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Chapter 376 – The Story of the Confederation of Small States
Since we have no plans to stop at the Confederation of Small States, it will be smooth sailing for a while.
What kind of land is the Confederation of Small States that stretches west of the Kingdom of Merinard? Since it is also a neighboring country, I had some interest in it and looked into it. I looked into it, but…
“This really is an unknown land, isn’t it?”
“In short, it’s a land of loose solidarity among various tribes and clans. They help each other in times of need, but when they don’t, they are constantly skirmishing over land and interests. Centaur tribes dominate the steppes, Dwarven tribes near the western mountains, herbivorous Beastmen tribes in the plains, and Lizardmen and Gillman tribes in the lakes and swamps. In between, there’s a land of various sub-races huddled together, with their respective leaders calling themselves kings or chieftains.”
“I don’t understand how this doesn’t lead to invasions by other nations, and I don’t understand how it doesn’t lead to great turmoil.”
“To put it more succinctly, the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom in the west had no intention of expanding its territory, and in the east, from the collapse of the Omit Kingdom until the establishment of the former Merinard Kingdom, there was no country that threatened the Confederation of Small States. Even after the establishment of the former Merinard Kingdom, the Merinard Kingdom was too busy governing and developing its own territory to merit a confrontation with the Confederation of Small States. Also, the internal conflicts did not intensify because if they became too much, other tribes and small kingdoms would beat them up.”
“What about the north and the south?”
“The south leads to the Great Omit Wilderness. Occasionally, Gizma invades from the south. The north is blocked by mountainous terrain. Beyond that is the Kingdom of Castor.”
“The Kingdom of Castor?”
“I don’t know much about it. I’ve heard that it’s a land with many subhumans of the Beastman type.”
“I see.”
Isla-sensei’s lectures are very informative. But I see. They are the ones who are always skirmishing within themselves like that, so did that inspire them to mess with the new Merinard Kingdom when they saw an opening? Like a thief in the fire. If they really wanted to mess with us, we’d have no choice but to deal with them, so it might have been a good thing for the Small States Confederation that the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom kept them in check and didn’t let them get involved.
Huh? Is it strange that we build our story on the assumption that we will win? No. If the Confederation of Small States had prepared more powerful and more numerous soldiers than the Holy Kingdom, and if they were to launch a broad penetration attack instead of a single-point breakthrough, the story might be a little different, but that would be unreasonable. In fact, there is no nation in the vicinity that maintains a force strong enough to threaten the current Merinard Kingdom.
“How do you think Sylphy will lead the country in the future?”
Driada-san, who was listening to Isla’s lecture with me, whispered to me.
“In the future, huh? At least it doesn’t look like we’ll be heading in the direction of territorial expansion.”
To be honest, there is a lot of land in the country that can be developed without having to seek territory outside the country. Most of it is unexplored monster territory, but with my abilities, the development itself is not difficult at all. If I wanted to, I could easily use the Golem Corps to run from one end of the monster territory to the other and destroy the monsters living there.
“Kosuke-kun, is there anything you want to do? Kosuke-kun, who knows the state of nations in your former world, can show many ways, can’t he?”
“Me? I don’t want to talk about running the country. The environment in this world is so different from the one I used to live in that I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to talk about it based on the way the nations of my former world were run.”
There was no magic, no monsters, and no subhumans on Earth. At least as far as I could tell. Perhaps such things existed hidden from the eyes of the general public, but at least they were not openly acknowledged.
And if such things existed, the various systems developed in my former world would most likely not work. There have been different cultures and technologies on Earth, but when we trace them back to their roots, we often come up with the distance a man or a horse can travel in a day, the amount of land that can be cultivated, and so on. I believe that in this world, where there are subhumans with different physical abilities and magic that dramatically improves the amount of work that can be done by humans and horses, there are many cases where the technology and systems of Earth do not work well.
For example, the machine guns used in the rifle corps were too light and fragile for subhumans with superior physical abilities if left to their original specifications. The specifications of these weapons were also changed considerably from the original versions in response to feedback from the field. The use of black steel, a metal unique to this world, made it more heat-resistant and sturdy, but at the same time, it was more than twice as heavy as the original machine gun. It is too heavy for me to carry, like a heavy machine gun.
“Have you no ambition? With your power, Kosuke-kun, you could not only bring the Holy Kingdom to its knees but also the Empire and rule the world, couldn’t you?”
“What? Driada-san likes that kind of thing, huh? I didn’t expect that.”
“No, it’s not that I like it. I’m just wondering, you know?”
“I see. Well, to answer your question, I don’t want to do it at all. It’s too much trouble, and I’m dying just thinking about it.”
“Fuh… That answer was really like Kosuke.”
Isla lets out a small smile as she takes control of the magic airship.
“Too much trouble, you say…”
Even now that I’m in the position of being Sylphy’s companion, I don’t think I’m worthy of the position, but it’s absolutely impossible for me to become the supreme king who rules the world. Or rather, there is no reason for me to do so. It is impossible for me to have a grand dream of pacifying the world under one nation and one ideology. As long as my family, including myself, is happy, that’s all that matters.
“A statement that lacks even a shred of ambition…”
I shrugged, and Driada-san gave me a wry smile.
“Is a man without ambition not a good one?”
“Well, I think Kosuke-kun could be a bit more aggressive. But I think it’s nice to have a man you can rely on in times of need.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the energy or strength to be aggressive because I’m being sucked dry by my many wives night after night. But if I have to, I will!”
“You’re right. Considering what Kosuke-kun has done so far, there is no doubt about that statement.”
Driada-san smiles. Hmm? I wonder what this series of exchanges is all about. I have the feeling that I’m being tested.
“Why do I feel like I’m being judged?”
“It’s a maiden’s heart that wants to know a lot about her husband.”
Driada-san shows her princess smile that looks like a flower is about to bloom around her smile. However, she was a very strong woman who joined Sylphy and the others in our friendly activities, and before I knew it, she was in such a relationship with me. What is a maiden…? Ugh.
“But why now?”
“I never had a chance to talk to Kosuke-kun, did I? I thought of this trip to the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom as my honeymoon, and I wanted to use this opportunity to get to know Kosuke-kun better. It’s hard to get in the way now with the way things are going.”
“Isla is here, though…?”
“Isla is my best friend, you know.”
“Hmm, we’re best friends.”
Isla turned to me and made a peace sign. Eehh…? I’ve never heard of that before.
“Isla’s close in age to Sylphy, isn’t she? But you’ve been friends for a long time?”
Isla nodded her head. It seems to be true. Well, I don’t have a perfect understanding of the relationship between my wives either. There is nothing surprising about this kind of unexpected connection.
But it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Could it be from before the fall of the old Merinard Kingdom? In any case, Isla would never lie to me, so it must be true.
“Whether or not even a best friend will get in the way is another story. “
“Wait a minute?”
“Even I want to spend some loving time with Kosuke. And then there are the Harpies.”
“Geez… that’s something we need to discuss.”
It seems that negotiations have begun regarding my treatment during this visit to the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom. Anyway, we’re flying now, so I ask for moderation, just moderation. The other crew members have ears as well.
“Um… uh, we are about to leave the airspace of the Confederation of Small States and enter the airspace of the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom.”
The mage, who looks uncomfortable after overhearing the lively conversation between the boss and the royal princess, makes such a report. Yes, I’m sorry. I will scold them soon, so please forgive me.
“I told the guests to be on high alert for the possibility of monsters. Also, Isla and Driada-san, please keep your mouths shut. This can wait, can wait.”
“Hmm. Okay.”
“I’m sorry.”
I’m very glad you’re being honest with me. But next time, please use TPO when you talk like that. Please. I’m really counting on you.