episode_0015

No matter how much he carried the authority of the Emperor as his representative, in the end, he was just a nine-year-old child.

It must be pitiful in the eyes of the kings of kingdoms or the pontiffs of the church.

However, he couldn’t show that he felt pitiful on his face.

The military power of the Kingdom of Belbur is nothing compared to the Empire. Both the Kingdom of Belbur and the Empire are conscription states, but in terms of the number of soldiers per capita, the Empire has more, and naturally, compared to the Empire with a much larger population, the military power of the kingdom is extremely unstable.

Furthermore, compared to the Empire actively expanding its modern air force and navy, the military power of the kingdom is still “medieval.” Of course, that doesn’t mean they fight with swords, spears, and bows, but they still lack an absolute number of tanks and aircraft. Thinking about the Empire’s military, which is transitioning from tanks from the First World War to main battle tanks with rotating turrets and powerful main guns, the kingdom’s military can be said to be extremely weak.

Moreover, even the seemingly inefficient air battleships, which are the epitome of inefficiency, do not have highly advanced surface-to-air missiles in this world.

There is no surface-to-air gun on an air battleship that can achieve the range of a main gun. And there is no surface-to-air gun with enough penetration power to penetrate the armor of the air battleship Drednought, which has been in existence until now.

In theory, it should be fired as a “ship-to-ship gun,” but even roughly thinking about the range difference between a gun firing from the sea towards the air and a gun firing from the air towards the sea, there is an overwhelming difference.

An air battleship can move at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. It is faster than any warship in this world, and since it doesn’t move alone in the first place, it is not easy to carry a huge bomber and drop bombs.

And again, it must be emphasized that the Empire’s air force is the strongest in the world. If a slow bomber comes from a distance compared to a fighter, it was highly likely to be shot down. And most likely, the bomber is also of imperial origin.

In summary, a huge airship fires more powerful shells than modern ship-to-ship guns at a ship-to-ship gun range, and that too, relatively accurately aimed and fired in the air, which is more like a ship’s armor, and surrounded by dozens of fighters. For countries just entering the modernization era, it is a terror in itself.

In reality, the role of the air battleship in the Empire’s doctrine is like a gunship and a panzer of the modern US military. The problem is that there is no suitable means to shoot it down.

Therefore, even if they actually think differently, the kingdom’s king and the pontiff’s representative showed a very respectful attitude towards me.

“I understand the intention of the church. However, we cannot give up our religious freedom. The Kingdom of Belbur is a nation made up of many races from ancient times. If we make the Goddess religion the state religion, it will cause severe social unrest. I’m sorry, but we will have to reject that this time as well.”

“We always appreciate your words, but we regret it.”

However, showing a respectful attitude does not mean they are seriously involving me in the meeting.

In fact, I had no intention of actively participating, and out of the three countries in this trilateral meeting, even the country with the most to say is just these two. In reality, the Empire, which wields absolute power, did not need to interfere with these two countries. Who knows what might happen if they encroach on the Empire’s rights.

Thanks to that, I was able to spend most of the time during the meeting enjoying a nice cup of tea. The milk tea with plenty of milk and sugar was delicious, as expected. Was it a specialty of the Kingdom of Belbur?

“The Kingdom may be small, but we possess a strong military force. We thought that if we could join hands with the Kingdom, we could also benefit greatly…”

“Hmm…”

The king glanced at me.

Look at these people.

The Kingdom of Beoguk is a very small country. To be precise, it is almost as small as a single city. It gained independence through some treaty that happened centuries ago.

Perhaps due to its religious symbolism, Beoguk is a country that is heavily inclined towards ‘fantasy’. Well, even an empire with practical aerial battleships flying in the sky is considered fantasy, but Beoguk leans even more towards fantasy than such an empire.

The knights of the sacred magic-using cathedral are more threatening in a different way than the soldiers carrying firearms. Although they are few in number, if they were to enter the battlefield, they would be able to demonstrate the prowess of tactical weapons.

So, Beoguk is proposing an alliance to the Kingdom.

“….”

I watched the two of them closely but remained silent.

In fact, I already knew the truth to some extent. The Kingdom ultimately opposes the unification of religions, but Beoguk seems to be helping the key figures of the Kingdom.

It may seem like they are challenging the imperial hegemony. At first glance, they may seem like normal and rational religious individuals, but in reality, they harbor ambitions to unify all religions in the world into one goddess religion.

The Empire is a melting pot of different races, cultures, and religions than the Kingdom. People from numerous colonies, cultures of countries that were once separate but merged, and indigenous religions are all tangled up. Naturally, Beoguk would see them as distant.

Of course, strictly speaking, it’s like a ‘final goal’. Just as the constitutional final goal of the South Korean government is to reunify with North Korea but in reality, they are not aggressively invading for various practical reasons, Beoguk also knows well that if they were to actually execute such a plan, they would be wiped off the map.

So, they are thoroughly changing things starting from the realistic aspects.

The Kingdom is a country that is directly exposed to the threat of the Empire. Although the Empire seems satisfied with its current situation, internal dissatisfaction has been accumulating. And the best way to channel that dissatisfaction is to create an outlet externally.

It is not unreasonable for the small countries like the Kingdom and Beoguk, which face the Empire along their borders, to view the Empire with the same perspective.

Therefore, the conversations going back and forth in the trilateral talks are likely just for show, and in reality, those two will probably have separate discussions. Even if things fall through here, a secret alliance is likely forming behind the scenes.

Of course, even if it’s just for show, Beoguk must act to the best of their ability to make the Empire sincerely believe the situation.

Was the slight grimace on the king’s face a mix of sincerity?

“….”

I pondered as I looked at the two of them.

Whether the alliance is formed or not, the Emperor will eventually make a move. So… actually, whatever I say or don’t say here is not really important.

“…It does not mean to deny the goddess. Our royal family has believed in the goddess religion for generations. But if we were to recognize that religion as the ‘sole’ religion, discontent will surely arise within the Kingdom. In that case, the alliance with Beoguk would lose its meaning, wouldn’t it?”

“So, we will have the cathedral knights that Beoguk boasts about take care of the hole.”

“It sounds like deploying an army in the Kingdom.”

It’s a struggle.

In reality, they are already stationed there.

Of course, they are so few in number that they are not there to exploit money like the US military, and they are not even at the level of a battalion.

I had entered disguised as a clergyman in the goddess religion church in the Kingdom. I know this setting well as it appeared in the main story.

Well, even so, I thought a secret alliance was more than just a book that couldn’t be seen in front of my eyes.

“If.”

Honestly, I didn’t particularly like the faction known as the Law Kingdom. The creepy atmosphere and the fact that each character seemed to be suffering from some sort of mental illness didn’t sit well with me. I mean, sure, I might have been okay with characters like fanatics from some crappy manga, but there was something off about this faction.

Characters who pretend to believe in a religion while enjoying killing people, or those who casually slaughter civilians while claiming that only the name of the goddess is justice, and the popularity of such characters in a faction that deals with such themes, it was all very strange. It felt like something out of a Japanese RPG, with the added bonus of doing laundry later on.

Of course, there were some good characters too, some who became friends with the protagonist or even heroines, but some characters were so unlikable that I found myself often criticizing the entire faction.

There were times when I even considered plagiarizing parts of the setting and passing them off as my own… but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Anyway, that was the kind of country it was, and I sometimes felt compelled to speak my mind, even if it was a bit awkward.

For example.

“If the Empire were to make the Goddess religion the state religion, does the Law Kingdom have any intention of forming an alliance with the Empire?”

I said this to the two people who stiffened at my words.

Of course, the Emperor was a human who abhorred the existence of the goddess, so it was a story that would never be entertained. It was more of a casual remark, really.

Whether the goddess existed in the setting or not, I didn’t like the Law Kingdom. Naturally, I had no intention of forming an alliance.

From the Empire’s perspective, it wasn’t necessary either.

“…Are you saying that the Empire is considering accepting the Goddess religion as the state religion?”

“It depends on the benefits. The Empire is a modernized nation, so there is currently no intention to institutionalize an unproven belief as the state religion. However, if the benefits outweigh the harm that may arise, it is not something that cannot be considered.”

The representative of the Law Kingdom narrowed his eyes at my words. He was probably trying to discern whether this was just idle talk or not.

Moreover, if the Law Kingdom were to attach itself to the Empire, there was a possibility that it would be absorbed by the Empire. The Empire was a powerful nation, after all. Judging by the Emperor’s attitude, he would willingly do so.

And even if the Goddess religion were to become the state religion of the Empire, it would be impossible to eradicate all other religions. Unless the Empire intended to tear itself apart, even if the proposal were to be implemented, it was unlikely to go beyond mere “institutionalization.”

However, at the same time, the proposal touched on the very essence of the Law Kingdom’s existence. It was a first step towards abolishing all religions in the world and unifying them under one true faith. Of course, this would only be possible under the assumption that the Law Kingdom would not be absorbed by the Empire.

“Is this the will of His Majesty the Emperor?”

The ambassador of the Law Kingdom asked me.

“I would like to ask that myself. Since the Pontiff has not personally come, do the words of the ambassador in front of me carry the same weight as those of the Pontiff?”

“I attended as the representative of the Pontiff. Naturally, everything I say reflects the intentions of the Law Kingdom.”

“Is that so? Then my words are also equivalent to the words of the great Emperor of the Empire. I attended as a ‘representative’ of the Emperor.”

I looked back and forth between the stern-faced King and the ambassador of the Law Kingdom, then turned to the ambassador again.

“If your words truly represent the ‘will of the Law Kingdom’ as the ‘representative of the Law Kingdom,’ do you take responsibility for everything you have said here?”

“Of course. That is why I came here. Isn’t that the case for the Princess as well?”

“One cannot lie in the presence of the King of Belur Kingdom, can they?”

The king’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of “Your Majesty,” but I didn’t pay much attention and continued speaking.

“If that’s the case, I would like to inquire from this position, leveraging the authority of the esteemed Emperor.”

I asked the two individuals who were staring at me intently.

“Is there perhaps more to discuss outside of this trilateral meeting? I am curious whether the conversation I witnessed with my own eyes here is truly for all three parties, or if there are other alliances being formed outside.”

“….”

Since the king showed no particular emotion, I felt a bit sorry for trying to intimidate them in this manner, but it was quite amusing to see the stern expression of the imperial envoy harden.

Well, they wouldn’t directly answer me even if they heard this, and alliances would be formed as they were meant to be.

“Is there a basis for your question? If speaking with the weight of His Majesty’s authority on your shoulders, the question should be asked with the corresponding determination.”

This time, the king spoke with a serious expression.

“Do you need a basis for your question? While discussing military alliances between us, is it unfair to confirm once again whether the words spoken here are truly for the benefit of all three parties, or if it is to isolate one nation?”

“….”

The two individuals remained silent in response to my question.

It was a flawed question, but… since I made it clear that I came with the “authority of the Emperor,” these people would find it difficult to confidently say “no.” By speaking out, they would be officially denying it, and they would have nothing to say later.

Well, they wouldn’t break the alliance, but just by listening to what these people were saying, it was clear. They must neither affirm nor deny. Even if they were exposed later, they could simply say, “We did not speak.”

“I would like to ask again.”

Breaking the silence, the imperial envoy spoke.

“Does the Empire truly intend to make the Goddess religion the state religion?”

“I’m sorry, but that is just my personal opinion. It is something that requires the approval of the Empire’s assembly. I cannot give a definite answer.”

It was a dual answer.

At first glance, it seemed like the administrative branch, the Emperor, and the legislative branch, the Empire’s assembly, had different authorities, so they answered in that way as it seemed to be “beyond the Emperor’s authority.” However, the Empire’s assembly merely played along with the Emperor’s words. And it was possible to easily deduce this fact from the Emperor’s actions.

Just a moment ago, he seemed to be able to do everything with the Emperor’s authority, but he canceled his words while citing the assembly’s excuse.

It was a situation that raised blood pressure from the listener’s perspective.

But what can you do?

The power of the Empire’s Emperor was behind me.

Besides, I really don’t care about the image of the Empire here. If I did, the Emperor wouldn’t have sent me here in the first place.

As I turned my attention away from the conversation and picked up my teacup again, the two individuals stared at me for a while.

Why. What. Why.

There’s nothing more to discuss here anyway.

The rest can be handled by the two of them.

Is an evil empire really an evil empire for no reason?