CH 275

«Why did you not call out to me?»

[Hie ~!] Mitsuha

One day, when I returned to Earth, I received a call on the phone that the captain had arranged for me, so I answered it and was suddenly yelled at.

I’ve only given out my phone number and email address on this phone to a few people, but…… ah!

[Ah, Researcher-sensei…] Mitsuha

«I heard from someone in the government! I heard you’ve been collecting things with mercenaries in the other world. Why didn’t you call me?» Researcher

Ah, he’s not interested in fighting, but the collection part…

But, well, it’s really terrible to ask for help from them and then leave it until they’re useful to us. I’m sure that the collection part was something that the scholars wanted to do the most……

Yeah, that’s… My bad.

[I’m sorry! This time, the main focus was on the battle, so I couldn’t put Sensei, a valuable human resource for humanity, in any danger……] Mitsuha

«Oh…… I see. Then I guess I have no choice…….» Researcher

Fufu, too easy!

Researchers are vulnerable to being praised for their achievements, and to having their abilities highly evaluated and respected. This is especially true for those who are not used to such things……

I’m sure Sensei is highly regarded because he’s taking government jobs, but he’s probably not used to such overt compliments because he’s not supposed to talk to outsiders about government jobs, and I don’t think politicians and military personnel are very likely to pamper scholars.

Anyway, even though I haven’t asked him to do anything yet, I’m keeping him around in case I need his expertise one day. Maybe I should give him something in return for his consulting fee.

U ~ n…….

[I’m really sorry. I’ll make it up to you next time……] Mitsuha

«Umu, thank you. Be sure to do so!» Researcher

Then, after a little small talk, we ended the call.

Ah, it is important to keep the connection, isn’t it?…….

By the way, I haven’t seen that soldier in a while.

=====

[Mitsuha-sama, actually, I have a favor to ask……] Remia

[I’m done playing the role of <Hime Miko who led the divine soldiers>, so please just call me normally like before!] Mitsuha

I was worried that some problem might arise in the postwar process, so I was visiting Princess Remia every few days when she suddenly told me that.

[So, what’s the problem? You said <We will respect the will of the Hime-Miko-sama, who made the imperial army retreat, and rejected all the meddling of the neighboring countries>, for peace treaties, right? Fortunately, I was able to stop the reinforcements from each country before they could be mobilized by sending the messenger on a transfer, so I heard that the gratuity was very small, right?] Mitsuha

[Yes, we appreciate it…….

Since the messenger was brought by Mitsuha-sama’s secret technique, none of the countries had mobilized their armies when the news of the cancellation of the request for reinforcements arrived. Most of them were either in the middle of a meeting to decide what to do or were just waiting to see what would happen without doing anything.

In other words, not a single country has actually decided to send reinforcements to our country, and we would be shameless enough to demand something for this. The military and some of the aristocracy will make a fuss, though……] Remia

Well, that’s true. If the royal family were to show their lack of respect, it would be a disgrace to the country. If you think about how other countries will look at you, you can’t say anything crazy. In any case, they didn’t even send any reinforcements.

That’s because she sent out a messenger requesting reinforcements after they confirmed that the empire had begun to invade this country, and very little time had passed since she received the news of the messenger’s arrival.

The request cancellation messages arrived in an instant with the transfer, so there really wasn’t much time to deal with them.

Some countries had not yet received the messengers requesting reinforcements……

[And since we don’t know who’s listening where we’ll have to continue to call Mitsuha-sama……

If people think that we have treated you like the great hero of the country’s salvation, the Hime Miko of thunder, who led the divine soldiers and protected our country, we will be in serious trouble……] Remia

Ah~…….

The other day, she was the princess of a country, the acting king, far superior to me, a viscount of another country……

Until now, Hime Miko of thunder and the great hero of salvation was only <for our country>, but now, for this country as well……

[So, if the empire is in a <dog in the water> situation and no other country is going to interfere in any way, what in the world would you like to ask……? The empire hasn’t asked you to do anything unreasonable, have they?] Mitsuha

[Yes, what I’m asking for you now, is about the victory celebration…….] Remia

[Wa ā?] Mitsuha

Princess Remia said that if the war started and ended before most of the people knew about it, it would not help the current government gain popularity.

What the heck…

Well, only a part of the residents of the royal capital indeed saw the helicopter sortie, and no one saw the battle scene.

Even if they told the world that <there’s a war> and <they’ve won it>, no one would not feel it with just words.

Moreover, there were no casualties on their side, and so far no looting nor territory was taken.

Well, I’m sure that some sort of compensation will be obtained through the ongoing peace negotiations.

Even though there were no human casualties, the villages and towns along the day’s march from the border were looted and badly damaged, and the places where battles had been fought were wrecked. On top of that, the country has to pay me a commission. It’s a lot of damage……

And since the empire was so desperate that it acted recklessly, there was no way that they would have enough gold coins or wheat to replace the money to pay for a large amount of compensation.

If we try to collect the money, people will starve to death. As you can see, some countries go that far…… in this world, but at least this country is not that ruthless.

[That’s why we want to let the people know what’s going on and celebrate with a bang to gain popularity so that they won’t complain even if the reparations we take from the empire are limited to the difference between the damage and the payment to Mitsuha-sama.

In order to do this, it is necessary for the Divine Soldiers and Hime-Miko-sama to appeal to the public, and to put mental pressure on them so we can say, <We were protected by the help of the gods, don’t complain! Don’t complain!> That mental pressure. That Pressure!……

And it’s also true that all the people want to thank the Divine Soldiers.

It is unacceptable for the people of this country to have you fight for our country, but not announce it widely nor recognize your achievements!] Remia

Ah~…

I have to agree with Princess Remia’s explanation, and if the purpose of this is <to prevent people from starving to death in the empire and to reduce the number of compensation claims>, I’ll have to cooperate……

[I understand. If that’s the reason, I’ll cooperate. No charge.] Mitsuha

[Really?] Remia

Oh, no! She’s got those twinkle in her eyes, her hands are joined, and she’s acting all theatrical!

[Of course, the only free stuff is related to the celebration, and you’ll have to pay for the battle the other day.

This is also because it costs a lot of money to consume the divine treasures, use and maintain the heavenly floating ship, and pay for labor. Putting the divine soldiers to work isn’t free! It’s NOT free!] Mitsuha

[……Of course, I’m aware of that! I at least know that much!] Remia

It’s was not that bad as I expected.

But it’s not personal, she’s not afraid to get in the mud and play the bad guy for the sake of her country.

……But I’ve already learned how to handle this Princess Remia, and I have no blind spot!

You can never be too careful with this one!

Fuhahahaha!

=====

[That’s why I need you to call a helicopter team……

Of course, no commission, no participation fee.] Mitsuha

[What, wait, WHAT?…] Captain

Yeah, I don’t think he can understand it without an explanation.

[The princess said she had to hold an event to cover up the fact that she couldn’t even get reparations as far as she was concerned, even though she was the victor……] Mitsuha

[…………All right, I get it. Both losing too many battles and winning too many battles can be troublesome afterwards, everywhere.] Captain

As expected of the Captain, he seems to have the knowledge and experience to know what I’m talking about.

After all, hardworking people are different……

[And since helicopters alone won’t look good, bring out some light armored vehicles and trucks. Take the troops who didn’t participate in the battle with you……] Mitsuha

[What… Oh, I see… Can’t do a parade with a helicopter after all…] Captain

Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.

[Well then, keep me posted!] Mitsuha