Chapter 106 Eloquence

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

Our forces currently number around 7,000. Its impossible to increase this any further. In addition to this, we add the 200 Equus cavalry that Muzio brought with him. It ballooned to this number because in the Equus tribe youre counted as a warrior as long as you can handle a bow regardless of whether you are a woman or a child.

The Belvedere Kingdom and Eville Kingdom each have 5,000 men for a total of 10,000.

Ledus, on the other hand, commands a force of 3,000 Equus cavalry and is currently crossing the mountains.

Meanwhile, the 11,000 strong army headed by Bartolo is currently surrounded in the DeMorgal Kingdom by the enemy a little less than 9,000 strong.

Now then, which should we deal with first?

Your Majesty! Weve received a handwritten letter from the Cretian City-States!

The messenger hands over the letter.

It seems the three states had a discussion and decided to unite and give my country support.

If a god abandons, another picks you up, huh. Im especially thankful for the war funds

Honestly speaking, my countrys finances are currently burning to oblivion. Its already at quite dangerous levels. Furthermore, weve decided on tax reductions by next year

It makes one not want to think what happens after the war, huh

In any case, its good that we manage to secure loans. As long as we can continue to do so, the countrys finances wont decend to bankruptcy since itll make us unable to gather capital. You can say that thanks to these loans, well be able to secure some leeway.

However, theres nothing more troublesome than loaning money from other countries.

Theyre probably trying to follow Caesars example and try to make the target indebted beyond what they can handle.

However, the objective has been decided, huh.

Gentlemen, Lezzad and Gehenna intend to pin Belvedere down. Send a thousand soldiers to the Belvedere Kingdom and buy some time through delaying tactics.

The problem, however, would be Zoldias, huh

I wonder what we should do. Well, for the meantime, I did send Yal to negotiate with King Zoldias and request that they distract the Eville Kingdom.

Your Majesty! A letter from Lord Yal has arrived!

How quick!

I take the letter and read it.

I see

Yal reads the order documents that came from Almis.

He had already heard from King Zoldias the circumstances behind the coalition. Then, he was immediately asked by King Zoldias if it would be better for him to return to the Rosyth Kingdom.

What is written?

A sorcerer that Yal brought with him to serve as Falconer asks him.

Yal hands over the letter to her.

As you can seehe wants us to keep up our efforts and keep negotiating with King Zoldias. He also wants us to distract Eville from behind. If possible, he wants an alliance with King Zoldias.

Yal gives a short summary.

First, an alliance is impossible. This was evident in the negotiations with King Zoldias.

That king feels that the Rosyth Kingdom is as much a dangerous kingdom as the Gillbed Kingdom.

That instinct is correct. Should the Rosyth Kingdom annex the Gillbed Kingdom, its bright as day that the next target would be the Zoldias Kingdom.

That said, for King Zoldias, its also true that the Eville Kingdom is a threat.

Should the Eville Kingdom manage to obtain a territory from the Rosyth Kingdom and strengthen themselves, it would be the Zoldias Kingdom who would find themselves in a bind.

Alright, I guess we should go now.

Yal heads for the Zoldias Royal Palace.

Lord Yal Claudius, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Are you perhaps thinking of returning home?

No, Your Majesty. Theres nothing I could do for my country if I go home.

Besides, how could he go home? The Eville Kingdom lies between the Rosyth Kingdom and the Zoldias Kingdom. Going home is impossible.

Ill say this in advance. I wont take an alliance. I dont like strengthening a neighboring country. Its better for you to get small or better yet disappear from Adernia entirely.

Zoldias declares to Yal.

At present, he is 25 years old.

Although he is short, his body is solidly built. Its the build of a king of a country thats mostly mountainous.

Whether its because of his youth, or his personality, King Zoldias often tells what he thinks frankly. He doesnt hold himself back.

By no means. We wont be asking for things like reinforcements and the like. Our country will win after all.

Oh?

King Zoldias squints his eyes. He has taken interest in Yal who, in spite of his country being in a dangerous situation, could still act so boldly.

But I dont think your country has that much of a leeway?

Im sure His Majesty have heard of the weapons our country produces called bomb spears, yes? King Rosyth is also an inventor. We also have other weapons besides that, you know?

Its a lie.

At the very least, Yal doesnt know of other weapons other than that.

That said, the bomb spear is an innovative weapon and that no other country still understands the fundamental principle behind it.

Therefore, what Yal declared might still have been true. It has enough persuasive power to make another think so.

What I am hoping is that the Zoldias Kingdom strike the Eville Kingdom.

I already told you we wont be mobilizing any troops

We dont wish for any reinforcements now, you know? If the Eville Kingdom is to lose to my country, isnt it better for your country to join in on the fray?

Yal starts speaking on the premise that the Rosyth Kingdom will win.

King Zoldias cant read Yals intentions.

If they would win, wont it be better for them to just surge into the Eville Kingdom as is? The Rosyth Kingdom should have no need at all for the Zoldias Kingdom.

With Yals proposal, the Zoldias Kingdom will profit while others do the work. Zoldias cant think how that would be profitable to the Rosyth Kingdom.

Destroying the Eville Kingdom would be easy. However, should their capital fall, administering them would be very difficult. It wont be that difficult if we manage them one by one but right now, were at war with several countries, yes? We cant take our time. Thats why, after we win, well have Your Majesty raise your troops. With that, your country would be able to easily obtain territory from the Eville Kingdom. Our country would leave a few troops behind for defense while we tidy up the other fronts.

Zoldias silently looks at Yal while listening to his proposal.

Yal, on the other hand, continues his persuasion while keeping note of Zoldias reactions.

How is it? So long as your country wont take the Eville Kingdom down, my and your country wont have a direct border. My country doesnt have the leeway to swallow the Eville Kingdom. If we make the Eville Kingdom a buffer state, then the possibility of a territorial dispute breaking out between our countries would disappear.

King Zoldias begins considering Yals proposal in his head.

With Yals proposal, the Zoldias Kingdom would receive no demerits nor risks.

In any case, the only loser would be the weakened Eville Kingdom.

The Zoldias Kingdom is a mountainous nation so theres very little fertile land.

Therefore, taking territory from the Eville Kingdom is not a bad proposition.

In any case, theres a basin (low-land region) in the border between the Eville and Zoldias Kingdoms where one can cultivate a considerable unit of wheat.

Should the Zoldias Kingdom be able to obtain that area, they would be able to obtain security.

King Zoldias has confidence in his military power. At any rate, he still is quite a young king. The younger a person, the more proactive hed be is the same no matter the world.

Therefore, King Zoldias

I understand. Then, please proceed to lay out the conditions of your proposal. Theres no way youd give us the right to profit while you fight for free, yes? What does your country want from us? What do you want me to do? Ill say this in advance but we wont mobilize our troops until after youve won.

Its simple. King Zoldias will support the Rosyth Kingdom We just want you to declare these few words.

King Zoldias thinks for a little.

(I just have to say this and itll be fine? Theres nothing for me to lose to boot)

I understand. My country will support the Rosyth Kingdom.

Thank you very much.

Alright, with this we managed to get a commitment.

What Yal wanted was the words My country will support the Rosyth Kingdom from King Zoldias.

There wont be any problems if they have just these words.

Please gather everyone for me.

Yal gathers the subordinates and sorcerers that hes brought along with him to the Zoldias Kingdom.

He then speaks.

Listen, everyone. Immediately propagate throughout the Zoldias Kingdom that King Zoldias had proclaimed his support for the Rosyth Kingdom. With that, Eville spies should be able to catch word of it. Just that is enough. With these, well