第１８７７堀：動き出す北部 (Part2)
"I see. So, strictly speaking, it’s a 'yes' then."
"Well, the Adventurer’s Guild does have its own network of connections, after all. Besides, you have the message from Archbishop Dodona and three days of proven results, don't you?"
"Yes. They seem to have built up a solid foundation, but it’s only been three days. That’s why I was concerned. Now, it seems they’re being asked to leave the Kingdom of Giadana and operate within the Kingdom of Iana."
"The Kingdom of Iana... if I recall, that’s Daeda?"
"Yes. There have been reports of significant monster damage there recently. Not only are high-ranking adventurers being deployed, but knights from the Clearstream Church have been sent as well."
Well, I had a feeling that was the case.
There’s no reason to send adventurers like Vilia and her group out there unless there’s a genuine threat from monsters.
Still...
"In other words, some kind of trouble is waiting for them? Could you tell me more about the Kingdom of Iana specifically?"
"Ah, first, regarding the location of the Kingdom of Iana: it lies quite far to the north of this Kingdom of Giadana. You would have to cross about three other countries to reach it."
Whoa, that’s further than I thought.
Three countries away.
"The nations centered around the Kingdom of Giadana have managed to subjugate the monsters, thanks in part to the cooperation of Archbishop Dodona and the adventurers of that time. It’s strange to think that dangerous monsters are limited only to the northern regions and the Great Forest of Ohe in the south, but the central region has become a habitable zone for humanity."
Well, it would be more accurate to say we’ve simply reduced the monsters' habitat, all things considered.
"A habitable zone for humanity, you say. I assume the attrition rate in the north is high, then?"
"Indeed. Reports arrive frequently. After all, if there are monsters powerful enough to collapse the northern kingdoms, this central region would be in danger as well. Well, in that sense, the Clearstream Church is likely desperate to get their hands on Giadana."
"It would allow them to redirect the country’s military strength as they please. Though, launching an offensive against the south seems counterintuitive in that regard, so I don't quite understand their strategy."
Ah, right.
The idea is to hijack the Kingdom of Giadana and use its military power to bolster the north because they lack the necessary forces.
But what about declaring war on Ohe, effectively threatening their own rear?
No, honestly, it doesn't make any sense, does it?
They’ve openly declared the demi-humans to be their enemies, so trying to win them over as allies is impossible.
"Hmm. As Chancellor Daeda says, moves that make enemies of Ohe and the southern nations are difficult to fathom."
"It is incomprehensible. If they make enemies of the south, they will only find themselves in a difficult position."
"According to Archbishop Dodona, there are demi-human knights at the northern headquarters, and there is internal disagreement there as well. It really is quite confusing. It is a fact, however, that they are demanding the expulsion of all demi-humans."
"...Well, we are posing as adventurers to investigate these very matters, so let’s look forward to their future performance. Now, before we go into the details of the Kingdom of Iana, what is the status of Baroness Siana and her group? I heard talk of them returning to Ohe while escorting someone from the Clearstream Church. And there’s the matter of exposing the scandal, isn’t there?"
Ah, I remember hearing about that.
The rumor is that the Clearstream Church is committing atrocities similar to the Haire religion of Heiden, so the plan is to intentionally leak that information, create a stir, and halt the Church’s movements.
"Ah, that’s right. We can’t have the adventurers leaving just yet. Daeda, what is the status on that end?"
"No, it doesn't necessarily have to be Yuki-sama’s subordinates. However, the scandal can only be spread once Baroness Siana’s group has taken the Clearstream Church members away. Well, preparations for that are complete. In a sense, the timing might actually be perfect."
"What do you mean?"
"The representative from the Clearstream Church has already arrived. We were just waiting for our preparations to be finalized, and it really came down to coordinating with the timing of Yuki-sama’s group. If the adventurers are setting out on a journey, there shouldn't be any lingering complications."
I see. Vilia and the others were supposed to encounter them as witnesses, but that carried the risk of being targeted.
But if they are departing on a journey, they might be able to vanish before anyone can pin them down.
"Understood. Let’s finalize those details."
And so, we began our meeting to orchestrate the exposure of the Clearstream Church’s scandal.
It seems that large-scale events are finally beginning to stir in the northern Kingdom of Giadana.
With Aslin and Firia leading the charge in the south, I have high expectations for that front as well.
Now, let’s see what comes of all this.