episode_0136

The day after my mother-in-law came.

Today, I wake up early in the morning and am busy with work.

It’s already lunchtime, but should we manage internal affairs or prepare for war? dizzy.

War is war, but internal affairs cannot be neglected either…

First, I compare the tax revenue collected last year and this year and monitor the status of the technology investment fund I created.

“There are fewer projects invested than expected.”

An investment fund on a scale unprecedented in the history of the empire.

The scale is enormous, but the problem is that the number of projects eligible for investment from the fund is too small.

Can’t you help it?

Basically, this is a society with a high illiteracy rate.

There are no official statistics, but my estimate is that 20-30% can write and read, and the rest are illiterate.

I guess so. If you have the skills to fill out complex documents, you will be treated well here.

It can be said that no one has learned magic or engineering to that extent.

Additionally, there are examples of people bringing in unrealizable technologies and getting lost in investment funds.

The size of the investment fund is ridiculously large, but the number of people who actually benefit is much smaller than expected, which is worrying.

“Hmm… I guess we need to add territory development money to the investment fund.”

By offering carrots to the nobles and great nobles who manage small and medium-sized fiefdoms using the territory development funds, it may be possible to create a conciliatory relationship with them.

In addition, the entire empire will actually be developed.

When organizing the necessary data for a new item.

-smart!

[His Majesty the Grand Duke. Members of Congress visited.]

I answer that question.

“Tell them to come in.”

-Quick!

The door opens and three somewhat familiar people come in.

Charles, President of the Council.

Pompey had a strong influence among the neutral faction.

And the co-heads of the imperial faction are Enrique, a councilor from the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Luis, a councilor from the Kingdom of Erne.

“You’re busy, but I’m really sorry for calling you this.”

I say that and point to the sofa with my hand.

“The reason I have called you now is to brief you on the treaty that I will propose to Congress the day after tomorrow.”

When I offered a sofa, Pompey was the first among the council members to take a seat and speak.

“Hmph, a treaty. What kind of insidious thing are you planning?”

I reply with a wry smile to Pompey’s seemingly suspicious words.

“There is nothing sinister going on. I plan to seek the cooperation of the United Kingdom just to end the civil war a day early.”

“Rather than seeking cooperation with external forces, please release Sir William from within as soon as possible. It makes no sense to imprison the hero of the empire.”

I nod as Elike, a councilor from the Bohemian Kingdom, speaks.

“Soon they will be released. The Golden Knights are a precious order to me.”

Saying that, I take out the treaty that Edward and I, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, agreed upon and present it to them.

“This?”

All members, including Chairman Charles, hold up the treaty I hold out and begin to read it.

-Flutter.

Before, whenever I suggested doing something, everyone looked at me with suspicion.

Is it because you know the weight of the content?

“Hmm… I’m reluctant to have the United Kingdom intervene in the civil war.”

“I also agree. Representative Pompey. I also wonder whether we need to give up naval training for 20 years just because we are in a hurry.”

When Pompey and Charles look closely and then open their mouths, Enrique and Representative Luis speak with much thought.

“But if the United Kingdom helps, the war can end as soon as possible.”

“That’s right. Their support, rather than unconditional opposition, has the power to easily destroy Nicaea’s navy.”

I nod my head and think about those words.

Certainly, the imperial faction would think that it is important to end the war victoriously as soon as possible.

“But… This looks like an honorable empire begging for help from the United Kingdom.”

Lewis answers those words.

“That said, since the Duchy of Dupol surrendered, a large army of 130,000 is threatening the country and Erne. If it falls into the hands of its own country, the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Nicaea, then the power to suppress Nicaea will disappear.”

“That is correct.”

Saying that, I take out the war map from my desk drawer.

“Now look here.”

He refers to the kingdoms of Bohemi and Erne, which extend from east to west along the Ljoren Mountains.

“If Nicaea conquers these two kingdoms.”

He continues by pointing to the entrance to the Ljoren Mountains.

“We will deploy troops here. Because of the rugged mountain ranges here, major wars have often occurred here. If we deploy troops here and on the side road of Dupol, it will not be easy for us to attack the Kingdom of Nicaea.”

As time passes, Nicaea, which has a large number of kingdoms, will become increasingly powerful.

And if there is no food for Egypt, the entire food must be imported from the United Kingdom or the Kingdom of Soissons, which will have a fatal negative impact on the security of the empire.

The empire has already lost its supply of wheat at home since last week.

Although information is still slow here, there are not many people who know clearly about this, but if food is not resolved soon, there will be great confusion.

Nicaea probably had some of this in mind as well.

Anyway, I will inform the lawmakers who are not yet aware of this fact.

“Currently, the empire has lost its supply of wheat from Ezip.”

The atmosphere in the hall becomes heavy at my words.

“Well… isn’t that urgent?!”

“Roman City cannot be maintained without food at home. Are you out of your mind to report on such an important matter now?! Archduke, are you really crazy?”

I shake my head at those words.

“No, it’s completely normal. If I am being honest, I plan to form an alliance with the United Kingdom and put an end to Nicaea.”

Everyone looks puzzled at my words.

“Form an alliance with the United Kingdom… End Nicaea’s life?”

I nod my head at the words of the dumbfounded lawmakers.

“Nicaea has the strongest naval power in the empire.”

They were a nation well-versed in maritime trade, building cities here and there on ships even before the empire was established.

“That’s why… they believe in their powerful naval power and control the empire’s seas as they please.”

So saying, I point to the Adriatic Sea.

“However, if they land here under the escort of the United Kingdom fleet and cut off the supply of a large army of over 100,000, they will be trapped in Dupol. We plan to weaken them so that they surrender and punish Nicaea.”

Everyone looks thoughtful at what I say.

Charles says, looking at the map closely.

“Oh? Certainly, no matter how strong Nicaea’s navy is, it is nowhere near the United Kingdom. Using this method, we could isolate the great army of Nicaea, imprison them in Dupol, and starve them to death.”

Of course, there are plans to destroy Nicaea other than this, but that is a story for another time.

“But the Archduke. If the treaty is officially passed by the National Assembly, Nicaea will definitely notice. They will also try to protect the Adriatic Fortress… Are they confident of taking it?”

When Pompey said something that hit the nail on the head, I took out the card I had been hiding.

“I plan to use the Golden Knights.”

“What?! Archduke, are you really a human being? Are you going to subject Sir William and the Golden Knights to harsh torture and humiliation and send them into dangerous operations?”

I shrug my shoulders at that.

“Of course, we insulted him, but we never tortured him.”

I heard today that they have been training inside the prison since morning.

But… where on earth did the rumor that I torture people come from?

“Don’t lie. I heard that Roman Prison is now managed by the Intelligence Department. I heard that they are also experts at torture.”

aha…

Currently, the Ministry of Intelligence is quite infamous within Romania.

When those suspected of being part of the Ioane faction were arrested and investigated.

I heard that they also work to obtain confessions through torture or drugs.

But there is no way they would torture the Golden Knights…

If I can’t go to war, wouldn’t it be a loss for me?

In fact, thanks to them eating so well, it is a secret that they even prepared an emergency budget plan for the Ministry of Intelligence and secretly supported it.

“Keuhum… No. Sir William and the Golden Knights are on holiday in the Roman Prison. If you don’t believe me, come visit.”

If you wish, we can give you a visit permit.

“That’s right… It’s a tough situation.”

I nod my head at those words.

“That’s right. If you do this, Ioannes will erase the Golden Knights from his mind.”

This is the part I was aiming for.

“The Golden Knights have tremendous combat power. And this time, the Kingdom of Chardinya has decided to send a troop of wizards, so I plan to send 40,000 soldiers along with them.”

We are planning to assign to them the 40,000 troops who have been summoned through the current summons order.

In that case, occupying the Adriatic fortress would not be a task.

“Hmm… I’m sure… If this is the case, the war will end in vain.”

I nod my head at those words.

“Yes. So this alliance must be passed in Congress.”

Luis and Enrique speak with touched faces at my words.

“Grand Duke, you are truly the light of the empire.”

“Even heaven will be surprised by His Highness’s strategy. I, Enrique… I will do my best to get this treaty passed by Congress.”

As I listen to them, I look at Chairman Charles and Pompey.

Pompey speaks after much deliberation.

“In exchange for giving up naval power for 20 years, we end the war quickly… I don’t like the idea of inviting foreign powers into the civil war. But it would be better than having the empire’s capabilities damaged by a pointless civil war…”

And let’s look at Chairman Charles…

“I also agree. Although the actions of the United Kingdom are reprehensible, if the civil war continues, it will not be good for the Empire either. I would rather submit the treaty to Congress tomorrow and I will vote on it tomorrow.”

After listening to Chairman Charles, I nod and say.

“I would be honored if you would do so.”