第１９１８堀：敵の本部はどこ？ (Part2)
“Yes. Regarding the overview of the Kingdom of Daio—while the Kingdom of Giadana is the largest, Daio boasts the fourth-largest territory in the central region. However, that is their own claim, so it feels somewhat dubious; nevertheless, other nations have not moved to deny it. Based on the information we have synthesized, we judge that ranking to be roughly accurate.”
“Fourth? Isn’t that a bit… underwhelming?”
The words escaped my lips before I could stop them.
Even if they didn’t claim to be number one, you’d think saying they were second would sound more prosperous. Why settle for fourth?
“It is likely a matter of geopolitics. While the Kingdom of Daio does not border Giadana directly, there are two other major powers of similar scale adjacent to it. They likely feel they cannot afford to act too boldly.”
“I see. So if they claim a higher rank, they worry about being targeted by their neighbors?”
“Yes. For now, direct conflict between the great powers has been avoided due to the surge in monster activity in the north and south, but as I mentioned, skirmishes between smaller nations are already occurring. It wouldn’t be strange for a total conflagration to break out at any moment. Their modesty is likely a preventative measure.”
I see. So the groundwork for a massive war is already laid—the sparks are already flying. That’s why the major powers are being humble and claiming to be fourth.
“…And what led you to judge that the Clearstream Church there is the largest?”
Yuki-san asked the question after a brief moment of contemplation.
It was true; they had said the Clearstream Church in Daio was the largest in the central region, but I was curious about what criteria they used to make that judgment.
“As for the reason—merchants, King Giadana, and Chancellor Daeda all pointed to the Kingdom of Daio when asked which Clearstream Church facility was the grandest.”
“Facility. You mean the church building itself?”
“Yes. It was originally the site of the Clearstream Church’s Great Cathedral. Archbishop Dodona went to the Kingdom of Giadana at their request to lead a forest subjugation and simply ended up settling there. Since his current base is quite small for a supposed headquarters, I looked into it and discovered this history.”
“Ah, so they only call the one in Giadana the headquarters because Archbishop Dodona is there?”
“That appears to be the case.”
I see. It made sense. Even if simplicity was a virtue, the church building in Giadana was definitely too small to be a true headquarters. Though, knowing Archbishop Dodona, he probably preferred that modest place over a lavish cathedral anyway.
“I see. If the scale is that large, it naturally draws more believers. It’s only logical to assume it’s the center of their influence.”
“Yes. That was our assessment. We often hear that those who attend the Clearstream Church should visit it at least once in their lives.”
“It’s famous, then. If so, there’s no doubt it’s the largest… but does that link to their blatant promotion of demi-human exclusion?”
Oh, right. The Clearstream Church’s official purpose is monster extermination and expanding human territory. Openly capturing demi-humans is a completely different move from the northern branch of the church, so they shouldn't be able to do it publicly…
“It seems the public is not widely aware of the demi-human exclusion.”
“““Huh?”””
If they were openly offering rewards for reporting demi-humans, they must be destroying villages, right?
“They do offer rewards for reports, but they claim the demi-humans are being transported elsewhere, such as to the northern front. The public does not know what they are actually being used for. The idea that the Demon Lord has arrived and demi-humans are his pawns is mostly just a rumor, but the leadership is pushing that narrative to justify driving them out. In other words…”
“The leadership is making a calculated political decision to expel and secure demi-humans. And they’re doing it while fully aware that it would be a problem if the north found out.”
“Exactly. We hope to have Vilia-sama and the others, who are heading to the Kingdom of Ioa, contact the northern Clearstream Church and convey the facts. If they do, the headquarters should take action.”
I see. So the high-ranking officials in the central region have their own schemes. It sounds like a reckless gamble, but since they’ve come this far, they probably think they can pull it off. These kinds of things usually collapse in an instant, though.
Now, how will we break the enemy down? We’ve found the suspicious location, but we don’t have proof yet. How will we close the net from here?