第１８４９堀：どこから動くべきか (Part2)
"Ah, though the success rate should have been quite low. I’m not so foolish as to be unaware of that."
"The issue, then, is the response following that failure. As you mentioned earlier, Yuki-sama, if the army were to be annihilated, they would surely use it as a pretext to preach about the viciousness of the demi-humans to other nations, further unifying the North under their banner."
Indeed, that is what I had said.
That is precisely why we must make them believe they are winning for now, to buy ourselves time.
Even so...
"The question remains: what shall we do with the time we have bought?"
King Oue speaks up in my stead.
"Precisely, King Oue. In the worst-case scenario, I am considering having the demi-humans of the Giadana Kingdom flee to the South, but..."
"In that event, the Giadana Kingdom would surely collapse."
True enough.
If we were to evacuate the demi-humans, it would mean the Giadana Kingdom had been effectively usurped by the Clearstream Church.
"I have heard that the root of this lies in the northernmost defensive stronghold, have I not?"
"Yes. It has long been whispered that powerful monsters dwell there, and there is no doubt that the nations bordering that far north face formidable threats."
"The monster materials flowing from that region are undoubtedly from powerful beasts."
It seems the intelligence gathered by our agents is accurate.
"Then, regarding how we utilize this time: I propose we investigate the core of the Clearstream Church—their headquarters or their primary base—to uncover why they have adopted such a policy. What do you think?"
"Indeed, we cannot move without investigating that. Though, it is not as if we have not looked into it before now."
"They have stubbornly insisted, time and again, that the demi-humans have joined forces with the Demon Lord and are attacking alongside monsters."
So, their explanations are just as flimsy as I suspected.
No, perhaps the environment that allows such foolish opinions to hold sway is what is truly abnormal.
"Is a forced investigation not possible...?"
"We could manage it within the Giadana Kingdom, but not in other nations. Furthermore, if such an investigation failed to yield evidence..."
"The Giadana Kingdom would likely be branded as traitors, and our standing would be ruined."
I suppose so.
They could easily use that as a wedge to dismantle the Giadana Kingdom.
In other words, that is how much power they wield in the North.
"I am curious: has the original Clear Church said anything regarding the Clearstream Church?"
The original sect has been overturned, after all.
I would have expected some sort of reaction from them...
"They have made some moves, yes, but perhaps due to their entanglement with nobles who harbor hatred for demi-humans, they have been limited to mere monster subjugation and humanitarian relief. They lack the influence."
"Well, the disparity in funding was quite significant, after all."
Ah, so it came down to money.
With sponsors secured and an alliance formed with those who view demi-humans as a threat, the original Clear Church has been relegated to a disadvantageous position.
"I would like to know the reason for that schism. Is it not possible to contact those in the Clear Church?"
"Ah, that is not a problem. After all, the headquarters of the Clear Church is right here in the Giadana Kingdom."
"Yes, which is precisely why the Clearstream Church is so eager to crush them—or rather, to expand their own influence."
Are you serious?
The root of it all was here in the Giadana Kingdom?
"Well, perhaps we will learn something if we speak with them."
"When the Clearstream Church first began pushing their tyrannical agenda, we asked the Clear Church to mediate, or at least to see if something could be done. But they simply told us they had parted ways and could do nothing."
"They consider themselves a completely separate religion now?"
"That seemed to be the case. At the time, the Clearstream Church’s sphere of influence was already larger, and we consulted the Clear Church because we thought force would be difficult to use. It was an unexpected outcome."
It is rare for the parent organization, the Clear Church, to be unable to intervene in the Clearstream Church.
There seems to be a hint buried somewhere in that dynamic...
And so, the secret meeting continued late into the night.
I wonder if I’ll be able to wake up tomorrow.
Nighttime conferences aren't entirely unheard of, but Yuki generally doesn't stay up too late.
Even when he's enjoying time with his wives.
Well, waking up early isn't a struggle, but the fatigue does tend to accumulate.
And since his wives—and the likes of Prol—tend to tie him to the bed, he has to be careful.
Regardless, it seems the Giadana Kingdom is far more likely to become our ally than I had anticipated.
Perhaps the movements of Vilia and the others might actually be able to provide some unexpected support?