The Spirit of not getting Fat, even with a Sweet Cake

This has turned into something rather difficult.

Mia groaned a little when she saw Roufa bowing down.

Valentina Remno, Abels older sister and Priestess of the Chaos Serpents.

Aimas older brother, Chief Ka Maku, who left the village along with the Serpent Priestess and the clan members who followed.

Reconciliation between the Fire clan and the twelve clans of the Equestrian Kingdom.

And the improvement of the Fire clans food shortage situation.

There were a mountain of problems that could not be ignored.

Considering that Aima has declared herself to be my friend, and especially since Abel is involved, I cannot leave the matter alone.

Roufa continued speaking farther.

Even though we looted villages out of necessity, a crime is a crime. The argument that it is a natural right for those with power to take is flawed, especially if we are trying to borrow your power. I will take full responsibility for the actions of our clan with my head. Please ensure that the young ones are not blamed.

Roufas words caused Mia to panic.

The clan fell into poverty due to the mistakes of their ancestors. To improve their situation, they resorted to looting. And their grandmother would be beheaded to pay for that crime. That would be a really detestable outcome. I cant help but remember my past situation. Well, I wasnt a grandmother though.

While pondering over these thoughts, Mia spoke up.

Elder Roufa, I have understood your situation very well. Since you asked, I will lend you my full strength. First of all, I request you to please not do anything rash.

While she spoke, Mia cast a glance around on her surroundings, looking for a person she could rely on, but alas, there was no one.

First, there was Malong. Normally, he was her reliable senior, but he did not know anything about the Chaos Serpents. Therefore, he perhaps had not understood most of what Roufa had spoken about.

Next, there was Rafina. She was an expert on the Serpents, but she seemed to be in a somewhat bad mood with regards to this discussion, until sometime ago. Now, she looked a little disheartened. Aside from the fact that she seemed different from her usual self, her current demeanour seemed a little strange.

While thinking that, Mia turned her gaze sideways.

Aima, Roufa and her female attendant, were probably not in a position to speak at that moment. In that case, the only ones left were her reliable, loyal vassals Anne and Ludwig.

Anne is reliable, but this matter is clearly out of her league. That leaves Ludwig, but Hmm.

Mia couldnt help but think. Ludwig was certainly reliable and would definitely be able to propose a good solution to the problem. However the issue was that Ludwig was Mias vassal. In other words, Ludwigs opinion was essentially Mias opinion and also the opinion of the Empire.

If he proposed some kind of plan, and if it were executed, it would not be possible for Mia to stay uninvolved. Worst-case scenario, she might even have to take the lead.

Mia wished to avoid that if possible. She absolutely wanted to avoid any situation where she would be the sole one to carry the burden.

Even if I were to rely totally on Ludwig, I would like to consult him to some extent beforehand.

And so, Mia thinks, and thinks, and thinks.

Hmm. For now, there seems to be a problem where I dont have to do anything directly. First, lets resolve that, and in the meantime, I should discuss the matter with Ludwig. I would like to involve Rafina-sama as well.

In any case, Mia was of the opinion that she ought to reduce the number of problems that she had to think of alone as far as possible.

If you eat a big cake all by yourself, you will get fat. Thats why it should be cut and distributed among everyone! The same goes for difficult problems as well.

With the spirit of not getting fat, even with a sweet cake, Mia attempted to divide and conquer the problem.

Elder Roufa, setting aside the matter of taking responsibility, there is something that I would like you to do first.

And whats that?

Of course, its quite obvious. Reconciliation with Malong-senpai and the members of the twelve clans.

Regarding this matter, Mia thought that there was nothing that she herself could do. The ones directly responsible would be Roufa, perhaps Aima, and the people of the Equestrian Kingdom including Malong and Mayun. Incidentally, if the Fire clan were to return to the Equestrian Kingdom, then it would be best for the negotiations with Sunkland, which had been inconvenienced by the actions of the Fire clan, to be conducted between the Equestrian Kingdom and Sunkland.

The reason that the Fire clan fell into poverty was because they were neglected by the twelve clans of their Kingdom. It could be considered that the looting they did in order to acquire food supplies was the collective sin of all twelve clans. When framed like that, Mayun-sama may take action. In any case, I want to pass off some of the piled-up problems to others.

Mias style was to reduce the number of problems she was involved in as much as possible!

In the meantime, I think it would be a good idea to get Ludwig and Chaos Serpents expert Rafina-sama to think about the approach that we should take with the Serpent Priestess.

However, I wonder once again. Why did the Chief leave this village? Was he threatened that he would not be taught the wolf controlling techniques or that he would be prevented from using those skills? Hmm.

Mia realised something important at that moment. A person who could control wolves. I feel like I know something. Ah, the Wolf Master. Mia finally recalled.

The Wolf Master, an assassin accompanied by a wolf and skilled at riding a horse. Could it be none other than Chief of the Fire Clan, Ka Maku?

If no one other than the Chief could use that technique, the possibility is very high, right?

As Mia was piecing together her deduction in her head

Reconciliationis it?

Roufa murmured and then glanced at Malong.

Thats right. If we want the people who are with the Priestess to come back, everyone will have to do their best. Mia nodded and declared proudly.

Even if I make a mistake, theres no way that I will end up in a situation where I will be the only one with no choice but to work!

That firm belief was embedded in those words.

So you mean to say that our reconciliation is necessary to bring back those who left?

When asked that question, Mia thought and then glanced over at Rafina.

Hmm. In reality, Rafina-sama is the expert on the Chaos Serpents. Therefore, her knowledge will be necessary to bring back those who followed the Priestess.

If they were indeed brainwashed into leaving, it would be impossible for Mia to do anything about it. In that case, Rafinas strength would be needed.

I dont know the reason why, but Rafina-sama tends to get into a bad mood when it comes to Aima-san. Theres a possibility that she might not be very motivated to help. If thats the case

Mia devised a plan to increase Rafinas motivation.

Whether reconciliation is necessary for them to come back or not, thats not the real issue, is it? It is indeed a very sad thing that blood brothers are fighting amongst themselves. Besides, doesnt it also go against the teachings of the Holy Scripture?

And so, Mia involved Rafina as well. By the way, Mia had no idea if there was indeed such a teaching in the Holy Scripture. However, Mia couldnt imagine that Rafina would teach someone that it was fine to fight with their siblings. So, Mia had said such a thing at that moment.

Eh? Ah, yes. Thats right. It could be said that respecting your parents and taking care of your siblings and family is one of the basic teachings of God.

Mia noticed that Rafina, who was lost in thought, had looked up with a slightly flustered expression, so she decided to say something plausible.

That is why a reconciliation is necessary. Its just as Malong-senpai said. It is an opportunity to restore the bond with the twelve clans of the Equestrian Kingdom and to create a place for those who left to return.

By doing that, the members of the Fire clan could demonstrate that they were striving to be faithful to the Holy Scripture and also display their desire to be free of the Serpent Priestess. Showcasing their efforts towards reconciliation would ignite motivation in Rafina, encouraging her to take action.

Im certain that Rafina-sama would not abandon those who were striving to live a virtuous life.

I see. Certainly, it would be a shame to not hold a banquet when they return. Besides, it makes sense to prepare a place that they would want to come back to.

Roufa bowed down to Malong and then to Rafina in that order.

In that case, I would like to make a request of both of you. Could you please assist in the mediation between our clan and the twelve clans?

Yes, Of course.

Malong nodded vigorously, followed by a silent nod from Rafina. Seeing her looking a bit disheartened, Mia tilted her head in curiosity.

Indeed, impressive as usual. Ludwig was once again filled with admiration for Mias skillful handling of the situation.

From Ludwigs point of view, Mia was essentially trying to create an environment to persuade the Fire clan members who left to return.

Supposing the Fire clan managed to reconcile with the twelve clans of the Equestrian Kingdom, what would happen?

What did the warriors of the Fire clan fight for? Why was the Serpent Priestess inciting them? It was resentment towards the twelve clans and antipathy from the historical conflict. In addition, it was likely to break free from the distress of food shortages and poverty. Those two problems were precisely what Mia was attacking.

If Elder Roufa and the clan members manage to reconcile first, their objective to fight would diminish. If the situation with the food shortages was alleviated and poverty was overcome, then they would probably lose their desire to fight. Mia-sama is trying to detect the root cause of the problem and attack it. Just like the Serpent Priestess, Mia-sama is also trying to control their hearts.

Well, in reality, Mia was trying to motivate Rafina and control her heart. But in that sense, Ludwig was not entirely wrong, but not right either.

While the discrepancy between reality and Ludwigs thoughts continued, he renewed his loyalty to the Princess.