CH 383

Chapter 383 – Diplomatic Stance of the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom

“Was it too much to bring two platoons?”

“It was a royal visit, so I don’t think it was too much.”

“Really? Well, if Driada-sa… if Driada says so, then I guess it’s true.”

It’s good that we arrived in the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom, but I didn’t have anything special to do, so I had tea with Driada and got a lecture about the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom.

Apparently, the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom was having a hard time preparing accommodations for the two platoons of riflemen we had brought with us, a total of 100 people. From what I heard, the members of the small nation confederation who were invited to the national celebration brought only the minimum number of guards. So this is the policy of the elite few.

As the name suggests, the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom is a mountainous country. Although there are some roads, they are narrow, steep, and difficult to navigate along the mountain ridges and slopes, making it very inconvenient for a large number of people to come and go.

The Dragonis Mountain Kingdom is also a land of many monsters. If they make a half-hearted effort, they might be attacked by monsters along the way and go missing. If that happened, other countries would laugh at them as a weak nation that could not even protect one of its own envoys, and the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom would not look back on such a nation.

“Isn’t this the point where the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom will be condemned for not being able to protect the safety of the roads as a nation?”

“I’ve heard that the people of the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom don’t have a problem with monsters appearing on the roads unless they are children.”

“That’s scary.”

Does that mean that almost everyone in the kingdom is strong enough to defend themselves against monsters? No, that’s just the people who… probably have to travel to and from the roads. Right? I’d like to think so.

“Is it possible that the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom is a crazy muscle-brain nation?”

“That’s not all…”

Driada smiles bitterly as she says this. What is it called? The basis of their thinking is really dragon-like… As if they don’t care about the weak or don’t value them. No, it’s not that they don’t value them. Or should I say they don’t recognize them as equal?

“I don’t understand how such an attitude can be tolerated, but is it because most of the nations invited to the National Founding Day are practically dependent nations…?”

“Yes, well. Neither the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom nor the Confederation of small states recognizes this fact.”

I see… I had a quick look at the participating countries, but most of them were small countries belonging to the Confederation of small states, and there seemed to be no visitors from very distant countries.

Well, that’s true. Traveling in this world is never safe. There are many monsters and bandits to watch out for, and even though there are magic and potions to heal yourself, it is not impossible to get hurt or get sick along the way. Especially if the main means of transportation is a horse-drawn carriage, it will take several weeks just to cross the Kingdom of Merinard.

After passing through the Confederation of Small States and arriving in the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom, they climbed the steep mountain paths on foot… Of course, only people from the Confederation of small states with strong direct interests in the region would come.

“If they are from a nation that they recognize as an equal, they will send their dragon cavalry to the foot of the mountain to pick them up. That’s why there are facilities at the foot of the mountain to accommodate a large number of guards.”

“And since no one has ever brought a large number of soldiers to the capital before, they will have a hard time dealing with the situation.”

“That’s how it is. But it is not our fault. It is the fault of those who are not prepared to receive the guests. You know how it is.”

“The manners of royalty and nobility are so complicated.”

Come to think of it, my ability to instantly construct most of the buildings when there is a sudden shortage of accommodations or buildings is extremely useful, isn’t it? I don’t want to brag, but it might be a skill that can handle all kinds of situations.

“So, are we just going to sit here and do nothing for the rest of the night?”

“The Dragonis Mountain Kingdom will be busy accommodating the personnel we brought with us, so maybe. The fact that the royal family themselves went to meet us as soon as we arrived would be a sign of the importance they attach to us. Perhaps we will be invited to a dinner party in the evening?”

“A dinner party, huh… I don’t know anything about table manners?”

“That’s okay. The dinner party in the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom has no formal manners. I’m sure Grande-chan will enjoy it.”

“Oh? If Grande can enjoy it, it seems to be quite casual.”

Grande is not very good at using tableware, or rather cutlery. That’s true. She has big scales and claws on her fingertips, and she is not good at grasping small things like that. Basically, if it’s not something she can grab and eat, she needs to be fed.

By the way, Grande is sleeping soundly, buried in the pillows. Grande usually sleeps unless she has something to do. It seems that dragons are basically lazy.

“Kosuke-sama, I heard that they have finished gathering all the personnel. Half of the magic riflemen and half of the mages stayed on the ship under the guise of guarding the magic airship, and the rest of the personnel were assigned quarters within the compound, which is a short distance from here.”

“I see. Tell them to rest as they see fit. If there are any problems, let me know.”

“Yes, I will let you know.”

While listening to Gerda’s answer, I continued to discuss our future plans with Driada-san. I would like to have Isla’s opinion as well. Isla is a very knowledgeable person. Well, she will be here soon after the preparations are made to house the staff. Let’s wait and see.