Side: Lalaina
"This way, please."
Saying so, a priest of the Holy Nation of Hiffy walks down the corridor toward the back.
We follow behind him.
Now then. The journey here had been tense enough, but the real ordeal was about to begin...
Currently heading to the seat of negotiation and discussion are myself, Dragon Knight Amanda-dono, Samantha-dono, Cleana-dono, Jessica-dono, and Eris-dono.
The remaining group—Yuki-dono, Taiki-dono, Ria-dono, and Eoid-dono—stayed behind to guard the wyvern.
Even though we sent an advance notification, despite us arriving directly at the Holy Capital on a wyvern, there is no sign of panic among the residents... On the contrary, many gathered simply to catch a glimpse of the dragon. And the priest guiding us shows no sign of nervousness either. It is as if they are completely unaware that a war is even taking place.
...Could it be that, just as His Majesty suspected, those five hundred soldiers really were a trap set by some other nation?
As we walked through the corridors, the people we passed showed no hostility toward us. They simply smiled and bowed normally... Every time I see that, the concept of war feels like it's slipping away from inside me.
...Will we truly be able to return safely without incident? ...Will peace be maintained?
I held onto such hopes.
"Thank you very much for coming, Lalaina-dono."
The person waiting for us in the room was Hiffy, the Saintess of Hiffy, who served as the head of the Hiffy Holy State and bore the name of the goddess Hiffy herself.
"Saintess" was certainly an imposing title, but she possessed healing powers worthy of the name. People suffering from serious illnesses came from countries all over the world specifically to receive treatment from her.
However, she has never used that power to seek status or honor.
Her current position was chosen through the unbelievable method of nomination by all citizens of the Holy Nation of Hiffy, and as a vivid reflection of that trust, wealth or status makes no difference when it comes to her treatment. She saves lives purely and simply. It is said that her treatment priorities shift only when the nation itself is in jeopardy.
That is precisely why His Majesty felt something was amiss about this conflict. And after everything I had seen on the way here, that sense of wrongness had only grown stronger.
I was relieved that His Majesty had not attacked Hiffy in anger. After all, she was still the head of Hiffy, and there should have been no reason for her to start a war.
It seems we should assume a third nation is pulling the strings from behind the scenes... It is truly a relief that useless blood won't have to be shed.
"We are deeply grateful that you accommodated our sudden visit."
"Not at all. August has taken care of us in many ways, so it is only natural."
Hearing those words, I felt certain.
The Holy Nation of Hiffy is not an enemy—and that is exactly why we must explain the situation in detail.
"I believe the general outline was conveyed in our advance notice, but..."
"Regarding soldiers claiming to belong to the Holy Nation of Hiffy marching upon August?"
"Yes. However, that appears to have been a mistake..."
My words, however, are cut short...
"No. There is no mistake—they were indeed the soldiers of the Holy Nation of Hiffy."
"...Huh?"
My mind fails to process it.
What did she just say?
Why would those words come out with such a smile?
Did I mishear? Ah, I must have misheard...
"You did not mishear. Right here and now, I shall declare it myself. The Holy Nation of Hify hereby declares war on the Kingdom of August."
Her smile remains unchanged.
...Looking at her, an intense surge of anger rises inside me.
"Saintess Hiffy!!! Do you even comprehend what you are saying!?"
I reactively slam my hands on the table and shout at her.
"Yes, I comprehend it fully. But do you comprehend your own position? We will not hold back next time, you know? Do not expect coincidences like the flying dragons to happen again."
"...You truly knew about that battle, then?"
"A mere 500 troops had more than twice their number of your soldiers entirely on the defensive. The title of a major power lies heavily on such a nation, does it not?"
She truly seems to know.
To accurately state the numbers and circumstances of that time... I can only assume she received a report.
Calm down, calm yourself.
None of this is outside expectations.
This was one of the anticipated scenarios.
So I must stay calm and question her true intentions.
"...I understand your declaration of war."
"That is good to hear. Please turn around immediately and inform August VIII: I am coming for his head."
..How can she say such a thing with a smile?
It's revolting. Why? Why does it feel so sickening?
Desperately suppressing that disgust, I open my mouth.
"...Though late for introductions, this is Dragon Knight Amanda-dono, who commands the wyvern."
"H-Hello... nice to meet you."
"Yes. Pleased to meet you. You do not need to be so nervous. You will be able to leave here safely, after all. Once we bring down August, we shall bring down the Academy as well, so please convey that to Headmaster Poppuri."
She speaks normally and gently to Amanda-dono, who is stiff with tension.
Yet the content of her words is utterly terrible.
Even toward Amanda, the Dragon Knight affiliated with the Academy whom we brought along as a deterrent, she declares hostility without a moment's hesitation.
"Tell Poppuri: 'You coward, fitting for Comet's lackey. I will definitely drag you out.'"
And with a smile, she gives that personal message meant for the Principal, the Great Archmage Poppuri.
Faced with such sheer abnormality, Amanda-dono nods up and down, looking as if she is about to burst into tears.
"...I suppose I am next. I am Samantha, a student from Rhodei and daughter of a ducal house."
"Yes. How polite of you. Please inform your homeland of Rhodei that nothing will change the fact that the Holy Nation of Hiffy will crush August."
"We might intervene, you know?"
"Feel free to try if you can. Provided there is any merit in going out of your way to dispatch troops to the other side past the Academy, that is. You seem to have quite a busy time with your own internal strife, after all."
"...May I take those words as a declaration of war against Rhodei?"
"Yes. Either way, it is obvious that troubles will arise after a small nation like ours defeats August. Please convey the same message to the Knight of Jilva over there."
"Understood. My name is Jessica. I may serve as a negotiator in the future. I look forward to working with you then."
"Yes. I look forward to it."
I don't understand her objective.
Why go so far as to pick a fight with envoys from major nations?
To be sure, they might not be able to invade the Holy Nation of Hify immediately, but being insulted to this extent makes a military dispatch certain.
If so, no matter how strong that new weapon of theirs is, there is no chance of victory for the Holy Nation, which is overwhelmingly disadvantaged in military force and supplies.
I must ask why the Holy Nation of Hiffy, which had been a friendly nation until now, took such action.
To see if there is any clue that could lead to a ceasefire.
"I understand the intentions of the Holy Nation of Hify. However, there is something I must ask."
"Yes. If it is something I can answer, I shall answer."
"Please tell us what your goal is in taking such actions. Your country—no, the Holy Nation of Hify—was supposed to consider saving the people as its highest good. Why has its representative and leader, the Holy Maiden Hify, taken actions that will cause the blood of so many people to be shed? I cannot accept this. Please, tell me. What is the goal, the cause, that led to this? There might be a misunderstanding between us. Please let us hear that first. If we do, perhaps we can avoid fighting each other..."
"I understand the intentions of the Holy Nation of Hiffy. However, there is something I must ask."
"Yes. If it is something I can answer, I shall answer."
"Please tell us what your goal is in taking such actions. Your country—no, the Holy Nation of Hiffy—was supposed to consider saving the people as its highest good. Why has its representative and leader, the Holy Maiden Hiffy, taken actions that will cause the blood of so many people to be shed? I cannot accept this. Please, tell me. What is the goal, the cause, that led to this? There might be a misunderstanding between us. Please let us hear that first. If we do, perhaps we can avoid fighting each other..."
Yes, I wanted to hope.
That this conflict was an unfortunate misunderstanding, something that didn't need to happen.
...I wanted to cling to that hope.
However, my words were not heard to the end...
"Unbearable to listen to. Isn't it obvious?"
Such a bone-chilling voice came from her, the smile completely gone from her face.
"Those are not words to be spoken by you people, who have continued to shed blood since ancient times. No matter how much effort I put in, were you not the ones who never stopped spilling blood? Even as we desperately raised our voices calling for an end to the fighting, you kept continuing your meaningless conflict forever, didn't you? Compared to the blood I will shed from now on versus the endless bloodshed that would continue under you fools, whichever way you think about it, wouldn't my taking action result in far less?"
"...What do you..."
My understanding cannot keep up.
Even now, blood is certainly being shed, but this war will become something far beyond that.
There is no way she wouldn't understand that.
"Sigh, how foolish. Have I not been saying it from the start? Even if you are called major powers by those around you, in the end, you are nothing but fools who continue to spill blood over petty territorial disputes, and I said we can no longer leave this world in your hands. You people refuse to hold hands and simply shed blood meaninglessly, do you not?"
"...And the Holy Nation of Hiffy will accomplish that?"
"Yes. For over 400 years, I have continued to watch this foolish folly, but this is the end. I have come to realize that believing in you humans was a mistake. It was a long detour, but unless I stand up myself, true peace will never arrive."
"Is that... the reason for this conflict?"
"Can you not believe it? But reality is different. Once Lalaina-dono departs from this Holy Capital, I will immediately move my army and crush August completely."
"That's... then the civilians will be caught up in it!!"
"What of it? Even when appeals are made, you trash simply suppress them, don't you? Or perhaps you are fools who cannot hear even when told. Either way, this is a necessary bloodshed. We will erase you people—the creatures known as nobles who act high and mighty as if governing people and nations—from this continent. After all, you are of no use, are you? Even Lalaina-dono, while claiming to protect the people, uses those very people as tools of war, do you not?"
"T-That's not..."
That is not my intention... It isn't, but in the end, it cannot be helped if it looks that way as Saintess Hiffy says.
Even so, I had taken up the sword because I dreamed of a day when there would be no more fighting.
"Well, blaming fools cannot be helped. You possess neither the intelligence nor the power to lead the world to peace. Requesting what does not exist is pointless."
"Are you saying you can do it? That this small Holy Nation of Hiffy can unite this continent into one..."
"Yes. We initiated this because we can. We are done talking now, yes? I am not seeking your understanding. I merely answered your question."
"..."
I couldn't say another word.
Because her words were, in a sense, the truth.
However, that is a dream that everyone wishes for, gives up on, and comes to terms with.
Yet she claims to have started this conflict because she felt that dream was within her reach.
...This cannot be stopped.
I realized with absolute certainty that words would never stop her.
"If you wish to stop me, try using the force you love so much to make me submit. It is what you always do, is it not? It should be easy. Just like how you used to draft the healing mages of my nation and work them to the bone, you can rely on some other country this time. I will never entrust my precious people to you again."
In those words of hers, I felt a deep intention.
A fierce anger, and a deep sorrow.
...I see, so this is the root of it.
Did we rely on them too much, treating her people as disposable until she gave up on us?
...Perhaps that was all there was to it.
"Pay for your own failures with your own lives. Ah, you must be tired from your long journey. Rooms have already been prepared for you, so please rest there for today. Now, show them to their rooms."
We left the room as instructed, feeling her gaze on our backs as we walked away.
* * *
Side: Jessica
"Lalaina-dono?"
"...My apologies. Please, let me be alone to think for a bit."
I went to Lalaina-dono's room to check on her, but as expected, she seems thoroughly confused by the opponent's remarks.
Thinking it best to give her time as she requested, I was about to leave her room when Samantha walked over toward me.
"How is she?"
It seems Samantha was also concerned about Lalaina-dono's condition.
Well, naturally. Even I was surprised by that way of speaking.
"She said she wants to be left alone for a bit."
"...I suppose so. My own ears stung quite a bit as well."
"Mine too. But normally, that would be an unreachable dream..."
"...This makes things quite troublesome, doesn't it? She has a Dungeon Master and an otherworldly person—one who possesses civilization and knowledge equal to Yuki-sama's."
It came within her reach.
She obtained the power to shake off other nations, a power so great they couldn't catch up.
She ended up obtaining it.
"So, Samantha. Where are Eris and Cleana?"
"Eris-san and Cleana-san are calming Amanda down right now. Hearing Saintess Hiffy's words seems to have shaken her deeply."
"I see. But Samantha, you saw the same thing, didn't you?"
"You too, Jessica? Then it's almost certain."
"It seems Yuki is meeting with the person from another world, so once we return, we'll need an emergency meeting."
"An emergency meeting is putting it mildly... Sigh."
We had another task besides guarding Ralaina-dono.
To investigate who the true mastermind behind all this is.
Whether it is Comet-dono—the Dungeon Master, or the person from another world or perhaps an as-yet unknown individual... However, that expectation was slightly off, and a major figure showed up.
"...To think a god herself is leading a nation directly."
"Her persuasive power is understandable, then. But she will be extremely troublesome to deal with."
That's right—The true mastermind this time is likely Saintess Hiffy.
Because when we had examined her with Appraisal,...
'Goddess HIffy - The Goddess of Peace and Healing'
Those were the exact words written in her status.
