第１７４７堀：オーエの取る方針について (Part1)
Chapter 1747: On the Policy Adopted by Oue
Side: Seraria
"Well, I’d like to suggest we move on to a meal, but let’s push forward with the discussion for now. It’s likely problematic for the King of Oue to be away from his post for too long."
My husband said this, steering the conversation forward.
Well, "forward" might be a generous term...
"Ah, please don't worry; it won't be a long talk. The main points of this meeting are, first, to confirm that Weed truly exists. And second, to discuss whether it is truly safe to entrust Queen Dana and the refugees to our care."
That’s right. We only brought them here to convince the Oue delegation, who had been half-doubting the very existence of Weed. It’s not as if we could finalize a treaty in just a few days.
"So, first of all, I believe you have confirmed that Weed exists. Is that correct?"
"Without a doubt. I am astonished that such magnificent architecture could exist here."
As King Oue said this, Queen Dana and Princess Suena nodded in agreement. It seems they were thoroughly surprised, just as one would expect.
"Now, let me briefly explain Weed’s national strength and our allied nations."
Usually, one might wonder why we’d reveal such things, but they are currently in a position where they know nothing but Weed. It’s not that we are divulging detailed military secrets; rather, by showing them our sheer power and numbers, we are providing them with peace of mind while simultaneously illustrating what happens if they were to treat us with disrespect.
That said, the documents prepared—not to mention the holographic projections—contain quite a bit more than a "brief" explanation.
No, this won’t reveal our true bottom line, but as I wondered who could have prepared such a report, I caught sight of Prol standing behind Yuki.
Ah, Prol. If it’s that girl, she’s certainly capable of pulling this off. As a subordinate of Kirika, she wouldn’t have any trouble gathering this kind of intelligence.
*Tsk.* Was it a waste to send her to my husband? Then again, perhaps it is precisely because she is with him that she is able to display such high specs. Not that she lacks respect or loyalty toward us, but my husband always comes first for her.
Setting that aside, the content of the documents covers the number of allied nations centered around Weed, as well as the number of soldiers that can be mobilized in an emergency. Of course, this doesn’t include the dungeon monsters we could deploy, so it’s not our full strength, but still...
"Good heavens, to think you could reach a million if you mobilized your total forces."
"Well, such a thing rarely happens. As I’m sure you understand, mobilizing a million people requires not only the appropriate supplies but also significant funding and time."
"That is certainly true."
The Oue delegation nodded at Yuki’s words. Oh, by the way, Queen Dana is lying on a mobile bed at Rurua’s suggestion. I would have preferred for her to move to a hotel room immediately, but she insisted on participating in the meeting, so this was the compromise. Naturally, Rurua and Chinau, our dedicated physicians, are by her side. Making a pregnant woman sit in a chair for a meeting would be nothing short of torture. We are taking proper care of her.
Also, while "one million" might sound like a massive lie, our Intercontinental Exchange Alliance already includes five major powers in Rogali—Roschur, Gartz, Ritea, Rumel, and Last. The If Continent has six: Zilba, Enaria, Roday, Ex, August, and White Forest. The Haiden region has three: Haiden, Findar, and Seisayfo. And finally, the Zurabl Empire, which conquered the Zurabl region.
That last one, the Zurabl Empire, has the national power to take on the major powers of the Rogali, If, and Haiden continents all at once. And in every one of these nations, a "regional army" is considered to be around 100,000 strong.
Well, due to the maintenance costs I mentioned earlier, they can’t be mobilized so easily, and unlike the people who were hostile to Oue, they aren't professional soldiers, so there is a world of difference between them and Weed’s troops. Even so, while I wouldn't call the numbers absolute, they are certainly a threat that is easy for an opponent to grasp.
Above all, one can predict that if my husband calls out, he would move his army even if it were a costly endeavor. Because if my husband calls for action, victory is almost guaranteed, and the profits will be immense. Of course, it’s not that he doesn’t consider the possibility of defeat, but given the favors he has extended in the past, it is highly likely they would move for him.
"Please consider the total mobilization of the human alliance as a last resort. If you think about what happens to governance after you’ve slaughtered all your adversaries, you realize you cannot act recklessly."
"Indeed. We would be in trouble if those who lost their countries came to us as refugees."
The world isn't as simple as "defeat the enemy and it's over." I used to think that if you just defeated the bad guys, the world would be at peace, but the world doesn't work that way. It’s an endlessly difficult world, and everyone is struggling desperately...
"Exactly. Above all, there is nothing better than resolving things through dialogue without killing, and achieving mutual prosperity. Besides, while the resentment may not vanish, wouldn't it be even more satisfying to outmaneuver those who tried to achieve their wishes through force, and show them that you have grasped happiness instead?"
Yes, my husband aims for "dialogue" and "coexistence"—things far more difficult than the simple, absurd satisfaction of "death" in this unreasonable world. Someone—no, everyone who has ever opposed my husband—points out that his methods are "naive." They say you cannot achieve your goals without killing your enemies.
But my husband just laughs and retorts that those who run away to "killing" are the ones who are truly "naive." He asks who is the one relying on the lazy method of "killing" because they’ve decided they can’t do anything else.
Well, of course, if he decides it can’t be done, my husband *will* do it. He doesn't hesitate to kill an opponent. However, such opponents haven't really existed for him thus far.
And so, regarding the Oue delegation, who were presented with such a proposal against the backdrop of my husband’s ease and overwhelming military power...
"It would certainly be thrilling if that could be achieved... Ah, I see. You mean this is an extension of what we are already doing?"
"Yes. Oue’s original policy was to send envoys to increase your allies. We are in agreement with that policy. In other words, if we can settle this through discussions with the envoys, we won't have to waste our own military strength, and Oue’s forces won’t be depleted either."
That’s right—we are merely following Oue’s original policy. Well, there is no doubt that the success rate is higher with Weed’s participation, but this avoids a war of attrition. Instead, the envoys will have to fight desperately.
I don’t know what intentions the envoys have, but if they are harmed, the discussion ends there.