Volume 6 Chapter 7 Mcgaref’s Public Opinion, A Monster Without A Real Identity
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The moment Ms. Natalie’s agenda concluded, the Quvarian Empire’s envoys were promptly dismissed. Chancellor Norton, his face ashen, remained seated. After all, the next item was On the future of McGaref. As Director, he had no choice but to stay—even if the outcome promised to be a gateway to hell.
For a while, the proceedings continued like the calm before a storm, stripped of emotion.
”Well then, the final agenda. I proposed it, but I believe everyone understands the intention,” Chairman Gandolf said, breaking the silence. The atmosphere shifted instantly; a prickly tension spread as hurried glances crossed the room.
”Where shall we begin the discussion? I want to start straightaway with the post-independence framework,” Councilor Anne declared firmly.
Her words sparked the first flare of conflict. She sidestepped debates over status quo or independence, and Chancellor Norton’s expression turned as if facing imminent death. Of course—he was an Imperial official. But here, he was powerless. To the council, he was merely a clerk stamping prewritten documents, nothing more.
”Wait a moment, please, Anne-san,” I stammered.
”No need for such stiff formality. You can call me granny, you know?” Anne replied with a friendly smile.
But that warmth was a snare. Some of it might be genuine, yet it was clearly meant to lure him into careless complacency.
”I understand what Councilor Nasu wishes to say, but first we must consider future security,” Chairman Gandolf said, nodding slightly toward Norton.
”I’ll be blunt: McGaref’s independence cannot be stopped. We have but one option—sharpen our swords and build an unbreakable defense, so the Quvarian Empire will abandon any thought of invasion. Ah, Chancellor Norton-dono,” Gandolf continued, a cold edge to his voice. “Sorry, but once you’ve heard this discussion, we’ll have to confine you. We won’t kill you—that’s our kindness and recognition of your efforts so far.”
”Hmm, sharpening swords is fine, but will that bake bread?” Anne replied, grinning softly.
”First, we have to decide how citizens will earn their daily bread after independence. Even if we throw everyone onto the battlefield, they still won’t get their meals. With the eastern overland trade route half-destroyed, we’ll need to play nice with the southern Gonan Kingdom, which is at war with the Empire. Most great powers are in the south anyway. Increasing trade there might help us profit even after losses from Quvar,” Anne explained.
”The enemy of my enemy is my friend—that’s basic fundamentals,” Councilor Nosissi chimed in, his tone sharp. I bet that’s the only basic you know.
”Wait, please!” Chancellor Norton, pale and trembling, rose with desperate determination. To voice an opinion in this situation—he had some spirit left.
”We have not yet reached fatal hostility. I will negotiate with the Quvarian Empire—”
”Useless.” Gandolf cut him off sharply, severing his words like a blade. “The Quvarian Empire’s answer is already clear. They abandoned us. Therefore, this city has only one path: independence. By the way, Mafat, you’ve been quiet for a while.”
”Yes. Everything is at the will of all of you and God,” Mafat answered, his smile unnaturally pleasant.
In my silent judgment, Nosissi was an idiot who could be killed, and Mafat was trash better off discarded. But Gandolf and Anne—who argued with precision—were hardcore independents. It was checkmate. Yet I had no energy left to pretend this independence charade.
”Everyone, do you seriously intend to become independent? Sorry, but I’m fully occupied restoring Seron and Lesta. Even if we fall into civil war with the Quvarian Empire, I can’t provide troops. And to revitalize the southern trade route, as Anne-san claims, there will be a fatal time lag. More fundamentally, why go independent? If we accept that we’ve been abandoned, then no enemy should threaten McGaref, right? Or do you think I’d attack and capture McGaref?” I asked bluntly, resentment boiling over.
A strange silence followed. Eh, I meant that as a joke—but could they seriously believe I’d become McGaref’s or the Empire’s enemy?
”Takumi-chan, this McGaref, you see, isn’t moved by us. It’s moved by the surge of its citizens,” Mafat said.
”Indeed it is. Underlying it is the pride that ‘McGaref is McGaref.’ This incident has ignited that heart. Public opinion, smoldering like live coals, will easily turn into a towering column of fire. When that happens, what do you think will become of it, Councilor Nas?” Mafat asked.
I had no immediate answer.
”War. That’s what. This time, we will conquer Quvar and build the McGaref Imperial Kingdom,” Nosissi howled. Precisely because those were the words of a fool, he recognized them as truth.
Ah, so this was the public opinion shaped by McGaref’s history—a sensation incomprehensible to me, a teleportee from another world. Without eradicating this dangerous idea, they’d become independent and sidestep war through diplomacy, suppressing the populace’s bottled-up resentment. That was the council’s plan.
”That’s right. But you know, letting these little fools ride through the crisis together is a bit too much,” Gandolf muttered.
”Ah, I agree,” Anne added.
Their movements were swift. Whatever Gandolf threw pierced Nosissi between the eyebrows, while Anne’s fingers—unthinkably fast for an old woman—thrust from ear to brain. Which death came first was unknown.
Yet it was certain Nosissi was assassinated on the spot. His corpse dissolved into particles of light and vanished.
”The revival is at your place, right? You’re all set to restrain him and kill him, aren’t you?” I asked.
”Yes, of course. Inflicting injuries to the brink of death—whether that dullard will last even 24 hours is anyone’s guess,” Anne said with a cold smile.
Listening to Anne and Mafat’s exchange sent a chill down my spine. From the very beginning, these three approached today’s council with the intention of eliminating Nosissi. Seeing me tense reflexively, Anne smiled.
”Sorry for showing you the scary side, Takumi-chan. From now on, McGaref no longer has the leeway to keep fools around. Kanare, the girl you’ve been caring for, becomes a councilor starting tomorrow.”
I looked behind me at Mr. Ralph, who shrugged and gave a wry smile.
”I didn’t know either. But it’ll be fine. Even if I were in the same position, Nosissi was in the way, and Takumi-kun is an important peer. You can rest easy and stay seated, I think.”
”By the way, you never answered the earlier question, Councilor Nasu. In short, we believe you’ll ultimately occupy McGaref and add it to your territory.”
”No matter how hard Takumi-chan tries, enriching that country is impossible. And beyond that, saving Lesta—already at this point—is difficult. Yet amid the anguish, you’ll realize: once McGaref becomes my territory, something can always be done.”
”Exactly. In every respect, that would be the natural flow, wouldn’t it? All is at the will of God and Councilor Nas.”
I shuddered at how far these three had thought things through. It was my side that had been shallow in thought. These three were not moved by cheap pride. Yet—occupying McGaref?
Even while thinking that, why did I feel no impulse to eliminate them as I had Nosissi? The mess was so tangled no plan or vision came together. Still, one thing was certain: McGaref was on the verge of declaring independence.
”I have no intention of invading or anything. However, I do oppose McGaref’s independence… please at least remember that,” I said quietly.
”Ah, that’s fine. Independence and the preparations thereafter will be handled by the old ladies. So, Takumi-chan, devote yourself to Seron and Lesta.”
And just like that, the council ended. Watching the envoy delegation and Chancellor Norton being escorted away under restraint in the waiting room, I adjusted my schedule and hurried to Shiori-chan.
Notes:
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Natalie – A famous courtesan and former noblewoman; platinum blonde, busty, and elegant; known as Natalie Barklem, daughter of the Duke of Lesta Kingdom.
• Anne – Grandmother of the councilor representing the Market in McGaref.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Ralph – Shiori-chan’s foster father; eccentric; treated the mc to the brothel.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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