第１７７４堀：情報を集めるために (Part1)
Chapter 1774: To Gather Information
Side: Kagura
I am currently traveling to the northern town to provide medical treatment for Baron Siana and the others.
Of course, Yuki and the rest are with me.
The King of Ohe and his court tried to stop us, but we insisted on going, wanting to see the situation on the ground for ourselves.
Well, it’s not as if Yuki is going to be directly confronting the prisoners, so there’s no need to worry.
Actually, I was the one who received that same kind of concern.
Even though I’m not an elf like Eris, I’ve managed to earn a surprising amount of trust from the Ohe side despite being a human.
I suppose I should consider it the fruit of all the medical assistance I’ve provided thus far.
"But, I’m not exactly a master healer, you know."
"I know that. Well, your role is primarily diplomatic. Still, don't you think this is better than showing up and announcing ourselves as 'diplomats' or 'negotiators' right in front of them?"
"……I suppose you're right."
Approaching the wounded and telling them we’re here to discuss the future as diplomats—it would be like rubbing salt in their wounds.
As Yuki says, approaching them as doctors and recovery mages will likely make them much more willing to talk.
"But, that doesn't mean we'll be able to get information out of them immediately, does it?"
"No. They’ve been severely deprived of food, and it’s right after a battle. We’ll need to give them at least a few days to recover before we can expect anything."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Since they haven't been eating properly, we have to transition them from liquid diets to solid food before any real negotiation can take place.
"The rest depends on when the main enemy force—or rather, the big shots in charge—decide to give up."
"The Baron and his men haven't been eating well, but do you think the main force can hold out much longer?"
"They’ve ignored our warnings so far. Even the rank-and-file soldiers must be on the brink of starvation, right? If they were truly starving, they wouldn't just sit there until they died."
"That’s true. If they saw people right in front of them eating delicious food, they’d kill to take it."
"Exactly. When people are pushed to the limit, they focus entirely on survival. They act before they even think about making enemies or anything else. That’s why there’s that saying: 'Well-fed people know courtesy.'"
"There’s no courtesy when it’s a matter of life and death. I’ve been there myself."
In my case, it wasn't that I lacked food or clothing, but I was like a candle flickering in the wind before a massive army.
That was why I summoned Yuki and the others.
Even though, looking back, it’s impossible by any standard of common sense.
"Well, before we even have to kill the higher-ups, it seems likely they’ll respond to our calls for surrender. We’ve promised them food, and the scent of delicious cooking is constantly wafting over to them."
"You went that far?"
Torturing them with just the aroma—that’s quite cruel.
"The actual food is being served in the northern town, and it’s gained a reputation for being delicious."
"Well, of course. If you served them something terrible, it would only incite their fighting spirit."
If you make someone wait and then serve them something disgusting, they’re going to be furious.
If the goal was to mock them and kill them, that would be one thing, but since we want their cooperation, it would be counterproductive.
"So, based on what you’ve said, I don’t have anything to do right now, is that it?"
"No, like I said earlier, I want you to help with the meals and the medical care to build up some trust. There are nobles like Baron Siana there, after all. You’re the most appropriate person to handle them, Kagura. Shera and Eris have the issue of their races to consider."
"Ah, right. If a demi-human starts talking to them, there’s a chance they’ll just shut down."
"Well, Baron Siana seemed to have his wits about him, but there’s no need to go out of our way to provoke them."
True, if I build up some trust now, it should make things go a bit smoother when we eventually have to negotiate as diplomats.
"Honestly, I’d like to go out there myself, but Stasia and Lord Tsunae stopped me."
"That’s only natural. Honestly, even I was told to be careful. If you were to get hurt, Yuki, who knows what would happen? They might even start talking about annihilating everyone on the northern side, myself included."
That’s not a threat; it’s a fact. If someone were to harm our precious Yuki, they would have to pay a fitting price.
As Weed, and as a member of the Intercontinental Alliance, we would need to settle the score.
In other words, it would lead to a full-scale war with the northern forces.
I’m sure Yuki knows this, but as I stare at him with that thought in mind, he just sighs.
"I know, I know. I’ve become quite the important person, haven't I?"
"Usually, a Prince Consort wouldn't be directly involved in negotiations. It’s something you do after everything is settled and organized. Standing on a battlefield in the first place is unheard of."
That’s right. Even issuing a warning to the Human Alliance was unprecedented.
Unfortunately, because Yuki is the strongest among us, we just end up indulging his whims.
Honestly, he should just be staying in bed.
Oh, wait, that’s not what I meant.
He should have been flirting with his cute subordinates in the office, but instead, he insists on working so seriously.
Well, even though he hired Orelia and the others—who are technically slaves—as subordinates to reduce his workload, his work has only increased.
I really don't know how that happened.
At first, we wives were actually excited that Yuki was buying female slaves.
Even if it was for work, we knew they wouldn't be able to handle Weed’s important tasks right away, so we hoped they might at least provide some comfort to Yuki.
But Orelia and the others turned out to be more capable than we expected.
Or perhaps it’s thanks to the education from Yuki and us?
Either way, Yuki hasn't been drowning in the company of beauties like us.
*Sigh*, I really need to think of a way to make him rest.
Something other than games or plastic models.
But putting that aside, Yuki starts to argue about his presence on the battlefield.
"It couldn't be helped. At that time, I had to face the enemy army as a representative of Weed. I couldn't let them claim it was just a 'minor misunderstanding'."
"I know that. That’s why I’m only lecturing you like this. If it were just some reckless act, you’d be confined to Weed."
Because of Yuki, the fact remains that the enemy has openly antagonized Weed.
If it were me or Stasia, even if we were in high positions, it wouldn't be impossible to smooth things over.
But in this case, a declaration of war was made against Yuki, the Prince Consort and the representative of the Queen, who is the face of Weed. That cannot be overturned.
That is the weight of his position.
Normally, if someone did something to Yuki, we would move heaven and earth to avoid a war, but in this specific instance, we had to openly side with Ohe and treat them as enemies.
It’s unfortunate for the enemy, really.
Because they’ve made an enemy of Weed.
In reality, the enemy army is as good as captured, unable to do a thing.
If we really wanted to, we could wipe them out in an instant.
However, doing so would undoubtedly lead to war after war.
Killing the enemy is one thing, but occupying and governing their territory is impossible for Weed.
After all, this continent is nearly five times larger than Rogari or If, just in the north alone.