Chapter 52

Erichs POV

Goldonia Royal Palace

Everyone, Im glad that you could come on this occasion . I thank you as Goldonias king .

The ones sitting at the table are the representatives of each country who participated in the Arkland subjugation, the ones responsible for diplomacy .

First have a taste of the refreshments and tea . They were made by our countrys finest craftsmen .

This is excellent .

As expected of the large country of Goldonia .

Each countrys representatives tasted the cakes, which were made with expensive white sugar and studded with rare fruits .

I thank you for the praise . Well, why dont we split up this prized cake and start our conversation .

Everyones face becomes tense . The purpose of this conference is none other than to divide the territory of the destroyed former Arkland kingdom .

The conditions to participate in the conference is that each are entrusted with the full authority for their respective countries . The result of the conference will be the amount of territory that each country will receive .

The chairman is the king, and furthermore I will be serving as the representative for Goldonia, the first country to be discussed .

The representative of each country nodded, its a natural result that Goldonia became the main focus because of its contribution of national power and military power .

First is the representative of the Yurest Allied Nation, tell us your request .

Yurest Allied Nation is the only country besides the destroyed Arkland that directly borders Goldonia in the Northwestern area . Its population is a third of Goldonia of 500,000, its military strength is not that powerful, and its relationship with Goldonia is favourable .

My country is not adjoining with the former Arkland . Thus I want to take the western port city on the coast of the Nosteries river and the territory surrounding it .

I cant nod to that!

Exactly! Even if your land is detached its fine if you get the traffic rights to trade!

The representatives of Magrado Dukedom and Republic of Stura, located on the opposite shore in which the Nosteries river runs, opposed . It was clear that both countries also wanted the port city .

Well, wait a moment . First we only want to hear the requests, after that I will ask for your opinions .

In the end, the three countries exchanged a heated discussion in which they first put forward what they would compromise, and it was decided that they would take turns in acquiring the services of the developing port city based on the degree of contribution .

The king makes eye contact with Kenneth who was taking notes at his side . He did not care for the other three countries . He knew what they wanted, and possessing the port city that was developing more than Arkland is not important to Goldonia . Besides, based on its location it was clear that it would not allow him the ability to rule over the whole area from central part to the eastern part, including the capital .

The problem is with the country closely facing the border, Treia kingdom . Historically, they had circumstances that caused them to dispute with Arkland repeatedly, they are a small country with population of 300,000, but have dispatched an army of over 10,000, and aligned with Goldonias army to form the nucleus of the punitive force . Naturally you would think that they would make a request based on that contribution .

I have no objection to the plan for the three countries demand of the western river coast area .

And what do you want for your country?

Everyone held their breaths and waited for the representative for Treia kingdom to open his mouth .

Excluding the western areaI want to take half of the entire area of the Arkland southern region .

Everyone oohed and ahed .

Half is it?

Isnt that too much

The representatives from the three countries looked at the king with unpleasant expressions . With this condition they will be equal to Goldonia . Looking at the difference in national power, it will be hard to see Goldonia letting it pass without any objection .

I have one question . What will you do with the capital?

The capital is geographically part of the southern area which is included in our request so please understand .

That is not good . The representatives from each country held their heads . This is too advantageous for Treia kingdom . If you have more than a tenth of the entire Arklands population, and gain even the giant fortress city in the capital, it will be Treia kingdom that is the sole winner .

Goldonia will not accept conditions like that . If things do not go well the negotiations may well end as a blank slate . The representatives from each country glared at the person who proposed the insolent request with eyes of condemnation, but as expected from those who participate in diplomacy, he isnt affected in the slightest .

How do you expect me to accept this?

The kings voice remains calm .

Well, the negotiations begin here . Lets talk it over .

The kings eyes meet with Kenneth and he nods . The negotiations havent started, they are already finished . From here on, what will be happening is just an act, its a ridiculous joke .

At the end of the heated discussion that borders on half a day, finally a conclusion has been reached .

Yurest Allied Nation , Magrado Dukedom , Republic of Stura

Western Arkland 1 region port city and the surrounding area divided into three

Treia Kingdom

Entire Southern Region excluding the western area, including former capital city

Goldonia

Entire Northern Region excluding the western area, outlying eastern region

Veldos POV

The trusted ambassador for Treia kingdom, Count Veldo, couldnt stop laughing . Requesting for even the capital was a move to test how Goldonia would respond, if he agreed then it would be divided to me, if not then it would be fine to give to Goldonia .

It was to make the capital an important existence as the subject of the negotiation so that they could not see that what I really wanted was the southern region .

Arkland was originally not a poor area . The land is suitable for agriculture, there are iron ore and other mineral mines . Securing the southern half will cause Treia kingdoms power to rise significantly .

But who would have thought . Of course the capital would be under the control of the southern half . Its more than the best result, its a result above my expectations .

The rumors that Goldonias king is an expert skilled in the use of stratagems and ploys are nothing but nonsense .

He only made moves because of his hatred for Arkland, he was just a greenhorn .

The king requested for only the former Arklands eastern area and the remote region that was close to where the large eastern mountain range started . It seems he wants the remote far east area to be Goldonia territory regardless of the north-south parts .

Of course, it was accepted instantly . Both my country and the former Arkland had their primary cities entirely in the southern and central area . The eastern area has towns and villages with at most 1000 population so there is not much to gain .

Although it is connected by land to the motherland of Treia, the highways are not maintained so the transportation of crops and tax collection is inconvenient, so it doesnt make for a good place to rule over . To add on, the eastern side adjacent to where the mountain range starts, have mountain people living in the large wasteland, which sometimes causes disputes . Its an area that is only troublesome to reign .

Of course that is why I asked him why he would wish for such an area, but the at the time the king took the throne he appointed a large amount of new nobles . It seems that he is lacking in land to give to them .

I can understand, territory is the reason as to why the nobles will swear their loyalty to the king . If they did not get reward corresponding to their loyalty then their hearts will leave in an instant . He is also struggling with how to handle nobles isnt he?

Although if the nobles were given that kind of territory they would also think it was troublesome .

To speak so candidly about his internal circumstances, that king is stupid but he can be likable . I would hate for him to be a lord to look up to but I have nothing to complain about them as a neighbor .

At first I didnt know what to do, but now our houses future is looking bright now .

This huge success is something worthy for me to get praised . The land that we were able to obtain this time might somewhat be granted as reward . In addition, I was able to make personal connections with the foolish and lavish king of Goldonia .

It was impossible for me to suppress my cheerful smile on the way back to the home country .

This is quite the lavish feast isnt it?

Kenneth and the civil officials directly under him are surrounding the king and having a friendly chat . Diplomatically you can say that it was a complete defeat, but there is no depression or impatience on their faces .

Is it? We arent falling behind in disposing the inventory like merchants either .

The king swirls his wine in a good mood .

However, the young soldier that was unable to enter that margin is trembling in humiliation .

Those guys from Treia, they acted in such a shameless way!

The king looked at Kenneth as if asking so what of it .

He is still young, he doesnt understand the truth behind things . Hes a trustworthy guy but still immature .

The king smiles again . Then he starts to talk with the young soldier in a good mood .

Listen carefully, what happened on this occasion is what I expected from beginning to end .

With all due respectI dont understand what you mean .

The war this time, the reason each country participatedwhat was the just cause?

We are saving the citizens suffering from poverty due to the political pressure from Arkland .

Thats exactly right, and what is the population of Treia kingdom?

The young soldier was unable to find the point of connection between the two questions and curls his head but he couldnt answer the kings question .

If I recall it was 300,000

The king nods in agreement .

You have studied well . Thats right its 300,000, and the newly acquired territory has 100,000 citizens . On top of the exhaustion from the long years of political pressure, the war this time has also caused the land to become desolate for the 100,000, so there are too many citizens to hold .

Thats trueour country is

The king interrupts .

To that point, the north half and eastern remote areas population altogether is 40,000, and is like a drop in the sea of our countrys 1 . 5 million population .

The king continues further .

Not to mention what they gained is the south, who they themselves have trampled over and invaded, the Treia kingdoms side also has held a grudge against Arkland for many years . Well, wont they be the most fitting rulers?

That is

There is no way that is the case . The citizens and the rulers, both are holding grudges so the prediction is that they will be repeating the cycle of having their country collapse .

But the young soldier objects while he keeps his head lowered .

With all due respect I will return your words . I have heard that Arklands rule is severe . It is possible that the citizens will think that it will be much better than that and accept it . If so then Arklands originally abundant land will help the population become the countrys strength .

Exactly . But that is only if they are able to redevelop the land, and prevent the citizens from starving .

If they starve then they have no past nor future . If the citizens want to survive then they will have no choice but to climb over each other .

To prevent the small chance that our country will starve the occupied citizens, they have once again prepared to start cultivation since food is necessary, and we have already bought from the various countries and federations in the central plains in the south .

Kenneth unwillingly reports to the king .

I see, the buy out for just in case was slightly overdone . I have heard that the price for the grain has already gone up by 30% .

That is unavoidable . If we dont have food then nothing can be started .

The young soldier felt a chill up his spine . Treia kingdom is not a poor country but it isnt an abundant country either . The country is large but the population of 300,000 is little, surely they