Chapter 90 A trump card to end the melee
Chapter 90 A trump card to end the melee
30 Minutes before the start of the noble meeting.
The members of the imperial faction and the aristocratic faction entered the conference room one by one.
Soon all of them filled the seats.
Based on the throne, the imperial faction was on the left, and the aristocratic faction was on the right.
And in the very center of the front row sat the heads of each faction, Kylos and Montersen.
“Nice to meet you, Duke Montersen.”
“Hmm. Nice to meet you, Duke Kylos.”
The two old men exchanged brief greetings.
Montersen looked at Kylos’ expression with narrow eyes and said,
“Duke Kylos. What agenda do you think Her Majesty will propose today?”
I hinted at it.
Kailos immediately recognized Montersen’s intentions.
‘Looks like they got the information.’
Otherwise, there’s no way that serpent would talk like this.
“Well, I’m just discussing the agenda that His Majesty proposed. I don’t know what else.”
The reason Kylos gave Montersen a respectful title was that the Duke of Montersen had a deeper history than the Duke of Kailos.
Montersen was also a bit older than Kylos.
“Hmm, I guess so. I see.”
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‘You know but hide it.’
At the time when we were having a subtle war of nerves with each other, the butler who entered the conference room shouted.
“Her Majesty Empress Cecilia is entering!”
The nobility faction and the imperial faction stood up at once.
* * *
I followed Cecilia into the conference room.
She stopped her steps for a moment before heading to her throne and beckoning to me.
“Yes.”
“Luke. You just have to do what you always do.”
Cecilia said in a low voice.
This is no different from directives for today’s action.
As usual, in case the resistance from the aristocrats is strong, it is to intervene appropriately and add words.
“Okay.”
I’ve done it a few times already, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.
In the first place, there is an empress behind me, but what can they do?
I stood in front of the secretary’s desk.
Cecilia slowly climbed the stairs and sat down on her throne. As a signal, her nobles all bowed towards her.
“Meet Her Majesty, Empress Cecilia, Mother of the Empire!”
Of course, this time I had to bow to her and greet her.
After a moment of silence, Cecilia accepted their greeting.
“Everyone take your seats.”
Only then were the aristocrats and myself able to straighten up and sit in a chair.
“Today, I plan to hold a meeting on one agenda.”
“… ….”
Both nobles and emperors, everyone was staring at Cecilia with bated breath.
I turned her head to examine Cecilia. There was a cold expression on her face, but today I felt that she was really determined.
“I plan to resume trade with Sergel Kingdom in the future. I would like to gather your opinions on this.”
“… ….”
It’s quieter than you think?
I thought there would be more commotion…….
It could be that the emperor faction is quiet. Because Cecilia directly asked Kylos for active support for today’s agenda.
But even the aristocrats are relatively quiet?
‘It looks like the suspicious guy Ileina talked about the other day collected related information.’
A thought crossed my mind that it might be better to be prepared today.
While I was immersed in my thoughts, a voice came out first from the imperial faction.
“Your Majesty. Is Sergel Kingdom agreeing to resume trade with us?”
“Yes. There has been a positive response from the Kingdom, and we are trying to implement our plan to send an envoy.”
After Cecilia’s supplementary explanation, the members of the imperial faction nodded.
He must have judged that he had some supportable cause.
I checked the trend of the aristocrats on the other side. They were exchanging stories with the people sitting around them with puzzled faces.
Looks like he didn’t understand how things had progressed this far.
‘There was a result of continuing to keep secrets.’
Now, how will they come out?
After waiting for a while, the Marquis of Marlborough, who was first in rank among the aristocrats, raised his hand.
“Your Majesty. I ask for a say.”
Cecilia stared at him for a moment before giving her the right to speak.
“Yunheohaji.”
“Why are you trying to resume trade with Sergel Kingdom? What benefits will come to our empire from trading with such a small kingdom?”
Certainly, you point out something you might be curious about.
Maybe I underestimated the Marquis of Marlborough too much.
“Good question, Marquis of Marlborough.”
Cecilia said in a calm tone. She then explained the advantages she would gain through trade with Sergel Kingdom, listing them one by one.
To come into contact with new cultures through mutual exchange.
Increasing tax revenue through trade.
Through harmony with Sergel Kingdom, it is also helpful to establish friendly relations with Sergel’s neighboring countries.
The argument Cecilia put forward was the conclusion reached after me, Duke Kailos, and Count Clusio put our heads together.
This is not just a claim, there are data that prove that it is actually effective.
‘Where, if you want, try it.’
At that time, I will beat you up with data and facts.
Ah, of course it’s Cecilia’s job, not me.
“Is that enough explanation, Marquis of Marlborough?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Why is Marlboro lowering his tail so quickly?
“However, what Your Majesty is saying is only speculation, isn’t it? If you want to trade with the Sergel Kingdom, you will have to use the land route, but I don’t think the cost of moving will be formidable.”
…… After all, he is a persistent man.
However, the claim itself has some truth.
‘It’s probably the breath of the Duke of Montersen.’
As expected, it’s like the Duke of Montersen.
That’s why I advised Cecilia that it would be better to be prepared to write the final card.
However, it is not the right time yet.
“As the Marquis points out, logistics transport overland is costly. It would be costly to carve out routes for exchange. However, anything is expensive in the beginning. It can be seen as foolish to miss the opportunity to experience a new culture just because it costs a lot of money right away.”
Cecilia immediately responded.
This much was within the expected category anyway.
As soon as Cecilia finished speaking, several voices erupted from the imperial faction.
“Your Majesty is right!”
“For our Ekater empire to prosper further, we must be able to accommodate different cultures!”
The momentum is definitely on our side.
I rolled my eyes to see the aristocratic atmosphere. Her complexion didn’t look very good, perhaps because she was pushed by the imperial faction’s momentum.
“… ….”
However, there was no change in Duke Montersen’s expression yet.
Do you have any secret tricks?
While I was examining the situation for a moment, the Marquis of Marlborough continued to give reasons for objection.
However, our Empress has always refuted the Marquis’ argument without hindrance.
“Have you anything more to say, Marquis of Marlborough?”
“No… ….”
The Marquis of Marlborough sat down with a distressed look.
Meanwhile, Cecilia raised her chin with a haughty expression.
The winner is definitely decided.
If it had been presented as an agenda for the noble meeting without any contact with Sergel Kingdom, it wouldn’t have been easy to suppress the resistance of the noble faction.
But now, Cecilia has an active support from the imperial faction and a positive reply from Sergel Kingdom.
There’s no way it’s going to be a fight since you’ve come to the conference room with these awesome weapons.
“If there are no further objections, it will remain as it is… ….”
“Your Majesty. May God say something?”
Duke Montersen, who had been silent the whole time, opened his mouth.
‘It’s finally here.’
“Yunheohaji.”
Cecilia still maintained a haughty expression.
“I listened carefully to what Your Majesty said. I have no doubt that trade with Sergel Kingdom will definitely benefit our empire. But.”
What the hell are you trying to say from that snout?
I kept a close eye on Montersen’s face.
“As your Majesty knows, the kingdom first declared war against our empire more than 30 years ago. With little things. Based on this, it is safe to say that kingdom people are generally hot-tempered and have eccentric tendencies.”
“… ….”
Cecilia was staring at Montersen with her chin resting on her chin.
“In addition, the kingdom unilaterally severed diplomatic ties without proper compensation after the war. However, I think that if we ask for an improvement in relations first, we will throw away all our pride as people of the Eckhart Empire.”
“I agree with the Duke!”
“You can’t bow down to a small country first!”
As soon as Montersen finished his remarks, voices of sympathy resounded from all over the aristocracy.
…… To be honest, I was a bit perplexed.
Because I didn’t expect it to stab me like this.
I checked Cecilia’s complexion just in case. She didn’t show her either, but she looked embarrassed.
She has victory right in front of her nose, but she can’t miss it.
‘I have to break that logic quickly!’
I desperately shook my head. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I was able to spot the flaws in Montersen’s remarks.
“Your Majesty. May God speak?”
“Yunheohaji.”
There was a wave of anticipation in her ruby eyes as she looked at me.
“Duke of Montersen. There is something odd about the Duke’s remarks.”
“…… Something?”
A disapproving tone.
“Shouldn’t you first find out what caused Sergel’s kingdom to declare war? A case in which our side murdered a noble from the kingdom side. I think it is out of order to mention only the declaration of war while omitting this.”
“Secretary. However, during the five-year war with the kingdom, our empire also suffered considerable damage.”
“Yes, that is what is described in the history books.”
Montersen nodded his head once, as if agreeing with my remarks.
“However, what we need to reflect on is that the person responsible for the murder was not properly punished, and no apology was made to the Kingdom. This served as an excuse for the kingdom to declare war on our empire. If you look at the causal relationship, the faults of our empire are not small.”
“So, Secretary, do you think it is right for our empire to first bow its head toward a small country?”
The Duke asked in a low voice.
“In this situation, I think it is wrong to use the expression joahrinda.”
“What?”
“Let’s change the perspective. Empire is not about bowing down, it’s about reaching out first. It means that since we have done wrong to each other, let’s take this opportunity to correct it and reconcile. And in Sergel Kingdom, he held out his hand. Do you really see this as equivalent to bowing your head?”
“… ….”
Montersen shut his mouth. Instead, he was staring this way with his big eyes.
But it didn’t even pose a threat to me.
What are you going to do when you stare at me?
“The secretary has a very convenient way of thinking.”
“Because that is my strength.”
I replied with a smile at the sarcastic remark. Then Montersen frowned.
That old man never shows his emotions.
At this level, you can say that you have definitely won.
“But apart from that, I am against reopening trade. Even if there is reconciliation, I think the benefits to be gained from trade with one small country are too small.”
Ha ha.
Is this one from Operation Parrot?
Honestly, they weren’t the ones who would give up just because they were a little behind.
Aristocratic faction sympathized with Montersen’s argument and uttered a single voice, causing a great uproar in the conference room.
It seems like that is the only way to end this commotion…….
“Be quiet!”
Her cry made the conference room quiet as if it had been doused with cold water.
I looked at Cecilia. Just in time, she also looked down this way, and our eyes met naturally.
Before long, Cecilia gave her a slight nod.
‘Hmm? Did I not say anything?’
After taking a look around her audience, Cecilia opened her mouth.
“I listened carefully to all of your opinions. However, I was on a mission this time. So… ….”
Only then did I realize that Cecilia was about to use her trump card to end her melee.
“I will promote the resumption of trade with the Kingdom of Sergel with the imperial command!”
-Continued