第１７４４堀：やるからには盛大に (Part2)
"Utilizing the goblin units makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"
"It does. That said, it’s vital we take things one step at a time. Also..."
"Wait, there’s more?"
"Oh, definitely. I’m planning to invite the members of the Ohe Kingdom to Weed so they can get an accurate grasp of our current situation."
"That is certainly necessary. But won't some of them need to remain here?"
Leaving our personnel count at absolute zero is, by any measure, a poor decision. This is a place where one can never be certain what might happen next.
"They will. When the completion party for Glass Port Town arrives, all the wives will need to attend. Which means, for that duration, this place will be left practically empty, but..."
My husband said this, casting a glance toward Steve and his subordinates.
"Steve and his crew should be able to handle things."
"It’s not like we’re being asked to conduct diplomacy, boss. As long as we explain the situation to those around us beforehand, there won't be any issues. It’s only for three or four days, right?"
"I was hoping to wrap it all up in one, personally."
"No way, boss. We’re holding the party at the hotel Ratz-ane developed as a resort, aren't we?"
"Yes, that’s correct. I suppose they might take a look around the town, but surely they’d find playing at the hotel or on the beach more enjoyable. Besides, this is meant to be a leisure trip as well; there’s no way those people are going to head home in a single day. If anything, they’ll likely frame it as 'official business' and camp out for a full week."
I agree with Ratz’s assessment.
My father, my younger brother, and even my mother—who frequently visits to enjoy time with her daughter, Arge, who is currently under Weed’s protection as an undead—would absolutely find some excuse to overstay their welcome.
"That may be true, but there’s no reason for me to be playing host or sticking by their side for an entire week. Well, if I *am* with them, we’ll end up playing, but since I’ll be explaining our circumstances, I imagine they’ll just tell me to do my best."
"..."
It is all too easy to imagine.
After all, the people gathering here are the heads of nations; it is common for them to have to depart immediately should an urgent matter arise. It is safe to say no one would stop them.
Especially regarding my husband’s affairs, which concern the future of the New Continent—the other members of the Intercontinental Alliance would surely be in favor of it.
Or rather, they would be desperately trying to find a way to get a piece of the action...
"Yuki-sama, I understand you intend to discuss various matters at the Glass completion party, but I suspect you are also anticipating some form of... let us call it 'concession' or interest in return, are you not?"
"Well, the various nations are aiming to secure such interests, or rather, to secure our cooperation here in Weed."
"Naturally. If they can cooperate with Weed, there is a reward to be had. History has proven that those rewards are immense. However, that is a difficult prospect for Weed, is it not?"
Indeed. While those nations are desperate for Weed’s technology and resources, we, the providers, find the selection process for such things to be a heavy burden. We must consider the balance between other nations, the selection of personnel to dispatch, and so much more.
"That’s the truth of it. Still, it feels like Weed, Roschur, and Gartz have pushed through the impossible this time. Since they’re going to be providing us with support, I feel I have to do something in return. And if you include the incident with Suurus in Litea, the Rogali Continent is a bit of a... well, you know. So, I’ve been thinking about something."
"Something, sir?"
"Exactly. The human side—the North—is bound to have its share of issues, but the South, where the monsters are encroaching, should be free for the taking, right?"
"Whether it is 'free' is... oh!"
I remembered then.
We had made a promise to the Ohe Kingdom. Regarding the rewards for our cooperation, we would demand them from the enemy side. While negotiations and the like are tedious when dealing with the human-populated North...
"If we’re dealing with monsters, we can do whatever we want, can’t we?"
He says such outrageous things with that same constant smile.
A land free for the taking.
...Wait. Won't the Intercontinental Alliance come flooding in?
It is simply a matter of applying the rewards we promised the Ohe Kingdom—those taken from the enemy—to the monster-controlled territories as well.
Well, how each nation judges this is up to them. Even if the land is there, they have no knowledge of the monsters or the characteristics of the terrain, so they will have to weigh whether it is truly worth claiming.
Nevertheless, there will surely be those who see this as the perfect opportunity to advance into the New Continent.