Episode 121: End-of-war negotiations
With Purnya's suggestion of surrender, the war becomes a temporary truce. Representatives from both sides then began negotiations to end the war.
The representative from this side is, of course, me.
The representative of the other side is King Pastoria, the ruler of Purnia.
Although it is already becoming commonplace for the role of chairperson to be played, it was decided that Princess Palvera and Familias would take on the role.
"Then, Mirimos Nonette, the lord of the Roccia region of the Nonette country, and Pastoria Purnia, the king of the Purnia country. Both parties, start negotiations to end the war now."
Immediately after the family's declaration, King Pastoria was the first to initiate the conversation.
"First of all, I would like to thank you for agreeing to negotiations to end the war."
“I think it’s too early to say thank you since the negotiations haven’t been concluded yet?”
"Nevertheless, I would like to thank you. Prince Milimos could have ignored our request and continued the war, but he did not do that. Even though there was a high chance that his side would win the upper hand. Thanks to you, we now have the possibility of preventing the flames of war from falling on the innocent people living in the capital.''
Hey, innocent people.
I don't think so, considering the people who were shouting insults at us from outside the camp, as if they were a protester.
Well, there's a possibility that those people are special cases, or that they were hired by the Purnya country, so let's accept the argument.
"That's about it for the introduction. So, King Pastoria. To conclude the war, what are you, your country, prepared to offer us?"
When I told him in a princely tone and with a strong attitude, King Pastoria's expression became much harder.
“I will cede half of the country.”
It's a drastic proposal to sell half of the country.
However, the current situation is as if Rocha's army is holding a sword to Purnya's throat. The right to give or take life and death lies here.
If you think about it that way, you can't help but think that what the other side is giving you is light.
However, there are also advantages.
For a country to survive, it means that the country that controlled the land does not have to take over the debt it has.
At the moment, I have destroyed the country of Ferokony and obtained the land, and the debt that the country of Ferokony was carrying has been added to it. At this point, I would like them to refrain from adding more debt.
Thinking so, I was about to accept the other person's request, but then I thought again and said, ``Wait.''
The country of Purnya is not in contact with the empire. In other words, it is highly likely that they do not have any debts from the empire.
Rather, it would be more natural to think that they are in debt to the Ferocony country, which was a friendly country.
Now, all of Ferokony's debts and assets are in my hands. If we destroy and rule the Prunya country and unify it with the Ferokony country, it will be possible to cancel the debt that the Prunya country owed to the Ferokony country as a domestic situation.
So, if we don't have to worry about debt, is there any need to leave half of the country to Purnya?
To be honest, I don't like expanding my territory because it will cause more trouble.
However, whether you take half of the country or seize it all by force, the amount of work involved in governing is not much different. We understood this through our governance work in the Roccia and Ambitos regions.
"Half of the country? By the way, what part of the country are you willing to give away?"
If you think about it normally, it would make sense for us to be careful and hand over the upper half of the land bordering the Felocony country that we had confiscated so that it would be easier for us to govern.
However, the royal capital and castle of Purnya are located near Ferokony, in the upper half of the country.
If we propose the upper half and decide to move the royal capital and castle, let's understand that spirit and agree to the end of the war.
But if you say lower half――
“Let me give you the right half of my country.”
――This is unexpected.
"Excuse me. What exactly do you mean by the right half?"
"It means splitting the country vertically down the middle, leaving the right side on that side and the left side on this side."
Looking at the map in my head, Purnya's side probably wants to hold on to the side of the mountain where ore can be extracted.
And I guess they intend to use this as a shield to prevent threats from other countries that exist on the right side of Purnya country.
It's unfortunate, but do you think you can accept such conditions?
"It's not worth talking about. I can only say that you are taking things too lightly."
"Why? I trusted your country's sincerity, and when I ceded it to you, I made sure that this royal capital and castle would be near the border."
Although he says things are going well, it's clear that he wants to maintain the position of the royal capital and ore, which is regarded as the country's main export product.
I don't think a country on the verge of defeat and losing all of its territory would be willing to propose such terms in negotiations to end the war.
I lost all motivation to show mercy to someone like this.
"I have heard what you have to say. Now, let me tell you what I have to say - the unconditional surrender of Purnya."
When I told him with a smile, King Pastoria was stunned and then his face turned red with anger.
“Unconditionally! That kind of thing is-”
"If you can't drink it, then the negotiations will break down. The war will resume tomorrow. If that happens, Purnya's royal capital and royal castle will sink into a sea of fire."
I ruthlessly announce my future predictions.
King Pastoria seemed to be sorry, and then turned to Princess Palbella and the family.
"You two of the Knights of the Nation. Are you willing to overlook Prince Milimos's heartless words?"
It sounded like she was asking for help, but Princess Palbella and the family wouldn't fight.
"I'm sorry, but I feel that there is no error in what Prince Milimos is saying."
"If there's a fault, it's probably yours. For someone who has the point of a sword pointed at his throat begging for his life, there's no other way than to say that he doesn't see the reality."
The King of Pastoria groaned as his family made a quick comment.
"Hmmm. So what do you think is reasonable?"
``Since all of the country will be surrendered, I would like the king to settle the situation with just his head, and not do anything terrible to the people when governing.This would be the minimum condition to conclude the war.''
"That's so harsh! I can't even believe that a knight from a chivalrous kingdom would say such a harsh thing!"
"How harsh! In order to eliminate future grudges, it is normal to have the royal family and their relatives involved! Even though it would be the kindest of conditions to be forgiven for just the head of the king. !”
After being yelled at in a knightly tone, King Pastoria cringed.
The roar of a knight from a chivalrous country that could single-handedly annihilate an army from a small country is scary after all.
Understanding this, I corrected the family's statement in a princely tone.
“For me, it would be enough to hand over the land of Purnya and have the royal family leave the country.Even if I received the royal family’s life and head, there would be no use for it.”
Her remarks, while thinking that she had always done this before, were not well received by the family.
"Prince Milimos. You can't rule a territory just by being kind."
“I know that, but as long as humans are alive, there are some shallows that float, right?”
``If the royal family of a ruined country floats into the waters, it will only bring disaster, so it would be better not to let them float, even if it means trampling on them.''
The family's argument is probably more normal in this world.
In theory, it makes sense that you won't leave the roots of future trouble by showing kindness to others.
But even I have a point.
Even if we make some concessions, it will only end the war quickly.
If only the lives of the king and the royal family were to be spared, the reason for them to choose a complete resistance would be lost. And if the decisive battle in the royal capital could be fought before the people were harmed, the people's bad feelings would not increase as much.
Considering that advantage, there is no point in overlooking the royal family trying to make a comeback in another country.
In fact, if they were to start a war with the help of another country, they might be able to take revenge and seize the country like they did this time.
No, no, no.
Maybe it's a side effect of continuing to fight wars, but my thought process is starting to become a problem.
Peace is the best. I have to remember this.
"So, King Pastoria. What will you do?"
"...What do you mean?"
“I will accept the opinion of the knight of the knightly kingdom and present his head to you.I will accept my opinion and the royal family will flee to another country.It is a matter of which way you choose.”
``The fact that we have to surrender the entire territory of Purunya country is something we cannot compromise on.''
“Do you want to reject negotiations, turn the royal capital and castle into battlegrounds in a battle that is likely to end in defeat, and then lose and have your clan and clan join together?”
When I told him to confront him with the reality, King Pastoria hung his head.
“If you hand over Purnya country, you will spare the lives of my family.”
"Yes. We will also provide you with a horse-drawn carriage, some funds, and food to help you escape to another country."
"...Understood. I accept that proposal and surrender."
Due to King Pastoria's decision, the war that started between the countries of Heartaut and Ferocony was brought to a close.
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