Second Coming Of Goddess And Child Of Hope (1/79) Chapter 8.2: Overlimit Skill Holder Vol 6
Vol 6: Chapter 8 (2)
「Hmm, is that so?」
「At the end of the day, even if there is still a month left until the revocation of the Covenant, it serves no purpose if the countries of the world do not begin preparing for the coming battle.」I said.
「I don't think this plan will work unless there is a visible profit.」the young lady said.
「Profit, huh.」
「Pay the nations to get ready for defense.」
「But... only the countries which oppose the Church's proposal will get paid, and the ones who are in agreement lose. That said, however, paying each and every country is not possible, either.」
Actually, the church had already considered that idea. Cardinal Thomasson explained it to me with a grin.
——All of them are misunderstanding that the Church has money. That they will get money if they grumble enough.
The Church, however, is already looking at the "post-fusion" world, and expects that it will require a lot of materials, food, and money at that time. Therefore, those resources cannot be distributed to the countries at this juncture.
It is not enough to simply defeat the monsters. They are thinking about the future of the world after that.
To that extent, both the Cardinal and Her Holiness the Pope are seriously striving to achieve a meaningful outcome at this conference.
「In that case, why not provide benefits other than funds.」the young lady said.
「Meaning?」
「I have heard that the taxes for the maintenance of the federation are a significant burden within the Keith Gran Federation. The Church can provide tax exemptions for the duration of the defense period. For other nations, free treatment from the Church.」
「That seems to be Her Holiness' line of thinking as well. It is already incorporated as part of the compromise.」
「Is that not enough?」the young lady asked.
「Yes.」
「...My father and Duke Grenjido seem to be willing to release the 5-star skill orbs of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom.」
「HUH!?」
A voice escaped my mouth despite myself.
Those skill orbs are in the possession of 5 of the 6 Great Duke Houses and an Earl House.
Duke Rozier's[Sword Technique ★★★★★].
Duke Reese's[Heroic Commanding Technique ★★★★★].
Duke Ebene's[Secret Compounding ★★★★★].
Duke Luciel's[Dragon Sword Technique ★★★★★].
Duke Lamer's[Mana Enhancement ★★★★★].
Earl Montagne's[Prayer Technique ★★★★★].
The Holy King Order's[Holy Swordsmanship ★★★★★★]- though, it has since been lost.
Even in Kruvan Holy Kingdom, which possesses complete monopoly on the First Altar, these are the only skill orbs with 5 or more stars in their possession.
If a 5-star or higher skill orb exists in other countries, it would only be one at most.
The Holy Kingdom intends to release such rare articles?
「The Duke Houses won't be convinced.」I said.
「But in doing so, all the other countries would be able to understand how seriously the Holy Kingdom views this matter. Reiji... Do you remember what Duke Grenjido said when he was still the Holy King?」
「Yes.」
Duke Grenjido said at the Sprout and New Moon Banquet:
——From now on, you will choose your skill orb, learn a lot of things, sometimes fight with each other, sometimes fail, sometimes feel joy, and sometimes suffer. Since you were born with noble blood, you will have to fight that fate...
I remember being impressed, thinking that this was a true noble. Although, it did seem strange to me at the time that someone is "noble" due to their birth. Duke Grenjido must have known the royalty's duty as a "Holy Blue Human". His was a duty to sacrifice. That is why he had such a strong fixation on "birth".
「The current Holy King has already explained the situation to the Duke Houses. I think this matter will be revealed in the conference tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.」
My chest trembled.
Born with "noble blood", donating the skill orbs must be more painful than having their bodies torn apart. In order to persuade the countries of the world.
「However, Reiji... The problem is that those countries might not be convinced with that alone.」
「...I am aware.」
There is no limit to the desires of people. Some countries would complain that it isn't enough, while others would complain they didn't receive the only 6-star skill orb.
「I wish we had a little more deciding factor. Duke Grenjido and father are now talking to the other representatives in search of it.」
I greatly admire those two who are working so hard to coordinate the countries of the world. I knew from the start that it would not be easy to coordinate the countries to fight against the monsters in unison.
Representative Holiday must have thought of revoking the Covenant alone assuming that coordinating every country would be difficult.
「That one last push to move the countries into setting up a joint defense...」
Without it, the first to fall victim would be innocent civilians.
Isn't there anything else?
Money is not possible.
There are no more rare skill orbs.
The Lev Magic Empire is in the process of recovery after the Red Gate campaign. We can't ask for their help.
There must be something else. Something, something, something——.
「I am sorry, but I have been eavesdropping on the conversation.」
A voice came from a distance. Figures of several people were approaching the garden where we were.
Looking at the shocked state of Lady Eva's escorts, they probably didn't notice those individuals.
Eavesdropping from such a far distance?
No- Given that their voice has reached us from that distance, did they use magic?
More importantly, however, I reflexively stood up when I saw the person who approached us.
「Asha!!」
Accompanied by the elves of the Secret Service.
「Ah, it's okay. She's my acquaintance. She is Sylvis Kingdom's-.」
「——I am Asha, an adventurer.」
Asha was about to be blocked by the young lady's escorts. So I tried to explain who she was, but Asha loudly stated that she was an "adventurer." The Secret Service looked displeased. Thinking about it carefully, Asha did leave the country to become an adventurer, but the kingdom still provides escorts, huh...
「Reiji, who is this person?」
The young lady asked, while carefully observing Asha as she approached closer.
「This is Asha. She just recently became an adventurer... but she is a High Elf who used to live in the Elven Forest.」
「I am Asha, an adventurer. I travel with Reiji-san.」
Asha came and stood right next to me.
......Oh my? Why is she standing so close? She usually stands about half a step away.
I moved slightly to the side. But Asha came closer, despite.
「Reiji, are you not a member of Silver Balance?」the young lady asked.
「Ah yes. But Asha still hasn't-」
「Yes, I am not a party member.」Asha said.
Huh? Why does she sound displeased?
「No. Let me rephrase that. I am going to join the party soon.」Asha said.
Wait... Was Asha always so assertive?
I feel like we have never talked about her joining Silver Balance at all...
「Uh, well, Asha, this is Lady Eva, from an Earl House of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom. I used to work as an escort for their House in the past...」
「I see. Your former employer, right?」
Huh?
「I am still willing to hire. Reiji, you can always come back.」
Huh?
「That will not do. Reiji-san said that he would travel with me...」
「Hmm... That's the first time I am hearing it. Reiji, is that true? Didn't you promise to take me on a trip around the world?」
「Eh? Wait a minute. Why do I feel like the situation is getting tense?」
「Not at all~. It's just that... your previous employer is quite a beautiful person...」
「No, everything is alright. I am just confused to learn about this person since you did not mention it in your letter...」
...It definitely sounds like there is something going on.
「So, Asha. Why did you come here? I mean, it's not a good habit to eavesdrop on other people's conversations... but did you use magic for it?」I asked.
「A-About that... I apologize. It seemed like you two were having a pleasant conversation, so I got curious...」Asha mumbled in a very soft voice.
...Well, I suppose it's okay since she has apologized.
「But I understand the general story. Some countries are in trouble due to the depletion of skill orbs, and you are trying to move them to prepare for defense within a certain period of time, right?」Asha said.
「Yes, that's right. We are missing one last element...」I said.
「In that case, I think I can help you. You are aware of what the Sylvis Kingdom governs, correct?」Asha said, with a smile.
「The Elven Forest and the Third Forest, right? -Wait, don't tell me...」
「Yes, what you're thinking is correct. The wise Majesty King Sylvis have decreed thus:」
——Release all the skill orbs stored in the national treasury and distribute them to the needy countries. And prepare for the upcoming threat.
「I accompanied Matvey-onii sama, who came to pass this message onto the congress. Yuri-onee sama must have heard the news by now. Now that the depletion of the Third Forest has begun, His Majesty thinks that we don't have any time to waste. In short, everything will be settled at tomorrow's World Conference.」
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