Chapter 464
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
Secret Journey ② Negotiations with the Federation
In
order to meet with the messengers, we had to change seats. Participating on the
Kyle Kingdom side were Margrave Model and Army Commander Hoffman,
along with one general under each of them. Additionally, Virele and I
joined and sat at the table.
On
the other hand, the Federation side consisted of a total of six people:
the Minister of Commerce who was appointed as the allied nations' Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, the representatives of the four countries
located west of the new territory, and the governing representative of the
jointly managed territory. It seemed to be an unprecedented lineup for them.
Does this mean they are quite pressed and eager to reach some sort of
conclusion on this occasion?
After
greetings, including standard diplomatic pleasantries, were exchanged between
Margrave Model and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,
they suddenly cut to the main topic.
「Now then, I presume the preparations
in your country are complete? Of course, we will also support you with all our
might.」
Hey
hey, the side asking for reinforcements has no right to talk about 『support』 or anything! Are they
misunderstanding their own position?
「Well now, I do not understand what
you are referring to. We merely followed the King-heika's orders
and readied our soldiers to protect our national territory.」
Hahaha,
his feigned ignorance around here is top-notch as expected. The other party
clearly made an unpleasant expression.
「If so, is there not a need to strike
out immediately? Your country's national territory is about to be invaded right
now. You cannot afford to involve the hard-won new territory in the ravages of
war, can you?」
「For that reason as well, we have
thus readied our soldiers and are preparing. However... there is also a major
problem.」
「What do you mean by a problem? At
the border of the jointly managed territory, violent soldiers have readied
their preparations for invasion, and their intent to invade is obvious, is it
not! If they cross that, your country will also be trampled in the blink of an
eye!」
Perhaps
losing his patience with the Margrave's evasive attitude, the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary raised his voice. However, if we isolate only
this part, what he's saying is correct.
At
the time of the territorial cession, because the former Uros Kingdom was
divided into three parts north to south, the jointly managed territory and the
new territory have a vertically long terrain where the east-west distance is
very narrow. Therefore, once the enemy army crosses the border, they will
easily pass through the jointly managed territory and reach the new territory
on the Kyle Kingdom side as well. Moreover, there isn't even a decent
defensive facility line at the border.
「Even if their intentions are
visible, we cannot open war unless they step foot into Kingdom territory. It is
a frustrating story for us warriors, but this is the national policy our
country has protected for many years: exclusively defensive defense.」
「B-But... we are in a position where
we do not even know what tomorrow brings. Once war open, many citizens will
have everything stolen by the violent soldiers! Now that the sea route is
blockaded, the land route is the only escape route!」
The
one who raised the tragic voice was the representative of the jointly managed
territory. From his perspective, he probably wants reinforcements to be
deployed as soon as possible to bring the situation under control.
「We are aware of that as well. For
that reason, I believe we sent a notification saying, 『We
will provide accommodations when you evacuate and pass through our country,』 did we not? However, you had better hurry with that too.」
「Wh-What do you mean?」
「In recent years, we have always
achieved victory even under overwhelmingly disadvantageous conditions. Do you
understand why that is?」
「「「「「???」」」」」
At
this point, I understood what Margrave Model wanted to say, but they
seemed completely clueless. Even so... his skill at evading the issue is
first-rate.
「It's simple. In fighting, we have
always obtained the advantage of the terrain. No matter how strong an enemy
that outnumbers us, they were no match for us who had the geographical
advantage. Therefore, this time as well, we will follow the example of our past
battles.」
「Which means?」
「In the unlikely event that the Holy
State's forces invade the new territory, we will immediately protect the
citizens and conduct a strategic retreat towards the former Kingdom side.
Therefore, we have just decided in the earlier meeting to issue a decree to the
territory residents in advance, and have them prepare to evacuate just in case.」
「「「「「What!」」」」」
Hahaha,
were they all so astonished that they involuntarily stood up from their seats?
It's a natural reaction if they realize the army they were relying on won't
even become a wall. Moreover, if the Kingdom army retreats, this time the
countries of the Federation will become the front lines, and the
developments that will happen beyond that are obvious.
「You say you will retreat without
fighting! What of the Kingdom's honor!」
「For us, honor means not sacrificing
the territory residents, and achieving a complete victory without sacrificing
soldiers. While it is appreciated that your country worries about our honor, it
is an unnecessary concern.」
「If so, even without retreating, you
could just strike out! To completely control the national border, the Holy
State has deployed its soldiers widely and lacks depth. If you attempt a
single-point breakthrough, deploy to the rear, and push them in...」
Hahaha,
a rear deployment tactic after a frontal breakthrough? That's the epitome of
crude tactics. If it were me, I'd dare to open a hole and let them break
through, then envelop the enemy that broke through with my entire army and
annihilate them by encirclement. Probably, the Holy State side has also
prepared calculations for such a situation as one possibility.
「In that case, we would be the ones
to strike first, and we would be invading the Holy State, would we not?」
「To begin with, they are invaders,
what hindrance is there to that...」
「It will not do!」
Here,
Margrave Model roared. Completely changing from his evasive responses
until now, revealing his anger.
「Even in the battle three years ago,
the great war on which the fate of the Kingdom hinged, we earnestly carried
through with exclusively defensive defense! Even against the Imperial army,
which had already repeatedly invaded and violated our national territory. Do
you people not understand our feelings, like vomiting blood!」
This
is an undeniable fact. The Margrave and I both fought that way as concerned
parties in the previous great war. However... the truth is that we simply
didn't have the leeway to counter-invade, there's that aspect too.
「B-But then, are you telling us to
sit and accept the invasion of the enemy army!」
「I'll return those words exactly back
to you. Are you telling us to throw away our lives and become watchdogs for the
Federation? The lives of soldiers cannot be bought with money!」
「「「「「......」」」」」
At
Army Commander Hoffman's words, they all fell silent simultaneously. It
hits the mark, so it can't be helped. However, only the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary wore a fearless smile.
「Am I to understand... that this is
the response of the Kyle Kingdom side to a friendly nation, reflecting
the will of King Kyle? As I am appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary, my words are the consensus of the Federation.」
"So
what?" is what I feel like saying to that way of speaking. Are you capable
of providing an answer representing the Kingdom? Is that what he's asking,
including a half-threat? Although, being the Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary, he is in a position to receive the consensus of the entire Federation,
so his voice is equal to that of a head of state. Is he using that position to
come and threaten us this time?
「If you do not extend a hand even
when we are in a predicament, we cannot possibly rely on the Kingdom. How the
neighboring countries will think of the Kyle Kingdom... I would
appreciate it if you could understand that it cannot be helped if we, out of
desperation, side with the Imperial Kingdom instead.」
Hahaha,
what a nasty threat. Moreover, utilizing the difference in position to start
cornering us... This is no longer the phrasing of a side asking for help. In
response, it's probably not something the Kingdom side can answer immediately
from the position of a Margrave or Army Commander. Even if their opinions don't
flip, the initiative of the negotiation shifts to them.
If
I weren't present here... that is. Here, I also resolved myself not to show
them any mercy.
「Following the words you just spat
out, if you want to side with the Holy State, you may do so. And which
countries are you referring to when you mentioned neighboring countries
earlier? As far as I know, I don't think there are any countries that would go
along with your tyranny.」
Gazes
concentrated all at once on me who made that statement. One side was filled
with hostility, and the other side looked like they were half-stifling
laughter.
「I-It is not the place for a mere
civil official to speak! Throw this arrogant scoundrel out immediately!」
Hahaha,
arrogant on top of being treated as a scoundrel. That's an absolutely terrible
way to be spoken to. Being told that by a complete unknown, it's understandable
that a vein would pop in his forehead, though.
「Insolent fool! What is a mere
Plenipotentiary Ambassador babbling to the Archduke-heika of the Demon
Territory Dukedom!」
Oops...
Army Commander Hoffman got angry. Of course, I think it's an act. The
table his fist slammed into broke beautifully in half with a roaring sound, and
his right hand as he stood up with a fierce expression was grasping the hilt of
his sword, overflowing with bloodlust as if to say, 『I'll
kill you, you know?』
「First, I'll ask, what did you of the
Federation do during the Kyle Kingdom's predicament three years
ago? You did nothing, right? Rather, two countries rode on Istoria's
provocation and criticized the Kingdom, and two countries rode along with the
rebel army of the Fearalt Principality, didn't they? Furthermore, didn't
the Uros Kingdom invade without even declaring war? For the sake of you
lot, are you telling us to bend the national policy we wouldn't bend even when
our own country faced a crisis of existence? Just who do you think you are!」
Yes,
at least four countries of the Federation were not our allies. Even the
friendly two countries might have supported us in terms of commerce, but that
was strictly a part of their business. Because I, who participated in the
regular meetings handling national defense, received detailed reports on those
circumstances.
「By the way, if you want to become
hostile with the Kingdom and invade, I don't mind that either. The Kyle
Kingdom will take you on anytime.」
「Even as an Archduke, arbitrarily
saying such...」
「That's not all. The Kyle Kingdom
has now formed an alliance with the Griffonia Empire, the Fearalt
Principality, the Lute-Vile-Cain Kingdom, and the Demon Territory
Dukedom. I will lead the allied army of the four countries and rush to the
Kingdom's aid. I'll praise only your boldness and spirit for trying to fight
against that, though.」
「「「「「......」」」」」
They
are countries that make a living through business, after all. They likely have
some knowledge of the movements between nations. If I am genuine, they likely
understand that what I said isn't empty boasting either.
「Precisely because I am an outsider
with no conflict of interest, I will dare to speak. Since you call yourself an
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, you must have prepared at least a
souvenir to make the Kingdom your watchdog, haven't you? How about you stop the
clumsy probing and speak frankly?」
I
was able to bring this up precisely because of Virele's proposal,
though. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary exchanged glances with
the representatives of each country, then slowly began to speak.
「W-We the Federation, to the Kyle
Kingdom, the governance of the jointly managed territory... e-entrust...」
「Entrust? If so, I don't think it can
be called Kingdom territory?」
Yes,
if it's an entrustment, it's merely a stopgap measure. There's no way the
Kingdom would nod their heads to something so short-sighted.
「No, excuse me. We are prepared to
transfer it. In exchange, if you could promise thorough resistance against the
invaders...」
「Then you can consult with the
Kingdom side along those lines from now on. There is no reason for me to
intervene in that.」
In
the end, transfer was the worst-case scenario they had prepared in advance, and
they probably intended to proceed with negotiations in a slightly more
advantageous form from there. And we will merely end up reluctantly accepting
the gift prepared by the Holy State. The Uros Kingdom, which was barely
allowed to exist, had originally done things that naturally warranted
destruction by the Kyle Kingdom, and the Immortal Kingdom could
also be called an anti-Kingdom force. The Kyle Kingdom side has no
obligation to rescue them, and to begin with, the Kingdom will not move for the
Federation, with which they haven't even concluded an alliance.
「Then everyone, the discussion is
settled with this. Is it alright to think so?」
「「「「「Yes!」」」」」
「「「「「「...Yes.」」」」」」
The
responses are contrasting too. However, they merely cut their losses within
their expectations. It's just that they intended to corner the Kingdom side,
but were conversely cornered completely by me, making it involuntary for them.
Now
then, should I follow up a little bit?
「This is a good opportunity. Taking
this occasion, I would like to introduce our country's Minister of Commerce to
each country of the Federation.」
When
I said so, Virele stood up and bowed before them.
「Just between us, a large event is
scheduled to be held in the Kyle Kingdom with a target of one year from
now. As its centerpiece, a trade fair bringing together specialty products and
goods from each country will be held. And there, representatives and merchants
of each allied nation will gather, which will likely become a huge business
opportunity for countries that make trade their livelihood.」
「「「「「!!!」」」」」
When
I said that, everyone on the Federation side changed their looks. As
expected, when it comes to business talk, their bite was almost laughable.
「I am planning to have the Minister
of Commerce manage that trade fair. For the time being, I will have him stay in
the new territory, but sales pitches are very welcome.」
「「「「「By all means!」」」」」
Hahaha,
if this were Japan, it would have become a flow where a business card exchange
begins all at once. For them, the Griffonia Empire and the Lute-Vile-Cain
Kingdom are untapped frontiers, and to begin with, if it's a trade fair
where merchants from each country gather, there are countless business
opportunities. With this, they will be able to save face a little when they
return to their countries.
Now
then, has a path been set for the response in the north? Although highly
involuntary, the newly ceded territory will likely have sufficient value as Karin's
dowry to the Kyle Kingdom.
I'll leave the rest to them, and I'll go to the next... Somehow I feel like I'm being used conveniently just as the old raccoon and the others intended, but... it's just my imagination, right?
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