Chapter 319
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Four-Nation Alliance
Translator : PolterGlast
On the night of the harvest festival, the city of Kusanagi was in an uproar with a grand
celebration. There were no longer walls separating the Empire, the Principality, and the Kingdom there. Those belonging to each
country became one, celebrating the first harvest, and fully enjoying the
alcohol and food.
And one more thing that colored the city at night was the
customary lights. The specially processed lights made flowers born of light
bloom throughout the developing city.
「I'd like a little something more for
entertainment...」
Muttering such a thing, I was making my way to the
guesthouse, which we had hurried to construct with priority, managing to
somehow just get its appearance in order. Yes, for me who knows the festivals
in Japan, I felt I wanted a bit more liveliness or flashy staging.
「Is something the matter?」
She must have sensed my expression. Yuka, whom I had
summoned from the Royal Capital for this occasion, peered at me with a puzzled
face.
「No... I just thought I wanted
something a little more glamorous. Not just this city. For example, something
to add flair to the marriage of His Majesty Krieger and Her Highness Clarice
in Fearalt, I want something like that.」
「I see. How about something glamorous
like music, or the staging using Light Mages, Wind Mages, and
dancing flowers that was done before? How about echoing that music with Sound
Magic and creating a solemn atmosphere?」
That's... also a possibility. But I have neither the talent
nor the sense for music itself.
「Then maybe I'll ask Yuka.
Could you consult with Father-in-law's Sound Mages and think of such a
performance? Since... we will be going to the Fearalt Principality
together eventually. Also, I want you to talk it over with Shannon and Leila.
I'll issue instructions from my end too.」
「My! Are you taking me with you too?」
「Yeah, as my wife, and as Her
Highness's close attendant, you're indispensable, after all.」
「Thank you very much! In that case, I
can't help but work even harder.」
Yuka was
genuinely pleased, seeming to feel a sense of purpose in the new mission.
Expressing her enthusiasm with her body, she looked very adorable.
「Now, before that, one job to do.
Originally I wouldn't want to participate in a banquet gathered with such
distinguished individuals, though.」
「Fufufu, you don't seem to realize
it, Takuhir-sama,
but you are one of the 'distinguished individuals' who doesn't fall behind them
at all.」
Well... it's true in terms of my current status, but I just
can't get used to it.
Besides that, will that research show results soon? It's
still a dangerous thing in this world, but... to repel a large army with a
small military force, it will absolutely be necessary, and as long as I conceal
the process...
While thinking so, I arrived at the guesthouse where the
'distinguished individuals' were gathered. In the grand hall there, those of
Baron rank or higher among my companions who were in Kusanagi this day
were attending along with their wives and companions, and the ones serving as
waiters were only trustworthy individuals directly selected by Anne.
These were the minimum number of people who could keep a
secret, and people I myself could feel safe revealing the true identities of
the distinguished individuals to.
「Everyone, you've done very well up
to here. Developing from scratch in an unfamiliar land, I believe I have caused
you all various hardships. This harvest festival is to reward that, and to
celebrate the harvest without distinction of status. This time we also have
unexpected guests participating from afar, but this gathering is a
free-and-easy drinking party, same as the New Year's banquet. Therefore, as
everyone is already aware, I will not dare to introduce each person. The guests
have also agreed to this, so please enjoy yourselves together without strange
reservations. Now, let us celebrate the harvest and exchange cups.
Cheers!」
「「「「「Cheers!」」」」」
With my greeting, cups were raised all at once, and the
banquet began. This time too, as usual, it was a buffet style, taking the form
of enjoying food at each table in the first half, and moving freely from the
middle stage onward. Because if we don't do that, the side receiving greetings
won't have time to eat at all.
「Oho, this 'free-and-easy' is
interesting. One can enjoy themselves ignoring troublesome court customs. Is
this the Kingdom's style?」
「No, Your Highness, there is no such
interesting concept even in the Kingdom. I believe it is a style
established by Archduke Westlights.」
「Your Highness Grat, Your
Highness Clarice, allow me to correct you slightly. This was devised by
my mother so that everyone could enjoy themselves without reserve and equally
at the banquet held every New Year, a gathering
to invite the territory residents and reward their efforts for the year.」
Saying so, I introduced my mother who was at this table.
「It is a pleasure to gain an audience
with you all for the first time. I am Marquis Solis's wife, Chris.
First of all, I humbly express my gratitude for you coming all the way from
afar to His Majesty the Archduke's celebratory banquet. Furthermore,
I sincerely ask for your continued favor towards the Archduke in the future.」
Saying so, my mother greeted them with graceful movements.
「Oh, you are... the outstanding
figure who sent forth the two great generals supporting the Kingdom. I
see, it stands to reason. It is I who wishes to form a long-lasting friendship.」
「It is I who is glad to meet the
mother of my friend. Also, I respectfully express my gratitude to your sons for
supporting our country not only during the civil war but also after the war.」
「Such words from the two great ones
are wasted on me. That child is truly a lucky person.」
「We too would definitely like to hear
stories about the Archduke and such from his mother.」
「If you don't mind me polluting your
ears...」
Facing the two noblemen, my mother responded without
wavering at all, making the conversation bloom.
Even so... Mother, you are already around forty, yet no
matter how I look at you, you look around thirty, no, late twenties; is it my
eyes that are strange?
Seeing my mother dressed up for the first time in a while,
somehow my heart pounded at her appearance, which was more fittingly described
as cute rather than beautiful.
「The Marchioness is truly impressive,
isn't she. Her dignified demeanor, and how she never forgets to be considerate
of her surroundings. Even though everyone else is overwhelmed and can't even
participate in the conversation.」
Her Highness Clarice sighed while saying so.
...No, you are acting dignified too, aren't you? Well, she's
originally on the receiving end of consideration, so she's probably used to it.
Is it exactly because she often sees such scenes that she
can tell my mother's response stands out all the more?
Just as she pointed out, the men are almost frozen with
tension, except for three. They are Marquis Gorman, Marquis Solis,
Marquis Flame, Earl Falmus (Viscount Kreitz who succeeded
the family name), and Viscount Bouner, who are at the same table.
The only ones unperturbed are Sieghart silently
satisfying his appetite, Commander Weiss watching the situation with a
smile, and Viscount Duroul who remained aloof.
Among the women, besides my mother, the only one at this
seat along with Her Highness Clarice is Yuka, but these three are
acting dignified, and were participating in the conversation with the current
King and the future Emperor along with my mother.
As expected, girls are strong. Mentally... I recognized that
anew.
It was just as I thought so. The conversation started
heading in a strange direction.
「I was thinking, rather than
establishing an embassy of the Kingdom in Termira, wouldn't it be
better to establish it in Kusanagi? How about His Majesty Krieger
also establishes an embassy of the Principality?」
「Excuse me, what is this 'embassy'?」
「Your Highness Grat, in the
past, during the reign of the first King Kyle, the Kyle Kingdom
established things called embassies as branch offices of the clans holding
villages in various places. It is said that they dispatched an ambassador with
full proxy authority there, and things other than crucial negotiations were
decided swiftly through negotiations with the embassy.」
「Oh, that's quite interesting. Then I
would like to request that the Empire also establishes an embassy in Kusanagi.」
「Your Highness, may I run as a
candidate for the ambassador?」
For some reason, Sieghart, who had been dedicating
himself to satisfying his appetite, joined in there.
「Fool! I need you to be useful on the
battlefield and in the center! You probably thought you could eat delicious
food and take a leisurely nap if you were here...」
「Tch, and I thought I could finally
take it easy...」
With the exchange between these two, the table was instantly
enveloped in laughter, and I felt the atmosphere softened a little. After that,
everyone began conversing, and the party livened up harmoniously.
Honestly speaking, seeing those who would not even hesitate
to kill each other in a conflict between nations chatting so harmoniously like
this, transcending status, was something deeply moving for me. This is the
future I seek, I'm sure of it.
※
And in the second half of the banquet, when moving between
tables became possible, I called my wives over anew and introduced them to the
two of them one by one. First is Yuka, who had already exchanged
greetings, and Anne, then Miseri,
Claire, and Yoltia, whom I hastily summoned by fast horse...
Even His Highness Grat,
who had a normal expression up to Anne, finally had a face of surprise
at the wives appearing one after another. His
Highness Krieger was also acquainted with Yuka, Claire,
and Yoltia, but was surprised that there were two more.
「I see, I must add another title for
the Archduke in my mind. He was a formidable man in that path as well...」
No... Your Highness Grat, please, I beg you, stop.
Just that...
「My friend, to have that many wives,
and to even try to obtain Lady Clarice; my, my, you're quite... one
can't judge by appearances.」
No! I wasn't trying to obtain her. I was just being schemed
against to obtain her. I mean, that tomboy! Did she even say such a thing to
His Majesty...
After that, after they received greetings one after another,
at the end...
On the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom side: Me,
Commander Weiss, Alexis, and for some reason Raphael. On
the Griffonia Empire
side: His Highness Grat and Sieghart. On the Fearalt
Principality side: His Majesty Krieger and Marquis Flame.
With these eight people surrounding the seat, they ended up
making tactical theories bloom from beginning to end.
Or so I thought, but before I knew it, Her Highness Clarice
had joined too. This princess who seems like she was born a woman by mistake
rather jumps at it when the conversation turns to that.
What they were particularly interested in was the defense
tactics of Aegis and Kleirat that repelled the fierce attack by the Principality's Magic Corps, and the large-scale annihilation
attack by the Magic Cannons that obliterated the First Prince's army and
the Fearalt Principality's rebel army.
But... I cannot carelessly speak about either of them.
Especially Sieghart, whose eyes are sparkling brightly...
I managed to keep it at a conversational level that could
somehow be spoken of, and made it through this dinner session.
And after dispersing, only the representatives of the 4
countries gathered in the salon and talked about the future.
「Even so, this time is more
meaningful than the talk in that tent. If possible, I would like to hold such
meetings regularly, but... well, that will be after resolving the preceding
issues.」
「Indeed. The stability of the Empire
and the Demon Territory Dukedom is indispensable for our country as
well. And if the four countries join hands together through Lady Clarice...」
「First, even if it's a verbal
promise, we join hands. That might be fine for the time being. Since the
opposing factions probably don't know about this.」
「I agree.」
「I have no objections either, rather
I welcome it.」
「The Kingdom also agrees.」
The representatives of the four countries all nodded to each
other with satisfied looks. This was the moment, so to speak, when the alliance
of the four countries, which would not be left in official records, was formed.
「How about it, going forward
regularly, at least once a year, we representing each country gather, and
deepen information exchange and friendship?」
「Let's see. I will consult my father
too. At the earliest, next year I too will no longer be a person of the Kingdom.」
「I would like to send an envoy of
congratulation from the Empire for the marriage ceremony as well, but
would you accept it? From the three countries, we have also received great
gifts, after all...」
「Of course. We will send an
invitation, so please treat us well... By the way, regarding the embassy Lady Clarice mentioned, naturally we will pay the compensation, but
could we receive land here?」
「Right, I would like to request that
as the Empire as well.」
「The Kingdom too.」
「Yes, understood. In that case, we
will have to predetermine the arrangements concerning the embassy, ambassadors,
and staff. For example, regarding extraterritoriality within the embassy, and
investigative authority on our side as well. Information gathering is a matter
of course, but we want to avoid the embassy becoming a base for spies or
malice.」
「Hoh, you speak as if you already know
how this system operates beforehand?」
‘Crap! An unexpected retort came from the Third Prince.’
「Well, I've been thinking about
various concepts, you see. First, I'll compile a draft and send it to each
country.」
Saying so, I somehow smoothed it over. This night, although it is still merely a verbal promise now, a four-country alliance was formed, and each country began to walk a new path of coexistence never seen before in the past. Whether this will become a memorable day for them, or a sinking mud boat, is not yet certain.
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