Doll Dungeon Chapter 43

"I'm sorry for not properly answering your question. Just like I said before, you don't have to do anything for us. Just do your normal stuff like providing the beginner adventurer with a safe area and giving us permission to step into the Forest of Beginnings."

In other words, just do my usual thing?

"From what you've said just now, it seems that you have to pa.s.s through my territory first to go to the Forest of Beginnings. Is that right?"

"Indeed. You can also accept taxes from those who came from other countries or especially Gallia country if they wish to enter this place."

"I understand."

There's no disadvantage for me here.

"Speaking of the territory. There will be three villages in it which will be at the edge of the shallow part of the Forest of Beginnings."

"Three villages?"

"Yes, there's three of them. The first one is the village which Lord Null helped from before and the other two are located across the Forest of Beginnings."

Will not the kingdom be hurt by giving three villages at once?

I guess not. They wouldn't be doing so if it did.

“What kind of product mainly handled by the village?”

"They are mostly meat and herbs."

I see. So, it's impossible for them to survive without the Forest of Beginnings. If that's the case, it's more the reason I need not be involved with them.

Well, it's going to be troublesome but it's not like I lose anything if I leave them right?

"That's all. Is there anything else you want to add on the demerit?"

"Don't you think I'm missing on the benefits right here?"

"You can hope for stronger ties with our country."

Stronger ties?

"How is this stronger ties will be useful for me? And have I received anything from you guys before?"

"Because it is not included in the contract?"

Not in the contract, is it?

"Sure it isn't included in the contract but neither does helping dying adventurer nor saving a village from the bandit was."

"…What do you want?"

"A neutral position."

"Neutrality, is that it?"

That's right. A neutral standpoint.

I don't want to be a.s.sociated with any country.

"Wouldn't it be impossible at this point?"

"Why?"

"That's because the entrance of the dungeon is in our country, which is close to the kingdom."

Certainly. If you want to come here, you would've to pa.s.s the Gallia's territory first.

So to say if people from other country wish to come here, they will also be in the vicinity of Gallia Kingdom too. No matter how you think about it, it will cause inconvenience for the countries of Gallia.

However…

"Did anyone told me to place my people there?"

"…What do you mean?"

"Since I'm contracted with the Gallia Kingdom, I will remain in neutral position with the exception of only for the Gallia Kingdom."

"…in other words, you will not get involved if there's something happened outside the Gallia Kingdom unless it's the kingdom itself. Is that what you mean?"

"I'm giving the 'aid' rather than engaging in the battle."

Aisha seems to be thinking of something.

"…If I do exactly what Lord Null said, our country might be criticized for it. Did you think about that?"

"Is that criticism also arise when borrowing the power of the dungeon?"

If so, then I will tell them, "I said to only borrow them at first~".

While such thing, Aisha shook her head.

"No. Our kingdom was only criticized for getting stronger."

"Then it's possible to say that, 『I was asked to partic.i.p.ate in this war on condition that I will not lend anything to anyone other than Gallia's country. 』"

"I see. I will convince you then. They do say use any means to bring out the soldier."

Any means you say?

"The alliance seems desperately need the soldiers."

"Since most of them were ordered to withdraw, we need more soldier to stand on the battlefield."

"But there are only a few soldiers who can engage from here, you know?"

If I release everything, there's only 100 hundred of them right?

"I understand. That's enough reason to get our soldiers stationed here."

"Really? Then…"

…Wait a minute.

Isn't it by not joining the alliance is the answer not to stuck in the war?

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

I was played like a d.a.m.n fiddle.

She got me.

"So, how long will they be staying here?"

At the very least I want to minimize the use of the soldiers.

"How long did you say?"

"Don't tell me you want them to stay until the war ends?"

"….Isn't it? You know, I wouldn't mind if you go straight home after fighting on the first day of the war."

Honestly, I no longer have a choice.

"However, if it's only on the first day then the most troubling thing is the position. I have to take the least important role in this war."

In the end, I came up with this solution.

"Well then, let's help break the grievous sorrow of Gallia's country.”

"What kind of reinforcement stand against the sorrow?"

"We will provide relief for the people of Gallia when it is under attack."

"But it still won't break their sorrow."

Well, will she agree with it?

"…I understand. Let's go with that."

"This is the last confirmation. The dungeon will only dispatch its strength on the first day of the war and only provide relief to people when the country of Gallia is being under attack. Do you agree?"

Aisha nodded.

"This territory will now be ceded to Lord Null and recognized as a country so that he will join the alliance on which he will be on equal footing as others. Also, Lord Null's country will be neutral and the other countries will also recognize it as one."

When I heard the declaration for the first time, the benefits seem a lot but I managed to avoid from directly partic.i.p.ating in the war thanks to neutral approach. So, it's better to keep silent for now.

"Bring the soldier after you bring the contract first."

"Yes, sir. I hope our good relations.h.i.+p will continue in the future."

"And here we are together."

Then, Aisha left the place.