Chapter 211: Westphalia 1

The sudden ripening of a peaceful atmosphere due to Wallenstein’s rebellion caused King Gustavus to feel a sense of dilemma, as he had been prepared to start the war at any moment.

Originally, he had intended to drive out the Holy Roman Imperial forces along with the Heretical Alliance and thereby expand the territory of the Kalmar Union within the Holy Roman Empire. However, the situation was ending even before he could fully draw his sword.

However, in this regard, King Gustavus was thinking that he should not feel only disappointment.

‘Although I did not directly do anything… Our Prince-Elector Chris IV was involved in the war. If we use that well, we may be able to gain something.’

Chris IV’s actions were taken on his own accord, but nonetheless, he had undoubtedly moved under the banner of the ‘victorious’ heretical forces.

In any case, the justification was that he had moved to help King Friedrich, the face of the heretical forces, so he could certainly raise his voice regarding this matter.

Of course, Chris IV himself had lost most of his actual authority and was told to stay obediently in his territory, but still, King Gustavus, as his sovereign, had the right to take any benefits on his behalf.

“If things have turned out this way, who would be best for us to send to Westphalia?”

“Umm…”

“That would be…”

At King Gustavus’ words, the ministers began to subtly glance at each other.

Of course, since this was the conclusion of a great war that had lasted nearly 10 years, it was certain that the negotiations would be quite lengthy. At the same time, as an important occasion where national interests would be decided, the burden was no laughing matter.

In other words, they would have to bear an enormous burden while going on a long-term business trip.

If this went well, they could leave their names in history, but frankly, everyone present knew that the position of the Kalmar Union in these negotiations was not very favorable.

Put simply, it was a difficult negotiating table where they would have to bear a great burden for an extended period.

For this reason, the ministers were all glancing at each other, hesitant to step forward.

Then…

“Your Majesty, then I shall go.”

“! Ah…no…”

“Really… will you be all right?”

A sudden female voice was heard.

At this, not only the ministers but even King Gustavus’ face was momentarily filled with a look of surprise.

The person who had willingly declared that she would go to the negotiation table that no one else easily stepped forward for.

Unlike the other ministers dressed in military uniforms, she was wearing a conspicuous maid outfit.

She had long silver hair with the ends tied in ringlets, and violet eyes adorned her young, beautiful face.

No one present did not know who she was, and toward her, King Gustavus cautiously asked:

“…Will you really do so? If my teacher takes the lead, I too can be less worried…”

“Yes, if Your Majesty wishes, I will gladly go. As your servant and a citizen of the Kalmar Union.”

“Um… if you insist…”

At her words, King Gustavus glanced subtly at the other ministers’ reactions.

However, no matter how he looked, he did not see anyone else willing to attend these negotiations, and he eventually concluded that he had no other choice for the time being.

Of course, he could have forcibly sent someone else, but there was no need to go that far when someone had volunteered. Moreover, since it was not just anyone but his ‘teacher’ who had taught him magic who had stepped forward, King Gustavus judged that it was proper to entrust this matter to her for the sake of her honor.

“Very well, then let my teacher take the lead. I know the situation is difficult, but please bring us a great benefit for the Kalmar Union if possible.”

“I shall obey your command, Your Majesty. I am Athena Invisible. I will surely bring good news for the Kalmar Union.”

Cardinal Richelieu, the chancellor of the Kingdom of France, was feeling great regret over the civil war in the Holy Roman Empire being resolved more quickly than he had anticipated.

“If the war had lasted a little longer, we could have taken the Alsace region… It’s such a pity how it turned out.”

While the Holy Roman Empire was in chaos, the Kingdom of France had been trying to gain territorial benefits.

However, although they had achieved some success, Richelieu had to stop the army’s advance at this point.

After all, the pretext under which Richelieu could move was ‘to help the Heretical Alliance and save the suffering citizens of the Empire.’ Since the Heretical Alliance and the Holy Roman Empire had agreed to negotiations, pressing further into Imperial territory would no longer fit that justification.

Of course, the Kingdom of France was undoubtedly part of the Church faction and carried out thorough suppression of heresy internally, but for the sake of national interests, such a contradiction could be overlooked.

After all, unlike the Holy Roman Empire, France had nipped the heretical forces in the bud from the beginning, so there was hardly any noise about it.

Having decided to halt the advance for now, Richelieu now had a letter before him informing of the negotiations in Westphalia requested by Wallenstein.

‘Negotiations… I must play my cards well here to solidify our control over the Lorraine region we have taken. And if I’m lucky, I may be able to gain even greater benefits…’

While warfare with swords could be considered halted to some extent at this point, for Richelieu, the chancellor and statesman of France, the true war was only just beginning.

What he had to accomplish to propel France’s advancement.

To tackle that decisively, he himself would need to attend the negotiations directly, not someone else.

“I shall go to Westphalia. Make the preparations.”

“Yes! Lord Chancellor!”

“Hahahahaha! You mean to tell me that Sigismund has lost all his power and become a mere figurehead?”

“Yes, Your Highness, that is correct.”

Friedrich, staying in the Lorraine region, was purely joyful at the news of the downfall of the Emperor he had considered his enemy.

Of course, the news of the defeat of Chris IV, whom he… or rather, his wife had supported, was also a painful story for Friedrich.

Fortunately, thanks to having thoroughly crushed General Spinola in the Lorraine region, this side had not suffered much damage. But this meant they had returned to a stalemate with the Empire, trading blows back and forth.

Friedrich’s dream of reclaiming his territory of the Palatinate as soon as possible had become more distant once again. However, in this situation, the news of the Emperor’s downfall meant that another opportunity had presented itself to him.

Of course, more than the political aspect, the fact that the Emperor who had tormented him was utterly ruined was an even greater joy for him.

“In any case, in relation to this, General Wallenstein, who has taken executive power, has requested a conference in the Westphalia region. It is estimated that most people involved in this war will gather there…”

“I must go, of course I must go myself. I have to go there and find some way to reclaim the Palatinate!”

For better or worse, he was still maintaining his position as the face of the Heretical Alliance.

Moreover, he had made several efforts for the Alliance, even if they did not work out well, so he could certainly claim to have a stake in this war.

With this, Friedrich set out for Westphalia along with the delegation sent by Lorraine.

Completely oblivious to the storm that would unfold when the major figures of the continent gathered there…