Doubt
The current situation is moving in the direction of spreading war across the continent in a real sense. Many countries participated in the previous battle against the Nord Empire, but the fighting itself took place only in the northern part of the country, and even then only in a very small part. But this is not the case today. Many countries are involved in the fighting.
The cause of this is the Izrim Empire. The territorial greed of the Izrim Empire is expanding the area of war. And its momentum shows no sign of abating. Even the conquest of the southern part of the country by the Izrim Empire, which seemed to have come to an end, has rekindled the flames of conflict.
"...Is there any mistake in that information?"
Mei reminds her subjects of their report. The information was something she hoped would be wrong.
"I can't say for sure. However, I think it's highly reliable information."
Mei's retainer replied cautiously to Mei's question. He would not want Mei, the emperor, to be told false information. That's what he thought and said.
"Haa... I didn't think even Nishida-kun would become an enemy."
Mei sighs loudly. The report she received from her retainer was that a rebellion was taking place in the area she had conquered. The leader of the rebellion seems to be Teppei Nishida, a hero.
Mei couldn't understand why this happened.
"Shouldn't we be surprised that he was alive before that?"
Maki called out to Mei, who muttered in dissatisfaction. The Orthea Kingdom, where Nishida was, has fallen. Nishida was also believed to be dead.
"Being surprised doesn't change anything. Or am I supposed to complain to Jin, asking him why he didn't kill Nishida-kun properly?"
"I'm not saying that."
As Mei said, this time it was Maki's turn to make a dissatisfied face.
"It was the Izrim Magic Kingdom that destroyed the Orthea Kingdom. We destroyed that Magic Kingdom. I think he should be pleased with us for that."
"But the Orthea Kingdom is still destroyed."
"I know. I was just joking."
Mei's words are more of a complaint than a joke. She took over a country. She had many countries under her control. But at the same time, she made more enemies. Even former classmates, whom she had planned to make them join her, have become her enemies.
Mei is irritated by the current situation, which is different from what she thought.
"Why don't you just bring them back?"
If what Nishida wants is the revival of the Orthea Kingdom, then she should give it to him. That's what Maki thought.
"......I'd be willing to consider that."
"Then, that's fine. If we revive the country, Nishida will join us, right?"
"Yes"
This doesn't mean the problem is solved.
"I'm afraid it's not a good idea."
The prime minister, Franklin Simmons, denied their idea. There is a reason why it is not accepted.
"Why?"
Maki, who thinks that reviving the Orthea Kingdom is a good idea, is not convinced by Prime Minister Simmons' words.
"The former Orthea Kingdom is already our country’s territory. We cannot simply give it away."
"Wouldn’t it be great if the rebellion subsided and Nishida joined us?"
"Then I ask you, are you saying that every time an old vassal of the destroyed kingdom revolts, we should allow them to rebuild their country?"
"...I didn't say that."
They can't do that. Even Maki knew that if they did that, the Izrim Empire would collapse.
"The same is true this time. We should not accept the demands of the rebels."
"......The other party is Nishida. He is a classmate of ours. What's wrong with giving him special treatment?"
Maki decides that she will not be able to win the argument with this flow, and decides to throw away reasoning.
"Then give them special treatment. After quelling the rebellion, we can spare their lives."
But Prime Minister Simmons responded with an answer that could hardly be called logical. If he could deny the plan to allow the revival of the old Orthea Kingdom, logic would not matter.
"I'm saying this as a way to quell that rebellion."
"Then I'll accept it as one of the methods. But whether or not we will carry it out is another matter."
"Huh? You're not the one who decides that, are you?"
"Of course. It is Her Majesty the Emperor who decides. But before asking for her approval, it is necessary to have a thorough discussion at the minister council and other forums."
Don't go ahead with the story on your own just because you are from the same other world and former classmates. To put it another way, although Maki belongs to the Mage Corps under the direct control of the emperor, she is merely a mage. She is not in a position to get involved in national politics.
"...Our purpose is to set our comrades free."
"I know that. But isn't it only the [comrades] that we will help?"
"That's……"
The definition of [comrades] is vague. It can't be all former classmates. That would include Ren. They can't call Ren a comrade, as expected.
Then, what is the difference between Ren and Nishida, who is hostile to them, and Hayashi? It is also difficult to separate.
"An enemy is an enemy no matter who the opponent is. Shouldn't we treat them as such until we get a commitment to treat them as allies?"
"...Mei?"
Unable to come up with an objection, Maki tried to rely on Mei, but.
"The Prime Minister has a point. Do we need more discussion before we can reach a conclusion?"
Mei withheld any conclusions at this point. Mei's position as emperor is much firmer than it was at first. However, it is not only the power of herself and other heroes that protects her position. It is also due to the power of Prime Minister Simmons and others who support Mei as emperor. It is not only the power of Prime Minister Simmons and the civil officials. There is also the support of the nobles whom she has given territory.
Mei understands this, and she cannot favor Maki and the others just because they are comrades who have moved to another world together. It is not an easy decision to take away the territory of a nobleman who supports her and rebuild the Orthea Kingdom.
◇◇◇
How will the continental upheaval end? Before it began, it was thought that it would end with the conquest of the continent by one of the three great powers. And the most promising of the three was the Luine Kingdom. The other two countries, the Izrim Magic Kingdom and the Lemberg Empire, were more concerned with how to prevent the Luine Kingdom from conquering the continent than how to gain supremacy for their own countries.
However, at present, the Luine Kingdom is lagging behind. It is still one of the major powers, but in terms of movement toward continental domination, the situation is very different from what was originally planned.
The cause of the stumbling block was the Nord Empire's and Ren's scheming, but that is not the only problem now. The situation on the continent has changed drastically due to the usurpation of the two major powers by the heroes. In the midst of this situation, they are still unable to come to a conclusion on how they should move forward.
"Many of the northern parts of the country want to be vassals of our country. It seems possible to control the northwestern part without a major battle."
A meeting of the Council. The messenger who had gone to the north to negotiate with the northern countries is making a report.
"...They are holding out their right hand to our country, with their back to it, are they not extending their left hand to the Nord Empire?"
King Albert can't bring himself to accept the messenger's report without question. He doesn't think the Nord Empire is such an easy opponent.
"I think it is only natural that they should weigh the scales to see which side they will follow. But if we don't move on that basis, I wonder how long the scales will remain tilted in our favor."
"Fumu. That is true. But if the northern countries follow us, what then?"
"That's... They could either move eastward or southward with their armies."
Now is the time to expand their power so as not to lose to other countries. The messenger only thought about that. King Albert is not going to blame it. The question is not so much for the messenger as it is for himself.
"The Nord Empire or the Izrim Empire. In the end, we have to decide. It's a matter of course."
Which one will they fight first? They can't move until they decide. Not only King Albert, but all his subjects know this. They know, it's been undecided so far.
"There is a rebellion taking place within the Izrim Empire. It seems that the war with the Eastern Nations Alliance will still take some time to settle."
Gary Harrisman, the leader of the Platinum Knights, explained the situation in the Izrim Empire. This is not new information. He was just saying it as an opportunity to start a conversation.
"Attack the Nord Empire while the Izrim Empire can't move?"
"No. I think we should fight the Izrim Empire."
"……Reason?"
It was the first time that Harisman, the Platinum Knight Commander, had expressed his intention so clearly. King Albert asked the reason for the decision.
"The Nord Empire's way of fighting is, in principle, to draw the enemy into a place where they have an advantage."
"......I see. That may be so. It may seem surprising, but the Nord Emperor is a defender."
It was the Nord Empire's invasion of the former Saint Miriam Kingdom that triggered the Great War. That and Ren's fighting style on the battlefield led him to think he was a belligerent man, but Harrisman's words, the Knight Commander of the Platinum Knights, told him otherwise.
He fought by building a solid position and then drawing the enemy into it. The united front army was forced to fight a difficult battle by this strategy.
"The Nord Empire seems to have built a strong fortress in the southern part of their territory, but they have not done so in the west."
"...A trap, no, you mean that they have other means of defense than forts?"
"I think so"
The fact that the defenses look thin is a sign of danger. The Knight Commander of Platinum Knights, Harrisman, thinks so.
"The Nord Empire has recaptured the former United Kingdom of Mercenary. Isn't that the cornerstone of the western defense?"
Prime Minister Hank Holding interrupted at this point. He is not trying to counter the Knight Commander of the Platinum Knights, Harrisman. He was afraid that he would leave the question unanswered and make the wrong decision.
"That's a possibility. But the Mercenary is too far to the south, in my opinion."
"......Not defending the west?"
"No, I think it is well-defended. I just don't think it can protect the entire western part of the Nord Empire."
"What do you mean?"
The Knight Commander of the Platinum Knights, Harrisman, says that the Mercenary's defenses are well-defended. Even so, he asserted that it would not be the protector of the West. Prime Minister Hank doesn't know what that means.
"If it's not the protection of the west, it's the protection of the south. Am I wrong? Harrisman."
King Albert interrupted Prime Minister Hank's question.
"Ha. I think so."
"The Mercenary is an invitation to the Izrim Empire. If so, what is their response to our country......"
If the Izrim Empire tried to avoid the forts built by the Nord Empire on its southern border and attack from the Mercenary, it would probably be trouble. He understands that, but he still doesn't know what was prepared for their country.
"...One possible scenario is a rebellion in a vassal state. If it is not a rebellion, but rather a turnover, our forces advancing eastward will be poked in the rear."
"It is possible that a secret agreement has been made to that extent...... or it could be a plan to get us to think this way."
His thoughts begin to wander again. There is not much information about the Nord Empire. Furthermore, more than once the information they thought they finally had was false. No matter what decision they make, anxiety remains in their mind.
"…Your Majesty. If we sit on our hands, things will only get worse."
If they sit on the sidelines, they will only allow the Nord Empire and the Izrim Empire to expand their power. The Knight Commander of the Platinum Knights, Harrisman, thinks so. He is not the only one who thinks so.
"I know. I know, but... let me think for a moment."
"Your Majesty..."
King Albert also thinks they should move. But how should they move? He can't make that decision right now.
Indecisiveness is uncharacteristic of King Albert. But his followers can't bring themselves to blame it. No one can come to the conclusion that this is correct. They don't have the material to strongly ask their master to make a decision.
◇◇◇
After finishing the meeting, King Albert headed for Milianea's room. Not a personal matter. He wanted to talk to her about deciding the direction of the country.
However, Milianea, who was asked about that, felt confused, though not bothered.
"...I don't know."
Milianea had no idea whether to fight the Nord Empire or the Izrim Empire. But King Albert isn't looking for that answer either.
"I know. I'm not asking you to decide. I just want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"What do you think of the Nord Emperor?"
"What is it about him?"
But when asked what she thinks of Ren, she has no answer. As for Ren, it's good or bad depending on what one evaluates.
"Do you think he's trustworthy?"
"You're asking me if I trust the rare conspirator?"
"Impossible, huh..."
The answer he expected. The discouraged King Albert wanted a different answer.
"If he's an enemy. As an ally, I think he's someone I can trust."
Not living up to that expectation, Milianea added a word.
"...Can you tell me why you think so?"
"I didn’t have any contact with him, so my thoughts are based on what I heard from Lang, though?"
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to hear."
There was no one around King Albert who spoke favorably of Ren. Yuya had turned the opposite toward him. It was clear that Mei also did not have good feelings, if not to the point of malice. Manami was the only one he spoke to who seemed to have no ill feelings, but there was no way he could think she understood Ren from her words alone.
"He keeps his promises. He never says he can do what he cannot do or does not intend to do. He's a man of integrity, according to Lang."
"Integrity... but that integrity depends on the other person."
Ren is sincere. There is no denying it. They hear that the Baslek Kingdom, which pledged vassalage to Ren and was recognized as such, has maintained its original structure and is rapidly recovering with the support of the Nord Empire. This is the result of being recognized as an ally.
"That's why I said I can trust him as an ally."
"That's right... what do you think I should do to make him an ally?"
"Are you serious?"
Milianea opened her eyes wide and showed surprise. His idea of having Ren on their side had never occurred to her. She doesn't think they can.
"I'm serious. I'm not confident enough to deal with both the Izrim Empire and the Nord Empire at the same time."
"Ah, what a surprise. I thought you were quite confident."
"Don't tease me"
"Isn’t there an option to negotiate with the Izrim Empire?"
Forming an alliance with the Izrim Empire is more feasible than making Ren an ally. Milianea thinks so.
"Of course there is. But... they can't be trusted."
"...That's right."
Even if they don't know much about Ren, it's clear that Mei and the others are dishonest. In the eyes of Milianea, they are usurpers. They are a great sinner who killed the lord they served and took the country.
"In addition……"
"Is there another reason?"
"Which is right as an administrator? If you knew what was going on in the country you ruled, you would know."
Ren is committed to the development of his territory and the countries under his control. On the other hand, it is rumored that many of the former nobles and new kings in the Izrim Empire are doing whatever they want and causing suffering to the people of their own lands.
"Isn't it a problem to have a good administrator as an enemy?"
"I aim to unify the people living on this continent in order to improve their lives. I will not overlook those who would cause suffering to the people."
"…That’s right. That's why the Izrim Empire comes first."
Is it okay to evaluate a man named Ren based on such a simple idea? Milianea has such thoughts, but she can't bring herself to deny King Albert's thoughts.
"...I think I'll meet with the Nord Emperor. Depending on the situation, Grace should be present."
"That's……"
Milianea can't think of the right words to say in return. The concern for King Albert. What does it mean to have his sister, Grace, in the meeting? She was confused by the two thoughts floating in her mind at the same time.
"I think we should meet once and talk about it. I don't know if they will accept it."
King Albert wants to see Ren with his own eyes and hear what he has to say with his own ears to determine what kind of man he is. If he doesn't do that, he thinks he will be lost forever.
"...What does Grace-sama say?"
"I'll talk to her about it. I think she'll probably accept... No, I think it's more correct to say that she won't be able to refuse. I'm trying to sacrifice my sister for the sake of my country."
A smile appeared on King Albert's face. Seeing that self-deprecating smile, Milianea's heart shook.
"...If it's a hostage, I'll do it. As long as the other party accepts it."
"…You can’t do that."
"You don't have to worry about me. A life that should have been over long ago. I'll make a little of it."
"You can't! I can't let you suffer anymore! I...! You... your life isn't over. It's not going to end yet."
He can't clearly put it into words. He wanted to tell her that he didn't want to lose her.
"...But... Grace-sama is..."
Milianea isn't as insensitive as she doesn't understand King Albert's feelings. But the more she understands his feelings, the more she feels that he is willing to sacrifice Grace.
"...Let's continue this after I talk to my sister."
"Grace-sama can't say no. I know that."
Milianea also married into the Lemberg Empire through a political marriage. She knows what's the fate of a royal woman. If it is for the good of the country, they cannot reject anyone, no matter who they are. She knows that.
"Then can you talk to her?"
"Eh?"
"After I talk to her, of course. Then you will talk to her. Listen to her feelings."
"...That's, I don't mind."
What is the point of her talking to Grace? Honestly, Milianea doesn't know. What is she going to do if she talks to her and says she doesn't want to go to the Nord Empire?
"I will talk to my sister as king. I have to. So I need you to have a real talk with her on my behalf...... please."
"...I understand."
Albert has a position as king. He has to order things that are unacceptable to him as an elder brother.
He has to do what is unacceptable to him as the king. It would be good if he could act the same way in both positions, but he doesn't have the power to do so. If he puts his position as the elder brother first and destroys the country, his subjects and people will suffer. This is something that Albert cannot accept.
Milianea understood this thought. Understanding it, she has no choice but to accept it. Even though she understood the meaning of entrusting her to take the place of Albert as an elder brother.
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