kscans

Chapter 213 - Episode 11: Part One, Debriefing on My Return

The sky outside the window had taken on a wintery cast. From the high vantage of the king's office, the heavy gray clouds seemed near. My own mood, as I reported in my role as deputy envoy, was much the same.

The faces of those receiving my report were stern as well. After all, a mere commoner who should have died as the Crown Prince's shield had returned unscathed. Of course, I had already handed over Prince Craig's letter to explain why.

I could not understand why the king’s gaze grew even harsher after he read his heir's letter. It was supposed to say that I was not at fault.

The members gathered in the office were the king, Grand Duchess Euphillia, the chancellor Duke Grynisias, Duke Yvelberg who was in charge of foreign affairs, and Tembelg, Commander of the First Knight Order. And finally, the great sage Fulsy.

At any rate, I had a mission to complete. I began by explaining our expedition to the furthest reaches of the dragon territory. Our actions were, for the most part, within the planned scope.

"So you are saying you carried out a survey up to the border of the Blood Mountains, taking with you the Crown Prince and Their Imperial Highnesses Dagobard and Maytyl."

Yvelberg spoke slowly, as if for confirmation. Stated so plainly, it may have seemed a bit high-handed of me. But it had mostly been a matter of circumstance, and the royalty involved had made the decision, so it was not my fault. Well, we probably would have died without that group, so I cannot really complain. Yes, as someone who strives to protect himself, I can admit there is room for reflection.

"What am I supposed to tell Alfina?" Euphillia muttered, pressing her hand to her forehead.

Meanwhile, Fulsy was repeatedly opening and closing his fist on the tabletop. Yes, the survey results. I will explain them now.

I think I can meet your expectations. For better or for worse.

Waiting for the room to settle, I finally began my explanation of the main topic, the calamitous Magic Insects and the activity of the magic veins. The content was the same as what I had shared in Maldoras.

"And so, this is the form of the next calamity that has newly emerged. In short, we will see a continuous massive outbreak of Magic Insects, presumed to be at least as powerful as dragons, over the next several decades. That is the result of this investigation."

By the time I reached my conclusion, the color had drained from everyone's faces. Even Fulsy, who had been listening with an excited expression until midway through, looked pale. They must have been preparing for the worst, a repeat of the great calamity from four hundred years ago, only for me to return with news that easily surpassed it.

I sympathize with them on that point, but I wish they would understand that I am in the same boat.

"This is not a calamity. This is a complete upheaval of the very foundation of human existence."

So said Grynisias. For him to say that, it was as if he were asking what kind of report I had brought back. I deliberately refrained from arguing. After all, even Grynisias himself had his eyes glued to the graph in the report I had distributed.

Several seconds passed in total silence.

"What are the countermeasures?" the king asked me. His voice was taut and faintly cracked. Everyone looked up, staring at me intently.

"We have been discussing possible countermeasures, centered on Prince Craig and Prince Dagobard. As a result, if the Kingdom and the Empire cooperate to fulfill the following three elements, there may be a chance…"

I repeated the same explanation I had given Dagobard and the others in the Empire. The early assessment of the Magic Insects' nature, the development of new weaponry, and…

"The third point is the most important. To lure the swarms of Magic Insects to ‘this location’ by some means."

I pointed to a region on the map. It was a land situated at a key point for both the Kingdom and the Empire, yet belonged to neither, a place where not a single human currently lived. It was the dragon territory we had just traversed.

"We will deploy the Kingdom's army from the south and the Empire's army from the northwest to exterminate the swarms of Magic Insects. Fighting in this location, where neither country will suffer damage, is what we believe to be the best possible strategy at this time."

I looked around at everyone. The king and the chancellor's expressions relaxed for just a moment. But they immediately fell back into deep thought. Indeed, this seemingly ideal strategy was fraught with far too many uncertainties.

"It is impossible to carry out a large-scale joint operation between two nations in a place with completely unknown geography."

The one who voiced this objection was Tembelg. It was a reasonable doubt. But…

"Currently, under the command of Baron Fabius of the First Knight Order, the map specialists assigned to this expedition are conducting a geographical survey and creating maps."

Tembelg fell silent at my words. That was right, both men were his subordinates. He would surely be aware of their skills, not to mention the matter of his own prestige. I bowed my head to Fabius in my mind. If the Magic Insects appeared sooner than expected, he would be the first to be sacrificed.

"And the preparation and transport of supplies necessary for a joint army?" the chancellor asked.

"We would like to address that as much as possible through the standardization of transport and increased carriage efficiency, which have been in planning for some time. As for provisions, we believe the Kingdom should primarily provide food, and the Empire should provide magic crystals."

I replied. I would have to greatly increase the production of dies for bearings. Regarding food, the western territories would likely bear a heavy burden due to their location. I looked at Euphillia.

"The deputy envoy’s report is consistent with the Oracle Princess’s predictions for the calamity's location, as well as the new analysis that buildings with high potential for damage are more conspicuous," Euphillia informed the king. A new analysis?

"Judging by the words of the Imperial envoy who accompanied him on his return, it is clear that they have significantly shifted their stance toward seeking an alliance," Yvelberg said.

"Your Majesty."

Grynisias prompted the king for a decision. The king’s eyes turned to me.

"Ricardo Vinder."

"Yes."

"First, let me commend you for your efforts. Your life-risking contribution to the Kingdom is clear."

"You are too kind. I have returned safely, as you can see. I believe those words are better suited for Prince Craig and Lord Fabius, who remain beyond the great river, still braving danger."

So I said.

"But all of this came about because of the plan you devised. How should we reward such an unprecedented achievement?"

The king’s words silenced the meeting. This was not the time for such things. I looked to the other participants as if seeking help. But I realized that everyone, except for Fulsy who was engrossed in the report, was waiting for my answer.

I see. To an outsider, it must look like I knew all of this from the very beginning. Far from being a coincidence, this is the worst possible outcome for me too.

Looking closely, I saw the king's hand was clenching Prince Craig’s letter so tightly it might be crushed. What on earth did he write?

Why is it that every single time I achieve something, I am forced to walk a tightrope? Well, whatever. In this case, I have an answer that will cause no problems.

"I require no reward for myself personally."

At my words, the king’s expression grew even more severe. But he need not worry, I was not about to say anything about loyalty. In short, it was fine as long as there was a benefit for me, right?

"Lord Tembelg. If the strategy we just discussed were to be adopted, where would the rear supply base for the joint army be located?"

I posed the question to Tembelg. The Commander of the First Knight Order looked at the map, and seemed to grasp my intention. For some reason, his face turned pale as he pointed to a spot on the map. It was right next to the point where we first made landfall after crossing the great river.

"In other words, if this plan succeeds, a sufficient profit will be secured for me. No, for us."

Let us call it the ‘Operation to Deal with the Calamity and Somehow End Up with the Foundation for the New City of Central Garden’.

The massive amount of supplies to support both armies, the securing, streamlining, and restructuring of those supply routes, and the need for a huge number of warehouses. All of these tasks, which would be mind-boggling to handle under normal circumstances, would become the highest priority joint project for both nations.

For just a moment, I felt like a merchant of death, profiting from war. Well, no one loses, so it should be fine. When I smiled, the expressions of the king and everyone else momentarily stiffened.