212 CHAPTER VI UNexpected DEVELOPMENT (2/2)

One thing: The kingdom was mistaken when it said we took the heroes. Brave men have fled their kingdoms and sought refuge in the Empire. We are not to be blamed.

Well, as far as the Empire is concerned, my grandfather just escaped on his own .

That said, this excuse is unreasonable when you've benefited from so many brave men .

''...... I see . Whether or not the brave man crossed over to the empire of his own volition is impossible to know since he is already dead, and no matter how much we argue about it, there will be no solution at all. So, let's talk about this,

Huh?　You're done with it!

'Is this the end of it?　Doesn't the Church State have something to tell us?

'Yes. ....... Whichever side wins, I need you to promise me that you will continue to trade with the Church as you have always done. If you can't, though, we're going to have to move on.

Of course I promise.

The kingdom is not going to change.

Then I have nothing to say to you. So let's just sign the pledge and be done with it, shall we? I'll be no match for you if I get caught up in the war.

With those words, the first Trilateral Conference in decades was over .

We haven't even discussed it for an hour. .......

Pope, what are you thinking?　You've spent a long time coming here from church, haven't you?

After all that preparation: ......

I spent ...... a lot of time back-checking with Hélène and thinking about what to ask the emperor to say, but it was all for nothing.

Really, give me that time back: .......

”That's just the way life goes. You'll just have to change your mind next time.

”Mr. Cliff: ....... Yes. Yes.

I was left alone in the conference room complaining about it when Cliff-san came into the room.

Haha, you're right, we're going to war next week, so we have to get ready for it.

Well, I haven't been able to make the switch either: ....... You don't normally expect me to declare war on the first word: ......

You got him.

'I suppose the unfortunate thing is that the Pope, who was neutral, is now on the side of the Empire.

Yes. That was another surprise.

I thought the neutral Pope would be cool with this war.

I didn't expect him to speak for the Empire.

Maybe that's because she's about to be confirmed as the daughter of the House of Fontaine.

Oh, I get it.

You think he's just trying to fit in because the Empire is getting stronger?

With Lelia confirmed as a saint, does that mean that Gregoire is the next Pope assured, and inevitably, the Pope can no longer ignore the Imperialists?

'It's partly that, and isn't it nice to know that your biggest enemy isn't coming back to the Faithful Nation?

I see. ......

The Pope was so afraid of the saint and Lina before he deported them, you know.

Now that they weren't completely against him, would you comply with Gregoire's request to confirm that?

Oh, there you two are!

Hey, man.

Now it's Brother Ivan.

Your Majesty wants to see you, both of you.

Ah, so they finally finished signing the papers.

Yes, sir.

'I'd like to be happy that the Tripartite Conference has come to a successful conclusion: ....... War is coming, and we'll get ready for it soon.

Yes, sir.

Cliff and I will have no choice but to return to the Imperial City when the war begins. Leo, take care of the rest.

Yes. I'll take care of it.

If war comes, the Emperor and Cliff will have to return to the capital where it's safe.

I don't plan on losing, but you never know what will happen.

So from now on, I have to take care of everything on my own.

Yeah, I've got to change my mind right now.

”And you, Cliff, before you return to the capital, notify all the noblemen that the war begins next week.

Yes, sir.

Is Leo going to head west any time soon?

Yes. Yes, sir. As soon as I finish my last meeting with the Knights, I would like to begin the war with the Kingdom.

I'm afraid I don't have much information on what Gert has invented since he fell into slavery, but I'm going to go ahead with the mission to destroy their weapons in the west end.

”I see. You're our only hope. Don't force yourself to die, okay?

I know, sir.

I'm in charge of this event, and the moment I die, the Empire will lose.

The emperor is right, we must never push ourselves too hard and die alone like we have done so far.

We have to remember that we're not fighting alone. .......