21 [1-21] Civilize with strategic resources (1/2)

Hilbert finally returned to the Oval Office that ...... day, or more accurately the next ...... day, after the date had changed.

He was accompanied by a middle-aged male secretary. This secretary, who had also served the previous king, had been selected by Hilbert for his neutral attitude toward politics, his honest willingness to assist the king, and his knowledge of the king's duties.

So, what they're saying is that they want all the rights to the Gracelum Mine, right?

”Yes. Although the form of 'give' varies from country to country.

I don't know which is better, selling it cheaply from the state mines to the Federation.

Hilbert spoke up to clear his head. The secretary responded.

Diplomatic and commercial negotiations with the four major powers had already begun.

After entertaining the diplomats at the soiree, Hilbert held a meeting with the high-ranking officials to receive a report on the negotiations and to plan the future strategy.

The four powers were, of course, demanding concessions of the most valuable mines.

The strategic importance of the Kingdom of Ciel-Teira was its mineral resources.

Orichalcone and adamantite are certainly valuable, but they are not something that the four major powers ......, especially the geographically somewhat distant Caenis Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Diretta, and the Republic of Falaiya, would want to acquire by promising the support of their royal brothers.

The focus is on Gracelum, a rare metal used to make certain magic items and circuits for higher golems.

The Gilesh'Hathar Federation has a powerful golem army that advocates itself as a ”bastion of humanity” and is active in the fight against demons and demonkind, and is a potential threat to other human nations.

The Federation itself has a rich vein of glacelm ore, which is not only used for military purposes, but is also greatly profitable as an export product. 20% of the glacelm consumed within the Federation (at a much lower price than when the Federation exports it elsewhere) is purchased from the bordering kingdom of Ciel-Teira.

If we could get our hands on Ciel-Teira's glacelum deposits, we could at least imitate the Golem Corps, couldn't we?

The powers that rivaled the Federation had a dream.

That is why they begged Hilbert for mineral rights, especially glacelms, in exchange for his backing.

I think the best way to sell high to the four major powers is to make them think that there is a way to get back together with the Federation.

Just a hint of that and the country will explode.

I know.

Hilbert swallowed a sigh.

The Federation had made Ciel-Teira diplomatically and commercially dependent on the Federation to limit the sale of Gracelms to the Federation and buy them cheaply. There was no competition in the purchase price.

The mere change of dependency does not mean anything. It would be great if we could make them raise the price by balancing the two.

But... It's the rabid anti-federalists who are celebrating Hilbert now.

There's a self-addicted radicalization going on, and even the formerly slightly disgruntled are starting to shout ”Cut the Feds' heads off”.

If we don't continue to live up to their expectations, the fervor may even turn on Hilbert. There is no getting back together with the Union.

The only thing to do is to let the four powers fight each other like children fighting over how to cut the meat. Let us hope that this will lead to a better outcome.

I would like to protect the independence of the Gracelm mine at any cost. ......

Hilbert thinks it will be difficult.

What else is there to sell?

Aside from mineral resources, Ciel-Teira's only other selling point is its specialty, the snow rose, for ornamental use and preparation.

Hilbert couldn't help but think that he had been a little naive.

He had thought it would be a matter of the price of selling Glacelm at most, but the four powers had roots inside Ciel-Teira and were ready to devour it.

Considering the national interest, there was no choice but to refuse, but would it really be possible? We can't afford to overstep our debt to the Four Powers.

At the very least, we want to protect the national revenue and the economic effects of the surrounding industries. The only other thing we can do is to arrange a treaty so that they can't overstep on their taxes.

Hilbert's expression was almost one of self-mockery.

From now on, the glacelm ore will be held by foreign countries.

It's not a matter of more or less income in the end (in fact, in the short term, the income will increase somewhat), but the control of the Kingdom of Ciel-Teira over Glacelm will be weakened.

Hilbert was getting a bad feeling about this.

He looked next to him and saw his secretary standing next to him like a statue.

”Do you think I sold out my country?

”That's not for me to judge, sir.

”That's not for me to judge.

Hilbert almost laughed at the seriousness of the secretary's answer.

This was not the kind of question that the king should be asking his secretary. He must have become feeble due to exhaustion.