第１８０７堀：これでいいかな？ (Part1)
Chapter 1807: Is This Good Enough?
Side: Yuki
"So, that’s the root cause of the demi-human exclusion and discrimination on the If Continent, then."
"Likely. I don't think that’s far off the mark. We had the people involved right there, after all."
People like Comet and the members of the Holy Sword.
I finally understood the situation regarding the discrimination against demi-humans on the If Continent.
I suspect the foundation of the New Continent is much the same.
After all, wars are almost always driven by the same basic motives: territorial ambition—which is to say, a hunger for resources—or aggression born from a fundamental misunderstanding of the other side.
"Still, some new and strange things have come to light through this conversation."
"Indeed. If they truly believe they can take Ohe with a force of only twenty thousand, they must be out of their minds."
"I agree."
Seraria and Quar are the ones who echo my sentiments.
I’m currently in the Queen’s office, discussing our future plans.
Mostly regarding the New Continent.
As for the completion party for Glass Port Town, we’re just waiting for the scheduled date to arrive.
"Even if they have reinforcements, you’d think they would have deployed them from the start."
"Yes. I cannot fathom the reason for such a delayed reveal. Though, perhaps because they were facing opposition, they were only able to request additional troops once they had some initial success..."
"The Church is supposed to have authority, right? Is that really all they can muster?"
"It’s not impossible. But it still feels unnatural, doesn't it? That’s why I suspect that, at least in this instance, their true goal is to deplete the military strength of the Giadaana Kingdom in the north."
"That seems plausible. What was the situation like over there?"
"It’s not stable, though it seems they are managing to coalesce around the 'Demon Lord' and the 'monsters' the Church keeps talking about... Even so, there are still factions pushing back."
"Naturally. That 'Demon Lord' and the rest are so vague, and there are countries still at war. For a nation that has had its territory seized, there is no way they would just agree to a truce under those conditions."
You’re telling me.
"Just sit there and take it while your assets are stolen."
No one is going to follow an order like that obediently.
"So, is the Giadaana Kingdom the one pushing back?"
"I wouldn't go that far. However, there is no doubt they harbor doubts about the Church’s methods."
"Could it be that the Church is doing this specifically to crush the Giadaana Kingdom?"
"It’s a possibility, but... would a major power really risk its own stability to wipe out ten thousand troops? Well, if it were a sudden, spur-of-the-moment thing, maybe, but this was planned in advance."
"Hmm. True, when you put it that way, it’s ambiguous. Unless they were pulling strings behind the scenes..."
"For instance, what if the Church loyalists embedded within the Giadaana Kingdom were to launch a simultaneous uprising?"
Quar suggests this.
Yeah, if that were the plan, it might be possible, but...
"I mean, they *could* do it, but the Church’s reputation would be dragged through the mud afterward."
"What if they have already gained enough power to ignore such consequences?"
"In that case, we’re back to the issue of the numbers sent to Ohe being too low. If the Giadaana Kingdom wasn't resisting, they could have gathered far more strength. To be blunt, looking at their composition, it feels like they’re throwing those twenty thousand away."
"You're right. While we did receive requests for Baron Siana and her allies to join, they can hardly be called the heavy hitters of their respective nations. Though, I do believe Baron Siana herself is a respectable individual."
"...Indeed. She has personal spirit and talent, but as a mere Baron, the military force she can provide is limited. If they were truly serious about taking the city, they should have sent Viscounts or those of even higher standing."
In the end, the reason for the low troop count remains a mystery.
"Well, the only thing we know for sure is that we cannot let our guard down. It’s fine for Baron Siana and her group to pretend they’re returning in triumph, but if things go poorly, there’s a real possibility they could be wiped out. The enemy might even use their destruction at Ohe to incite public opinion. Claiming the Demon Lord was real, or something of that nature."
"Public opinion, huh? I understand your point, Seraria, but if they were all wiped out, the Giadaana Kingdom would likely be furious. They were against this from the start, and even if the Church tried to stir up the public, there would be plenty of voices saying, 'We shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place.'"
"That is precisely why we cannot let our guard down. What Baron Siana and her group are saying might be true, but it’s common for people to do the completely unexpected, isn't it?"
"True. We have no choice but to proceed without letting our guard down. Now, regarding the members from our side who will be accompanying Baron Siana..."
Right. While it’s fine for Baron Siana and her group to report these events to the upper echelons of the Giadaana Kingdom, we cannot leave that task entirely to them.
We need intelligence from the north as well.
That’s why I intend to have some of our people tag along, and I came to consult Seraria on the selection of that personnel.
"The situation is far too murky. We cannot afford to send our key figures into such a mess. We have no idea how long they might be detained."
"Indeed. Every one of Weed’s key figures is incredibly busy. Being away for an extended period is out of the question."
Quar agrees with Seraria.
I share that sentiment as well.
Besides, they’ll be blending into Baron Siana’s army, and I’ve heard the journey alone will take two months.
Seriously, what kind of massive expedition is this?
I’m amazed they managed to scrape together the supplies for it, and at the same time, I can see why there was so much pushback.
"So, that leaves us looking for someone who—and I say this loosely—has 'free time,' or at least a job that can be stepped away from..."
"And they need the skills to gather information on an enemy nation."
"They’ll need a fair amount of combat prowess, too. We can’t be optimistic enough to assume there won't be any trouble."
Putting their two requirements together, it sounds like we need someone who can gather intelligence and hold their own in a fight...
"Is there anyone that convenient available? Or rather, is anyone even free?"
"Such useful personnel are already tied up with their own assignments."
"Indeed. If we had such capable subordinates, we would already be utilizing them."
Of course.
Anyone capable of handling such a difficult mission would be in high demand, and there’s no way we’d leave such talent sitting idle.
"Actually, for that kind of personnel, Kirue’s department is the best place to look, isn't it?"
"I suppose so. Are you listening, Kirue?"
"Yes."
I summon Kirue at Seraria’s suggestion.
She’s following me like a ninja, as always.
Well, that’s fine.
"So, can you spare the personnel?"
"I can. If we move our current intelligence operatives to new assignments and replace them with rookies, it won't be a problem. It’s about time for the new recruits to start gaining field experience, anyway."
"Come to think of it, you were increasing your numbers. So the rookies are already heading out into the field, huh?"