Translator Corner
This is Yukkuri demasu!
Sorry for the lateness. I can only saySeptember is a busy month.
I will be transferred to a district hospitalnext month, so this month is kinda annoying as I need to finish all theworkload piled up before I transfer… My procrastination strikes back……
DISCLAIMER: There is noguarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I waswrong.
Translator:
Yukkuri Oniisan
Editor, Proofreader:
So-Chintzy
Postwar Arc
Chapter 3: The Negotiation A
There was a training groundinside Van’s Castle. In that open air room, that was similar to a j.a.panesearchery range, I was facing the fully equipped Aisha. The red armored Aisha baredher great sword[1] towardmy direction, while opposing her were me and the five medium-sized Musashi Boy-kundolls (It was in the middle between the small size,that was as big as a stuffed toy, and the large size, that was as big as ahuman).
「Then……I will move, Your Majesty!」(Aisha)
「Come,Aisha!」(Souma)
The referee, Liscia at the cornerof my field of view, raised her hand. At that moment, Aisha’s great swordslashed down. In an instant, a visible shockwave flew towards me. I then movedMusashi Boy-kun (equipped with Shields in both of its hands) to the front and bracedthe shields. When the shockwave hit, it produced a loud banging noise, butMusashi Boy-kun A (Dual Shield) somehow managed to hold its ground.
「It’snot over!」(Aisha)
However, without even a moment tofeel relieved, Aisha pointed her great sword towards my direction and set thesword at her side, before thrusting it forward with all of her might. Even though,Musashi Boy-kun A piled its shields to guard against this attack, thatbattering ram-like attack penetrated both the piled up shields and Musashi Boy-kun.
(For real…… It pierced through those two bulkyshields……) (Souma)
I was taken aback by theunreasonable power, but currently, Aisha’s feet were stopped. Using this chance,I sent Musashi Boy-kun B (Dual Sword) and Musashi Boy-kun C (Spear) from bothof her flanks and attacked from both right and left at the same time. But Aishastabbed the great sword, that had pierced through Musashi Boy-kun A to theground, and then, as if using the great sword as a pivot, she did a cartwheel andevaded the attack by moving her body towards the air. Aisha ended up in aposition similar to a handstand by using the great sword.
「There,【PrecisionShooting】!」(Souma)
The remaining Musashi Boy-kun Dand E (Bow) aimed and shot at Aisha, whose feet had left the ground and couldnot move. Two arrows quickly flew towards Aisha.
「Naïve!」(Aisha)
On top of the stabbed down greatsword, Aisha rotated her feet and did something like a capoera handstandroundhouse kick (I don’t know the proper name)[2]and then kicked down the two arrows. Then, she stepped down and immediatelytook out something from inside her pocket before flicking it towards me withher thumb.
「No……way…」(Souma)
There was a ‘pacch’ sound from myforehead, so I was greatly taken aback. In the middle of my forehead, there wasa ten yen coin sized piece of clay. If perhaps, this was a knife or a stonefrom a slingshot, then perhaps I would already be dead. Well, since it was onlya “practice” match, I won’t die, but as expected, it’s depressing to bedefeated one-sidedly…… I then sat down on the spot.
「Ah, really……I can’t even put up a proper fight.」(Souma)
「T-thatis……」(Aisha)
「Aisha,I think it is important for the battle a.n.a.lysis, so just say it honestly.」(Liscia)
Liscia stopped Aisha, who was hurriedlyapproaching me, and, just like what Liscia had said, I was currently verifyingmy battle capability.
「Justlike what Liscia said. Speak honestly.」(Souma)
「T-then……How should I say this, I didn’t feel any difficulty facing the ‘Party’ ofdolls. But I think the previous 『Everyone carries swords in both hands and swarms』 tactic is more difficult to deal with.」(Aisha)
「Ah,the 『Pikmin Tactic』[3]…… But then, didn’t you just blow them all away together?」(Souma)
「Soin other words, it’s below the standard.」(Liscia)
「Uuu.」(Aisha)
I hung my head when Lisciapointed this out. Since the Pikmin Tactic wasn’t effective, then this time, Itried to use the combination tactic that was used by the adventurer party, thatMusashi Boy-kun partic.i.p.ate together with in the quest before, as a reference(if I have to name it, it will be called 『World Tree Labyrinth Tactic』[4], but in the end, this tactic failed
「Sincean adventurer party will have a magician, after all. A shield that has beenstrengthened using magic would be difficult to pierce and, rather than arrows,elemental magic would also be difficult to deal with.」(Aisha)
Aisha said this sketchily. Also,rather than “impossible”, it’s “difficult”, so Aisha’s “above the norm”standard was really obvious……
「Evenif you mention a magician. I can’t use elemental magic or support magic……」(Souma)
To say nothing of me, even if the『LivingPoltergeist』 dolls that I control could use 【WhirlwindSlash】 or 【Precision Shooting】,they couldn’t use magic to put elemental effects on their weapon or to shoot outflames or ice.
「Iwonder if you can learn how to use them from something like a magic academy?」(Souma)
「Itwill be impossible. I have never heard a Dark Attribute user that can use magicfrom other attributes.」(Liscia)
Liscia immediately vetoed it.According to her, the four great attributes: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind,created the phenomenon by manipulating mana in the air, while the Lightattribute meddled with mana inside the body to increase the healing rate or to enhancethe body. However, a Dark attribute didn’t have any ability to do this. Inother words, no matter how much I learn or study, I won’t become a Magician ora Healer…… How should I say this? This is disappointing. I dropped my shouldersand Liscia began to speak with a surprised expression.
「Whatare you talking about? A Dark attribute is rare, you know? Even until now, Ionly have seen three person possessing it.」(Liscia)
「Threepeople? It’s me and Tomoe, right? …… Who is the other one?」(Souma)
「It’smy Mother. But she never told me what her power is.」(Liscia)
Really……The previous Queen,right? I met with her a bit when I was summoned. I’m certain the right tosucceed the throne was originally the previous Queen’s (so strictly speaking,the previous Queen Regnant)[5]and that the Queen was just entrusting the kingdom’s governance to her husband,the previous King Albert? She was hidden behind the King’s shadow, so I don’treally remember her, but whenever I see her, she was always smiling, so I feelthat she is a nice person.
「However,it seems that my power is not enough to protect myself……」(Souma)
「Pleasebe relieved, Your Majesty! I will always guard Your Majesty’s life the entire time!」(Aisha)
Aisha hit her chest with a puff.In front of her reliability, I feel pathetic.
「Ahero that is protected by a girl, as expected, is not cool……」(Souma)
「Whatare you saying right now? Souma hasn’t been hero-like since the very beginning,you know.」(Liscia)
Liscia slashed me down with asingle stroke. I agree with her…… But could she not use such a coa.r.s.e and indirectexpression?[6]While I was thinking this,
「Isn’tit Souma’s way to entrust things that you can’t do to people who can? Since youcouldn’t do it with your own power, then we will be the ones who will alwaysprotect you.」(Liscia)
Liscia said this while blushing. Aishaalso followed her.
「Justlike what the Princess said! Your Majesty is the one who has protected thecountry where we live, so please let us protect Your Majesty’s safety!」(Liscia)
「…… Isee.」(Souma)
To have two beautiful girlssaying this to me, although it is pathetic, I am also happy. I am a frailHero(?), but I will protect the girls in my own way……
No, I want to protect them. It’sfrom the deepest part of my heart.
「YourMajesty.」(Juna)
When I turned my head at thesudden call, I saw Juna-san in her Marine uniform making a bow with her hand onher chest.
「Hakuya-donois searching for you, he wanted to talk about the city planning.」(Juna)
「Iunderstand. I will go to meet him right now.」(Souma)
I stood up and brushed away thedirt. I asked the soldiers to tidy the training ground, as I and the girlsheaded towards the government affairs office. I will do what I can do.
◇ ◇ ◇
When we arrived at the governmentaffairs office, Hakuya and Ludwin were already waiting inside. I sat at thedesk, while Liscia, who had been in the secretary position since some time ago,and Juna-san, who was also in the secretary position due to the labor shortage,were sitting at both of my sides. Aisha was standing close to the door in her bodyguardstance. Recently, this has become the standard formation for this room. Afterconfirming that everyone was in position, Hakuya then showed a map of Van’scity planning that he had prepared on the table.
「Pleasetake a look at the city planning scheme.」(Hakuya)
Just like what he had suggested,I took a look at the map. There were four highways to each cardinal point fromthe Duke’s Castle at the center towards the square outer walls, then, smallroads branched out perpendicularly from the main road, which made the map looklike a Go board[7]. It was as if I was seeing the map ofAncient Nara and Ancient Kyoto depicted in a history textbook.[8]The n.o.bles’ quarters would be integrated on the northeast section, while theworkshops would be on the southwest section. Facilities, such as garrisonmilitary stations, are dispersed in an earth-staggeringly efficient manner. Ilet out a sigh while resting my chin on my hands.
「……Hakuya.」(Souma)
「Yes,Your Majesty.」(Hakuya)
「Thisis overkill.」(Souma)
After all, this was a cityplanning that was really taking efficiency into serious consideration. “Ane-san-rokkaku-tako-nishiki”……[9]Why are you turning the streets into a mysterious unrecitable spell? In thefirst place, for such a large scale reconstruction, won’t it be quicker if wejust burned down the entire city? Do I need to become a Nero emperor?[10]
「I amsorry. After looking at that disordered city planning, I had this suddenimpetus to make it more efficient……」(Hakuya)
Perhaps Hakuya understood this,so he made a wry smile as he pointed at the main street.
「However,for the fire countermeasures, it is important to establish a boundary. Soestablishing these main streets is necessary.」
「That’sseems to be so. However, I want to reflect the will of the people who live onthe other parts. I want them to think about what kind of city they want to beand what they think about the other people living alongside with them. If wejust decided anything and everything here, then it could incite a rebellion.」(Souma)
「Justin case, I have called several architects who lived in this city, but…… Asking the opinion of the people in this city?But with the current atmosphere, the result would be some avant-garde art……」(Hakuya)
「Anartistic city, huh? …… That sounds interesting if that’s really the case.」(Souma)
It might be a good idea to also establishart galleries and museums…… What will it be? Since there is a open air market justlike Ameyoko[11],I feel that Van would gradually turn into Ueno. If that’s the case, then let’salso build a Zoo, too[12].If we borrow Tomoe-chan’s power, then it will easy to make it a reality, sincethe Pongos (mountain apes) could quickly build it. However, Hakuya shook hishead.
「Van willbecome the front line city against Amidonia. At this point of time, it isimpossible to create such pleasant city.」(Hakuya)
「……Ah,that’s true.」(Souma)
After all, you can’t hope muchfor the defensive capabilities of an Art City. I want to quickly turn it into acity that you can change as you wish. I then looked at Ludwin’s direction.
「What’sthe current state of the work for establishing a transportation network?」(Souma)
「Yes,Your Majesty. Presently, the Royal Army’s King’s Guards and the Army had given theirentire effort and have connected Van to the highway that leads to the Kingdom’sterritory. In addition, we have completed connecting the road to the villagessurrounding Van that are under our current possession. We have also constructedeight bridges over the rivers, but……」(Ludwin)
「But?」(Souma)
I asked Ludwin, who seemed to behesitating and then, while showing an uncomprehending expression, he asked.
「Currently,I don’t understand what the meaning of establishing the transportation networkis. Of course, I understand that it is necessary to establish roads for thesupply line. However, currently the Empire doesn’t recognize Van’s ownership, soif we construct roads and bridges, won’t it just be a worthless endeavor whenit gets handed back over?」(Ludwin)
「He’sright…… The Empire, of course, would demand Van’s return. It will also beannoying if Julius uses the bridges that we constructed.」(Liscia)
Liscia also made a pensiveexpression. However,
「Perhapsthat won’t happen.」(Hakuya)
「Yes.Not happening.」(Juna)
Hakuya and Juna-san denied it together.
「Withall due respect, the Ducal Prince Julius is not someone who has that kind ofpersonality.」(Hakuya)
「Iheard that he has high pride, so he wouldn’t do something like using a bridge thathad been constructed by his enemies.」(Juna)
「Hummm……If it’s me, even if it’s Amidonia’s, as long as it can be used, I will use it.」(Souma)
For example, that husky voicedfemale general. Ever since that day, Margarita Wanda had done her best as thesinging contest’s host. In this country, where a woman is looked down upon bymen, a woman who can speak frankly to the male partic.i.p.ants is precious. She isalso powerful, so the half-hearted men wouldn’t oppose her. Well, leaving thataside.
「Ifhe had such a high pride, then shall we try to do something to hara.s.s him?」(Souma)
「Hara.s.shim?」(Liscia)
「Weshall bestow names to the bridges. There are eight, right? Then Souma Bridge, LisciaBridge, Albert Bridge, Hakuya Bridge, Ludwin Bridge, Poncho-Ishidzuka Bridge, AishaBridge and Juna Bridge. Engrave each of these names on the respective bridges’guardrails. Even if they change hands, we could still emphasize the ElfriedenKingdom’s contribution. In this case, wouldn’t Julius want to destroy theminstead?」(Souma)
「Souma……You really take to such dirty measures so easily…」(Liscia)
Liscia answered in half admiring halfamazed tone, but since there were no objections, this plan would be accepted.Incidentally, I requested that the bridge were only sufficiently strong, as itwill be alright if the bridges are destroyed. I also confirmed that they didn’tornament the bridges. After seeing Hakuya and Ludwin going off to carry out theplan that we had decided on just now, Liscia sighed.
「Asexpected, it is hard since the Empire maintains their demand for Van’s return?」(Liscia)
「Yeah……Theyhave no intentions to change their basic policy, but if that Sister Princess[13]is our enemy, it will be impossible to push things our way. Even if it endedsuccessfully for us, the Empire would lose its face. If that’s the result, itwill incur the Empire’s hostility, and it will be a diplomatic failure.」(Souma)
「Iheard that Souma met with Jeanne Euphoria. Is it true? About how the HeroSummoning was their consideration for our country?」(Liscia)
Did she heard that from Juna-san?I only nodded in response.
「Yeah.」(Souma)
「Sincewhen did Souma realize this?」(Liscia)
「Eversince I heard that the Empire is led by someone referred to as the 『HolyMaiden』, I have had a vague hint. I believed that a personwho was touted as a figurehead called the 『HolyMaiden』 wouldn’t do such a relatively unreasonable action.」(Souma)
「Isn’tthat position was just their public face?」(Liscia)
「Itis because it is their public face, that it is convenient to be touted.」(Souma)
For the Empire that has ahumongous territory and is composed of many races and tribes, a figurehead calledthe 『Holy Maiden』 is convenient to act as the unifying force. It wasall the more important, since the Empire wanted to create a system to manage anunited Humanity front to counter the Demon Lord Army. Then, so that they wouldn’tlose this convenience, Maria Euphoria would be someone who will act just how aHoly Maiden would do.
「Becauseof this, you could interpret the Empire’s request in a favorable light, orsomething like that.」(Souma)
Well, until my discussion withJeanne, I didn’t have any positive proof of this. But I had finaly confirmed itin the discussion with Jeanne. Although, the Grand Chaos Empire appears to be somethinglike an『Evil Empire』 in a story, it is not a haughty superpower nation. Theyare only “a normal strong nation” that endeavors to frantically preserve theircountry.
「Forthis reason……we can’t be completely careless in this.」(Souma)
「You’reright.」(Liscia)
I exchanged looks with Liscia andthe other two, and then I made a sigh.
◇ ◇ ◇
On the next day, that Sister Princess,Jeanne Euphoria, accompanied by the claimant, the new Amidonian Duke, Julius, appearedin Van as the envoy for the territory return negotiations.
☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽
Dundundundun.
Curtain of a 8 long part chapter calledNegotiation begun…
Now, what a Realist Souma do to counter aRealist Jeanne?