Chapter 300
"The highest form of propriety is to value harmony."
That ancient saying came to mind upon meeting Clarice, the Western Hero.
She suddenly knelt and proclaimed me her master.
"So, which god told you to meet me?""The Goddess of Mediation, Lady Meter."
Somehow, her attitude, which placed such great importance on propriety—more than anything I'd seriously encountered since being reborn into this world—left me slightly bewildered.In this world, those with status are, to a greater or lesser extent, arrogant and presumptuous by default.
If she holds the position of Western Hero, carelessly bowing her head would be problematic, wouldn't it? Showing such a submissive attitude in a place with foreign royalty and a duke present is like rushing headlong into a red zone without waiting.
Thinking it was unwise to let her remain kneeling, I decided to change locations and borrowed a reception room at the Duke's mansion.
Like a company interview, His Majesty sat in the center, I was on the left, the Duke on the right, and facing us sat Clarice, the Western Hero.Behind me was Nell, and besides that, a line of guard knights stood behind each party—a peculiar seating arrangement, but it was a discussion forum nonetheless.
"Might I ask for the specific wording of the oracle?""Yes. Lady Meter said this: 'Seek instruction from the hero in the Southern Continent. That hero is a sage. Treat this sage with the utmost respect.'""......Is that all?""Yes."
Well, this feels exactly like a job interview. The back-and-forth Q&A progressing the conversation feels just like one. It's somewhat awkward to handle.If someone came arrogantly, I could handle them roughly in my own way. I could think, 'This guy's like this, so this approach is fine,' and deal with them casually.But with this person, Clarice, I can tell she's utterly serious, approaching me with proper etiquette to sincerely request guidance.
How should I put it? It's like the difference in an online game between players who are粗暴 because it's just a game and those who maintain politeness even within the game. The temperature gap is that wide.Is it my gamer brain thinking that if they are polite, I don't mind teaching them to some extent?
I've been conducting the Q&A so far, but don't the Duke and His Majesty have any questions?
**"…………"**
Noticing my gaze, the two nodded for me to continue questioning. I turned back to face Clarice.If I were the only one she was showing respect to, I could judge her character that way. But she properly shows respect to the Duke and His Majesty as well.Heck, she even greeted Nell and showed her respect, and doesn't forget her manners with the mansion's staff.In other words, this person is a really good person.Some might find her stiff, but I can't form a bad impression.
The Mad Jester's last words still nag at me, but understanding that his tastes would be perfectly met by corrupting the life of this stiff yet polite woman is gradually making that nagging feeling disappear.
"Um, even if you say 'seek instruction'... We only heard about this very recently ourselves, and more importantly, it's not something we can readily offer...""I am aware I am making an unreasonable request. This is speculation, but I believe you are an apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom. Therefore, your wisdom is a gift from the gods. I thought it would be disrespectful to presumptuously prepare a reward of our own choosing for such wisdom, so I have prepared this instead."
Yeah, it's awkward, but that awkwardness stems from an emotional feeling inside me that if she's being this polite, I really ought to give a proper response.It's not that she's appealing to emotions, but it's similar.If she had come demanding, 'I'm in a tough spot!! You're supposed to help me, right!?', I could just reply with 'Like I care, idiot. I'm busy too.'However, this person asked the Duke and the King to arrange a meeting with me.I heard on the way that originally, it was supposed to be an appointment scheduled for several days later. But upon learning that my busy schedule would necessitate a change, she proposed, apologizing for the potential rudeness, that meeting today, my day off, might be better.Furthermore, despite being in a position where she could summon me, she came herself because the proposal involved changing *my* schedule.You could say showing up unannounced is a nuisance, but she followed the minimum necessary protocols. She didn't use her position to summon me but came on her own two feet, and by treating me with respect rather than condescension, it's clear she's considering me far more than the powerful figures of this continent—it's like the difference between clouds and mud.
And what's more...
"......"
Clarice had the bundles of paper she'd entrusted to her guards placed before us via her escort.There were three bundles, so they had considerable thickness.An inventory? Things they can provide on their side?
"Are you saying we can choose from among these?"
I skimmed through it quickly. There were several items I wanted.Yeah, there was an Elixir.There were items that are absolutely impossible to create in our current state.There was an Elixir whose presence or absence would significantly impact the difficulty of the Azhdaha battle.
"No. We offer them all. The reward for you imparting the wisdom granted by the gods to guide my training may be cheap, and for that, I apologize. But this is the fullest extent of what we can prepare."
And it's not just choosing one, but *all* of them?There are Dwarven craftsmen, World Tree leaves, magic-powered ships...?
"Um, it says 'a set of armaments granted by Lady Meter' on this inventory...""Yes. If I am to receive divine wisdom from you, then it is only proper that I also offer the armaments granted to me by Lady Meter. I cannot offer everything, but I judged that around one hundred sets would not be a problem."
And they're armaments granted by a god?!I can't say for sure without checking their specs later, but for someone like me who was thinking we'd need to prepare weapons and armor anyway, this offer is a godsend, like manna from heaven.Even with the spirits currently making them for us, producing gear for a thousand people is tight time-wise.And it's not just one set, but a hundred.Does 'Dwarven craftsmen' mean they'll immigrate here?That would be a huge help.We'd need to bind them with contracts to ensure trustworthiness, but if we can train them, we'll create the ultimate weapon smiths.That would skyrocket our equipment production.We can manage knowledge leaks by restricting them with contracts.I can perceive which way the scales tip between the reward we receive and the price we pay.
The time we've spent interacting as people is short, but it's not a bad offer.
"......May I ask how many people would be involved in receiving instruction?""If possible, I would like it to be around one hundred, including those I brought with me this time. If that is impossible, then I alone would still humbly request it.""My wisdom is a secret art, a potent drug. I am confident that I possess knowledge which, if disseminated, could plunge this world into chaos. To teach you, it will be necessary to form a contract forbidding you from sharing this information with others. Is that acceptable?"
In terms of combat power, it's not a problem. And if possible, I'd like to include a clause in the contract about not becoming hostile as well.
"That is not a problem.""May I interject for a moment?""Please."
At this point, the Duke entered the conversation.
"This is a question from me as a pillar of this nation. His, Liberta's, wisdom is directly linked to our nation's military strength. It is evident that providing this information to your nation would, to some extent, disrupt the balance of power. We absolutely wish to avoid that blade being turned against us.""...... I have no intention of being ungrateful, but I cannot explicitly guarantee it will never happen."
Providing power to another nation is something a state would normally have to refuse.Although each continent is currently governed separately, there is the concern that someone who gains power might eventually seek hegemony and aim for world unification.
"However, isn't the same true for your side as well?""Of course, I don't deny that. But if we are both people of standing, being concerned for our homelands is a natural instinct."
When asked about this point, Clarice honestly stated that while she herself had no such intentions, she couldn't guarantee the actions of others.She trusts and has faith, but that doesn't equal 'absolute'.Regarding this, I also have knowledge, but that's from within the game.I certainly have no experience governing a country, and I understand my abilities could be a potent drug.So, I decided to leave this kind of talk to the Edelgard Duke and remained silent for now.
"My ideal would be to have a contract that includes a prohibition on hostile actions.""Would that be mutual?"
At the Duke's statement—that we would provide the power, they could use it freely in their homeland, but hostile actions against us would be forbidden—Clarice's brow furrowed for an instant.
"If it is a one-sided condition, I must refuse, as it would pose the risk of preventing me from protecting my homeland."
She discerned the Duke's intent in not adding the word 'mutual' and immediately demanded a revision, explicitly stating she might refuse otherwise.
"Naturally. Even I could not bear that risk. Therefore, I would like to propose that the three powers present here form a Security Alliance."
Having set a high bar with his ideal scenario, he then presented a more readily acceptable condition prepared in advance.
"A Security Alliance? That is not something I can decide on my own authority...""From what I hear, your position within your country is quite unfavorable. If you wish, our Edelgard House and the Royal Family propose to offer you our support."
While it might sound like an alliance between nations at first glance, the Duke was deliberately suggesting, in a roundabout way, an alliance not between nations, but between houses.
"......What are you seeking?"
Realizing this, Clarice judged that an alliance with the military strength of a single clan, rather than the entire nation, could be undertaken on her own responsibility, and asked about the terms.Thinking it was a very noble-like approach to use my knowledge as a foothold for national negotiations, I waited to see what the Duke would say next.
"To put it bluntly, would it make sense if I said it would be far more convenient for us if you were to take control of your country?""While I believe those words are not a lie, I find it hard to believe you would cross such a dangerous bridge—one that could spark a war—for that reason alone."
Clarice sharply cut through the Duke's evasive words.
"Quite. In that case, perhaps I should disclose a certain amount of information... Your Majesty, is this acceptable?""I leave it to you, Duke.""Understood."
As the discussion progressed, the Duke smiled, and after formally obtaining permission from his superior to speak, even if just as a formality...
"Currently, we are advancing a top-secret plan. I cannot divulge the details, but we wish to avoid interference from other nations.""...... Are you asking me to become a breakwater against that interference?""Yes. We want you to secure the port territory in the Western Continent. By doing so, we want you to block interference from the west."
He began to reveal a part of the plan being advanced by the Edelgard Duke and the Royal Family.I had also heard about this plan from the Duke himself.
With three other ducal houses currently acting as they please, the plan is to use the Boldrinde Duke as a starting point and drastically reduce their power in one fell swoop.
The Edelgard Duke proposed cooperation in this plan.
t/n Congrats on hitting chapter 300 . Thanks for reading that far ! If you enjoyed that series that far pls consider rating it high on novel update https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-know-that-even-if-im-just-a-mob-in-this-world-i-can-become-the-strongest-if-i-become-a-addict/
p.s Check out new series under my wing https://www.novelupdates.com/series/a-disaster-rank-mage-breaks-the-dice-after-reincarnating-into-a-game-with-a-guaranteed-bad-ending-i-tried-for-a-hidden-route-the-problem-the-main-cast-has-become-obsessed-with-me/