Chapter 145: Declaration of Independence
A night passed after I left Lestall Castle, and I sent communications to various places.
First, I spoke with Pops and the others about the content of our conversation in Lestall and our concerns, and we discussed what we should do from here on. My proposal to introduce the Kyoto Faction was rejected as not feasible at this stage, but they said they’ve already been thinking about various countermeasures for the friction that might occur.
Pops and the others’ idea was to take time and let them get used to things. It seems they plan to provide a certain amount of technology, albeit while teasing them a bit, to alleviate the friction. If they firmly maintain the position of a friendly allied nation, even if someone goes rogue, they can just deal with that person, and it won’t turn into a war between countries. And as a result, they apparently plan to make it known that Belfast has become a strong nation in both name and reality.
When they put it that way, it seemed like the most reasonable approach.
I’m really no good, am I? I get swayed by words so easily. Their Majesties were probably serious. If the majority of nobles agreed, there’s a real possibility of war. However, even so, not being able to think from Belfast’s perspective at times like that is a fatal flaw. Perhaps because I lived thinking of Lestall as my home country until I was past fifteen, I can’t help but think in a way that benefits both countries.
When I said that, they followed up by saying it’s fine to understand it gradually, but I still can’t help but wish I had a capable younger brother. It would be great if I could ask Mei anything, but apparently, meddling in politics is a prohibited matter. So, it seems I should limit it to just checking the content of decisions I’ve made.
Apparently, I can lift the restriction with my authority, but she says I shouldn’t because getting used to relying on her would hinder the development of my thought processes. If I continue to rely on her with diminished judgment, everything will be handled too easily, I’ll be dominated by a sense of omnipotence, and the possibility of suffering greater losses will increase. When she gave King Nagira as an example, even I couldn’t bring myself to say “let me rely on you.”
After finishing that discussion, next I connected communications with Hiroki and the others’ ship. Naturally, the content was about yesterday’s events. The three of them, while relaxing as they pleased, raised their hands and smiled at me.
“So, that’s the gist of it. Since it looked like the instructors might be tackling the Dungeon, I thought I’d ask you guys… What do you think?”
The kings also said they’d really like to ask you, I added. I asked them while also telling them they could refuse.
『O-Of course, we’re going!』
『Ehh~, the king said he wanted to ask us too!?』
『Amazing… Right, Rui is a prince, after all…』
Seeing the three’s reactions, I was relieved it was as expected. Since they were accepting the offer, we discussed countermeasures. When the topic turned to equipment and I connected communications with the third group, they were clamoring that they had lots of things they wanted us to use for evaluating new equipment. It seems they’re making various things while utilizing their studies and really want us to use them.
Because the flower Monsters appeared, we have a large stock of Elixirs. They said they were able to create about ten thousand bottles by adjusting the concentration to a level that could completely regenerate about eighty percent of a human body. We’re having stealth drones carry them, standing by to administer injections at any time, and also having them take capsules themselves. As for Armor Sets, we can expect good things if it’s the third group’s equipment.
『Alright! So, once we get the equipment delivered, we just need to go to Lestall Castle, right!?』
“Ah, yeah. But the instructor has a noble title, so maybe you should rendezvous with us first before going?”
I replied, feeling a bit pushed by Hiroki’s overwhelming enthusiasm.
『Ah, right! Well then, we’re off!』
“Yeah, be careful.”
Once it came to this, all I could do was trust them and leave it to them, so I cut the communication.
However, inspired by how much fun they seemed to be having, I started wanting to do something too.
“It’s okay for us to take a break once in a while, right?”
“Yes! Even I am getting quite eager to go outside!”
That’s right. Even though it’s an easy job where we don’t have to do much, being cooped up inside the ship endlessly for half a year is, as expected, suffocating. Hiroki and the others probably felt the same way, which is why they were so overjoyed.
In that case, I figured I should call Ignat and the others too, so I contacted their ship and we decided to meet up after a long time. After connecting communications and briefly explaining the current situation, I designated a rendezvous point.
“You guys haven’t seen the village at all since then, right? Let’s meet up there.”
“Eh, no, well… about Yukina…?”
“Ah, right. Kai, my bad, but I’ll give you twenty Large Gold Coins and some vacation time, so go on a trip with Yukina-san.”
Saying that, I handed Mei forty Large Gold Coins and had her send them to the two of them.
『Eh, is it really okay to give us that much!?』
“No, I haven’t been able to pay you two for the past six months, so it’s totally fine. Yukina-san, my apologies too. For dragging you into various things…”
To be honest, for us now, that amount of money is nothing significant that we can earn quickly. If you were to talk about an amount commensurate with their strength, it would probably be insufficient. Kai has also settled down, so I need to have that kind of discussion with him soon.
While thinking about such things, I saw the two of them off as they departed in a car-sized vehicle, and then I called Ignat and Natalia-san to the village.
I could have let them go play together as well, but I wanted to show them the incredible development the village has undergone. We’ve been calling it a village out of habit, but no matter how you look at it, this is no longer a village. Frankly, it has quickly transformed into the most prosperous city on the surface.
The people from Tokyo helped develop it, including the territory of the Imperial forces, and it has become something amazing.
The Dungeon I was supposed to create was also easily constructed once the Ark’s main vessel was completed, and the land, all the way to the vicinity of the sea, has become a place where Monsters don’t spawn.
Conveniently, due to issues with the Mana Essence levels in the sea, anything other than weak and harmless fish dislikes it and doesn’t enter. On top of that, as a defensive measure, the drone’s automated interception system is active 24/7. Recently, with safety firmly confirmed, people in swimsuits entering the sea have started to be seen here and there.
A short walk from the seaside, several luxury resort hotels are also lined up. Right now, they’re in the process of leveling a small mountain to expand the usable land. Once that’s complete, the usable land will supposedly increase by about fifty percent.
As I was waiting, looking up at the sky, wanting them to see this village that had undergone such terrifying development, Ignat and the others’ airship landed in front of our mansion.
“Come on, come on, hurry up and look at this view! Amazing, right!?”
“Th-This is incredible… Other than the mansion, there’s no trace of what it used to be.”
“Oh myyy! It’s wonderful! Let’s go look around together quickly, Shuperu!”
“Indeed. I feel the same way.”
“Ah, yeah. We’re all planning to take a vacation, so you don’t have to keep glancing over here, it’s fine.”
“For now, let’s head into the mansion,” the four of us, a familiar group, walked onto the mansion grounds.
Grandpa returned to Belfast long ago. Rose and the others have finished learning Enhancement Magic and power leveling, and are now doing practical training with the soldiers. We were able to prepare more than enough residences, so they’ve moved into a small mansion where all of them can live. The seamstresses have also moved into the luxury apartments provided for them.
So, the only ones here are the servants and guard soldiers Grandpa left behind.
“Yo, long time no see,” I said casually as I was about to enter, but a soldier stopped me, saying, “Your Highness, I have a report for you.”
“Um, it’s a report from the soldiers guarding the northern Tunnel. Apparently, a soldier from the other side gave them a letter, asking if it could be passed on to Your Highness’s Knight…”
He conveyed the message vaguely, looking like he felt guilty about having contact with an Imperial soldier. When I received the letter, it was from Shen, just as I thought. It was addressed to Ignat, so I handed it to him as is. He nodded, opened it on the spot, and as he skimmed through it, his face turned pale.
“Wha-!? What is Shen doing at a time like this!”
Saying that, he covered his mouth with one hand. It seemed like something quite shocking was written in it.
“What’s… wrong?” I timidly asked what had happened.
“My apologies. It seems Shen has started a rebellion and declared independence from the Empire…”
“Eh!? …In this situation!?”
C-Could it be, Shen doesn’t know how dangerous the Ancient Race is? What is King Nagira thinking… He’s on our side, so he should have told him that!
No, Ver-san probably wouldn’t participate in a fight between humans… But even if Ver-san decided to stay out of it, taking on the Empire with only the Marquis Ignat Family would be bad, right? Is he going to be okay!?
Thinking that, I asked him to let me see it too, and he let me read it. It was written concisely, without many details. Perhaps out of consideration, it was written that he just wanted to convey the information to us and that there was no need to worry.
“W-Well, for now, should we go ask Shen for the details… We also need to tell him about the Ancient Race.”
“If they’ve declared independence, we can just go normally, right?”
“Yes, that’s right… This is no longer just a matter for the Ignat Family. Well then, I shall go first to assess the situation, and if there seem to be no issues, I will contact you.”
“Ah, yeah. It’s your family home, so that’s probably best. Alright then, I’m counting on you.”
So, after sending him off in the stealth-mode airship, I reported the current situation to Pops.
“―――――So that seems to be the situation, and I’ve just had Ignat go to get the details, but…”
『What did you say!? They’ve gone as far as declaring independence? This has become quite troublesome… However, there’s nothing we can do from our side. You’re not to interfere either, understood?』
“Eh, why not!?”
If they’ve declared independence, they’re the enemy of our enemy, and with the Marquis Ignat Family, we could even hope for an alliance in the future. His place has considerable military strength, so it’s not a bad prospect, is it?
『Think carefully. If they’ve gone as far as declaring independence, there’s no chance of a peaceful reconciliation anymore. As long as the Empire has the Ancient Race on its side, we can’t afford for them to win carelessly and corner them.』
“No, but…” I mulled it over, and indeed, Pops was right.
Even if Ver-san said he wouldn’t interfere, if a conflict broke out within his sight, that might not hold true. He might even use that as an excuse to start meddling in the war.
『Haa… Your weakness for these connections really makes you just like Yuna. If you still insist on getting involved, consult with Mei and keep it within limits that won’t endanger the world.』
I was just about convinced by his earlier words, but for some reason, Pops changed his tune.
“Is it okay?” I tilted my head and peeked at Pops, and he showed a sly, wicked grin.
『To be honest, the independence of the Marquis Ignat Family is an almost too convenient development for us. In a situation this abnormal, frankly, not getting involved isn’t necessarily the right answer. If the Ancient Race truly is harmless to humanity, then I definitely want the Ignat Family to survive. We’ve already pinpointed the Ancient Race’s location, so if we could team up with them, sending spies into the Empire to make contact wouldn’t be impossible. Well, if the price of failure is the world itself, then we absolutely shouldn’t get involved if there’s even the slightest danger. But you have Mei, who can make highly accurate predictions. If you’re keen and Mei’s predictions back it up, then it’s worth taking the chance.』
『Besides,』 he said with a grin, 『if the Ancient Race were to disappear from the Empire in that state, we’d be the dominant power.』
“Ah, yeah. Well then, I’ll try to act within the limits Mei gives the go-ahead for.”
『Yeah. I said that, but absolutely don’t overdo it. Like I said at the beginning, I still think observing quietly is the safest bet. I’ll allow for the secret asylum of your Knight’s family, so be truly cautious.』
His expression changed completely as he spoke with a strong gaze, and I nodded seriously as the communication ended.
Yuri and I looked at each other with troubled expressions. “This isn’t really the time for a vacation anymore, is it?”
“Eeh!? So, our vacation is off too?” Natalia-san looked at us sadly.
“No, you were listening to the conversation too, right?”
I gave her a deadpan stare.
“Nuh-uh. I wasn’t listening!”
“Um, Ria-san, you were right next to me, weren’t you?”
“Because Shuperu told me not to butt into these kinds of conversations!”
Yuri and I figured she must have still heard it, and we peeked at her as if to say, ‘Are you serious?’ But she replied, looking like a child scolded by her parents, “If I let it sink in, I’d want to butt in. I was told not to interfere at home too…”
Ah, so she was always kept out of the loop in these situations.
Ignat’s overprotectiveness is pretty extreme too…
I feel like I understand a little now why Natalia-san is so airheaded.
“I-I see. Well, for now, let’s just make sure you know that the Marquis Ignat Family is in a pinch.”
“Eh… Then why did you let Shuperu go alone!?”
As she started to panic, Yuri explained things to her in simple terms, and once Natalia-san understood that he wasn’t in any direct danger, she finally seemed to calm down.
“So all this happened while we were traveling for half a year…” she said, looking sad upon learning about the Ancient Race.
No, it’s because all that happened that we went to hunt Monsters on the outer continent…
Well, I don’t need to explain that far. I’ve told her what she needs to know, so it’s fine.
“So, for that reason, Natalia-san, you’ll be staying behind. Please bear with it.”
“Eh!? I’m going too! The Marquis’s family is in a pinch, right!?”
“Ria-san, I’m saying that because it’s a crisis, please exercise self-restraint. Understand? —“
And so, the childish-looking girl (seventeen years old), acting like an older sister, raised a finger and began to explain to her. That waiting in a place where the Ignat Family wouldn’t need to assign guards for her would be the biggest help.
Seeing her look a little dejected but still convinced, we felt relieved and began preparing so we could leave at any time.
First, I contacted Count Asou, explained the situation, and asked him to continue looking after the village. I sent half of the twenty thousand Large Gold Coins I received at Lestall Castle as operating funds. The rest is stored at the mansion.
He was surprised by the large sum, but frankly, I don’t use them, so I already have several thousand. The amount I received in Oldam is still completely untouched.
Well, since they’re utilizing their technology, it’s unlikely this village will be short on money, but this is just in case.
Currently, he, who went from Prime Minister to Count, has taken on all the duties of a Lord. When I contacted him saying I wouldn’t be returning and would be training, he offered to take over in my stead, asking me to leave it to him for the time being. During that time, he was formally appointed to the rank of Count, and for now, soldiers have also been lent to him.
On top of that, the Master Authority for the Ark has been returned to him, so he seems to be doing well without any worries.
He told me, “There are no problems here, so please focus on your countermeasures with peace of mind.”
After that, I made some light rounds to my acquaintances, asking how those who came from the Empire were doing, all while waiting for Ignat’s contact.