Since time is limited, I will start my work immediately with the instructor’s permission.
I asked Suella to handle the central government’s political affairs, and I hurried to the scene on foot.
I had made an appointment in advance and told them I would be meeting with key figures from each country in turn…
“Welcome. You have honored us with your presence.”
“Thank you for the reception. I am the Human King, one of the Seven Generals of the Demon Lord’s Army.”
They seem afraid.
While a portion of the populace is beginning to believe that the Demon Lord’s Army might be a benevolent force, this is only a minority.
These nobles, however, still remain skeptical.
This man, who stood at the front as their representative to greet me at the royal castle gate, is no different.
He’s putting on a smile, but the muscles in his cheeks are a little tense.
It’s impressive that he can maintain his composure in the face of overwhelming power, but his emotions are clearly not keeping up.
“Let’s discuss the finer details inside. Could you guide me?”
Perhaps the reason for having two Ogre Champions flanking me is to provide a decent escort, as instructed by the instructor.
I myself am sufficient as a fighting force, but it would look bad for the Demon Lord’s Army to send just one person.
They were chosen for their flashy appearance and intimidating presence.
There’s also a company of Goblin soldiers accompanying us, but their main role is primarily the escort of supplies.
“Understood.”
They don’t show a clear attitude, but is this something that will need to be improved eventually?
For now, it is more convenient for us to be in the superior position.
Therefore, I will adopt a bold attitude.
My unusual attire, a suit, might be surprising, and the fact that the envoy from the Demon Lord’s Army is human seems to have caught them off guard.
Slightly bewildered gazes are directed at me from those around.
Well, I can understand how they feel.
When one thinks of the Demon Lord’s Army, many beings that are not human come to mind.
There are many beings who resemble humans, such as Dark Elves and demons.
However, I am the only one with a proper position from a human perspective, and moreover, a General.
What’s more, for the Ogre Champions of the Ogre Tribe, who revere strength, to bow their heads and follow my instructions is something they find unthinkable.
As for me, they are simply drinking companions, not subordinates.
Their relationship with me is so casual that they respect me simply because I can spar with the instructor, and I even joke with them about their toughness, drawing on the motivational theories from my corporate slave days.
They were led by those large feet, making echoing sounds, into what was likely a luxurious room used by nobles for meetings.
There, they all rose and bowed their heads to greet me.
Although the throne was gone, a seat was prepared in what could still be considered the seat of honor, and the moment I sat down, they also raised their heads and took their seats.
“Now, everyone, we are short on time. Let us set aside our desire to deepen our acquaintance through small talk and discuss matters for the sake of this country.”
First move.
To avoid wasting time, I will get straight to the point.
My superior has said that trivial matters are not needed.
Instead, I should proceed efficiently.
By allowing for a certain degree of rudeness with their permission, I create an atmosphere where they can speak.
“Then, if you’ll permit me. First, please allow me to confirm this one thing. You may consider this to be our collective will.”
As a result, the nobles exchanged glances once, but then nodded with determined faces, and one noble raised his hand to speak.
Since he is close to my seat, he is likely of high status among the nobles.
“Speak.”
“Yes. What do you intend to do with this country, members of the Demon Lord’s Army? Frankly, we here, including myself, believed that this country was becoming so corrupt that it would eventually be absorbed into one of the great powers. However, you, the Demon Lord’s Army, have removed that corruption, albeit somewhat forcefully, without causing harm to the people.”
But the responsibility of that position and their own lives are in a delicate balance, placing great mental strain on them, which in turn affects their physical condition.
Cold sweat and trembling eyes.
My being human might offer some mental stability, but even that is somewhat diminished with Ogre Champions flanking me.
Their breathing has become shallow, and they are so tense they might suffer from oxygen deprivation.
Seeing them, I feel it’s necessary to explain why the current actions of the Demon Lord’s Army are perceived as ominous.
“Simply put, it’s because this method yields the most profit.”
“Profit, you say?”
At this point, I could spew platitudes.
I could smile and declare that we should form friendships and settle grudges of many years.
But, if asked whether that would be the correct approach, it would not be so this time.
What these people seek is not empty pleasantries.
They seek agreement and understanding.
Behind the pleasantries, something lurks.
To those who understand that, flowery language is ineffective.
Conversely, I know from dealing with nobles on the continent that it only breeds suspicion.
They possess a spirit of benevolence, but having had to swallow both purity and impurity, overly friendly and sweet words would likely feel unsettling to them.
“Yes, profit. Let me ask you a question. What do you think is the greatest profit gained from war?”
“Profit, you say?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Therefore, I will present an answer that is easiest for them to understand and empathize with, and one that they can likely agree with.
I cannot reveal the true reason, but I do have the authority to disclose part of the objective.
I posed the question to the man whose gaze met mine, giving him the answer, “profit,” and in return, I asked him a question.
And, instead of fundamentally asking why Isal and the Demon Lord’s Army are fighting.
I ask what profit is generated by Isal and the Demon Lord’s Army fighting.
“…As a wartime boom, is it the economic revitalization that comes from the trade of wartime materials such as minerals and food?”
“That’s part of it. Now, what do you think about the other side?”
“M-me?”
“Yes.”
“…”
After a brief thought, a textbook answer emerges.
Indeed, by engaging in war, weapons and food can be sold at higher prices.
There are those who profit from this.
That can be a form of profit.
That answer is not wrong.
But profit is not limited to that.
Wanting to hear other people’s answers, I asked the noble next to him, and after a surprised look, he seriously considered it.
“Is it acquiring new territory?”
“Yes, that’s also an answer.”
And the reason most often cited for wars to occur is land, and I nod. Wanting land, wanting the resources and materials found there – these are reasons often recounted in human history for initiating war.
“Then.”
“A-are there still more?”
“Yes, and in fact, we need to hear more, otherwise you won’t be able to accept the reasons I’m about to give.”
However, that alone is not enough.
The profit that the Demon Lord’s Army seeks.
To disclose even a part of it, these reasons are insufficient.
One by one, I requested answers from the nobles present, and as the answers gradually dwindled, they thought earnestly.
One person said.
Gaining a beautiful princess. That is not wrong.
One person said.
Gaining a sense of accomplishment through revenge. That is not wrong.
One person said.
Being able to achieve military exploits. That is not wrong.
One person said.
Being able to elevate one’s family status. That is not wrong.
The profits gained from war were listed one after another.
Without denying any of them, I continued to listen.
Once they had listed everything.
Seeing their relief that there was no second round, I spoke.
“Then, finally, I will ask everyone here: If we were to combine all the profits just mentioned and assume we obtained them all, do you think those profits would be worth enough to compensate for what was lost in the war?”
While seated, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, clasped my hands, concealed my mouth, and fixed my sharp gaze forward.
My voice naturally lowered.
“Cities destroyed by war, soldiers killed, civilians caught in the crossfire, fields ravaged, food consumed, prices inflated, time suffered – the losses from war are endless if we were to list them. War is, in itself, the worst of the worst acts that occur solely in pursuit of victory. Do you believe that the profits gained from it can truly provide a satisfying and acceptable return when weighed against the losses?”
“…No, perhaps only a fool would rejoice in that.”
“I concur. Those who instigate wars often say: ‘It was necessary,’ or ‘For the sake of the country.’ Such individuals, whose scales of profit and loss are skewed, desire war.”
Frankly, my common sense as a Japanese person is mixed in, but I cannot find any value in the act of war.
What is gained through battle is merely the violent victory and subjugation of the opponent, at the cost of immense sacrifice and time, and the pressure on daily life.
It is an act that leaves behind lingering grudges and resentment, and invites criticism from society. What meaning does it hold?
“We are currently engaged in war, which yields nothing but such foolish losses. What profit can we, the Demon Lord’s Army, gain from this?”
We need a justification.
“It is a foundation to prevent our children in the next generation from suffering needlessly. It is to create a foundation called common sense, so that they are not made to waste their lives and time for trivial reasons like grudges, lingering resentments, or holy wars. Blood was shed, lives were lost. This is the only compensation we believe is possible.”
A world where Yukiera and Sachiera do not have to worry about the foolishness of war.
An era where they do not have to worry.
Is that not the job of us adults to create?
Earlier, I mentioned that spouting platitudes would only heighten their suspicion, but by using the word “profit” at the beginning, they have become more receptive.
“If we have time to engage in such foolishness as war, I would like to create an era of peace and increase the time available for farming, so that people can eat their fill. If there were no war, the possibility of wooing the woman I like and spending happy times would arise. I could sing songs and drink alcohol without being scolded by my wife.”
These are not sweet words.
It is merely an explanation of how wasteful war is.
I convey through my words and gaze that war leads to the loss of all these things.
“We, the Demon Lord’s Army, also desire that time. What stands in our way are those who possess the foolish ideology that the problem can be solved by simply eradicating the ‘evil’ that is the Demon Lord’s Army. We have no intention of exterminating all of humanity in Isal. Therefore, there is no need to expend needless effort and fight. The reason for supporting this country is to create a place where demons and humans can join hands to achieve our ultimate goal of peace.”
“…”
It is a predictable reaction to show reluctance at those words.
What I have said, after all, is merely idealism.
It is easy to say, “Let’s hold hands and be friends.”
“You’re thinking we’ll just try to dominate by force, aren’t you?”
I can’t believe it.
I smile at the nobles who are hiding their true feelings.
“In fact, we shed blood and brought peace to the people of this land. We used military force, not persuasion with words. I will not deny that. Nor should I. However, if we hadn’t done so, the people here would not have listened. They would not have even agreed to a meeting, citing their own convenience.”
Sometimes, drastic measures are necessary.
And sadly, in this era, violence is the most efficient means of communication.
Listen, or you’ll feel the impact of this fist.
For the nobles who are experiencing this firsthand, it must be quite the predicament.
Today’s word:
First impressions are important, whether for good or bad.
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