Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 711

Power is dispensed based on its usage.

Given that there are civilized means possessed by humans, which are peaceful and minimize disadvantages, the use of power is fundamentally avoided.

However, it is also a fact that power is sometimes employed depending on the time and situation.

But, no matter how it is used, ill feelings always accompany it.

That is precisely why the nobles fear me when I deliberately adopt a high-pressure attitude.

Even if the opponent is a corrupt noble who can only exploit the people, would anyone agree to be friendly with a murderer holding a blood-stained knife?

Rather, anyone who responds like this and then hugs you with a smile is truly strange, so it can be said that the thoughts of the people here are in line with common sense.

“Now, have you understood why we created this seating arrangement to make you listen through violence?”

“…Are you saying that our preconceived notions were getting in the way of avoiding the disadvantages of war?”

“That’s right. If we had come to someone here without doing anything and heard that we came to negotiate peace, what do you think your reaction would have been?”

The nobles remained motionless, their expressions as hard as rock, and their voices as steady as possible.

Unlike the nobles of the continent, perhaps because they have no other choice, or perhaps because the hierarchy was established from the start, they can hold a conversation more reasonably than the other nobles. It’s a fact that I’m quiet impressed by.

“At best, we’d be bait to solicit aid from Tris through denunciation, and at worst, we’d be victims of an inquisition.”

“Peace is a game of probing each other’s intentions, and there’s the saying that it’s a preparation period for the next war, but the fundamental truth is that war is a measure taken when foolish thinking reaches its extreme and one is forced to resort to the last resort. It’s more beneficial for a country not to engage in it.”

My words were clear, yet they were not phrased in a way that could be easily twisted. How much easier it is to converse when one doesn’t whine like a child saying “you said that back then.”

“Naturally, right?”

“Indeed.”

I have no intention of fighting a war. As if they had initiated it, their rock-like faces twitched slightly, and they nodded grudgingly.

At this stage of being able to respond like this, they understand that religious thinking can be dangerous. Religion has many convenient aspects. In particular, when such thinking is applied to war, it’s easy to shift responsibility by claiming that “God desires it.” No, if a true God is truly wishing for the destruction of the opponent, it’s no laughing matter.

Thus, the justification of “God’s will” is born, and war can be easily waged. Of course, there might be some good aspects to this so-called justification.

He knows that there are parts of this that can be utilized, but understands that over-reliance is dangerous. I can sense from our conversation at various points that his thinking is not yet corrupted. Those who are corrupted and are particularly troublesome will vehemently argue with me, staking their lives on it. They spout words like “All evil is the Demon Lord, and we are justice. Divine retribution will eventually come.” Those with some self-control disguise their words with smiles and praise, but express anger in their eyes. They simmer with dark emotions in their hearts, sharpening their fangs to bite and tear at your throat.

There is no such presence about him. That is probably why he never held a high position in any country. He is treated as incompetent because he is competent. He knows the disadvantages of war. However, he also knows the necessity of war.

“Now, the violence to get the reasonable party seated at the table is over for now. From here on, let’s proceed with discussions as you wish.”

“That would be ideal, but…”

“Don’t worry, we’ll ensure you get your share of the profit too. It’s not a bad deal.”

“If possible, I hope it’s a good deal, not a bad one.”

“That’s up to you.”

That is why, when the time comes, these people here will not hesitate to draw their swords. If they understand that we are beings who harm their people, they will immediately gather all their forces and create a desperate charge. Subordinates of this type are highly loyal. And the hidden strength of humans who have become willing to die is unpredictable.

For us in the Demon Lord’s Army, we should avoid dealing with such people. That is to say, although we can defeat them, we want to avoid fighting opponents whose damage would be far beyond imagination.

At this point, we found a degree of mutual understanding. They don’t want their country invaded. we don’t want to incur damage for the upcoming great war.

“Now, let’s talk.”

“Understood.”

After sharing such a long preamble, the ensuing discussions, I hoped optimistically, would be fruitful, but rationally, I suspected they would be difficult.

“The establishment of a multi-ethnic state… and our country is the front line.”

“The abolition of the monarchy, a review of noble titles, the introduction of a parliamentary system, and reform of the class system.”

“The unification of the country, and the securing of trade routes that will result from it.”

“And the acceptance of refugees, which will eventually come?”

First, we presented what the Demon Lord’s Army wanted and the results of our investigation. We intend to use this land to establish a nation where demons and humans mingle. For governance, we propose a parliamentary system with a mix of humans and demons. A review of the class system, including nobles, citizens, and slavery. The revitalization of trade to enrich the poor. And preparations for accepting refugees from other regions here.

“This is far too reckless. Such large-scale reforms would inevitably invite backlash just by announcing the plan. Nobles will oppose it to protect their vested interests, and the people are currently suffering. If the labor force of slaves is liberated, agriculture will inevitably decline.”

They looked at me with gazes that seemed to question my sanity, asking if I was truly serious with such an outrageous plan.

“If you want to waste time debating whether it can be done or not, just say so, and I’ll leave this seat and return to headquarters to consider other methods.”

“…Are you intending to give us no choice? Are you going to break off these negotiations?”

“I stated that this is the ultimate goal, and I explained that I’m not saying you have to do it all from the start. If you understand that and make the statement you just did, you’ll be considered a destabilizing element. I have no intention of harboring someone who would undermine us from within.”

“…Then, what do you intend to do first?”

It is a final goal, and reform will be carried out in stages. However, they are still nobles. No matter the situation, if they see an opening, they will seize it. Conversations like this are merely jabs. I am accustomed to these draining discussions.

“Expansion of defense, and a reduction in agricultural taxes.”

“That would reduce the country’s revenue.”

“Instead, we will supply goods that can be sold from the Demon Lord’s Army to this country. We will add value to those goods and sell them to other countries to generate profits. With those profits, we will build defense facilities and secure funds for agricultural support to ensure food supply.”

Once the direction is set and the other party is convinced, the people here will begin to act. “The deadline is until our intervention is discovered and we are recognized as an enemy nation by other countries. We will handle counter-espionage, but it’s not perfect. We can buy time, but at most for six months. Within that time, we will create a semblance of a nation. For the front-line territories, we will gradually evacuate the villagers. The existing villages will be converted into military garrisons by us. We will guarantee the livelihoods of the evacuees.”

“…Six months, that’s quite short.”

“It’s six months until we are discovered. Once our logistics reach other countries, they will naturally turn their attention to us. Additionally, refugees will likely flow here. We will remain as hidden as possible, but even so, suspicions are bound to arise. Ostensibly, we will use doppelgangers as figureheads, and establish an anti-Demon Lord coalition with the members present here, which will buy us more time.”

“So, we have six months to act without suspicion, and then an additional period of grace to act with caution?”

“That’s right.”

At this moment, they are likely weighing the options between aligning with the Demon Lord’s Army or denouncing us and becoming a vassal state of Tris. Based on what we have done, there is enough circumstantial evidence to condemn us as evil. However, if they do that, life will return to how it was before. The only difference will be that a politician under Tris’s influence will be sent, and more warriors dedicated to God will be mass-produced. The freedom they have tasted, albeit temporarily, was ironically given to them by the Demon Lord’s Army.

The nobles, who had a general understanding of my intentions, began discussing amongst themselves, and the conference room became noisy. I watched them silently. If time were simply passing by, I wouldn’t be able to overlook it, but the content of their discussions was all valuable. No, it could even be called constructive. They are considering the future in light of the current situation.

“…I have a few questions.”

“What is it?”

It took a few minutes for the murmuring to subside. If I had documents in hand, I would be processing them, but sadly, I don’t.

“The first question is whether the Demon Lord’s Army has a chance of winning. Looking back at history, past Demon Lords have been defeated by Heroes. This is evidenced by the fact that there are lands on this continent not dominated by the Demon Lord’s Army. We do not want to throw ourselves into a losing battle.”

“That’s reasonable. And to answer your question, yes, we do. We have made preparations for battle. Although we conceded the first move, we are ready to counterattack. And we have plans to win.”

“Specifically?”

“I cannot answer due to military regulations. However, I will tell you that more than half of the Seraphim, who are servants of God, have been sealed in our facilities.”

“What!?”

The question that followed the silence was a natural one. It might seem foolish to confirm whether one is heading into a losing war when about to start a global conflict, but there are a certain number of incompetent individuals in this world who would do so. Because the Demon Lord’s Army has been perceived that way due to historical precedent, I do not find this question disrespectful. However, I will convey the fact that we have, with a touch of irony, reduced the opponent’s main fighting force. Several people stood up, kicking their chairs aside, upon learning that legendary divine messengers had already been sealed by the Demon Lord’s Army.

“It’s not a lie, you know?”

I met their suspicious gazes with a warlike smile.

“Do you have proof?”

“That facility is one even I, who hold the rank of General, require permission to enter. It cannot be easily proven… However, there is circumstantial evidence. If it were the Heroes of past eras, they would have taken significant action in this great war. In fact, Tris does have Heroes. But there are no Seraphim there. Some argue that with multiple Heroes, they cannot assign multiple Seraphim, but then they could simply dispatch one Seraph to oversee them. If not, they could dispatch lower-ranking angels to compensate for numbers with quality. What is the reason for not doing so? Why would they hold back their forces against such a great enemy of the world as the Demon Lord?”

“Does that mean there’s something going on?”

“Yes. Whether that something is good or bad, I cannot say. However, what is needed here now is to make the people present here recognize that the Demon Lord’s Army has a realistic chance of winning.”

Showing weakness only invites exploitation from the enemy. No matter how unbelievable it sounds, if you maintain a confident attitude, your opponent will inevitably have doubts. They might think, “Perhaps there really is a way to win.” In fact, we have demonstrated enough military strength to quickly conquer several small nations. Now, it remains to be seen whether these words will turn out to be auspicious or inauspicious.

Today’s word: We do what we can, that’s all.

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