第１７５９堀：オーエ王国の経済状況について (Part2)
"Is it impossible, then?"
"Unlike injuries, illnesses have a thousand different causes. Furthermore, by contracting an illness, one gains the trait of becoming stronger against that specific sickness. We call this building immunity, but using magic to simply restore stamina robs the body of that opportunity. While it isn't necessarily wrong to rely solely on recovery magic to keep one's strength up... surely you wouldn't want to wait for the body to build immunity and recover on its own, would you?"
"Well, it depends on the severity, but I certainly cannot afford to have people out of commission for long periods."
Naturally. A few days of illness is one thing, but it’s not uncommon for these things to drag on for ten days, or even a year in the worst cases. During that time, the person’s labor is lost, and when you consider the cost of finding replacements, it is far more efficient to cure the illness as quickly as possible.
"Precisely. Besides, depending on the sickness, there is a risk of the patient dying before they can even develop immunity. Fortunately, we know that the current surge in illness began only after the enemy launched their offensive..."
"I haven't investigated in detail, so I cannot say for certain, but I judge that the majority of cases stem from a decline in resistance due to exhaustion and the depletion of resources. That said, it would not be surprising if there were some critically ill patients among them. Therefore, I wish to conduct urgent diagnoses and provide treatment via medicine. However, it is a fact that dispatching doctors and procuring medicine costs money, and to those ignorant of this knowledge, our actions might seem nonsensical. That is why I would like to receive authorization from King Oue, including that aspect."
I stated this firmly. Whether it is Rurua or us, things are going smoothly only because we are operating directly under King Oue’s authority. I would like to believe that the clinics in other regions would quietly accept our proposals, but I cannot afford to be that naive.
We need the brute force of authority to push this through.
"This is indeed the same as when you, Yuki-dono, took the field and demonstrated your true strength, is it not?"
"That is correct. In terms of showing power, it is the same. However, regarding recovery from illness, there is a significant disparity between individual patients. That makes it easy for distrust to take root."
"I see. It is much like how there is a difference in healing speed for injuries if one does not use recovery magic."
Surprisingly, King Oue nods quite readily to Yuki’s explanations. No, I suppose I should just be grateful that we have built such a good relationship. Well, we did take him to Weed, fed him delicious food, and sent him back with plenty of supplies; if he didn't at least do this much, it wouldn't be worth the investment.
"However, regarding the cost of this..."
Even so, the expression on King Oue’s face as he looks over the documents is grim. Well, it isn't just the royal soldiers anymore; this is support for the entire nation, so the amount is, quite literally, on a different scale. With their income streams severed, they have no room to pay.
From the beginning, we have been providing food and material support almost entirely out of our own goodwill, free of charge. For us to then ask them to pay for this as well—that would take quite a bit of nerve. If it were the Princess, she would likely be coughing up blood at the thought.
Still, if we demand payment when they truly have no ability to pay, it is obvious that dissatisfaction will explode. And for our part, we have no desire to see the Kingdom of Oue collapse economically.
Therefore...
"Do not worry about that. We shall bill the enemy for it."
"I am grateful for your words. However, to rely on you so heavily... Oue feels ashamed. If only there were something we could offer in return..."
We had originally planned to squeeze the war costs out of the enemy anyway, and for now, we are managing to keep things afloat with our stored DP and supplies. We have calculated that we can recover the losses. But the Oue side knows nothing of this, and since they are unaware that we—or rather, that we value this continent—are so invested, it is only natural for them to feel anxious about how long this support will last.
In the worst-case scenario—no, in a normal situation like this—it would be standard to suggest a marriage alliance to secure stable support. For a nation, sacrificing one person to ensure the country's survival is a logical decision. But Yuki has been through that ruse so many times that he’s already begged for a reprieve.
So...
"Ah, in that case, I do have a small request."
"A request?"
"Yes. Well, one might call it a consultation..."
And so, the moment arrives where Yuki makes various demands, including the matter of King Oue’s own wounds. How much he can get the King to agree to is the true test of Yuki’s skill.
In conclusion, Oue’s economic situation—or rather, their supply situation—is quite desperate. It appears they had fallen into a crisis where, at the very least, many people were on the verge of starving to death. Because of this, Oue is now in a position where they cannot carelessly cut ties with Weed.