Chapter 462
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
Souvenir and Demand
With the unexpected development, all the previous discussions were
completely flipped over, but what should I do about the future now? To begin
with, if I marry off Karin, I will have to protect not only my own
country but also the Kingdom with all my might. Of course, King Kyle and
the old raccoon probably brought up the marriage proposal anticipating that,
but... However, one thing I reconsidered was that I felt this was not a scheme
or anything in this world, but a perfectly natural thing. It was natural in the
feudal eras of medieval Europe and Japan, and during the Sengoku period,
tragedies such as marrying off a daughter to the enemy or sacrificing that
daughter to attack her marital family were common. Is it because I am bound by
the common sense of modern Japan? Is it because I am swayed by my affections as
a father? I will have to come up with the answer to that myself in the future.
After thinking so and letting out a big sigh, I decided to move on to the
business I had brought myself this time.
「Now then, from here on, I will speak as the Archduke of the Demon
Territory Dukedom, who not only has charge of a country but also
prioritizes cooperation with neighboring countries above all else. Please
listen prepared for this point.」
I daringly erased my expression here and dropped the tone of my voice
one level. No, I might be making a cold-blooded face.
「O-Of course.」
「U-Understood.」
Naturally, the two of them tightened their festive moods and seemed to
sense something extraordinary, but I'd be troubled if they didn't.
「Earlier, regarding relations with neighboring countries, I asked about
the Kyle Kingdom's resolve, but I will ask King Kyle that again
anew. As desired, do you have the corresponding resolve to maintain an equal
relationship?」
Saying so, I stared intently into King Kyle's eyes. It seems the
King also had no hesitation regarding this question, and he returned my gaze
with a straight look.
「I do. Is that not why the Archduke proposed this to me earlier?」
That is certainly true, but until just before, it was still preamble
talk. The talk that forces a heavy decision upon the Kingdom becomes the main
subject from here on.
「To be honest, the reality is that the four countries excluding the Kyle
Kingdom are deepening their coordination and friendship, and are advancing
two or three steps ahead, more than you are concerned about. Of course, as the
King of the Demon Territory Dukedom, I will act to support the Kyle
Kingdom, but whether you can fall into step with the neighboring countries
is a different story.」
Here, their expressions changed all at once. Because they realized that
while I would act in response to their requests, that was strictly regarding
the relationship between the Demon Territory Dukedom and the Kyle
Kingdom, and relations with other countries were a separate issue; I had
declared as much.
「In order to fall into step, the Kyle Kingdom must newly steer
towards becoming a nation that exercises 『collective
self-defense』 among allied nations, while firmly
maintaining its national policy of 『exclusively
defensive defense』.」
There is a huge difference here, but will they notice this? To begin
with, a concept like collective self-defense does not exist in this world.
「Umm... what is collective self-defense?」
As expected. Now, how should I explain it...
「First, recall when the Demon Territory Dukedom fought the
four-country allied army at the northern border of the Empire. At that
time, the Kingdom dispatched reinforcements. I am still grateful for that, but
an additional element will be added to that.」
At that time, the Kingdom voluntarily dispatched reinforcements in
response to the information I provided. This is a common story among allied
nations, but...
「Which is?」
「The first is that the Kingdom army will spontaneously open war and
attack the enemy army, as long as it is within the scope of a war defending the
Demon Territory Dukedom, even without our request.」
In that battle, the Royal Capital Knights dispatched from the Kingdom
were strictly reinforcements, and participated in the war matching pace with
the Demon Territory Dukedom army. But when it comes to collective
self-defense, it becomes a story that steps even further than that.
「Hmu... in that sense, would you say that Archduke-heika
making an expedition far to the southern territory of the Empire and
defeating the invading enemy army in various places—that action itself was
exercising collective self-defense?」
Yeah, that example makes it easier to convey my true intention. Because
in order to rescue the Third Prince faction, we spontaneously opened war at our
own discretion as an ally and destroyed the enemy army. Of course, this was
against the Sura Principality army and the Turncoat Kingdom army,
with whom the Demon Territory Dukedom had no involvement or history of
hostility.
「Exactly as the Minister of Foreign Affairs says. So, the second point.
The targets for the Kyle Kingdom to protect will become the four
countries including the Empire, not just the Demon Territory Dukedom.
So to speak, can you dispatch your army without hesitation for the defensive
wars of those four countries, and spontaneously open war?」
「Th-That is...」
For the Kingdom up until now, the answer is NO. Precisely because I
know that, I am daring to ask them as a 『resolve』.
「The four countries other than the Kyle Kingdom have accepted
that. Of course, if the Kyle Kingdom also accepts and joins the circle,
if the Kingdom enters a state of war—as a timely example, if the Ist-Harias
Holy State invades—the four countries will dispatch armies to repel the
Holy State, or independently open war to provide flank support.」
Yes, 『I only want to be protected, but I will not
protect the other party』 does not work in this
world. If so, it becomes a self-evident truth that it will be 『protect your own country yourself.』
「There is just one thing I wish to confirm with Archduke-heika,
but we will not participate in invasion. We cannot break this premise, but even
if it is called a defensive war, does it apply if an allied nation invades
first, receives a counterattack, and conversely has its national territory
violated?」
Hahaha, what a scenario setting typical of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. However, we had already discussed this point on the ship, and the line
is clearly drawn.
「No, it does not apply. It is strictly only when the national territory
is violated unilaterally. Applying it to the current situation in the north, if
the Kyle Kingdom dispatches an army across the national border in
response to the Federation's request and enters a state of war with the Imperial
Kingdom, even if you are defeated and the Kingdom territory is violated, we
will absolutely not interfere.」
In this area, even between countries that have concluded an alliance,
we will abandon them as reaping what they sow. As a major premise, our alliance
is based on the vow to cease acts of invasion and not commit them.
「Then I wish to ask another thing. Suppose the Imperial Kingdom invades Kyle
Kingdom territory; what happens to the act of repelling them and crossing
the national border for pursuit?」
「That is recognized, and the armies of the allied nations will likely
also cross the national border to pursue. Because otherwise, it becomes 『running away is winning.』 In addition, in that
case, it is also recognized for the Demon Territory Dukedom to attack
from the south for reinforcements and invade the Imperial Kingdom territory.
Because this is also part of assisting the Kingdom army.」
「Then in such a case, if we repel the enemy army and gain new territory
through post-war negotiations, what happens then? As a result of gaining
another country's territory, will that be considered an invasion?」
「Hahaha, hasn't the answer to that already been given? The Kyle
Kingdom's new eastern and northern territories, and to begin with, isn't
the Demon Territory Dukedom itself exactly that? And yet the Kyle
Kingdom still advocates exclusively defensive defense, does it not?」
「......」
Oh my, did that boomerang stab a little too hard? The old raccoon is
unusually silent, but...
「Furthermore, this alliance is not limited to war. The text of the
alliance includes items such as economic cooperation, preferential treatment in
trade, recognition of various rights and interests, mutual aid during
disasters, etc., in addition to security limited to defensive wars.」
Saying so, I showed the two of them the text, and they were both
intently looking at the contents, but their gaze stopped at a certain part. Of
course, that was because it was a story the two of them had no way of knowing.
「I wish to ask the Archduke. What is this new 『Free Border』? What is the tax-free
special zone city to be established there?」
Here, I explained to them.
·
That the Demon Territory
Dukedom is developing a highway passing through a new national border as a
return favor to the Empire and the Principality.
·
That a city which will be a
tax-free special zone will be established there.
·
That the target is limited to the
allied nations.
And finally, I explained the schedule for utilizing the city, the
intentions of each country, and so on. Of course, including preferential
tariffs between allied nations, and benefits and priority matters concerning
crossing the national border...
「W-With this, we will be left behind in commercial distribution as well,
won't we!」
「I believe you can now understand the meaning of my saying you are 『two or three steps behind.』 Of course, we have no
feeling of excluding the Kingdom. To begin with, the basic concept of the plan
is a Five-Power Alliance including the Kingdom, not a Four-Power Alliance.」
I think it's natural for the two of them to panic. To begin with, with Clarisse-denka
marrying there, they were probably expecting a honeymoon state with the Fearalt
Principality. However, if a new national border is developed, commercial
distribution between the Principality and the Empire or the Demon
Territory Dukedom will become increasingly active, but those transactions
will completely bypass the Kingdom side. If that happens, only the Kingdom will
be left behind.
「You can also think of it this way. Although it won't be the entire
Kingdom, the western frontier of the Kingdom will become even more enriched.
Because goods will be distributed using waterways from the Empire to the
Principality, and the majority within the Principality. Because goods from the
north can be procured faster and cheaper via Salaam.」
If my brother's territory gets enriched by this, it's a huge win for me
too.
「We can also participate in the alliance, right? If so, by all means...」
Before King Kyle, who was about to say that, I presented five
sets of signing documents already signed by the heads of the four countries. Of
course, if the Kyle Kingdom fills it in, everything will be complete.
However... there's still one final loyalty test.
「Before having you sign and seal it, there is just one more thing I must
convey. As part of concluding the treaty, we will form a multinational force
for the tranquility of the allied nations. This is for each country to dispatch
an army and station it in a place with potential danger in the future, showing
potential enemy nations our unity and our intent to not permit invasion. Will
you accept this as well?」
Saying so, I pointed to a map detailing the neighboring countries
including the Demon Territory Dukedom, and the planned stationing ground
for the multinational force.
「This is strictly for defense and is a military demonstration, but there
is no guarantee that a battle absolutely won't occur. However, at the same
time, it will show our unity to foreign nations.」
「「......」」
As expected, an immediate answer is difficult in the current situation.
Because the Kingdom is currently in the middle of sending the Second and Third
Armies out of the three Royal Capital Knights armies, which are its
ready-response military strength, to the north and east respectively.
「By the way, I am not saying right now. The place to station hasn't even
been built yet, so for the time being, only the three directly involved
countries will handle it. However, the King of Fearalt has also clearly
stated that he will dispatch an army, and there was a request from Princess
Consort Clarisse saying, 『I would definitely like
you to reach out to the Kingdom as well,』 so...」
「I see... Clarisse was also worrying about us, wasn't she?
Looking ahead to the Kingdom's future...」
Saying so, King Kyle let out a big breath.
「Will you take some time and consider it slowly?」
At these words, King Kyle immediately and grandly shook his
head.
「No, after calling it a matter of life and death for the Kingdom myself,
if I hesitate here, I will be exasperated by her (Clarisse). Let me sign
it right here. Also to show gratitude to the Archduke who took the trouble to
prepare a souvenir for us. You took the trouble to prepare and bring it for
five countries, didn't you? I also have the responsibility to connect the
future of the new Kingdom to the next generation, after all.」
Saying so, King Kyle called for people and began preparations
for signing, but since this becomes an agreement among five countries, five
sets containing the signatures and seals of the five countries are necessary.
Therefore, right now, I have brought all the documents already signed by the
four countries and am present here.
◇
After the signing was completed anew, I began to speak from the
standpoint of having become an allied nation.
「With this, the Kingdom has also officially become our allied nation. As
a member of the allied nations, I am going to ascertain the current situation
in the north and east with my own eyes from now on.」
「「!!!」」
No, I don't think it's a story for both of them to be that surprised about, though. I had that intention from the beginning, and it's not like there are no other reasons. The Ist-Harias Holy State shares a border with the Lute-Vile-Cain Kingdom, and it is also close to the territory I entrusted to Margrave Solis (Alexis). Because I am acting not just for the Kingdom, but as a major matter for the Demon Territory Dukedom. Well, whether this is seen as being used conveniently by the Kingdom, or seen as moving taking the initiative myself, that depends on how you look at it. However, I myself am merely moving in the easiest and most reassuring direction.
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