Chapter 70. When someone else’s territory goes well, the stomach hurts. (4)
“What are you going to do?”
“At times like this, shouldn’t we hold each other’s hands?”
If it is difficult to catch an opponent with one hand, you can borrow several hands.
Seville made a suggestion at the official meeting.
“We must form an alliance to destroy the Ernesia Kingdom.”
* * *
A secret meeting place prepared within the Kingdom of Damaniel.
The Duke of Elgizen was clearing his mind by himself at the place where the meeting was soon to take place.
‘This meeting must be concluded.’
As His Majesty’s representative, we must make sure that those who will come here understand the purpose of this alliance and that they will cooperate closely.
Otherwise, dark clouds will soon hang over the kingdom of Damaniel.
I’ve already put together all the things I need to say and the necessary paperwork.
“The distinguished guests have arrived.”
Outside, a servant announced their arrival.
‘Are you finally here?’
Duke Elgizen let out a deep sigh and straightened his posture.
“Let them come in.”
After a while, two nobles, each accompanied by an escort, entered this place in turn.
The first person to enter is a man who appears to be in his late 50s.
“Sir Huin. You have worked so hard to come a long way.”
“Sir Elgizen. Long time no see.”
The grand duke, who is a major figure in the empire.
Elgizen greeted him, shook his hand, and said with a light smile.
“It’s only been half a year.”
“is it. I have a vague sense of time these days. I guess it’s because I’m getting older.”
Although they seem to be close, there is a deep wariness in the eyes of the two.
Until now, in various diplomatic positions, they have sometimes cooperated and sometimes fought for interests.
It might be said that it is a much more troublesome relationship than a small word like friendship.
As the two exchanged greetings, a man in his mid-30s appeared.
“this this. Seeing you two makes me feel intimidated from the start.”
“You are…
“My name is Merrin Bernstad.”
“Bernstad… that’s right. Sir Hezen?”
“yes. My father has retired and I have come instead.”
The man, who identified himself as Merrin with a broad smile, politely introduced himself to the two.
He formally introduced himself once again as Count Merrin Bernstad, envoy of the Principality of Sezefen.
Principality of Sefen.
Although it is not as large as the three major powers, it is a small country of one country, but at least in war, the reputation of the Grand Duchy is well known.
Although the deputy may be a child, the name of the Grand Duke on his back is not light.
That alone is worth bringing a deputy to this meeting.
“Everyone has gathered.”
This brings together the envoys from the three countries who will be having talks today.
* * *
The meeting started, and the Duke of Elgizen brought up the main topic from the beginning.
Slamming the table with both hands, he stood up and insisted strongly.
“We must stop Ernesia Kingdom!”
It is only this that has brought them together today.
What else can we talk about besides this?
When the purpose of the meeting was openly disclosed from the beginning, the other two envoys remained silent.
However, in their eyes, there was already an atmosphere of agreement with his opinion.
“Recently, the amount of funds earned in the Kingdom of Ernesia has reached a level that cannot be ignored.”
“… grunt. you know It’s been giving me quite a bit of a headache lately.”
Archduke Huin frowned as if he was seriously troubled.
How much commotion would have arisen within the empire because of that bastard’s paper.
I just imagined it without even asking.
“What kind of a kid is that youngest prince or something… uselessly developing a new piece of paper…”
“I heard you tried to reproduce it?”
“Unfortunately, it failed.”
He mobilized all the technicians in the empire to placate him, and sometimes he did not hesitate to threaten, and even if he desperately conducted research, he could not imitate it.
No, it’s not just paper.
The same goes for other products.
Not only the empire, but any other country tried to imitate it, but failed, so the hardship was understandable.
“by the way. Are we the only ones responding to the talks?”
“yes. I just hope you don’t get me wrong.
So far, there are only three countries that we have been in close contact with.”
If you make an alliance with a clumsy country for no reason, you will go wrong.
It is they who have judged that each country is suitable for an alliance considering all of its military and economic power.
“Where is the other one?”
If you don’t see it, it means you didn’t get a very good answer.
“It is a holy kingdom.”
“Right. Those pretending to be clean deserves to be turned down.”
Let’s make a conspiracy and thoroughly step on a country. In short, there is no possibility of accepting a meeting like this.
“Still, just in case, I made a suggestion. Because you don’t have very good feelings for Ernesia Kingdom either.”
It was the Holy Kingdom that was more uncomfortable with the Ernesian kingdom than the Merman Empire.
“Hmm. I guess so.”
Archduke Huin also acknowledged it.
The cause was a conflict that only Ernesia Kingdom recognized complete citizenship for other races such as elves and dwarves.
I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable because I had the exact opposite position with Seongguk, which insisted that only humans were worthy of properly prospering.
Officially, however, it remains neutral.
The answer that came back was also a white blank letter.
In short, a metaphor for not getting involved.
It means that you will not see or hear anything, so do what you like.
Just not interfering is enough.
Duke Elgizen thought so.
“Strike the kingdom of Ernesia… is it possible?”
Count Merrin asks with a slightly embarrassed smile.
If he can make good use of this opportunity and shake the kingdom of Ernesia, the principality will be able to reap considerable benefits.
But what if it fails?
It will remain a painful mistake that will be difficult to recover from for decades.
Although I agree with the desire to start a war, I cannot do it hastily.
The Duke of Elgizen also nodded and agreed to that concern.
However, he needs to conclude this meeting somehow with the theory of war.
Now is your chance to convince them to make a move.
“That’s why we need close allies. Even if it is the Kingdom of Ernesia, it will be difficult to respond if it is attacked as an alliance.”
“Yes, but is war really necessary?”
It is not that there is still a possibility of holding back somehow through diplomatic means.
War isn’t that easy.
Whether winning or losing, there are enormous procedures that will make your head spin before and after.
First of all, there will be enormous sacrifices.
In any case, you have to be careful.
“There is no other way than war.”
However, the Duke of Elgizen resolutely drew a line.
There is only war ahead of us.
“hmm?”
“Does Ernesia Kingdom’s solo run end with just this one? Rumor has it that the youngest prince seems unusual.”
At the age of only eight, he discussed state affairs and developed products, and at the age of fourteen, he went down to a hopeless territory and revived it.
Of course it’s all true, so they don’t believe it.
“Of course, I also think it’s ridiculous.”
Duke Elgizen shrugged his shoulders and smiled as if he was bewildered.
“It’s not all true.”
There must be some exaggeration mixed in.
It’s not some kind of founding myth.
But even taking that into consideration, it was clear that Arell Ernesia was a nuisance to them.
“This kind of person will continue to create achievements if left unattended.”
You never know what will come after the paper this time.
What kind of monster are you?
Recently, the technicians of the three countries have a daily routine of crying at the torch being fired from above.
“Can you leave it alone?”
It would have been something that would have been satisfying for Ernesia Kingdom.
From the point of view of other countries?
It can’t be a situation that makes your feet sweat on their own.
“We must not wait any longer. At the very least, whether or not this war is going to hurt us…
“You mean we have to cut off the head of that prince?”
“That’s right.”
I admitted it without hesitation.
The most desirable thing is to use a hand to prevent the development of useless products anymore.
Even if it doesn’t, if you do a big wound in war, you won’t be able to recover at least for decades.
It may be rude, but it is for the future of their country and the peaceful life of the people.
They were absolutely sincere.
“Right. I agree.”
Sir Huin agreed in a low voice.
“It has been the wish of His Majesty the Emperor for a long time to strike Ernesia Kingdom.”
He expressed his strong will for war in a low voice.
“From the beginning, our Excellency was also full of the will to go to war.”
Count Merrin also brought out a prepared answer.
The answer is already decided from the beginning.
Whatever the means, attack Ernesia Kingdom.
Everyone acknowledged that if they didn’t step on the buds now, they would no longer be able to use their hands.
“I’m really glad you know.”
The three of them nodded their heads at the same time and began discussing future plans and future fragments.
There are still a lot of opinions to share.
However, today’s alliance will serve as a foundation for their national interest in the future.
The three of them believed so strongly.
All that remains is to see which of these alliances can benefit the least bit more.
That alone seemed to be a longer meeting than the previous introduction.
King Theonel of Ernesia Kingdom was possessed with a deep sigh as soon as he received a report in his office.
“…the three countries secretly had a tangent?”
The reliability of the report is high.
Recently, there have been several reports that the movements of the three countries are suspicious, so it can be judged that this is true.
If it’s official diplomacy, there’s no need to go into hiding.
Above all, they have many intentions to avoid their eyes and ears.
“I can’t overlook it.”
I have a bad feeling about it.
* * *
