Book 6: Chapter 8.1
Book 6: Chapter 8.1
No Matter How Deep The Desire, There Is Always A Point Of Compromise
Five days had passed without contact from Representative Holiday.
During that time, the “World Conference” continued every day from morning to evening. And at other times, discussions and coordination on the agenda progressed. But I no longer had a part to play in those meetings.
The relationship between countries is not something I can interfere in. Though, I have heard that Windle Republic has been using this occasion to meet with VIPs from major countries.
Cardinal Thomason and Her Holiness the Pope discuss on how to lead the conference every night.
「—It’s been a while, young lady.」
「Reiji… You have changed since we last met. More people are depending on you now. And your black hair looks great.」
「I can say the same about you, young lady. You have grown even more mature in this short time.」
「That’s the best compliment.」Lady Eva smiled.
We were in a courtyard near the mansion assigned to the representatives of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom. A chilly breeze blew over the garden basked in a slight afterglow indicating the arrival of autumn.
Looking at the beautiful chalk castle and mansions, and the magic airships that constantly arrive and depart, you realize that this is a place of great importance in this world.
The young lady and I were finally able to meet. The young lady’s escort and the chief butler—people I was indebted to while I served in the Sillys residence—kept a distance from the bench the young lady and I were sitting on.
The Earl went to a dinner with Duke Grenjido and a representative from another country.
「How are you feeling today, young lady?」
「I am doing good. Though, I was called a little girl by someone just a while ago.」
The young lady also seems to be facing her own struggles.
Not much time has passed since the Red Gate incident, but I can still see that the young lady has matured much more since then. Her manners and gestures are becoming more and more refined.
「More importantly, Reiji, how do you view this conference?」
「My view?」
「Seeing as how Her Holiness the Pope has guaranteed your identity, everyone seems to think that you are sided with the Church.」
「I’m not really a representative of the Church, though…」I said, with a wry smile.
However, what the young lady pointed out is also true. I have been receiving requests for a “meeting” from the dignitaries of every country; not the representatives themselves, but their close aides. I refused all those requests, though.
I suppose it would have been fine to meet them… But I wasn’t really sure what to talk about.
The other parties might be expecting to receive some beneficial knowledge or something… but there’s not much I can do.
「I know that, of course. But my father said, “Please get some information regarding the Church from Reiji-san”.」
「Haha… the Earl is direct.」
「What I wish to ask is what is your personal opinion, regardless of your affiliation to the Church.」
「My opinion has not changed. Did you read the letter I sent?」
The young lady nodded in response.
In the letter I addressed to her, I wrote about the danger of this world collapsing.
And I also wrote,
『I don’t want Lady Eva to come to the front lines because it is going to be a very dangerous situation. With that said, I am sure the young lady will definitely head to the front. Since the young lady knows that the front line is where she can effectively use “Magic Eye of Inspire”. But please be sure to let me know when she arrives. If anything happens, I will protect the young lady.』
「Even knowing that this whole world will turn into a battlefield, I still think we should move forward with the plan to fuse the two worlds. I don’t want to spend my days pretending that everything will turn out okay if I don’t look at it.」
「…Even if the casualties might be high?」the young lady asked.
I know. That there will be casualties.
But still I have to move forward.
People grow and develop by moving forward.
「Yes.」
I was completely hesitant and perplexed until I was able to say this one word.
But with everyone’s support, I am now able to say it with confidence.
That “everyone” includes the young lady too.
If given the choice, I am certain the young lady would choose the one with the brighter future.
「I have the same opinion.」
The young lady said with a smile. …Oh, her soft, gentle smile warms my heart as it always has.
「Reiji, I think the meeting is moving in a bad direction.」
I nodded in agreement.
Since the first day, the meeting has not progressed forward at all.
Each country -「How do we handle the depletion of skill orbs?」
Church -「It’s an omen of the collapse of the world.」
Each country -「There is no evidence of this. And the Church should disclose all known information about the depletion.」
Church -「We have disclosed all information. We must progress with the fusion of the worlds to prevent the collapse.」
Each country -「There are not enough skill orbs to deal with the increase in the number of monsters which will occur with the fusion. That is impossible right now.」
Church -「This is a race against time.」
Each country -「There is no evidence of that. Or is the Church hiding additional information?」
Each country is skeptical of the Church. And due to the suspicion that arose due to the depletion of skill orbs, they cannot have any constructive discussions.
Furthermore, not all countries are wealthy; countries such as the Windle Republic have little direct military force, and there are also countries whose administration is in a perilous state. Those countries rely on the Church’s aid, and that’s all the reason they attended this conference in the first place.
「It seems that the Pope and the Cardinal had the same idea, and originally wanted to promote the fusion of worlds with the consent of each country at this conference, and to establish a joint front for the battle with the monsters that will come after that.」I said.
「Looking at the current situation, that’s not possible…」
「We have to look for a realistic point of compromise.」
「A joint front involving only countries that are in alignment with the Church?」
As expected, the young lady caught on fast. I wonder if it’s Earl Sillys’ training?
「Yes. Even if monsters appear, it is unlikely that they will appear all over the continent. Even when I went to the other world, their presence felt quite uneven.」
There are chaotic giants present in the same location as the undeveloped land “Canion” in the other world, but other than that, it is possible to control the appearance of monsters by gathering military might. This information has been relayed to every country.
「But how many countries are in alignment?」the young lady asked.
「The Kruvan Holy Kingdom–」
「–In agreement, of course.」
…Thank goodness. This whole matter would have become much more difficult if I had to convince Duke Grenjido.
「Since the Holy Kingdom participated in the Red Gate campaign, we understand the threats of the world beyond.」the young lady said.
「Ah, I see now…」
「But conversely, most countries do not understand that threat, so they are not in agreement.」
It certainly felt that way even when I was observing the situation of each country at the conference.
「Reiji. Is it possible to revoke the Covenant immediately?」
「It is possible. I think the Church has prepared to revoke it after a month or so after the conference is over. That is why the church has gathered all the race representatives.」
「The Pledgers, yes?」
「Yes.」
I explained to the young lady again. About the Covenant consisting of 8 articles. About the Librarian, Beast King Race, Gnome, High Elf, Dwarf, Holy Blue Human, Continental Human.
「But Reiji, there are only seven.」
「I don’t know much about Article 8.」
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Significance of the Covenant (/)
・ □□□□□□□□ makes the Covenant’s □□ the mediator □□, □□.
・ Should the Covenant be revoked, □□□□□□□□ will change □□ to □□.
I am unable to relay this article clearly to the young lady due to the restrictions of the Covenant. Sometimes I even wonder if it’s a meaningless Covenant.
「But since Article 8 does not specify a Pledger, we have no choice but to assume that there will be no problem.」
I can’t fully grasp the Covenant without absorbing【World Alliance】, but I’ve been able to use that power little by little because I have had to alternate between World Alliance and World Ruler these days. So, I can still recall the articles of the Covenant even without absorbing World Alliance.
Though it does bother me a little that that is all a 12-star skill is able to do…….