Special Chapter 9
Prologue to a New World — Bilateral Agreement
Translator : PolterGlast
In front of the observers watching with bated breath, the
game of wits between Sieghart and Duke Klein, who were entrusted
with the trend of bilateral negotiations, continued without either side
yielding.
Regarding the content of First Prince Glorious's
letter that Duke Klein had ostentatiously shown, Sieghart could
easily imagine it.
『If
you release me and my soldiers, I promise cession of Imperial territory and
appropriate remuneration. To realize
that, I want you to assist me in becoming the Emperor of the Empire.』
It would contain content to that effect. With this, the Kyle
Kingdom could invade Imperial territory with a just cause, not as invaders,
but as reinforcements requested by the Empire (First Prince).
If that happens, the other two countries, the Sura Principality
and the Turncoat Kingdom, would also move in unison. It was clear as day
that the Third Prince's faction would be surrounded by three countries and
relatives, forced into a difficult battle.
"Hahaha, you certainly hit a sore
spot. Well, I don't think that Demon Territory Count would agree to
invade another country... but I will withdraw here for now. So, without
exaggeration, what are the requests you might consider? I
believe our proposal is more realistic than His Highness Glorious's offer, and
allows you to obtain a greater compensation without effort..."
"Indeed. In this battle, we too have lost many soldiers
and an irreplaceable sworn friend. To reward their souls and their
families, and for the peace of our borders... I would say one million
Imperial large gold coins as reparations, and the territory of the former Roland
Kingdom. That
seems appropriate."
"Hahaha, quite a bold story. However, regarding
Imperial large gold coins, 500,000 unconditionally, and 500,000 with usage
stipulations; if those are the conditions, we can accept. But as for the entire
territory of the former Roland Kingdom,
that would mean nullifying all war results that decided His Majesty the current
Emperor's accession. This is a condition that not only His Majesty but also the
subjects of the Empire cannot accept. If you could reconsider this point,
perhaps there is room for compromise on our part as well."
Faced with such severe conditions,
the Imperial attendants in the back rows—everyone except the four seated at the
table—turned pale. However, the three including Grat who had discussed
with Sieghart in advance were calm. Because they had received an
explanation about Sieghart's assumptions beforehand, based on the draft
peace conditions he showed earlier.
Grat recalled the
conversation the four of them had held back then.
◇◇◇ Preliminary Discussion Regarding
Peace Conditions
"Please be prepared for about 1 million Imperial large
gold coins as ransom. After all, it is the ransom of a candidate for succession
to the throne, and the First Prince at that. The other side won't be convinced
if it's too light. However, our bellies will not ache in the slightest. Naturally,
we will have His Highness Glorious's
personal fortune, and those who support him, pay for this.. By doing so, we
will significantly drain the power of the opposing faction."
"But Sieg, isn't 1 million too excessive? I find
it a bit vexing that the Kingdom would gain such power from it..."
"Uncle, that's where we attach conditions to usage.
Ceding some territory is unavoidable anyway. We will make
them use half of the large gold coins for the development of the ceded territory.
They, too, understand the necessity of development, reclamation, and
construction projects to smoothly manage new territory. If that happens,
people, goods, and money will move. If
the ceded destination prospers, our territories surrounding it will also
prosper. After all, procuring supplies from the Empire
side, our territory, is overwhelmingly cheaper and more convenient than
transporting them from the Kingdom across the border."
Sieghart said
laughing while pointing at a large map depicting the border vicinity.
Certainly, on the Kyle Kingdom side of the border zone, only barren
plains spread with nothing but defense facilities.
After all, the Kyle Kingdom's southern border is a
frontier land deliberately left undeveloped for many years in the Kingdom's
history to serve as a buffer zone. Speaking of large cities with reasonable
supply capacity, there is nothing except the city of Burg far north of
the border.
The currently rapidly advancing Demon Territory Count's
domain might have the power to handle it, but there are major issues in
transportation. It is realistically impossible and unthinkable for a large
caravan to brave danger and pass through the Demon Territory via the
shortest route.
It was clear to anyone's eyes that procuring from within the
immediately adjacent Imperial territory was far faster and significantly
cheaper than procuring supplies taking time from distant lands or detouring
greatly from tens to a hundred km away.
"Hahaha, truly a magnificent fox strategy against a
raccoon. You intend to jack up the prices of the materials accordingly, right?
Just like you did to them (Glorious) once. As a result, the 500,000 gold
coins they pay will end up enriching your territories... I can only laugh at
this. So, what about the territory to be ceded?"
"Regarding that, in the case of maximum concession, it
would be two earldoms such as the former Margrave Goth territory, former Marquis Bradley territory, and
former Count Mainz territory. This is about half of the former Roland
Kingdom territory. We will... whittle this down a bit in negotiations."
"But... is it alright? You might end up placing a
formidable enemy as a neighbor..."
◇◇◇ Return to the Present
"If you are speaking of a substantial portion of the
former Roland Kingdom's territory, then we too have room to consider it positively. How about
it, Duke Klein, if the Empire cuts its own flesh but within a
compromising range, could you accept this?"
"Hmm... at least the noble territories that were of the
First Prince's faction, I wouldn't want to yield those. We suffered greatly at
their hands in the war four years ago."
"Then, if we exclude the territories of those of us who
have defected [to Grart's side]? "
"If we do not think along those lines, we will simply
be back to square one, will we not?"
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your
consideration. Then here is a proposal. Please look at this map."
Seeing Sieghart start pasting up a large map
accurately depicting the border vicinity, Grat muttered in his heart so
no one could hear.
Hmph, fox, things are proceeding exactly as the conversation
we had back then. Terrifying guy as always.
Count Astray and Viscount Durul also seemed to
feel the same, staring at the map with extremely solemn expressions.
Drawn there
were the former territories of the now-deceased lords—Margrave Goth, Marquis Bradley, and Count Mainz—as well as
the demarcated former territories of Count
Astray, Baron Kampfer, and Baron Durul.
"Honestly speaking, we also feel like cutting our own
flesh. Please understand that first. These territories represent the power map
and the placement of the former lords from four years ago, when His Highness
Glorious invaded your country alone. Since then, several families have died
out. The current situation is that upon the orders of His Majesty the Emperor,
the three of us manage all of these lands as territories under the
administration of His Highness Grart
here."
Ignoring Sieghart explaining solemnly, Grat,
looking again at the posted map, unintentionally smiled wryly.
That fox! He set it up again. Is this the 'best among the
worst' he talked about...
Thinking so, he hurriedly patched up his expression which
was about to collapse.
Compared to
the actual former territories of the past, the map showed the territories of
the ruined nobles significantly reduced, while the territories of Count Astray and Baron Kampfer
were conveniently and greatly expanded. And
Baron Durul's territory, which would become an enclave, was drawn
several times larger than his old territory before defection so that it would
be an enclave in the most convenient position. Furthermore, at each territorial
border, cities and key points that would be strategic bases were shrewdly
incorporated into the Imperial side.
Naturally, in this era, accurate maps do not exist. Even if
they existed, they were strictly managed as strategic classified information,
so at this stage, no one in the Kyle Kingdom camp could notice the
subtle changes in the map.
"Even we cannot easily part with the old territories we
have inherited from our ancestors for many years. However, if you agree to the
three conditions I am about to state, we are prepared to agree to cession
regarding the new territories entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor in the form
of confiscation."
"Ooh..."
Everyone in the Kyle Kingdom camp raised voices of
admiration as they looked at the map. The candidate territories for cession,
shown in color, amounted to more than one-third of the former Roland Kingdom
territory in terms of area alone. Due to the
difference in national power, even the former Margrave Gote territory
alone is nearly twice as large as the Margrave Hastburg territory. It
exceeded what King Kyle and Duke Klein had assumed beforehand as
a settlement point.
"Is it acceptable to understand that your country can
unify the Empire with this proposal?"
"Yes, Duke Klein, that is correct. For that
reason too, I would like you to agree to the three conditions mentioned
earlier."
"What conditions?"
"They are not difficult stories. I have a request for
His Majesty King Kyle. First, please give us your firm promise that at
least half or more of the territory ceded this time will be entrusted to the Demon Territory Count as a reward for
his distinguished service. We will be entrusting the people of these former
territories to the Kingdom. Unless they are entrusted to a new lord who excels
in governance, does not govern oppressively, and whom we can trust with peace
of mind, we cannot help but worry about the future of the people."
"Hmm... In this campaign, the Demon Territory Count's
military exploits are not only enormous but unprecedented. I have no objection.
As King, I shall formally promise it."
At that moment,
King Kyle made eye contact with Duke Klein for just a split
second. And the Duke gave a small nod, imperceptible to those around him.
Sieghart felt a
slight suspicion at how immediately this unreasonable request—which could sow
seeds of discord within the Kingdom regarding the distribution of rewards—was
accepted, but he continued.
"I have no words to express my gratitude for Your
Majesty's benevolence. Second, regarding the reparations of one million
Imperial large gold coins: if you could promise that half of them—500,000
coins—will be allocated to policies that enrich the people, such as development
costs for the ceded territory, we can hand over the land with peace of mind. That
would guarantee the livelihoods of the people as well."
"Hmm... Duke Klein, what do you think of this
point? I am in favor of it, but... the one who captured the
First Prince is the Demon Territory Count. In recognition of his merit,
I was even considering giving him the full amount. New territory also requires
time and considerable investment before it yields fruit."
"As you will. Although I share the same sentiment, half
should be committed according to the request, and the rest needs to be distributed
according to military exploits, so I believe it would be the best policy to
leave the specifics for a later
date."
"I thank you for your decisive judgment. Finally, once
this negotiation is concluded, we ask for the conclusion of a 25-year Mutual
Non-Aggression Treaty. Originally, we considered something semi-permanent,
around 100 years, but please understand this as an escape route to silence the
opposition In this treaty, we wish to include
not only non-aggression but a security treaty for mutual support—a clause to
dispatch reinforcements should one country be invaded by another."
At this, everyone was at a loss for words. A security treaty
could be a double-edged sword for the Kyle Kingdom—no, a sword inviting
ruin.
Everyone on the Kingdom side braced themselves at this last
sentence.
"For our part, we are ceding territory and exposing our
soft underbelly to the Kingdom. Please understand this as a desperate measure
to ease the fears of the Empire
subjects."
"Hmm, I can understand your distress. However, if we
reverse the positions, we must be cautious on that point. If it is clearly
stated that this agreement is limited to cases where either side is invaded,
there may be room for consideration. I have absolutely no intention of lending
a hand to the Empire's war of aggression. Duke Klein, what do you
say?"
"Yes, it is as Your Majesty says. Assuming the general
outline is fine, let civil officials work out the details, clarify conditions,
and conclude it at a later date; I think that would be acceptable."
"Thank you. I offer my greatest gratitude for His
Majesty King Kyle's decisive judgment. With this, the main agenda for
today—the return of His Highness Glorious
and its compensation, and the general outline of the end of the war and the
treaty between our two nations—has been decided. I celebrate the future
prosperity of our two nations and thank you once again. Now, do any of the
attendees have any objections or opinions? If not, I would like to have the
civil officials of both countries work out the details, including other conditions
for prisoner return..."
Then, slowly, Grat spoke up.
"Sieghart, I forgot one thing. I have heard that
the conflict between our two nations originated from the rights and interests
provided by the Demon Territory. Is
that correct?"
"Your Highness, as you say. The blessings brought by
the Demon Territory, magic stones producing Mages, are coveted by
our country. And this can be said to be the root cause of foreign countries
fearing the Kingdom."
"Then, as proof of sincerity, is it not necessary to
state in the treaty that we will not infringe on rights and interests regarding
the Demon Territory spreading in the Kyle Kingdom in the
future?"
The Kyle Kingdom faction was surprised by the Third
Prince's statement. Because he said he would voluntarily include a clause
disadvantageous to them.
"As you say. In that case, if possible as a postscript,
『'The Demon
Territory Count promises to make efforts to facilitate the Empire as much
as possible regarding matters related to the Demon Territory, products,
and development』, if we add
that, I believe it will be sufficient. With this, the spark of conflict between
our two nations will disappear."
Obtaining an answer from the Kyle Kingdom side that
there was no particular problem, this sentence was added to the treaty text.
No, only Duke Klein felt a sense of unease. Why write the names of the Demon
Territory and Demon Territory Count in a treaty between two
countries?
Certainly, in the current situation, speaking of Demon Territory rights meant the
subject was almost exclusively the Demon
Territory Count. They were indeed planning to redistribute territories in
the upcoming awards ceremony to ensure exactly that.
However, the Third Prince's remark is overwhelmingly
advantageous content for the Kyle Kingdom, and Sieghart's words
could also be seen as a desperate measure to compensate for that blunder even slightly.
Duke Klein could not see a good enough reason to
overturn everything, so despite feeling the unease, he remained silent.
Later, Takuhir, who was not present here, would find
himself holding his head in distress over the several strategies Sieghart had so
meticulously devised, but by then, it was already too late.
Here, the Kyle Kingdom and the Griffonia Empire
declared the end of the war bilaterally and reached a peace agreement.
It was an achievement for the Kingdom side, which extracted
concessions beyond expectations, but it was also a
negotiation that could be called Sieghart's victory, anticipating even
that and tying it to the best among the worst.
However, since even this 'worst' for the Empire is for
disparaging the First Prince, it leads to bringing the 'best' result for them,
his political rivals.
This was the terror of Sieghart's overall strategy,
but few could understand it at this point.
The previous history known to Takuhir faced a major turning point here and began to proceed in a completely new direction. Of course, carrying new challenges orchestrated by Sieghart...
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