Soul Devourer Chapter 5 Episode 29 — The Russian Empress’s Decision
Japan Standard Time, 19:00
The hour when many hunters had finished their dungeon runs and were either selling materials or heading home.
Guildmaster Ogawa was contacting the Russian Hunter Guild in accordance with Matsubara Hunter’s request.
The call connected successfully. However, the response he received was extremely brief.
“We cannot give an immediate answer. We will contact you again tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Ogawa ended the call with that reply, then returned to the paperwork piled across his desk while hoping a favorable response would arrive tomorrow.
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Russian Standard Time, shortly past 13:00
Donato, the Guildmaster overseeing all Hunter Guilds across Russia, contacted a certain individual immediately after ending his conversation with Japan’s Guildmaster.
The Empress of the〈Semi-Tsar〉, Ekaterina.
The moment she received the report, she made her decision without hesitation.
The other members of the〈Semi-Tsar〉were immediately summoned.
Russia Hunter Guild Headquarters, Grand Conference Chamber.
Seated around a long table, the members of the〈Semi-Tsar〉and the Guildmaster all directed their gazes toward the Empress seated at the head of the room, silently awaiting her words.
“This is an urgent matter.”
Her dignified voice echoed quietly through the vast chamber.
“A short while ago, we received contact from the Japanese Hunter Guild. It seems Hunter Matsubara wishes to conquer dungeons within our country.”
“ “ “ “ “ “……!” ” ” ” ” ”
The instant his name was spoken, the atmosphere in the room tightened sharply.
A〘Regalia〙.
Every single person present understood all too well the weight carried by that existence.
Before long, the man ranked second cautiously raised his hand and spoke.
“Ekaterina-sama…… what are your thoughts on this matter?”
Ekaterina closed her eyes once and gathered her thoughts briefly. Then she slowly raised her gaze.
“I already said this before. The opponent is a〘Regalia〙. If we treat him carelessly, in the worst case, this country could fall.”
A heavy silence descended over the room.
“That is precisely why we must arrive at our answer carefully. This is my conclusion.”
She declared it clearly.
“In exchange for granting dungeon conquest rights, we form a non-aggression treaty and an alliance.”
“…You mean we establish equal relations with a weak nation?”
“That’s right.”
Ekaterina answered instantly.
“We have no intention of invading Japan. Therefore, we should form a non-aggression treaty to ensure they never bare their fangs against our nation. In addition, by forming an alliance, we can keep both America and China in check.”
“But…!”
“Ever since America produced a second〘Regalia〙, we no longer have the luxury of taking our time.”
No one could refute those words.
“Before China catches up. Before America produces even more〘Regalia〙…our nation must establish a strong relationship with him.”
In truth, immediately after Japan announced the birth of its〘Regalia〙, the Fourth in world, America publicly revealed the existence of another one of their own.
As a result, America became a nation possessing two〘Regalia〙, clearly surpassing both China and Russia.
If left unchecked, it would only be a matter of time before global hegemony tilted toward America.
That was precisely why Russia needed to act before China did.
“…Then.”
Breaking the silence, the second-ranked man spoke again.
“What if we limit dungeon conquest rights to one dungeon at a time and require all obtained rewards to be bought by us? Would that not suffice as a condition?”
“A terrible move.”
Ekaterina rejected it immediately.
“That cannot be called equal terms. There is no way the other side would accept. Restricting conquest rights while effectively confiscating rewards… it’s a foolish strategy.”
“However, our nation possesses multiple S-Rank dungeons. If we impose no limits on materials or rewards, we would merely be strengthening them further.
…
On top of that, they would gain the backing of a major hunter nation.”
“…It seems you are failing to grasp the current reality.”
Ekaterina let out a quiet sigh.
“Certainly, our country is a major power in terms of hunter population alone. But in terms of military strength, we are, nearly, equals already. Japan is no longer a weak nation.”
Silence.
“An alliance means an equal relationship. Forcing conditions onto the other party unilaterally is out of the question. Of course, I have no intention of forming alliances with powerless nations either.”
“…Ekaterina-sama, you are overestimating Japan.”
“If you truly believe that-”
Ekaterina spoke quietly.
“Then let us settle this by majority vote. Those who support his proposal, raise your hands.”
The result was three to five.
“The conclusion has been reached.”
The Empress slowly stood and declared:
“Our nation will form an alliance with Japan. As for the terms of that alliance, the Guildmaster and I will finalize them ourselves… that is all.”
No one present could raise an objection to those words.
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E/N:
She has good head on her shoulder. Hope she's a heroine Yuito gets…
Stay tuned!
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Check out my other translation -
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