第１８２０堀：パーティー終わって新大陸は (Part1)
Chapter 1820: The Party is Over, Now for the New Continent
The party is over, now for the New Continent
Side: Yuki
"Haa, the completion party for Port Grasse is finally over."
I was in the northern town of Oue.
After all, my work here was far from finished.
The party might be over, but my duties were not.
At least I could focus on the next task.
"It's over, but it seems various nations are still staying in Grasse," Stacia said, who was in charge of the northern town's defenses.
Incidentally, Stacia had also attended the party, entertaining representatives from her home country, Findar.
Well, since her undead sister, Age, was also in Weed, Findar surprisingly visited Weed quite often.
In fact, the major powers generally made frequent appearances, engaging in various exchanges with other nations in Weed's conference room.
That had been one of the original intentions, so they were certainly making good use of it.
"Well, it's a vacation in the midst of their busy schedules, so it's fine."
We were busy, but so were the other nations.
After all, they had to prepare for dispatching troops to the New Continent at my request, and even make arrangements for building towns.
There were also matters concerning the construction of vehicle and medical factories, so things were sure to get incredibly hectic.
"I wish we could have relaxed a bit too..."
"That's impossible unless things settle down on our end. However, the southern town, Tori and her forces deployed to the south, and the northern town where I'm stationed, have all become more stable."
"It's certainly much better than at first, but we're still far from a complete resolution. As for Baron Shiana heading back to the Kingdom of Giadana, their return is good news for us."
"Yes, without a doubt."
Baron Shiana and others who had questioned Weed's involvement, or rather, this war, were currently returning to their home countries to denounce the Clearstream Church.
They had already departed while we were holding the Port Grasse completion party.
Specifically, they left during the preparation period.
They had already physically recovered.
The discussion then turned to how to organize them, and it was ultimately decided that Baron Shiana would lead.
There were other nobles, but they were either of the same rank as a baron or lower, like knights without their own territories.
It felt as though the high-ranking nobles didn't cooperate with us.
It would be problematic if the harmony among allies were disturbed, and I was relieved that Baron Shiana, who first contacted me, was appointed as the leader.
It would be an issue if viscounts or counts had emerged, but come to think of it, the one who had led that army was a marquis, so it was likely that nobles of a competing rank were not allowed to participate, perhaps to clearly define their positions.
If their statuses were too similar, even a marquis might have to show deference depending on their territory or lineage.
"Now, assuming it will take time for Baron Shiana and the others to return, what about the envoys from neighboring countries?"
"I can't say much about that. Weren't you, Yuki, planning to discuss it with the Oue kings?"
"Ah, yes, that's scheduled for after this party. After all, Kagura and Mikos will be accompanying the envoys."
"Wasn't it said that those two would visit powerful nations to gain allies?"
"That's right. Well, the Oue kings also attended the Port Grasse party, which helped."
"Speaking of which, how were the Oue kings introduced at the party?"
"I connected them with the representatives from the major powers, considering future relations. For the smaller nations, I introduced them as acquaintances of Queen Miyabi."
"Since land is involved, that's probably for the best. If the smaller nations started saying they wanted to send troops, it would become unmanageable."
"Exactly."
Indeed, while we needed personnel to secure the southern part of the New Continent, smaller nations would find it difficult to maintain a presence there.
Conversely, there was a high probability that some unmanageable trouble would arise, leading them to seek Weed's help.
Of course, the major powers would also provide assistance if asked, but their inherent national strength would make that less likely.
Well, they were probably considering that too.
It was more about placating the smaller nations by having them contribute forces.
It was the same method being employed in the northern part of the New Continent.
Though, it was better on our end because there were clear benefits.
I truly wondered how the Clearstream Church had managed to persuade anyone to send troops.
"So, Stacia, you say the northern town has settled down, but do you mean in terms of public order?"
"Public order hasn't changed much. Well, the young people who would sally forth now that the enemy is gone have disappeared. I fully expected someone to declare 'war!' at this opportunity, but that hasn't happened either. So, public order hasn't changed since we defeated the enemy army."
"It hasn't changed since then? That's quite something. Does that mean public order wasn't that bad to begin with?"
"While things were getting rough due to dwindling food supplies, food was properly distributed. It was on the verge of a riot, but it hadn't completely broken down. Moreover, Weed has been supplying food and urging everyone to remain calm."
"Ah, yes, confusion would be problematic, so we did instruct them to remain calm. Was that effective?"
"Yes, without a doubt. Thanks to that, there has been no public unrest. Weed has also been cooperating with other consumable goods and medical treatments, so there was no reason for disorder. Oh, of course, there seem to be various issues concerning those who died from overexertion before our arrival..."
"...That can't be helped. Rather, I'm surprised they've remained so docile until now."
Not to resent those who killed their kin... that's the stuff of saints.
It wouldn't be strange if they ran wild at any moment.
"Regarding that, it seems the idea of leaving this land never occurred to them. More importantly, as for those they bear a grudge against, Oue and Weed are currently holding them captive and working them hard."
"Ah, indeed, we have them tilling the fields under appropriately harsh conditions."
Since they weren't our allies and were treated as prisoners, it was only natural for them to face such circumstances.
Of course, it was also to prevent the populace from attacking them in retaliation, but they had ruined the fields, so it was only right that they should restore them.
A rebellion would be troublesome, so we were exhausting them appropriately.
Their meals were also kept to a bare minimum.
"Seeing all that, the populace isn't likely to become too unruly."
"I see. And what about the situation within the forest? Tori is holding down the south, but the subjugation of monsters within the forest isn't our jurisdiction, is it?"
Indeed, Tori and the southern defense force, after protecting the southern town, were now engaged in building a fortress in the wilderness to halt the influx of monsters from the south.
In other words, they were not touching any monsters that had already flowed in and moved north.