第１９０６堀：北の国々の在り方 (Part2)
"No, well, it's a nation, so such things aren't impossible, but the fact that these two would forget to consider such things must mean the battle against monsters in the north is incredibly fierce."
I should inform Vilia and the others, just in case.
"However, the problem lies with the one claiming to be the Demon Lord."
"Indeed. It's truly fortunate that Yuki-sama spoke to us. While it could be described as the Clearstream Church's recklessness, we've now realized that not only the Demon Lord's story but also the movement to ostracize demi-humans has progressed over the past five years. It seems we've been so focused on reacting to events that we neglected to grasp the overall situation."
"No, it would be difficult to connect them. After all, there was indeed a Demon Lord, wasn't there?"
What's important here is the existence of the Demon Lord.
The name "Demon Lord" is known enough for various nations to believe in it.
In other words, the threat of a Demon Lord is a known fact.
"A Demon Lord, huh... I certainly heard tales of such a thing in ancient times."
"Well, they are fairy tales, after all. The increasing power of the northern monsters must have unconsciously linked them to the Demon Lord. Of course, the Clearstream Church's proclamation that demi-humans and the Demon Lord are connected must also have played a part."
"Then, the Clearstream Church is still the suspicious party."
"We absolutely cannot tell Archbishop Dodona. Not only about the ostracism of demi-humans, but also that the Clearstream Church might be the cause of the Demon Lord's appearance."
Archbishop Dodona, who claimed to have raised Bishop Petra, would undoubtedly charge in.
Or rather...
"If the north is truly such a fierce battleground, there's also the possibility that the Clearstream Church here is acting independently. I don't know the reason, though."
"I see. No, that's certainly a way to look at it. Indeed, it's hard to imagine the Clearstream Church, which aims to exterminate monsters, neglecting the north to do something like this."
Right.
So, it's not the Clearstream Church in the north, or the Clearstream Church's collective will, but rather the Clearstream Church remaining in the central region that's acting on its own.
"In that case, we should assume the Clearstream Church has split internally... but we lack information. Still, what they're doing is ostracizing demi-humans and using that to create strange magic stones. There must be something there..."
As Prime Minister Daeda said, I believe there's a hint in those magic stones, but what's in the Giadana Kingdom is just a branch.
There's no information from the secured location, and it's clear the Clearstream Church was up to something in the Giadana Kingdom.
I can't imagine them keeping important information in such a branch.
They must have considered it expendable at any time.
In fact, there was absolutely no information.
"That's right. They must have been doing it because they needed to collect those magic stones. And, combining all the information so far, while dependent on the northern investigation, it's highly probable that the enemy is here in the central region."
"..."
The two fell silent at my observation.
Of course.
They must feel utterly disgusted to hear that this major upheaval might be happening nearby, not in the distant north.
Using the unseen Demon Lord as bait, ostracizing demi-humans, and using the alliance to assault the southern nation of Oue.
What they're doing isn't something easily accomplished.
They possess considerable organizational power, as well as funds and connections.
To be able to move nations to this extent, a single country alone would truly struggle.
"I understand your feelings, but there's no need for large-scale action. First, we must identify the enemy. Securing the Clearstream Church within the Giadana Kingdom was not a mistake. With this, we can at least stop the movements of the Clearstream Church, which is undoubtedly involved."
"Indeed, what has already begun cannot be undone. The advantage is ours."
"That's right. We should use this opportunity to discover where the enemy is. If we left it alone, the pressure on Giadana would undoubtedly have intensified."
"Yes. We'll gather information from the Clearstream Church members who are being transported to Oue... no, who are moving to govern Oue."
"That's right."
"We had that. Yes, please, by all means."
"Yes, leave it to me."
Indeed, for us, the current situation should be considered fortunate.
Now, things are getting interesting.
Which also means things are about to get busy.
I've gained a little understanding of the situation in the northern countries.
It seems each nation is sharing the burden, fighting monsters to maintain the front lines.
It's a situation where wars aren't breaking out precisely because there's a common enemy.
That brings us to the question of where this current upheaval began...