653 – Nuclear Reactor (3)
The bombing in broad daylight was enough to freeze the atmosphere.
The crowd shouting for independence turned into an abyss due to the bomb, and the delegation hurriedly headed for the mansion.
The attendant who threw himself to reduce the power of the bomb was fortunately spared. However, the attendant is a warrior class equivalent to a knight.
Even though such a powerful person threw his body to block it, he was seriously injured and even the wagon’s protective magic was broken. However, the fact that the protection magic was broken is a bit strange.
Anyway, it was a strange thing that the protection magic was broken by the shock. However, the ‘rolling’ of the bomb hit a weak point.
“The protective magic is installed on the lower part of the wagon. A small shock is fine, but that kind of explosion happened…”
“Can’t a wizard fix it?”
“This can only be repaired with a dwarf, not a mage. You can call a Starbirk craftsman, but you don’t know what to do.”
If you’re not lucky, you could say you’re not lucky. Hagiya is conscious of arrows and poison needles flying from afar, not conscious of the bottom.
It was impossible to think that someone had set a trap on the floor, because Starbirk didn’t know that either.
Thus, it is safe to say that this bombing was an unexpected accident. No, the bomb ‘magic’ itself was expected.
“When they caught the culprit, they said it was a bomb using only gunpowder and shrapnel. There was no magic at all.”
“You thought the blast was magic?”
“Yes. That’s why I also installed a magic that temporarily paralyzes magic…”
A simple bomb made only with technology, not magic. It was an accident that occurred because magic was still closer to science.
In other words, no one can say anything. I expected a bomb attack, but I never imagined that it would be a grenade.
Fortunately, only the attendant was seriously injured and the culprit was arrested, but the atmosphere has long since cooled.
“Nice to meet you again. I don’t know what a warm welcome it was. Is the welcome bomb in Starbirk these days?”
To the extent that Leort, who faced Asala, laughed and said that. His face is smiling, but his voice is chilly.
The manager, Asala, seemed to have sensed the seriousness as well, and opened her mouth with a hard expression.
“······All I can say is that I’m sorry. I will definitely punish the ringleaders.”
“If the ringleaders are transported to the Empire, I think the anger will be relieved.”
At Leort’s words, Asala twitched under her eyes. That meant that the Minerva Empire would directly judge the criminals.
It may seem obvious at first glance, but Starbirk longs for independence. This means that it can be perceived as a violation of sovereignty.
In China in my previous life, even foreigners did not show mercy to drug-related crimes. You can see what other countries are saying here.
But the reality is that we can’t do anything right now. Starbirque is clearly attached to the Empire, and the accident happened over there.
It would not be strange to go straight back to the country and declare war, but they tolerate it generously.
“······We will consider it after the agreement is over.”
“Yes. I hope we end well.”
Fortunately, there was something each other wanted, so the war didn’t break out. Leort let out a deep sigh and followed Asala.
Disguised as Lina and her attendant, I followed them. The mansion where Marquis Klose stayed during his days as governor was plain and ordinary.
In the first place, it was close to the colony, and the Marquis Klose has nothing to do with it. He is not fit to rule a fiefdom.
The size of the mansion is also small because it was enough to handle the paperwork roughly.
“You can come in here.”
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Not long after, a woman named Mersha led me to the room where the negotiations were to take place. Only the representative and one attendant from each side were allowed in the room.
Stavirk was accompanied by two burly attendants, and the Empire accompanied Marquis Klose and me.
Soon I was able to reach the room where the national fortunes of both sides were to be hung. Chairs were placed on each side of a normal-sized table.
I stood behind Leort and Lina as they sat down. Marquis Klose also stood by me and waited.
“Can I be direct?”
As soon as the agreement started, Leort started talking. In fact, as long as terrorism has occurred, the Minerva Empire holds the initiative.
Assala also nodded her head heavily to see if she knew. Mersha, who is sitting next to her, also has a nervous look on her face.
Leort then opened his mouth with a meaningful smile.
“We won’t give up on Starbirk easily, especially in this way.”
This is Leort, who detonated the bomb from the beginning. The bomb that the Empire does not want Starbirk to be independent.
For Starbirk, who longed for independence, he would feel discouraged, but Asala was surprisingly calm. As if expected.
As Leort raised one eye and gave an interesting response, Asala spoke in a quiet voice.
“I was somewhat expecting it. The Empire won’t give up on our country easily, especially once it starts strengthening its navy.”
“Hmm.”
“Our country’s topography is very suitable for building a port. The Kingdom of Terse exists right underneath it.”
Surprisingly, Asala, that is to say, Starbirk’s side knew all about the Minerva Empire’s ulterior motives.
It will defeat the garrison right now, but it will have a tremendous impact on the future by strengthening the navy. That said, Starbirk would be the primary target.
Unlike the Earth, in a world where information exchange is extremely limited, that level of insight is very great.
Moreover, this world basically stays away from the sea. You wouldn’t even know the potential of the sea, but it’s amazing to see through that.
“To isolate us economically and socially when we are unguarded. Isn’t that the ultimate goal of the Empire?”
“I don’t know who told you, but you’re looking at our cards. I really hate you for being like this.”
Leort only laughed at the fact that all of his cards had been revealed, and responded that he didn’t care. The same goes for Lina.
Lina has told me before. The ultimate goal of the empire in this agreement is to contain the kingdom of Terse.
If Starbirk becomes independent, it will naturally become the center of ‘maritime trade’. Due to the specific nature of the peninsula, it is unavoidable.
If that happens, you will naturally come into contact with numerous kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Terse. It is very advantageous to accept this kind of culture.
“But you should know that Starbirk will be directly or indirectly affected by the Empire, whether they like it or not.”
“I know.”
“The real story will start from here.”
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Now that I’ve shown all my cards, the only thing left to do is fight head-to-head. It was also a fight that Starbirk was at a considerable disadvantage due to the terror attack a little while ago.
Even if it is not terrorism, national power is the truth and the rule in agreements between countries. It was already disadvantageous, but it became more disadvantageous due to terrorism.
Even if the Minerva Empire offered an unequal treaty, Stabirk would have no choice but to sign the agreement while crying and eating mustard.
‘The contents of the agreement are real…’
Lina also informed me of the contents of the agreement first. As the agreement progresses, it will change one by one, but if you look at the draft, it is really vicious.
To sum up, it is the Starbirk version of Ganghwado Treaty. An agreement that recognizes sovereignty only in words, practically equivalent to a colony.
It is stated that the Empire directly helps to open the port, but it is an obvious trick. We will press Starbirk through that port.
“··· ···”
Asala twitched under her eyes as she looked at the draft of the agreement Lina handed her. It’s an expression that’s the right mixture of absurdity and anger.
On the other hand, Leort and Lina have relaxed faces. Then Lina opened her mouth with her unique elegant voice.
“Just in case, it’s a draft. It won’t cause another terrorism, right?”
His eloquence to scratch his insides is amazing. To be honest, Starbirk should be recognized for that as well.
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No matter what, independence was independence. It is completely opposite to Japan’s forcible severance of relations between the Qing Dynasty and Joseon.
Japan forcibly cut off the relationship, while the Minerva Empire forcibly entered into a military-vassal relationship. Half independence is a bonus here.
“······A fairly unequal treaty for us.”
“Instead, the independence you long for can come true.”
“The independence we want is far from this.
There is truth in Asala’s words. If the treaty was concluded like this, Starbirk’s anti-imperial feelings could have been further intensified.
Leort nodded as if he knew that. Then he gave an example and he said.
“The Principality of Belua is also surrounded by many countries. However, it has accumulated great wealth using its topographical features. Starbirque must be similar in terms of topographical features.”
“But there is a clause that requires you to sever trade with the Kingdom of Terse. If this happens, the Kingdom of Terse will have a great resentment.”
“We’ll protect you. Like I said before, we can’t lose Starbirk either.”
“··· ···”
Asala struggled, sticking out her tongue. An unequal treaty is the same, but Starbirk is not without benefits.
Even if you can’t escape the influence of the empire, you can become a center of trade like the Principality of Belua, and even get protection from the empire.
The only target to be severed is the Kingdom of Terse. In the first place, only the words were cut off, but it was close to the meaning of tough tariffs.
The Kingdom of Terse will not be able to do anything to the Minerva Empire, which has a strong navy. It is a pact that is appealing in many ways.
‘Is it true independence or a vassal state?’
It is a very interesting process. Realistically speaking, choosing the latter will make Starbirk’s future brighter.
Even if you choose the former, the thorny road will continue, and your heart will be relieved. Trouble is bound to deepen.
Moreover, since Starbirk made the mistake first, there is a high possibility that the other side will reluctantly accept it as well.
“······It looks like it will take a long time.”
Asala, who was colliding between reality and ideals, eventually chose to put it on hold. I feel sorry for her messy face.
Her brother and sister in the imperial family nodded at her with a satisfied face, as if they had expected this choice as well.
To them, a treaty is nothing more than the difference between stealing legally or stealing forcefully.
This is why countries with weak national power are so sad. Joseon, which had a strong ethnicity, became independent because Japan was defeated, but did not become independent on its own.
“You can take it slow. We want Starbirk’s choice, not yours.”
“I hope you make a wise choice next time. I look forward to Starbirk’s decision as one.”
He says it with a smile, but the meaning behind it is quite bloody. The meaning of one Starbirk they mentioned is this.
You guys should take care of yourself before the extremists come into play.
If a terrorist attack like today happened, they would think it was Starbirk’s choice.
Asala also smiled wryly as if she understood the meaning. Mersha, who was sitting next to her, also had a bitter face.
“We apologize once again for the unfortunate incident that occurred today. It was not our choice. Please clarify.”
“Nothing.”
Maybe today’s incident will reduce the activities of extremists. Because of the incident they caused, independence was delayed.
The Minerva Empire also took the justification that it had no choice but to postpone the agreement. A single act of terror bought both sides time.
So the first agreement came to an abrupt end. All you have to do is go back like this…
“Oh, by any chance. I want to visit the attendant in the hospital. Is that okay?”
Huh?
“If it continues like this, it will only deepen the conflict between us. It is also necessary for our empire.”
Huh?
“Aren’t you okay?”
Uh huh?