Special Chapter 5
Prologue to a New World — The Schemer
Translator : PolterGlast
This happened slightly before Takuhir rushed to the
western border and Darek faced the decisive battle in the north.
Third Prince Grat of the Griffonia Empire,
having returned the Southern Gate Fort to the Kyle Kingdom and
retreated to the Southern Gate Fortress to proceed with future
negotiations, summoned his aides to discuss their next moves.
"Now then, everyone is here. Up to this point, things
have proceeded according to our brilliant strategist's predictions... no,
according to his script. But how should we handle the conclusion that lies
ahead? I would like to organize our policy on that once more. What do you say, Sieghart?"
In the room, subordinates who could be called his confidants
accompanying him in this war—Count Astray, Viscount Durul, and
Viscount Kampfer—were present. And Sieghart, waiting at the
lowest seat, began to speak with a bored expression.
"Well, if we look at it from the standpoint of nations,
the Empire has suffered a historic defeat ending in a miserable rout, and
we—the only ones left unscathed—have essentially worn ourselves out for nothing;
something like that. As the losers, we will need to face negotiations with
appropriate resolve."
"Sieghart, our Right Wing camp won against the
Kingdom, achieved our predetermined objectives, and withdrew leisurely, did we
not?"
Because his nephew was too indifferent, speaking as if it
were someone else's affair, and severely depreciated his own country, Count Astray
hurriedly had to follow up. In response, Sieghart corrected his
phrasing.
"Yes, Uncle, you are correct. Strategically, it is a
victory for our faction. It is truly regrettable that this does not translate
to a victory for the Empire, however... And now, we must clean up the mess left
by His Highness Glorious, who has
suffered a strategic and tactical defeat and exposed his incompetence to the
world."
"So, specifically? You have an idea, don't you?"
That's why I'm listening. Speak quickly. Grat urged him on, looking as if to say so.
"If the positions were reversed, what would Your
Highness do? If you won the battle and took the King of the Kyle Kingdom
or the Prince, his successor, as prisoner, what demands would you make to the
opponent?"
"Hmm... basically, I would advise unconditional
surrender, annex territory, or at worst demand at least cession of territory.
Of course, receiving plenty of ransom too."
"Precisely, Your Highness."
Saying so, Sieghart answered with a beaming smile, obviously
forced. As if that were the predetermined route.
"No, wait! I have moved according to the picture you
drew, but that does not benefit the Empire, does it?"
"Is that so? The Empire's benefit is, in other words,
His Majesty the Emperor's benefit. Who is His Majesty the Emperor? Your Highness's
succession was confirmed in this battle. In other words, the Empire's benefit
is Your Highness's benefit."
"I feel like that's somewhat forced logic..."
"I dare ask, what is the worst situation Your Highness
can think of?"
"Is it not the situation you just described?"
"No, it is not. I consider the current situation to be
our best move, the optimal state. The worst-case scenario for Your Highness
would be for His Highness Glorious to return alive in a half-baked state and
trigger a muddy political strife within the Empire. It is extremely dangerous
when a fool who has lost any chance of winning in a fair fight lashes out
without regard for appearances. In the worst case, he might be cornered into
thinking there is no other way but to have Your Highness Grat disappear,
and act upon that."
"Would he go that far?"
"Are you aware of the terror of a wounded beast, Your
Highness? After all, the throne is a demonic thing. Prince Glorious's
resistance will ultimately lead to a civil war washing blood with blood within
the Empire. If that happens, we won't escape unscathed either. Furthermore, if
the Sura Principality were to seize that opportunity to launch a
full-scale counteroffensive to reclaim their lost territory..."
"Kuh..."
Grat was at a
loss for words. That possibility is high enough. Even in this expedition, he
prepared thoroughly against their scheme, leaving
several trusted subordinates in the south before coming this far.
"Furthermore, how many neighboring countries are external
enemies to our Empire? Of course, the Sura Principality is at the top of
the list..."
"Kyle Kingdom, Fearalt Principality, Istoria
Imperial Kingdom, and although not an external enemy, a potential threat in
terms of national power would be the Turncoat Kingdom to the southeast?
The rest are all insignificant small countries. As long as we have a history of
invading neighboring countries and expanding our influence, all neighbors will
potentially be enemies."
Hearing that answer, Sieghart laughed innocently.
Even Grat, who knew him well, couldn't tell if it was intentional or a
genuine laugh.
"I believe Your Highness's perception is completely
backwards. The basic policy of both the Kyle Kingdom and Fearalt Principality
is defense of the motherland, and they hold absolutely no territorial
ambitions. I can assert that it is highly unlikely these countries will attack
us. And the Istoria Imperial Kingdom will likely be a crippled from this
war and won't be in a position to attack other countries for
the time being."
"But... the Turncoat Kingdom has maintained
friendly relations for decades, right? I hear envoys travel back and forth
frequently, and trade is flourishing."
" Previously, there was a common enemy to the south.
However, that country no longer shares a border with the Sura Principality. Our new
territory acts as their defensive wall—no, a barrier. More importantly, from
which faction are those frequent envoys coming? "
"!"
"Exactly. From our faction's perspective, they are
potentially on the enemy side. It is fully conceivable that Prince Glorious
might raise an army jointly with them on condition of ceding the territory we
gained in the south."
Certainly, Grat himself understood those
circumstances, but treating them as minor matters before important ones, he
dared to close his eyes. No, it would be correct to say he wanted to keep them
closed.
"Then ultimately, there's no good in keeping him alive,
is there?"
"Indeed. It would be most appreciated if he were to meet his end at the hands of the Kyle Kingdom,
but the other party probably isn't that foolish either. They will surely demand appropriate compensation and push the source of
trouble back onto us. Therefore, we need to receive this returned 'dangerous
card' in a state where it cannot rise again. Prince Glorious must be
branded a fool who caused massive losses to the Empire through a selfishly
started war, a disgrace to the Empire. We need to ensure he remains in that
state."
Saying so, Sieghart presented a paper written as
Draft Peace Conditions (Top Secret). Seeing the content written there, even Grat
turned pale.
"Hey, is it necessary to concede this much? The damage
to the Empire will be immeasurable..."
"Sieg... you... what on earth...?"
"Hmph, as expected of the renowned strategist, Viscount
Kampfer. I am impressed. "
Count Astray and Viscount Durul, who received
the paper from the Third Prince (Grat), voiced their respective
impressions. The former was astonished in a bad sense like Grat, and the
latter admired it in a good sense...
" I have my
reasons for this. First, after this war, the Kingdom's defenses north of the
border will likely become stronger than ever. In that case, we should simply
think of a way to neutralize that defensive line. Second, excessive rewards
invite discord within the Kingdom. Therefore, we should effectively utilize
this war as an opportunity to draw him to our side, or at least as a
chance to sow seeds of discord. Third, if the Kingdom accepts these conditions,
we will gain a peerlessly powerful watchdog (reinforcement). Your Highness
should utilize this watchdog against neighboring countries that are potentially
enemies."
Saying so, Sieghart floated a cold, menacing smile
that made the three who knew him well shudder. Because they knew that when he
made such a face, it was the face of confidence in applying double and triple
measures to trap the opponent with no escape.
"Well, knowing him, he might see through our intentions
and slip through with a response so unconventional it exceeds my imagination,
or he might know it's a trap and tear through it head-on... but conversely,
that is exactly why my interest in him never wanes."
Saying so, Sieghart continued to explain the
conditions written in the draft in detail, digging deeper into the specifics.
Informed of the objectives hidden beneath the surface, the others could only be
astonished.
"But... are you sure about this? You might end up
installing a formidable enemy right next door."
"Rather, I welcome it greatly. If we can openly trade
as neighbors, I intend to make a fortune. Enough that I could sleep all day for
the foreseeable future. I find it more stimulating and fun than having a fool
for a neighbor."
"So, will the Kingdom obediently agree to these
conditions which are extremely convenient for us?"
Viscount Durul had received Sieghart's
proposal completely differently from the other two from the start. Therefore,
his viewpoint was also completely different. To the extent that Sieghart
himself was surprised and thought he had to revise his evaluation of him.
"Indeed. The most important aspect—and I believe this
is a matter of negotiation tactics—is that our best move is to make the
opponent believe we are reluctantly swallowing conditions that cut our own flesh, and that what we offer in exchange is a
desperate measure. And regarding the final proposal, I believe it would be most
effective to mention it naturally, as if it were a sudden thought, just as the
negotiations are about to conclude."
Then, Viscount Durul made an unexpected proposal.
"Hmm... I also think that is good. By the way, Your
Highness, I have a request. To promote this enterprise, I would like to ask
that you establish an Imperial enclave within the ceded territory—which will
become enemy land—and dispatch me there as its lord to serve as an Inspector
for the Empire. If we frame it as returning to the land opened by my ancestors,
I believe it would stand as a justifiable reason emotionally for the other
party..."
Of course, this was a convenient excuse to hide the truth
lurking in his heart. 'With this, I can go to her (Rosa) openly.
Moreover, without welcoming her to a foreign country, in a form that doesn't
cause friction for either side. Finally, finally, my long-cherished desire will
be realized!' Naturally, he showed not a speck of these inner thoughts, and
stated the superficial reason calmly.
"But an enclave would become a death trap, the first
place to be surrounded and annihilated should war break out. Are you prepared
for that?"
"At that time, I shall scatter gloriously. Though, of
course, I will make every effort to ensure it does not come to that. Besides,
this would be an effective place to utilize those who were taken prisoner in
the southern campaign and have naturalized to our faction." (Fighting
my beloved is absolutely unthinkable. We shall serve as a bridge between the
two sides. I certainly want to show the results of what I learned from
her and put into practice. And we will happily...)
"Hmm... very well. Sieghart, do you have any
objections?"
"No, none at all. I am impressed by the Viscount's
resolve. Then, I will send a messenger to Southern Gate Fort to arrange
negotiations."
"Right. The Kingdom will surely not know our true
intentions and will likely think this will be a difficult negotiation. Surely they will summon the man rumored to be a crafty old
raccoon accustomed to negotiations from the Royal Capital. Hahaha, a
game of wits between a fox and a raccoon —it
will be quite entertaining for us to watch."
"As always... you have a terrible way of putting
things. Well, according to intelligence, the man in question has
gone to the west, so we likely won't meet him. To me, he is much scarier than
the old raccoon of the Royal Capital, though."
Saying so, Sieghart smiled wryly.
If Takuhir was absent, then in his mind, the outcome of the upcoming negotiations was as good as seen. Of course, proceeding exactly according to the script he desired...
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