"Doesn't this feel great? It is just like a cafe terrace."
"... Yes. In the courtyard with piling snow, a cafe terrace surrounded by nacing soldiers. This will definitely be popular in the empire. Although I haven't seen one before."
"It might attract a huge crowd."
Altina seed to be in a good mood and smiled.
Diethart didn't look too friendly.
"Belgarians seem to prefer drinking coffee by the side of a road. How queer."
"The northern nations are cold, so it's understandable. Belgaria has a warm climate and the wind feels nice. That might be so, but I have never visited an open air cafe by the streets before... Just once, I want to try drinking coffee in a nice shop."
If Altina visited a cafe terrasse, it would attract a large crowd of spectators. Drinking coffee leisurely was impossible.
There should be a balcony in the palace Regis swallowed these words. The coffee in a place filled with the jealousy and mockery won't taste nice no matter what.
Ti to go into the main topic.
"Princess, there isn't much ti left before the sun sets."
"We have questions for you, Diethart. Are you the king of Bargainheim?
"Nein. We ford a nation but we have no kings. I just happened to be one of the founders, so everyone follows my lead."
"Isn't that a king?"
"I won't take money or food from my fellow citizens."
"Oh, so there is no taxation."
Diethart nodded.
Altina thought it was sothing fresh and interesting.
"Isn't that great Regis? A country without taxes! The citizens must be so happy!"
"... If the citizens don't think it is unfair."
"Wouldn't everyone be equal if there were no taxes?"
"For example... The fields need to be guarded. Who will decide the order of the watch?"
"Hmm? Wouldn't a representative like Diethart do that?"
"I see. Then the king is Mr. Diethart and the taxes will be in the form of labor as the watchn. When 2 or more people live together, there will be people who make decisions and people who provide services. No matter what their nas may be, they are still the kings and tax collectors.
"Ah, that's how it is."
"No taxation ans no country. An organization can't be ford with ideals alone... Although the citizens will still be supportive while the country was still winning battles..."
Regis stopped here.
Diethart glared at him.
"Bargainheim might indeed be a small nation and it is a fact we could not reach our ideals in many areas. But the empire is wrong. We have many people who ca to us to escape the tyranny of the empire."
Regis didn't argued and waited for Altina to speak.
This was the dialogue she was hoping for, he can only assist her from the side.
If she wants to take the path of greatness, negotiations such as this were unavoidable. Considering Regis' position, it was possible for the other party to refuse dialogue with him.
Altina needed to take the lead in the dialogue.
"I think the empire is wrong too."
He should have answered instead Regis regretted his decision and his stomach started to hurt.
Her words probably didn't reach Jero and the troops standing by the wall in the courtyard. Even so, this wasn't sothing you should confess plainly to the barbarians.
Diethart was baffled.
"What are you saying? You are not making sense."
"There is no reason why a royalty can't be against the empire right?"
"They shouldn't be able to, that is their position."
A barbarian lecturing a royal princess on what her mindset should be, how troubling.
But Diethart was very well educated.
He was explaining the theory correctly.
Altina shook her head.
"I want to live for my beliefs, and not let others set my position for ."
"So you are going against the empire."
"You want to save the citizen that are treated unjustly?"
"You are wrong. When large armies clash and lead to civil war, the ones who suffer are the citizens."
Regis thought about this too.
But the answer was clear when he reads the chronicles of history.
Altina understood as well.
"If the citizens want to be saved, they should be the ones working hard for it, right? If they are not willing, they can ignore and continue to conform to the system. Because I am not God, it is impossible for to erase all the sufferings without letting anyone know. Only the citizens can save themselves."
"But what would be the aning of your existence then?"
Altina looked towards Regis.
Regis thought Altina was asking for his opinion. But that wasn't so.
She continued imdiately.
"I just need a chance... That's all."
"Incomprehensible. Belgarians incomprehensible beautify their sins. Words need to be logical and precise."
Yeah~~ this ans... My criticism of the tyranny can push the citizens to take action and save themselves. That is the aning of my existence. Right?"
"That's too irresponsible. Seeking happiness for your followers are the duties of those with a high status."
Altina tilted her head.
"Regis, do I have that obligation? Am I irresponsible?"
"... Taking action in order to change the empire's system and uniting them and eting their expectations are your obligations. Keeping the promise is a simple theory that must be followed."
"What about giving up halfway?"
"You will be criticized, that is politics... Or rather, the biggest problem with the empire is the administrators who don't bring happiness to the people don't face criticism or punishnt, or lose their authority."
Altina nodded deeply.
"I see. This ans the nation I want to create after becoming empress must be able to criticize and punish if I fail to deliver happiness to the people."
"... That is so."
"After working so hard to becoming empress, you might be executed under the very law you implent."
"That might be possible... Giving up?"
"Why? The ruler's mistake will cause much suffering and death. If that is so, the one who should suffer most should be the ruler, right?"
Regis rembered sothing Altina said:
"If you want others to risk their lives, you have bet yours too... Sothing like that..."
"That's it!"
Altina was too animated... Although Regis thought so, he didn't say it out. If Altina doesn't think about protecting herself, the people around her can do so for her.
"I will becos emperor and change the empire for you to see. If my strength is insufficient, I will take responsibility by giving everything up I have."
The expression of the other party changes.
His face that was a mixture of hate and mockery disappeared, replaced by calm and sincerity.
"I get it now... You seem ready to take responsibility. An attitude full of resolve."
"But I don't plan to fail!"
"Seems like I misunderstood you earlier."
"Really?"
"I thought you are soone who oppresses the citizens and didn't even realize that, a shaless royalty."
"You didn't really misunderstand. I can't even bring happiness to a single person. Even the bread I ate today was taken from the person who worked hard to bake it."
"I see... That's how you think about this."
"I learned it from Regis and practice it imdiately."
"... I... Might be wrong too... I always believed a country without taxation is the ideal nation... But in reality, the feeling of unfairness is growing among the citizens. Not fixing a social contract created inequality...?"
"That is a possibility."
"A country needs laws, taxation is required for the benefit of society... If I can't make the citizens happy... I would need to accept criticism and punishnt as the leader... Although I have the resolve..."
Diethart's words turned heavy as he gritted his teeth.
It's the trouble of a leader.
In order to support Altina who was at a loss, Regis interjected:
"If the leader of an organization wants to change the policy, clashes and criticism unrelated to it will definitely arise. That's why it's hard to make alterations when things are going well. Mr. Diethart, you are right in your judgnt."
"... No... Although I realized it is a fraud, I can't correct it... Because I don't have the purity of the young princess."
Diethart looked at Regis, not with murderous intent like before, but with hints of respect.
"Are you a chamberlain? Or a soldier?"
"I am... A strategist... Sothing like that."
"Strategist. So the man behind my capture was you."
"... The ones who did it were the troops... But I am the one who planned it."
Was he angry about falling into the trap Regis was scared.
It might be a little too late, but Regis straightened his back so Altina won't see his shaful side.
Diethart seed resigned when he said:
"If I... Have a strategist like you... I might not have ended up like this."
"You, you flatter . With the large discrepancy in numbers, winning was only natural."
"No matter what, it is my complete loss... I hope you will not execute the others and at least spare them their lives."
"... That will be decided by the princess."
Altina nodded and continued:
"There is sothing I want to know... Why did you attack this fort? To seek revenge against the empire?"
"So citizens of Bargainheim might bear hate against the empire, and so lost their kin in the long years of war. But revenge was not our goal Germania federation is pioneering into the forest and threatening our territory."
"This is a pressing matter in so ways."
"Yes... Especially this year, we needed more food and shelter with the increase in population. These issues will be solved if we take this fort."
"Ugh~~ I really wish you guys won't fight the empire, but attack the Varden Duchy."
"That is impossible with fort Focker in the way."
"What is that?"
Altina asked with her head tilted.
Regis whispered into her ears in a hurry.
Using a volu only she can hear:
"... That's the fort of Varden Duchy. In its 40 years of history since its construction, no enemy have taken a single step into it. A place worthy of the phrase invincible."
"Ah, so there is such a place."
"... It is shaful for the commander to not know about the enemy fort opposite us."
"I, I know alright. But my opponent so far was sothing like Sir Jero or my mood. I will work on those later."
"Well, you are right..."
She wasn't schooled in the way of military commanders, she still needed ti to prepare. Right now, Altina was about the age to enroll in military academy.
Anyway Altina pulled the topic back on track.
"So the people off Bargainheim didn't attack us out of hatred."
"Or rather, that wasn't the main reason."
"That is sufficient."
Altina leaned forward, using her right hand to brace against the table as her left was in a sling under her cloak.
"I don't want to execute you!"
"What!?"
"I have a goal, and I can't achieve it with the troops in this fortress alone... I won't make you my subordinate, but I wish for the people of Bargainheim to help !"
Altina was serious.
Regis was thinking the sa thing.
With just the 3000 soldiers of the border regint, it was impossible to stand up against the influence of the other princes.
The dumbstruck Diethart considered for a mont.
"I see... Not killing and making part of your forces. Very logical."
"That ans you will help right?"
Diethart stopped Altina who was all smiles.
"I won't agree to this just for sparing the life of and my warriors... We have comrades that bear a grudge against the empire. If I bring back acceptable terms, I will be branded a traitor who sold out his country for fear of my life."
"Ah, you are right... What should we do, Regis?"
"No problem. I have read countless treaty between nations and can make an appropriate proposal."
"Phew... That's a big help, but... Why did you even read those things?"
"Hmmm? Isn't such terms free to read?"
"Was it interesting?"
"Ugh erm, the early versions were rather boring... Ahh, High Britannia and Netherlands treaty in the year 890 was great in place of 30,000 pounds of silver, tea leaves weighing the sa was sent as tribute; there were treaties like this."
"That country loves tea a bit too much!"
"Hahaha... As part of peace negotiation, marriage and gifts are very common."
"What should we give as presents then?"
"Since both parties are negotiating in secret, there isn't a need for souvenirs... Ah, in my humble opinion, I think it would be unnecessary."
"You could have gone without the formalities... So, what terms should be set for this eting?"
Regis compiled the good parts of all the treaties he had ever read.
" Princess Marie Quatre request the nation of Bargainheim for aid. Specifically, to form a common alliance against their neighboring enemy Germania federation. As compensation, food and shelter to tide over the winter will be provided. When the princess ascend the throne as empress, the sovereignty of Bargainheim will be recognized and a non aggression agreent between both nations will take effect."
"Hmm, I see... I don't really get it, but it really sounds like a treaty!"
"You are asking us to be a colony of the empire?"
"I think both sides should be equal in status. Because both man and nation shouldn't have the distinction of being more prestigious than others."
Altina concluded this as a matter of fact.
Diethart was deep in thought.
"I can convince my comrades if these terms can be done."
"That ans you will help us right?"
"Yes."
"Thank you!"
Altina extended her right hand.
"Ah..."
Shaking hands might be bad.
Before Regis can stop her, Diethart had already shook his head.
"The troops are watching. The soldiers won't want to follow a princess who treats the king of barbarians as equals."
"Ah, that might be so."
"You have to succeed no matter what, or I will be troubled. This is for the good of my nation too."
"Of course!"
"... That aside, this is really outstanding, it's a rare chance to et such an excellent person... Soone I want to bring back as my partner."
"Eh!? Partner!?"
That ans becoming his bride!?
Diethart nodded.
"Soone I want to spend the rest of my life with, this is the first ti I felt this way. This must be love."
"Wait... Wait a...!"
Altina sprung from her chair with her face all red.
"What should I do, Regis!?"
"What to do... Of courses not. Altina is just 14, she can't legally marry."
"Eh, that's the only reason?"
"... No... It should be dependent on your feelings... As for ... If possible... But I don't have the authority to decide and love should be the freedom of the individual, that's how Cuiller described the best way to achieve happiness in his books... Ah, although that author is a bit flirty towards female characters..."
Regis was panicking because Altina received a marriage proposal.
He can't express himself fluently.
Altina pouts unhappily.
"Is Regis fine with it if I marry him?"
"... From my position..."
"What are you talking about?"
Diethart stood up.
And walked over without hesitation.
Up close, he was taller than Jero, his shoulders were broad and full of spirit. Maybe it was the feathers and leather clothing that makes the man.
His large hands held Regis's hand, not Altina's.
It was a hand of a warrior's hand.
Regis's hand was thin and white... compared to him, it was really feminine.
Diethart looked at him with passionate eyes.
"If you could indulge , I wish for you to co over to Bargainheim to guide ."
"It's !?"
"Ab~~solutely not!!"
Altina shouted.
She squeezed between them and forcefully separated the two.
"Absolutely not!"
"Ugh, I understand... There is no reason to let such an excellent strategist go."
"Eh? Ah, Yes. Because Regis is my strategist!"
Did he just wanted to
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