Side: Arshtelle Rithea
"Are you sure about this? Allowing such a reckless military action?"
One of the supporters of the trade agreement with Roshure speaks to me.
"It is fine. In fact, Seraria-sama foresaw that such a faction would emerge during this process."
"But, with such a small force..."
"That was all according to plan."
"Pardon?"
"If the opposition fails or is annihilated, it serves as proof that my judgment was not mistaken. However, if they were to never actually experience the strength of the dungeon's forces firsthand, it would only lead to problems later on."
I lay out the explanation exactly as Yuki-san told me to.
I explain that the reason we permitted the opposition's military action was to ensure there would be no lingering resentment and to facilitate the removal of factions dissatisfied with my leadership.
"Ho... That is brilliant. If the opposition's army fails or is wiped out as planned, we can pin whatever charges we like on them. I see, so Seraria-sama actually has a hidden force in reserve?"
He knows that the scouts reported Roshure's dungeon defense force to be fewer than 400. He also knows the opposition has deployed a force of approximately 5,000. Naturally, he assumes the initial report was a deliberate piece of misinformation. It's a logical conclusion.
"No, Seraria-sama intends to face the opposition's army with exactly the force she has displayed."
"You jest. With those numbers, it wouldn't even be a contest."
Indeed, it won't be a contest. The opposition will be easily annihilated.
"Ah, I see! Kiyu-dono there is going to strike from the rear, isn't he? If that's the case, the enemy will fall into chaos and be forced to retreat. Kiyu-dono, do not worry. We shall protect Arshtelle-sama with all our might. Please, drive those opposition forces into a retreat without reservation!"
Looking at Kiyu-san, the man seems to have a flash of inspiration and offers his prediction. Well, if Kiyu-san were to attack from the rear, the speed of the massacre would certainly increase.
"No, no. As I said, I won't be participating in this battle. My role is strictly to serve as Arshtelle-sama's guard and act as the mediator for Roshure."
Kiyu-san says, gently denying the claim.
Looking at him now, he doesn't look particularly strong, but when he first arrived... no, when he delivered Seraria-sama's declaration, he was anything but ordinary.
As expected, the opposition was furious. They likely intended to kill Kiyu-san to make an example of him and use it as leverage to drag me down from my position. However, anyone who lunged at Kiyu-san or tried to harm me was beaten down in an instant and sent to the dungeons. If Kiyu-san hadn't been here, I would likely have been stripped of my title as Saint on the spot.
Regardless, thanks to that, a large number of trade supporters who believe my words have emerged among the upper echelons. Since the Fairy-kin are also in the dungeon, there were already many who supported the idea from the start. Rurua-sama's influence is truly magnificent.
However, it seems there are always those who will oppose.
"There is no need to bow our heads to Roshure! There is no proof we tried to assassinate Elju-sama! This is clearly a threat! Furthermore, to shut the Fairy-kin away in a place as dangerous as a dungeon... it's madness! We should annihilate the dungeon, rescue the Fairy-kin, capture Seraria for making such baseless accusations, and demand reparations from Roshure!"
They rallied the opposition with such plausible-sounding rhetoric.
Then, regarding the most significant issue—the refugees.
"There is no need to send them to another country. To provide funds for such a thing is foolish! Arshtelle-sama, please come to your senses. The refugees here chose to be here. They should be the ones to save themselves; it is not our duty to provide salvation! Besides, we are already providing proper relief measures, soup kitchens, and medical aid! Anything more will only make the commoners arrogant!"
There is a grain of truth in that. They didn't just come here seeking salvation. Many became refugees because they couldn't find work. But that's not all. I present the documents Crack prepared, detailing the flow of money, to the person barking at me.
"All the money listed here has already been... well, most of it was used for personal gain and could not be recovered. It certainly wouldn't have been enough to save all the refugees, but it would have been more than enough for over half of them. Can you look at this and still tell me they were being properly cared for?"
"T-That's..."
"Of course, everyone involved in this matter will be punished... they deserve the death penalty. As for the refugees, we have been told that if we provide temporary support, the other side will handle the rest. I have seen the city with my own eyes; it is more than enough for them to live. It would be a problem if they stayed here, died pointlessly, and became a source of pestilence."
"Why do you assume people dying leads to pestilence?"
When I list the benefits of sending refugees to the dungeon, many tilt their heads at the mention of disease.
I only realized it myself after Yuki-san taught me, but once explained, it makes perfect sense. If you eat rotten food, you get sick. Therefore, rotten food must be disposed of. I explain this obvious fact to everyone. I also explain that the birds and rats that eat such waste become carriers of disease.
"I see. That makes sense. Furthermore, as Arshtelle-sama said, sending the refugees to the dungeon removes the risk of plague here and secures the labor force Lady Seraria desires for her city. Shouldn't we take Seraria-sama's offer? This is not a threat. Trading through the dungeon is much safer than transporting goods over long distances. And they are Fairy-made goods, to boot."
When one person speaks up, many others begin to nod in agreement. However, there are still those who refuse to budge.
"Enough! Do not be deceived! They might be using the dungeon to try and kill us! Furthermore, to support and escort our own citizens to another country... wouldn't that just be announcing to the world that we are incapable of managing our own people!? What's more, Rurua-sama has not returned! She is clearly a hostage!"
"Exactly!"
As a nation, it is not something one can simply agree to easily. That is why Seraria-sama left this proposal on the table.
"I understand the opinions of the dissenters. However, the opposition is in the minority. I intend for the council to move forward with the trade agreement."
When I say this, everyone except the opposition seems satisfied.
"Guh!"
The opposition's faces twist in humiliation.
As Yuki-san said, leaving this within the country would only be an unnecessary spark for future conflict.
"However, I have received a proposal from Seraria-sama. She said that if we simply ignore the opposition because they are a minority, it will leave unnecessary problems for later. Therefore, those who have grievances are welcome to attack her dungeon."
"What!?"
"She said if you can take her head, you may use the dungeon as you please. Personally, I do not care for conflict, but if by some miracle you were able to seize the dungeon, it would be a monumental achievement."
"Hoh, so Arshtelle-sama is granting us permission to attack?"
"If it will resolve your dissatisfaction. I believe you will then understand that Seraria-sama truly wishes for trade."
By deliberately encouraging the opposition to swell their ranks, we gather the troublemakers in one place to be annihilated. This was the strategy Yuki-san and Seraria-sama devised. The reason the dungeon defense force led by Seraria-sama was so small was to make the opposition believe they could win. And now, right before our eyes, the battle to demonstrate the dungeon's power is taking place.
The unit I am with is an observation team of about 100 people, separate from the opposition force. To witness the result, most of the upper management has participated. Among them is the leader who pushed the opposition's army forward.
"Now, Arshelle-sama. Our army will surely capture Seraria. That moment will be proof of your incompetence. You will be stepping down from the seat of Saint. We have no need for a little girl who cannot handle a simple negotiation. Wahahaha!"
The representative of the opposition denounces me loudly.
However, that composure vanished two hours later.
Because the army he was so proud of had been annihilated.
"No... it's a lie..."
He stares blankly at the dungeon defense force led by Seraria-sama approaching us.
"Impossible!?"
In a mere two hours, only about 100 people managed to flee back to this observation team. They are in a state of panic and are unable to speak. It couldn't be helped. Because the gap in strength was too vast, they were nothing more than beasts being hunted. But this was a necessary sacrifice for a future of peace...
"Well, I hope you've understood our strength by now?"
Seraria-sama and the others walk toward us. Most of them are stained crimson, drenched in the blood of their enemies. Seeing them, everyone except Kiyu and myself gasps for breath.
"Yes, we shall accept Seraria-sama's demands and begin trade..."
"S-Silence! This is surely some kind of trap! Yes, that must be it! Otherwise, there's no way 5,000 men could lose to fewer than 400!"
Interrupting me, the representative of the opposition rants on.
"Look, they're nothing but a bunch of girls! There's no way such women and children could have defeated our army! I'll cut you down myself right here!"
In his delirium, he draws his sword and lunges at Seraria-sama. It happened too fast for me to stop him... however.
"A... gi?"
That sound escapes him as he, his sword, and his armor are all sliced in half, collapsing to the ground. Behind him stood Seraria-sama, who had drawn a strange sword at some point, standing there expressionless.
"Arshtelle. For now, I'll treat what just happened as part of the battle. He was a member of the opposition, right?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Then get moving on the refugee relief policy. Our promise will begin in one week as scheduled. Don't be late."
With that, Seraria-sama sheathed her sword and led her army back.
"There are no objections to the trade with Roshure's dungeon, correct?"
When I ask the stunned officials behind me, they finally come to their senses and frantically nod their heads.
Later, as a result of the meeting, it was decided—on their own—that all the assets owned by the representative of the opposition would be transferred to Seraria-sama as an apology. Apparently, they were terrified of her.
...The paperwork is going to be a nightmare.
The amount of clean-up has only increased... my head hurts.
