now then, while we begin our preparations, I’d like to hear about the war situation in the areas we’re heading to..."
"Yes, that is only natural. It would be problematic if you were to walk blindly into the heart of the enemy. Hey, Martin."
"Yes, sir."
With that, Martin began to spread out a map and prepare for the briefing.
*Hmm.* As expected, he possesses that characteristic sharpness—or perhaps, ruthlessness. With this, the Ohe Kingdom will find itself under our thumb.
Of course, I can’t be entirely at ease, as even the Weed troops Yuki-san prides himself on could potentially suffer a defeat. However, at the very least, Rurua’s healing magic will be effective, and there will be plenty of room for negotiation.
The truly pitiful part is that the Ohe Kingdom doesn’t even realize this.
Well, it’s not as if we intend to slaughter them all, so perhaps we are still better than the invading enemy.
Therefore, it is only natural that we extract information about that enemy.
The fact that humans are attacking the Ohe Kingdom—a multi-species nation—means that Eris and I are likely considered enemies as well.
And Weed, being a multi-species nation itself, will undoubtedly be judged as an enemy, too.
It is necessary to learn the details about those foolish adversaries.
While the If Continent had similar tendencies, it never escalated to this level of warfare, so I am quite curious as to what the root cause might be.
"Then, if I may, I, Martin, shall provide the explanation."
"Yes, please do."
Before he began the healing, I hadn't quite grasped what kind of person Martin was, but now that he has removed his helmet, I can see he is a beastman with upright wolf ears, and his body is well-toned and formidable.
At this rate, it might be advantageous to bring not just Eris and myself, but also Tori, Riel, and Kaya to assist with the negotiations.
Though, that would raise the question of what to do about everyone’s respective duties.
Setting that aside, let’s look at the map he spread out... It is exactly as I expected: a hand-drawn, scribbled map.
Well, it is a key piece of national defense, after all.
Compared to maps owned by other individuals, it is quite impressive in that it clearly marks the locations of towns and villages, and the calligraphy is neat, but the distances and scales are unreliable.
It’s the sort of thing that would be best framed and hung on a wall as a piece of art.
While I was thinking this, Martin began his explanation.
"First, regarding this Ohe Kingdom: it is a monarchy centered around King Ohe IV, who is present here. It is a nation of approximately 100,000 people, including not only elves and beastmen but also, quite naturally, humans."
*Hmm.* A nation of 100,000, is it?
I suppose that makes it a mid-sized nation, at best.
A major power would have at least 100,000 people in the capital alone, and a total population easily exceeding a million.
In fact, major powers can typically field 100,000 soldiers without breaking a sweat. The largest ones likely have a total population of over ten million.
Well, compared to the world Yuki-san and the others come from, it’s like comparing acorns to acorns.
"Most of the territory is covered in forest, and we have carved out our villages and towns from within it."
And a troublesome landscape it is.
Among the countries we know, the closest equivalent in the Rogari Continent would be the Last Kingdom, formerly ruled by the Demon Lord. That land was a fortress surrounded by both forests and mountains.
And in the If Continent, perhaps the Lancer Magic Academy City.
Strictly speaking, that is a city rather than a nation, but it functions as a town surrounded by a great forest—a habitat for monsters. It, too, uses the forest and the monsters as a natural defense, making it easy for the defenders.
The difference is that both the Rogari and If Continent nations are smaller in scale than the Ohe Kingdom.
This is because the scale of the continents themselves is different; the continent where the Ohe Kingdom resides is simply too vast.
This continent is more than ten times larger than the Rogari or If continents.
Therefore, it wouldn't be strange to say that the size of the forest where the Ohe Kingdom is located is equivalent to those two continents combined.
Well, I haven't measured it precisely, so I can't say for sure.
"And now, regarding the region that has become the battlefield we are discussing... it is the town to the north and the town to the south."
Martin pointed to the map and placed markers representing the army’s deployment. They were positioned in a straight line, connecting the top and bottom of the forest.
"Were these towns placed there intentionally?"
"Yes. We, the Ohe Kingdom, were originally persecuted by humans in this land. Unable to coexist with monsters, we hid ourselves in this forest. However, even though we were persecuted by humans, it did not mean we had no trade. In particular, the countries near this forest knew that we acted as a shield against the monsters."
"I see. So, the southern town serves as a defense against monsters?"
"Yes, that is correct. Though, it is not perfect. Quite a few monsters still manage to infiltrate the forest."
Well, of course they do.
Monsters don't exactly attack towns with any sense of etiquette.
"However, both are currently the pillars of our defense. These northern and southern towns are connected to this royal capital by roads, used for both supplies and communication. If they fall, the enemy will be able to march straight up to us."
I see. There are drawings of roads on the map, so that much is true.
It seems like a situation that is barely holding on, yet somehow managing.
If the gateways of the northern and southern towns fall, it’s essentially the end.
"I hear these areas are currently battlefields, but you are managing to hold them, correct?"
"Yes. Both the north and south are holding for the time being. Neither the monsters nor the humans seem to have achieved complete coordination, which is how we’ve managed to survive."
"What do you mean by 'not coordinated'? They are attacking you, aren't they?"
Yuki-san demanded a more detailed explanation from Martin, who was saying things that didn't quite add up.
I didn't understand it either.
Does "not coordinated" mean the attacks are sporadic?
But then, why say "not *completely*"? It makes no sense.
"Ah, how should I put this... It is indeed difficult to explain. First, looking back, I believe it all began when the monsters started moving northward."
"Moving northward? Like they are now?"
"No, the numbers were much smaller then. After all, the increase in numbers is visible enough to be noticed. Reports have been coming in from the southern town that the number of monsters reaching the town has increased. The Adventurer’s Guild has submitted the same report, so there is no mistake there."
"Ah, so there is an organization called the Adventurer’s Guild as well."
So that part is the same as the Rogari and Zurable continents.
To deal with monsters, such an organization is indeed necessary.
In other words, the administration cannot keep up.
Well, that aside, the fact that two separate organizations have confirmed the increase in monsters means it is certainly not just a figment of their imagination.
"When we began our investigation, our scouting parties confirmed that they were not just near the towns, but were infiltrating and entering the forest as well. We began a full-scale investigation, thinking something was amiss, but in the meantime, complaints arrived from the human nations. They claimed that a massive number of monsters were emerging from the forest."
"Normally, that would just mean the monsters that moved north are coming out. Is that something they would complain about?"