Chapter 118
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Failure Means Rebellion, Success Means Revolution, But Failing After Success... (10)
Parus, caught in Mersenne's leading questions during the interrogation.
And after hearing about the lifespan issue, the place Parus took Mersenne to was the Mera Union.
Everything fit together perfectly.
At this point, it would be more surprising if our predictions were wrong.
So, what action should we take?
"For now, let's go rescue Mersenne."
The Pacific Kingdom is important too, but rescuing Mersenne takes priority over that.
And dealing with the Mera Union, which is spreading curses across the entire continent, is even more urgent.
No, wait a second.
...Maybe we can do both?
"Your Majesty. I apologize, but would it be alright if we slightly adjust our schedule?"
"Hm? How so?"
Even though I suddenly suggested changing the schedule, His Majesty listened attentively to what I had to say.
I could really feel how well he treated me.
Was it because we both had ordinary aptitudes?
Anyway.
"We'll send a request for support to the Mera Union."
"A request for support?"
His Majesty and the others tilted their heads in confusion.
"Aren't we just going there to rescue the fanatic?"
Lin’s question.
Simply put, that would make sense.
"Of course, rescuing Mersenne is included. But... charging in recklessly would put both us and Your Majesty in a difficult position."
Suddenly storming into the Mera Union and dragging Mersenne out would mean preparing for all-out war with them.
Since we'd be the ones attacking first without any justification, criticism would pour down on the Carr Empire and the Hassler branch.
Testimonies from Mersenne or us wouldn't help much.
Without solid physical evidence, it would just look like excuses from an invading nation.
And the Carr Empire was the perfect strong nation to play the villain role.
So, what should we do?
Send a request for support to the Mera Union.
"We'll dispatch an official envoy from the Empire directly, claiming that the half-human, half-demon rebels who occupied the Pacific Kingdom—and the demons hiding behind them—pose a threat to the continent, and request their assistance."
If we do that...
"Ah, then we can tell if they're behind the Pacific rebellion or not."
As Scarlett said, that was one of the aims.
But that was just a side effect at best.
Honestly, unless they were idiots, they wouldn't give themselves away just because we brought it up.
"More precisely, it's to whittle down Pacific's forces—or at least pull away some of the Mera Union's own military strength."
If they truly had no connection to the Pacific rebellion.
They'd make some excuse and refuse, or send a token force for show.
If they refused with an excuse, we could offer more shares of the northern region's interests.
At that point, they wouldn't be able to ignore it easily.
If they still didn't move despite the gains, other nations including the Carr Empire would suspect they had something to hide.
And if they were the masterminds behind it...
They'd at least want to avoid getting caught.
They'd try to pull away or eliminate those who could leak information if captured.
That alone would reduce some of the forces attached to Pacific.
And if we got lucky, we might catch a clue from their movements or reactions.
"But making the proposal itself means sharing the interests from the Pacific Kingdom with the Mera Union. I'd need Your Majesty's approval on that point..."
It was a matter directly tied to national interests, so I asked cautiously.
"I don't mind. I'm not particularly interested in the Pacific Kingdom anyway."
...I see.
Well, why would the Carr Empire obsess over a small, unremarkable kingdom?
Their main goals were probably exerting influence in the northern regions and trading with the barbarians of the eternal tundra.
"If sharing Pacific's interests draws out the Mera Union's darkness, it's a profitable deal."
His Majesty nodded as he said that, then asked as if something had occurred to him.
"But then how do we rescue Sir Mersenne?"
Hm, fair point. My plan so far didn't include rescuing Mersenne.
Someone might think we were just visiting as envoys and asking them to hand him over.
"Simple. We let them know we already know about their visit to the Mera Union."
If we already knew they were there and wanted to meet them...
They'd have no choice but to bring out Mersenne and Parus.
They couldn't kill or hide them.
That would just give the Carr Empire justification.
Parus Remnant, a former hero and the principal of the Hero Academy.
Mersenne Remnant, hailed as a hero of light and one of the most active current heroes.
Hiding two key figures from the Empire in their territory and denying it.
We could search every corner of the Mera Union under the pretext of looking for them.
In the extreme case, we could accuse them of kidnapping and declare war.
Of course, knowing that, they'd probably send them back to us.
Even with the Demon King behind them and an army of half-humans and half-demons...
They wouldn't want all-out war with the world's strongest nation.
Using demonic powers in war would immediately brand them enemies of the entire continent.
"Then we'll need to split up."
Hm, Jenny was right; we'd need to divide our personnel.
We couldn't leave the Pacific Kingdom alone, so some would advance there with the troops His Majesty selected.
Since it was a military march, it would take time, so we needed to depart as soon as possible.
The Hassler branch would also need to send some to the Mera Union and some to the Pacific Kingdom.
The reason was the recent moves by the Hero Management Bureau to check His Majesty.
We couldn't mobilize too many heroes or hero candidates.
That was why we'd asked for help from the two heroes and one hero candidate from the Hassler branch.
We needed plenty of hero-level power to fight the half-humans and half-demons.
In other words, at least two for Pacific.
And for the Mera Union, at least one in case of combat.
"I'll go to the Mera Union for now. Even though it was a trick, I was acting as Your Majesty's proxy in handling the Pacific Kingdom situation."
Officially, I was the right one to handle a request for aid from another nation.
"Th-then me too...!"
Lin shot her hand up to say she'd come along, but...
Unfortunately, she couldn't.
"Lin, you're already on their watchlist. Remember the Shassen incident?"
She'd been targeted once before and had shone brightly, so her face was well-known. Lin needed to head to the Pacific Kingdom.
Honestly, I should sit it out too if possible.
But I had no choice, and as a non-combatant civilian, I probably wouldn't draw much attention.
"Then I'll go with Big Brother this time."
Jenny shrugged beside me as she spoke.
Hm... Come to think of it, heroes were all on their watchlist, so wasn't Jenny in danger too?
It seemed best for her to go with Scarlett to the Mera Union.
"They're after heroes' lifespans. Something suspicious could happen if you go, and even if not, you're someone they're watching. After all, you're the most famous hero candidate in the world right now."
"...Ah, no, that's..."
By process of elimination, that left Hero Scarlett.
"Miss Scarlett, come with me to the Mera Union."
"Huh? Uh, sure... why not."
She seemed a bit startled after just sitting quietly, but Scarlett nodded in agreement.
Personnel assignments done.
"Then, Your Majesty, please let us know who you'll send as envoys to the Mera Union."
"Hm."
His Majesty pondered my words for a moment before offering an idea.
"Ah, how about this."
"Truth is, Parus the principal sent an envoy ahead. He would have passed on the situation in the Pacific Kingdom and requested support troops."
"...Oh ho."
As expected of His Majesty—such a brilliant idea.
Parus the principal was almost certainly connected to the Mera Union's shadowy forces.
If we claimed that Parus, who had secretly gone to meet them, was actually the Empire's official envoy?
"That would hit Parus where it hurts."
"It would also sever his ties with the Union's shadows."
"Perfect."
I felt like His Majesty and I were on the same wavelength.
"Heh heh heh heh. I can already picture Parus panicking. Heh heh heh."
"Heh heh heh. Oh man, this is bad. I might not be able to hold back laughter if I see that angry face in person."
That insolent principal—time to give him a real thrashing this time.
"......"
"......"
The three women staring at me and His Majesty—grinning wickedly—with eyes grown ice-cold made me feel a bit embarrassed.
Anyway.
All preparations were complete.
Lin and Jenny to the Pacific Kingdom.
Me and Scarlett to the Mera Union.
Time to head out and handle our respective tasks.