233 – 99% truth, 1% lie (4)
Stockholm Royal Palace, drawing room.
“For a kingdom of barbarians in the northern countryside, they put a lot of effort into decorating it well. “Even compared to the Imperial Palace of the Reich Empire, it is not much inferior.”
“Is that so, Captain?”
“If you are a count of an empire, you may not know how to see works of art, but it is good to have an eye for appreciating the arrangement of furniture and the splendor of a castle. Until now, even the social circles could have been able to criticize him, but if Her Majesty’s sire’s sire lacks insight, Her Highness Louise will be in great trouble.”
From the time I first met him in the North until now, I thought this person was the incarnation of FM, or rather, a person who lives all the principles of life according to the FM textbook.
So, even though he was the head of Duke Keitel’s family, I thought he had a fairly low cultural and artistic perspective, but I was somewhat surprised to see that his sophistication was much higher than expected.
Furthermore, I was embarrassed that someone who rarely shared personal stories even when he had the time gave me sincere advice.
“Thank you for your advice, Captain.”
“Now, let’s take it easy, because if we have made it to the peace negotiations, it is essentially over.”
“hahahaha, didn’t the captain say that? It means that everything is not over until the war is over and you receive an award for meritorious work. “I, Lieutenant General Peter Yeager, intend to faithfully carry out that order.”
“It would be great if young people these days were half as conscious as you…”
So, the captain and I exchanged jokes and jokes for the first time in the enemy country’s palace after the ‘certain victory’ was confirmed.
Not long after, the door to the drawing room opened and the voice of the proclamation rang out along with the sound of a trumpet.
“Your Highness Christian von Vasa, the King of Stockholm and the just judge who protects order in the North! “Everyone, please show respect.”
You idiot, look at how he messed up his diplomatic plans and started the war like a fool, and then sits in his palace trying to show his dignity by using trumpets and proclamation pipes.
As the king of a country, he must at least pretend not to be scared so he can be less exploited and preserve his prestige.
From our point of view, having achieved the greatest victory, it was nothing more than a foolish and foolish struggle.
But since I had to show my respect to the king of a country, I just barely suppressed the laughter that threatened to burst out and quietly got down on one knee.
“Everyone can lift their heads up.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Everyone who has nothing to do with these negotiations, such as the proclamation officer, protocol officer, butler, and maid, must leave their positions.”
At the same time as those words were spoken, numerous maids, butlers, and administrators rushed out the door.
His Majesty King Christian, accompanied by Minister of Military Affairs Oxenburg, approached with a dignified gait and sat down.
“This is going to be a long story, so please sit comfortably.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Aren’t you thirsty after waiting for so long? “How about a cup of tea?”
“I will accept only your heart.”
After such a long wait, when preparations were completed to enter into full-fledged war ending negotiations, Captain Kaitel asked first.
“Let me ask you straight, Your Highness, what are the conditions you wish to propose?”
“I will cede all territory under 250km south of the Osby Plain and pay compensation of 300,000 gold. “How about ending the war with this?”
“The conditions seem too unfavorable to us, but please present realistic conditions.”
“I think this is enough. “Isn’t this giving away a piece of land the size of the Principality of Morengia?”
“We would like to conclude peace negotiations on the condition that we receive the entire area below 50km south of the Osby Plain. Instead, there is no need for compensation.”
While Captain Kaitel and the King of Stockholm were talking, I reflected on the current situation.
First of all, the Kingdom of Stockholm is simultaneously waging war with two countries, the Reich Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden.
However, if you look at the inside story, Sweden is comfortably eating away at the table full of war between the Reich Empire and the Kingdom of Stockholm.
Of course, what if the situation had not been planned to be established like this?
In the worst case scenario, I would have had to do something crazy like go to war with three countries: the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, the Kingdom of Stockholm, and the Kingdom of Sweden.
I don’t think it was a waste to give this much to the Kingdom of Sweden.
After all, it is Stockholm that is being ripped off for money and land, and our money is not worth even 1 copper (1/10,000 of 1 gold).
But anyway, I was the one who laid the whole plan for this war, and I’m trying to step down, but is it right to let the Swedes continue to do it?
I was thinking about this while listening to the battle of wits that Captain Kaitel and the King of Stockholm are having right now, rather than the main point.
As a result, I came to the conclusion that for the sake of the empire, the Kingdom of Stockholm should not yet suffer a blow to the point of ruin.
So, we must be considerate so that His Majesty King Christian, who has been defeated, does not lose too much.
Oh, of course, I have no intention of giving up the share that the Reich Empire will take.
What we are making concessions is something that can be gained from the post-war negotiations that the Kingdom of Sweden will conclude.
“Lieutenant General Jaeger, do you have any opinions? “I just kept listening. Why don’t you try talking too?”
“No matter what, the commander is negotiating, and as the second-in-command, I can’t negotiate over Commander Kaitel…”
“What does it matter if it helps the national interest? In addition, His Excellency Marshal Oxenburg also intervened during the negotiations between His Majesty the King and I to assert his opinion. In such a situation, it was a bit overwhelming for the Reich Imperial Army to talk to me alone.”
As the captain laid the board down, I asked in a sly voice.
“Is it true that the Kingdom of Stockholm wants to hand over the entire area south of 150km of the Osby Plain to the Reich Empire on the condition that it pay compensation of 300,000 gold?”
“That’s right, I think we’ve made a lot of concessions to this extent.”
“I understand that Your Majesty has been very considerate of us. “By the way, Your Highness, may I just say one thing?”
“This is a place for peace negotiations. I’ll listen to anything you say as long as it doesn’t ridicule me and Stockholm.”
Hearing those words, I smiled, pretending to be sincerely grateful, bowed my head to show respect, and asked.
“What do you plan on doing about the war with the Kingdom of Sweden?”
“After concluding a peace agreement with you, I will concentrate on the war against the Kingdom of Sweden.”
“Then what do you plan to do if you fail to conclude ceasefire negotiations with us?”
His Royal Highness Christian remained silent instead of answering those words.
But I think the reason for doing that was very obvious.
It’s just that there is no answer to the point that I can’t do anything about it, but I can’t admit it, so I guess that’s why I didn’t give any answer.
“Then give us what we want. Instead, shouldn’t you negotiate in a way that causes less damage to the Kingdom of Stockholm? “If you hold on for no reason and the Kingdom of Sweden forces push into the vicinity of Oslo, then you will have to deal with the combined forces of the Reich Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden.”
“Are you threatening me now?”
“Peace negotiations are negotiations that talk about peace because they sound good. It is a place for dialogue to get what the winner wants from the loser. And since I am not your subject, I am willing to do that much for the Reich Empire.”
At those words, the expressions of the King and the Minister of Military Affairs in front of me were crumpled, but I smiled brightly and said,
From noble mtl dot com
“Aren’t these peace negotiations being conducted for the worst outcome, not the best outcome? In that sense, please give us all of the territory south of 50km from the Osby Plain. Then, during peace negotiations with Sweden, you will be able to conclude a treaty under somewhat favorable conditions.”
“…….”
“Your Majesty, now is your chance to suffer the least amount of damage. “Now is the time to find light, and if you miss this opportunity, you won’t even be able to shed tears of blood next time.”
At those words, Christian nodded his head as if he understood.
Now, with this, we have completely taken care of the Reich Empire’s share, but the Kingdom of Sweden can no longer be taken over by us…
Profits will decrease a little more than initially thought.
But in any case, I never said a single lie to the Kingdom of Sweden, and I gave it to Sweden when it benefited it, and never caused any loss.
While perfectly protecting their alliance, in the north, the two kingdoms of Stockholm and Sweden succeeded in creating a system of keeping each other in check by biting and tearing at each other.
And on that night, the armistice agreement was signed according to the conditions I requested.