CH 274

The war situation would probably be settled from now on.

The rest of the discussion will probably be all about politics, such as reparations and apologies.

Whether it will be bilateral talks between the empire and this country, or whether other countries will try to get involved in the peace conference and interfere in some way…….

I have a feeling that they are going to say something about being an ally of the Grand Alliance, or about collective security, or something like that……

With this, if the reinforcements that were sent out were participating in the battle, a considerable amount of horizontal spear would surround them in all directions.

Both the Empire and Princess Remia were fortunate to have settled the matter early in that regard.

If the imperial army was badly hit in the battle, the Kingdom of Darrisson, Princess Gegege’s country, could have an option to invade back. The princess and her vassals may be good people individually, but as rulers, they are relentless politicians.

And even if the Kingdom of Dalison doesn’t make a move, it’s possible that the Kingdom of Colossus, which is ruled by that evil old man-like king, will invade to take advantage of the situation.  (TN: クールソス王国 )

However, the Imperial invasion forces were only crushed as a result of their chain of command being destroyed, and if you simply consider the number of people without taking into account their rank or position, their human casualties are minor……

So, if they go back to their country, regroup with a new commander or superior, and replenish the lost weapons and armor, they can come back as a fighting force rather easily.

So, I think the probability of other countries thinking something crazy is low.

And indeed, the Empire is not likely to move again anytime soon. Perhaps the countries under the Grand Alliance will form a military alliance against the Empire……

I don’t want to see an imbalance of power, with neighboring countries avalanching into the empire, fighting for territory…… and then the start of the world war. I’ve thought about that too.

……And it’s <genuine flat-pillar>, you know.  (TN: 『真まっ平ぴら』)

Hey! I’m not a <genuine flat board>!  (TN: 『真まっ平たいら』)

Well, that doesn’t matter right now.

As for our country, the king will take care of it. Negotiations between nations are the job of the king and his ministers.

Well, let’s get back to it.

Perhaps the mercenaries’ bathing time is too short.

……No, I may just kind of I’m imagining it……

All right, transfer!

=====

They hadn’t finished their bath yet.

The Wolf Fang crew were supposed to finish their baths first and let the helicopter team take their time while they’re preparing for the debriefing and social gathering.

That’s why the helicopter team is still bathing.

Well, the preparations for the debriefing and social gathering were already done before I left, and the food and drinks were ordered in advance and already delivered here.

Since we would probably talk about <what happened over there> while eating and drinking, it would be inconvenient to use a caterer who would also come to serve us, so we would have to use a delivery service.

We will serve and clean up ourselves, but that can’t be helped.

A soldier can at least clean up after himself when he’s done eating.

A short time later, the post-war debriefing session began.

Well, it went almost exactly as planned, zero casualties, zero damage to equipment, almost perfect gameplay.

There were no flaws to be seriously discussed or improvements to be made for the future. So, it will be an easy one to finish.

……There was a time when I thought like that, too.

No, it was more like, <We were supposed to keep casualties to a minimum except for the command post this time, but the firing line to drive them away was too close to the enemy soldiers, so didn’t we unnecessarily increase casualties?> Or, <Wasn’t it dangerous to lower the altitude for such a small incendiary effect of tracers?> or <Wasn’t it suicidal to increase the chance of being shot down by underestimating of the bow and arrow and spear? Also, did you not consider the possibility of the existence of bolters, large crossbow ballistae, etc.?>

As for the operation of the helicopter, neither I nor Wolf Fang’s Captain gave detailed instructions.

The reason was that it would be a disaster if a novice, who didn’t know how difficult hovering was, gave detailed instructions to the helicopter. So, I only gave the helicopter team general instructions.

So I wish they do that later in their own private review meeting……

Well, maybe they wanted to hear Wolf Fang’s opinion, or maybe they wanted to hear my opinion as a client, in terms of what the client wants at the very least, so I guess it can’t be helped……

I mean, the helicopter team says, <Next time>, but are you really planning to go back there?

Hmm, they did exactly what I expected, they didn’t do anything crazy, and they seem like a trustworthy mercenary group, so if there’s another opportunity…… I don’t want there to be too much…… but I could ask for them again. Still, I feel like the mercenary groups other than Wolf Fang, who knows what’s going on, won’t stay quiet…….

I’m sorry to say that this may turn to be a fatal blow to Wolf Fang’s connections and friendships……

Anyway, we had a very serious discussion and then moved on to the social gathering part.

……Yeah, well, I mean that’s what these people’s <drinking party after returning safely from the battlefield> is all about, so yeah.

Just don’t pull me into it, don’t try to make me drink, and don’t hug me!

=====

Shortly after the battle against the Imperial forces in the other world, I went to Wolf Fang’s headquarters for consultation.

[Hey, captain. I think we need to do something to make up the deficit to the place that sent us the helicopter…… I know the captain is a rather honest guy, right? If they carry the expenses by themselves like weapons, ammunition, and even pay a fee, it’s going to be pretty tough on them, isn’t it?] Mitsuha

If the place that cooperated with us goes on red due to financial difficulties, it would leave a bad aftertaste to me……

That’s why I just told the captain, then he said……

[I don’t think we need to worry about that. They’ve made so much money in the end after all……] Captain

What an unexpected piece of information!

[E e eh? The fact that they were active in another world got them publicity, and they got a flood of requests because of that?] Mitsuha

[You idiot. If a mercenary takes on too much work at once, he’ll be dead in no time! Those who don’t take enough time off to heal and recover from their injuries will be the first to die.] Captain

[Ah, I see…… so how come they’re loaded?] Mitsuha

[Yeah, about that, they sold the soil and grass they brought back from the other world at auction.] Captain

[Eh?] Mitsuha

No, that’s not a problem at all, because I permitted them to do that, but can you make that much money from such ordinary soil, weeds, and flowers?

The captain continued as if he could see by my face that I was having doubts.

[Ah, even if it looked like an ordinary weed, it could be completely different from the earth. They said something about isotopes, genomes, spirals turning right or left, or something I don’t understand. Anyway, it seems that a guy who wanted to get his hands on one of the weeds on display won by putting a big bid for it.

……and the next exhibit was <The Second Weed of Another World>.

It was also sold for an exorbitant amount of money, and the next item on the list was <The Third Weed of Another World> and so on……] Captain

[The Mil Máscaras’ Mask from the charity auction!] Mitsuha

[You know a lot about wrestling, don’t you, Young Miss? And how did you know about such a minor episode!] Captain

[No, I’m more surprised that the captain even knows that stuff!] Mitsuha

As expected, it’s that, isn’t it? Aren’t soldiers interested in flesh and blood warfare stuff?……

[Anyway, that’s how the <Weeds of Another World> series continued.

And when it was finally over, it seems that <Soil of Another World> was exhibited afterwards.] Captain

[No, I didn’t expect…… I mean, I’ve already heard the punchline!] Mitsuha

[And when the <Otherworldly Soil Series> is over, the <Otherworldly Pebble Series> will be…….] Captain

[…………] Mitsuha

That’s mercenary for you.

[And as promised, they’re having a screening of the footage they shot, for those who know about the other world only. Although, they charged a ridiculously high fee per viewing…….

Even so, I heard that they’ve made a lot of money out of it because a lot of government officials and researchers from various countries came to watch it over and over again. Of course, you can’t take pictures of the screen, so you have to pay to view it again and again. You have to pay thousands of dollars per person to see it……] Captain

[Those Oni!…… but it’s within the scope of what I’ve allowed, so I guess it’s okay…….

However, what’s so valuable about the footage? They’re just digging in the dirt and picking grass.] Mitsuha

Yeah, that’s not much different from kids playing in the dirt around here.

No, a bunch of old men frolicking in the dirt is not such a good sight.

[No, while they’re indeed showing that footage as proof that the dirt and grass really are from another world, the real story is the battle scene with the enemy……] Captain

[Eh?] Mitsuha

[They filmed it from the helicopters, since there are two of them, so they can film each other’s aircraft.

I’m sure a lot of governments of the earth would love to have this information.

Besides, there are probably still many countries that would love to get their hands on some soil and grass. You’ll never know what you’ll discover from such things.

Anyway, I heard they made more than enough money to cover the entry fee and the ammo they’ve spent.] Captain

Eh?

[That’s why they asked you, Young Miss. And you told them it’s OK to show the footage they took to those who originally knew about this world……

Oh, I’ve already confirmed that it doesn’t show you or any of us from the neck up. It’s not a doctored image either, and we’re not in the original frame, so you don’t have to worry about that.] Captain

E e eh?

[They’re good at what they do, but they’ve kept their promises. Isn’t it all within the range of permission from Young Miss?

The part taken from the helicopter was allowed after the fact that you gave your permission, but if Young Miss had said it was no good, the data would have been properly destroyed. Because they are very disciplined people.] Captain

[E e e e e e eh ~~ ~!!] Mitsuha

……No, well, that’s fine.

Even though it was after the shooting, I certainly gave my permission, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s just that these mercenaries are not naive enough to take on a job that will cost them money for free.

In that sense, they’ve done a great job……