Chapter 307
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Desired Meeting
Translator : PolterGlast
After confirming Claire and the others' struggles, we
headed together toward the designated tent. To fulfill the meeting desired by
the Empire side, which we did not desire.
Upon arrival, the security level of that specific corner was
completely different from the rest.
And, in order to challenge us, several soldiers tried to
surround us. 『Well, I guess that's to be expected. But it's a pain.』Although
I had expected it, I braced myself.
「Everyone, welcome them with
courtesy! Disrespect toward the guests invited by His Highness Grat will
not be forgiven!」
The one waiting beside the tent and bellowing at the
Imperial (Empire) soldiers was Sieghart. Then, stepping forward in
front of us, he knelt ostentatiously. Seeing that, the surrounding soldiers
also hurriedly knelt.
「Thank you very much for accepting
our invitation. I will guide you inside now. Right this way, please...」
Following his guidance, the four of us entered the tent.
Waiting at the entrance were the six people who had accompanied us here as
guards.
To avoid provoking the other party, we acted with a minimum
number of people, but I had absolutely no intention of keeping the quality to a
minimum. Those waiting outside were the Commander, Sigurd, two elites
from the mercenary corps, and the Fire Mages, Mars and Danke.
To be frank, with just these six, they could easily suppress an enemy several
times their number.
The Third Prince waiting inside the tent glared at Sieghart
with a surprised face for just a moment, but quickly changed his expression and
invited us to our seats with a smile.
「I apologize for being unreasonable
this time. I am the same, but this Count Kampfer (Sieghart) has
also been looking forward to it immensely. A lazy man who usually evades me
saying he wants to take a nap or read a book, waiting obediently outside for
your arrival... However, I am surprised that even Her Highness came to visit.」
Yes, when I received the request via Sieghart that
the Third Prince wanted to hold a private meeting, I had a few anxieties.
If it was said that I skipped the Kyle Kingdom and
set up a private meeting as soon as the Demon Territory Dukedom was
officially established, there would be no excuse. Because of that, just in
case, I asked the Old Raccoon to be present here, but the timing was bad. Her
Highness caught wind of it, forcibly usurped that role, and here we are...
「I heard it would be a fun
conversation, so I forcefully asked the Archduke and tagged along.」
『It
was truly forceful, though...』
「Oh, the Archduke is a lucky man.
Surrounded by a flower garden starting with Her Highness, while we are just a
bunch of scruffy men.」
Hahaha, you would think so, wouldn't you. But they are all
beautiful flowers capable of piercing hostiles with sharp thorns, you know.
「No, no, there is no mistaking that
they are beautiful flowers, but... once it comes to a battle, I am the weakest
among them and am forced to settle for the position of being protected.」
The Third Prince was about to laugh it off as a joke for a
moment, but seeing my solemn face, his expression changed to surprise.
To be honest, my words were true.
Her Highness Clarice, and Carla standing
behind me; honestly speaking, even I cannot match them in sword skills now. And
the ultimate is Yoltia. If she uses Gravity Magic, she is almost
invincible in interpersonal combat. Even Brother Darek, who is top-class
in the Kingdom, was completely helpless and lay pathetically plastered
to the earth...
The Empire side too, with the exception of one, looked
surprised and then seemed unable to gauge whether it was true or not. The
exception was Sieghart, who was grinning.
「I-I see. That is... an intriguing
story. By the way, one thing before we get to the main topic. I want you to
consider this not an official place, but a private drinking party. We will
leave no records and take no pledges. Therefore, regardless of status, I would
like to speak frankly as fellow warriors... Earlier, there were too many eyes
and ears. It was not a place where one could carelessly speak their true
feelings.」
Receiving Her Highness Clarice's gaze at that, I simply nodded.
I had told her she was free to keep them in check if
necessary. There was the matter with the merchants earlier, and our side also
needs to give them a little 'thank you.'
「Understood. I have heard that Your
Highness Grat also exchanges cups with common soldiers on the
battlefield, regardless of status. We have no objections.」
「Oh, you've even heard such stories?」
「Yes, as far as I know, including
Kings and those of equivalent standing, there are only three people in this
wide world who can do such a thing. I hold respect for the magnanimity of each
of you.」
「That is interesting, there are two
others...?」
「I hesitate to state the name of one,
but the other is right in front of Your Highness Grat.」
「I see. The Kingdom's hero
does not merely possess talent for martial valor and internal affairs, huh?」
「Yes, since his days as the Demon
Territory Count, he has treated everyone equally without discrimination,
and of course, even to a Princess, he would unhesitatingly say things like
'Muscle-brain, Tomboy, Born a woman by mistake,' and was a person of such grand
vision that he could kick me away in a sword fight.」
「……」
I mean, doesn't this tomboy have a talent for dominating her
opponent? Even the Third Prince is pulling back slightly... What are you going
to do if the way he looks at me changes in a bad direction!
Is she perhaps keeping him in check in her own way? Or is it
just her natural self? But, whether she is praising me or disparaging me is
also subtle...
「Hahaha, that is delightful! Then we
can speak without holding back. Our fox (Sieghart) is also an eccentric
who shows absolutely no restraint toward the royal family. He unhesitatingly
calls a royal (Glorious) an idiot, and ridicules my subordinates by
calling them muscle-brains. Just as we talked about at that seat, the Archduke
and that guy are... forgive my rudeness, but truly birds of a feather.」
Eh, really? But I am not similar to him. I properly understood my position. Calling someone an
idiot is rude...
Back in my Baron days, insulting Counts as 'those
blockheads'... I did do that. Not in front of them, though.
Similarly, 'You guys, shut up!' and 'You ungrateful,
shameless fools!'... I might have said those things too. This one was right in
front of them...
Even in the Fearalt Principality, borrowing words
from a novel I liked, 'A poorly disciplined dog'... I certainly said that. Ah,
but this wasn't towards superiors.
To those who can see, all of this makes us birds of a
feather, six of one and half a dozen of the other... True, it might be
inevitable to be told that, huh?
「Then let us get to the first main
topic. We are currently having trouble with a man who is a little bad at giving
up. We want to secretly communicate with you regarding that point.」
Her Highness Clarice was looking at me silently. Does
that mean she's leaving it to me from here on?
「I also had the opportunity to speak
with that person a few times, and he seemed intent on carrying out his original
intention (still not giving up). It won't end peacefully from here on, will it.」
「Regarding that, the matter of the Klimt
armor from earlier, may we take it as the will of the three countries? We too
intend to return the courtesy with courtesy and goodwill.」
「As of right now, that is correct.
But I dare to say this. Once a rebellion occurs within the Empire, we
will prioritize the peace and profit of our own countries. This is a major
premise. Based on that, I have something I want to ask.」
Here, I stared at Sieghart. He should be able to
guess what I am thinking. And he nodded silently.
「I heard from Lord Sieghart
before. That Your Highness Grat has no territorial ambitions. After
pushing back the invasion of the Sura Principality and establishing a safe defense line, where will Your
Highness advance?」
「I swear this much to the
representatives of each country. I have no intention of expanding the Empire
any further. Of course, I must prepare for external enemies, and if there is an
invasion, I will advance the army to a region where safety is secured, and it
cannot be denied that the territory will expand as a result. But once I become
Emperor, I plan to abolish that abominable custom.」
「Hoh... I express my respect for your decisive judgment. But...」
「I understand the Archduke's concern.
Neither Sieghart nor I are immortal. After our deaths, no, if the one
guiding the Empire falls in an unforeseen accident, the policy will
naturally change. Besides...」
Saying this much, the Third Prince changed his expression
bitterly.
「The Empire has become too
huge, and the current reality is that the center of national politics is caught
by the monster known as 'appearances.' Their hearts are possessed by the demon
called the Empire. To the point they cannot understand the facts right
in front of them...」
「After all, power and vested
interests are just that sort of thing. There were such fellows in the Kingdom in the past as well.」
「Then this will be quick. I want you
to understand that this meeting is a place to ask for your cooperation, washing
away past grudges so that it does not come to that in the future.」
「Then before I answer, what do you
predict will happen from here on? Please tell me that first.」
「Then I will answer the Archduke's
question.」
Prefacing it like that, Sieghart opened his mouth for
the first time.
「The troublesome person, I will dare
to call him an idiot unable to see the times in this setting. The idiots will likely begin to squirm as soon as they
return to the Imperial Capital. However, the idiots currently do not
have the power to execute it. We have dealt with it so that it would be that
way.」
I see. So that is what this time's reparations and prisoner
return are about. To foresee it that far...
「If they have no power, what will
they do? They will probably just sell off the Empire piecemeal so their
own pockets don't hurt, and borrow the power of other countries. First the Sura
Principality, and when they have lured us to the south, the Turncoat
Kingdom will strike our left flank.」
Explaining thus, Sieghart unrolled a large map. It
didn't just depict the borderlines; it detailed everything down to the factions
to which each noble in the Empire belonged, the highways, major cities
including surrounding countries and their scales, locations of military
facilities, and topography.
「By the way, before we get into the
explanation, as a proof of trust, I will give you this map after this meeting
ends. There are no lies or falsehoods here whatsoever, it is exactly the same
as what we own, I can proudly say so.」
This probably refers to the difference from the fake map the
Old Raccoon and the others were handed last time. Striking a preemptive nail
before being questioned, huh.
「Hahaha, that's scary in a different
sense. I'll have to respond to that proof.」
「As expected. You are indeed
different from idiots who would rejoice without principle. I dare say, if the
person sitting here were different, we would absolutely not have brought it
out. I choose my opponents.」
Does that mean if I had let the Old Raccoon be present as
originally planned, they wouldn't have disclosed it? Whether Her Highness's participation
will turn out to be good or bad from here on...
「To be honest, I want to be excused
from fighting a battle with Lord Takuhir. Of course, we will both
prepare countermeasures just in case, but I want to avoid shedding blood in a
pointless war. I believe Lord Takuhir shares this understanding.」
I feel the same way. Besides, not once have I ever thought I
could beat him.
「Therefore, I thought there would be
no problem handing over the map. Of course, there will be battles where we
grind each other down in policy, political strategy, and business in the
future, but we intend to show proper sincerity for a long-lasting relationship.」
「Like the matter with the merchants
today?」
I tried being a little sarcastic. This must surely be the
'battles where we grind each other down in business.'
「Yes! Just hearing the story made me
excited. I almost wanted to participate and see your splendid skill for myself.
Business negotiations are, after all, a battle of wits based on contracts and
compromises commensurate with the price, having gauged the other party's
intentions.」
Somehow... I feel like I'm receiving a straightforward
declaration of war in a different sense... Here, the Third Prince gave a small
cough.
「Ah, my apologies. Please let me
return to the topic. Probably... the first flames will rise here and here, and
here.」
Saying so, he pointed at the strategic points of the former Sura
Principality, the new territory occupied by the Empire.
「If that happens, we will be forced
to deal with three locations simultaneously. Then, suddenly, we will receive a
new invasion from our left rear and be semi-surrounded. Finally, if an army is
sent from the Imperial Capital side to cap us off...」
「You would truly become rats in a
bag.」
「Exactly as you say. Therefore, we
have a request. In the unlikely event that a war begins, we want you to enter
our territory spreading across the northern Empire and deploy your army.
Even without fighting and without marching a long distance, we believe the
effect will be exceptionally large.」
「And that would be a sufficient
deterrent against the lid (Glorious)?」
「Yes, and this is... our high hope,
but if the situation permits, we would like you to dispatch an army to this
city at the southernmost tip of the old Empire territory as well. It is
strictly a faint hope, but...」
「If that happens, this time our army
will be completely isolated, won't it?」
「Exactly as you say. But if you are
isolated, we will be to the south of that. Together we will stabilize the south
and the east, and return the army. Though, all of this is armchair theory,
including the predictions. However, if it's Lord Takuhir... we believe
you could devise a plan to overcome even this situation.」
『No,
there's no need for overestimation.』I strongly denied it in my heart.
「This is our selfish, high hope.」
「Hahaha, it truly is a high price. We
will make the best choice to protect the Kyle Kingdom and the Westlights
Dukedom into the future. That is all I can say right now.」
「Yes, those words alone are
sufficient for now. Then Your Highness, how about the other proposal from here?」
「A-Ah, right.」
Since the Third Prince, who was a party involved, looked
somewhat dumbfounded by the conversation up to this point, Sieghart's
words must have hit the core to a certain extent, and it was likely an
incredibly convenient content for them.
However, whether it was a misdirection making the most
unpleasant proposal first so the next one would seem better, or if he genuinely
harbored such a faint hope, I still didn't know.
「The other request is, could you
attempt to revive the Demon Territory in the territory on the old Empire
side?」
『Hah?』I
swallowed the rude words that almost slipped out at the Third Prince's
statement. And I couldn't fathom the meaning of the outlandish remark.
「Of course, we will provide funding
and accommodate you. To begin with, on the western side of the region ceded
this time, a dense forest of the Demon Territory spread along the border
mountain range 500 years ago. The revival of that forest, we have long harbored
that desire.」
「Do you really think such a thing is
possible?」
「I don't know. But, if it can be
done... actually, until 200 years ago, monsters very rarely came out of the
mountains in that area.」
「But... it's not a simple thing, and
I cannot guarantee it. Rather, it's a story more likely to end in vain effort.
In the first place, what happens to the residents of the relevant area?」
「That point is not a problem. Sieghart
laid the groundwork in advance, and the residents of the region where the
development test will be conducted have completely evacuated. Into the Archduke's
domain, of course.」
No, seriously... Are you for real?
「Where does your intent lie? What
benefit does reviving the Demon Territory bring to the Empire?」
「We too want to revive the Demon
Territory. The damage from monsters must of course be considered, but its
blessings are also great. I heard that Teigoon and Aegis
completely coexist with the Demon Territory. Rather than plundering and
purchasing, we also want to find a way out in nurturing it.」
「Please allow me to supplement a little. Initially it is an experimental
measure in the Principality's territory, but if it succeeds, we
want to extend it west, and extend it into the Empire territory spreading on
the western side of the former Marquis Bradley's domain. Along the
ancient domain of the Demon Territory... We will invest, and if
successful, we will buy that knowledge. Then we want to deploy it in the Empire
based on that.」
「To be honest, it sounds even more
far-fetched than the previous story.」
I answered like that, but it was something I had always been
thinking about too. Coexistence with the Demon Territory; making this a
proposition, I was thinking of shifting from developing the Demon Territory
to maintaining it from here on out. Of course, this is on the premise of
deploying defensive walls to ensure safety and establishing a complete
segregation.
「Don't tell me, appointing me as the
lord in the peace conditions, rather than dragging a formidable enemy out of
his hole, the purpose was these two points...?」
「Yes, just as you say.」
Hey, hey, don't say it with such a smile!
「We have overwhelming superiority in
the succession to the throne, but we have not completely won. The greatest
purpose of the talks surrounding this prisoner return was that we wanted you as
an ally. It boils down to that. If we do that, we can direct all our efforts to
the south and the power struggle without any worries about our rear.」
「Why me to such an extent?」
「Even within the Empire, there
are about two people who know the true worth of the Archduke. I trust the words of those two. That means, in other words, I
believe in the Archduke.」
Two people? Who is the other? Receiving the Third Prince's
words, I made a dubious expression.
「You may have already guessed, but
one is Sieghart here, and the other is... Duroul.」
「Viscount Duroul?」
「Even though it was the result of
political strife, when the dispatch of troops to the Kyle Kingdom was
decided, he came to admonish me with a pale face. Saying, 'They are
benefactors, definitely not an opponent we should fight!' After he understood
our true intentions... it seems he was busily going around persuading his
former acquaintances under Glorious's command.」
『I
see... he did...』Thinking so, I was a little deeply moved. I had only met him
a few times, so I had never exchanged intimate words with him.
「Just as in His Highness's story just
now, you have the capacity to embrace even enemy soldiers you crossed blades
with until just before. In fact, many soldiers from both the Imperial
Kingdom and the Empire have joined your camp. And above all, it's my
intuition gained when I spoke with you directly.」
No... that's an overestimation. Certainly, I have done
things deviating from the common sense of this world many times, but...
「If not for this purpose, regarding
the return of the First Prince, we could have mutually forced the unneeded item
(Glorious) on each other, and as a result, it would have been fine if
negotiations tangled and were scrapped. No, rather, I think I would have done
so. Well, regarding the Demon Territory, it feels like we just added our
future dream on as an afterthought.」
Then, that treaty text that seemed tacked on at the end... 『The Empire will not desire
any rights to the Demon Territory in the Kingdom whatsoever in
the future. Accordingly, the Kingdom side will provide maximum
accommodation to the Empire within an allowable range regarding the Demon
Territory.』
Does that mean that was foreshadowing for the second objective? They provide funding and buy the know-how to deploy it in
their own country. If told that much, I must provide maximum accommodation
within an allowable range...
A story where it's not even known if it can be done...
Hey... you've set up a lot of incredibly bothersome things!
But... for us, the best move left is to join hands with
them, who have no territorial ambitions. So that's how it is...
The world from here on is a new world where I absolutely cannot see the future. The historical cheat is no more. Will I really be able to pull through? In my heart, I was holding my head in my hands heavily.
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