第１７４７堀：オーエの取る方針について (Part2)
The fact that the Human Alliance has taken demi-humans hostage reveals that there are nations out there still eager to align themselves with Oue. They seized those hostages precisely to sever the ties between those nations and Oue. If we could only sit down and talk, there would be a high chance of success, but the enemy is well aware of that, too...
"That is true, but judging by their methods, we should expect significant interference," I noted.
"I agree. The number of hostages is less than two hundred, which is suspiciously low. There must be far more demi-humans living in other nations, surely?"
"Of course. That was likely done not only to prevent them from coming to Oue's side but also to demonstrate to other nations that Oue was powerless to stop them."
Indeed. If those hostages had died, Oue’s credibility would have plummeted. It was a malicious hostage strategy designed to achieve exactly that. However, now that the plan has failed, we have an opening. The nations whose people were forcibly taken will surely strike back now.
Above all...
"I will ask you this plainly: don't you think the number of hostages is far too small? And the same goes for the size of the force that invaded Oue."
"You're right. It’s strange, now that I think about it. The hatred for demi-humans is largely confined to the north; the nations near Oue accept them and treat them as ordinary citizens. Their total population must number in the tens of thousands. Yet, to have only a hundred or so hostages..."
It seems my husband’s intuition was correct. While demi-humans are being ostracized, that is only in the north. The reason they are preventing envoys from reaching the countries near Oue is that there are so many demi-humans there that a coordinated effort would be a massive headache for them. Furthermore, despite possessing territories larger than the major powers of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, they only sent a force of twenty thousand to attack Oue. If they were truly committed to a total war, it wouldn't be strange to see more hostages and a much larger army.
"In other words, they haven't committed their full strength yet. Is it possible they are attacking other nations simultaneously?"
"...It is a possibility. Ever since the invasion began, we have been on the defensive, pushed back into the city, and unable to send out any envoys."
"What about sneaking them through the forest?"
"We have tried, but none have returned. They were likely either taken out by the monsters in the forest or met with trouble along the way."
I see. So, traversing the forest is not as simple as it sounds.
"In that case, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"And what would that be?"
"That the Human Alliance is moving against other nations that coexist with demi-humans in the exact same way."
The Oue representatives’ eyes widened at that observation. It seems that possibility hadn't occurred to them yet. Well, given the emergency, perhaps that’s understandable.
"Considering the size of the Human Alliance, moving a force of a hundred thousand is no small feat, but it is certainly possible. Surely, they didn't believe they could easily topple an enemy stronghold with just over twenty thousand troops."
"...That is certainly true."
The humans are constantly squabbling among themselves, so they wouldn't expect to win easily with such a small force. That leaves only one answer...
"In short, they either severely underestimate us, or they are attacking other nations at the same time. If one falls, they can use it to secure more hostages and bring in personnel to persuade others to join their cause."
"..."
The Oue side had no rebuttal to that. It’s the logical conclusion, really—a classic example of how tunnel vision sets in during a crisis.
"With that said, shall we agree that our immediate policy will be to send envoys to the neighboring nations that have been cooperative to confirm the situation?"
"I have no objections."
Well, coordinating with our neighbors and sharing information is essential; otherwise, we’ll remain in this state of total confusion.
"Also, this is a matter for a later date, but..."
And so, my husband began to discuss his plan to introduce the Kingdom of Oue during the completion party for Glass Port Town. As for me, my main tasks will be explaining the situation to the Usano and Aae Kingdoms and investigating that monster-infested forest...
Ah, this is exhausting. For now, our policy is to establish contact with the surrounding nations. Grasping the current situation is the most important step.