Bargaining
"Now…"
The Emperor was the first to speak.
"…King Marguerite, what do you want from our empire?"
"I want everything"
It wasn't just me
Seltense standing next to the Emperor
Knights or soldiers guarding the door
Civil & military officers
All could not believe their ears when they heard Olasha's words.
That's disrespectful! The reason why no one shouted was probably because the emperor didn't change his expression at all.
"Everything, huh?"
"First of all, I would like to thank you for providing a large amount of seeds for our territory."
"The seeds were in the prototype stage, but were they useful?"
"It has taken root in the western part of the territory. In another 100 years, it should become the lush green land it was before desertification."
"And you haven't tried them in the east?"
"Secondly, we need you to lend us troops to defend the west side."
"Hmm... Seltense, please explain."
"Ha!"
Seltense is ordered to explain the location and situation of Marguerite Kingdom.
Olasha is the second generation
The first generation had already died in battle.
The cause of this is the country called Shelma, which is adjacent to the west of the kingdom.
"I am surprised that you have come here under such circumstances."
"If we're going to confront the emperor, it's disrespectful if it's not the king, right?"
Just listening to their conversation makes my stomach hurt.
One wrong move and we could be slaughtered.
"And Shelma can’t move right now."
"Is that so?"
"Not so much as a civil war. The struggle for the succession is intensifying."
"I see. Now would be a good time."
It seems that Shelma's movements are mysterious.
To be more specific.
The first prince of Shelma died on the day Olasha declared the founding of Marguerite.
The cause of death was said to be food poisoning.
After that, the four princes who had built a good relationship under the first prince started fighting.
I understand that conflicts will begin if the first candidate disappears.
Things happened too quickly and were too convenient for Marguerite.
"Third, I want technology."
"What do you want?"
"Combat, farming, and commerce."
In other words, everything in the Empire.
"I see. If you want everything, I have no problem giving it to you, but..."
"As an empire, you want something in return."
"That's right. What do you have? What can you give us?"
The Empire should know Marguerite's inner situation through Seltense.
There can be no equivalent return.
"It could be a stepping stone."
"What?"
He doesn't know what he's talking about
Even I can't read Olasha's intentions.
"This will be a stepping stone for the Empire to intervene on our continent."
"…Are you serious?"
"I am serious."
"You must have seen our country's technology by the time you came here. If we wanted to, we could seize the entire continent with a military invasion, couldn't we?"
"I'm sure you can do that. It would be easy, like killing a baby. But the empire would never do that, would they? If they had to, they would."
"......"
"The Empire doesn't want a violent solution, right?"
"But it will not resort to violence if it is inevitable, though?"
"If it were possible, would you?"
Who would cooperate after being told such a thing?
In such a tense atmosphere, the emperor starts talking.
"Let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
"You are Olasha Marguerite, right?"
"That's my name, isn't it?"
"Do you know anyone named Tyler?"
This is where Olasha froze for the first time.
"I don't know."
"I see, I heard that someone saw him in your country."
"Maybe he's dead somewhere."
A few moments pass in silence.
The Emperor and Olasha drank tea without speaking.
The soldiers around them are tense all the time.
"...I'll consider it. You may rest in the castle today."
"Thank you."
With that, the emperor leaves the room.
As soon as the door closed, Seltense was the first to take a breather.
"Haa~~~ what's with this heavy atmosphere..."
"It's called bargaining."
Olasha responds as usual.
"I'll show you to your room."
Then, Olasha and I are led to our respective rooms.
I'm exhausted and end up collapsing on the bed.
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