side:ユキ
さて、セラリアやシェーラが言う通り、今後このダンジョンを数多の他国とつなげるのであれば、ロシュールの一部領土という認識では確かに他の国はいい顔をしないだろう。
だが、それは本格的に動き出してからだ。
「というわけだ、ロシュールから独立しようにも、いまだなにも成果が無いんじゃ、独立しようがないし、認められない」
「は? さっさと宣言して、攻めてくるなら返り討ちにすればいいだけじゃない」
相変わらず物騒な事をいうなセラリアは。
「セラリア様、ユキ様は血の流れない方法を模索しているのです。私達が協力しないでどうしましょうか?」
「冗談よ。といっても独立を認めるってよほどじゃないと無理よ? いっそ、私達の背後にリリーシュ様やその上のルナがいるのを教えればいいんじゃないからしら?」
「無理です。いえ、私の父であるガルツ王やロシュール王はそれで納得しましょうが、家臣が全員リリーシュ様を本物と認めるわけがありません」
「そうなのよね。説得ができても身内まで、家臣にまで神様云々をいえばリテアがまた傾く。なにかこういい解決策はないのかしらね」
そうやってお姫様2人がうんうん考えていると......。
「というかさ、独立ってどうやって認められるの? 僕はそこら辺良く知らないんだけど」
リエルがそうつぶやく。
まあ、そりゃそうだよな。
どうやって国から離れて、独自に国なんて起こしたらいいのかわからないもんな。
ま、俺もこの大陸の独立するルールは知らないし。
「そうねぇ、普通なら大武勲を収めたりすると、落とした敵の領地をもらってそのまま国を名乗ることが許されるわね」
「あとは、そうですね。大規模な開拓の末、その成果を認められて、独立を認められたりします」
「ま、その実。厄介な土地を押し付けただけなんだけどね。前者は敵国だった、自国に不満たっぷりの領民。後者はこれからも酷く面倒な開拓作業をしなければいけないっていうね。もう独立国だから立て直し費用とか開拓費用もその独立国任せになるわけ」
「み、身も蓋もない言い方をしますね。ですがセラリア様の言う通り、自国では手を出したくないという理由で、独立を認めるわけです」
なるほどな、独立を認めるからあとは勝手にやってくれ、けど交易とかでは仲良くしようなって感じか。
「えーと、ここはどうなの?」
「そうね。普通なら厄介な土地ということで独立してもさほど問題はなかったでしょうが......」
「ここの有用性は証明してしまいましたからね。ダンジョンという厄介ではなく、数多の宝を産む宝物庫として」
「ロシュールの重鎮はここを手放すのは嫌がるでしょうね」
「はい、そうだと思います。セラリア様が条件をつけて5年は納税免除。しかし、ここから生み出される物資はそれを上回る利益を出すでしょう。そして、5年後の納税時には大量の税をかけて国庫を潤そうとするはずです」
でしょうな。
狭い視野でみれば、ロシュールがこのダンジョンを独占すれば、ここからできる商品や、ダンジョンからの国の簡易移動など利用料などなど、勝手に決めて稼ぎ放題なのだから。
全体的でみればそれをやると、他国から大ヒンシュクを買いかねないけどな。
それが原因で、攻め込まれるかもしれないし。
「...うーーん。話を聞くと、どうやっても僕達が独立するの無理なんじゃない?」
リエルは頭をひねりながらそう口にだす。
まあ、現状じゃな。
「セラリアとシェーラの話でとりあえず、何か成果を上げない事には独立も何もない事がわかっただろ?」
「ええ、それは分かりましたが......何をすればいいのでしょうか?」
「ですね。ユキさんのおかげで私は冒険者ギルドの管理にまでなりましたが...ここまでの事はさっぱりです。グランドマスターに聞いてみますか?」
エリスとミリーもお手上げのようで首を傾げている。
「そこは心配するな。俺も考えている」
「へぇ? 聞かせて貰えないかしら?」
「ユキ様、どの様な方法でしょうか?」
セラリアとシェーラも興味があるか、まあ隠すようなことでもないしいいか。
「俺の予想では、ルルアのリテア、シェーラのガルツ、この二国と協力することで、このダンジョン街は独立国家として認められると思う」
俺がそういうと、考え込んでいたルルアがポツリとつぶやく。
「なるほど、ロシュールと同じ大国が既にこのダンジョンを知っていると大声で言い。尚且つ、ここの利益をロシュールへ集中するのを防ぐ。二国としては、このダンジョンが独立してくれれば、私達を通しての交渉がしやすいし、ロシュールを通さなくていいからやりやすい」
「そういう事だな。ロシュールとしては、二国が声高々にこのダンジョンの独立を認めるといわれ、一国だけ拒否しても、ロシュールはお金に目が眩んだと悪評がつくし、下手をすれば今結んでいる同盟に亀裂がはいりかねない。実際、利益をまだ叩きだしていない状況だ。いくら金の成る木に見え様が、実績がないから大半は独立を認める方向に流れる。これが、俺達がすでに交易を大々的に国を相手にして利益を出していたら反対派が多かっただろうけどな」
セラリアとシェーラも納得したようにうなずく。
「大国ならではって所ね」
「そうですね。小国ならば意地でも手放さないでしょう。これは上手く大国を利用したやり方だと思います」
皆も一応話が分かったのか静かになっている。
「うーん、つまり、これからリテアとガルツにお願いに行くってこと?」
リエルが一杯一杯頭を働かせて答える。
「そうだな。これからリテアやガルツに独立したいから、手助けしてくれってお願いしに行くことになる」
「そうですね。ま、もっとも、リテアに関してはただ話をしにいくという形をとるだけになるでしょうけど。アルシュテール様とはコールでいつでもお話できますし、リテアにとってもダンジョンの件はロシュールとも話を絡めないといけないので、なかなか面倒みたいですし」
ルルアはリテアの方は問題なしと言ってくる。
アルシュテールとは知り合いだしな、色々貸しもあるから、嫌とも言わないだろう。
寧ろ得が多いからな、なにかもらえるんじゃないかな?
「...ということは、ユキ様。これからの一番の問題は私のガルツとの交渉ですね?」
シェーラは俺を真剣に見つめて問いかける。
「ああ、シェーラには近々ガルツに戻ってもらって、このダンジョンの事を話して、独立の援助の約束。及び、地下にダンジョンを作ってゲートで直接ココと結ぶ」
「ちょ、ちょっとお待ちください。旦那様、シェーラ様はまだご結婚してまだ幾ばく、それをいきなりガルツへ使者として使わすなどと......」
キルエが慌てて話を止めにはいる。
まあ、いきなり嫁に送った娘が数ヶ月しない内にガルツに戻れば、送り返されたと思うよな。
「そこはわからないでもないけど、これは時間との勝負だ。下手に時間を空けると、ロシュールがごねてくる。なるべく早い約束が、協力が欲しい。別に夫婦仲はわるくないし、疑われても平気だしな」
「ええ。キルエ、心配は無用です。これはユキ様が大陸をお救いになる布石。妻である私がなぜ嫌と言いましょう。そして、おっしゃる通り。私とユキ様はちゃんと愛し合っております。向こうで疑われれば、事実を知っているキルエが言えばいいですし、私が医者の診断を受け、生娘ではない事を証明してもよいのです」
シェーラは自信をもってそう言う。
あ、因みに、シェーラとの夜は基本一対一だが、最近ではアスリン達と混ざってくることもある。
ラビリスと同じように、アスリンとフィーリアの姉の様な感じで仲睦まじいのはいいが、夜も一緒に過ごしていいとは仲が良すぎるきがしないでもない。
「今回の件は俺もダミー...ドッペルでガルツに赴く。いや、シェーラとキルエもドッペルゲンガーの使い方を覚えるのに丁度いいだろう。とまあ、予定を話しはしたが、ダンジョンの評定が思った以上に長引いているし、ロシュールからの視察もある。それをこなしてからの話だ」
「ユキさんも本物...体はこっちに置いていくみたいですし......」
「お、お兄ちゃんの体はまかせてくだしゃい!!」
「兄様の体は責任もってわたしゅが面倒みます!!」
あれ、なんか女性陣の目が変わった気がする。
リリーシュが「複数の女性相手では流石に持たないでしょうから、精力増強とかその他諸々加護しておきますね」とかそんな事いって、夜の戦闘用スキルばかり付与したのだが......。
「......えーと、俺の意識がある内に...」
「大丈夫です!! お兄ちゃんが寝ていても、私達は気持ちいいんです!!」
......うん。なんか国交渉よりこっちのが大変そうだ。
Side: Yuki
Now then, as Seraria and Shera had said, if we connect the Dungeon to a number of countries in the future, those countries will surely recognize it as a conspiracy from Roch.e.l.le.
In spite of that, we need to start moving at full-scale.
(Shera)[That's why, even if we try to become independent from Roch.e.l.le, if we don't have any substantial achievements, we won't appear independent because it will raise the question "What have they done to earn it?".] 
(Seraria)[Huh? Let's just promptly declare our independence and strike in one fell swoop, it leaves no questions asked.] 
As usual, Seraria says something dangerous.
(Shera)[Seraria-sama, Yuki-sama seeks a path in which blood does not flow. What shall we do about cooperation with other countries after that? Intimidate them, or even crush the opposition?] 
(Seraria)[It was a joke. If we simply state that we have our independence, it's still not guaranteed for it to end up in war and subterfuge is it? Even better, since we have Lilith' and Luna's backing, can't we simply use their names and be done with it?] 
(Shera)[Sorry, that won't work either. Well I suppose my father the King of Galtz and the King of Roch.e.l.le would be satisfied with that, but not all the va.s.sals will accept Lilith as genuine and not to mention all the smaller countries.] 
(Seraria)[That's right. Even if we manage to persuade them, we will in turn be considered to be under Ritea as the G.o.ddess's va.s.sal. Finding a solution to appearing truly independant is seeming more and more impossible.] 
In their own way, the two Princesses are thinking about it......
(Riel)[How does one usually get recognized as independent? I don't really know much.] 
Riel mutters so.
Well yeah, it would probably be best to start there.
How does one split away from a country and become truly independent, that I don't understand either.
Well, I also don't know about the rules of independence for this continent.
(Seraria)[Oh well, generally if you complete large military goals and earn big achievements, you can be rewarded territory.] 
(Shera)[About that, I agree with you. After a large-scale event, the results are acknowledged and large rewards are granted and in extreme cases, independence can be granted along with a territory.] 
(Seraria)[Well, that's true. Troublesome lands are frequently chosen for this. The first choice is usually an enemy country, where the inhabitants are dissatisfied with their new rulers or miss their old ones. The second on their priorities list would probably be territory which borders on aggressive neighbors, in which case you essentially become a pillow. Then their final choice would be territories that are just generally underdeveloped and need serious pioneering. The reason they choose troublesome area to hand over is basically so that they don't have to deal with it anymore.] 
(Shera)[It's not that simple realistically speaking. But as Seraria says, the bid for independence will only be accepted if the country is willing to lose an area, for whatever reason it may be. Then to gain true independence they need to prove themselves against their new neighbors] 
I understand, we can force the independence, but if we do so without permission, then from a certain point of view it could be said that the trade was unequal.
(Riel)[Eto, what about this place?] 
(Seraria)[Oh well. It would have normally been no problem to become independent if this land was difficult, however.....] 
, don't you think? This Dungeon is a kind place, largely self-sufficient and can be considered a treasure vault.] 
(Seraria)[The heavyweights in Roch.e.l.le aren't going to part from this place easily.] 
(Shera)[Yes, I think so. Seraria-sama won the previous political event and we're now exempted from tax for 5 years. However, the goods produced still yield more profits than just taxes can account for, like for example the quality of life is on the rise. And since the time the tax will be paid is in a mere 5 years, they must be eagerly awaiting their earnings and planning or raising taxation. Such people will not look kindly at our independence.] 
That makes sense.
If you view this from a more narrow and personal perspective, if Roch.e.l.le can monopolize this Dungeon, they can decide on what goods to circulate and which to keep for themselves without permission, travel all over the country free of charge and make a seemingly unlimited amount of money.
If you look at this hypothetical situation from a country's point of view, then we would earn great disfavor in regards to all the other countries who are helplessly watching it from the sidelines.
Which could in turn lead to war.
(Riel)[... U--n. After I heard this story, why would it be impossible for us to become independent? No one can stop us.] 
Riel tilts her head so much it is twisting her neck. 1)
Well, that's a little extreme.
(Millie)[From what Seraria and Shera said, I understand that there is no way of being independent without doing anything ?] 
(Ellis)[Yes, I understand that...... But what should we do?] 
(Millie)[That's right. Thanks to Yuki-san, I have become the manager of the Adventurer Guild, but I'm not good with political things here. Would you like me to ask the Grand Master?] 
Ellis and Millie are also inclining their heads, they look puzzled.
(Yuki)[Don't worry about it. I'm thinking about it.] 
(Seraria)[Wow? Can you tell me?] 
(Shera)[Yuki-sama probably has some kind of modest method?] 
Seraria and Shera are also interested, well it's not like I'm trying to hide it.
(Yuki)[For the time being, I think this Dungeon will be recognized as an independent nation because of the cooperation from Lulu for Ritea and Shera for Galtz. If we use these cards right then those two nations should accept it. As for Roch.e.l.le there are a few options.] 
After I said that, Lulu who got lost thoughts murmurs.
(Lulu)[I understand, it is a country as big as Roch.e.l.le and they already know about the Dungeon. It will also prevent Roch.e.l.le from acquiring all the profits. As for their relations.h.i.+p to the other two countries, if this Dungeon becomes independent, they can easily negotiate through us and maintain contact, Roch.e.l.le will have to accept us if that happens.] 
(Yuki)[Sounds about right. As for Roch.e.l.le, if the other two countries vocally acknowledge our independence to some extent, even if they had refused at first, they would end up with a bad reputation if they refuse our plea for independence. This is because they would receive an image of being dazzled by money and abusing the dungeon, this in turn would form cracks inside Roch.e.l.le's leaders.h.i.+p and image which we could abuse. Indeed, currently the situation is at a stage where they have yet to make any profit. No matter how much we look like a gold mine, since there are no actual results yet, the flow should tend towards our independence2). It would be much more difficult if we had already started trading profitably a lot with Roch.e.l.le.] 
Seraria and Shera nod, as if they were convinced.
(Seraria)[That's a characteristic of a great and small country. Abusing the neutrality like that.] 
(Shera)[That's good. If you're a small country then you should look for backing from the major powers to avoid war. Hah, isn't this the same as the end-game plan3), making the countries tie each other down like that.] 
Everyone becomes quiet as if to say they understand the story so far.
(Riel)[Un, does that mean you're going to ask for Galtz's and Ritea's support first?] 
Riel answers, thinking to the fullest of her capabilities.
(Yuki)[That's right. From now on, I want to be acknowledged as independent by Galtz and Ritea, so I will ask for their help.] 
(Lulu)[That's good. Though it will merely take the form of talk about independence from Ritea. You can talk with Alshtail at any time regarding the Dungeon which seems to be very concerning for Ritea, so they must want to talk to Roch.e.l.le as well.] 
Lulu says that there will be no problem contacting Ritea.
I've become acquainted with Alshtail, she owes us a lot of debts so she will be friendly and reasonable.
Rather than returning favors, won't she be earning?
(Shera)[... So that means, Yuki-sama. The biggest problem in the future is the negotiation with my Galtz, is that right?] 
Shera stares at me seriously.
(Yuki)[Yes, Shera will return to Galtz to talk about this Dungeon and ask for support and a promise of independence. And also to make a Dungeon in their bas.e.m.e.nt that can connect directly to this place with a gate.] 
(Kirue)[Slow down there, wait please. Yuki-sama, Shera-sama hasn't even married yet and despite that just how much are you planning on using her by suddenly sending her as an emissary to Galtz......] 
Kirue whilst flabbergasted stops the talk.
Well, if the daughter you sent to become a wife and gift suddenly returns just a few months after, then you would think she was returned and something went wrong.
(Yuki)[I fully understand that, but this is a race against time. If we're unskilful dealing with Roch.e.l.le then we will lose a lot of options, in addition to that they are going to become more and more pressuring. As soon as possible I wish for a promise of independence and cooperation. Besides, our relations.h.i.+p isn't bad so even if they suspect something, it will be cleaned up nicely.] 
(Shera)[Yes Kirue, worrying is useless. This is Yuki-sama's strategic arrangement that will save the continent. I am his wife so why would I say that I hate it. And as you said. I and Yuki-sama are properly in love. If I am suspected over there, Kirue can speak as a witness and state the facts. I can also prove with a doctor's diagnosis that I am no longer a maiden.] 
Shera said that with pride and confidence.
Oh, by the way, the nights with Shera are basically one to one, but recently Aslin's group started mixing in.
Just like Labiris, she is like a sister for Aslin and Philia. But I feel like they aren't close enough to be allowed to spend the night together yet.
(Yuki)[As for this matter I'll proceed with the usual dummy setup... I'll head to Galtz with the doppelganger. Shera and Kirue will have to learn how to use a Doppelganger. Well I've spoken about the schedule, but the rating of the small Dungeons has been prolonged beyond what I had imagined and there's also the inspection from Roch.e.l.le. We can't advance this schedule until those have wrapped up.] 
(Riel)[Yuki-san's real body... Seems that he will be leaving it here......] 
(Philia)[O-onii-chan please entrust your body to us!!] 
(Aslin)[I'll take responsibility for nii-sama's body and I'll look after him!!] 
Are, I have the feeling that the aura around the girls has changed.
Even if Lilith said[Because there is various female partners, I will help you reinforce your energy and various other things.] She only gave me a boost to my fighting skills for night battles......
(Yuki)[...... Eto, can it be while I have my consciousness...] 
(Philia)[It's fine!! Even if onii-chan is sleeping, we will feel good!!] 
...... Yes. It looks like it may be more troublesome than the negotiation with the countries.
Hisshou Dungeon Unei Houhou
必勝ダンジョン運営方法　相手に合わせる理由がない
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/hisshou-dungeon-unei-houhou/
Adventure Comedy Drama Ecchi Fantasy Harem Mature Psychological Romance Seinen Slice of Life Tragedy
Adapted to Manga Aggressive Characters Aristocracy Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Clever Protagonist Dungeon Master Dungeons Early Romance F*llatio Game Elements Gore Loli Love Interest Falls in Love First Male Protagonist Management Multiple POV Nudity Obsessive Love Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Pregnancy R-15 Reverse R*pe S*ave Harem S*aves Strategist Strong Love Interests Succubus Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7891ca/
雪だるま