Chapter 106 - Episode 22: "I Shall Become a Messenger of Peace"
Gokigenyou. Violia Nico Fortesia here!
I am currently in the middle of making a massive profit!
...There is simply no other way to put it!
The Royal Family has already decided to proceed with war preparations in secret. Thanks to that, well, food and weapons are selling quite well to them.
Naturally, I have already pulled the strings on this end. The moment Carol was summoned by the Royal Family, we had already begun gathering weapons first.
Therefore, the Royal Family is essentially moving entirely behind us... all the weapons in easily accessible locations are already under contract!
...Even so, the Royal Family is doing their best to gather weapons, so the supply on the market is thinning out all at once.
If I release the weapons I bought up little by little there, well, I shall make a profit, wouldn't I? It is only natural!
It is not just weapons. I am doing the same for grains and medicine. The Royal Family's movement on these is a bit slow, perhaps. I expect they will start buying up grains publicly under the pretext of the slime-induced crop failure, so I can rush to buy them up before then!
...And so, we are currently in a waiting phase.
Since the buying up of weapons, medicine, and food went well, the Royal Family will be in trouble even if we leave them alone, and we shall profit.
And as for what we are waiting for...
"In the end, what happened to the soldiers? I can't see the country's movements."
This is it.
"That is true. That King did say something about being able to create a pretext for gathering soldiers, so I thought they would have moved by now..."
As expected, the buying up of food was carried out under the pretext of the slime crop failure. Under the guise of the state managing grains to ensure they reach everyone, they are squeezing it out from all over the place.
The populace is revolting against this. With the people backing them, the Cathedral is also turning its back on the Royal Family. Though for the King, war preparations are likely more important than such things.
...That is how it is.
The King, who should be proceeding with war preparations, has yet to show any movement regarding the soldiers.
"Do they plan on a large-scale conscription?"
"If there is a conscription, you certainly won't be taken, for sure."
"Well, if they took a scrawny guy like me, they wouldn't win even if they could."
That is true. I do not think Giovan would be of any use in battle...
"Conscription? Then there's no pretext at all. What else could conscription be but war preparation?"
"That is true, it is as if they have no intention of hiding it..."
In any case, conscription is out of the question.
The King is trying to proceed with war preparations without being found out by the Kingdom of Asumbra or myself. He should be trying to gather soldiers in a way that does not seem like it at first glance.
So, instead of conscription... hmm, could they be secretly making golems in the castle basement...? No, they do not have that kind of money, do they...?
"Eh? Isn't it simple?"
While we were agonizing, Chesta tilted his head. How irritating!
"What is it? If it is a foolish thought, I shall forcibly twist your neck in the opposite direction."
"Ehh...? No, they just need strong guys to gather, right? Then they should just gather them that way. You know, like holding a Martial Arts Tournament or something on a whim."
...Eh?
That is... well.
"Fuhahaha! Interesting! It is truly ridiculous, but it is exactly the kind of thing that King would do!"
...It truly feels that way...
And, terrifyingly enough.
Chesta's prediction was a bullseye.
The news that arrived... was an announcement for a Martial Arts Tournament hosted by the Orchesta Royal Family, scheduled for early summer...
"Certainly, if you gather people for a Martial Arts Tournament, the strong will assemble... but does the Royal Family intend to recruit wandering mercenaries?"
Looking at the flyer for the Martial Arts Tournament, Doran is utterly exasperated. Yes. I would like to be exasperated as well, but well, I do not think it is a completely foolish move.
"Perhaps they are also aiming to reduce the enemy nation's military power. Since the Kingdom of Asumbra is a small country, they are the ones who would rely on mercenaries if they wanted to gather soldiers. Therefore, they might be trying to gather those who would likely become mercenaries first."
"And then there's entertainment. Since the Kingdom Festival was ruined, maybe they intend to liven things up with this."
I feel like they could just give a proper reason and increase armaments normally, but I wonder if that King suffers from a disease where he'll die if he doesn't add a twist to everything...
Even so, a Martial Arts Tournament, huh. It is a bit nostalgic.
When I was at the Academy, I was the runaway winner of every internal Martial Arts Tournament. Therefore, I am a bit drawn to events with the name 'Martial Arts Tournament' attached to them.
...That is right.
It seems that the winner of this Martial Arts Tournament will be granted 'the right to have one wish fulfilled.'
How should I put it, is it generous, or is it reckless...
...As I thought, I am a bit drawn to it...
Two days later.
"By all means, we would like the Saint-sama to attend!"
"That is... I do not mind, but why me?"
"That is naturally to boost the morale of the people! If the Saint-sama is watching, the warriors will surely be greatly inspired! And the spectators will surely flock to the venue just to catch a glimpse of you! This will have a great effect!"
...Yes. And so, I have come to the Royal Castle. As Carol's accompanying Holy Knight.
It seems the Minister is planning the Martial Arts Tournament with Carol in mind.
...Whether Carol is there or not, the people would probably flock to a Martial Arts Tournament if one were held. They have no entertainment.
Even so, the reason they want Carol to attend is to show the people that the connection between the Royal Family and the Cathedral is solid.
The Cathedral is steadily gaining the support of the people. Yes. I am providing a fair amount of the food I bought up to the Cathedral. For the relief of the poor.
The basis of poor relief is soup kitchens. If the Cathedral holds regular soup kitchens, and the Saint herself is baking bread and simmering soup, then support from the poor will naturally become thick.
Furthermore, because the Royal Family is buying up food under the pretext of the slime crop failure, the value of the Cathedral increases all the more. The more unpopular the Royal Family becomes, the more that popularity flows toward the Cathedral!
...Therefore, the Royal Family wants to firmly team up with the highly popular Cathedral here. They likely want to alleviate dissatisfaction with the Royal Family even a little by riding on the Cathedral's popularity.
"By the way, Saint-sama."
"Yes?"
The Minister, having secured Carol's attendance, had the gall to pile on the next request with a smile.
"Are there any among the Holy Knights of the Cathedral who will participate in the Martial Arts Tournament? How about your attendant there?"
"Eh? ...That is for the person themselves to decide..."
Carol also has no choice but to answer vaguely with an expression that says she doesn't know how to respond.
Besides me, there are many Holy Knights in the Cathedral, and I feel like some of them might participate if asked, but it is cruel to ask Carol to answer that here and now.
"If there is a Holy Knight who participates by Saint-sama's recommendation, please let us know. We shall give them preferential treatment in the tournament..."
...Is this Minister intending to confess to blatant corruption as a form of penance?
"No. I will not be making any recommendations. They are free to participate, but at the same time, I believe I should not be involved."
"Oh? Is that so...? That is a pity. If a warrior recommended by the Saint-sama were to participate, the venue would surely be livened up... well, well, there is still plenty of time until the Martial Arts Tournament. It will be fine if you give us an answer by the time the apricot blossoms bloom."
This Minister has been wretched for a while now. I would like to snap his neck bone right this instant!
After that, we met with the King and confirmed the current state of the country and the status of material collection.
Regarding weapons, since we resold them, it seems they were made to struggle with collection. Well, serves them right. We also made a profit, so it is a total win.
Regarding food, they seemed to want to requisition the portion going to the Cathedral's soup kitchens as well, but they seemed to understand that saying that would sever ties with the Cathedral, so they said nothing.
"Then, the preparations to face the war are complete? Around when will the negotiations with the Kingdom of Asumbra begin?"
And then, Carol pokes the part that the King likely wants touched the least right now.
The King is full of motivation for war, so he must be troubled by being told this!
"Mu? Th-that is... after the soldiers are gathered. After the Martial Arts Tournament in May. If anything, it will be in time even after the other side begins their march."
"After they begin their march!? That will not be in time! Many people will be hurt while negotiations are taking place!"
"However, even if we try to negotiate right now, there is no information that the other side is intending to start a war other than the tip-off from Amavire Rent. We must have more certain evidence before..."
Such evidence does not exist in this world, though. But proving that evidence does not exist is very difficult, so the King will likely continue to dispatch spies everywhere to keep searching for the secrets of the Kingdom of Asumbra. Yes. Believing in the confession of the Pin-Hane Girl (T/N: 'Pin-hane' refers to skimming or taking a kickback from a payment.).
...Yes. Believing... the Pin-Hane Girl...
...Oh.
I have just thought of something... what if, I wonder?
If, at this late stage, at this timing... it were found out that 'the Kingdom of Asumbra really has no intention of going to war,' then everything this country has worked so hard to prepare will go to waste.
And... at that time, what will happen to the Pin-Hane Girl?
...I have decided.
I shall become the bridge connecting the Kingdom of Asumbra and the Kingdom of Orchesta, and contribute to the peace of this world! I am looking forward to it! I am looking forward to it!