When in doubt, seek counsel.
I returned to the Village of the Great Tree with Galf and Daga, where I gathered whoever was available to discuss our options.
Potential Solution #1: Ask Progenitor-san or the Demon King to apply political pressure.
"I suspect that would be difficult," came the consensus.
While Progenitor-san held immense influence within the Church, he wasn't in a position to dictate terms to the Fullhart Kingdom directly. Even if he were to pay them a visit, he would likely be treated with formal respect but have his requests ignored. While the Fullhart Royal Family maintained a good relationship with the Church, that bond was built on a foundation of mutual non-interference. They occasionally collaborated on matters regarding the Hero, but beyond that, it was doubtful Progenitor-san’s presence would change anything.
As for the Demon King, he was a leader of a nation currently at war with them. There was no chance they would listen to his opinion. Furthermore, I couldn't take responsibility if the Fullhart Kingdom demanded strategic concessions in exchange for cooperation. It could easily become the spark for a new conflict.
Proposer: Me. Opponents: Frau, the Civil Official Girls, and Beezel, who had stopped by to dote on Fracia.
Potential Solution #2: Have Progenitor-san or Beezel infiltrate the dojo and evacuate the disciples using teleportation magic.
"There are about a hundred disciples, but once you account for their spouses and children, you're looking at three hundred people in total. Even if every single one of them was willing to leave, moving that many people in a short window would be nearly impossible."
"And if the infiltration were discovered, the fallout would be catastrophic. We're talking about the head of the Korin Religion or one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Kingdom being caught in a clandestine operation."
Proposer: Frau. Opponents: Galf, Daga, and Beezel, who was still doting on Fracia.
Potential Solution #3: Have the dragons charge in and blow the place to smithereens.
"That's a guaranteed success."
"It’s a fine idea."
"No objections here."
Proposer: Hakuren. Supporters: Almost everyone else.
Despite the overwhelming support, I had to put my foot down. They argued that a little more infamy wouldn't hurt them at this point, but I couldn't let them go to such trouble on my account. Besides, there was always the risk of a "one-in-a-million" disaster. I’d heard from several people that the Fullhart Kingdom was linked to the Hero, and I wanted no part of that mess.
With those plans scrapped, I wondered what our next move should be. I clearly needed more detailed information.
Galf, Daga, and I returned to Village Five to speak with Pirika, but... where was she? I couldn't see her anywhere. She was supposed to be resting in the village.
Wait! Don't tell me she went off on her own because she didn't want to involve us?
I eventually found her. She had been wrapped up into a silken cocoon by Arako the Arachne.
"Uh, what exactly happened here?" I asked.
Arako explained the situation. Apparently, Pirika had offered to help with the construction, but she fainted the moment she saw Zabuton's Children. When she regained consciousness, she tried to draw her sword and slash at them, so Arako bundled her up to keep her still.
I see. Are Zabuton's Children okay? And Arako, are you hurt?
Good, everyone was safe. I had told Pirika to stay away from the spiders, but perhaps I hadn't been firm enough. I felt bad about it.
For the time being, I had the cocooned Pirika moved away from the construction site. I confiscated her weapon before finally cutting her loose.
"T-t-those... those things..."
She was visibly panicking. I did my best to calm her down. I gave her some water and told her to take deep breaths.
"There was a swarm of Demon Spider Spiderlings back there! What on earth are those things?"
"They're my family."
"Your... family?"
"That’s right. They’ve helped me out in countless ways over the years."
"B-but, those are..."
Galf stepped in to restrain the agitated Pirika. "Are you dead right now?"
"Huh?"
"I asked if you were dead."
"N-no, I'm alive."
"Then that’s all there is to it."
"..."
I wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but it seemed to satisfy Pirika.
"I am deeply sorry for baring my steel against the Village Head's family."
"No, it's fine, as long as you understand now."
Pirika bowed to me several times before heading off with Galf and Daga to apologize to Zabuton's Children in person.
She really wasn't a bad person. It was just that the spiders looked... well, like spiders. I could understand why someone would be terrified of them. The Civil Official Girls had warned me that people might be scared and that I shouldn't take them everywhere. I reflected on my mistake. I’d unintentionally frightened Zabuton's Children too. I decided I’d have to make them something special with potatoes later.
Once things settled, I sat down with Pirika to get the full story.
The number of disciples held at the dojo was exactly one hundred and two. They were men and women between the ages of twenty and forty, many of whom had been training alongside Pirika for a decade. Since the dojo was located in a remote mountain region, it functioned like an isolated village where the disciples lived with their spouses and children.
"If it were possible to get them out of the Kingdom, would they all be willing to go?" I asked.
"To be honest, probably only about half of them."
"Really? Why is that?" Why would they choose to remain as hostages?
"At the dojo, we specialize almost entirely in swordsmanship. We learn other things, of course, but... most of us have no way to support ourselves once we leave."
The Kingdom provided them with a stipend. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to live on, and they had grown accustomed to that security.
"Couldn't they earn a living with their swords? Teaching, or becoming adventurers?"
"A few might manage, but... much like myself, our training is too specialized for anti-personnel combat."
That reminded me—she had been the runner-up in the Shashato City Martial Arts Tournament. She had lost to the winner in the final round.
"My opponent in the finals used a Sword and Magic Fusion Technique," she explained.
A Sword and Magic Fusion Technique? I didn't quite follow, so I made a note to ask Galf about it later.
In short, while many disciples wanted to leave, they were paralyzed by the fear of how they would survive afterward. They had reached out to other nations for asylum, but no one wanted the headache of a diplomatic incident with the Fullhart Kingdom. If they were to escape, the entire community at the dojo would have to move together.
"By the way," I said, "you mentioned you were under pressure to get stronger. What’s that about?"
"I don't know the specifics, but I was suddenly ordered to increase my strength. They gave me permission to travel for two years to achieve it."
"Were there any guards or watchers?"
"No, none."
That seemed strange. If the Kingdom was as controlling as she said, I would expect them to keep her on a short leash. Unless they were watching her from the shadows.
I glanced at Galf.
"There were watchers," Galf confirmed. "About five of them. But when Pirika was registering as an adventurer in Shashato City, they were harassed by some other adventurers. They were eventually forced onto a ship and sent back home."
"What?"
"Apparently, the local adventurers thought they were creeps stalking a newcomer. It was only later that those adventurers realized they might have been guards arranged by her family, so they came to me for advice."
That was how Galf had first ended up talking to Pirika. Then, after seeing her performance in the tournament, things progressed from there.
I see. I see, I see.
"W-wait, why are you grinning like that?!" Galf barked.
"It's nothing. But as your senior in these matters, let me give you some advice: work hard tonight. And remember to be fair to everyone."
"Wh—! No! It's not like that at all! One person is more than enough for me!"
I laughed and teased him a bit more. I had said the exact same thing once, but look at me now.
All joking aside, though, we still had a real problem on our hands. What were we going to do?