Chapter 121 - It begins (1/2)

Chapter 121: It begins

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

Yuri and Mea looked uneasily at Taiki’s back, as he sat in the control room, observing the scenery of Karluk Kingdom’s capital after returning to the Heavenly Country.

「……Taiki-sama hasn’t spoken a single word.」

「Yes. I thought that he is hungry, but that doesn’t seem to be the case……」

As Yuri and Mea had such an exchange, A1, that stood at a side behind Taiki, turned around and looked at Ayla.

Ayla looked at A1’s face and lowered her head, then, seemingly resolving herself, walked up to Taiki.

「…Taiki-sama? As expected, the revolutionaries are……」

Ayla said, carefully choosing her words, to which Taiki nodded with a wry smile.

「Yes. Karluk’s King dispatched orders, mobilizing a large number of knights, and since yesterday they are doing a large scale bandit subjugation. Bolstering defenses of the capital with royal knights, duke’s knights, and then knights that serve conservative nobles…… On one hand, I’d like to give it to him, this is a solid approach, on the other, this is clearly a chance for a revolution. And if it comes to revolution, people will die…… I tried to persuade him, but it devolved into an argument.」

Saying that Taiki dropped his shoulders.

「I acted childish…… What a bind. Should I apologize and cooperate with them? Or maybe I should help the revolutionaries and aim for a bloodless revolution……?」

While Taiki kept muttering, Ayla, pained, cast down her eyes.

「If Taiki-sama is so inclined, then how about evacuating citizens when monarchists and revolutionaries clash? Or maybe, just as Taiki-sama said, aim for a bloodless capitulation……」

When Ayla said so, Yuri made a slightly troubled smile and spoke up.

「Ehm…… Pardon me for saying such an impertinent thing, but I wouldn’t recommend getting involved with this. It’s but my humble opinion, but internal struggles of other realms are generally not to be intruded on. No matter what the outcome might be, if one sends soldiers, then neighboring countries might see this as an invasion. If you want to help them, then it’s better to do that after the revolution has come to an end.」

「After it ended?」

Taiki turned around after hearing Yuri’s line. Then, Yuri made a small nod.

「Yes. A realms power is bound to decline after an insurrection. During that time, other realms would keep a close eye on each other, but all would act with the same idea in mind.」

「……The profit of their own country?」

Taiki replied, to which Yuri showed a smile.

「Precisely. If it’s an ambitious country, seeing the opportunity they would try to expand their domain. Even the countries that possess no military power would try to use the crisis to enforce contracts on advantageous terms.」

When Yuri spoke so, Mea furrowed her brows.

「…Bandits sometimes came to our village. And bad merchants as well.」

As Mea muttered that, Yuri raised her eyebrows and laughed.

「Yes, that might be similar. But I think every country works to profit in order to protect its citizens? So it’s not like there are nothing but bad intentions at play.」

Yuri said gently, to which Mea nodded with a difficult expression. While Taiki remained silent, with an expression that was hard to read.