Chapter 960 – Episode 880 – How to Restore a Broken Relationship! (3)
Reconciling opponents who have accumulated resentment is not an easy task.
If it is an ambiguous level of resentment, how can it be resolved by creating an appropriate space? If the resentment is to the point where you would rather die than reconcile, then such a situation will just become a place to fight with each other.
To reconcile those who hold that level of resentment, thorough preparation and a long period of time are required. And while we’re together, we need some kind of deterrent to keep us from fighting.
Cooling-off one’s anger toward the other person through other methods. Taking a long time to understand each other.
When I brought up the story about the human and demon festival I had planned for him, Estoria tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.
“… The Human Demon Festival…? What does that mean? “What on earth are we going to do?”
Phew. Okay. Of course, you won’t understand.
Even though we called for a truce, we still held a festival. Of course, it feels like bullshit.
But there’s a reason why I prepared this bullshit. Please take a look and see.
“Demons are nothing more than heartless monsters. So we must annihilate them. “Isn’t that what you were arguing for in this war?”
“Is it so. “This is the reason and purpose for which our Kingdom of Reinhardt began the war against the demons.”
“Okay. But what if demons are not actually monsters, but beings with hearts? Then of course there is no reason to continue the war, right?”
“… Under? That can’t be possible. No matter what anyone says, demons are monsters disguised as humans.”
Tsk tsk. Anyway… Our queen, you are really extreme when you think about it.
I have experienced such an incident, so I should understand… But, isn’t that a bit too discriminatory of a remark?
Even though we are all part of the same race, we have such a discriminatory mindset. I need to take this opportunity to definitely change that mindset.
“So here’s the suggestion. By stopping the war for a while, the humans and demon soldiers gathered together and took the time to understand each other. How do you feel?”
“… So, what is the Human Demon Festival? “Humans and demons enjoy the festival together and have time to understand each other?”
“Okay. Excluding the upper echelons, the humans and demons currently participating in the war have probably never even talked to each other, right? So, let’s spend time together and get to know what each other is like.”
For many people to play and have fun together, of course you have to hold a festival.
Coincidentally, there was even a perfect location called Helmut prepared for us. No matter how you think about this, there is no choice but to hold a festival.
“As it is a festival, let’s enjoy various events together! We have time to get to know each other by eating and drinking together! How is it? “Don’t you think it would be quite fun!?”
“… Ha. I was wondering what on earth you were going to say… But you just brought up such nonsense…”
Did he not like the story of the Human Horse Festival that I had planned?
Estoria let out a sigh of disappointment, then shook her head as if there was nothing more to see.
“I refuse. Now, the demons’ defense is slowly approaching its limit. “The situation is in our favor, so there is no reason to hold a festival with demons.”
Surely. From Estonia’s point of view, she has no reason to accept my offer.
Although I’m doing a good job blocking it. It is a clear fact that Helmut also reported that the demon army is being pushed back little by little.
Unlike the demons, who had to deploy all their personnel on a wide battlefield, the numerous humans were able to leisurely alternate their personnel and repeatedly hit-and-run. As time passed, the situation for the demons was becoming more unfavorable.
Although the core forces, Ferragus and the main army, are fine. Other demons are losing their metallurgical strength.
In addition, it is equipped with a new weapon that can blow away demons with one blow. From Estonia’s perspective, there would be no need to make a truce with her demons right now.
“I’m just taking my time. Once the war broke out, the demons’ defeat was certain. Victory is now in sight, so why bother making peace with the demons? “It’s a no-brainer.”
“Tsk tsk… You should listen to the story until the end. “Wouldn’t that all depend on the conditions?”
“… Condition? What does that mean?”
But… That’s a story from the demons’ perspective.
Strictly speaking, the situation is not so good for humans either.
From the beginning, the best situation for humans was to push back the demon army at once and invade the demon territory. Due to the behind-the-scenes work I secretly carried out, I missed the timing.
Since defense preparations are in place and there is one enemy called Ferragus and the Divine Beasts, there is a possibility of being hit hard.
Of course, there are new weapons and there is still room to summon additional troops, so it will not go to a losing situation, but… Depending on the degree of damage, there may be a situation where the entire kingdom is reeling.
We have to think about things like monsters and public safety. If you put everything into the war against the demons, you won’t be able to handle it at all, right? Even if you conquer the demon territory later, there is nothing to gain…
In some cases, something like a rebellion may actually occur. No matter how much Estonia holds a grudge against the demons, going all-in on this war is probably not an option.
But in that situation. A problem arose with a specially prepared new weapon? Tsk tsk. Isn’t this something that will cause deep concern in many ways?
Perhaps the reason they decided to listen to my proposal was because of the current situation where, although they have the upper hand, something is not going well. I’m taking a breather for a moment and trying to understand the factors that go beyond what I assumed.
Even if I were to side with the demons, the thought was that they could just rip me off right here…
Tsk tsk. But Estonia. You probably have no choice but to take the option I am suggesting now.
“As it is a festival, various types of competitions will be held at the Human Horse Festival. Among the competitions, I would like to hold a competition with a prize that could give the kingdom the benefits it wants…”
“… What did you say? Match? What benefit does the kingdom want…?”
“Huh. The kingdom army and the demon army compete to avoid harm to each other, and the winner gets what they want. For example… If the kingdom’s army wins, they will either destroy one of the demons’ forts or send their troops inside.”
As if there was finally something interesting about my proposal, Esttoria slightly leaned forward and showed interest.
I smiled at Estonia and brought up some more things that might interest her.
“No matter what, there is no compensation for killing someone. Any reward that doesn’t directly involve blood is fine. There is only one city or castle. If the target is demons, limit it to one tribe and get some kind of reward.”
“… Anything as long as I don’t see blood? Are you saying it’s okay to destroy a city where demons live?”
“Of course. You can also suggest handing over all of a tribe’s armor or weapons, or not using magic from now on. Or, like I said, it’s okay to deploy troops somewhere in advance.”
“… Hmm… So, does that mean it doesn’t matter if I move the troops right after the festival ends?”
“Yes. “Do you have any idea what I’m suggesting now?”
Although we enjoy a festival to reconcile each other. Within the festival, you can obtain rewards that can give you an advantage in war.
Estoria seemed to have a sense of what I was proposing, and began to think about it, as if weighing what would be beneficial.
“As I said, I am a peace-loving divine beast, so I want the war between humans and demons to stop, but… In fact, if the resentment is that deep, I have no intention of forcing it. The purpose of the Human and Demon Festival is to create an opportunity for reconciliation.”
“… Hmm… Indeed…”
“We promise a truce and enjoy the festival, but during the festival, there is an opportunity to benefit from the war. Then, if you want to go to war even after the festival is over, you can fight using the advantages you gained from the festival. How is it? “Isn’t it a much better offer than just fighting?”
Hehe… I can see it, I can see it. This is what Estonia looks like now. Even though my face is covered, I feel like I can see everything.
Well, you probably think it’s natural to continue the war even after the festival ends, right? There’s no way you can become friends with demons through a festival like that.
Even if the soldiers become reluctant to fight the demons. They probably think that by using hero knights who are loyal to the kingdom, they can create a situation where they have no choice but to fight even if they don’t want to.
Of course, if this were a festival between ordinary humans and demons, then… Hehe. This is the festival I have been planning. There’s no way it’s an ordinary festival, right?
Sorry, Estonia. When this festival is over, any resentment against demons will disappear from within you.
“… Then, when the demons won? “Can they also ask us for something?”
“No. Since the demons contributed to the war, I assume they have no demands. When the demons win, I plan to just give a simple award to the demons who competed.”
“Indeed… Is that your own kind of mediation?”
“Tsk tsk. Okay. As I said, if you still want to go to war after the Human Demon Festival, you can continue. “Then I won’t interfere anymore.”
Phew. Looks like it’s almost over? Was the offer to grant whatever you wanted so attractive?
But. If done well, this would be an opportunity to wipe out the demons without harm to the kingdom’s army. Of course, it would sound attractive.
“For your information, I and the other divine beasts plan to guarantee the neutrality of the match and compensation. So you don’t have to worry about saying anything else later.”
“The divine beasts…? Hmm. “I can definitely believe that…”
“Tsk tsk. Yes? And these demons I brought with me. Are you the head of each tribe and the representative of the demons? This is something they have already accepted. There is no need to doubt that.”
When Astaroth, whom I pointed to, greeted me while holding onto the hem of her skirt, Estoria clenched her fist and flinched.
It refers to Astaroth as a sign of peace of mind. However, it seems that that polite greeting does not feel very good to Estonia.
Anyway, it’s harsh. The representatives of the demon race come out bowing like this. That’s the attitude of a queen…
I guess it will take some time to change that attitude. Tsk tsk. It somehow feels like it could be fun.
“Well… You seem to be quite interested. How is it? A human and demon festival to enjoy and make a truce with demons. Will you accept it?”
“… Joy. Well, it’s not bad. But it’s still not enough. “I don’t know what specifically I’m going to do at the Human and Demon Festival.”
“Tsk tsk. Don’t fret too much. We can decide the details after discussing them with each other. Hmm. Then we should have more specific discussions and conclude a cease-fire agreement, right? “It’s going to be long, so let’s move on and talk about it.”
Of course, you can gain enough benefits to end the war once and for all. The negotiation condition is that if the demons are still hated even after it ends, the war can continue.
Although he showed a slightly off-putting attitude. Still, Estoria’s voice sounds like he is quite satisfied with the conditions.
Although it seems like he is thinking about many things inside. Anyway, I gave her a sheepish smile as she seemed to accept my offer.
So I took my negatives and the Astaroth group with me. Negotiations with human nobles have begun, discussing specific details about the Human Demon Festival.
