Volume 3 Chapter 3 Part6 (1/2)

“Did the rules … fail to avoid a war?”

Jeanne asked, looking uneasy. I shook my head.

“Oh, no, the rules definitely worked. At least during the time the two G.o.ds antagonized each other, the worst case scenario of total war breaking out due to the two G.o.ds was avoided. The G.o.d of the east disintegrated in the end, losing the power to fight, and the G.o.d of the west felt safe and stopped their vigilance”

“So it’s a happy ending. Where’s the problem in that?”

“… well, if it ended there, everyone would have lived happily ever after”

“There’s still more?”

“This is all I can say for now. Sorry, but I can’t show my hand just yet”

I cut off the conversation with a strong tone. Jeanne seemed to be even more curious, but abandoned it when she saw my eyes. When I relaxed my shoulders, I said to Jeanne.

“You don’t need to worry, you’ll find out in time. It won’t be any trouble for the Empire”

“… it’s disconcerting”

“I want you to trust me on this, but as far as our country is concerned, we want to walk in step with yours. As long as Empress Maria upholds that ‘humanity should band together and fight the Demon King Army’, the Kingdom will not be your enemy”

Jeanne looked at me doubtfully.

“You didn’t sign the Humanity Declaration, and you still want us to believe you?”

“The Humanity Declaration isn’t the only treaty there is, right? We couldn’t be part of the Humanity Declaration, but I think our country could agree to a bilateral alliance with the Empire. A secret one”

“Secret alliance … is it?”

I made a clear nod.

“We would be settling our domestic matters soon, and we’ll be reforming the military next. We plan on rebuilding the military with the intent of having them move with one will. Also, we’ve de-clawed Amidonia with this incident, so we no longer need to reserve some of our military on the western front. The Army of Elfrieden can now move freely. … and there it is. Right now, the Empire had received calls from the Confederation of Eastern Nations for reinforcements, right?”

“… yes. They’re mostly an a.s.sortment of small countries, but most of them are signatories of the Humanity Declaration. As the leader, we would of course send troops to their aid”

“There it is. I’m wondering if you can’t leave that task to us”

What I’m proposing is this: At the center of this continent there was the Star Dragon Mountain Range where wise dragons live in their natural defenses. If the demons wanted to go south, they would have to invade through its west or east. At the western side there was the Empire, but an attack through the east would be handled by the Kingdom. Concretely speaking, if the Confederation of Eastern Nations called for military support, the Kingdom would dispatch relief forces. However, there are procedures for that.

“At that moment, when the Empire as the leader of the Humanity Declaration received the appeal, you would sound out to the Kingdom, and we would respond to your call and dispatch troops. That’s how we’ll do it on the surface”

“… It seems somehow, slow. What for?”

“Power-wise, we still can’t be called a large country, but territory-wise, we rank second if we exclude the Demon King Territory. If word goes out that the largest and second largest countries joined in an alliance, countries are going to go on alert. In particular, Amidonia, Mercenary Nation Zem, and the Republic of Torgis, who’d be sandwiched between us. That’s why we don’t want it to be known that the Kingdom and the Empire are in an alliance”

“I see. That’s why you wanted a secret alliance”

Jeanne made a thoughtful face, probably thinking what the plus and minuses were there for the Kingdom. However, the Empire had nothing to lose by doing so. They could spare the troops they would’ve sent east and strengthened the defense on the western side where their country touches the Demon King Territory. If there’s anything they’d be worried about, it would be our intentions … but Jeanne finally made a big nod.

“I don’t think there’d be any loss to us to accept that. However, is there really any benefits to you to do that?”

“If pressed to ask, then I’d say it’s to have the trust of the Empire. That, and by partic.i.p.ating in the war, you wouldn’t be asking for any support money afterwards”

“Well, of course. That was only asked of the countries that don’t partic.i.p.ate in the war … but are you sure? I don’t think it can be called a benefit …”

“… well, it doesn’t pay to be mercenary when the existence of humanity is at stake. Other countries won’t look at us kindly if we acted indifferent even though we’re stable”

“I see …”

Jeanne folded her arms and groaned, “hmm”

“In that case then the problem is how close the cooperation would be. The Empire and the Kingdom is on either ends of the continent, so it would take time to convey our intentions. It’s good to be able to deflect relief appeals but the time it would take will be a problem”

“About that, I’ve thought of something. … Hakuya, bring that”

“Yes”

Hakuya stood up and left the room. He came back carrying a box. He then presented the box to Jeanne. The latter received the box with a perplexed face.

“And what might this be?”

“Feel free to open it. I want Lady Maria to have it”

“…? This is … a receiver device? Ah!”

Jeanne seemed to have noticed. Inside the box, there was a simple receiver device I used when giving Georg and the others the Final Counsel.

“That receiver has been tuned to one of our country’s...o...b... I would like madam Jeanne to send me one of the Empire’s when you get back there. Tuned to one of the Empire’s...o...b.. as well, of course. We could then contact each other any time”

“My …”

In other words, using both countries’ orbs and simple receivers, we would create a hotline between the Empire and the Kingdom. Unlike the orbs, you can carry the receivers on foot just fine. When either country contacts the other via the receiver, the other could simply go to where the orb is and open a conference session. We couldn’t send any doc.u.ments this way since we’re only getting transmissions, but it would be possible when combined with bureaucrat-level shuttle diplomacy. Jeanne was impressed by the proposal.

“Then even Elder Sis who couldn’t leave the Empire could easily converse … what should I say, King Soma’s power of imagination gives me the chills”

“But you exaggerate. It’s a common thing in the world I came from”

“To think something like this is common … um, Soma, your highness. If I may say something rash …”

“Hm? Let’s hear it”

“Thank you very much. Also … Princess Liscia”

“Eh, me!?”

Liscia was startled from being suddenly called to, but Jeanne continued without minding.

“Won’t you return the throne to Lord Alberto? The Empire is willing to wholeheartedly support him”

Recommendation to abdicate. Hold on, what is she saying to a country’s King!? Liscia was taken aback for a moment but after having processed the statement her face turned red.

“What are you saying all of a sudden! That will certainly not happen!”

“Why not? This is Lord ALberto’s Kingdom to begin with. Then as Lord Soma is free, come over to us! If you do you can be a prime minister or any rank you want! I’ll even throw in my Elder Sister now, so please be our Emperor!”

“Are you out of your mind!? Do you understand what you’re saying!?”

“Of course I do. Lord Soma’s ideas will lead to a new era. I want to see what kind of Empire Lord Soma could make with Elder Sis. … had we known we wouldn’t have accepted the war support money and got Lord Soma to come at all costs. Would you be willing to come over now?”

Before I could say anything, Liscia loudly slammed the table.

“OF COURSE HE WOULDN’T! Soma is my … our country’s indispensable person!”

She made a menacing look, showing her fangs. I’m honestly happy that she thought so highly of me, but we’re in a negotiation right now. I pat Liscia’s head.

“Calm down Liscia. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

“… Sorry. I lost my cool there”

“You to Aisha. Stay! Hands off the sword handle”

“A, aren’t you treating me too roughly!?”

Ignoring Aisha’s protests, I looked at Jeanne.