Chapter 301
It's like airing the nation's dirty laundry, but sometimes that's necessary to excise a cancer.
That was the judgment of the Duke and His Majesty.
The Entertainers have been exposing the hidden misdeeds of the Boldrinde Duke's faction, weakening them as an organization.They must have judged that now is the time to strike.
"Is this something we should be doing during such a critical time?""I believe it is precisely *because* of this critical time that we should eliminate future sources of trouble."
Naturally, Clarice pointed out that they shouldn't be dragged into internal squabbles and that there were more important things to do, but the Duke insisted it was necessary.He's right. It would be dangerous if the Boldrinde Duke or other dukes interfered during a direct confrontation, or launched a surprise attack immediately after a resolution.Therefore, it's safer to either deter them or crush them in advance.After discussing this point with the Duke and deliberating on what to do, we reached the conclusion: why not just subjugate them along with the Boldrinde Duke?
"Please take a look at this.""What is this?"
And in a way, the Western Hero is the easiest to build a cooperative relationship with.According to the intelligence gathered by the Duke, Clarice acts according to her sense of justice, working to reform the systems of the Western Continent.The extreme wealth gap caused by wealth concentrating in the privileged class is just like in FBO.The Western Continent creates oases and forms colonies for living by managing a special "monster" called the World Tree.The privileged classes occupy areas with abundant resources, forcing the impoverished to live in the outer regions, the sprawling deserts, thus solidifying their status.
"This is evidence, gathered by my intelligence service, of the damage inflicted upon our nation by the dignitaries of your country. The source of the illegal drugs, which are regulated in our nation and warrant capital punishment merely for possession, is undoubtedly the Western Continent, your nation."
Well, you can probably guess from the fact that the World Tree is a monster... From this 'World Tree,' you can obtain not only the Morning Dew and Leaves used as materials for Elixirs but also sap and pollen used as materials for illegal drugs.
"......"
Clarice's reaction upon seeing this evidence of smuggling was... nothing.You could call it expressionless.
"I hold your sense of justice in high regard. And I am aware that at this stage, there are entities obstructing that sense of justice. We are fully aware that the current oracle is difficult for us to ignore, but I ask for your understanding regarding the concerns between nations."
The Duke's indirect words indicate not only the earlier concern about military power but also the concern about power being provided to these criminals.
"Indeed, with these concerns present, it may be difficult to obtain assistance in carrying out the divine will."
Fortunately, the woman Clarice values justice but is not fanatical about it.If she started saying 'Justice is absolute! My words are justice!!' it would be unbearable, but she doesn't seem to have that air about her.
"What do you think, Lady Clarice?""I cannot give an immediate answer. I understand that there are problems in my country that need correction and that its order must be restored."
She probably faced reality when championing justice and did not look away from it.She didn't deny it by saying 'This can't be happening,' but accepted it head-on.
"I would like time to consider.""I would like to say 'that's fine,' but please understand we do not have much leeway.""Understood. I will give you an answer by evening."
The united front was not formed immediately.An air of impending dissolution hung over the room.It might be unavoidable since it's a matter between nations, but I felt that postponing things here wasn't very good.At this stage where we're vying for control of the pace, I'd prefer to take the higher position if possible.While it might seem like I hold the superior position since she's seeking instruction, that status isn't exactly solid.
"Liberta, is there anything else? If not, we shall adjourn for now."
If possible, I wanted to pull the momentum to our side here and settle this.The Duke was giving me a final check, so I thought for a few seconds, wondering if I needed to ask something, or rather, *what* I could ask to move this situation forward.
"Clarice-san, there's one thing I'd like to ask you.""What might that be?""Why did you decide so readily to seek me as your master? This is our first meeting, correct? Normally, one would think you'd decide whether to seek someone as a master after conversing, perhaps sparring, or otherwise gauging their character, wouldn't you?"
First, I decided to ask a point I had let slide earlier: why she could decide to seek me as her master immediately upon our first meeting.
"That is simple. I had already inquired about your character and abilities from the spirits beforehand.""......Ahh—"
It became clear that the basis for her unwavering words back then was the spirits, and I couldn't help but understand.I hadn't imposed a gag order on the spirits.Frankly, even encountering spirits is rare in the Southern Continent, and even if you form a contract, if you don't build a good relationship, they won't share information.That holds true even for Elves and Dwarves who live in lands where contracting spirits is easier.Furthermore, to get them to talk about events in the Spirit World, you need to build a *very* good relationship.I had been relying on that as a security measure, but maybe I should ask them next time I go to the Spirit World not to talk about us too much.Even if one can't go to the Spirit World, I realized the possibility of my information spreading through spirit gossip.I didn't have to worry about that in FBO.
For now, I could accept that the reason she could bow to me without hesitation was due to that prior information.
"Is that all you wished to ask?""No, one more question came to mind."
Simultaneously with my acceptance, I felt I had to ask this as well.
"Are you the contractor of the Great Light Spirit, Opyutos?"
The moment I uttered that name, Clarise stood up, her eyes wide.
"Where did you hear that name— No, if you were invited to the Spirit World, it's not strange for you to know."
The Great Light Spirit Opyutos is a being as important as a god to the Elves.It's a key figure in the story, synonymous with a spirit you must *not* antagonize when interacting with named Elves or Dwarves.After all, merely antagonizing this spirit causes the favorability of named Elves and Dwarves to drop below zero into the negatives.Hearing that, you can grasp how important this spirit is.
But that's not the issue here.Judging by Clarice's reaction...
"So, you are *not* the contractor.""...... Yes."
She slowly sat back down, looking at me with a troubled expression.
"Liberta, what is this Great Light Spirit Opyutos?""It is the name of a Great Spirit positioned at the highest level within the Western Continent. It is also the name of the first spirit contracted by the High Elves, the progenitors of the Elves."
It has no direct connection to Azhdaha, but it is closely related to the monster occupying the 'Azhdaha position' in the Western Continent.
"And what relation does this Great Spirit have to the present situation?"
His Majesty the King was also looking at me with interest.The Duke was leading the conversation, and Clarice herself was struggling to grasp the intent behind my words.I wondered what would happen if I joked and said 'It's unrelated,' but I couldn't jestingly bring up the name of a spirit so important to the Elves.
"Well then. Your Grace, before explaining the relevance, may I ask one question?""What's with that look? I have a very bad feeling about this.""Well, I'm not sure if I should say this one, so you decide, Your Grace. Should we astonish Clarice-san, or should we leave her curiosity unsatisfied?""And if I choose the latter?""Then I will answer that it *is* related, and that I will only provide further details if she signs the agreement for a united front here and now, based on the previous conditions."
This isn't really a conversation to have right in front of Clarice, but please consider it a kind of strategy.Her eyes twitched, but she showed no sign of saying anything more.
"Then, if I choose the former?""I will disclose information that will make Clarice-san absolutely promise to form a united front with us."
However, declaring that I possessed information significant enough to move Clarice, the Elven Hero, didn't just affect her.The guards standing behind her also began to exude pressure.
"Calm yourselves."
Clarice raised a hand slightly, soothing her guards to remain calm.
"Isn't 'absolutely' a bit excessive?""Is it? I'm supposedly an apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom, so when it comes to knowledge, I don't intend to let anyone else surpass me."
We were having a conversation as if she weren't there.She probably had something to say about that.Answering Clarice's gaze, which seemed to ask 'Is it okay to use such a cheap provocation?', I asked the Edelgard Duke what he wanted to do.The longer this takes, the more troublesome it becomes.In that case, it's more logical to settle this before evening and quickly set this hero into motion.
"Liberta, you are that confident, are you?"
His eyes asked what on earth I planned to do, but having been astonished by me multiple times, the Edelgard Duke had built up some tolerance. With half-resignation and half-resolution, he posed the question.
"I am."
I nodded without hesitation.
"I see. Then, tell her.""Yes."
Having received permission, I turned back to face Clarice. She and her guards were on their guard.
"Sorry to keep you waiting.""No, I wonder what kind of story is about to emerge..."
What I'm about to say is a complete spoiler. Frankly, I'm getting tired of this, so I've decided to change the flow here and throw caution to the wind.Thinking about it, lately I've been too concerned with reading the room and haven't been able to act freely.Despite saying nobles are a hassle, even now with my power, I'm still worrying about others' appearances and trying to keep in step with them.That's why my actions are progressing so slowly.
"If you promise your full cooperation in this united front...""......"
I don't intend to act recklessly.But it's probably easier to act when you're the one steering the situation, not the one being steered.
"I'll tell you how to become a High Elf and contract with the Great Light Spirit, Opyutos."**"!?"**
First, a bombshell.But I didn't say it would be just one.Be surprised, wide-eyed Clarice.If you're shocked by this much information, your heart won't hold out!
"Then there's Opyutos's location, the items needed for the contract, the ritual procedure... ah, and the necessary skills too."
I ticked them off on my fingers, dropping information one after another.
"All of this is necessary information for you, who is trying to reform your country right now, isn't it?"
I wouldn't dream of saying 'No offense intended.'But I said it precisely *because* it's necessary.
"......"
I'm becoming famous as a divine apostle, but in the Western Continent, spirit worship is more deeply rooted than faith in gods.Let's see how she responds to my information, which targets that weakness. This should be interesting.