第428話~終わりの始まり~
終わりというのは唐突にやってくるものである。
「いや、残念ながら当然の結果というかなんというか、まぁ妥当な結果なんじゃないかな?」
「それはそう」
ヴァリャーグ帝国の外交官であるキリーロヴィチの言い分に素直に頷いておく。
ここはメリネスブルグの王城。シルフィ達や俺が過ごしている奥の生活区画ではなく、城勤めの役人の職場や外部からの賓客をもてなしたりする執務区画とも言うべき区画の来賓室である。その来賓室で俺はキリーロヴィチと会談の場を設けていた。前線というか国境で聖王国への対処をしているレオナール卿からとある情報が入ったので、その情報を共有しようと思って彼を呼び出したのである。
「聖王国中央部で聖騎士団によるクーデターが発生。同時に、聖王国西部で亜人奴隷の大規模な反乱が発生。東部にもその兆しありと。結果、アドル教の教会騎士団と聖王国軍、聖騎士団と亜人奴隷達が入り乱れる破滅的な内戦に発展と」
「うちは何もやってないヨー」
「主犯だと思うんですけど」
「もとを正せば主犯は聖王国の聖王サマとアドル教のお偉いサマだろー?」
俺の主張に同意したキリーロヴィチが苦笑いを浮かべてお茶を口に運ぶ。この前ドラゴニス山岳王国に行った時に運んできた最高級のドラゴニス茶だぞ。美味かろう? まぁ俺には緑茶っぽいなぁくらいにしか他の茶との違いがわからんのだが。
ちなみに俺が言った主犯が聖王とアドル教のお偉い様という発言は、今回の事態を招いたのは聖王と教皇や枢機卿連中が行ったメリナード王国への侵攻や、人間至上主義に傾倒した教義を是として亜人への搾取と弾圧を行い続けた結果だという意味である。
「しかし、西部の亜人達が蜂起したのはアレとして、聖騎士団のクーデターってのは全く身に覚えが無いんだよな」
東部の亜人達が蜂起する兆しを見せているのはヴァリャーグ帝国の差し金だろうが、ここは敢えてスルーしておく。
「聖騎士団は第一世代ですからね。母や父、それに自分達の扱いに不満があったのでしょう」
「第一世代?」
「えぇ。メリナード王国から連れ去られたエルフなどの魔力素養が高い亜人達と、聖王国人達とのね」
キリーロヴィチの言葉を聞いて納得する。メリナード王国敗戦から二十年と少し。連れ去られた魔力素養の高い亜人達の子供が兵士として、騎士としての力を培うのには十分な時間だ。
「しかし、そんなに酷いのか?」
「酷いというレベルの話ではないですね。亜人としての特徴を幼いうちに『消す』のは当たり前。下手をすれば生まれてすぐにこうですよ」
そう言ってキリーロヴィチは自分の人差し指の先で自分の首を撫でるような仕草をする。流石にそれは......気分が悪くなる話だな。
「中には敢えて母親や父親の目の前でそうして心を折るような連中もいるらしいです」
「胸糞が悪くなる話だなオイ......えぇ? マジでそんなことを? 手の込んだ自殺みたいなものじゃないか。懐柔したほうが後々を考えれば有用なんじゃ?」
「それはそうなんでしょうが、そういう『戦利品』を手に入れられる立場の聖王国人というのはほぼ例外なく『敬虔な』アドル教徒ですから」
「あぁ......なるほど」
懐柔するどころか優しく接することすら教義に反するわけだ。あいつらの教義内容的に亜人は虐げれば虐げるだけ徳を積んだことになるからな。俺みたいな立場の人間からすると頭がおかしいんじゃないかと思うが、物心ついた時からそういうものなのだと教育されたらそれが普通だと思うんだろうなぁ。
「当然、そうなると聖騎士達も疎まれているというか蔑まれているわけだ」
「まぁ、そうですね。実際、戦闘能力は非常に高いんですよ。ただ、聖騎士なんて大層な名前をつけられていますが、前線の指揮官には疎まれているようですね。歴史も格式も無く『混ざりもの』だらけの聖騎士団が前線で力を振るうことは稀なわけです。手柄が取られるので」
そもそも魔力素養の高い強力な兵士を確保するためにメリナード王国を滅ぼして亜人奴隷を手に入れたのに、その成果が前線で疎まれて役に立たない上に自分達の首を取りに来たとか笑えないにも程がある。
「なんというか何もかもが裏目に出てるな。案外俺たちが何もしなくても近いうちに帝国との戦争で負けてたんじゃないのか?」
「いずれはそうなっていたでしょう。ですが、聖王国が急速に破滅への道を歩んだ原因はやはりメリナード王国......というかコースケ閣下の存在が大きいと思います」
「なんだ? いきなり持ち上げて。悪いがどんなに魅力的な提案をされても帝国に行くのは無理だぞ」
「それはわかっていますし、帝国は閣下に手を出す気はありませんよ」
「ほんとぉ?」
苦笑いするキリーロヴィチを追及してみる。こう言ってるが、こいつは腹黒くて信用のならないやつだからな。見た目は爽やかで誠実そうなイケメンエルフだが。
「本当です。というか、帝国は基本的に稀人と敵対するようなことはしません。特別な理由がない限り」
「特別な理由ねぇ? 前にお世話になったけどな」
前にお世話になったというのは勿論キュービの件である。俺をメリネスブルグまで拉致してくれやがったからな、あいつは。下手すりゃあそこで処刑されていてもおかしくなかったんだぞ。
「それこそ特別な理由があったからですよ。今という結果を引き寄せるために必要な行動だったわけです」
「胡散臭い話だなぁ......まぁこの世界じゃ予言やらお告げやらがあるのが当たり前なのかもしれんけど」
前にキュービが弁明してたな。ヴァリャーグ帝国の予言者だか巫女だか聖女だかなんだったかが俺を拐ってメリネスブルグに連れて行くように言ったとかなんとか。俺にとっては迷惑な話だが、エレンはエレンでメリネスブルグで運命と出会うとかなんとかいうお告げがあったらしいし、ヴァリャーグ帝国の巫女だかなんだかへのお告げとエレンへのお告げはある程度の一貫性があるように思える。
その結果俺達はメリナード王国を取り戻し、エレン達アドル教懐古派との融和が成ってこうして聖王国が破滅への道を転がり落ち始めた。前に俺に話しかけてきた時を止める謎の存在も聖王国を叩き潰すのが仕事みたいな雰囲気を醸し出していたし......何らかの大いなる意思というか、超自然的な存在が描いている壮大な絵図の一部になっているかのような妙な感覚だ。運命論とかあまり興味がないんだけどな。
「ヴァリャーグ帝国はこれ幸いと聖王国に攻勢をかけるのか?」
「それは私の口からはなんとも。そちらも同じでしょう?」
とは言っても今の俺達に聖王国の領土を切り取るような余裕はない。メリナード王国の領地を治めるだけでも手が足りていないのに、この上更に住民が反抗的というか、メリナード王国に良い感情を持っている筈がない土地を奪って自分達の領土とするとか無理ゲーである。そんなことより内政に力を入れたほうがリターンが遥かに大きい。
というか、土地なんぞ国内でも有り余っているのだ。場合によっては開拓や開発が進んでいる農地や鉱山を戦争で奪ったほうが効率が良いみたいなこともあるのかも知れないが、今のメリナード王国にはそんな選択肢を取る余裕も無ければ理由もない。開拓地も鉱山も俺にかかればいくらでもなんとでもなるからな。
「とにかく、情報は伝えたからな。東側の情報は本国でも手に入るだろうが、西側の情報やら何やらは貴重だろ?」
「それはそうなんですが、見返りに何を要求されるのか怖いですねぇ」
「今の所何も要求する予定はない。仲良くしようぜぇ?」
なんて酷い言い草だ。心からの善意で情報を伝えたのに。まぁ、こうなると今後暫く聖王国の矛先がこっちに向かってくることは無さそうだ。いよいよもって平和になりそうだな。国内は。
429 Lesson 428 - The Beginning Of The End -
The end comes abruptly.
No, unfortunately it's a natural result, or maybe it's a reasonable result.
"That's right."
I nod honestly to the words of Kilirovich, a diplomat of the Valyag Empire.
This is the royal castle of Merinnesburg. Not Silphy or the living quarters in the back where I live, but the business quarters where castle officials entertain their workplaces and outside guests. In that guest room, I was setting up a meeting place with Kilirovich. I got some information from Sir Leonard, who is dealing with the kingdom at the border, so I called him in to share that information.
"There was a coup d 'etat by the Order of the Holy Knights in the middle of the Holy Kingdom. At the same time, a massive revolt of sub-slaves broke out in the western part of the Holy Kingdom. There are also signs and signs in the east. As a result, a devastating civil war broke out in which the Knights Church and the Holy Royal Army, the Holy Knights and the sub-slaves entered."
"We didn't do anything, Yo."
I think he's the main culprit.
"If you put it right, the main culprits are the king of the kingdom, the king of samas, and the great samas of Adolphism, right?"
Killy Rovich agrees with me, smiles bitterly and brings a cup of tea to his mouth. This is the finest Dragonis tea I've brought to the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom. Is it delicious? Well, I only know the difference between green tea and other teas.
Incidentally, the statement that the main culprit I said was the greatness of the king and Adolfism means that this incident was the result of the invasion of the Merinad Kingdom carried out by the king, the pope and the cardinals, and the continued exploitation and oppression of the subordinates using the doctrine of human supremacy.
However, I don't remember the Holy Knight's coup at all.
It may be the Varyag Empire that is showing signs of the rise of its eastern subcontinents, but I dare to leave them here.
"The Paladin is the first generation." You must have been dissatisfied with your mother, your father, and your treatment. "
First generation?
Yeah, with the elves and other highly skilled subordinates and the Holy Kings that were taken from the Merinado Kingdom.
I am convinced by what Kilirovich has said. Twenty years after the defeat of the Merinado Kingdom. Enough time for the children of the highly skilled subordinates who were taken away to cultivate their power as soldiers and knights.
But is it that bad?
"It's not a terrible level, is it?" It is normal to "erase" characteristics as a subhuman at a young age. If you do it badly, you'll be born like this. "
That's why Kilirovich makes it look like he's stroking his neck with the tip of his index finger. Rock... that makes me feel sick.
"Some of them dare to break their hearts in front of their mothers and fathers."
"You're going to make your chest shit worse... eh? Are you serious? It's like a suicide with a lot of hands. Wouldn't it be more useful to think about nostalgia later?"
"That's true, but the Holy Kings who are in a position to obtain such" "loot" "are almost certainly" "devout" Adolphets "". "
"Ahh... I see"
Rather than nostalgia, even being kind is contrary to doctrine. Their doctrinal content is that if you bully a person, you'll only get the virtue of bullying them. From the perspective of people like me, I think it's crazy, but I think it's normal to be educated from the time I get to the heart.
Of course, then the Holy Knights are either neglected or despised.
"Well, that's right. In fact, my combat ability is very high." However, the Holy Knight is named after a large group of people, but it seems to be neglected by the commanders on the front lines. It is rare for the Holy Knights to wield power on the front line, with no history and no format. Because it will take care of you. "
In the first place, we destroyed the Kingdom of Merinado to secure a powerful soldier with a high level of magic energy and acquired a subhuman slave, but the results were neglected at the front and were useless, and it was not funny that we came to get our own heads.
"Somehow, there's something out there." Even if we didn't do anything, we would soon be losing the war against the Empire, right? "
"That would have been the case eventually. However, I think the reason why the Holy Kingdom quickly took the path to ruin is because Lord Korske exists in the Kingdom of Merinado..."
"What? Lift it up all of a sudden." I'm sorry, but no matter how attractive the proposal, you can't go to the Empire. "
I know that, and the Empire will not stand against you.
Really?
I will pursue Kilirovich with a bitter smile. I'm telling you, he's too dark to be trusted. It was a handsome elf that looked refreshing and honest.
"It's true, but the Empire is basically not hostile to rare people. Unless there is a special reason."
"Isn't that a special reason? I took care of you before.
Of course, it was Cubi who took care of me before. He kidnapped me to Merinnesburg. If you weren't good enough, it wouldn't be strange if you were executed there.
"That's why there was a special reason." It was a necessary action to attract the results now. "
"It's a nonsense... well, in this world, it may be natural to have prophecies and announcements."
Cubi explained it to you before. Someone who was a prophet, a shrine maiden, or a saintly lady of the Valyag Empire, or someone who tortured me and told me to take you to Merinnesburg. It's annoying to me, but Ellen has been told that she will meet her fate in Merinethburg, and there seems to be some consistency in telling Ellen that she is a shrine maiden of the Vallagu Empire.
As a result, we reclaimed the Kingdom of Merinado, and when Ellen and the Adolites were reconciled, the Holy Kingdom began to roll down the path to ruin. The mysterious existence that stopped me from speaking to me before also created an atmosphere of crushing the kingdom like a job... It was a strange feeling that some kind of grand will or supernatural existence was becoming part of the magnificent picture. I'm not very interested in fate theory.
"Does the Valyag Empire fortunately attack the Holy Kingdom?"
"That's nothing from my mouth." It's the same with you, isn't it? "
That said, we can't afford to cut off the kingdom's territory now. Even though we don't have enough hands to rule the territory of the Merinad Kingdom, it's impossible for the inhabitants to be rebellious, or to take away the land that has no good feelings for the Merinad Kingdom and make it their own territory. The returns are much greater when we focus more on internal affairs than on such matters.
Well, there's still a lot of land in the country. In some cases, it may be more efficient to take agricultural land and mines that are being exploited and developed in war, but there is no reason why the Merinado Kingdom cannot afford to take that option. Reclaim the land, mine and mine, and I'll do whatever it takes.
"Anyway, I gave you the information." The information on the east side will be available in my own country, but the information on the west side will be valuable, right? "
That's right, but I'm scared of what you're asking in return.
"I have no plans to ask for anything at the moment." Let's get along? "
What a terrible speech. I gave you the information in good faith. Well, it looks like the Holy Kingdom's spearhead will not be coming towards us for a while to come. It looks like peace will finally prevail in the country.
Goshujin-sama to Yuku Isekai Survival!
ご主人様とゆく異世界サバイバル！
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/goshujin-sama-to-yuku-isekai-survival/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Mature Seinen Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Alchemy Animal Characteristics Army Building Artifact Crafting Average-looking Protagonist Beastkin Beautiful Female Lead Betrayal Calm Protagonist Caring Protagonist Character Growth Cheats Clingy Lover Couple Growth Crafting Cunning Protagonist Demi-Humans Demons Doting Love Interests Dragons Early Romance Elves Fairies Fantasy World Farming Female Master First Love First-time Interc**rse Game Elements Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Human-Nonhuman Relationship Jack of All Trades Kind Love Interests Kingdom Building Kingdoms Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Magical Technology Male Protagonist Monsters Multiple POV Naive Protagonist Older Love Interests Overpowered Protagonist Polygamy Pregnancy Proactive Protagonist Racism Reverse R*pe Romantic Subplot Royalty S*ave Protagonist Special Abilities Strong Love Interests Survival Sword And Magic Technological Gap Threesome Transported to Another World Tsundere Wars Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3742ey/
リュート