第１７３１堀：戻ってきたら忙しそう (Part1)
**Chapter 1731: Busy Upon Return**
Side: Kagura
"Umm, what is going on?"
After finishing my work at the remote village and finalizing the preparations for the defense systems and evacuation protocols behind the scenes, I returned to Weed only to find the military in a state of frantic activity.
Well, I suppose I can guess the reason why...
"I assume this is all because Holy and the others were taken, right?"
"That’s a given, but this is happening the day after it occurred, isn't it? Have there been any reports?"
"They just haven't reported to us yet. We were busy talking with the merchants and Nina and the others, after all."
"I suppose that’s true..."
The people in the remote village had been anxious about Holy and Vilia’s disappearance, wondering if there had been another case of missing persons. We had been doing everything we could to keep them calm. In reality, it wasn't just a disappearance—they had been summoned, which was a fact. If that kind of thing had happened within the village itself, it would have caused a total panic.
"Honestly, if we were to disappear as well, the villagers would probably fall into even greater chaos. But Yuki called for us, and since we’ve returned, it must mean there’s been some sort of development."
"Right. If nothing had changed, we should have stayed at the village. There would be no point in dragging us back here. I suppose that’s why they said we were returning early for 'business.' Let’s head to the conference room quickly."
"Agreed."
With that, we headed toward the designated military conference room, where we found Jessica and Stasia huddled together, deep in discussion. They noticed us entering and turned their gazes our way.
"You’ve arrived."
"Good. Kagura, Enora, you two can handle the command duties at a minimum, right?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, I can handle command, but I don't know the background of any of this. I’ve been at the remote village, and I was told I’d get the details once I arrived here."
I tilted my head, and Enora, looking perplexed, explained our situation.
"Ah, I suppose that’s true. Stasia, please continue with the preparations. I will provide the briefing."
"Understood. I’ll see you two later."
"Oh, right. Good luck."
Jessica said this to Stasia, and we watched as Stasia hurried out of the room.
"What exactly is going on? Are Yuki and the others in more danger than we thought?"
"If that’s the case, I’m heading out immediately."
Enora and I are Yuki’s wives, too. We couldn't just sit idly by while our husband was in danger.
"No, it hasn't reached that level of desperation yet. Though, I can’t exactly say we have the luxury of time, either."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Explain it to us properly."
"Yes. Understood. Here is the current situation..."
And so, Jessica explained the circumstances following the summoning and kidnapping of Holy and Vilia. Fortunately, there hadn't been an immediate clash like the one we experienced; it had begun with negotiations. According to what they’d gathered, the nation responsible for the summoning—the Kingdom of Ohe—was currently being attacked from both the north and the south. They had almost no allies left, their production centers were being seized, and they were in a state of slow attrition.
Yuki’s plan was to offer his cooperation by attempting to negotiate with the opposing nations, fully expecting to be rejected.
"...You’re operating on the assumption that you’ll be rejected?"
"I’m sure you have your thoughts on that, but from the enemy’s perspective, why would they bother negotiating with a nation they’ve never even heard of?"
"...I suppose they would just dismiss it as nonsense. So, Yuki intends to use the rejection and subsequent attack as a pretext to side with the Kingdom of Ohe?"
"Yes. If he doesn't do that, he’ll have to hold the Kingdom of Ohe accountable for this summoning and kidnapping. On the other hand, siding with the enemy would make future negotiations troublesome. This is about making them trust us."
In other words, it’s a matter of which side is easier to ally with, and the side that did the summoning is easier to talk to. Apparently, the other side was rational enough to at least listen. They weren't committing massacres; they were focused on territorial defense, with the prospect of contacting nations that opposed the current invasion to bring an end to the fighting.
"Well, it would be a very difficult task without Yuki. Normally, the disparity in national power is enough to make one abandon the Kingdom of Ohe and join the humans. Of course, considering the discrimination against demi-humans, one really should side with the Kingdom of Ohe."
"That’s true. Discriminating against me would be an act of making the entire Haiden region an enemy."
Indeed, Enora is a Priestess of the Spirits. She belongs to a rare and vital race in the Haiden region. The idea of excluding them is a value system completely alien to the people of this continent. Perhaps they are closer to the people of the If Continent?
"Jessica, what do you think of their ideology?"
"Ah, it does indeed resemble the If Continent. To put it in terms familiar to our continent, it’s as if they were attacking the Kingdom of White Forest."
"That certainly is the structure of it."
"That said, personally, I think fighting against races that excel in physical ability and magic would result in too many casualties, but to those who are attacking, it must appear as a threat."
" "Ah..." "
So, the fact that they possess natural, innate talents that differ from their own is perceived as a threat by the humans.
"Furthermore, monsters are currently expanding their influence from the south. They’ve labeled this phenomenon they don't understand as the 'Demon Lord,' and they claim the Kingdom of Ohe is in league with it. It’s that old story. They want to lump together everything they don't understand and dispose of it. In that sense, it’s no different from how the If Continent feared the demi-humans who possessed the Holy Swords."
They fear the power of those they cannot understand, so they try to destroy them. I can understand the logic, but it’s a strange thing to hear when you’re part of Weed, where we all live together in harmony.
"Anyway, participating as a de facto support nation for the Kingdom of Ohe is a move intended to gain more leverage in the New Continent for Weed and the Intercontinental Alliance in the future."
"That makes sense. If the Kingdom of Ohe wins, they become the dominant power. If we were on their side from the beginning, it’s only natural that our influence would be high."
"Since we wouldn't be trusted otherwise, we have no other choice."
"Yes. Furthermore, if we were to oppose the Kingdom of Ohe, we wouldn't just be making enemies of the summoned villagers; they could be used as hostages. If we were to carelessly harm them, regardless of our moral justification, Weed’s reputation as their protectors would be completely ruined. Their testimony is also essential as proof that they were abducted."