Indeed, after the Arachnea had conquered the Dukedom of Schtraut, the Nyrnal Empire had annexed most of the small countries and free cities. Their pretext for it was that they were protecting those countries from the Arachnea, but in reality, the Empire had simply occupied them. The kings and queens of those nations had no choice but to abdicate their thrones as Nyrnal hoisted its banner and enforced its national policies. Seeing this, the Eastern Trade Union had refused to let Nyrnal’s army take even a single step onto their land.
Fifty years ago, the Eastern Trade Union had declared independence. The merchants and guildmasters were small in number, but they had ample funds. Using that money, they had cleared and cultivated the land, forming a new nation.
Their independence hadn’t been easily bought, however. The Popedom of Frantz had interfered constantly with their affairs, and the Nyrnal Kingdom—which would develop into the Empire later down the line—had often gotten in their way as well. Many different countries had called the Union’s existence into question.
Still, wielding financial power as their greatest weapon, they had fought through their many obstacles by hiring mercenaries. With their help, the nation had finally become a free agent. Those mercenary groups would go on to become some of their most influential citizens.
This turbulent past still fueled their fervent insistence on staying independent. All the members of the Senate were men of indomitable spirit who refused to submit to another country. They wouldn’t relinquish their hard-earned freedom so easily. Doing so would be betraying every single citizen in the Eastern Trade Union.
Ventura raised his voice, as if forcibly changing the subject. “Adventurers’ Guild! How goes your research into the monsters?!”
The one to answer his call was a woman: Keralt Ruano, leader of the Adventurers’ League, a large, independently functioning guild of adventurers separate from the rest. They operated strictly out of the Eastern Trade Union. Keralt was known for being a capable guildmaster who had single-handedly organized and coordinated the rowdy adventurers. The Adventurers’ League had more than a ninety percent completion rate for its requests, which was a testament to their skill.
“The Adventurers’ League has looked into the faction that conquered the Kingdom of Maluk, the Dukedom of Schtraut, and the Popedom of Frantz. Allow me to report our findings,” she said, clearing her throat. “These bug-like creatures are indeed monsters, but unlike the demonic creatures we often see, they possess advanced intelligence. As a group, they display a more complex social structure than orcs or goblins.”
“Are you saying those things are strongly united?” Konrad asked.
“Calling it unity wouldn’t be apt,” Keralt replied. “Each individual monster moves as part of a singular whole—you could say it’s reminiscent of a human army. Every monster, which is individually called a Swarm, has its own role and function within the greater group.”
Worker Swarms built frontline bases and siege weapons, while Ripper Swarms served as scouts and patrols. Genocide Swarms were frontline units, while Toxic Swarms were the rear guard. Each Swarm had its appointed role and worked obediently to fulfill it.
“They call themselves the Arachnea, and their entire army is commanded by a queen by the name of Grevillea, a girl who appears to be roughly fourteen years old. She’s presumed to be human.”
“The fact that the monsters have a leader makes things that much harder,” Konrad said. “All that power has a human mind at the helm; that explains their efficiency.”
Keralt’s adventurers had come quite close to the Arachnea and gathered a great deal of information. Her command of the greatest adventurers’ guild on the continent was not without merit.
“So if we kill this queen, Grevillea, will the enemy group collapse?” Konrad asked.
“It’s unlikely,” Keralt replied, shaking her head. “There are at least three other humanoids besides Grevillea within the enemy ranks. In the event the queen dies, those monsters will most likely take command of the enemy forces and try to exact revenge. I honestly dread to think of such a fate.”
“But if those monsters have a chain of command,” Honnoson piped up, “wouldn’t it be possible to negotiate with them?”
“What, do you intend to offer them a favorable loan to avoid the war? Don’t be stupid,” Konrad spat.
“Perhaps not a loan, but there are plenty of things we can offer. If we’re not fighting mindless creatures, but something akin to a nation, then there are probably many things they have a shortage of. They may need food or supplies of some kind.”
“So you’re saying we should treat this collection of monsters, the Arachnea, as another nation?” Ventura asked.
Honnoson offered a nod. “If so, we may be sacrificing less in the long run. They could even become our allies. We can all agree that we detest Nyrnal’s insidious methods, so if we must ally with someone, let it be with the Arachnea.”
He paused to take a breath, then added, “Of course, that all depends on their attitude. Even if you would count the Arachnea as a nation, they’ve already destroyed Maluk, Schtraut, and Frantz. They’ve acted just as brutally as Nyrnal has. Whether they’ll actually be interested in joining forces is questionable.”
“We’re actually considering joining forces with monsters here,” Konrad muttered. “The end times must be upon us.”
“They very well could be,” Honnoson said bitterly. “Three nations on this continent have been ransacked, one after another.”
“It seems like the Popedom of Frantz made some kind of peace treaty with the Arachnea,” Keralt remarked, turning her eyes on Ventura. “That suggests there is room for negotiation. We’ll continue to look into the Arachnea so that we can make a more informed decision.”
“An alliance... Yes, if we can make an ally out of the Arachnea, we should be able to oppose the Nyrnal Empire. But right now, we have no guarantee that the Arachnea are any more trustworthy than Nyrnal is. I agree; we should dig a little deeper.”
Ventura looked around at everyone present, then said, “If the alternative is to kowtow to Nyrnal, we may as well trust those insects.”
“No, if you ask me, Nyrnal might be more open to negotiations.”
The tumultuous meeting concluded without a concrete decision. Would they ally with the Arachnea or let Nyrnal occupy them instead? The time for the Eastern Trade Union to make its choice was fast approaching.