Episode 16. Second Noble Assembly (End)
Duke Calus.
Full name is Magna Calus
As a noble who occupied the largest territory in the eastern part of the empire, he was in charge of exchanges with the Aium Kingdom. He was playing a central role, especially in trade.
“What? That one?”
According to Marquis Medith’s explanation, the center of conflict seemed to be the ratio of resources and the size of the area.
Military clashes were frequent as there was no proper border map, and both countries were unable to utilize their resources.
“…… How do you mean? Do you know about the Aium Kingdom?”
No, I don’t know.
As the main background was the empire, there wasn’t much information about the neighboring country, Aium Kingdom. In fact, the resource conflict issue was not dealt with in the game as it is now.
But I had the ‘information’ and ‘means’ to read the situation.
It was a matter of using a little bit of the information that was mainly dealt with in the Stella Forna episode.
“I don’t know.”
“Then how are you going to solve it?”
“You only need to help me with one thing.”
“Help?”
The impression of the nobility changes in real time. I felt blatantly that he didn’t want to listen to my request.
“I want you to meet the king of Aium Kingdom.”
“What are you going to do when you meet the king?”
“Find out spies.”
“Finding a spy…….”
I added a word for the nobles who can’t catch the sense.
“A few years ago, in the Aium Kingdom, there was a family that was exterminated for being the nephew of a demon. Do you remember?”
“…… Are you talking about the Forna family?”
Fortunately, there seemed to be a few nobles who remembered. This will speed up the story.
“Come to think of it, wasn’t one of the nobles who bought the Stella Forna killed by a demon named Habito?”
At someone’s remark, he starts to hum again.
It could have been a big problem when the noble died, but I’ve heard from Ella that the emperor imposed sanctions.
I heard a report that it was not easy to deal with two S-class under the Anti-Anti-Magic, and I heard that it was difficult in many ways to send the knights to the demon realm.
“Anyway, in the Aium Kingdom, there are more people who are related to demons.”
“!”
The pupils of everyone inside the meeting room widened. The sad faces were really good to see. The escort knights, who had been loosely vigilant until just now, began to get nervous.
“Is that real?!”
“Yes.”
If you think about it, yes.
He has the level of potential to turn the county into an outcast. Did the demons with that power really make only one county a scapegoat?
That can’t be.
From noble mtl dot com
The demons are preparing to devour the human world at any time. In order to win more efficiently in the war against humans, you must be continuously receiving information by bribing or threatening humans.
There must be people related to demons in the empire besides the kingdom of Aium. However, compared to the Aium Kingdom, I was able to feel a little relieved.
Because every city in the Empire has ‘Anti-Anti-Magic’, which is not found in Aium Kingdom.
Nobles moved between cities by teleport, so there was not a high chance that nobles would be affected by demons.
The problem was to be seen as being on the side of commoners who lived on the outskirts of towns or villages.
Maybe it came into contact with other races. There might have been someone who promised to free them from slavery and tried to seduce them.
Even so, the possibility of other races going over to the demons was slim. Even before the massacre was committed by the empire, the demons had been toying with and slaughtering other races.
In the first place, the demons took over like Porna when they had threatening talents, so I didn’t have to worry too much even though I couldn’t be completely relieved.
“Are you certain about the source of that information? Where did you get it from?”
It was the prince’s question.
It was natural for him to be suspicious. Even though I didn’t get information from the real-time report that I had contacted a person from the Aium Kingdom, since I knew the information about the Aium Kingdom, it was natural for me to be distrustful.
“It doesn’t matter where the information comes from or whether it’s authentic or not. If I create a result by passing it myself, every statement I say will be ‘true’.”
In fact, you don’t need any help to meet the king. There were many ways to induce them to meet the king. However, I just wanted to go a little more comfortable.
“…… In the end, your intention is to bring out the Frakchi that the Aium Kingdom hasn’t weeded out yet, and in return, you will receive the resources placed on the border.”
“It must be difficult to monopolize. Don’t be sorry for that. With this as an opportunity, we will be able to make the Aium Kingdom into ‘B’.”
A and B.
It was a word that Chris could not hate.
Unlike the Empire, the Aium Kingdom does not have anti-magic magic.
In other words, when demons started attacking, they were bound to be vulnerable compared to the empire.
If you get help with the demons once, you are more likely to ask us for help again. If so, you may naturally ask for something else.
“Are you thinking that far… …. Then, Prause, do you have any suspects you are already assuming?”
Chris quietly exclaims. Above the regretful expression, the desire to put me in their power is clearly revealed.
“Yes.”
Since there is, he proudly said that he wanted to see the king.
The range of commoners is so wide that it is impossible to single them out individually, but nobles have already been identified.
A guy higher up than the count.
“Then what should we pay you for solving this problem?”
The prince asked coolly. He seemed to think that he would not grant me this favor without any demand.
Well, the hostile forces are said to have come forward to help, but it would be strange if there was no request.
“My request is simple. I want you to raise the treatment for all other races in the empire.”
“As I said earlier… ….”
“This does not mean freeing the slaves. I want to guarantee their right to live.”
At least it shouldn’t be used like a tool and then thrown away to death.
The more such cases pile up, the more other races will hate humans.
“Considering the recent active activities of the demons and the unusual weather, it would be nice to consider the possibility of receiving help from other races.”
I said, patting the temple area.
“You will be destroyed by demons anyway, but you will be destroyed by other races, but the result will not be much different.”
I have no intention of forcing you to say no. I’m not going to listen anyway.
In that case, it would be better to start managing the image from now on so that other races do not think badly of people.
To be of any assistance when a problem arises.
“…… Okay. If you can build a ball like that, I’ll consider it. I will make sure that the meeting with the king can be arranged here.”
With the prince’s answer, this agenda was moved to the next agenda because a solution was found. Duke Calus still had a questionable face, but no nobles came up with a solution other than me immediately, so I passed on.
From this point forward, Princess Se-ri’s activities were mostly active. Despite pressure from her aristocrats, she steadfastly spoke up and pushed her own thoughts steadfastly.
And so, the successful noble meeting came to an end.
* * *
“Prause.”
After the meeting of nobles, Duke Calus called me.
“…… What?”
“Do you really think you can monopolize the resources on the border with that?”
“I didn’t say I was eating alone.”
Did you really intend to have it all? Really greedy
“No matter how much A and E become, if you take it all, it will only create conflict. That’s not good. Because it becomes the number of cases of making enemies. Be content with setting the ratio in our favor. That way, there is less pressure on the other side to accept the proposal.”
“But if B can be created with certainty, is there a need to consider B’s position as well?”
“Since we have a common enemy, the demons, there may come a time when we too will need the help of the Aium Kingdom. Look further away.”
You son of a b*tch, you gotta get a taste of the modern protest!
“And Eul doesn’t necessarily mean an underdog.”
“…… But do you think you will be trading resources with catching frakchi?”
“Don’t people who have been burned in the first place say that they are afraid of fire? It’s the same principle.”
“…… You’ve already been hit in the back of the head, so you’re saying you’re going to struggle to avoid being hit again?”
“Yes.”
“Then—”
“Prause.”
Todia interrupted the conversation.
“The story ends here.”
I looked at Todia, whom I had made a pact with beforehand. He slicked his blue hair and nodded his head as he put his hand on his waist.
“How far are you looking?”
“Well… ….”
I answered vaguely and took a step toward Glair Todia.
* * *
A private room in the Imperial Palace near the meeting room.
I sat across from Todia. The seats were composed of tax collectors, Tori, Urka, and others who came with them.
“So what are you talking about?”
“How did you know that there were more demons in the Aium Kingdom?”
Glare asked in a hint. In response to his question, our party members expressed their curiosity. The eyes are bright.
“…… I just saw the possibility. Asmodians are as intelligent as humans. There’s no way we had just one guy.”
You’ll need to keep getting information.
Especially when the upper ranks are dead and confused like now, human information will be needed all the more.
“Then can’t you see it as certain information?”
“Don’t worry, the results will prove it.”
I boldly gave an immediate answer.
“Awesome… ….”
…… Huh?
Turning her head at the quiet voice, Se-ri opened her eyes wide and opened her mouth. Is that expression a little creepy?
I looked at Glair again, pretending not to meet her eyes.
“So what do you want to say to me?”
“I ask straight forward. Prausu, is all you want to do by setting up Princess Seri as emperor is freeing slaves from other races and gaining independence?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I want to know the reason why you dare to make Princess Se-ri the emperor. Did you choose it because you have a friendly disposition towards other races? If that’s not the case, do you intend to seize the imperial power behind Princess Sherry?”
Although his questioning is absurd, it is understandable to ask such a question. A commoner who appeared suddenly was shaking the imperial family, so he couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“That can’t be. I am not interested in politics. I didn’t refuse to become a nobleman for nothing.”
“Then, is the reason why you push Princess Seri because you really have a friendly disposition toward other races?”
“Princess Se-ri is the only person among the royal family who recognizes the value of other races. I bought that part high. She thought that with this person, she might be able to create a slightly more beneficial empire.”
“Is that all? Do you really have no intention of intervening in politics?”
“I will only intervene until Princess Se-ri is crowned emperor. After that, you’ll figure it out.”
Once Seri ascended the throne safely, she intended to focus on the horse-and-horse war from then on.
The reason I’m active like this is to survive in the War of the Demons. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think I would have cared about politics.
“I see.”
After saying that, Glare let out a brief silence.
“Then, I will speak as the family head of Todia first. If you want to borrow Todia’s power, you must become the emperor. Todia is a family that always supports the emperor. However, His Majesty the Emperor Rufen has already pointed out His Highness Prince Chris. In other words, Prause, it would be better for you to drop your expectations of borrowing the power of the Todia family.”
That’s a pity.
In the end, it’s a story that I couldn’t attract the dukes I worked with to my power. It seemed that I would have to be content with the fact that the most important Duke of Aus was on my side.
“But Ella Todia is a different story.”
“Huh?”
“That child will help you regardless of family background. I hope he will take it well.”
Are you Ella? Is this daughter stupid?
It was a bit unexpected. She said Ella didn’t stop her coming into our faction.
“To be honest, I am still dubious. Is it right for Princess Se-ri to become the emperor? Is it right for her to send Ella to your side? So I hope you continue to prove it so I don’t doubt it anymore. Like when Urca beat Thoreau.”
It was a really unexpected reaction, as if what I had been doing hadn’t been for nothing at all. Thanks to his expectations, I said confidently.
‘Yes! Watch!’
“When did you see I was wrong? Wait and see.”
Even if I talk, I really don’t know humility like a snot.
“You are so arrogant.”
He smiled bitterly.
“But ironically, you are the most trustworthy when you are conceited. Where will I watch?”
“Yes.”
I answered confidently.
There was no handshake between us. Because there is still something left to prove.