Ch.221Welcome to Seveli.

# Chapter 221: Welcome to Seveli

The fuss they made about an ambassador coming was already excessive.

But when the Supreme Commander of Prosnack comes in person, what could that possibly mean?

[Event: Dreaming of Prosnack’s Normalization]

[Jad Samiya Halabi’dus, the new Supreme Commander who previously served as a diplomat for Prosnack, has declared that the existing methods of the Prosnack Alliance are by no means correct.]

[Until now, they have successfully deterred conflicts with other nations through mysterious tactics, indomitable will, and powerful fleets.]

[However, he claimed that these methods have reached their limits, as evidenced by the annihilation of the Kerzin Federation.]

[Therefore, Commander Samiya has determined that now—with the change in leadership and the elimination of opposition through large-scale purges and civil war—is the optimal opportunity.]

[It was time to take a great step toward diplomatic normalization of the Prosnack Alliance.]

[And naturally, the first gateway for this step would be the Holy Seveli Empire, where he had previously served as a diplomat.]

[Related event in progress…]

At least one thing was certain.

“Everyone, bring three more potted plants over there!”

“No blind spots in the surveillance system. Have the Defense and Interior Ministries review additional security deployment plans.”

“Who the hell laid down a red carpet there?!”

At the very least, the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry under my direction was being torn apart in real-time.

Even when just a foreign minister-level official visits, we typically allocate at least a week for protocol preparations.

But now, a head of state—and from the largest and most powerful nation in the galaxy, no less—and we’re expected to complete protocol arrangements within a week? Does that make any sense?

“Minister, I heard Levia has returned.”

Despite receiving news that my precious Levia had returned with the purge unit members…

“Tell her she did well, and give everyone involved in the operation some leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

I couldn’t even properly greet her, being completely swamped with work.

——————————————

After pushing through a grueling week…

We somehow managed to at least maintain the “appearance” of proper protocol as we welcomed the Prosnack head of state’s delegation.

The entire route from Ka’zan International Spaceport to the Imperial Palace, no less.

“It’s been a while, Emperor Artraia.”

“It feels like just yesterday you were here as a plenipotentiary ambassador, and now you truly have ‘full authority.'”

And including the essential meeting between the heads of state as part of the protocol process.

“Shall we proceed then?”

“Yes.”

With the security work required for movements of such VIPs as the Emperor and Supreme Commander, plus traffic control and more…

Functioning as the control tower for a situation that mobilized nearly every government department, I felt like every ounce of energy was being drained from my body.

Normally in such cases, the control tower—the command center—should be handled by the Interior Ministry or the Imperial Household Ministry…

“Haha, I lack the experience, so it would be difficult for me.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for Minister Arto, with all your experience, to take charge? There would be no issues with rank or authority.”

The Interior Minister (20 years my senior, middle-aged by Sevelian standards) said such things and tossed the responsibility to me.

“This old man is too aged to exert such effort. Wouldn’t it be better for somewhat younger folks to handle this?”

The Imperial Household Minister, who also served as the Head of Imperial Internal Affairs, blatantly used his age as an excuse to push the responsibility onto me.

So I, caught in the middle, was forced to take command after being ganged up on.

Ordinarily, I would have subtly passed the responsibility to other ministers in turn…

Playing the typical civil servant hot potato game, but…

The problem was that after the Zeltech incident, all the senior ministers I could have passed to had been swept away.

In Artraia’s current Seveli government, I suddenly found myself ranked third in ministerial seniority.

For reference, the Imperial Household Minister mentioned above was ranked first.

And second was…

“You think I can handle that?”

“Couldn’t you, old man?”

“What am I supposed to do? Form a wall with tank divisions and advance?”

“…”

Having developed absolutely zero understanding in this area…

When asked to provide security for a head of state, the Defense Minister—an old man who nearly staged a coup with massive tank formations—was clearly not an option.

Like it or not, there was no one else but me who could do it.

“Redirect the traffic congestion on Route 334 to Route 51-9!”

“Anti-Prosnack faction protests? Just keep them contained but absolutely no media exposure!”

With all sorts of minor incidents continuing to occur…

I felt like the baldness I’d recently gotten rid of might return.

If there was any silver lining…

Considering we had less than a week of preparation time, the situation was flowing surprisingly smoothly.

Of course, this smooth operation was possible thanks to the cooperation of various departments mentioned above, and also…

“You bastard, are you going to be part of the anti-Prosnack faction or not?!”

“No, I won’t! I swear I won’t ever again!”

For those who wouldn’t listen, the enforcers and secret police uncles would personally become their “secret friends”…

This visiting service had been appropriately implemented from the past.

——————————————

Anyway, after Artraia and Commander Samiya entered the Imperial Palace…

“…Temporary release of situation control. The travel ban will also be temporarily lifted while the heads of state are in conference.”

“Confirmation of release. Raise the barriers blocking the main roads.”

The people around us showed signs of relief, thinking they finally had time to rest.

“…”

“Minister, it’s about time to prepare.”

“Right.”

But for me, Riel, and the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry, our work was just beginning.

Since the conversation between Artraia and Samiya was ultimately about “diplomacy”…

I, along with Prosnack’s Foreign Minister, would need to join them and continuously lubricate the dialogue between the leaders.

‘This is going to be hell.’

————————-

Fortunately, however, neither I nor the person who came as Prosnack’s Foreign Minister had anything to do during the two leaders’ conversation.

This made sense, as Samiya had originally been a diplomat…

From the beginning, he possessed knowledge and perspectives beyond that of most experts in diplomatic matters.

Artraia was also among the top five most intelligent people I’d ever met.

Perhaps it was because she inherited the bloodline of an ancient living dragon.

No matter what was said or how it was said, both sides naturally responded and tossed ideas back and forth without any help from me or the Prosnack Minister standing behind them.

Before long, the conversation continued solely between the two of them.

The Minister and I naturally moved to the makeshift chairs prepared in the conference room for the leaders’ meeting, leisurely observing the situation.

“The Emperor of Seveli is even more impressive than I had heard.”

“I’ve been watching your Supreme Commander since his diplomat days, and he truly is remarkable.”

To be precise, though I’m not sure if this is the right comparison…

It felt like we were grandfathers watching our granddaughters argue.

…At least the Prosnack Minister was genuinely an old man, so he probably really did have such thoughts.

Anyway, while the two of us were quietly chatting…

Artraia and Samiya, apparently finished with their discussion, naturally stood up and shook hands, showing a united front.

“Indeed, I have heard your opinion well.”

“I could not have anticipated that Your Majesty would offer such excellent insights.”

However, since I was busy talking with the Prosnack Minister, I didn’t properly hear what those two were discussing…

‘Well, an event message will probably appear later, or Riel will organize and bring me the summary, so do I really need to worry about it?’

Perhaps because I’d been through so much hardship over the past week…

Mentally worn out, I decided to let the situation pass without giving it much thought, even as I watched the two of them looking at each other with meaningful smiles.