episode_0049

“Your Majesty the Emperor. The Novogord delegation has arrived and is waiting for your audience.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay! Come on in.”

The emperor’s appearance today is completely different from before.

Exaggerated gestures and a voice with a distinct sense of pitch.

Not only those inside Daejeon, but also those outside could tell.

An ordinary person might have tilted his head at this change.

But everyone gathered here is far from ordinary.

They already know that everything their emperor does now is calculated.

Those proud demons. That Novogord sent the delegation first.

But if the empire shows arrogance there, things will go wrong for no reason.

This could be an excuse to shake the position of the moderates in Novogorsk, who have been given strength.

In addition, this is also an excuse that takes external views into account.

Showing that anyone willing to join hands with the Empire is welcome.

It shows the tolerance of being able to treat each other as guests at any time, even though they were fighting just a short while ago.

Who could say that it is a lie when the Emperor of Steel welcomes us like this?

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire!”

The Novogord delegation, who entered Daejeon under guidance, bowed politely.

In the past, when the Empire and Novogord were growling at each other, they only showed their own manners.

In contrast, he is now thoroughly bowing down to the imperial etiquette.

Thanks to this, those who initially looked at me with distrust began to let their guard down a little.

The welcoming ceremony for the delegation continued in such a pleasant atmosphere.

Novogord sent several gifts to congratulate the Empire’s victory.

The emperor burst into laughter, seeming very pleased with their barrage of gifts.

He even threw some light jokes at the delegation.

Anyone who saw it would see that the monarch was very pleased with the delegation’s procession.

But when the official schedule was concluded and the delegation withdrew from Daejeon.

“Hmm.”

The emperor returned with a cold expression as if asking when he had ever smiled.

Rather, his gaze was even more gloomy than usual.

“What do you think of it?”

“I never thought the Novogord side would be so humble. Your Majesty.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I thought you would simply congratulate me on my victory, but looking at today’s events, there was even an atmosphere of subtly acknowledging the Empire’s superiority.”

As its nickname, Novogord, suggests, its territory is quite large.

They may not be comparable to the Empire, but they also have a formidable army.

Above all, as expected from the Demon Tribe, each individual’s fighting ability is exceptional.

Based on these points, Novogord fought for a long time for leadership in the empire and the north.

Sometimes through heavy military action. Sometimes through mild diplomatic conflict.

They have emphasized that although they are inferior to the Empire, they are by no means to be underestimated.

In the end, we were defeated, but it reminded us that the Empire would also have to shed a lot of blood.

But now it looks like Novogord has completely changed course.

I wonder if it’s because of the peace treaty that was previously signed, but it’s too much to say that’s the only reason.

“What do you think, Minister.”

Those who were directly questioned by the Emperor were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Special Affairs, respectively.

They exchanged glances for a moment, then laid out before the emperor what they had previously discussed.

“I think it’s probably because they felt a sense of crisis due to the quick ending across the eastern region.”

“A sense of crisis.”

“The Eastern campaign was not just a premature end, but the threat level was almost eliminated. This allowed the Empire to deploy at least two, and at most four, legions to other borders. Novogord must know this as well.”

The legions are the essence of the Empire’s national military force, consisting of between 5,000 and 20,000 soldiers.

Except in extreme circumstances, the force is comprised of recruits rather than conscripts, so training and morale are high.

Didn’t the 7th Army Corps stop Burkhay’s army of over 30,000 men at once? (Of course, the 17th Army Corps supported them from behind.)

An empire with as many as 20 powerful legions is worthy of being called a superpower.

But the empire’s territory is very large. It borders on other kingdoms along all its borders.

Therefore, in order to prepare for emergencies, we must deploy legions throughout the empire.

This is also why the empire and other nations were able to maintain a strange balance.

“… From Novogord’s perspective, it was a place that was in conflict with the Axis until recently. Although the moderates are said to have taken control of the council now, it is possible that things could change at any time. ”

“In that situation, the legions deployed in the east were freed, so they were naturally suppressed. Even for them, it would be impossible to deal with seven legions at the same time, right?”

The Emperor nodded to the two ministers’ remarks, but remained silent.

Then, this time, he pointed to the Minister of War who was sitting across from him.

“Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How much did the Imperial Legions project into the Eastern Campaign cost?”

“… More than four times the number of sorties the Empire normally operates between the two legions.”

Four times. The ministers’ expressions darkened for a moment at that word.

It only took a little over two months, and yet that much was consumed.

At this point, I might have to tighten my belt for a while.

“Minister of Finance. In this situation, seven corps are dispatched toward Novogord. If the total period is about four months, how much additional tax will be required?”

“There is not enough data to go into detail, but my guess is that it would be equivalent to pouring out the entire empire’s military budget for about three years at once.”

The military is a group of people who only consume and do no productive work.

Even if you just stay still, money flows out, but if you move outside, an incomparable amount of money flows out.

If it costs 1 to move one legion, does it cost 7 to move seven legions?

No. The cost of consumption will double. It will be a huge burden.

“As expected. Novogord didn’t come just to congratulate his country.”

The emperor, who finally understood their true intentions perfectly, smiled scornfully.

They came to investigate more closely the results of the movements of the five Imperial Legions.

To find out something that the Empire is trying to hide and not show.

A delegation is the best way to promote diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At the same time, it is a way to collect information with a legal identity.

It may not be possible to access critical information, but others will do so.

In any case, what they need to find out is the overall atmosphere and situation of the empire.

“What would you like to do, Your Majesty?”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs cautiously asks the Emperor what he thinks.

We all expected there to be other reasons, but predictions and certainty are two different things.

-Tuktuk

The emperor, after thinking for a moment, leaned back against the back of the chair and opened his mouth.

“Nobogord will probably expect that we will soon find out their intentions. So there is no reason to blush unnecessarily. After all, it is right that our empire achieved a great victory.”

“Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

“For the time being, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should focus on the three kingdoms beyond the eastern border. Only when the East moves in accordance with the Empire’s will will the next move be free.”

A coup across the western border and the subsequent rapid rise of Dedorant.

In the south, there are large-scale conflicts centered around the Holy See and the Benito Kingdom, respectively.

In a place where there is noise everywhere, it is most important to have at least one place that is stable.

That’s why we especially turn a blind eye to Novogord’s actions that are visible in the background.

Anyway, the Empire is also secretly gathering information on Novogord.

Hasn’t this always happened between nations?

Rather, it would be better to send a delegation and make one’s intentions public.

“By the way, I heard that the only daughter of the chairman of the Novogord Council accompanied the delegation this time. What happened to her?”

“If it’s Charleroi Estania, we have a special staff assigned to manage it.”

“Well done. Although he is officially one of the members of the delegation, he is actually a VIP and should not be treated lightly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep that in mind.”

It means that a certain degree of freedom of action should be guaranteed as long as it does not harm the empire.

When Charleroi heard the news, he said it was a good thing and asked for one favor.

And the emperor who heard that could not help but sigh and say, ‘Huh?’

*

“It is an honor to meet you. Prince Kael Klauwitz. My name is Charleroi Estania.”

A pure white hand suddenly extends forward.

I can’t help but think that it’s racist, or should I say speciesist?

Anyway, it made me reflect on my past self who had such thoughts.

Why, when you say demon, isn’t it typical for their skin to be dark or bluish in color?

The one with a tail and goat horns growing out of it is the demon from my past life.

I was thinking that maybe this is how the demons came into being.

But the demons I see now look so similar to humans.

Ah. But still, the demons have triangular pupils.

“… This is Kael Klauwitz. Miss Charleroi.”

I shook his hand and gave a brief introduction.

It was a very sudden meeting. It was said to be a request from the demon woman standing in front.

If you point me out specifically, you’ll say something like you really want to meet me at least once or something.

At first, I wondered if it was okay for someone in the delegation to act so personally.

But soon I found out this woman’s true identity and I could only nod my head.

“I heard she is the only daughter of the chairman of the Novogord Council. Please take good care of her. Prince Kael.”

Someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave me a heads up and asked me to do so.

You are an obvious guest of the Empire, so you cannot afford to make a mistake.

“I heard that you pointed me out and requested a meeting.”

“Yes. I really wanted to meet you. Since the border a while ago.”

“Border… If so. What.”

Then, a very mischievous smile appeared on the corner of the demon woman’s mouth.

“The Novogord Army, completely swept away by Confucius’s plan. I was there.”

“… Ah.”

That must have been the incident where I flew the kite and tried to imitate Mr. Gongmyeong.

As I was nodding my head as embarrassing memories came to mind, Charleroi’s reaction was strange.

“As expected. Does that mean you have no interest in that?”

“… Yes?”

“Well, considering what we saw across the eastern region this time, I don’t think that’s even a strategy. From Confucius’s perspective, that is.”