第１７８０堀：砦と言っても簡単じゃない (Part1)
Chapter 1780: A Fortress Is No Simple Matter
Side: Yuki
The fundamental design of the fortress had laid bare a series of problems.
The discussions regarding the scale and facilities required to house the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance forces had finally concluded.
No, in truth, it hadn't concluded at all.
It was merely the beginning.
Still, we had managed to reach a consensus of sorts.
"I’m glad we at least managed to decide on the maximum capacity for the fortress."
"Yes. Nothing could have started without that."
Orelia agreed with my assessment.
Indeed, without knowing how many people were coming, we couldn't even begin to plan the construction.
"Well, there might be changes later, but we’ll have to deal with that when it comes. For now, the baseline is set at ten thousand."
"It will be divided by continent, but we are looking at roughly two thousand troops from each."
"Rogari and If, that is. The Haiden region has three large ones, and Zlarble is just a single nation."
"There is a possibility that this will create advantages or disadvantages for each..."
"That depends on the depth of each country's coffers, so we can't really comment on that from our end. Even for a major power, sending ten thousand troops just for exploration is a delicate matter."
Prof followed up on Orelia’s point.
She was right. While ten thousand was the maximum, this was a land with zero intelligence.
We were tasked with investigating the monsters, and if we sent a massive force right out of the gate and suffered heavy losses from an unknown threat, it would be a disaster.
Considering those risks, we had settled on a staggered deployment.
The minimum would be around two thousand.
"With two thousand, it’s more than a village, isn't it? We’re planning to provide some support, so surely that’s enough to establish a base?"
"Yeah, you're right, Hovis. It’s sufficient for an initial deployment. If anything, they might send even fewer. After all, this is a new state-led initiative, and establishing it as a formal territory will come much later."
"That’s true. Well, considering the monster attacks, maybe it’s not quite 'enough'..."
"That’s the crux of it. That’s why Tori and her team are scouting ahead. I just hope it’s a level of threat that even standard soldiers can handle."
"Haha, it’s not like it’s only the Weed members who can handle it, right? The southern towns of Ohe have managed just fine until now."
"That’s true. For now, at least. I just want it to stay that way. The worst-case scenario is a powerful monster showing up and wiping out the expeditionary force."
If the army we requested to be dispatched was annihilated, the responsibility could easily fall on Weed.
"Weren't they aware of those risks when they agreed to come?"
"Prof is right, but surely they wouldn't want to be wiped out. It’s not just the resources they’ve poured in; it’s the loss of human life."
It was only natural that they wouldn't want to lose their investment.
And for us, the ones who pushed for this, it would be a less-than-ideal situation.
"But Yuki-sama, haven't you already put measures in place for those kinds of problems?"
Orelia asked, sensing my anxiety.
"Well, I have. We’ll distribute the wireless systems we provided to Zlarble to the cooperating nations so they can call for help immediately if trouble arises. Of course, we’ll also install surveillance systems using cameras and familiars."
"If you go that far, shouldn't there be no problem?"
"Indeed."
Prof and the others tilted their heads, seeing no issue with my preparations.
"If we go this far, it’ll be hard for it to become Weed’s problem, but... have you heard that the core of these forces are people who are itching for war?"
"Yes. I’ve heard that in countries that have been following an expansionist policy, it’s been difficult to suppress the military factions, and they see the southern wilderness beyond Ohe as a perfect outlet."
"Exactly. But that’s the thing. If things go poorly, this place could become a dumping ground for people the nations want to get rid of."
"..."
Prof and the others fell silent.
They had finally realized what I was agonizing over.
"Um, Yuki-sama. You mean... they’re doing it on purpose?"
Hovis asked, though she didn't quite voice the full implication.
Having been by our side for so long, she was starting to catch on.
"Exactly. If we happen to witness that firsthand, it’s going to cause all sorts of..."
"That would certainly be disadvantageous for the nations involved. Still, surely they’ll handle it discreetly?"
"I hope so. My stomach hurts just thinking about them telling us, 'We’re abandoning this unit, please look the other way.'"
"...Given our intelligence-gathering capabilities, they’ll likely report it to us in advance. It would be problematic if they were cornered."
Prof brought up another troublesome pattern.
Getting notified in advance was an even bigger headache for us.
In simple terms, it meant we were being dragged into it.
It was also a way to prevent us from intervening halfway and trying to shield them, which would be equally problematic.
"...I see. So, if we shelter them, that creates its own set of issues. Still, is it right to treat human lives so lightly?"
"Politics is involved, after all. If we intervene in another country’s internal affairs, we’ll be bringing those problems into the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. The most we can do is tell them not to treat lives so cheaply. Since we’re at the forefront of medical technology, we can use that as our leverage."
"I understand Orelia’s feelings, but the people being 'disposed of' in a state-led expansion must be quite problematic to begin with, right? Demotion or something similar would be a much more peaceful way to handle it."
"True. As Prof says, the ones being disposed of are likely the troublemakers. Of course, the soldiers caught in the middle are pitiful, but they’ll likely handle that well, too. Those types will bring their own private armies, and the 'disposal' will be a way to clear them all out at once."
As I was speaking, Fiora raised her hand.
"What is it, Fiora? Did a problem arise with the fortress construction plan?"
Fiora had been proposed by Seraria and the others as the on-site commander for the fortress construction during the meeting.
I had indeed asked Tori to scout the location, but Tori was also slated to be the commander of the monster investigation team.
Vilia would be going along as well, but Fiora was clearly the superior choice for a commander, and since there were no issues with her work, we had agreed.
"No, it’s not that. Regarding what you just said—couldn't that also be used as a way to infiltrate our ranks?"
"!"
We all gasped in surprise at her words.
"That’s entirely possible. Requests for us to 'shelter' them or things of that nature... it’s very likely."