第１８０２堀：新大陸での会議 (Part2)
"I consulted with the creator, and it seems likely that the magic cast was intentionally designed to overload the magical tool."
"You mean it was done separately?"
"I cannot say for certain, but there is no doubt that the flame magic possessed an abnormal level of firepower."
"Indeed. Even if one were to take the flames directly, the armor Martin wears has high flame resistance. Naturally, my own attire is of comparable quality, and this crown is also enchanted to mitigate magical damage. Yet, look at the state we were left in."
*Wait, if you take a blast of fire to the face, that’s just what happens, isn't it?*
*Ah, no, that’s not right.*
*Under normal circumstances, the flames would be extinguished before it reached that point. I suppose that just goes to show how intense the firepower really was.*
*In other words, it was an incredibly powerful spell, but still...*
"Could it be a difference in potency?"
"That is the only logical conclusion. However, it is a type of magic that is supposed to suppress the activation of spells."
"I see. Is there another one like it? If you don't mind, I would like to have it for research. We will likely be sitting at the negotiating table in the future, and if we don't devise countermeasures, there is a risk that the same thing could happen again."
"Hmm, you are quite right, Yuki. We have been conducting our own research, but there may be many discoveries to be made by working together between our two nations. I have no reason to doubt Weed at this stage. I shall have one prepared for you."
"Thank you. Now, for the next topic... King Ohe, is there anything that concerns you?"
*Right. If we are the only ones leading the conversation, the Ohe side might start to feel dissatisfied.*
"In that case, I would like to ask about the series of events in the northern town. If you could provide a detailed account of what happened after the enemy was repelled—we have been gathering our own intelligence, of course, but I want to ensure there are no discrepancies with Weed's reports."
"Understood. I shall tell you about the situation in the northern town. First, starting from the top: regarding the enemy prisoners, we intend to bring a portion of them over to our side and entrust them with delivering the report to the Kingdom of Giadana."
"I have heard of this. That it goes against the Church?"
"Yes. We were already skeptical about the small number of enemy troops, and it seems the Kingdom of Giadana, which deployed its main army for this offensive into the south and against the demi-humans, was also harboring doubts."
"I suspected as much. Even if they intended to attack us, burning fields for hostages and launching a surprise attack on me—their actions were, to put it mildly, bizarre."
*Exactly.*
*When I read the documents detailing what the enemy had done, I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion.*
*The numbers were low, and it was a questionable strategy for trying to assassinate a king. I couldn't help but wonder what they were actually trying to achieve.*
*Of course, I saw the treatment of the hostages with my own eyes, so I know there were some real scumbags among them.*
"For us, it is a stroke of good fortune. Not everyone in the north has become our enemy. The spread of the Clearstream Church’s ideology is the root cause. The group led by Baron Siana is the key to dismantling its legitimacy."
"I have heard the story. Or rather, I have received the documents. You intend to have Baron Siana and his group return in triumph, intentionally, to expose the Church's failures before the King and high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Giadana?"
"Yes. If that happens, the anti-Church faction will likely explode with rage. After all, the damage is immense. And it is not just this army. For the Church to have orchestrated this, they must have possessed a certain degree of influence. Which means..."
"They will use the existing dissatisfaction to denounce the Church?"
"Precisely. I cannot say how far the flames of rebellion will spread, but if the leadership is in disarray, the mobilization of troops will cease. In the meantime, we will work to stabilize the situation in Ohe and continue gathering intelligence. Regardless of their ultimate goal, we still do not understand why they marched south in the first place."
"Indeed. The claim that they became pawns or subordinates of the Demon Lord is simply too far-fetched."
*Yeah, that’s just too absurd.*
*I also think there must be another reason.*
*That’s why we’re sending Baron Siana and his group—to buy us time.*
"Understood. Having heard your explanation, I find no further points of suspicion. It is a sound strategy. Weed is the one who took the prisoners, after all, and we are in no position to object to how you handle them."
"Not at all. We are working on this together. It would be difficult to move without the name of Ohe behind us. Please, if anything concerns you, do not hesitate to offer your opinion."
"I will. I look forward to our continued cooperation."
"Yes, the meeting is far from over, after all."
And so, the meeting proceeded—perhaps not "harmoniously" in the strictest sense, but smoothly, without any particular friction.
They were surprised by the conversion of the prisoners, of course.
For now, it seems we are able to maintain a good relationship with Ohe. After all, the northern nations are far too unpredictable; we have no choice but to join forces first.