As Elina and Galen finally stopped laughing, Galen's face turned serious again. "You two do resemble your fathers, but you are not your fathers. I have known your fathers, and they were good children. So, I'll at least hear you out and then decide what to do," Galen said. After that, Ealdred gained some confidence and began to explain why the Orcs and Humans were in this war.
Ealdred began "It all began two years ago when the Trio festival occurred, where all three human kingdoms gather and compete in some friendly games," The Trio festival was like an Olympics between the three kingdoms, happening every year for seven days. During this time, the three kingdom's best competed in Swardmanship, martial arts, magic, painting, and even eating and cooking. It was celebrated to strengthen the bond not just between the kings and queens but also between their peoples.
"That year, the Holy Empire's Bishops also participated as guests of the Grayland Kings. At first, we thought it was an honor that a Bishop from the Empire was joining us, but soon we found out why Bishop Arclin joined us," Ealdred explained. Galen interjected, "The Holy Empire wants the Elemental Iron, but they can't directly attack the Orc's land Raffguard, as it is too far from the Empire. They can't martch a massive army traveling from the northern part of the continent to the south. The other kingdoms and the Empire will not allow it as it can threaten their lands" "But just because the Holy Empire tells you to attack the orcs, the kingdom's do it? I don't think it's that simple?" Galen asked suspiciously. Ealdred continued, "Yes, that is right. The Holy Empire will buy the Elemental Iron from us at the highest price. Once they figure out and master how to make weapons with the Elemental Iron, we will be their first customers."
Kazuma found it strange and asked Ealdred, "But giving raw product and buying finished goods, isn't it bad for your kingdom's economy?" Ealdred and Edin were shocked. "That thing can talk?" Edin puzzled and asked. Hearing that, Elina and Galen looked at Edin with anger. Before Galen could say anything, Ealdred quickly intervened, "Edin! What are you saying? Don't be rude. Quickly ask for forgiveness," Ealdred tried to save his friend. "Forgive me for my rude behavior. Gurrrr.....ruurr...." Just then, Kazuma heard a nostalgic sound and felt hungry too. Ealdred then said, "Chief Galen, I ask for forgiveness on behalf of my minister. He is a wise person, but he can't think straight when he is hungry. Forgive him" Saying that, Edin recognized his mistake. "I'm really ashamed of what I have done. If you want to punish me, please do so," Kazuma didn't care about it and asked Edin, "Forget it nya! I don't care abou it at all. Now, answer me, isn't giving raw material and buying finished goods bad for your economy?... Then why did you agree to it?"
"It's not that simple... What should I call you, sir?" Ealdred was puzzled as he did not know Kazuma's name. The small creature with a gleaming amulet around its neck simply replied, "You can call me 'Kazuma,' your friendly neighborhood CAT," with a mischievous glint in its eyes.
"Ka...Zu...Ma..." said Ealdred and Edin together, trying not to forget it. Then Ealdred continued, leaning forward as he recounted the intricate web of events that had led to the current situation. "Yes, so where was I? We have been neighbors with the orcs for centuries, sharing this rugged and resource-rich land. The orcs have always been a resilient and formidable people, but they only fight when someone tries to enter their territory in defense. They've never shown any inclination to expand or attack others, and their vigilance is primarily to protect the Elemental Iron, the lifeblood of our lands. We've had very little reason to provoke or attack the orcs."
Galen, listening intently, finally asked, "But why is the Holy Empire so adamant about obtaining Elemental Iron?" Edin, who had been meticulously researching this matter, chimed in, "I've delved into this extensively, and it's not just the orcs. The Holy Empire is aggressively pursuing Elemental resources in various regions. For instance, in the western part of the continent, they're vying for Koboltas' Crystal mines, and they've also been hunting numerous formidable monsters, seeking their cores and body parts."
Kazuma, with curiosity gleaming in his feline eyes, couldn't help but ask, "How is the Holy Empire able to assert its authority over so many kingdoms, especially when these territories are not directly under their control?" Edin explained, "It's tied to our shared faith in 'SDS: Saviour Demands Salvation.' This belief system, which holds a prominent place in our society, has helped us humans survive in the perilous world of GAYA. The Holy Empire uses the influence of 'SDS' to issue orders to other human kingdoms, but these orders typically pertain to matters aligned with the doctrine of 'SDS.' Importantly, the Holy Empire is not allowed to intervene directly in the internal affairs of other kingdoms, which is essential to maintain their autonomy."
Kazuma, now understanding the complexity of the situation, asked another pertinent question, "So, humans don't inherently possess a 'system' like other beings in this world?" Elina, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke up. "That's correct, Kazuma. Humans are unique in that they have the potential to be chosen by other systems. Achieving significant feats, possessing extraordinary talents, or simply catching the favor of a system can lead to humans gaining special abilities or affiliations with these systems."
Ealdred, seeing that Kazuma was processing this information, leaned forward and asked, "Does this clarify things for you, Kazuma? The situation we're in is complex, with political, economic, and religious factors at play. We are trying to navigate these complexities to find a peaceful solution that benefits all parties involved."
Kazuma nodded, his tail twitching thoughtfully. He had learned much about the intricate tapestry of human society in this new world and realized that the road to peace might be more challenging than he initially thought.