Chapter 122 – Conversation with a Warmonger (2)

“It will get worse. If possible, I can only pray that the time when you, Churchill-sama, are called upon never comes.”

When choosing the words I wove for Churchill, spoken with the knowledge of history from my previous life, I decided on something a little theatrical.

“Pray that I am never called upon, hmm. That is intriguing.”

Ignoring my blunt declaration that things would worsen, he smiled faintly again at the different words.
But that kind of perspective is what makes him Churchill.

“Yes. But I assure you, I mean no hidden implication by it.”

“Ah, of course, I understand. Still, will there really come a time when I am called upon? After all, I’ve just lost an election.”

“I think it will be a period of lying low for a while. If it comes, it will be about ten years from now. Around five years later, I think dark clouds will begin to appear, calling for you, Churchill-sama.”

“I see.”

Churchill nodded deeply at that.
It was a little frightening, so words slipped out of me almost unconsciously.

“Something on your mind?”

“To see so far ahead… that is prophecy itself.”

Churchill declared it.
Then, with a sly grin that could mean anything, he pointed lightly at me after a short pause.

“And does the Priestess go around speaking such words to others as she has to me?”

(Are you trying to say I’m playing prophet? No, you’re just provoking me, aren’t you? That’s what this is.)

Talking with this man somehow cools the very core of my head.
If he’s leading me there on purpose, then he truly is an Ultra-Named, one of the strongest boss characters.

I can honestly feel that it’s people like him who shape history. That’s why I decided to speak the truth.

“No. I’ve learned in both Japan and America that people won’t take me seriously. Personally, I’ve come to recognize that action is the only thing that matters.”

“Action is the only thing that matters. Excellent words. Then why speak to me?”

“Because I thought you were the kind of person with whom words are useless.”

“Ha ha! That’s splendid!”

He looked the happiest he had all day, laughing in genuine amusement.
Meanwhile, I was running my nerves ragged.

“Yes, truly. Precisely because I know it’s useless, I can throw my words at you without restraint.”

“Good. Very good. Then, what’s the standard for that? I’d love to hear it. Do you have some ability to see through the convictions of those you meet?”

I had no idea what he found so good about it, but well, that was fine.
Thinking that, words naturally flowed out of my mouth.

“No. If I could see through people, it wouldn’t be such trouble. But I don’t speak to fools who boast about their own convictions. Talking to them is truly pointless.”

“Then what kind of person do you speak to?”

“First and foremost, someone I could never possibly oppose. Someone who can see ahead, who is intelligent, who has initiative, and who never doubts their own actions.”

“And you think I fit that description?”

“In your case, Lord Churchill, I also believe you possess an indomitable spirit.”

“Oh! Now that is a fine thing to hear. I’m not too confident about the other traits, but as for that last one, I do take a bit of pride in it. Still, your standard seems rather high. You haven’t spoken to many, have you?”

“Among those I thought might shape history in one way or another, you are only the second person, Lord Churchill.”

“Only two?! And who was the other?”

“I cannot reveal their name, but that person only found my words amusing and never truly understood them.”

(It was that old man, Ishihara, who saw too far ahead. If that man ever had real power, what on earth would he do?)

I accidentally recalled something from about a year ago. It must have shown on my face.

“That other one sounds like quite the interesting fellow.”

“Yes. He’s the sort of person whose mind is almost too sharp, but I felt he couldn’t quite see what’s at his feet. I think he has qualities a bit different from Lord Churchill.”

“That seems so. I do not possess an intellect that overwhelms everyone. Yet you say a time will come in ten years when a man like me is needed?”

“I truly hope it does not come. No one will be happy if it does. But the trigger has been pulled.”

I repeat the words a little more forcefully.
Whether it reached him or not, Churchill nodded firmly.

“Indeed, the trigger has been pulled. No—in my case, I feel as if I have just now experienced the fact that it has been pulled. Up to now, everyone has been either speaking optimistically, speaking evasively, or simply not noticing. I appreciate you telling it to me plainly.”

“I don’t think I’ve actually said much, though?”

“You’ve spoken the clearest words possible. A fool might call it prophecy.”

He says that with a grin.
From me comes only a small sigh.

“That’s why I rarely speak of it. And besides, I had no intention whatsoever of meeting you, Lord Churchill.”

“That must be King Arthur’s doing. Had you not come here, I would not have come either. Let us give great thanks to our ancestors.”

“So then, who are the Saxons to me? Red Ivan, perhaps? Or the Krauts? Surely not the Frogs or the colonials. Or is it someone else?”

(Or is that “someone else” supposed to mean Japan? Well, in my previous life, Japan would be included too.)

He sounds less amused now and more like he’s trying to provoke me, so I make a show of thinking it over.
The only words that come to mind to give this man are the very ones he himself once said. 

But handing them over so easily feels a bit vexing.

“Can’t you tell?”

“…Not down to the country or region. But if it comes to defeating them, Lord Churchill, you might even ally with the devil.”

“With the devil, you say? An enemy so great that I would have to side with the communists? That I cannot fathom. Anything else?”

I slowly shake my head. I felt nothing more was needed, and pushing too far would be meaningless anyway.

“I don’t know. But I believe this turmoil, centered in America, will cast a dark shadow over the entire world. That is why I predict something that does not yet exist will bring immense suffering to the world.”

“Hmm…”

I chose my words carefully to sound like I was saying something and nothing at the same time, but Churchill sank into deep thought.

And perhaps a few minutes passed — it was after I had taken two sips of the cooling tea before me.

“That’s a tale that tries to grasp clouds.”

“I cannot say anything definite myself, so I have no way to explain it. I’m sorry.”

No, I think I roughly understand what you mean. I also see that an unprecedented chaos will come. So, Priestess, how will you act?”

“I will strive to make Japan better, even if only a little.”

“If you could be a bit more specific, it would be helpful.”

“I am the daughter of a conglomerate. If that is so, there is only one thing for me to do. Also, Lord Churchill, I have one request for you.”

“Oh? What might that be?”

I blurt out something that came to me during our meeting and conversation with Churchill.
Having spoken it, I had no choice but to continue.

Fortunately, he seemed intrigued.

“It’s not clear yet, so I would like to contact you again soon.”

“Hmm. Understood. Then, while we’re at it, let us become pen pals. May I make that a condition for hearing your wish?”

“Of course. I would be greatly honored.”

“I am nothing remarkable. So, with that favor, may I ask what you intend to do?”

“Well then… perhaps a search for savings for the future.”

“That again sounds like a prophecy. But the future, hm. Then, what will you do from now on?”

“I will work to develop Japan’s industry even a little, and prepare for any unforeseen situation. And unlike this country, my homeland is still a developing nation, so I believe there are plenty of things even someone like me can do.”

“Preparing to forge the sword, eh. That may indeed be necessary. Though in our country, we must spend the next ten years somehow dealing with the hearts of our people, who are cowering under the shadow of the last war’s devastation and the threat of coming dark clouds. And when the time comes that they must cast aside cowardice—and cannot—that may be the moment for my turn to come.”

(Amazing. He understands everything.)

“Hm? Is there something on my face?”

I must have been making a strange expression, for Churchill asked me playfully.
And there was only one thing I could say to him:

“Lord Churchill, perhaps you are more suited to be a prophet than I am.”

When I said that, Churchill broke into a grin.

“To think I might have a talent other than being a ‘war monger’—that’s quite a discovery.”

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Red Ivan? Or Krauts? Frogs or Colonials:

Red Ivan = Red = Communism, Ivan = Russia → The Soviet Union. “Communists” refers to the same.

Krauts = from sauerkraut = Germany.

Frogs = from eating frogs = France.

Colonials = America.