第１９３３堀：歴史をたどる中でのヒント (Part1)
Chapter 1933: Clues Found While Tracing History
Side: Enora
"Hmm. The history of the demi-humans in the central region, is it? It feels a bit late to be digging into this now, but..."
"Considering the situation in the north, it is indeed curious."
The ones speaking are the King and the Chancellor of the Giadana Kingdom.
Today, I am visiting the royal palace of Giadana. The purpose is to report on the dismantling of the Clearstream Church—which had been operating extensively within the kingdom—and to handle the related fallout.
Well, at Yuki’s request, we are holding this discussion to resolve the questions that arose regarding the timeline of the New Continent.
Naturally, Ena is also here, acting as the liaison for direct communication with the King of Giadana.
"Don't you think so? There are records from a thousand years ago stating that they were driven out in the south, yet in the north, they are currently fighting side-by-side. Or rather, they have been doing so for at least fifty years, without a doubt."
"Indeed. And that is only if we speak of the recent past. If we consider the time since the northern nations were established, it goes back even further."
"We have confirmed the existence of the northern nations for at least three hundred years. There is no doubt that they have been fighting alongside demi-humans since that time."
The King and Chancellor respond to Yuki’s words.
It is true that since the foundations of the Clearstream Church were laid fifty years ago, the alliance with demi-humans has persisted since then. However, it certainly didn't start there; it is only natural to assume it began when the northern nations were first formed.
"Ena. How are demi-humans treated in the central region?"
Yuki directs the question to Ena. Since she has been stationed in the capital of Giadana as a negotiator while conducting investigations across various regions, he likely wants an objective perspective.
"Within the Giadana Kingdom, demi-humans are treated like ordinary neighbors. However, in other countries, there are places that view them as a threat to their own existence. It’s about a fifty-fifty split. It seems the Clearstream Church is infiltrating those areas and beginning to round up the demi-humans."
"I see. King of Giadana, your perception is the same, isn't it?"
"Aye. There are places that treat them as common residents, but there are also those who fear the long-lived races among the demi-humans, leading to persecution and exile."
"Well, demi-humans often possess powers that humans do not, after all."
As the two say, we demi-humans often have advantages over humans. In my case, I have the speed and strength of a wolf, and most demi-humans have keen hearing. Elves, in particular, are known for their longevity and mastery of magic.
That said, it all comes down to whether or not one can remain safe and healthy. In this New Continent, one would struggle not just with monsters, but even to find food; there are not many places where one can live in peace.
"Thank you. So, to summarize: the north coexists with demi-humans, the central region has areas that persecute them, and it seems they fled to the south to establish their own nation?"
"Hmm. It is difficult to say for certain. According to the stories from Oue, they fled from the center a thousand years ago, did they not?"
"Yes. I would like to say that is where they parted ways, but there are other nations in the south besides Oue."
"That is true. That is the part I do not understand. If it were only Oue, I could understand it. Demi-humans fled and built a nation, and those from the central region attacked them. If that were the case, it would be simple, but..."
"There are other nations in the south. The question arises: did they only attack Oue, or did they clash with the other nations as well?"
That is exactly it. I understand why the people from the center chased them, but it wouldn't be strange if demi-humans had fled to other nations in the same way. Yet, for some reason, they only pursued Oue. That is the mystery.
"Ah, I see. It’s starting to come into focus."
Yuki says this, as if something has just occurred to him. Ena and I exchange glances, and the King and Chancellor do the same.
"Yuki, what is it that you see?"
"Well, I don't have the fine details, but if they went through the trouble of driving the demi-humans out and then pursuing them to attack, there must have been a corresponding reason. A reason significant enough to ignore the other southern nations."
"Ah, is that it? In other words, there was a reason worth pursuing the people who built Oue."
"I see. That would explain why they targeted Oue specifically. If that reason is something truly significant, it is not impossible—though perhaps a stretch—that it is linked to the current exclusion of demi-humans in the central region. However, what that reason could be, I have no idea..."
The Chancellor trails off. He seems to have realized something.
"Hey. Did you think of something?"
"Well, like Yuki-sama, I cannot be certain of the details, but could it be that the Clearstream Church, which is leading the exclusion of demi-humans in the center, knows the reason?"
"..."
It is possible. If that were the case, it would explain their obsessive drive to corner the demi-humans, and...
"In other words, the fact that they are collecting magic stones using the blood of demi-humans might also be related."
"Aye, as Enora-dono says, it is too connected to be a coincidence. Come to think of it, the flow of these magic stones..."
"Ah, were you able to track their destination?"
"It was surprisingly straightforward. The largest Clearstream Church within the Giadana Kingdom is here in the capital. The management and transport of supplies are handled by the Grand Cathedral in the center, which then distributes them to the largest churches in each country. In other words..."
"The supplies are being gathered at the Grand Cathedral."
"That is correct."
It’s almost too easy to understand. However, it is also to be expected. After all...
"Well, they are doing such things. If they were to set up multiple transport routes, they would risk exposing their activities. They likely understand the danger, which is why they have narrowed it down."
As the King of Giadana says, torturing demi-humans to extract magic into stones is an act that is insane by any standard. It is likely that the other side understands this as well. Which means...
"They are aware that they are doing something shameful. If that is the case, then their objective is..."
"Indeed. We know it’s nothing good. In that case, our course of action is decided."
"Understood. An undercover investigation of the Grand Cathedral, then."
"Aye. However, what about the Giadana Kingdom? You have already seized the Clearstream Churches within your borders, after all."
Yuki is concerned about the position of the Giadana Kingdom. Right now, the kingdom is blatantly picking a fight with the Clearstream Church. It is only natural given their actions, but the Church still holds the support of various nations. While their deeds are evil, it is questionable whether other countries will simply listen to our side of the story.
Furthermore, there is the possibility that Oue, as we discussed earlier, knows something and is cooperating with the Church. If that is the case, it is truly troublesome, and there is no doubt that *something* about Oue is what drives them to do so.
After all, the fact that this has escalated into such a massive disturbance means that Oue must possess something that threatens the nations of the central region.