Chapter 36 - 35

Chapter 35 [Royal Capital Illustra 2: Royal King's Office]

In the Illustra Kingdom, much like many other kingdoms, the king personally considers and decides on most important matters. There is no organization dedicated to preliminary analysis, so the considerations themselves take place in the king's office.

Despite the early hour, four men, led by the king, crowded into this room.

"…The above is the content discussed in the deliberation meeting of the First Brigade."

"Well done, Rover. Now, everyone, what we've discussed so far pertains to the First Brigade. We must now deliberate as a kingdom. Warren, was it? Lend us your wisdom."

"Your words are too kind, Your Majesty. However, I am but an inexperienced fool. Not capable of meeting such expectations..."

"Enough. This is, after all, the king's office. In the first place, someone like you, an inexperienced fool, wouldn't even have the privilege of entering. Yet, Rover brought you here, which means..."

While bowing his head in response to the king's words, Warren Lord conveyed his resentment through his eyes, silently asking why he was brought to such a place. On the other hand, General Rover, his gaze retorted, conveying the message: "Don't complain; help without grumbling."

"Now, Warren, I suspect there might be something in the brigade's report that wasn't documented. I'd like to hear about it in this setting."

The prime minister, sensing that the exchange between the two had settled down, intervened at an opportune moment. His experienced manner indicated his senior managerial position. By the way, he happened to be General Rover's cousin.

Having his chance to counterattack disrupted by the prime minister's intervention, Warren Lord raised his demeanor as if he had resolved himself.

"Over ninety percent is mere unfounded speculation. However?"

"For now, that's acceptable."

"Well then, if I may. What concerns me is the possible involvement of a Dungeon Master in this matter. As you know, Dungeon Masters manipulate dungeons to gather magical power. For this purpose, they often dispatch monsters to towns and villages, generally displaying hostility toward humans and leaning more towards the demonic side. If the incident at the Moro Dungeon is unrelated to the disturbances in the Silva Forest or Baren, then there's no issue. But if they are connected, the reason why the Dungeon Master cooperated becomes problematic. For instance, receiving instructions from a higher-ranking entity..."

"Hey! Warren! Are you saying that the demons and elves are cooperating!?"

"That's why I mentioned it was speculation from the beginning."

"Hmm. It might be mere speculation, but the fear lies in the possibility it's not. Continue."

"Yes. Assuming the discovery near Moro is indeed a dungeon..."

"Wait a moment, Warren. Is it certain that it's a dungeon?"

"No, the internal conditions were not reported, and we can't conclusively affirm it. However, for the sake of this discussion, let's assume it is a dungeon."

"Understood. I won't interrupt. Continue."

"Yes. If the dungeon is involved in this matter, why? Those who lost their lives in Moro's dungeon were a hero and adventurers. The hero's entry into the dungeon was likely half accidental, so the primary target would be adventurers. Exceptional adventurers perform just as well as central army soldiers, but originally, their opponents are animals or monsters. If the Dungeon Master's goal was to diminish adventurers... And considering the testimony of the soldiers who returned from the Silva Forest, claiming to be attacked by monsters..."

"Soon, the monsters will make an appearance, is that it?"

"More accurately, it's holding that option, I would say."

"You seem to have quite the appreciation for the criminals."

"The second point that caught my attention is related to that. The night raid on the Baren territory was a brilliant operation aimed at stirring up public sentiment, but what followed, the blockade of trade routes, was truly commendable. It's a strategy that elves, who don't form large societies or nations, would never come up with on their own. In other words, it's certain that someone other than the elves, a mastermind, is orchestrating things behind the scenes. The existence of a Dungeon Master suggests the possibility that this puppeteer is affiliated with the demon race."

"Hmm... Continue."

"Yes. From here on, it's a tale built upon layers of speculation. One possible reason for the alliance between elves and demons is the existence of the Silva Forest. The forest is abundant and supports not only elves but various other creatures. It's a place the demons wouldn't want to lose. However, there's a hitch—within those attacked during the arson incident in Baren, there was the Yalta Church."

"Could it be that the damned Yalta priests incited an invasion of the Silva Forest?"

"Likely. However, if the mastermind's animosity is directed toward the Yalta Church, the difference between rallying against the Yalta Church or against humanity becomes significant when, in the near future, the demons and elves form an alliance. In the latter case, if it involves not only our country but also the surrounding nations, the blame for giving rise to the anti-human forces will be placed not only on the Yalta Church but equally on our country..."

"It's a rather unsettling story. Moreover, one that can't be spoken of outside this place. Rover seems to have seen through quite a bit."

"Indeed. However, Lord Warren, do not speak of this elsewhere."

"Understood. I'll keep it in mind."

"Now, Lord Warren, is there any kind of plan or countermeasure you can devise?"

"As long as the situation isn't visibly escalating, our options are limited. However, to control the rampant anti-Yalta Church forces, it might be advisable to move cautiously to refrain from persecuting demi-humans."

"Damn those priests. Let's just burn them as heretics."

"Stop, Rover. I had thought about that too, but... unfortunately, there are not a few Yalta Church followers in our country. Considering the magnitude of the repercussions, hasty actions are not possible. However... depending on the perspective, it might be an opportunity to bring a festering issue to the surface all at once."