﻿\setgamedatatitle("Free Base 4_1")

\text
In the office, a meeting was being held with the main
members of the Demon Lord's Army gathered to discuss future
plans for the invasion of Kiros and to handle several
matters.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
This is the current situation of the cities under our
control.
\endtext

\text
Risbell handed out documents to everyone, summarizing the
reports coming in from the regions they had conquered.
\endtext

\text
Among them was a report on the residents' reactions, which
surprised Caym.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I never thought we'd be thanked this much...
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
It just goes to show how much our improvements to food
distribution and logistics are being appreciated.
\endtext

\text
Until now, the roads leading to Kiros were often closed due
to unstable weather and snow.

\endtext

\text
So Caym and his group transported supplies to the region
through the labyrinth.
\endtext

\text
Thanks to their efforts, the residents were gradually being
freed from hunger.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
In the end, what people need most isn't ideology or beliefs,
but food.
\endtext

\text
As if to say the residents' reactions were only natural,
Margaretta nodded thoughtfully.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
It's precisely because it's so hard to get that in this
harsh environment that the people here needed something to
believe in.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
That's probably why the church holds so much power here.

\endtext

\text
Risbell voiced her speculation about why the church was so
influential, sounding almost certain.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Can we get rid of those religion-obsessed pigs anytime soon?

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Impossible. The Winga faith is just too widespread in Kiros.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Even if we tried to intervene, there's nothing we could
really do.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Honestly, religion has always been a headache for great
leaders, no matter the era.
\endtext

\text
Margaretta sighed at Risbell's words.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hmm, we'll deal with the church later. Keep the supply lines
running as they are. So, what's the next topic?

\endtext

\text
Caym wrapped up the topic and prompted Risbell for the next
agenda item.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Yes, yesterday we received a request from a Kiros merchant
to exterminate some monsters.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh? That's a pretty bold merchant.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Yes, he's a well-known tycoon in Kiros. He probably figured
we wouldn't just brush him off.

\endtext

\text("Agri")
Ugh, I don't like his attitude. Feels like he's looking down
on us.
\endtext

\text
Risbell silenced Agri's open displeasure with a look.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...Let me continue. The client in question owns the Bofost
Mine.
\endtext

\text
Bofost Mine. The moment its name was mentioned, the room
stirred.
\endtext

\text
It's a famous mine, known as the largest silver producer in
the Nilt region.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Apparently, they dug too deep into the tunnels and monsters
came out and took over, so now they can't mine anymore.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
That's a pretty pathetic story...
\endtext

\text
Hearing Risbell's explanation, Caym commented with a hint of
exasperation.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
...Well, I can't say I disagree, but if we help out here, we
can expect a decent reward.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Besides, for the sake of maintaining order in our territory,
I think we should send out troops.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I'll leave it to you. Do as you like.
\endtext

\text
Risbell urged for deployment, but Caym showed no motivation.

\endtext

\text
It seemed he had no interest at all in a story with no women
involved.
\endtext

\text
Risbell continued, trying to get Caym's attention.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Also... I think this proposal is probably based on rumors
about your personality, Caym-sama...

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
If we succeed this time, the merchant says you can do
whatever you want with his only daughter.
\endtext

\text
Caym showed interest at the content Risbell relayed with a
complicated expression.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
What... To offer his own daughter to the Demon Lord, what a
sleazy bastard.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
But, well, that's that... So, what about this daughter?

\endtext

\text
Caym requested information about the daughter from Risbell.
\endtext

\text
Risbell couldn't help but want to sigh at his attitude.

\endtext

\text
Suppressing that feeling, Risbell flipped through documents
summarizing the key figures of the Kiros region.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Apparently, she's the adopted daughter of the merchant's
late first wife. She's shown talent in music and is expected
to have a bright future.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Also, and I suppose this is more important to you,
Caym-sama... she's apparently famous for being beautiful.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
However, after the merchant lost his first wife and
remarried, it seems she's been treated rather coldly.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hmph... What a messy story. Well, I'll take whatever I can
get.

\endtext

\text
Risbell let out a sigh at Caym's words. The others in the
room smiled wryly at their usual exchange.
\endtext

\text
Just as the discussion was about to move toward
extermination, Spacchio interrupted.
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
Hey, something's been bugging me. From what I heard, the
humans just dug deeper into the mine and ended up in the
monsters' nest, right?
\endtext

\text("Spacchio")
And now they're asking us to wipe them all out because
they're in the way... Isn't that a bit much?
\endtext

\text
Most people in the room agreed with Spacchio's words.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Yes, what we aim for is coexistence between all species.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Humans have their territory, and monsters have theirs.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
If mutual understanding is impossible... if communication is
too difficult, then it's necessary for both sides to live
without invading each other's domains.
\endtext

\text
Risbell nodded in agreement with Spacchio's words.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
We'll drive the monsters out of the original mining area,
then seal off the tunnels between the mine and the monsters'
nest.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
From now on, we'll warn the humans not to dig any further
toward the nest... I think that's the best compromise.

\endtext

\text("Risbell")
If they can't accept these terms, then let's just pretend
this whole incident never happened, agreed?

\endtext

\text
Caym nodded without hesitation at Risbell's confirmation.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
If I leave decisions like this to you, there's no way we'll
make a mistake.
\endtext

\text
As Caym said this with a fearless grin, Risbell blushed just
a little.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Alright, that concludes the meeting! Everyone, get ready to
deploy!
\endtext

\text
Yeah!! Everyone in the room nodded vigorously.
\endtext

\text
And so, the strike team set out for their destination,
heading for the opening near the Bofost Mine.

\endtext

\setgamedatatitle("Free Base 4_0")

\dlg("　　　You cannot advance because the route is not secure.")