Episode 123: Judgment of the Heartout Country
The former Crown Prince Akin, Quercia IV, came to the central capital of the land that had been renamed the Feronya region.
"Thank you very much for waking me up. And congratulations on your enthronement and posthumous title to Quercia IV. As the chaos is still under control, I am sorry that I cannot offer you great hospitality."
"No, no. I came knowing it was a busy time, so please don't worry about it."
Quercia IV's tone had changed from that of a crown prince to one befitting a king.
After that, we exchanged casual greetings, and since we were both busy, we decided to start talking right away.
This time, as it is a discussion between friendly countries, it has been decided that Princess Palvera and her family will not be monitored.
“So, what do you want to discuss immediately?”
When I turned the water on him, Quercia IV started talking about the internal situation of the Heartaut country.
"The situation in our country has been greatly shaken by the recent battle. It is to the point where it could shake the very foundations of the country's management."
“Even though we ended up winning the battle?”
"Yes, 'in the end'. In the opinion of the people, if it had been only our country that fought, there is a strong tendency that the country would have been destroyed."
Indeed, if the Heartaut country had fought alone, there is a very high possibility that it would have fallen.
"However, it was King Quercia III who made the decision to ask for our help. Isn't it fair to ignore the fact that the country was saved from destruction because of that?"
"Huh. Prince Milimos is thoughtful. But it's good to remember that the people can only recognize the events that are right in front of them."
As someone who was just a small-time citizen in my previous life, I feel like that's a pretty lame way to say it.
However, when I think about it based on the knowledge I have cultivated since I was born and lived in this world, I can understand Quercia IV's thoughts.
After all, it is said that several tenths of the people in this world cannot understand the four arithmetic operations, and the majority cannot read or write.
The Nonette country, which you learn about in the soldier training course, and the Rocha region, where commerce such as blacksmithing is popular, have a knowledge advantage over other countries.
The assessment that it is difficult to take the context of things into consideration is somewhat understandable, as these are people who are not used to thinking about such things.
“What do the people of Hartaut country want to do?”
"They just complain and have no concrete thoughts at all. They just scream that they're worried. They're worried."
“I think the only way to calm down such a situation is to get rid of that feeling of anxiety.”
"That's right. I came here to eliminate your anxiety."
I understand the situation, but I can't see the main issue.
“So, what does the Heartaut country want from the Nonette country?”
"Rather than asking for it, I'm asking you to please. I'd like you to make the Heartaut country your vassal state."
I opened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected proposal.
“Are you serious about being a vassal country?”
“I thought it would be fine if it was turned into a territory based on my personal request, but my vassals were not convinced.”
"...I often come up with such drastic ideas."
"It's only possible if we understand the current situation correctly."
From there, King Quercia IV spoke about the current location of the Heartaut country.
"The territory of the Empire to the north, and the territory of the Nonette country to the east, west, and south, which the Empire recognizes as a peer country. It is surrounded on all sides. In this situation, both economic activity and security are in the hands of the Empire and the Nonette country. Don't you think it's the same as that?"
Currently, the only countries that the Heartaut country can trade with are the Empire and the Nonette country. However, the Heartout country is in debt to the empire, and is currently paying in kind to the Nonette country - Rocha region for weapons.
If the Empire and the Nonette Country cooperated and launched an economic war against the Heartaut Country, it would dry up in no time.
Even if the country tries to go to war as a way to revive itself before it dries up, there is no way they can win against the Empire, a superpower that divides the continent in two, and even against the steel-equipped army of the Rocha region, their chances of winning are slim.
It was a complete disgrace.
“If the only future is for the country to gradually decline, do you mean to sell yourself while you are still strong?”
"Exactly. And the country of Nonette is the perfect opponent. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it would be the Rocha region ruled by Prince Milimos."
“I appreciate your appreciation, but considering the size of the country, wouldn’t the Empire be safer?”
"That's not true, Prince Milimos. The Empire is not so kind as to allow the countries it descended from to continue as countries. The countries will be dismantled, and the confiscated people will be placed in a lower position, as second-class citizens. It becomes.”
I can't get a real sense of it just by listening to the story, but I decided to think of it as something like the colonial policy of my previous life.
“So, in order to preserve the form of Heartaut country, the only way is to become a vassal state of Nonette country.”
“Also, if our country is incorporated into the empire’s land, won’t the Nonette country be in trouble?”
Quercia IV had a point.
If all the land in Hartaut belonged to the empire, the connection between the Roccia and Feronya regions would be severed.
However, I had a brilliant idea for that.
"If that happens, I'll sell the Feronia region to the empire. That way, I'll be able to eliminate Roccia's debt."
“Are you planning on giving up the land you gained in battle that easily?”
“It’s like I got it as a windfall from the war, so I don’t have any attachment to the Feronya area. But, that’s just hypothetical.”
Another idea was to cut a hole in the mountain and run a tunnel from the Roccia region to the Feronia region.
This is just a precaution in case the Heartaut country gets mean to me, so I don't feel like telling it to King Quercia IV.
“Anyway, I have heard that the Heartaut country wants to become a vassal state of the Nonette country. So, are there any conditions for becoming a vassal state?”
"Becoming a vassal state is just a formality, but I want the reality to remain the same."
“Don’t you think it’s a good idea to change the flag and keep everything else the same?”
To my tsukkomi, Quercia IV nods, saying he understands.
“Everything can't be the same, so why not pay no customs duties when traveling between the Roccia and Feronha regions?”
Considering distribution, it was a great proposal.
“But is that all?”
“On the contrary, I ask you, what else do you want?”
Although I have tried my best to hope that they would join us, there is not much I can expect from the Heartaut country.
The only things that are imported from the Heartout country in the Roccia region are nuts, fruits, herbs, and wood.
But I don't have any trouble with food...
“How about we donate a certain amount of charcoal and wood to the Nonette country every year?”
"Hmm...it depends on the amount, but if it's that much."
“Then, please make that arrangement. However, for more details, please discuss it with King Chorex in Nonette's home country.”
"Of course. However, if there was a prior agreement with Prince Milimos, I'm sure he would easily agree."
I felt that Quelcha IV's evaluation of me was a bit excessive.
"I don't think that will happen. After all, I'm the youngest prince."
"Haha. I'm sure the older siblings won't be able to rest if they have such a filial youngest brother."
For some reason, it seems like it was taken as a joke, but I decided to air it because I didn't want to bother correcting it.
Thanks for the chapter
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