第１７９１堀：その頃の勇者さん (Part1)
Chapter 1791: The Hero of That Time
Side: Taiki
I am a "handyman" hero summoned to another world, and through a series of twists and turns, I ended up governing a country called Ranks.
Fortunately, there are others here who came from Earth just like me, and by cooperating with them, I’ve managed to survive this long, but...
"It seems Yuki-dono is caught up in something troublesome once again."
"Indeed. Oh, would you like some tea, Bicks-san?"
"Airi-sama, I have told you before to leave such tasks to me or the maids. Nevertheless, I shall accept."
"Yes. How about you, Soel-san?"
"Airi-sama is as carefree as ever. I’ll have some."
Right before my eyes, my wife and the "extra" are getting along quite well.
And the topic of their conversation is...
"Well, considering they were summoned, the other side must have been in quite the emergency."
"Yeah, if it weren't, it would be an act of picking a fight, even if they didn't mean to."
Agreeing with Ruth’s words, I look over the progress report documents.
These are important even within Weed, but because I am trusted as someone from the same Japan as Yuki-san, they share these files with me.
Well, in exchange, I’m expected to handle various things when emergencies arise—or rather, I end up getting dragged into them.
"Haha, that’s a painful subject for me to hear."
Saying that as she enters the room is the Queen—not the King—of the Ioa Kingdom, Fuiara, who summoned me during the New Year’s period.
She is now my wife.
...I can’t exactly say I’m unwilling anymore, but that whole chain of events was truly something else.
"Well, Fuiara and I are getting along well with Ioa, so let’s call it a success."
"I am glad to hear you say that, but the battle against the northern part of Ioa is still left to you."
"That’s because if we force an attack there, we have no idea what will happen to the environment."
...In fact, the boss of those monsters, the Demon Lord Holy, has already headed to the New Continent as a combatant.
I want to ask what on earth is going on, but I suppose that’s just how the world works.
By the way, the concern about the environment is true.
If we were to annihilate the region where those monsters inhabit, we can’t imagine what kind of ecological changes might occur, so we haven’t done anything reckless for the sake of the people living in Ioa.
Well, it’s also to prevent them from harboring any strange ideas about us.
After all, someone with too much power is bound to be a nuisance.
That’s just the ugly side of the world.
"It’s a difficult situation. So, what was this about Yuki-dono and the others being at it again, as Bicks-dono mentioned?"
"Oh? Fuiara-sama, you weren't aware?"
"Yes, I’ve been busy with national affairs."
"Ah, that’s only natural. Are you still focusing on the reconstruction of the Ioa Kingdom alone?"
"Yes. There aren't many survivors from other countries, though citizens from various lands have been fleeing here, so we are taking it one step at a time."
The countries other than the Ioa Kingdom were destroyed by the Demon Lord Holy.
The reasons might be considered justifiable, but to the unrelated commoners, it’s nothing but a massive inconvenience.
Well, that’s why all we do is watch over their reconstruction.
If Ranks or Weed needs something, we develop it, but for now, it’s just a training ground.
"Bicks-sama, you’re straying from the topic. The point is that Yuki-sama and his group have started a new battle and negotiations at their destination."
"Ah, I see. So it’s that again."
Fuiara gives a wry smile, seemingly understanding after Soel’s explanation.
Well, I’ve told her about Yuki-san’s battle history, so she knows he’s been traveling across the continent doing all sorts of things.
"So, Taiki, what do you intend to do?"
Bicks asks while sipping her tea.
"What do I intend to do? If there’s a request, I’ll help. Yuki-san is the linchpin of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. If Weed were to fall, who knows what kind of backlash that would cause."
"It would be fortunate if it just ended in chaos for each country. If things go poorly, they might start a war over the remaining resources."
Bicks gives the answer before I even can.
I know she’s been studying properly lately, but is it really that easy for her to spout such things?
Is this... thanks to Terutra-san?
"Exactly. I’d hate to see a war. Though, it’s a strange paradox to say I’d go to war to prevent one."
It’s contradictory, but these things are inseparable.
"Indeed. Peace and conflict are two sides of the same coin. There is no way *he* doesn't understand that."
"Oh, Terutra-san, would you like some tea?"
"No, Airi-dono. Bicks is already having some, so please, do not trouble yourself."
It seems Uesugi Terutora, who resides within Bicks, is doing well too.
"So, Taiki-sama, do you intend to get actively involved? You look troubled."
"As Soel says, I am troubled. If I offer my cooperation to Yuki-san, I could help, but I’ve been entrusted with Fuiara’s Ioa Kingdom."
"I would certainly be in trouble if you neglected that."
"Well, I know that, so I don’t think he’d ask for the impossible. It’s just that the situation over there is more chaotic than I thought—or rather, they don't even have a grasp on the situation."
"I heard. It seems the monks are up to their usual tricks."
"Monks... ah, right, it’s a religion, so that makes sense."
When you talk about the enemies of Uesugi Terutora—or rather, Uesugi Kenshin—the Hojo and Takeda clans come to mind, but in reality, there was a time when he fought the Ikkō-ikki in Etchu.
Given that it was an era full of problems, it might have been his most grueling struggle.
"It’s troublesome. Moreover, there are no supporters in the new land. It is difficult to eradicate the deeply rooted monks and their local influence. Extermination isn't exactly my hobby, but it’s a possibility one must keep in sight."
"Extermination, huh..."
"What is 'extermination'?"
Airi tilts her head, clearly not understanding. Just as I’m wondering if I should explain, Bicks speaks up.
"It’s difficult to say, but according to Terutra, it means killing everyone."
"Kill... everyone?"
"When religion gets involved, the people living there become members of that church. If things go poorly, they might be incited by the church members to become your enemies. Well, if that were the case, it would be simple, but there’s also the possibility of them pretending to be allies while sabotaging you from within. That’s why, as a countermeasure, you kill them all."
"...I didn't know what to think at first, but setting aside open hostility, being sabotaged by someone pretending to be an ally is the worst. If they cut off supplies, the army wouldn't just stop moving; it would collapse."
As Bicks says, an enemy posing as an ally is truly malicious.
Furthermore, because they believe what they are doing is right rather than wrong, they have no sense of guilt, so you can't appeal to their conscience.
"Well, I understand the concern, but Yuki-san dislikes those kinds of suppression tactics. He rarely needs to maintain supply lines, and he often leaves the lands he conquers just as they are."