“Duke Mary, what do you think should be done about this matter?”
In one corner of the grand Palace, an elderly man with graying hair put down the document in his hand, rubbed his brow a few times, and turned to ask the woman sitting on the sofa.
“Your Majesty Louisys, are you really planning to hand over land that was so hard to obtain? The tax revenue from that territory is stable and abundant. The Vichy Royal Family simply cannot afford to lose it now, can they?”
This was precisely why the old King first asked her—this was what he wanted to hear, and also served to set the tone for this secret meeting.
“Chancellor Glanz, what do you think of Duke Mary’s opinion?”
“If I may speak frankly, Your Majesty, though their actions are little better than banditry, we cannot afford to sour relations with the Saint Nation right now. Winter is almost here, and since we failed to capture the Grain Region and Ice-free Port of the Green Empire, we can’t lose the Sanctuary’s support as well.”
“Sigh.”
Louisys let out a deep sigh. Honest advice is always hard to hear, and while this man wasn’t likable, his words were undeniably true.
He was all too aware of the hardships facing the country now.
Reforming the army, founding the Magic School for the military, pursuing deeper cooperation and trade with the Dwarves… Everything, all of it, was meant to strengthen the country.
But relying on just this bit of territory and these meager resources—how could they ever hope to grow stronger?
Not only that, the Magic School had enabled many commoners in the army to learn magical arts once monopolized by the nobility, which had led to ever-increasing conflict between the Conservatives and the Emerging Military Faction…
He had heeded Mary’s advice and chosen the simplest way to address these problems—by waging War.
But this was the result: No matter how corrupt the Green Empire’s leadership was, even a dying giant was still larger than most.
He had thought that a Lightning Offensive to seize the enemy’s capital and capture the Queen would end the War, but that mediocre monarch couldn’t command her own nobles at all.
Now he was riding a tiger with no way off—none of his main goals achieved, stopping the War would only worsen domestic affairs, and dragging it out any longer would just mean a slow death.
“Mary, how much longer do you need to develop those War Magic Tools you mentioned?”
“The testing is already finished, but…”
“But what?”
“It’s just that mass-producing this kind of ‘weapon’ will require a huge quantity of Fire Crystal Stones. If we rely solely on importing them with gold coins, the cost would be astronomical.”
Damn it! A rare way to break the deadlock, but they couldn’t even use it!
“Doesn’t the Green Empire have several mines? Can’t we just expand mining operations?”
“I’m afraid not, Your Majesty. As far as I know, those veins are all buried deep in the mountains, and even now, mining them is difficult. Expanding operations further simply isn’t possible with our current technology.”
This Chancellor was only good at throwing cold water on things. He sometimes wondered why he’d been blind enough to promote him in the first place.
“Your Majesty Louisys, isn’t the Northwestern Stronghold of the Rhine Empire a Fire Crystal Stone mining area? For now, what if we withdraw the elite troops locked in a bitter struggle with the Southern Nobles of the Green Empire, switch to a defensive strategy, and then launch a military raid on our neighbor?”
“Mary! Are you mad? Fighting on two fronts? Are you trying to push this country into the fire?”
Glanz’s reaction was fierce, but his protest wasn’t without reason. Maintaining the army’s current expenses was already pushing them to the limit.
If they started a new War with another Empire, even just mobilizing the troops to defend the border would cost a fortune.
If they negotiated a ceasefire with the remnants of the Green Empire first and then redeployed a portion of the troops…
Louisys admitted he’d be taking a gamble, but he’d coveted the Rhine Empire’s mines for some time.
He’d heard that country had recently undergone a Revolution, and the Rhine Royal Family likely didn’t have the energy to deal with his army.
As long as he forced them to the Negotiation Group and got what he wanted, it would be enough.
Yes! That’s it!
“Lord Glanz, you’ll be in charge of negotiating with the Southern Nobles of the Green Empire. As long as you can secure a truce for half a year or so, that’s enough. It’s fine to cede a few unimportant occupied territories.”
“Your Majesty!”
“That’s enough. You’re dismissed. Duke Mary, you stay.”
……
“Glanz is a capable man, it’s just a pity he’s always so timid in his actions.”
“You are right, Your Majesty.”
Now only Mary remained in the study. Though her origins were unclear—a noblewoman who’d joined halfway—her every suggestion seemed to hit the mark.
Pale skin, bright red eyes, a bewitching face… If he were younger, he might have made her a member of the royal family.
But now, what Louisys needed more was her ‘wisdom.’
“I’m interested in the Northwestern Stronghold of the Rhine Empire as well. But these days, neither the Royal Family nor the nobles have spare funds to support a new War. What do you think should be done?”
“I can provide Your Majesty with another portion of gold, but right now, there might be a better way.”
“Oh? And what way is that?”
“Approve the engagement between Valenrian Veshi and the Youngest Daughter of the Ashley Family.”
How strange. She had objected the loudest when that child had first proposed the engagement, and now she was the one recommending it.
“Why? You must know how much nobles care about their reputations. And Lord Willry’s infamous status among both countries’ aristocracies has been well known for some time.”
“Your Majesty, which is more important: pride or War?”
Sigh. There was no helping it—it had to be this way.
That child was an ambitious man. He just hoped this political marriage wouldn’t become a weapon the Conservatives could use to oppose him in the future…
“You’re right. Now, back to the main topic—how should we deal with the matter in the Saint Nation’s letter?”
“Prepare on two fronts. Let the Magic School focus on cultivating more healers as a priority. If the Negotiation Group from the Saint Nation comes, delay them if possible. If you can’t delay them, agree, but don’t hand over the land for nothing. Set a condition they won’t accept, then keep negotiating to drag things out.”
Good! As expected from someone he admired. Far more useful than that Glanz!
“Well done, Duke Mary. We’ll proceed as you say. Someone! Bring Valenrian Veshi here!”
……
———
“He’s gone mad. This King has gone completely mad!”
“Well, Lord Glanz? What did Father say?”
“There’s no saving him. I used to think he was a wise ruler when he started reforming the army, but now it’s clear he’s an utter madman. This country is finished!”
The Grand Prince was just like the King. No, he was even more foolish. If there was still the slightest chance of saving this country…
“Your Highness Second Prince, would you accompany me to the suburbs? Let’s go visit the Queen of the Green Empire together.”
“Huh?”
The man before him was timid and cowardly, but at least he was far better than those two ‘gamblers.’
If this country was to survive the wrath of two great powers, he alone would be the best suited to clean up the aftermath.
But before that, Mary! That bewitching “Witch” had to be eliminated…