episode_0074

A few hours before Kael entered the country.

Isabel was exchanging various opinions with the Crown Princess through the communication channel.

“… Sister.”

Isabel, who had been calling the Crown Princess just the Crown Princess a little while ago.

But as the conversation progressed, I couldn’t shake off my feeling of frustration.

Finally, Isabel decided to reveal everything she felt.

“Is this really true? Why should our empire retreat?”

I’m bursting with frustration. The Empire is clearly the most powerful nation on the continent.

Half of the southern kingdoms received ‘friendship money’ from the Empire.

To the people of the kingdom, it would be proof that they had gained both profit and pride.

But from the perspective of those in power, it means bowing down to the empire.

What about the Kyo-guk? He tried to climb up the ranks of the empire, but was immediately stopped.

Still, he didn’t show any sign of displeasure and just smiled and backed away.

Even the stationing of the Imperial Legion is showing a favorable response.

The situation is this: no one dares to question the imperial order.

Now we are about to judge Benito for daring to commit all sorts of ridiculous acts.

[ You’re saying the obvious, Bell. That’s because Dedrant was stationed in Benito. ]

“Benito isn’t a vassal of Dedorant.”

[ Instead, it’s an alliance. An alliance where one side naturally has a reason to participate when attacked. ]

“That’s why I don’t understand it even more. You talk about an alliance, stationing troops in Benito, and then sending a delegation to our empire to take a humble stance? It doesn’t make sense.”

The Empire has won a great victory. A few days after Benito’s crushing defeat.

The Prince of Dedorant, who had hurriedly entered the empire, delivered a personal letter from the King.

There was a humble attitude there, almost embarrassing, and a plea, no, a beg.

[ As a Dedorant who has formed an alliance with Benito, I have sent troops to establish that position. However, I have absolutely no intention of fighting the Empire. If the Empire were to attempt to occupy Benito, I would only pretend to fight and then retreat. ]

“Do you really believe he’ll do that?”

[ If our Empire is truly determined, they will do the same. Perhaps they have calculated. To confront the Empire immediately would be suicidal. ]

We just merged Atria. It will take at least a few months to digest.

There is also a need to replenish the military forces depleted by the attack on De Galle.

At the same time, in order to cut off DeGallet’s remaining breath, a double-front must be avoided at all costs.

Dedorant is truly bowing down to the Empire now. Yes. ‘Now’, that is.

[ The Prince of Dedorant is truly clever. He is making a move to establish both the Empire and Dedorant while at the same time making sure that our Empire will not really occupy Benito. ]

“… Do we really have to do that? Benito is the one who declared war? We almost beat Benito? There’s no problem if we advance like this and take over?”

The Crown Princess smiles bitterly at Isabel’s grumbling.

[Benito himself is not the problem. Bell.]

“Then?”

[ The real problem is that it is still premature to change the imperial order that has been declared on the continent so far. ]

“I don’t quite understand.”

The Crown Princess smiled at Isabel’s words and explained.

Over the years, the empire has absorbed many regions by force and destroyed countless kingdoms.

Much blood was shed, and much anger and hatred was directed at the Empire.

Then, at some point, it stopped and became the border of the current empire.

At the same time, the empire declared that it would not expand its territory any further.

[Why do you think the previous emperors made such a decision? Bell. For the peace of the continent? No. In your opinion, that was the extent to which the empire at the time could handle it.]

To many parts within the Empire, and to many elements outside the Empire.

Isabelle still seemed hesitant to the Crown Princess’s words.

[ Think of Novogord and the three eastern kingdoms. The reason they recognize the imperial order on this continent is because we are keeping our promise. That promise not to expand our territory. Thanks to that, the pro-imperial faction in each country can continue to be maintained. ]

Even an empire would have a hard time if hostile actions continued from the east, west, south, and north.

You cannot become the strongest through force alone. Conquest must be followed by internal affairs.

Otherwise, you’ll end up throwing up everything you ate.

“… Now that Novogord is under the control of the moderates, the East is also in a situation where it is difficult to oppose the Empire. And since the South is half-subdued, can’t we fight against Dedorant?”

[Bell. Do you know why war happens?]

“Because of the conflicts between each country?”

[ No. It’s simple. For each’s own benefit. They insert excuses and justifications in between, but if it doesn’t ultimately lead to a benefit, then war won’t happen. ]

And on the contrary, a war that only results in losses is not really a victory even if it is won.

At the Crown Princess’s words, Isabelle sighed as if she finally understood.

“If we fight Dedorant right now, we’ll lose more than we gain.”

[They say that the moderates have taken control of the Novogord Council, but we need to wait and see what happens. The balance of power is still tight in the three eastern kingdoms. We can’t be safe until they completely tilt to the pro-imperial faction. And we can’t exert our strength when our rear is unstable.]

An empire that recognizes Novogord’s authority even though he has seized the opportunity.

An empire that did not collapse despite its overwhelming superiority throughout the East.

There will be those who will look at it and shout, ‘Look. The Empire keeps its promises. So standing on the Empire’s side is the way to survive now, and also the way to the promised prosperity in the future.’

But. What if the Empire suddenly occupies Benito? What if they devour the South?

No one knew what kind of fires would break out in the north and east.

If the anti-imperialist faction gained power and chaos worsened, everything we had done so far would go back to square one.

Don’t you think there is a justification for declaring war? The same goes for the East.

From the Empire’s perspective, they had finally started a pro-imperial farming project in the East, so they couldn’t ruin it.

If you do it right, you can reap a lot of benefits, so isn’t it a waste?

[The Prince of Dedorant knows that. The Empire also needs to catch its breath.]

“If the Empire catches its breath, won’t they have little chance of winning?”

[ So, they will attack Degalle and try to subdue Los Tanica as well. ]

At the Crown Princess’s words, Isabelle looked as if she did not understand for a moment.

It’s a difficult time for the Empire right now, but it’s definitely a difficult time for Dedorant.

Then wouldn’t it be better to just attack Dedorant now?

If we delay any longer, we’ll have to deal with them who are overwhelmingly stronger?

[ As I said. We need more stability in the North and East. And the South is included. And… Dedorant himself stepped in and erased the number of cases that could have been a good excuse. ]

“… The shameful low-level posture they showed.”

[ It doesn’t look very good to suppress those who bow their heads and say they don’t want conflict with the empire. ]

The larger a country is, the greater its power and authority.

But as the country grows larger, the borders of its neighbors grow larger proportionally.

The Empire is certainly strong, but if it rises up from all sides, things could get a little weird.

[ Take a deep breath. After stabilizing the other areas perfectly, focus on Dedorant. At that point, they will have to make a choice. Either take that much power and claim to be the second-in-command of the continent and kneel to the empire. Or challenge this position to become another empire. ]

And a few days later.

It was Isabel who heard similar opinions as the Crown Princess from Kael who had just arrived.

“The Crown Princess said so.”

“Yes, Kael.”

“… I also agree with Your Majesty. The Dedorant that has grown later is burdensome enough, but I am more concerned about the regions that have not yet stabilized.”

“East, even though Kael himself came forward and used such a scheme?”

Kael shakes his head.

“We need more time. Right now, the East is probably biting and tearing at each other like crazy. In the process, their national power will be consumed, but their anger toward the Empire will continue to burn.”

“Does that mean it can be turned off?”

“I’ll turn it off. It seems to me that the Imperial leadership has already prepared the next move.”

“… How do you know that?”

“Because Her Highness the Crown Princess is not the type of person to discuss them without any plan or method.”

As he said that, Kael looked at his hand, which was still being held by Isabel.

Then he changed positions slightly and gently touched Isabel’s hand.

“There’s no need to be nervous. It’s just a simple breather. Now you have to run farther and further, but if you do that with the body you were running with just a moment ago, you’ll make mistakes and get injured.”

“Ah… .”

“You said the Crown Princess mentioned the ‘Imperial Promise’? As far as I know, promises are not eternal. When everything is ready to take the next leap, it goes beyond that.”

Bring the East under complete control. Consolidate the position of the moderates in the North.

Now, if the pro-imperial faction is firmly established in the south, centered around the religious state.

Who would dare to oppose the empire creating new territories there?

*

‘It’s scary.’

My body trembled without me knowing. It felt like I could feel the hot flames all the way here.

Our princess doesn’t know yet, but she will find out soon after she returns.

How angry His Majesty the Emperor, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, and the Imperial leadership must be right now.

But for now, Dedorant’s words are correct, so he’ll give it a go.

How could I not be angry when they dare to play such a trick on the Empire?

‘It’s going to be a war of destruction soon.’

Dedorant is for survival. And to become the true empire of the West.

The Empire is trying to subdue any future rivals who might dare to slyly threaten the Empire.

Whoever clears the interior first, once that’s done, the real war begins.

Dedorant is the remaining areas of the merged Atria and D’Galle, and possibly Los Tanica.

The Empire will still be comprised of Novogord and the three eastern kingdoms, which remain somewhat unstable.

‘Or maybe we can try to shake things up the other way around.’

Anxiety is rising. There’s one thing Dedorant could throw at you right now.

While our empire is quite far from Dgalena and Los Tanica, it is difficult to reach them.

They have easy access to Novogord through Atria.

How can you be so sure? It’s simple. It’s a very obvious reason.

If I were a Dedorant person, I would definitely stir up the demons.