Episode 179 In the waiting room
Audience room in Nonette country. In the waiting room next to that, I am alone with Funceloa, the first consul of the empire.
Was it King Chorex who created this situation, or was it Funseroa in front of him?
Before I could confirm whether it was true or not, Funseroa started the conversation.
"Well, thank you for your help. Prince Milimos hindered the empire's plot."
It was as if he was trying to say that he really helped me, but his tone made it sound like he thought it was natural that I could do it.
"I'm telling you, I didn't take this action to protect Mr. Funseroa's position."
I tried to stab him in a princely tone, but I couldn't make Funseroa smile.
"Of course, that's true. Again, I only provided the information because it would help me, not because it would benefit Prince Milimos."
Do you want to say that we are mutual, or...
"--Since we've been using each other, are you saying you don't want to borrow or borrow anything?"
The damage suffered by the Nonette country in this turmoil includes damage to property and injuries to soldiers when the Spisk faction was holed up inside the castle, and half of the outer wall of the fort, which had become useless. .
On the other hand, the damage to the Empire side was the discovery of the scheme using Salkajimo and the exposure of the Imperial soldiers' fighting methods.
Despite colliding with the Empire, the human damage was minimal, and the economic loss was not that great.
If you think about it that way, I think it's okay to do it manually without making a profit or loss.
Funseroa's smile deepened a little, as if he had guessed what I was thinking.
"No, no. I would like to be on good terms with 'Prince Milimos' more than ever before. I thought it would be okay to 'take things' from the Empire side to Nonette Country."
Words that emphasize my name but not Nonette Country.
And the part about ``taking things out'' caught my attention.
“Even if I accept that the Empire is giving me a gift, not to the country, but to me personally?”
"It's helpful to talk quickly. Honestly, I don't feel like joining forces with King Chorex and his aides."
The words sounded disrespectful, so I held out my hand.
"I would like you to stop saying things that disrespect my father and uncle."
"...It seems that Prince Milimos is either underestimating his own ability, or overestimating King Chorex."
"Do you think there's no child in this world who doesn't get angry when their father is said badly?"
I thought I was making a valid point, but Funseroa's expression looked like a wry smile.
"This is something different. This world is in turmoil, and the only peace is within the empire and the knightly kingdoms. The numerous small countries are in an unstable situation, like a boat floating in a storm. We have to keep that boat from capsizing. Isn't it reasonable that the captain needs some skill?"
“I think even if the captain isn’t very good, if the navigators and sailors are good, they can weather the storm.”
“It would be great if that many people were on board a small boat.”
At least in Funseroia's eyes, it seems that the human resources of Nonette country will not be able to overcome the storm.
The exception would be me, who is required to cooperate.
We could continue discussing Funseroa's opinion here, but we don't have time until the audience. I think it would be better to accept this for now and move on.
“So, what does Mr. Funseroa want to tell me to do in return for the Empire providing convenience to me?”
“Nothing in particular – oh no, there’s only one thing.”
When I tilted my head at the strange way he said it, Funseroa smiled and opened his mouth.
``I want you to defeat the small countries that have declared war on the Nonette country.''
I half-eyed the sudden and incomprehensible request.
“Lord Funseroa, do you understand what you just said?”
"Yes. They say that the Empire will take the lead and have the small neighboring countries attack Nonette Country."
Emphasis each word.
It's good to know that I wasn't misunderstanding the content, but it's not good.
"Now that the Empire's plan to annex Nonette Country has been defeated, are you saying they're going to involve a small country next time?"
"No way, no way. That's not true. In fact, I would be in trouble if Nonette Country lost."
I don't understand the idea of having a small country attack the Nonette country, but the Nonette country shouldn't be defeated.
Even so, if you think of possible reasons.
“Are you trying to expand the land of Nonette Country?”
"I'm relieved that you understand. That's right. I want Nonette Country to grow. Until it becomes a third-party power, on par with the Empire and the Knights."
Is what Funseroia is talking about the same as the ``measure of the third division of the world'' that existed in China in his previous life?
“Do you want to gain peace on the continent by making the Nonette country a superpower?”
"Ah, that's what I think. But it's not true."
"No. If so, what's the purpose?"
A smile tugged at the sides of Funseroa's lips. It was like a devil trying to tell me what he was up to.
"If the Nonette country becomes a superpower, it will become hostile to the knight country. That's how I see it."
I frown, unable to comprehend the meaning of the words.
"I'm married to the princess of a knightly kingdom. I don't think it's possible for her to be hostile to the knightly kingdom, though?"
"That's right. To be precise, it's not that the Nonette country is hostile to the Knights' country, but that the Knights' country is hostile to the Nonette country."
"That's exactly what I don't understand. The national policy of the Knights' Nation is 'righteousness.' I don't think they'll turn against you for no reason, do you?"
"Hahaha. Prince Milimos doesn't know about it. Regarding the judgment of the knighthood's 'correctness'."
I was starting to get a headache because Funseroia's words were meaningless one after another.
“If Nonette Country becomes a superpower, does that mean it will go against the ``righteousness'' of the Knights country?''
"No, I'm not against it. It's just that a battle to prove 'rightness' is about to begin."
"Proof? What do you want to prove?"
"The one who rules the continent is the strongest person on this continent. I need proof of that 'correctness'."
I'm about to say that's stupid, but then I remind myself to wait.
It is only natural that those who conquer the war will unify the continent; it is the right thing to do.
And in order to create a conqueror, it is necessary to have a decisive battle - this is also correct.
Furthermore, if there were only three major powers on the continent, it would be logical -- and right -- for those three countries to fight for supremacy on the continent.
Although it may be a bit of a wild argument, the fact that there is some truth to it means that it could be a reason for the Knights' Kingdom to take that approach.
"...If you think about the personalities of your family members and the situation when getting permission to marry, it seems like the Knights' Kingdom has some 'brains' in it."
As I mumbled to myself, I realized that there is a culture in the Knights' Kingdom that respects the strong.
"That's fine. Leaving aside whether that will happen or not, I am satisfied with the fact that the Empire is thinking of making Nonette Country into a third major power."
"I'm glad you understand."
Funseroa continues with a smile on his face.
"Although it has been decided that your country will be thrown into the vortex of war, it is painful. Therefore, the Empire is prepared to send engineers to promote the technological development of Nonette Country."
“Technician--magical?”
"Of course, I do. However, I can't give it to a first-class engineer, so I'll have to send something with a slightly different color."
“By being unusual, do you mean that you are a researcher in a field that is ignored in the Empire?”
"Exactly. And isn't that the kind of person Prince Milimos is looking for?"
Funseroa's analysis is correct.
Even if the Empire were to develop the magic technology that it places importance on, Nonette Country would only end up following the Empire's lead.
Only by making important use of and developing technologies that the Empire doesn't value, will Nonette Country be able to overtake the Empire. At the very least, you will be able to excel in other fields.
“As the Nonette country, magic technology will develop in whatever form it takes.As an empire, by handing over idle personnel, we can organize our personnel and budget, and at the same time, we can repay our favor. ”
"There's no need for any favors. This is an upfront investment."
“So that the Nonette country and the empire will fight together in the future to defeat the knight country?”
"Exactly"
“Even though there is a possibility that that future may not come?”
"When making an investment, you have to take into account the possibility of failure. Even if that doesn't happen, we won't ask for an afterthought."
It sounds like a good story, but now that I've heard it this far, I have no choice but to ride.
In other words, for the Nonette country, anything other than war is a deal that only the gainers can afford, so accepting it must be a good idea.
Once the conversation had settled down, I relaxed my shoulders and spoke in a casual conversation.
"In any case, after hearing the story, I understood why Lord Funseroa was waiting in a place like this. I can't let Palvera and Familis be present at a place where we can talk about the future of being hostile to the Knights."
“If you meet Prince Milimos when he reaches the Rocha region, those people will definitely come along.”
I felt something strange about Funseroa's words, which could be interpreted as saying that he had always wanted to create a place for this meeting.
"...Could it be that this commotion happened? Did you hand over control to a rival faction in order to create a place for the two of us to talk?"
"Hahaha. Prince Milimos has a rich imagination."
Without answering whether it was right or wrong, Funseroa just laughed.
Just as I was about to poke around a little more, the door to the waiting room opened.
"Prince Milimos. King Cholex is waiting in the throne room. Please come."
"Hasn't Mr. Funseroa been called?"
"Yes. The First Consul of the Empire has just finished his audience."
Funseroa was shrewd in that he talked to King Chorex before I did.
He must have also told King Chorex that the Empire is about to plunge Nonette Country into war.
Ah, I feel nervous about having an audience with you.
As I was about to leave the waiting room feeling gloomy, Funseroa spoke to me.
"Welcome, Prince Milimos. Now that my requirements have been completed, I will take you back to the Empire, so I'll see you sometime soon."
Seeing his attitude as if things were going according to his plan, I made up my mind.
Someday, I will surpass Funseroia's schemes and make him say, "Gyafun."
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