第１８４８堀：華やかな祝いの裏で (Part1)
### Chapter 1848: Behind the Glamorous Celebration
**Side: Kaya**
"...Looking at the footage, it feels like a peaceful royal capital."
I murmur this as I watch the feed that was sent to us.
"That’s true, isn't it? Well, Baron Siana and her group weren't surrounded and beaten to a pulp at the royal castle, so that’s a relief."
"That much is true."
As Riel says, it’s a good thing that Baron Siana and her allies were able to return safely. Because of this, supplies are being properly transported to the soldiers outside, and their return is being celebrated. Well, a fake celebration, at least. It’s a relief that they weren't treated like dirt after working so hard to make it back.
Incidentally, it’s not just Riel and me; the other members currently in Weed have also gathered to watch the situation in the royal capital of the Giadana Kingdom in real-time.
"It’s night, yet... I can't drink."
"Oh, come on, tea is fine, isn't it?"
"Milly seems to be having a hard time cleaning up after the Adventurer's Guild lately, doesn't she?"
Beside me, Milly, Ratz, and Eris are chatting about such things while sipping tea. Riel and I are sticking to 100% orange juice.
"Faaah..."
"Are you sleepy, Aslin?"
"You don't have to push yourself, you know?"
"No, depending on how today’s discussion goes, there might be a commotion, so I have to stay awake."
At a table slightly further back, I can see Aslin, Firia, and Labyris doing their best to stay awake. The members here in Weed have all gathered after finishing their regular duties. After all, this is the meeting between Baron Siana’s group and the King of Giadana.
"They were whooping it up during the day celebrating a victory, but in reality, they were defeated. I wonder how this will turn out."
"Indeed. We are waiting here, and the members at the northern fortress are standing by on their end as well."
"I doubt it will go off without a hitch, but I hope it ends peacefully."
Seraria, the Queen of Weed, Jessica, who handles the military, and the Royal Guard, Quar, are all staring at the screen together. Yuki and the others are likely standing by in the north as well. Under normal circumstances, this would be the time we’d be spending together, but today, it couldn't be helped.
Just as we were talking about that, footage arrived from our intelligence operative.
*"I apologize for the late hour. Even though this is a detailed debrief, I felt that discussing future plans amidst such a celebratory mood would only dampen morale."*
*"No, you are quite right, Your Majesty. I am truly grateful that you have arranged this meeting."*
The King of Giadana is a young man, just past forty. Well, some say there are kings as young as their teens or twenties; at that age, the senior vassals often hold more power. It’s not that being older automatically makes one "greater," but generally, it comes with a accumulation of experience. A young king is often looked down upon for his lack of experience and track record. That is why he has senior vassals to compensate, but this King is of a respectable age, and he doesn't seem to be overshadowed by his position. The fact that he is meeting in secret like this proves as much.
Well, there is still the possibility that he might try to dispose of Baron Siana behind the scenes. *Sigh.* Even now, I’m surprised at how well I’ve become able to keep up with these kinds of political dealings.
*"So, what is the detailed matter you wished to discuss?"*
*"Yes. First, allow me to introduce her."*
With that, the intelligence operative—our agent—stands up on the hidden drone's feed.
*"This is Ena, an envoy from Ohe."*
*"From Ohe?"*
*"Hmm, she looks like a Human, though?"*
*"Ohe is a multi-racial nation. Humans live there as well. And, I brought her along because she is the most composed person to explain the situation."*
Yeah, the environment in the north has become so hostile that one could say demi-humans can no longer live there. After all, under the name of the Clearstream Church, there is an order for their capture. The sheer stupidity of executing anyone they catch is beyond words. That’s why bringing a demi-human was not an option.
*"I see. So, the matter at hand is that Marquis Toruru and his forces were defeated, is that it?"*
*"You already knew?"*
Oh, I was surprised by that. To have him guess what we were going to say before Baron Siana even told him.
*"I knew. There was no way that Marquis Toruru would stay behind for the sake of governance. He ignored our advice, sought support from the Clearstream Church, and launched his sortie."*
*"Indeed. Although, the folks at the Clearstream Church seem happy hearing the reports of victory, so they clearly don't know Marquis Toruru very well."*
The Prime Minister, who is also present, says this with an exasperated expression.
*"So, what is the reasoning behind being with an envoy from Ohe?"*
*"Yes, regarding that..."*
And so, Baron Siana and her group explain the events that have transpired, conveying Ohe's policy of wanting to cooperate with the Giadana Kingdom to counter the Clearstream Church.
*"I see. Indeed, the movements of the Clearstream Church are beyond unexpected. I have great doubts about what they were thinking to reach this current state of affairs. However..."*
*"Future moves will be difficult. Even if we were to denounce the Clearstream Church based on what we’ve heard, the fact remains that Marquis Toruru was defeated. If they appeal to the danger of the situation, we cannot deny it."*
Ah, that possibility came up during our discussions. That the army was set up to fail from the start. And that they would use that as a catalyst for the next call to action.
*"Our upper management has discussed that as well. For now, if the Giadana Kingdom is struggling with its policy, we suggest you propose our plan."*
*"A proposal, you say? Let’s hear it."*
*"Yes. It is not an unreasonable request. You should simply continue to fake the victory and send personnel to govern Ohe. Maintain contact as if nothing happened. Of course, while ignoring the intentions of the Clearstream Church to a certain extent."*
*"Hmm. Indeed, denouncing the Clearstream Church now might put the Giadana Kingdom in a bad position. But even if we say they lost, if we do not retaliate, we cannot answer to the home countries of Baron Siana and the others. I see..."*
*"It is not a bad move, but we cannot keep brushing off the demands of the Clearstream Church forever, can we?"*
It’s true. Even if they temporarily stop the Clearstream Church from coming to Ohe, eventually—or rather, knowing that church, they’ll probably just show up on their own.
*"In the meantime, we will gather more information, solidify the Giadana Kingdom’s position, and create a situation where denouncing the Clearstream Church will not be a problem. In fact, the Giadana soldiers, centered around the Marquis, have been decimated by his reckless actions. Fortunately, Baron Siana and the soldiers from other countries who questioned the battle are almost entirely unharmed. Let us prepare so that we can denounce the Clearstream Church without any issues."*
*"Ah, I see. That is what you mean. Indeed, if we prepare thoroughly, we can claim that it was the Clearstream Church’s schemes that led to this. If we say that right now, there will be too much backlash."*
*"We take our time, waiting for this victory mood to fade. Indeed, right now there is an atmosphere that this was all thanks to the Clearstream Church, and if we ruin that mood, the public sentiment will turn against us."*