Chapter 78 Diplomacy I

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

The thing that I must begin in the outset is to consolidate the country.

There remain some grudges from the gaudy execution of the recent purge.

I need to loosen the tensions within the country.

Nonetheless, the people, notably those of the Ars and Rosyth clans, are working hard for me.

Even in the former DeBell faction members showed extreme loyalty, with some even handing over some hostages.

Time will probably sort this out.

What I need to start to start now is international diplomacy.

The countries that directly border us are the Belvedere Kingdom on the south, the Eville Kingdom on the west, the Equus tribes country on the east, and the De Morgal Kingdom on the north.

Were surrounded splendidly on all four directions.

The Equus country is currently friendly with us while the De Morgal Kingdom is hostile.

The Eville and Belvedere Kingdoms, on the otherhand, have slightly bad relations with us.

In the same vein that the De Morgal Kingdom is a threat for us, the Rosyth Kingdom is a huge threat for the Eville and Belvedere Kingdoms.

In the first place, (before I ascended the throne) the Rosyth kingdom has a population of around 170,000 while the Eville and Belvedere Kingdoms have 100,000 each.

It may not seem like it but its quite a difference in national power.

However, the Rosyth Kingdom had been embroiled in internal troubles and foreign threats up until now that it has never been able to sufficiently exercise that power.

Thats where I, a young new Rosyth King, entered the picture.

Because a national census still hasnt been performed so I couldnt say for sure but the Rosyth Kingdoms present population should be around 230,000.

Well, in the same way I only know an estimate of another countrys population, the two countrys too ((Eville and Belvedere)) only know an estimate of my countrys population. And in the aftermath of the war with the De Morgal Kingdom, its easy to imagine how much our national power grew.

Besides, national power is something thats expressed not only by population and agricultural output.

The Eville Kingdom, for example, possesses early stage iron manufacturing techniques which exceeds the one we have in quality.

The Belvedere Kingdom is near Cretian colonies and are ahead of us in architectural technology and government systems.

However, that superiority is crumbling.

Our country had also become able to manufacture ironware and has begun employing Cretians.

And most of all, Centralized Government.

Our Rosyth Kingdom had greatly advanced in that department in the recent civil war.

We managed to mobilize our army several times faster than other countries.

Furthermore, I had just rapidly rose to power, so I still havent shown them my nature and disposition. It couldnt be helped if the two countries are afraid.

Now that I have set forth to unify the Adernia peninsula, there is of course the intention to annex, vassalize, or subjugate those two countries.

That said, its still too early.

I want to focus on domestic affairs for a while without waging any wars.

Besides, its a truly dreadful matter to be put in a position where youre encircled.

If this were a war tactic simulation multiplayer game, then if you imprudently kept winning too much then the surrounding countries will all come together and gang up on you.

A great example in history is Nobunagas encirclement and alliance plans.

In a word, relationships with ones neighbors are very very important.

The first country I headed for is the Equus country.

We have what you may call an important alliance and Muzio had sent us a written invitation just at the right time. Its an invitation for a wedding.

Yes, that guy is also finally getting married.

I was the first one to came over to the Equus country. The last time, it was Lord Equus who came over for my coronation.

Therefore, its my turn again to come over to the Equus country.

Ill be accompanied by Julia and Raymond, as well as Roswald and his subordinates as escorts.

The others have their own things to take care of.

The first one Ill be greeting is Lord Equus. Then I would be greeting the crown prince, Prince Methyl.

Or rather, I was greeted instead.

Since I had the higher status, they had instead come to greet me.

Its been a while. King Rosyth. Its a pleasure to have you again.

Please, its also good to see you in good health. How is your esteemed mother, by the way?

I ask while purposely letting the third prince Ledus hear.

I have filled it with undertones of petty malice and diversion.

To be frank, since Ive already become King, my weakness that Lord Equus had grasped had lost its meaning.

In otherwords, Im in a superior position.

She has become very well thanks to Lady Julia. Her excellency has my utmost thanks.

Methyl expresses with sincere happiness.

It would seem the rumorsthat the crown prince has a docile and gentle disposition with little martial qualities is true.

If he becomes Lord Equus, then well be able to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as allies.

It would be a problem if the next lord were quite capable after all.

The next person I greet is the occasions leading actor, Muzio.

Thank you for coming, King Rosyth.

Well, its only natural for a person to come to their friends marriage ceremony.

The two of us exchange handshakes.

This guy is a guy that can more or less read the atmosphere, so as one would expect he had refrained from using casual speech to a king of a country. Hes still quite a rough speaker though.

Muzio points to the woman waiting behind him.

How do you do, King Rosyth? I apologize for not being able to greet you last timeI was ill in bed.

Oh please, lets not worry about that.

Rachaela politely bows her head.

She has long black hair and gentle droopy eyes.

Her breasts are huge. Its the biggest amongst all Ive seen.

If Tetras a light cruiser and Julias a heavy cruiser, this girls a dreadnought class battleship. All Hail the Big Ship Big Gun Doctrine!

Well, since Im not that attached to size even though I love breasts, I personally felt nothing except surprise.

I whisper to Muzios ear.

Come to think of it, what happened to the inverse scale (gekirin)?

Ill give it to her during the ceremony. Absolutely dont talk about it.

I see, its a surprise, huh.

The wedding ceremony will last for three days. Please enjoy yourselves.

Muzio gives an expression that doesnt suit him.

Now then, next would be the third prince, Ledus, huh.

Its been a while, King Rosyth.

Yes, it has, Lord Ledus. I see you are in good health

Whats with this guyHow can he be so gloomy.

His eyes are dead and hes giving off a hard to approach aura.

I thought about saying something but, Ledus goes away after giving a bow.

What the heck?

The wedding ceremony was held in three days.

On the first day, a banquet was held. This is so that the Equus tribe could deepen their friendships among themselves. This time, our country is added to that circle.

On the second day is the provisional marriage ceremony.

Its called provisional because the two will only be saying their vows to their families, the citizens, and the retainers.

They would say their vows to the gods on a different ceremony.

That said, the most extravagant amongst the ceremonies is this provisional marriage ceremony.

The guests will give their gifts and words of congratulations to he newly-weds.

By the way, the gifts were 60% sheep, 30% slaves, and the remaining 10% were fine horses.

As expected of the Equus tribe.

By the way, my country offered wine and olive oil as gifts.

The Equus tribe could grow much of them so they were very delighted.

We also gave the bride a garnet necklace and the groom a dragon Damascus sword ordered from Ains.

The garnet necklace, however, might have been a blunder.

It has become a foil to the inverse scale ornament given by Muzio to Rachaela. Well, I guess things could have gone better but this is also fine.

And on the third day, the real marriage ceremony was held.

In short, they will give their vows to the gods.

Well, it wasnt interesting at all. All the sorcerers offered sheep as sacrifice and gave prayers, saying something like Gods and honorable ancestors, we give you thanks. We will marry. From hereon, we will do our best for the sake of the Equus tribe.

Honestly speaking, in my point of view, it was boring. Its because, as a man from the Rosyth Kingdom, I have no idea regarding the ancestors and gods of the Equus tribe.

Julia, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying it. Well, I guess its fine if shes having fun.

The next day, Julia and I went on separate appointments. She went to give the third consort another medical exam while I went to Lord Equus and Crown Prince Methyl to reaffirm the alliance.

Now then, Lord Equus. Let me repeat, I am the new king of the Rosyth Kingdom, Almis Ars Rosyth. Regards.

Umu, Regards.

We first exchange handshakes.

I then exchange glances with Prince Methyl. Hes the next king so hell be participating in these talks.

This way, when the time comes, the alliance can be smoothly inherited.

First, let me again say our thanks. We were saved by your 300 soldiers in the previous war. They outdid themselves in action.

I say my thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Their power in actual circumstances was very splendid. Ill never let go of them.

With regards to horses, theres no country in the Adernia Peninsula that can outdo us. Its only natural. Now thenFirst, shall we talk about foreign trade?

Our country desires wool and horses, the same as always. After that, we would be delighted with wolf pelt, tyrannosaur tusk and scales but

Were dying for those materialsActually, not really.

The Rosyth Kingdom can grow horses and sheep.

What we really want is military power. Only that.

I see. We, too, will go with before - wheat and wine. Furthermore, if you have leeway, we want you to sell us ironware. The Lupus tribe, just like us, have no ironware. Therefore, if we get such tools, well be able to wield an advantage.

Hmmmwell, I guess its fine if its just that much

While it would be terrible if they were to aim that fang towards usits too late to be thinking about that after all thats happened.

Its much more convenient compared to being asked for troops and reinforcements, after all. I dont think our country with an infantry based army would be able to fight effectively against a nomadic nation.

Understood. However, we wont be able to send around that much. We have to prioritize our military preparations, after all.

We understand. Then we shall request from you as much as you can. Oh yesby the way

Lord Equus places a white stone-like thing before me.

No, its changing to a slightly pink color. This is

This is rock salt mined from our territory.

Oh really?

Hmmm, this is quite a problem.

If the price of rock salt goes down, our countrys income would also go down. Rock salt is one of the supporting pillars of our national treasury.

The problem is we dont have the technology to efficiently dig up these salts. So we have a proposition. Wont you give us technical support? In exchange, we will sell you the rock salt on the cheap.

On the cheapin other words, lower than list price.

Thats not a bad proposition. If we sold the salt to the Cretians, we should be able to obtain enough profits plus we would be resolving the trade frictions too.

But why?

The one who answered my question was Methyl who had been silent up until now.

On the south of our country lies the Lupus Tribe. Because of them, our country couldnt trade with the Cretians. Furthermore, the Cretians couldnt expressly stock up on goods in our country. Therefore, I thought that entrusting the trade to you gentlemen of the Rosyth kingdom would yield better results. Besides, we are not that skillful in commerce.

Well, that makes sense.

What the Equus tribe want are wheat and wine rather than gold and silver coins and much less so goods such as goldware and Persis glass.

Therefore, bartering with the Rosyth Kingdom would yield more profitswhile this might be strange, it will lead to their desired results.

Since profits would rise, theres no particular reason for us to refuse. Rather, deterioration of relations would be a problem.

I see. That would also be profitable for us. Yes, well support your proposal. However, regarding the specific price

That days meeting continued up until midnight.

Aa

Ledus is at his wits ends alone.

His face is marred with the color of fatigue and traces of tears.

Its as if he were a baby that had cried his heart out. No, he had actually cried himself to exhaustion.

Why is Ledus crying? The reason is Muzio and Rachaelas wedding.

In short, he was heartbroken.

The history of Ledus affection towards Rachaela goes back up to around 10 years from now.

If you put that history into a composition, it would be comparatively boring and take more than 10,000 characters so well spare ourselves from that.

By the way, Rachaela doesnt think the least bit at all about Ledus loving her.

She had completely set her sights on Muzio even before, plus Ledus and Rachaela, from the very beginning, hadnt spoken with each other that much.

In her point of view, its to the level of Ledus? Aa, hes the Third Prince, yes? What about him?

Now then, why didnt Ledus open his heart to Rachaela? Was it because he was a chicken?

Thats a part of it.

Ledus is confident in the martial arts but he couldnt take a single step when it comes to the critical moment.

Perhaps indecisive is the suitable word.

However, its not just that.

The reason is simple. Its a faction problem.

There are three internal factions in the Equus tribe.

First, the faction of Prince Methyl who was the child of the third consort, the first to give birth to a male despite her low social status.

Another is the faction of Prince Muzio, the prince that seems uninterested in the succession, and son of the second consort, the second to give birth to a male and with high social status.

Third is the faction of Prince Ledus, son of the first consort who, despite having a high social status, was the last to give birth to a male.

Around the time Ledus was seven years old, the first consorts faction grew in power and they managed to obtain assurance that he will become the patriarch.

Even so, somehow the second consort threw her support to the third consort.

There were several reasons but there are two main reasons.

First, the second consort doesnt lust for power, so if their lives were being aimed at, a plot to push it all on the third consort would be better.

The other reason is the second consorts father.

Her father is great war chief (equivalent to a general) who, because of the existence of foreign pressure from the Lupus tribe, embraces the thought that t the country must not be divided because of such a trifling matter.

Consequently, the second consorts father decided to support the old custom that the first born will succeed as chief and that, in accordance with that, Prince Methyl must succeed.

Thus, as proof of their alliance, they promised to have Muzio marry Rachaela, a relative of the third consort.

In short, to Ledus, Rachaela is a political opponents relative.

Since even telling his feelings was impossible, marriage and such would be absurd.

Aaaawho gives a damn about chiefhood

Its not like Ledus wants to become the tribe chief.

While its only natural for him to have the intention to become chief because he does have an above-average lust for power, if he had to choose, he would rather have Rachaela.

The most enthusiastic would be the mother rather than the son. Well, its a story you often hear.

Why I have a wonderful proposal for you!! Why, even now you can get both Rachaela and the chiefhood, you know!!

An unusually excited voice enters Ledus ears.

Ledus turns around and finds a black haired girl before him.

From the color of her skin you could see that shes not around from hereor at the very least you could see that shes not Adernian.

The woman comes closer to Ledus.

Stop!! Don!!

Ledus suddenly couldnt move his mouth.

No, its not just his mouth. You could say that his whole body had become stone.

The woman holds Ledus cheeks with both her hands.

Fufu, its pointless, you know. Youve already fallen to my curse, so you wont be able to slip out of it. Nevertheless, your sorcerers