Ch.39Secret Agreement (4)

# Chapter 39: Secret Agreement (4)

Seeing Artraia’s puzzled reaction, I momentarily felt my mind go blank.

‘My child isn’t usually like this, why is she acting this way?’

But that confusion lasted only briefly, as I soon realized where Artraia’s gaze was directed.

‘…Ah, ah, ahhh.’

The already overflowing maternal instincts of Artraia, thanks to her maternal pouch, were focused on Gaia who couldn’t properly understand what I was saying.

‘This makes me look like the only trash here.’

I could almost hear phantom voices calling me trash, so I closed my eyes tightly before opening them again and said:

“Y-yes, well, um.”

And just then, I caught Artraia giving me a subtle wink, confirming that my assumption was correct.

“Ahem, then let me explain.”

“Yeees.”

“Riksi’s demand for a secret agreement is simple; they’re just trying to preserve their reputation somehow.”

“Reputation…you say?”

Gaia expressed a question for the first time in a while at my words.

“Yes, despite being a vassal state that sacrificed their freedom, they’re trying to switch masters as soon as their home country Kerjin faces a crisis.”

“Nnngh…”

I wondered if my words were too harsh, even as I said them.

“Arto is right. If they openly showed such behavior here… we would have to decline.”

For Artraia, whose main interest was imperial expansion, to say such things… it meant I could speak freely.

“Yes… it’s an issue of credibility in the international community, so it can’t be helped.”

“I see.”

If a country openly violates international law(?) just because they’re in danger, who would trust and accept such a nation?

Rather, accepting such a country would only lead to accusations that “these bastards are just as bad as those guys.”

“Of course, I appreciate that they’re not saying it openly but approaching us with a secret agreement instead!”

“Ah.”

It seemed Artraia was pleased that the Riksi Congressional Territory was being cautious in their actions.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

—————————-

We spent quite a long time exchanging opinions about this matter.

How much benefit or loss would occur from this situation.

We shared various hypothetical scenarios and opinions, but…

[Pause]

[Unpause]

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As far as I knew, having a conversation with someone who possessed one of the top intellects in this world was ultimately like this:

“So about the conditions we’ll demand from Riksi…”

[Pause]

‘Please stop, I can’t respond to such discussions immediately.’

I would repeatedly pause to consider my thoughts while Artraia would speak after thinking for mere seconds or minutes.

After much deliberation…

[Unpause]

“…What do you think?”

“I think your opinion is better, so let’s proceed with that.”

And when I couldn’t manage, I would just vaguely agree and move on.

Anyway, after what felt like an extremely long time (at least by my standards):

“Alright, so we’ve decided to… accept the secret agreement with Riksi?”

“Yes.”

Through this productive closed-door meeting, the Holy Sevelli Empire would now have the massive nation of Riksi Congressional Territory under its feet.

“Hmm… though realistically, the final decision will come after the next confidential meeting.”

“And we’ll need to discuss with the Riksi Congressional Territory as well, so it might take even longer.”

“Yes, so Arto, please handle the talks with Riksi well?”

“Ah.”

And naturally, the practical work became my responsibility…

I sighed deeply under Artraia’s pressure and said:

“Riel, you heard that?”

“Are you joking, Minister?”

Of course, since Riel’s work was essentially my work, there was no problem with this arrangement.

“Don’t joke around, Minister.”

And in our empire, the rights of robot friends were at the same level as graduate students, so it wasn’t an issue at all.

—————————

Through the small sacrifice of Riel, we were able to conclude negotiations with Riksi before the confidential meeting.

Of course, this wasn’t the end of the story.

“The request to make Riksi Congressional Territory a vassal state still has numerous issues that need to be judged.”

“Indeed, how can we trust those who have no faith or loyalty?”

Even in a confidential meeting presided over by the Emperor, the Holy Sevelli Empire’s characteristic political division and public opinion were on full display.

Seeing it all unfold again, I felt another throb in my temples.

Of course, if this had been presented as the opinion of the Emperor and myself from the beginning, it would have passed immediately due to the nature of absolute monarchy, but…

“But if we make Riksi Congressional Territory a vassal state, wouldn’t it be like gaining territory even more vast than the northern territories we lost?”

“Ha, what’s the use when Kar-Du completely prohibits the passage of military fleets in between?”

“If we ignore Kar-Du’s prohibition…”

“Such an act would invite major sanctions from the Galactic Alliance.”

As evident from the divided opinions, we had subtly leaked information about this matter to several members attending the confidential meeting.

We had guided them to propose this agenda themselves.

‘It’s troublesome, but considering public opinion within the empire, it can’t be helped.’

With my public image already being complex, if Emperor Artraia were to express the same opinion as mine?

Anyone would think, “Ah, those two are making decisions behind closed doors!”

‘Well, the Emperor, being regarded as a sage, wouldn’t face such criticism—I’d be the only one taking the blame.’

Of course, I didn’t blame them, as they were acting out of genuine concern for the empire in their own way.

And honestly, from my position, I just needed to keep my mouth shut during this meeting.

“What does the Minister of Diplomatic Affairs think?”

“Well… if it’s just about expressing my personal stance, that’s one thing, but regarding specific matters… I’d like to refrain from commenting.”

If someone asked me like this, I could subtly deflect and continue focusing on the conversation…

“Indeed, the Minister is also taking a cautious stance.”

“Well… hmm.”

They made their own assumptions, which made the conversation much easier.

Of course, the reason I could pull off this act was due to my “contributions” during the Prosnack Uprising.

“Has the opinion from Riksi been definitively consolidated?”

“Given their relatively primitive tribal group tendencies, Prime Minister Aramati cannot express an opinion alone.”

“So that means their opinion has already been finalized?”

And Artraia, seated on the imperial throne, was looking down at her subjects with a lofty expression.

With an even more relaxed expression than usual, she was merely looking down, but…

‘…She’s definitely enjoying this situation.’

Perhaps it was because we’d been together for ten years.

I could deduce that Artraia was currently relieving stress by watching her subjects debate something that had already been decided.

‘Somehow, her personality seems to be getting stranger in these situations.’

Contemplating Artraia’s increasingly cunning demeanor, I continued to guide the meeting toward approving the secret agreement with the Riksi Congressional Territory.

And after all that effort…

“Following the proposal initiated by Council Member Mirat, Council Member Ermidos, and four others regarding the review of the treaty with Riksi Congressional Territory…”

*Gulp*

“…with 86 votes in favor, 12 against, and 2 abstentions, we will proceed with the treaty to make Riksi Congressional Territory a secret vassal state of the Holy Sevelli Empire.”

Seeing such a favorable result, I almost clenched my fist in joy internally.

And after that, there wasn’t much else.

“Your Majesty, we present our humble petition from the Confidential Council.”

“Hmm, I permit it to be presented.”

After going through an extremely complex and lengthy formal ceremony, as befitting a petition to the sole deity of an absolute monarchy…

“I have reviewed your opinions well, and I authorize this treaty to proceed.”

“We are grateful for Your Majesty’s permission.”

Only after the formal ceremony was completed would the results of this confidential meeting be put into action.

And watching all of this once again, I couldn’t help but think the same thought as always:

‘What is this feeling of watching some mishmash historical drama?’

Of course, if I were to express such thoughts outwardly, our loyal gentlemen would tear me limb from limb…

So I kept it buried in my heart.