The afternoon the day after we establishe a secret alliance with the Grand Chaos Empire, Jeanne, Julius, and I were once again gathered in the audience chamber. Everyone was standing (only I was sitting on the throne), and Hakuya who stood diagonally in front of me stepped up to Julius party, carrying a document containing what we had decided the night before.

The Royal Army will leave Vannes and return to the Kingdom of Elfrieden

The moment Hakuya made the declaration, Julius had a victorious look on his face, but then Hakuya continued.

In return for that, The Principality of Amidonia will pay indemnities to the Kingdom of Elfrieden. This will be considered separately from the exchange of prisoners of war

Hearing the sentence, Julius turned pale. He then approached Jeanne.

Lady Jeanne! What is the meaning of this!?

It means what it means the Empire has returned the territory as promised

Jeanne shrugged. Julius could not accept it.

Do you take me for a fool! To pay indemnities, its as if we were defeated!

We were not! We have not been defeated. We have lost but merely a single city!

Then do as you like. The Empire will no longer involve ourselves in this fight. Have a ceasefire or keep fighting as you want

Hearing that from Jeanne, Julius groaned. Seeing him do so, Jeanne sighed.

To begin with, that single city well, I doubt the propriety of calling the capital a mere city, but you came crying to us because you were unable to take back the capital you lost, didnt you? Then you have lost this war. As the head of the Humanity Declaration, the Empire will restore the borders that had been changed to its original state. We can not do anything more than that

Lord Julius. My Elder Sister Maria is terribly distressed with regards to the current situation

Jeanne turned a cold look of rejection at Julius.

You have committed an act of agression, making use of a loophole in the Humanity Declaration meant to unify all of humanity under the looming threat of the Demon King Territory. As its head, we cannot let this matter be

Even so, you did nothing to stop it, and you also have a responsibility to the citizens of the Principality. Either way, in order to prevent any other agressors from among the signatories of the Humanity Declaration, we have decided that harsh punishment is necessary. We will have the matter of your country set as a precedent

Uwaah she was polite but she was actually saying were making an example of you to tighten the noose around the necks of the Humanity Declaration signatories. Julius made an angry, or maybe distressed face. He tightened his fist and said.

what if we dont want to

P, please wait a moment! If you do that then our country

Yes, if youre not a member country, then an attack on you will not be in violation of the Declaration. You excuse me, your Lord Father also had the same opinion on the matter, did he not?

The Principality of Amidonia was surrounded by other countries on all sides. On the west side, theres the permanently neutral Mercenary Nation of Zem who seeks the best situation for itself. On the south, theres the Republic of Torgis who also didnt sign the Humanity Declaration and had northernly expansionist policies. On the north, theres the Lunaria Orthodox Empire, that was signatory to the declaration, but had different sense of values compared to other countries. And lastly, theres the Kingdom of Elfrieden on the east. Now, if they lost the protection of the Humanity Declaration, they were going to be eaten up by those tigers (ah, but not us, though).

The previous Prince Gaius VIII maintained his country by allying with the Empire, contracting the Zemish, outpowering Elfrieden under the weak rule of the previous King, and a display of military strength against the south, achieving a balanced diplomacy. Does Julius have the capability for that? Even if he did, does the young Julius have enough influence to wield for it? Influence is normally gained gradually while under the previous ruler, but Gaius was no longer here.

Julius would henceforth have to handle the difficult problems of external threats and internal leadership of his subordinates. If during that crucial time he were to leave the Humanity Declaration, he would be unable to borrow the Empires influence and quickly fall into a checkmate. Julius understood that, too, and thus he bitterly bowed his head to Jeanne.

we will, comply to your wishes

That is a good decision, Lord Julius

Since the discussion had come to a canclusion, we proceeded with the essential payment amount. We presented an amount that equaled to three years of Amidonias national income, to be paid in yearly installments over ten years. Also, we requested that it be paid in Imperial gold coins. In other words, we were asking to almost a third of their national income for the next ten years. Julius naturally objected, but Jeanne persuaded (coerced?) him to agree. For Amidonia, who spends half its national income on military, this had the implication of robbing them of this military power. They would be able to pay the amount by downsizing the military, but Im not sure if Amidonia would be able to do that.

Lady Jeanne. What if the payment is delayed

Kuh

Julius was mortified, but said no more. Having concluded that, I made Jeanne a proposal.

But Lady Jeanne. Its possible that they would delay the payments while hardening the defense of Vannes. Even if the Empire is involved, it would be a lot of trouble to take a capital that had been released. Therefore, we would like to have a collateral for the payments

Something for us to hold on to until the payments are made. If they become unable to pay, the collateral will become ours. We will of course return it once the payments are made

Their Royal Broadcast orb

What! Our country only has one of those!

Julius was indignant. Well, the Royal Broadcast was a treasure that could not be made with current technology. It would likely be worth about two years of Aminodias annual income.

Youre not using it anyway, are you? Is there any problem with giving it to us?

You can simply change the frequencies on the receivers, right? That way you wont be receiving any broadcast from Elfrieden

Ugh but still

Julius face was anguished, but unexpectedly, complied without resistance. He only used it for scheduled broadcasts at the start of each year, even though its so useful. Julius who adopted a military first doctrine wouldnt understand its value. I think he might even only be considering it as a huge ornament.

As I was thinking that, Hakuya whispered, Your highness, if I may?

I raised my eyebrow.

Uh isnt that just your hobby?

Humm well, listen up, Lord Julius

To make up for the deficit in collateral 1, we would like custody of all the books in this castle

This was what Hakuya proposed. The custody of the books gathering dust in the Amidonian archives. Paper is still precious in this world and books arent widely circulated. Its very possible that Amidonia had books that Elfrieden didnt have. Also, when it comes to books, theres the possibility of copying them while theyre under our supervision. Julius snorted.

Fine, I suppose. But dont you touch anything else. Especially the weapons and armor. I wont forgive you if you took them

Gh, then dont touch anything more!

alright

So weapons are more important than books? Considering the era, that mightve been the dominant line of thinking, but he didnt understand the gravity of letting such a crystallization of the countrys knowledge outside. Looking at Jeanne, she seemed to be thinking the same thing and wryly smiled. Now that the discussion on indemnities is done, we could start on discussing everything else.

We want Elfrieden to return the soldiers taken prisoner by the Elfrieden Army

fine

Guh very well. by the way

While receiving the list of criminals from Hakuya, Julius said:

Is Roroa among the prisoners you will be returning?

Roroa? whos that?

I dont know. Who is that?

Sister? When Vannes capitulated, we let everyone who want to leave do so. The only noble or knight ranked people who remained was only Margarita. We received no information on whether we had captured a royal

fine then

Like that, Julius stopped the discussion as if he had no interest in it. His sisters missing, right? But hes really acting nonchalant about it. Isnt he worried?

Do you need us to look for eyewitnesses?

No need ?

Hakuya then whispered into my ear.

(It is likely that he is wary against a struggle for family headship. Based on what Ive investigated, Lady Roroa is a supporter of civil affairs, a rare personage in Amidonia. As a military patron, Lord Julius isnt popular among civil officials. He must be afraid that they would reject him and support Roroa)

(Royals are often like that)

( I suppose so)

Even looking through Earths history, family struggles arent rare among royals. Similarly in Elfrieden, when Liscias mother inherited the throne, the family was close to annihilation due to family struggles. But still as someone who knew the loneliness of not having family, I thought he wouldve at least cherish his one and only sister. I guess I just cant see eye to eye with Julius after all.

Ah, thats right. Speaking of Margarita, the Kingdom would like to have her. Since she cooperated with the pacifying of Vannes, youd be troubled how to treat her, right?

Margarita Wanda? hmph, I will agree on the condition that you release five of the noble prisoners in your custody

Saying that, Julius made a sort-of unpleasant look as if hes sizing up for an advantage. Rather than a general hed find hard to manage, he finds the ransom of his obedient subordinates more beneficial.

alright

Hmph, to want a general of that level, the Kingdom must be running short on leaders

I caught myself wanting to tell him the reason you lost is because you only evaluate peoples worth on their military strength like that!, but since theres no need for me to give help to my enemy, I held myself back.

Once the major talks had concluded, I declared the end of the negotiations. The conclusion was that The Kingdom of Elfrieden will return Vannes, in return for a sum of indemnities paid, Amidonia will regain Vannes in return for paying those indemnities, and that The Empire will make itself known as the arbitrator of this dispute, which was satisfactory. Amidonia was the only losing party, as the Empire shouldered no losses and the Kingdom gained decent, even though not great, profits.

Lord Julius

After the discussions had concluded, Julius made to turn around as if saying that he had nothing more to say to me, but I called him out.

what?

Hm? What do you mean?

Julius turned around and glared straight at me.

I have gained Vannes through a fight against you all. I chased away almost all the nobles and knights, eliminating anyone that might become my political opponents. Thus if I were to continue governing Vannes there would not be any significant trouble. But can you say the same?

But it was Elfriedens territory until just now. Then, you relied on the Empires Dignity, that is to say the strength of another, to take it back. This is what Machiavelli refers to by solely by good fortune becoming princes'

In history, there are those who gained lordship through familial authority or the backing of powerful states. However,those who quickly rose in the world with such a backing would lose their fortunes the moment the backing disappears. The ideal ruler Machiavelli envisioned, the Italian condottiero Cesare Borgia, fell from grace when the backing that was his father, the Pope of Rome, Alexander, died. Or maybe like when during the war between Xiang Yu and Gaozu, the latter installed the King Of Chu from a peasant, only to kill him once he judged his usefulness was over.

Julius, who borrowed the Empires authority to take back his own capital would surely be made light of by the lords and peasants of Amidonia alike, and Gaius VIII who struck fear through force of arms was no longer here. So theres wondering if Julius who had been destroyed so impactfully could control the lords, if he could befriend the masses of Vannes better than me and gain their trust.

Those who without dificulty gain their princehood must expend great efforts afterwards. Rather than nursing your grudge, I think you should rather govern for the sake of the people first

Thats none of your business!

Summarily rejecting my insincere advice, Julius left the premises. Left behind, Jeanne shrugged and said, oh well. Istepped up to her and shook hands.

Then I shall take my leave

Certainly. Lord Hakuya, as well, may you be healthy. Let us share our gripes against our lieges over some drinks sometime 4

Very well. I shall prepare a cask of wine to bring over

The hell? They have enough complaints to prepare a wine barrel over? When I glared at him he so obviously looked away. Seeing that, Jeanne chuckled.

Let us meet as equals next time. I will look forward to the day Elder Sister and King Soma stand side by side against the Demon King

As do I. I will look forward to it as well

We grasped hands tightly. My response was late, because for a moment the words stand side by side caught in my mind. How far could I advance Elfriedens era untily that time comes? I want to at least make it so that the vehicle that carries the King to the battlefield to not be a horse by then.

Once the withdrawal was decided, the Elfriedenian Army quickly moved. Now that Vannes return was decided, it would be a waste of war funds to stay any more. The Elfriedenian Army pulled their troops back just as grandly as they did when they came in. The number of Amidonian troops near Vannes were so small and were still under watch by the Imperial army, there was no need to worry about being pursued.

Just like when we came, I was in the middle of the procession, riding side by side with Liscia, on a horse with Aisha guiding the reins. The eyes of the citizens of Vannes were full of fear when we came in, but now the atmosphere had changed somewhat. Without there even being any proclamation, the masses gathered along the procession route, with somewhat anxious attitudes. Liscia was looking dubious.

I wonder why everyones looking like that? Id understand if they were happy being released or relieved that we finally left

Worried? Theyre just going back to how they were, right?

Thats exactly why. The fact that theyre going back to how they were is worrying them

I said as I looked straight ahead.

Vannes was ruled under the tyranny of the Amidonian Royal Family. They never questioned it when it was a matter of course, but now they found out under the occupation of the Royal Army that its not the natural course of things. Thats because unlike the Prince, I allowed them certain freedoms like expression. Thats why now that were leaving, they become anxious that they would return to a life under oppression again

Well thats probably how it is. Once Julius entered Vannes, Im sure he would strangle this lax atmosphere. Liscia looked at the people along the procession with pity.

To not be able to return to their former lives because of knowing freedom its like an addiction

Thats the truth, right? But its their own country, isnt it? Is it so easy to switch their identities just like that?

Theres a saying in my world, tyrrany is more dreadful than a tiger. In this case, despotism is more hateful than a conqueror, I suppose. The masses dont care much for duty and honor. If their own country benefits themselves they will defend it, and if another country benefits them they will open the gates willingly

As I said that, Liscia sighed, fuuh

Its always about the dirty side of the world when Im walking with you

Thats exactly not it!

Ive never felt it a misery to walk by Your Highness!

Shes too loyal to me. At this rate, it wouldnt be weird if she gets the nickname The Kings Dog soon. Seeing Aisha like that, Liscia giggled.

I feel the same way. Im willing to accept reality if its with you, no matter how it is.

I see

Now then, let us return. To our Kingdom.