At Her Highness Lucila's opening words, tension ripples through us.
Explorers fundamentally do not involve themselves in politics.
While indirect involvement can't be denied, we explorers never stick our necks out into it.
We know that delving too deeply would leave us completely bound and helpless.
The royalty and nobility understand this as well, so the relationship has continued as one of mutual benefit up to now.
In particular, it's almost unheard of for members of the royal family to personally go to explorers and speak face-to-face.
"Your Highness, forgive me, but even if this is a request from you, we cannot accept it lightly. Could you please explain the details first?"
Speaking on our behalf, Selma-san opens her mouth.
Perhaps because she and Her Highness Lucila were classmates in the noble academy and got along well, though she uses polite language, she seems more at ease than when dealing with sponsoring nobles.
"Yes. First, I will explain our circumstances and what I wish to request. Naturally, what I am about to say concerns problems our country currently faces, so please keep it strictly confidential."
At Her Highness Lucila's words, we all nod to indicate our understanding.
Confirming that, Her Highness Lucila speaks again.
"As you all likely know, my father, His Majesty the King, was recently killed by the Empire. The Empire has long engaged in many outrageous actions, but this incident is something our country cannot overlook. War will likely become unavoidable."
This is something we already know.
The royalty and nobility are using newspapers and other means to fan the people's anger toward the Empire, heightening domestic momentum for war.
Considering that development of magical weapons has become even more active, it's only natural that the two countries will clash soon.
"However, the overwhelming disparity in national power between our country and the Empire is an unchangeable fact. If we fight the Empire as things stand, the chances of our defeat are high. Therefore, I am considering forming an alliance with neighboring friendly nations to organize a coalition army."
Originally, there were four Great Labyrinths on this continent.
Now that the Western Great Labyrinth has been conquered, three remain, but nations possessing Great Labyrinths have historically converted the massive resources obtained from them into national power. Thus, aside from the Nohitant Kingdom, they are all major powers.
Well, the Junoé Republic, which possesses the Northern Great Labyrinth, suffered a severe blow to its national power in a war decades ago, so now its strength is only slightly above the kingdom's.
Given that history, the Nohitant Kingdom has strived to enrich itself while simultaneously building friendly relations with neighboring countries through diplomacy.
Indeed, if the kingdom and empire clash directly, the empire holds the advantage, but if the kingdom allies with surrounding nations, the war situation becomes unpredictable.
"So this is my first request. This one is directed personally to Selma."
"To me personally?"
"Yes. Preparations with neighboring countries are already underway. However, the final arrangements cannot be handled through documents alone, so I intend to attend as the host."
"Could it be that the location is..."
"Yes, as you guessed. The meeting place is in the eastern part of the kingdom—Daruaene, our nation's gateway."
Daruaene is the kingdom's center of trade, governed by the Crodel Count family.
It is also the hometown of Selma-san and Sophie.
"I am aware that this may cause you unpleasant feelings. But right now, your strength is needed. Would you please accompany me to Daruaene?"
"......"
At Her Highness Lucila's words, Selma-san lowers her eyes.
I haven't heard it directly, but I vaguely sense there is discord between Selma-san and her family, the Crodel Count household.
It's only speculation based on Sophie's past that I learned during the guidance of "Twilight Moonbow", but even after spending time together with Selma-san, she has never once spoken about her family.
Everyone in the room waits for Selma-san's answer, but she seems to hesitate in giving it.
However, it doesn't feel like reluctance to go to Daruaene so much as concern that her absence would hinder "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"'s activities.
"Selma, go ahead and do it."
As if pushing her back, Rain-san calls out.
"Rain? But..."
"Families are something you should face. Especially when there's an opportunity to do so. If you miss this chance, it might never come again, you know? Having family isn't something to take for granted. I don't want you to go through what I did. Don't worry about us. The Great Labyrinth conquest will pause, but I'll make sure to fill the hole you leave!"
"I agree with Rain-san too! If you're hesitating, you should take action!"
"Yeah. Waffling like that isn't like you, Sis. Deciding quickly and acting on it—that's what I thought our leader was like?"
As if agreeing with Rain-san, Lucre and Will also push Selma-san's back.
When a comrade is hesitating, you should give them a push.
Even if the result isn't beneficial for yourselves.
Because that's what true comrades do.
"Everyone's saying that, but shouldn't we prioritize Selma-san's feelings here? Of course, I'll respect whatever choice you make."
"...Thank you, everyone. Then, I'll be absent from the clan for a little while. While I'm gone, I'm entrusting "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" to you all."
"Leave it to us!" "Got it!" "You bet!" "Understood."
"Your Highness Lucila, I humbly accept this request. Please feel free to make full use of me during the journey and in diplomacy."
"Thank you, Selma."
Receiving our words, Selma-san decides to accompany Her Highness Lucila to Daruaene.
"So, Your Highness, that's not the only request, right? What exactly is it you want from us?"
Hart-san asks about the other request in a casual yet somewhat polite tone.
"Yes. The second request is the reason I called everyone here. Due to information control, it hasn't been made public yet, but recently, several magical beast overflow incidents have occurred, mainly in the northern part of the country. And even on my way to Tsutorail, we were attacked by an overflow. From this fact, we believe the Empire has established technology to artificially induce magical beast overflows."
I had heard about this in advance from Abel-san and even encountered the recent overflow myself, so I'm not surprised.
However, the other explorers—who are likely hearing this for the first time—cannot hide their shock.
"—Is that true?"
At the point where Her Highness Lucila pauses, Fuuka interjects.
Even someone as quiet as her probably can't easily accept this fact.
Naturally.
If overflows can be intentionally caused, it could be said to make invasion far easier.
"It's hard to believe, but the frequent overflows are fact. The subsequent conclusion that 'the Empire can artificially induce overflows' is only our speculation, so we cannot state it as definitively true."
Her Highness Lucila seems to think so, but I believe the "Cyclamen Order" is the one causing the overflows.
That said, since the possibility that the Empire and the Order are cooperating is high, from the kingdom's perspective it makes little difference either way.
No need to interject deliberately.
While thinking such things in the corner of my mind, I continue listening to Her Highness Lucila's ongoing words.
"As mentioned earlier, our country intends to focus first on buying time until a coalition army can be organized for the war against the Empire. However, with overflows occurring frequently in the north near the Empire's border, buying time—let alone organizing a coalition—could result in us being unilaterally crushed. To prevent that, we are currently increasing the deployment of magical weapons centered on key logistical points and major cities as countermeasures."
Well, that's a reasonable measure.
However, that leaves labyrinths near small towns and villages away from major cities unaddressed.
Which means the request content is likely——.
"But that alone cannot cover all of the northern region. Therefore, I would like to request that you all conquer the labyrinths in areas our measures cannot reach... and defend Tsutorail."
"Your Highness, may I ask a question?"
As soon as Her Highness Lucila finishes explaining the request, Rain-san immediately speaks up to ask.
"Yes, anything."
"There are two points I would like to confirm. First, regarding the labyrinth conquests—may we assume the explorer guild has also approved this?"
Upon Rain-san's first question, Her Highness Lucila glances toward the Guildmaster, who nods and then speaks.
"That point was consulted several days ago, and the explorer guild intends to grant permission. The permits are being prepared, but they should be completed for the target labyrinths by tomorrow."
"Understood. Then the second point: what exactly would defending Tsutorail entail?"
"Reports from Count Edington indicate that the root of the Empire's current actions involves their shortage of magic stones. From that, we infer the Empire's ultimate goal is to seize the Southern Great Labyrinth. Naturally, we plan to station a battalion-sized force in Tsutorail, but soldiers are not well-versed in dealing with magical beasts. Therefore, I would like the S-rank party members to periodically monitor the five labyrinths around Tsutorail and, should an overflow occur, lead other explorers in addressing it."
"So when the Imperial army invades Tsutorail, the royal army will handle it?"
"Yes. You will not need to directly participate in the war. Though if you are willing to assist, it would be immensely reassuring. ——And naturally, if you accept my request, we will prepare appropriate compensation."
"By the way, what would that compensation be?"
"After this matter concludes, for the next ten years, "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" and "Copper Twilight" will be granted privileged status under my authority. Specifically, this includes exemption from taxation obligations, access rights to national development projects involving magic and magical tools, and various other privileges that will benefit your future activities."
That compensation is extraordinarily generous.
It would make future clan activities dramatically easier.
"What do you think? Personally, I think we should accept."
"I agree too. Either way, we won't be able to conquer the Great Labyrinth for a while, so jumping on this deal doesn't sound bad."
In response to Rain-san's question, I share my thoughts with everyone.
"I think it's fine to accept too." "Me too!"
With Will and Lucre also agreeing to accept Her Highness Lucila's request, "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" decides to take it on.
"Fuuka, it seems the Rabbit is accepting the request, but what about us?"
Katina-san asks Fuuka rather than Leader Hart-san.
Hart-san and Huey-san seem to have no objections and are waiting for Fuuka's answer.
"We accept too."
"Got it. ——Your Highness, we'll take the request as well."
Once Fuuka decides to accept, Hart-san immediately follows and informs Her Highness Lucila that "Copper Twilight" will also participate.
"I offer my heartfelt gratitude to you all. Thank you for accepting. Now then, could everyone please discuss among yourselves who will handle the labyrinth conquests and who will handle Tsutorail's defense? I will not object to whatever decision you reach, so please decide freely."
"Her Highness says that, but it's pretty much already decided, right? Us "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" handle defense, "Copper Twilight" handles conquest—sounds good, doesn't it?"
As discussion on role division begins between both parties, Will speaks up first.
Indeed, that division seems reasonable.
Defense requires coordination with other explorers when an overflow occurs.
In that case, "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky", which already manages multiple parties, would find it easier to mobilize other explorers.
"That won't work."
Just as it seems to be settling with Will's statement, Fuuka objects.
"So "Copper Twilight" handles defense? I don't mind either way, but would coordination with other explorers go smoothly?"
Will throws a straightforward question at Fuuka.
"No. Coordination with other explorers should be left to "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"."
"Hm? Then that means what I said, right?"
Will looks puzzled, a question mark floating above his head.
No, not just Will—none of us quite understand what Fuuka is trying to say.
"Sigh. Fuuka, explain a bit more clearly. It's fine normally, but to outsiders, that doesn't make sense and won't convince them."
Hart-san steps in to help.
Fuuka nods once at Hart-san's words, thinks for a moment, then speaks again.
"...This request from the princess is divided into passive defense and active conquest. Therefore, conquest should prioritize speed. If conquest finishes quickly, then everyone here can focus on defense afterward, right?"
"...I see, that makes sense. So Fuuka-chan is thinking we should mix the two parties, split into a conquest team and a defense team?"
Rain-san checks if her understanding is correct, and Fuuka nods firmly.
"Then, Fuuka, who do you think should be on the conquest team?"
"Since it prioritizes speed while also requiring annihilation power, Fuuka and Orun are fixed. Then, to barely keep up with our full-combat... Hart makes three. That combination is best."
"No objection to that selection criteria. But that would make it all vanguards, right? Shouldn't we include at least one rear guard in case of unforeseen circumstances?"
Will questions the all-vanguard composition.
"That won't be a problem. We exchanged information about each other's unique skills and characteristics at the recent exchange meeting, so you should know—my unique skill is [Future Sight], Hart's is [Bird's-Eye View]. With us, most situational awareness is easy. Add Orun with his overwhelming adaptability, and situations we can't handle are virtually nonexistent. Rather, if the three of us struggle, adding anyone else here wouldn't change the outcome anyway."
"Hmm, can't argue with that. Got it. Then conquest is Orun-kun, Fuuka-chan, and Hart-san. The rest handle Tsutorail defense. Everyone okay with that?"
After hearing Fuuka's explanation, Rain-san checks with everyone present if there are any issues.
No further objections arise.
"It seems we've reached an agreement. Then, Orun, Fuuka, Hart—please handle the labyrinth conquests."
"Understood." "Nn." "Acknowledged."
And so, it was decided that I would conquer various labyrinths together with Fuuka and Hart-san.