第１７３３堀：まずは先立つ物 (Part1)
Chapter 1733: First, the Essentials
Side: Vilia
"I see. So, the priority is to push back the enemy above all else."
"Indeed. Even if we were to send envoys while the town remains under blockade, no one would be able to side with us, even if they wished to."
"True. As long as our allies perceive us as unreliable, we cannot guarantee the safety of any messenger. We cannot afford to waste even a single diplomat capable of negotiation at this juncture."
Before me, my brother, Lord Martin, and King Oue are engaged in this very discussion.
To summarize briefly: unless we defeat and drive back the enemy currently besieging the north—or rather, holding our heads down—there is no hope for cooperation with other nations.
I understand the logic. The surrounding countries must believe the war situation is dire.
However, I harbor concerns about the reliability of our current intelligence. We lack the instantaneous communication capabilities of Weed, and if things go poorly, there is a distinct possibility that the northern town has already fallen.
"Lady Holly, what are your thoughts on this?"
"On what, specifically?"
"On our future policy. The plan to push them back, that is."
"Ah, well, we have little choice but to do so. Our information is limited, and we must verify the discrepancies between the intelligence held by the Kingdom of Oue and the reality outside."
Her response was more sensible than I had anticipated. Having been a Demon Lord, I half-expected her to suggest simply annihilating everything in our path.
"...Vilia. I’m not one to pursue reckless strategies, you know."
"My apologies. Was it that obvious on my face?"
"Indeed. You looked quite surprised. Though, your expressions rarely change much, so it’s hard to tell—but I suppose that comes with our time spent together."
"Is that so? I must strive to improve my composure."
After all, having one’s inner thoughts read during negotiations is hardly an ideal state of affairs.
"I don't think you need to be quite that stoic, but very well. To return to the topic, we have no strategy as it stands. Once we push them back and force both the Kingdom of Oue and the hostile nations to recognize Weed’s position, our range of options will expand significantly."
"Indeed."
At the moment, we have only saved the King and the Captain of the Royal Guard. The Kingdom of Oue likely still struggles to gauge our true strength. Though, they seem to have gained enough trust in our medical techniques to have already taken Lady Rurua away with them.
"Well, Yuki seems to have already made the necessary preparations, so I suppose we are simply to provide military support?"
"That is likely the case. Even without the King’s request, there was always a possibility we would end up in conflict with the enemy."
We were dispatched not merely as an investigative team, but as an advance guard with the duty of securing a foothold. Securing a foothold naturally includes combat. Since the Kingdom of Oue agreed to dialogue, we are in this position, but the possibility of open warfare was never zero.
As I pondered this, a message arrived from Lady Ratz.
*“This is Ratz. The supplies are ready for transport. How is the discussion going, Brother?”*
It seems the logistics are prepared.
"Brother, pardon the interruption. Lady Ratz has informed me that the supplies are ready."
"Oh, I see. King Oue, Lord Martin, Lady Ratz has confirmed the supplies are ready. May we proceed with the verification and handover?"
"Is that so? That is most welcome. Martin."
"Yes, Your Majesty! I shall gather the troops immediately."
With that, my brother and I depart the conference room of Oue Castle and head toward the dungeon entrance installed in the courtyard.
"Still, it is an impressive entrance, no matter how many times I see it."
"It would look rather unsightly if it remained a mere hole in the ground, after all."
The two of them are discussing the dungeon entrance. Initially, it was a rugged, cave-like opening, but this castle courtyard is a beautifully maintained garden. The center is a sprawling, manicured lawn designed for tea and leisure—the sort of place where noblewomen gather to converse.
Weed has such spaces, too, but Lady Seraria and the others...
*“Eh? Wouldn’t it be better to drink tea on the veranda of an inn or in a common room?”*
They have little interest in garden tea parties. Though, since we do host such events in Weed, the space isn't entirely wasted. Generally, after tea, Lady Seraria and her peers prefer to work off the calories with combat training, so they prefer being near a plaza where they can spar... ahaha.
Putting the battle-loving ladies aside, the rugged dungeon entrance felt out of place in such a refined garden, so we remodeled it into an elegantly crafted gate. Since the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance has already begun trade via gates, we decided to construct ornate entrances rather than leaving them as crude caves. The data from those designs is what stands before us now.
"Now, taking the supplies out of the dungeon is fine, but where shall we deposit them?"
"Ah, Martin."
"Yes! We planned to transport them to the barracks warehouse."
The castle is adjacent—or perhaps integrated—with the barracks. Such structures are common enough.
"I see. In that case, moving them from here would trample the courtyard. If you grant us permission, I can create an entrance near the barracks warehouse. How would you like to proceed?"
"You can do such a thing?"
"Yes, it requires little effort. Besides, you intend to distribute these to the populace, do you not? It would be better if the location were elsewhere."
"My thanks. Martin, guide them to the barracks."
"Understood!"
And so, the handover in the courtyard was canceled in favor of the barracks. It was the only logical choice. Piling supplies in the courtyard would not only bury the space but inevitably ruin the meticulously kept garden. Some might say that in our current situation, one shouldn't worry about such trifles, but if one has the luxury to care, one should. My brother once said, and it was written in the books as well: when those in power lose the luxury of maintaining appearances, those who follow them begin to feel the stirrings of anxiety.