Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 138

The Council is a collusion of the countries that surround the Great Jura Forest.

With congressmen selected from each country, a monthly meeting was held in the Ingrasia Kingdom.

If one had to describe it, the congressmen met first to control profit, and second to manage operations of their countries.

When I say profit, I mean more: damage control and monster control.

There's also the need to balance the trade of country specialties, but because speculations and policies of individual countries often get lumped in, these discussions are often difficult.

In addition, on the agenda is aid for victims of famine and monster attacks.

Issuing subjugation requests to the Freedom Association to mitigate future harm is also the job of the council.

Operation funds are from member countries, the amount they pay is proportional to the country's size.

Along with this financial burden is the opportunity to increase the number of one's congressmen. In other words, gain more say in the council. For example, a large country would need to pay three times as much, but sends three times as many congressmen.

This doesn't have a direct effect on one's nation, but does allow a country to show off its power.

As one's voice in the council increases, so does the opportunity to get preferential treatment. Thus, even though one would profit from the meeting itself, there is profit to be made there.

There is also a minimum membership fee, failing to meet which results in expulsion.

Expulsion means no help during emergencies... a death sentence for smaller countries. The decision to expel a member is also made by the majority, which simply solidified the power of the larger countries.

Membership fees are expensive, and the largest Farmas Kingdom was recently destroyed.

And then there was the recent chaos regarding the Freedom Association. As such, it's natural for the council to panic a bit.

And now terrible news have reached the council.

There's movement in the Eastern Empire!

This was enough to throw the council into full-blown panic.

The council, currently amidst secession and confusion, was faced with a danger capable of eliminating every country.

The one who summarized the situation was the Ingrasia Kingdom's congressman.

For the kingdoms to be in disarray just as empire's beginning to move, this might be the worst case scenario.

To the royalty and legislator of each nation this was a self-evident truth.

If, a certain small nation were to submit to the empire's scheme, the other nations would follow in suit. At that time, the remaining country's defeat would be all but certain.

3 years ago, smart countries had already begun preparations in response to the Eastern Empire's movement. However, matching the Empire's military might with their own did not go well.

Therefore, the main agenda of the day was the formation of an alliance against the Empire.

That day's agenda was looking rough.

Amongst them was the chairman of the Freedom Arbitration Committee was Hinata Sakaguchi.

While a large country can sustain a standby army, a small country cannot afford to do so in times of peace.

While hiring mercenaries at times of war has been a common practice, with every nation stockpiling fighting power simultaneously, they simply ran out of people to hire.

Thus, some of them suggested that every nation should send a portion of their fighting power to form a private army under the direct control of the council

ŒIn other words, aside from the parliament guards, the council should also have an army!

During times of peace they would be used for patrolling and monster countermeasures.

Now that the Freedom Association is no more, it should be possible to hire adventurers as soldiers through the Freedom Arbitration Committee, what do you think? 

This proposition was also the main topic of today's conversation.

For some time silence dominated the council. Monster countermeasures has also been handled by paying the Freedom Association a certain amount. The name of the supplier may have changed, but that's about it.

Donations and support has been given to the church, from the Council's funds.

In exchange for the aid, the committee has managed to handle monsters without relying greatly on foreign troops. As a result, monster damages has been greatly lowered as compared to previously. [1]

ED Note: You sure it's not just the monsters and the church in cahoots?

Thus the congressman demanded people to patrol and a permanent standing army.

Hinata looked at the congressman in amazement, and sighed.

ŒSo, you're saying that the Adventurers affiliated with the Freedom Arbitration Committee, will be forced under the control of the council? 

Hiding her tired expression, Hinata asked the congressman.

Certainly, there are funds in the council. However, it isn't a large amount.

Previously, the council would determine payment based on the rank of the monster the adventurer would face. The Freedom Arbitration Associaion, on the other hand, subjugates monsters as part of their faith, and require no other reward.

But with the funds that the council already had, the council wouldn't even be able to treat every citizen to a meal. To impose a duty upon free men and women for such a meager amount is akin to treating humans as dogs.

The Freedom Association was an association that had no ties to any country. Therefore, by paying a certain amount of tax, the association had gained the right to settle in a country.

Of course, their stance is a neutral one.

When natural disasters such as monster outbreaks occur, a mobilization order per the agreement with the country would be issued, and they would cooperate with forced affiliated with the country.

However, wars are not natural disasters. There's no reason for adventurers to join a country in a way.

Sure, directors may have changed and several adjustments were implemented, nut there's fundamentally no change from the Freedom Association era. Or rather, by being incorporated with the church, the organization's strength has increased and now rivals that of a nation.

The congressman's remark of giving the council direct control over adventurers was absolutely absurd.

However, the circumstances have changed.

The countries feared that, even if they joined hands with the Freedom Arbitration Committee, they still would be unable to repel invaders.

Hinata was aware of this.

The intelligence gathering ability of the man from the Burmund Kingdom, Fuse, was high. The details of each country's inner workings had been reported to Hinata in advance.

Thus, she decided to assess the attitude of the other party without flat out denying them.

As if facing a roaring waterfall, Hinata watched a portion of the legislators nod vigorously, and

ŒPrecisely. As Legislator Giaban mentioned, it is natural for us to unite and face an unprecedented danger. We presume the association agrees? 

Œ'Tis true, a good plan. As the Arbitration Committee, you can't overlook this crisis either can you?

It's natural for fellow humans to cooperate. Wouldn't you agree? 

And so on.

Probably through a secret agreement, murmurs of approval rose simultaneously.

Not everyone was included, however there were no objections from the rest of the legislators. Besides, having trouble with commandeering at times of war was a problem many countries shared.

So, many probably expect a prompt rejection, but can't help but try to get some free soldiers this way.

But it all proceeded brilliantly within Hinata's expectations, and in lieu with the evidence.

Now then, what to do? Hinata thought. Or rather, the answer's a given.

Accept, or reject.

It's easy to flat out reject them. To begin with, they're on equal footing”they can't be forced to accept.

Sure the point is to protect each other, but this is nonetheless a relation of give and take. The Association isn't so weak that they must follow.

And even if she does reject, there's no country among them that has the authority (now) to expel a nation refusing military support. The current council simply couldn't continue to exist if they were to lose even a single taxpayer.

Moreover, the association is indispensable to the council”they prevent illegal activities and suppress criminals.

Only one group has such influence as to force other countries from the council”what was known as the Freedom Association, and what is now the Freedom Arbitration Association.

However, if this ends with a rejection, then the relation between the Association and the council will turn bitter.

I refuse! I want to say, but they won't take this lying down.

Moreover, if the Association does not cooperate with the council, then they won't be able to match the Eastern Empire.

Being callously commanded around is repugnant, and yet it's hard to reject this. What a pain.

Then must they accept?

This will likely be seen as the Association's fall from grace. No doubt within a year, the Association will be forced to lick the Council's feet.

This must absolutely be avoided. Considering future relations with the group of countries, an equal relation must be maintained.

Sure it's hard, but the Association must refuse.

But there's no way she can simply accept.

And Thus, Hinata made a suggestion.

She suggested that they...

ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’ˆ’

In response to the council's request, I have come to the Ingrasia Kingdom.