“I apologize. I did request that a different attitude be taken towards you, but I couldn’t persuade them with my authority.”
“I understand that you don’t intend to cause harm. If it’s just a matter of formality, there’s no problem.”
To Teariada Elemes, the chief diplomat who sincerely apologized, Arborea Heath nodded expressionlessly.
“Escorts are permitted to accompany us. If that’s the case, we won’t be delayed.”
A meeting with the Council of Elders (Le Elphia), the supreme authority of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
According to Teariada, the venue prepared for this was a large hall called the Round Table Hall (Rundelzimmer), apparently intended for intimidation.
A massive hall where the twelve members of the Council of Elders (Le Elphia) look down on the person in the center of the lower level from the circumference.
In the center stood Teariada Elemes as a guide, and Arborea Heath and Alisterta Heath, representatives of ＜Paraiso＞, who had been invited.
The members of the Council of Elders (Le Elphia) had not yet appeared.
Behind Arborea and Alisterta, three Bipedal Escort Units were on standby for protection. Their white-based exteriors (bodies) were adorned with lines that flickered in blue.
＜Primates＞, walking machines for VIP escort. Armed with multi-barreled coilguns and blunt weapons (maces).
Movable multi-layered shields for defense.
The sophisticated combination of straight lines and curves that make up the Primates gives the viewer a mystical sense of intimidation.
After waiting for five minutes, a faint sound echoed, and the twelve doors set in the circular room slowly opened.
Appearing were the twelve rulers.
The supreme authorities of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
They advanced and sat down in their respective chairs.
“Welcome to the Forest Country (Lebresta), envoys.”
One of them, looking down from directly in front of Arborea and Alisterta, spoke.
The diameter of the Round Table Hall (Rundelzimmer) was approximately 20 meters. From the center to the chairs where the elders sat was about 12 meters.
Although there was a considerable distance, the voice of the man in front carried surprisingly well.
“Thank you for your long journey. Normally, we would provide a period of several days for you to recover from your fatigue, but Teariada insisted on hurrying things along. I apologize for summoning you so quickly.”
“No problem. There’s no need to apologize. We’ve had plenty of rest. We are also concerned about the problems your country is facing. Rather, we are grateful that you have arranged such a meeting immediately.”
Arborea Heath replied. Using the amplification function of the Primates, her clear, lovely voice echoed through the chamber.
“…Is that so? If that’s the case, then our preparations were worth it.”
Arborea and Alisterta both stared intently at the chairman who had spoken.
Their expressions showed no fear, no irritation, no tension, and no insolence.
Just as they were.
“If we’re in a hurry, it would be boorish to engage in pointless questioning. Teariada, shall we get to the main topic?”
Another elder, different from the chairman in front, spoke.
He was the head of the Foreign Ministry to which Teariada belonged.
“Yes. Then, let’s start by sharing our understanding—”
◇◇◇◇
“Should we get everyone’s opinion, just in case?”
“Hmph. As if we have a choice.”
“Everyone knows the importance of exchanging words. We haven’t had many opportunities like this lately, with the continued peace.”
“Isn’t this the situation we feared? The situation has stagnated. The days when we reigned as a great power are long gone.”
“By the way, what about the Golem that flew in the sky some time ago? Is there any connection?”
“It hasn’t been explicitly stated, but Teariada’s report mentions several testimonies of a giant airborne ship. It’s almost certainly the case.”
“Hmm… So, what do you think their purpose is, in reality? That envoy was quite composed.”
“Teariada scolded me for clinging to pointless pride.”
“You only see one side of things. It would be troublesome to show any openings to the domestic radicals.”
“The domestic forces are fine. It’s all a matter of time. The Afrasia United Kingdom… or rather, the organization called ＜Paraiso＞. We need to respond to them quickly.”
“Has it even been a year since we heard their name? They seem to have swallowed up the nomadic tribes.”
“At the very least, they have the power to annihilate that detestable pest with a single blow, right? Does anyone doubt that?”
“I don’t doubt it. Did you see the Golem that girl brought with her? Can you imagine its power?”
“I couldn’t see any Magical Power. But that was…”
“It’s a technology I’ve never seen or heard of. I heard it came from across the sea, but if that’s true, it’s nothing but a threat. The countries on our continent can’t possibly compete with that.”
“I don’t think they’re a hegemonic power. Their methods are too soft.”
“Impressions are important. Those girls seem indifferent to their own interests…”
“I don’t want to think about it too much, but they might not even consider us worth their attention.”
“Well, that’s the worst-case scenario. But I agree.”
“So, the proposal was for Mercenary Dispatch?”
“We have no choice but to accept, do we?”
“Some noisy ones are likely to emerge again.”
“Isn’t it becoming a nuisance? We should just throw any complaining fools straight to the front lines.”
“…That might be an option. We should break through this stagnation soon.”
“Oh? That’s right. We can get new equipment from those girls, can’t we? Let’s dress them up in new clothes, flatter them, and send them out.”
“Maybe even those guys will climb trees? Wouldn’t that be even more troublesome?”
“Hmph. Don’t say things you don’t mean. A fingerless person can’t climb a tree no matter how hard they try.”
“…The policy has been decided. Then, that’s enough. Agreement has been reached. Now, all that’s left is to walk.”
◇◇◇◇
“So, what kind of policy are they going to implement?”
“Strengthening intelligence gathering on us ＜Paraiso＞, or rather, information gathering. They seem to be aiming to increase their sources of information by activating trade with the Repuytari Kingdom and other countries. Also, they seem to be accepting most of our proposals. They contacted us saying that they will hold a working-level meeting regarding Trade Goods. They also contacted us that Mercenary Dispatch has been approved, and they will consider the compensation.”
“It’s a bit anticlimactic, isn’t it?”
While analyzing the information reported by the local Tactical AI ＜Heath＞, ＜Ringo＞ was sharing information with Commander (Ma’am).
Interaction with the Forest Country (Lebresta) is progressing much more smoothly than expected.
“I felt like they were looking down on us quite a bit at first.”
“According to the investigation, the people of Lebresta seem to have long lifespans as a race. A long lifespan means that individuals accumulate that much more experience.”
“That means they’re formidable opponents. But it seems to be going smoothly.”
A proposal was made from ＜Paraiso＞ to dispatch an extermination unit to eliminate the Big Moth.
Teariada, the chief diplomat, seemed to consider the proposal positively and actually presented it to the Council of Elders, the supreme authority.
And before we knew it, Mercenary Dispatch was approved, and a request was actually made.
The compensation, for the time being, is the provision of some kind of Magic Tool.
They will continue to observe economic activities and hold discussions to ensure healthy logistics between the two countries.
Ammunition transport is necessary for the Mercenary Dispatch, but it was agreed that caravans would run regularly. By activating logistics, imports and exports can also be increased.
“From the pre-evaluation of the twelve people who have reigned at the top for a long time, I expected a corrupt and rigid organization, but it seems to have a flexibility that betrays expectations.”
“It’s welcome if negotiations are easy to proceed with. It looks like a consensus system, but maybe it’s surprisingly dictatorial?”
“That may be the case. A system may have been established in which there is little conflict of interest within the Council of Elders. Organizational management through longevity may be being demonstrated in the best possible way.”
If so.
That arrogant attitude may have been because they actually positioned the Afrasia United Kingdom itself as inferior in terms of national power.
In fact, their attitude towards ＜Paraiso＞ seemed to be improving day by day.
“Twelve cunning elders with real power, huh? If the opponent wasn’t ＜Ringo＞, they might have been quite formidable.”
“I’m flattered.”