press (1)
“Your Highness, are you safe in the North?”
Marquis Baltaire visited the office. It was because of the paperwork that had arrived for me not long ago, but as expected, as soon as I entered, I greeted him with a stereotypical and clichéd greeting.
The problem is that this isn’t the first time.
I hung my chin and replied in a sullen tone.
“Everyone I meet asks about peace. Is that greeting also fashionable?”
“Heh heh, doesn’t that mean you were just as concerned about His Highness’ safety?”
“That sounds nonsensical.”
He sighed and raised his lips.
There were people everywhere asking how I was doing. Even if it was before the regression.
But there was nothing different about those guys.
They betrayed me when it was crucial, and laughed at the sight of me having my chest pierced.
So, he knew better than anyone else that the greeting would be just a pretense.
“If they had been worried about me, they would have helped with the conquest of the north. If even that was difficult, they would have supported at least with supplies.”
“Huh… … .”
“Report the situation.”
“… … All right.”
Marquis Baltaire was taken aback by my resolute thought, but soon came to his senses and began to let go of his rhyme.
“Your Highness should have already received a letter, but the Holy Empire finally mentioned the conclusion of a direct agreement.”
A urging not to procrastinate any longer.
In other words, let’s go ahead with the announcement of cooperation and trade.
“It looks like it’s getting anxious to wait.”
“I guess so.”
Even though they had already expressed their intentions with the dispatch of advanced healers, it seemed that they could not stand the lack of progress.
Of course, when I heard that, I just shrugged my shoulders.
“In the end, it’s like holding on to the crotch of your pants and crying.”
“… … Great.”
It was never common to see the existence of the Holy Empire begging.
But it was an inevitable choice.
Because Esteban, and no one else, was holding the two leashes, the hidden secret of the Holy Empire and mithril.
As for the guys, they’ll have no choice but to use the group. It is an understandable situation.
“Well, even so, the time to conclude an agreement is approaching.”
“Ah, is the time finally here?”
“Just in time, things started to heat up.”
“hmm?”
I smiled as I recalled the plans I had just before.
I could see the Marquis Balter tilting his head, as if the feeling of fun had flowed out without my knowledge.
But he didn’t ask it in detail.
“Hmm… … First of all, I understand your intentions. As this is a matter that His Highness the King was also concerned about, we will make sure it is dealt with quickly.”
“hmm.”
“If so, when do you anticipate signing the agreement?”
From noble mtl dot com.
“It is the conclusion of an agreement.”
“If we are late, they will be dissatisfied.
What to give them and what to take back. It was necessary to thoroughly examine the matter while considering the national interest.
However, I, who had full powers related to the consultation, did not show any gesture yet.
So it must have been enough to feel that there was nothing prepared right away.
Of course, that was only Marquis Balter’s idea.
Because everything was already prepared.
“Where is the messenger of the Holy Empire who delivered the news?”
“They say they are planning to stay here with the saintess for the time being.”
“There is no need to bother delaying time. I will try to finish the consultation within today.”
“… … yes?!”
Kudang-!
The Marquis hurriedly got up, causing a small commotion.
But I was so surprised that I didn’t even notice it.
“Hey, Your Highness! What do you mean by that? If it’s such a sudden schedule, how are you going to review it… … .”
“You must have already reviewed the rough content, right?”
We give them Shin Seong-chul, and we receive support and daily necessities, including a healer.
“I have already decided what to bring. So I have no intention of wasting my time on unnecessary things.”
“majesty… … !”
knowing the future. And I, who designed all of this, already had a plan.
Even if you don’t have to act cumbersome, the best option is decided.
“Even so, the coordination of consultations is a matter of great importance to the country. Shouldn’t we at least take some time to consider it with the Treasury?”
“Who decides that?”
“That, that, His Highness the King… … .”
“no. It is I who decides it.”
I looked at Marquis Baltaire. It was so expressionless, it was an expression that seemed cold at first glance.
“All rights are mine. In this situation, the Treasury is just a tool that works at my will.”
“but… … .”
“Let’s not talk about this any longer.”
“… … .”
so condensed
To me, even that concern was just a waste.
In the end, Marquis Baltaire had no choice but to raise the white flag.
“Whoa, I see… … In that case, please tell us at least the content of the agreement Your Highness wants.”
“It’s good that the story is fast.”
My eyes curved in an arc.
* * *
The scenery of the office where the Marquis had left.
George asked with his eyes wide open in bewilderment.
“… … But can it be decided that easily?”
“What’s not going to happen?”
“No, in short, isn’t there an ordinary procedure?”
“It’s something my father has already entrusted with full authority. Procedures are meaningless.”
I checked the time as I answered George, who was scratching his head.
A servant who went to convey his intentions to the Holy Empire must have arrived.
After a while, full-fledged consultations between the two countries will begin.
Seruk-
I said to the guy as I was sorting out the paperwork that had been filled out.
“After that, how about any contact from the ‘crow’?”
“doesn’t exist. You must be doing well, well.”
It seemed to be overkill, but he was right.
Being contacted means there is a problem, and there was no way there would be a problem in the first place.
But the business was different.
“Tell the crow to have the first prince keep an eye on the movements of the fourth prince.”
“Is it because of the agreement with the Holy Empire?”
“When the agreement between the two countries is announced, he will be the first to make a move.”
The situation in the imperial family of the federal empire is already in chaos.
He’s probably feeling more intrusive now than ever.
In the meantime, if something happens outside, you will have no choice but to react.
‘Because mere speculation and publicity change the arc.’
I smiled curiously as I recalled what would happen in the future.
Seeing that, George laughed along as well.
“There will be a lot of pressure because the inside and outside are polar at the same time.”
“okay.”
Not to mention, there was no way that the first prince, who had been on the offensive for a long time, would miss this.
At just the right time, a bomb-like event had exploded.
The sight of greedy wolves aiming their teeth at each other must be a game worth watching.
‘I’m looking forward to the future.’
That was the moment.
smart-
There was a knock on the office door, and George shrugged and took a step back.
“It looks like the servant who went to deliver the news has come?”
“no. It is a baron.”
“A baron?”
George looked puzzled at the door.
The one who entered through that door was indeed Baron Vidor.
“Really?”
“Your Highness, I brought what you said.”
“Bring it here.”
The baron came past George, who shrugged.
Then he set the things he was holding down on the desk.
As it poured onto the desk with a rumbling sound, George stuck his head out and looked at it.
“… … What is it?”
“It is a means to prepare for the future to come.”
“what?”
“To be exact, he’s also someone who will help Esteban in the future as well.”
“… … .”
George’s expression contorted at those words.
But I didn’t care, I picked it up and stroked my chin with satisfaction.
“It must have been a hard-to-find item, but you did a good job bringing it.”
If so, the preparations were over.
* * *
A desk in a conference room arranged in a composition with two forces looking at each other.
In this place where secret conversations between the two countries took place, people like ‘then’ were sitting.
“Greetings again. I am the High Priest of Gardens, who has come to this place on behalf of the Pope of Roena.”
“Oh, hello… … .”
High Priestess of Garden.
… … And Saint Uriel.
It was exactly the same composition as when we were facing each other.
However, my father, who entrusted me with full authority regarding this matter, did not attend.
“His Highness the King of Esteban also appointed me as his substitute. However, since this is a place where representatives of the two countries clearly put forward the will of the two countries, it would be good to pay attention to what you say.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
I looked at the high priest and said.
Of course, even if that is the case, this position is only a ‘confirmation’ position.
The relationship between the two countries was already like an ally, and it was strengthened by the dispatch of an advanced healer… … It literally meant that it was a step to adjust only the details in the future.
“First of all, the Seongguk wants trade between the two countries to happen as quickly as possible.”
“hmm.”
“So, through internal meetings in advance, we have come up with measures that will satisfy both countries.”
Grand Priest Gardenen, who was wet with dry lips, spoke first.
He took out several sheets of papers from his bosom and handed them to me without hesitation.
“Initially, there were three major requests from Esteban.”
First, the dispatch of healers.
Second, trade in daily necessities that depended on the Commonwealth.
Finally, third… … .
‘Reinforcement support for Esteban’s eastern front leading to the Federal Empire.’
The first requirement there was long since fulfilled.
Second, there was talk of allowing full trade, so there was no problem.
But what about the third?
How will support in preparation for war with the Commonwealth be provided?
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
I checked the papers just by looking down.
Of course, it contained the Holy Empire’s answer to the courtesy request.
“Oh, indeed… … .”
And, as I read it, my eyes were rarely opened with surprise.
“You will support the holy relic with Esteban’s eastern front?”
“That’s right. That is the will of the Holy Kingdom.”
High Priest Garden answered with a firm expression.
relic.
As an object made by filling refined mithril with advanced ‘sacred power’, it was a word that meant the national treasures of the Holy Empire that symbolized God’s grace.
The holy relic itself also represented a faith, but the word supporting it here had a different meaning.
It was the same as saying that we fully support the high level of divine power contained within it.
“Because of the power of the sanctuary, Esteban’s eastern front will not be invaded by enemies. The power of the healers will become more powerful, and the scattered blessings will inspire the courage of the heavens in the soldiers.”
“Certainly not a bad story.”
The holy relic, with its existence alone, was highly likely to be as the high priest said.
It was true that I was also surprised.
But if you thought that alone would satisfy me, you were mistaken.
“Add content to the previous condition.”
In an instant, the high priest’s eyebrows fluctuated greatly in bewilderment.