Chapter 277
"The strongest army, huh..."
The Duke only muttered repeatedly in response to my proposal for a private army. Judging from his demeanor, there seemed to be some problem in the Duke's mind.
"I understand that Liberta needs it, but realistically speaking, I must say it's difficult."
If I consider what that problem might be, the answer comes naturally.
"If one possesses a strong army, it is immediately seen as having intentions of rebellion against the state. Simply saying 'I need it, so I'm preparing it' won't suffice. For that, a procedure to gain the country's approval is necessary.""And there are many factions who would oppose that procedure?""Precisely.""Nobles... they really pull each other down at the most crucial times, don't they?"
Knowing the original work makes me want to sigh at the foolishness of this world's nobles, but hearing the Duke's words made me want to sigh even more. The southern continent really loves nobles pulling each other down, doesn't it?
"'Wait and see until damage occurs,' then when damage happens, 'What are you doing? Help quickly!' and then 'Compensate for the damage!' Is my understanding of this pattern incorrect?""It's not wrong. In fact, it's so accurate it gives me a headache."
In short, there are too many nobles who think it's fine for themselves but can't stand others gaining power. So they check each other, monitor each other to prevent power accumulation, and waste money excessively on these checks, leaving their own territories lacking in defensive strength.
They have money for luxurious living, but no money to protect their own domains, so they penny-pinch until the last moment, doing nothing even when monster damage occurs. That's a noble.
They only finally bestir themselves to self-defense when damage occurs in the cities they rule. Even within their own territories, they probably wouldn't think to do anything if rural villages suffered damage.
"In that case, if we don't do something now, we'll suffer damage to the point where the country can't maintain its form, right? The royal capital might even collapse if we're unlucky.""I know. I know you're advising out of goodwill, and saying it's necessary."
Currently, only I and those in the Spirit World know about the danger of Azhdaha.
I have evidence prepared, but it becomes a question of how many nobles in this country will acknowledge that evidence.
If they acknowledge it, the Duke could legitimately strengthen his military, but then it would be 'me too, me too,' everyone rushing to strengthen their militaries, and after the Azhdaha battle, a war between humans would break out next, I see.
The Duke's groaning anguish is something he didn't possess in the original work. The Duke from the original timeline would have brushed it off with 'Other nobles? Don't know them' and rushed into military expansion.
"Can't the Knight Order handle it alone?""They cannot. Even if they mobilized their entire force expecting total annihilation, not a single person would return, and Azhdaha, strengthened by devouring the Knight Order, would attack the capital and that would be the end.""Grr..."
This country has knight orders, but their strength, from a player's perspective, isn't particularly great.
If they were strong enough to fight Azhdaha, players wouldn't be needed in the first place. They'd treat Wind Dragons like lizards, and stampedes causing chaos wouldn't happen.
"Can't we build it secretly? Then defeat Azhdaha and get post-facto approval, something like that?""That would work *if* that army is recognized as being created solely for the fight against Azhdaha. But the ones I know would conveniently fabricate reasons and evidence to frame me as a rebel.""Hmm, a vicious cycle."
And precisely because our current military strength is insufficient, I'm proposing to prepare forces capable of fighting Azhdaha. But if we don't build it, the country, no, the world, is destroyed. If we do build it, we get labeled rebels later.
"Can't the King help? He's supposedly an ally, right?""......If we were to create an army, the permission for military strengthening would likely have to be granted not to me, but to the lord responsible for the territory where the problematic Azhdaha is located.""......I see."
So, if the highest authority in the land, the King, decided to do something with a single word, that word would be directed not at the Duke, but at the Northern Duke who holds the problematic land. Unfortunately, the Duke is an outsider. Even if he went to explain with evidence, he can't interfere in the Northern territory.
"But they're intentionally neglecting their subordinate bandit group, causing harm to the people, aren't they?""They would probably say they are preparing an army to deal with it. Then, without moving the army, they'd bring some random bandit heads and report the subjugation as complete."
That's the troublesome part; overstepping one's authority is an act despised by all nobles.
"From your perspective, Duke, does it seem Duke Boltlinde is deeply involved with the bandits?""On the contrary, given that a bandit group this large exists without reaching other nobles' ears, I can't imagine anyone *but* him sheltering them."
And the Duke understands this too. Therefore, if things continue like this, the Duke cannot act until Azhdaha is fully revived.
"In that case, the Northern Duke is clearly the villain.""I'm saying he *is* clearly the villain. But with just this evidence, he'll just deny everything."
Yeah, what a shitty game, I made a disgusted face inwardly. The entanglements that weren't in the game.
In a game, clearing events would advance the story, leading up to the point where you could fight the boss monster. But in reality, even reaching that stage is a struggle.
However, the Duke desperately wants to do something and is racking his brains.
"A method... isn't entirely impossible.""What method is that?"
The Duke had thought of one method, but uncharacteristically, he hesitated. But having said this much, it would be unnatural not to say it, so he resignedly began the explanation.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. In this case, if we treat the Northern Duke Boltlinde as the enemy and ally with the remaining Western and Eastern Ducal houses, we should be able to persuade His Majesty. Furthermore, we inform the Temple about this matter. I doubt the Temple would overlook a catastrophe severe enough to disrupt the governance of this country, entrusted by the gods. The Temple can pressure Duke Boltlinde to restrict his movements and send a Temple-led investigation team. If that investigation proves he is harboring Azhdaha, he can be subjugated as a traitor. Even if he denies it, if Azhdaha's existence is confirmed, we can deal with it under the Temple's supervision."
This explanation involved a decision that would inevitably mean the end of one noble house.
"Originally, the power of us four Dukes was balanced. But since that brat entered Duke Boltlinde's service, that equilibrium has been warped. If he is concealing information about Azhdaha, he probably intends to break this balance and place himself at the top."
Judging from the flow, future rebellion is certain. But there's still a possibility he could bluff his way out, making him a gray area leaning heavily towards black.
"The other Dukes would never accept that. If I take the forefront, I can at least secure their silent observation. And if we ask Priestess Claudia, we can gain connections with the Temple's upper echelons. In terms of trustworthy personnel, the Temple is perhaps the most suitable organization. As those who serve the gods, even if they gain power, they wouldn't commit crimes for personal gain.""I see, indeed."
The evidence I hold consists of two pieces of information: that the monster Azhdaha is on the verge of reviving within Duke Boltlinde's territory, and that a thousand-strong bandit group occupies its seal site. That itself isn't proof of Duke Boltlinde's rebellion. We merely suspect Duke Boltlinde, who continues to neglect such a large bandit group, is suspicious.
"The Temple is an organization with influence worldwide. They don't interfere in politics, but in return, they cooperate in maintaining public order. However, moving an organization related to the gods requires a corresponding reason.""So this time, we use Claudia-san's testimony and this evidence to move them?""Correct."
After all, Duke Boltlinde is someone who doesn't cut corners when it comes to hiding that kind of evidence. I remember from the game era, he rarely presented criminal evidence on the public stage, making it frustrating to deal with him.
As the story progresses, a series of misfortunes and coincidences lead to an event that becomes the trigger for Duke Boltlinde's arrest, but I don't think we have the luxury to wait for that now. Since we can't expect him to slip up, we rely on the Temple, a third-party force somewhat comparable to state power. The Duke and I are in agreement. I was initially considering relying on them if the plan to train the Duke's private soldiers wasn't viable. However, I still think our fighting strength would be insufficient.
"......"
Just like in the game, characters who are truly competent at operating in the shadows and leave no evidence are troublesome. We can't prepare a just cause for mobilizing the necessary military force. Therefore, we can't move the necessary forces and have no choice but to manage with our own strength. This time, we have Claudia and the Duke, so we can manage, but if I hadn't connected with the Duke, I'd be tearing my hair out wondering what to do.
"At worst, I was thinking we'd have to secretly build an army, stage a coup, and seize power by force, but it seems we might be okay with this plan.""When you say it, it doesn't sound like a joke.""And right now, it comes with surplus Wind Dragon equipment.""It's scary how plausible that sounds!?"
Sometimes I genuinely think it would be for the good of the world if the Duke ruled this continent. But right now, we don't have the luxury for a civil war. Even if I prepared a vastly superior army, there would surely be resistance, so it would take time. Also, since Azhdaha's revival condition involves consuming souls of the dead, we can't afford to carelessly create casualties either.
"Ah."
So, while the discussion was progressing towards 'filling the outer moat,' I suddenly realized something.
"Liberta, what's this 'Ah'? Don't tell me you've noticed something strange again?""What do you take me for, Your Excellency?""A person who can accept that your height increased significantly in just a few days because 'it's just Liberta being Liberta'.""Should I be happy you recognize me as human, or angry that you think I'm a 'surprising human'? Let's discuss that properly later."
I was slow to realize the difference from the original work, but thinking calmly, isn't there one person who could be the biggest weak point?
"More importantly, there's one person who seems like a potential weakness.""Is that guy employed by *him*?""There is, isn't there? That one fool who even picked a fight with you, Duke.""!? *Him*!!!"
Jakarán. I don't know the details, but he seems the type to be involved in a scandal or two.
"But does *he* know the details? He doesn't look very bright.""Even if he doesn't know the details, isn't it certain he's likely involved in things they shouldn't be doing? Like attacking villages, or letting bandits go.""You mean publicly revealing things a noble shouldn't do. But would *he* leave such mistakes unaddressed?""He's probably taken measures. I'd expect at least something like a contract to prevent him from talking.""The possibility exists. Then, what do we do?""What comes to mind is whether we can lure him out, perhaps into a duel, and create a situation where he's forced to divulge information under the name of the gods. I don't know how the constraints between gods are enforced, but if we can extract information from him, a hero employed by a noble, wouldn't that provide sufficient justification to act? It seems worth trying.""Indeed."
It's rare to find someone guaranteed to produce dirt the more you press them.
"The problem is how to lure Jakarán out.""Regarding that... it might be possible.""How so?""There is a soirée in one week. He will likely appear there."
And incredibly, the timing is perfect to meet Jakarán.
"......I don't want to do it, but for the country and its people, it can't be helped."
Even if we meet him, we can't simply extract information. That means we need another scheme there too, which the Duke reluctantly began to explain.
"Bring Esmeralda and Iris to the soirée and use them as bait."