Volume 4 Chapter 21 (1/2)
Chapter 4 Episode 21
Editors : Starbuck11, Kev
”Do you really think we would do such a thing?! Are you making fun of the Zalda Kingdom?! There's no way we want to survive while enduring such humiliation!”
It was midnight, a time where most of its residents already slept, such high voice resounded inside one of the rooms within the royal castle.
It was a voice filled with fury, the roar of a lion whose pride was being hurt.
Grahart stared at Ryouma full of anger.
Julia.n.u.s had intentionally ordered the people to empty the room beforehand, but due to how high the voice was they had unintentionally turned theirhis eyes toward the door.
That big voice was certainly suited for someone who was used to command in battle, but it was not suitable for someone doing private talk.
Bitter smiles also appeared on Elena's face sitting next to Ryouma, and also on the woman who was sitting on the left of Grahart.
”This was never about can or cannot. In fact, there is no other way... Or do you want to be destroyed by Ortomea just like this?”
Ryouma talked back without even changing his complexion accepting all of Grahart anger.
”What are you saying?! We have not lost to anyone yet! In the first place, your proposal is an empty theory. If it was only my nation we might lose, but not if we have Rozeria and Mist Kingdoms like now, that is what I think. If you thought the other two countries would accept your proposal, then you're insane!”
”Well, that is indeed true... Then, Grahart-san, do you have another way for us to win this war? There are several methods if you just want to delay the extinction of your nation for a few years, but if you want to save the Zalda Kingdom and win... Then there is no other way...”
”That is the purpose of the war council, to discuss this kind of things! Look at you, at that time you only kept silent in the corner of the room, and now you act all important ! Your majesty! I set up this meeting due to Elena-sama reputation, but I think I cannot allow this to continue anymore! This is only a waste of time. Please return to your room.”
Grahart turned his face toward Julia.n.u.s and urged him to leave.
However, Julia.n.u.s replied while stroking his white beard, and narrowing his eyes.
”Well, wait, Grahart. We finally managed to set this meeting after going through all the troubles. Let's not rush to a conclusion.”
Listening to Ryouma's wish for a private talk, they had set this meeting with great effort.
Thus the King thought it was no good if they ended the meeting half-way.
”However, your majesty. This man’s proposal is only a pipe dream. First of all, if we do it the way he said, our nation would end up becoming the possession of ErnestGora instead.”
However, what Julia.n.u.s said after that was a surprise even for Grahart.
”Isn't that fine, Grahart ?”
After he said those words, silence ruled the room.
Even Elena could not hide her surprised expression.
”Y-Your majesty...”
”What are you surprised about? If we stay just like this, we will end up as Ortomea Empire's va.s.sal state, if not that, the only other way is to lead my people to an honorable death. Either way, the result will not change much from that. If that is the case then, why not choose to be a va.s.sal state to the one with the better condition.”
If they fought until the end, then Zalda Kingdom's land would fall into ruin.
The lives of the people would also fall into ruin.
That also applied even if the Zalda Kingdom voluntarily suggested to become a va.s.sal state via negotiation.
After all, a war was always filled with economic activity.
The more important the war expenditure they had to spend, the more money Ortomea Empire would squeeze next from Zalda who had become their va.s.sal state.
Every year, they would've demanded the Zalda kingdom for a hefty tribute.
And also an unequal tariff rate.
The difference was whether they choose instant or slow death, no matter which one Zalda choose, their situation remained the same.
But, that was not because Ortomea Empire was an evil state either.
After all, they also understood that their country would end up falling if they did not recover the cost of war from somewhere. -
”Becoming ErnestGora's va.s.sal state isnot a problem in itself. However, Mikos.h.i.+ba-dono. It would be meaningless if we ended up with a situation that is similar to becoming Ortomea's va.s.sal state. Am I right?”
Toward Julia.n.u.s question, Ryouma nodded his head.
Ryouma also understood that was a question that naturally would come out.
”That was the reason why I had asked to gather the representatives from all three nations, the Zalda, the Rozeria, and the Mist Kingdoms. Well, first of all, I would like to correct something, what I suggested was not to become a va.s.sal state, but an alliance of four countries with ErnestGora at the top... But then again, I can also understand, and it was also not completely wrong if you mistook this action as to become their va.s.sal state.”
”The thing I don't understand the most is that! Why do we have to involve another country in our circ.u.mstances ? Furthermore, we have repeatedly sent a messenger after the battle of Notiz Plain to encourage them to partic.i.p.ate in the war. But look at the result, one year has pa.s.sed but they never moved. I do not believe that your plan can be realized.”
Grahart bites at Ryouma again.
His words might be because of he hating the plan, but his words were also not wrong.
(Geez... Why won't you listen to someone until they finished speaking? Mikhail also did the same as him... Is this due to their occupation?)
Ryouma sighed hard.
Although Grahart was not wrong, Ryouma had also drawn the plan after many considerations.
If people listened to someone until they are finished talking, then most would come to understand each other, but most people would become irritated the moment certain topics they didn't like were brought open and then they would refuse to listen further.
It might be understandable since Grahart wanted to protect his country so much, but Ryouma's patience also had run out.
(In the first place, isn't this because of your incompetence that here I ended up as a reinforcement? After all, the defeat of the Notiz Plain was also because you people had fallen into the enemy's trap. You morons! If you guys don't like my plan, then clean up your own mess by yourself!)
For Ryouma, he wanted the Zalda Kingdom to survive.
If the Zalda Kingdom fell here, the Ortomea Empire would overrun the Eastern countries like an avalanche.
The Mist Kingdom might survive to some extent due to their strong economic power, but the Rozeria Kingdom which had not yet recovered from last year civil war wouldn’t be able to survive.
Or rather, since Lupis policy was not functioning properly, the situation within the Rozeria Kingdom itself might be worse than last year.
Under such circ.u.mstances, there was no way they could handle another problem.
For Ryouma, he had racked his brain out just to think of a way out of this desperate situation.
Nevertheless, he could not forgive someone shouting in the middle of him telling his plan to the point that it instigates Julia.n.u.s to stand up.
Dark flames began to burn inside Ryouma's heart.
And they were gradually eating Ryouma's reason.
(Fine then, should I murder you?)
Such idea crossed Ryouma's mind.