126 Episode 22: Emperor of the Red Lotus (2/2)
Uffi asked to replace me. Emperor Lukeheim nods at Yufi's inquiry.
”First and foremost, we will have to align the footsteps of the empire and kingdom. For that reason, I believe we need more intense national transportation than ever before.”
”... that's neither here nor I hope, but what exactly?
”First of all... Her Majesty the Queen of Uphilia has not yet heard that the King's Mate is absent”
”... what?
I accidentally got a low voice. My gaze focused on me, and there I realized that I had spoken out to intimidate myself.
”... excuse me. Continue.”
”Mm-hmm. So I was going to ask you what it would be like to welcome my son as my king...”
”I reigned as queen, but it will be a few special examples. This issue is therefore handled with caution even in the Kingdom, including by the King's Mate. Assuming I welcome the king, it will probably come from within the country. I have no intention of taking my son-in-law myself.”
”I expected that response. It was just one of the ideals on this side.”
... that there is nothing like giving me a thrust. So I could calm myself down, which seemed pointy.
”Next... Princess Anisphere”
”What, me?
”I hear the engagement clinic from Falgana is also sleeved. With regard to your romantic views, if Falgana or the Prince can't, how about putting the princess in? I'll see where the pageant is here...”
”No, it's, like...”
”Since Her Majesty Queen Uphilia is a special example, I expected to be turned down. But then I thought Princess Anisphere would be free.
Ugh. When they do say that, I'm more free than Ufi, but come on......
”... I am aware that my values are special. I also have a position. That's why I'm not going to keep a princess from another country.”
”Can't this do either? It's tough as it gets... so let's just say it's obsolete, how about Prince Algard? What about letting him into our empire?
What, Al here!? I gave up a little about me and Yufi, but even Al can point the spear at you!?
I took a breath in Al's name as if by accident, but Uffi replies faintly and calmly.
”... that's hard again, too. I can't explain what happened or what happened in the country, but I'm not going to let Algard leave the country.”
”Hmmm... can't this do either? But then again, it seems to me that the kingdom side doesn't want to keep its relationship with the Empire a secret? How should I gauge the sincerity of the kingdom? Queen Uphilia.”
Emperor Lukeheim's intimidation grows quietly, but certainly without dominating this place.
”If you mean to be handed back that far...... the Kingdom of Palletia is aimed at increasing the strength of its own country and may attack the Empire at dawn when that enhancement is ready. How the hell am I supposed to clear up the anxiety that makes me think that? As frightened as we may be by that fear, we may choose to speak bravely and with force. What the hell do you mean, the kingdom assures the empire?
Emperor Lukeheim looks at us as we light a burning light in those eyes.
Silence wraps the place up for a moment. It was no other Ufi who tore that silence apart.
”- Let me answer you. What we, the kingdom, can offer to the Empire for trust... is a dream and a future.
”... what?
”Currently, in our country, we are building a magic city for the study of magic props developed with the ideas of magic and magic advocated by Annis. Sooner or later, it will become a production base for many magic tools and an important base for enlightening the public about magic. A college will also be set up there where you can learn from nobles and civilians alike. - I'm thinking about setting a framework for hopefuls from the Empire.”
”Ho...?
The intimidation slowly disappeared, and instead Emperor Lukeheim stared at Yufi just to say it was interesting.
”We can't export demon props because it's not long after the technology of demon prop production has yet been created, it's immature. To create a stable foundation and ensure safety. That has become a common perception among us. To do so, many people must learn and deepen their understanding.”
”You think we'll have a framework for embracing the people of the Empire there?
”No matter, you can't accept it unconditionally. As a concern the kingdom has, it doesn't necessarily mean that its blade can't be pointed if it spills the demonic props themselves into the empire. Therefore, exports cannot be authorized. But as always, we can trade spiritual stones and provide technology.”
”So that's college!
”Yes. Learn technology in our country and wield that technology in the empire. If that teaching spreads in the empire, it would be good too. It would also be good for the Empire to develop its own magic props. Of course, there are limitations on the technology that can be taught when taking technology outside, but this is the concession that can be made on the Kingdom side.”
”I mean, apart from the boundaries of previous students at the College of Aristocrats, you don't mind teaching magic in a magic city, and technology to develop magic tools? … to the extent that it becomes”
This was decided in advance by a meeting with Yufi and the heavy towns of the country, including his fathers.
First of all, I don't want to go to war with the Empire. However, since our situation is only a little too special to keep the relationship as close as it was in previous marriages, it is unlikely that it will have the same effect as before. Most importantly, we want to kick in every suggestion.
With that in mind, all we could offer was ”technology.” If you authorize the export of weapons such as Mana Blade, you can't authorize it because the empire that has it could force a number of things to attack you.
Then it's magic teaching and skill if you want to offer it. Learn only in the Kingdom of Palletia and have that skill brought back. Later, they will produce only what they can produce in the Empire, such as spiritual stones bought from the Kingdom of Palletia.
I thought that would be better than selling things directly. Spirit stones are used in the Empire just like civilians here. I made the anticipation that if I took up that spiritual stone for armament, it would not spare the rebellion of the people.
So the idea is that all of a sudden the weapons will be assembled and all of a sudden there will be no war. If Emperor Lukeheim believes in the saying that the future is not going to be about the Kingdom of Palettia in his own generation anyway, what we would expect was the future.
”- That's funny, that's funny! As good as it gets, isn't that a pleasant story!
With a joyful grin, Emperor Lukeheim broke his face. I never thought I'd expose my joy enough to slap my hands. I turn my eyes round.
”This is not to the detriment of the Kingdom of Palletia. You'd think so, wouldn't you? You guys?”
”Nah...!? But! Oh, wait, Your Majesty!
”Did you wonder if I cut the helm on the war because I brought you guys here? Honestly, depending on this meeting, I thought it would be a pleasure. But I prefer to be fruitful. Enough, restrain him.”
The knights of the Empire, who had refrained from serving as escorts, will detain your nobles. The nobles had appealed to Emperor Lukeheim until he bit the monkey, but he was silenced.
”All of a sudden, you've confused me. Let's apologize for this disrespect again. And these are the ones who led the assassination of Princess Anisphere. As an apology, I'm going to leave their judgment to the kingdom, but what about it?
”... If you can judge me under your law, I have nothing to insist on from you. I'd like a strong and severe punishment.”
”I understand. Let's say Princess Anisphere is a treasure beyond each other's countries. I want to rejoice from the bottom of my heart that this treasure was not lost.... Take him.”
When Emperor Lukeheim raised his hand, the escorts all pulled back the nobles they had restrained. What, all the escorts!? Don't worry!?
”... puhah, uh, I can't breathe... brother. Give me a break.”
Falgana, who had been silent until now, exhaled like she had lost her mind, breaking her expression. I see Falgana was on the planting side......
”You rubbed my mind, Falgana. … Once again, Queen Uphilia, Princess Anisphere. My Aylene Empire wants to deepen its friendship with the Kingdom of Palletia. And on top of that, I'd like to ask you to add one more thing to the fascinating proposal.”
”What do you want me to add, is?
”Firstly, the Aylene Empire wishes to conclude an alliance with the Kingdom of Palletia. If the Kingdom of Palletia offers us skill and learning, our empire will then be the sword and pledge to protect the kingdom by becoming a shield. How would that be?
”… alliance. I see, even if I take it as a statement of intent to shoulder and walk with you in the kingdom and empire?
”Of course. As a testament, Princess Anisphere.”
”Yes?”
”Earlier, I was asked to state the reason why I could not export the magic props, but even this one was convincing. I was just wondering if you could make one exception.”
”... Exception, is it?
I lean my neck unexpectedly. Ask me purposefully, exception......?
”-” Dragon Killer. ”It helped to glorify its alias,” Demon Sword. ”I want you to give this to my royal family as proof that it has become a friendly country.”