104 – The Three Quarters of the World – 6
From Noble mtl dot com
In response to the princess’s suggestion that she wanted a diplomatic solution, a meeting was immediately prepared. The Duchy of Plos and the Castle of Lydia immediately sent diplomats, and each of the faces were familiar.
“Charles Jean Rochepol? Were you a representative of the Principality of Claudia?”
Salome de Hiron said with joy. She appeared as an agent for the Holy Kingdom of Lydia. There is nothing particularly strange about it. This is because she was a former cardinal and the daughter of the current Holy Emperor.
“Huh? Charles? Miss Salome? That’s strange. “I clearly graduated, but why do I see familiar faces?”
The guy who was slyly pretending to wash his eyes was Bertolf von Ruitwert. This guy was working under Princess Flos.
‘It’s a total reunion.’
He thought he was at a diplomatic forum, but it occurred to him that he might actually have been at a class reunion. I ignored the people who were trying to greet me and spoke straight away.
“Thank you all for gathering for today’s summit. “The topic of today’s meeting is the Duchy of Claudia’s attack on the Taspilia Peninsula.”
“What? Let’s say hello to our friends. I will make sure that construction is divided, is this it? “I’m sad.”
“It is not too late even after saying hello. Sit down, Bertolph. Please sit down, Miss Salome.”
Soon, the two people and their attendants sat down and the meeting began.
“First, let me tell you our position. Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia, the leader of the Principality of Claudia, has no intention of returning the conquered territory free of charge, but says that a partial return is possible depending on conditions. “What does the representative of the Principality of Plos think?”
“Hmm~ Charles. I would like to accept your proposal, but unfortunately our Duke Lucrezia is adamant. The Petrine Republic is a completely autonomous country. Princess Lucrezia’s opinion is that it is unfair for one autonomous country to invade another autonomous country by force. “How are you, Miss Salome?”
“I agree. Our Holiness also regards the Petrine Republic as an autonomous nation that can stand alone. That is why we were able to be neighboring countries that have coexisted for hundreds of years. “His Holiness recognizes and respects Governor Couto of the Petrine Republic as a great leader.”
In one word, it means spitting out all the territory you have eaten and getting out of the way. The arguments of the two people, who were stronger than I expected, made me break into a cold sweat. It shouldn’t go on like this. If we really spit out all the land we ate, we’re screwed. Some logic is needed. The logic that will persuade the two people. Should we take some time first?
“I think the activities of the Principality of Plos are a bit difficult to discuss the autonomy of the Petrine Republic. By now, the Principality of Plos had swallowed up several autonomous states within the Taspilia Peninsula. We also had a failed war against the Petrine Republic. Isn’t it because of that history of conquest that the Principality of Plos was able to enjoy its current wealth and glory?”
“That’s… It’s not wrong, though. Think carefully, Charles. The Petrian Republic is the land of the Taspilians. If the Principality of Plos occupies the Republic of Petrio, the Taspilians will conquer the Taspilians, so nothing will change in the end. Only the stronger leader survives. But it’s different now, right? “Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia is an Arcadian, and the Arcadian occupation of Taspilian land is against the autonomy of the Taspilian people.”
“Hundreds of years ago, the Arcadians were not a single people. Even within Arcadia, there were Claudians, Binevians, and Calanians. Many peoples mixed and mingled to form one people called Arcadia. So, mixing with Taspilia wouldn’t cause a big problem, right? “Ethnicities always mix.”
“We will let our Holy Kingdom answer that. The Taspilia also know that Taspilia are not entirely pure blood. Our Hiron family, which rules the Holy Kingdom, also has Silonian blood on its father’s side and Taspilia’s blood on its mother’s side. Nevertheless, the Hiron family is recognized as a member of the Holy Kingdom. The reason is because they are acting for Taspilia’s interests. But Princess Leonia is different. He has no trace of Taspilia’s blood, and even inherited the noble blood of Arcadia. This is actually a problem because Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia’s lineage is noble. Because you are the royal family of Arcadia. When the interests of Taspilia and Arcadia conflict, Her Highness Leonia will choose Arcadia without hesitation. Can you assure me that is not the case?”
“… “
I couldn’t answer this. Salome is right. Perhaps because he learned logic and rhetoric in vain, he is good at only choosing words that resonate with him. He was, after all, a capable human being. It’s because her personality is strange.
“I knew well about the cause of self-government for the Taspilians. Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia also does not intend to take over the Taspilia Peninsula by force. Her Majesty Leonia is also acting for the good of all.”
“For everyone’s benefit?”
“That’s a bit of a strange story.”
Salome and Bertolph each answered. But I continued without stopping.
“In other words, we are talking about looking at practicality rather than outdated justifications. Taspilian autonomy? Good. But Bertolph, Miss Salome. I ask you both as friends, not as representatives of one country. Is it true that your lords are really trying to expel Princess Leonia for the sake of Taspillian self-governance? With your hand on your chest?”
“… “
“… “
The two people could not easily answer. And that was proof that they were young. If he had been a middle-aged diplomat, he would have lied with an iron plate on his face, but because he was still young, he revealed his true feelings in a moment.
“No, right? What you represent is the benefit of each country. Not for the benefit of Taspilia as a whole. From your point of view, if a powerful force develops in the north of the Taspilia peninsula, you may have problems making money in the future, so you want to kick them out. “Isn’t that right?”
“That’s it… what… “
“No comment.”
The wiser one was Salome. Instead of being vague, Salome avoided answering. However, avoiding it was in itself equivalent to admitting it.
“Then the solution is actually simple. There is no need for war! “Isn’t it okay for all three of us to benefit?”
“Huh? “Is there a way to do that?”
“Yes. How our three nations can part ways in satisfaction without going to war. That’s it… “
“Right?”
“The territory of the occupied Petrine Republic is divided. Why bother trying to liberate the Petrine Republic? They already have no power. What the Principality of Plos wants is its own benefit. What we want is also the benefit of our country. In that case, shouldn’t the Duchy of Plos and the Duchy of Claudia share the occupied territory? Citizens of the Petrine Republic will probably hate it.”
“Now, wait! If we do that, the other countries on the Taspilia Peninsula will rebel!”
“Let’s put aside the old causes and think only about the practical benefits. To be honest, other countries are weak. Even if you wanted to protest, what power would you have? “If Her Majesty Princess Leonia and Her Majesty Duke Lucrezia join forces, we can just ignore complaints from other countries.”
“… !”
Bertolf seemed to have passed over, but it was Salome who intervened at that time.
“Wait! Then there is no benefit for our Holy Kingdom! Even if our Holy Kingdom receives territory from the Petrine Republic, we have no power to protect it! There is no benefit to receiving territory! If the Principality of Plos and the Principality of Clodia try to divide and occupy the territory of the Petrine Republic, the Holy Kingdom of Lydia will declare excommunication to both countries!”
“Let me give you an offering.”
“Yes?”
Salome blinked with a confused expression.
“We will donate 150,000 ducats from the Principality of Plos and 75,000 ducats from the Principality of Claudia. The total is 225,000 ducats. Doesn’t this sufficiently represent the interests of the Holy Kingdom of Lydia?”
“That’s… !”
“Charles! “Why do we pay more?”
“You can’t even calculate that much? You are receiving the territory occupied by Her Majesty Princess Leonia for free. Take that kind of loss. Duke Lucrezia will also bear it.”
“… “I will check with your Majesty.”
Do you think Duke Lucrezia, who has money, will regret only 150,000 ducats? No, if I could exchange money for territory, I would change it a hundred times.
“How are you, Miss Salome? Would you take 225,000 ducats and make two reliable allies? Otherwise, would you rather make two enemies without getting a penny?”
“… “
Salome said after thinking for a while.
“Charles Jean Rochepol.”
“Yes.”
“The Principality of Plos has been targeting the Petrine Republic for a long time. If Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia had not conquered the Petrine Republic, she would have conquered the Duchy of Plos. That’s exactly what they were aiming for from the beginning, and they took over the Petrine Republic rather than another country. “I knew it would be like this.”
To be honest, that’s true. From the time I expressed the opinion that we should conquer the south to what I said today, it was all a plan planned from the beginning.
“Is this your plan?”
Of course, that’s right. This is my plan from start to finish.
“No comment on that. “Just like Miss Salome did.”
Then Salome closed her eyes as if she was savoring my words.
“As expected, I like you.”
After saying this, he stood up, bowed, and then left.
“Whoa…” “
The two returned to Duke Lucrezia and Emperor Alexander, respectively, saying they would confirm their intentions. Lucrezia will most likely accept it. Lucrezia also dreams of world domination. They were eagerly looking to expand their territory. So, if we can gain territory without war, there is no way we would turn it down. However, the problem is on Alexander’s side…
“I guess I’ll have to hope Salome does well.”
Seongguk may or may not do well. However, even the most clueless country could tell. Salome was in love with me. So, wouldn’t you say something nice to her father, Seonghwang? She could only pray that it would happen. But will God take my side and not the Holy Kingdom? They must pray more.