第１８０１堀：新大陸のウィードについて (Part1)
Chapter 1801: Regarding Weed in the New Continent
Side: Yuki
After hearing the latest updates from Kagura in the Northern Town, I have arrived at the Oue royal capital.
Stasia and Tori, the two generals I have entrusted with the northern and southern fronts respectively, are already assembled there.
As a side note, replacements have been stationed at the Northern Town and the Southern Fortress to handle command, so there are no issues there.
"If you were going to visit the Northern Town, you could have just asked me to join you," Stasia says upon seeing my face.
"I wanted to see the site for myself and hear the reports firsthand. Besides, you have your hands full with the discussions with Baron Siana and the overall coordination of the Northern Town, don't you?"
"That may be true, but that is precisely why I would like you to rely on me."
"Yuki-san, Stasia is a bit of a lonely soul, so please make sure to give her plenty of attention."
With Tori’s follow-up, I finally understood the nature of Stasia’s feelings and offered an apology.
"My apologies. I wasn't thoughtful enough. I suppose I was overly conscious of not wanting to burden you with too much work."
"……No, please, don't worry about it."
"Stasia."
"Mm. ……I understand, Tori. I shall certainly expect some compensation for this."
"Haha, leave that to me. And thank you, Tori."
"It’s no trouble. Supporting one another like this is part of our duties as your wives."
Since they are my wives, I really must do better at these things.
Stasia is the type who has always placed herself in harsh environments, so she isn't very good at being spoiled. Her younger sister, on the other hand, has no such reservations.
I am truly grateful to Tori.
No, I am grateful for the support of my wives.
……A harem is truly a difficult thing to manage.
Those who think it’s all sunshine and rainbows clearly don't know the reality of it. It’s only "safe" or "interesting" if you’re looking at it from the outside.
"Now, the reason I had the two of you come here is to discuss the future. While I had Kagura investigate the public order in the Northern Town, and I saw the situation myself, it seems stable enough. Though, it seems Enola, who is handling the medical treatment, is having a hard time adjusting things so they don't become too dependent on Weed."
"“Ah……”"
Both of them nod immediately, clearly understanding what I mean.
"After all, the Northern Town is Oue territory. It would be problematic if they started supporting Weed over Oue just because Weed provided the aid."
"If we handle it poorly, Oue might even become our enemy~"
"Well, the Oue side understands our circumstances, so it’s not like it will happen overnight, but we should still be careful."
"That is true."
"Yes, I believe so as well."
It seems neither of them has any complaints regarding Enola’s opinion.
Neither do I; there is no reason to go out of my way to create enemies.
If my troubles increase any further, it’s a foregone conclusion that the members of Weed will die of overwork.
"And regarding the prisoners, the plan is to return to the Giadana Kingdom in the form of a triumphal procession, centered around the cooperative Baron Siana. I intend to discuss the details with the King of Oue, but what do you two think?"
"I believe it is a good plan. Initially, there was talk of returning secretly with only Baron Siana’s unit, but that could easily be construed as desertion. If there is a reason to return openly, that is certainly for the best."
"I agree as well. If those people from the Church are monitoring us, moving in secret would only look suspicious, and I am certain we would be intercepted within the Giadana Kingdom."
Yes, they both seem convinced by this as well.
Well, the reasoning is sound on both counts.
It was precisely because of those concerns that I changed the plan to one where we could return openly.
If we were a small group of deserters, there is a high probability that the Church would capture us and dispose of us under some trumped-up charge.
The fact that the opposition holds both power and military force is the fatal flaw here.
To counter that, we have no choice but to gather our own numbers and influence.
Among those who have sided with us this time, there are even those who hold appropriate titles of nobility.
Actually, I had been wondering why the Church gathered such a group of dissenters in the first place, but from what Baron Siana and the others said, it seems they were intentionally rounding up those who opposed them.
They likely intended to prove their own righteousness by crushing an enemy nation, showing off their power, and then forcing the survivors to submit and join their ranks by granting them new lands.
Well, it’s rational, in a sense.
Showing off one's power to defeat an enemy without fighting is, as written in Sun Tzu’s Art of War, "the supreme excellence of war."
In this case, the fact that the "enemy" is already among their allies is a bit ironic, but I suppose the principle applies.
That is likely what they meant by "enemies" in that context.
But, leaving that aside.
"Speaking of which, what shall we do with the uncooperative prisoners—the ones from the Church? For now, they are weak from malnutrition and are obedient, but once they regain their strength……"
"Stasia, do you think there is a possibility of an uprising?"
"Well…… putting aside the humans like Kagura who are working in the clinic, they are quite arrogant toward the beastmen like Enola. For now, they only complain with their mouths, but I am concerned about what might happen once they are fully healed and gather in numbers."
"I see. So the Church’s influence is that strong, after all. Have you gathered any more information since then?"
By information, I mean about the Church.
I know nothing of their doctrines.
Actually, I had asked Stasia and Kagura to compile what they could, fearing that if I only heard snippets, I might misunderstand them.
I wish there were some scriptures or the like, but even in this New Continent, books are precious commodities.
It seems they didn't bring any to the battlefield.
Well, they are bulky and hard to store, so that’s only natural.
"Yes…… We have been able to memorize parts of their teachings, but it does not seem like anyone knows the whole of it. The core content is essentially the idea that humans are the masters of the world, and that demi-humans and monsters are pests that erode the world."
"Ugh……"
Tori makes a disgusted face upon hearing Stasia’s explanation.
I don't blame her.
It’s a complete negation of Tori’s very existence.
"I see. And how do they react to being captured and treated by the very people they despise as 'demi-humans'?"
"Some of the more sensible ones keep their mouths shut, but the zealots—if you can call them that—seem to judge that we are up to some evil scheme. Even while saying that, they still accept the treatment and the food normally."
"Well, I suppose it’s understandable if they prioritize survival, but do they really think they’ll improve their standing by saying such things?"
"Well, they believe they are in the right. They believe they are not mistaken."
"Yuki-san, what are you going to do about this? I don't know if they can truly be of any use."