Episode 196. A Shadow of Peace - The Calm Before the Storm (2)
Exactly one month after Christine's warning that Abyss Corporation was presud to be preparing for war with the Eastern Empire.
And two weeks after a recovered Christine attended the National Assembly again to report, as the Director of the National Intelligence Service, on the possibility of war between the Eastern Empire and Abyss Corporation.
Clear signs of war began to pour in from the Francia embassy dispatched to the Eastern Empire.
“Opium? Isn't that a dical supply?”
“It also causes strong addiction and hallucinogenic effects. Moreover, I've heard that the opium made by Abyss Corporation is mixed with demonic mana, giving it even stronger addictive and hallucinogenic properties.”
“Tsk, just like those demon bastards to be selling sothing like that.”
“If such a thing existed, why didn't they sell it on the Central Continent? I don't know for sure, but I'd think it would have sold quite well on the Central Continent too.”
Director-General Talleyrand answered the assemblyn's question.
“On the Central Continent, there's still direct animosity towards Pandemonium, and there are many nations. Until just recently, most nations didn't react negatively to dealings with Abyss Corporation, so they probably avoided instilling hostility by selling such a drug.”
“So the high-nosed elves of the Eastern Empire aren't keen on state-level dealings with Abyss Corporation, so they released the drug to the private sector?”
“Exactly. On the Central Continent, it's beneficial to manage their image, so they pretend to be noble, but in the Eastern Empire, which is a single, closed-off nation anyway, they were acting like the demons they are.”
So much for coexistence, just as expected of those demon bastards.
Then again, even on the Central Continent, they just didn't do it openly. Looking at the sches they pulled behind the scenes, Abyss Corporation was the root of almost all evil.
“Roughly around the ti the Eastern Empire began exchanges with Francia, the Tsar publicly banned opium and began executing those who smuggled it from Abyss Corporation. I thought it was sowhat under control with that…….”
If that were the case, we wouldn't need to be discussing this here.
“However, according to what the Eastern Empire embassy has gathered, opium is being smuggled in large quantities, mainly in the southern or far-eastern territories where the Eastern Empire's administrative power doesn't fully reach. There have even been cases where smuggling organizations ard with demonic weapons have repelled the Empire's security forces and occupied cities.”
Talleyrand paused to catch his breath before speaking.
“When the Tsar declared a subjugation order, Abyss Corporation reportedly sent a warning that they could take asures to protect Abyss Corporation employees and assets within the Eastern Empire.”
It was a warning in na only; in reality, it was a declaration of war if the Tsar tried to suppress the opium smuggling organizations.
Having said that, Talleyrand turned his gaze to Christine, and Christine rose from her seat.
“The National Intelligence Service sees this as a move made after Abyss Corporation's two years of silence and internal reorganization have ended, and they have finished preparing for war with the Eastern Empire.”
“Ahem…….”
A groan flowed among the assemblyn.
Four hundred years after the fall of Pandemonium, Abyss Corporation had not once waged war.
At least, that was the case on the Central Continent. There were stories of them subjugating barbarians on a new continent they had discovered, but that was entirely soone else's business.
Nevertheless, no one disregarded the power of Abyss Corporation, and the fact that a nation connected by land, however relatively closed-off and distant, was being attacked was enough to raise so alarm.
“……Isn't it premature to discuss this? It's still uncertain whether a war will actually happen…….”
“The Eastern Empire will not yield, and this is Abyss Corporation's first direct military action in 400 years. Neither side will back down, so it is the intelligence service's judgnt that war is already a foregone conclusion. And based on Abyss Corporation's technological and informational capabilities, they must have calculated that they can at least win a war against the Eastern Empire.”
This was an assertion from none other than Countess Aquitaine, Christine.
The assemblyn couldn't refute that fact, but that didn't an there were no other opinions.
“But, even so, this isn't our business, is it? Francia has only just erged from a long civil war and successive wars. To get involved in another country's affairs…….”
“However, diplomatic relations between the Eastern Empire and Francia were established on the premise of a joint front against the demons. In any case, along with the Iberian Brotherhood, they are one of our only two allies, so it is difficult to ignore them completely.
Director-General Talleyrand spoke, and I added my own words.
“They actually sent a reinforcent army in the war against Krafte, and they also passed on their cannon technology. If we didn't have the capacity, it would be one thing, but since we've been enjoying peace, if they ask for help, we should at least consider providing support.”
“Ummph…….”
Honestly, I don't think Francia can provide any significant support, but ignoring them outright is even more problematic.
The Eastern Empire will send an emissary delegation anyway, so we'll have to discuss the details then…….
As the assemblyn seed to be mulling it over, Christine spoke again.
“There is one more important issue.”
“What is it, Countess Aquitaine?”
“Drones, you've been briefed, so you must know.”
The assemblyn imdiately furrowed their brows.
It was denied internationally.
However, that didn't an the National Assembly ignored my report. The demons' influence reached them less, after all.
There might be so who think it's sowhat exaggerated, but at least no one denies the existence of the Drones themselves.
Christine tilted her head slightly, then slowly read from the material she had brought.
“This is based on a compilation of the Eastern Empire's claims and the embassy's reports, as well as a separate investigation by the National Intelligence Service. The Eastern Empire's estimated territory is at least 10 tis that of Francia, and its population is more than 4 tis larger.”
“Ha, to believe their ridiculous claims at face val—”
“This is based on the most conservative estimate by the National Intelligence Service, so in reality, it's likely to be even higher.”
As the eting hall fell silent at Christine's assertion, Christine swept her hair back with her hand and said.
“This is just a hypothetical, but if Abyss Corporation were to occupy even a part of the Eastern Empire's vast territory and start turning their population into Drones…….”
It's the most horrific scenario.
“……There's a possibility they could secure enough troops to conquer the entire Central Continent and still have more to spare.”
The problem is that it's a sufficiently realistic scenario.
*
Christine's warning was taken quite seriously in the National Assembly, but at the sa ti, it was also largely dismissed.
The National Assembly, in particular, is focusing on the fact that Christine is both the Naval Admiral and my wife.
Because both Christine and I are in positions where military buildup in preparation for war leads directly to a rise in power.
Above all, the mbers of the National Assembly have never faced the Drones directly.
No matter how desperate the battle with the Drones actually was, all they saw was the result: that the Iberian Brotherhood and I had defeated them.
A significant number of the National Assembly mbers are concerned that Christine has either exaggerated the threat of Abyss Corporation and the Drones, or has posited an overly worst-case scenario.
It doesn't matter, since neither Christine nor I expected the National Assembly to prepare for war and issue a mobilization order before the war even began.
The important thing is to make them aware of the possibility beforehand, so that when the situation actually erupts, they can move even a little bit faster.
What was really important was how the Eastern Empire would react…….
Two weeks later.
I, the Army Commander-in-Chief, Christine, the Naval Admiral, and Director-Generals Talleyrand, Brissot, and Anjou, greeted those who had arrived as emissaries of the Eastern Empire.
A familiar face.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Lord Konstantinov.”
“Haha, the pleasure is all mine, Marquis-nim Lafayette. His Highness Grand Duke Elsion also conveyed to the Tsar the valor and astonishing tactics you personally displayed as Commander-in-Chief, and was quite pleased.”
I glanced at Grand Duke Elsion, who stood with his arms crossed and chin raised, an expression of utter arrogance on his face.
This elf?
No way.
Still, this is diplomacy.
I replied with a faint smile.
“What a coincidence. I also reported to Her Majesty the Queen about the incredible might of His Highness Grand Duke Elsion and the Eastern Empire's artillery.”
“Oho, is that so. Hahaha! Isn't this what they call telepathy!”
Konstantinov, delighted, began to explain to Elsion in their language.
At least I didn't lie.
-The Eastern Empire's cannons are indeed formidable. Though the commander didn't act his age.
-Is that so? Those cannons, if we can coax them into teaching us, it would be a great help to our troops.
-I intend to secure them regardless, Your Majesty.
Of course, that was the conversation Eris and I had, but anyway, I did report on their might.
Elsion, with a very arrogant face, listened to Konstantinov's report and then tossed out a word as if throwing it.
“His Highness Grand Duke Elsion also thinks highly of you, Marquis-nim, and expresses his gratitude for your goodwill!”
Konstantinov jabbers on very enthusiastically, but…….
……No matter how I look at it, that's not the face of soone who said that.
In any case, with Konstantinov interpreting, Grand Duke Elsion, the three Director-Generals, and Christine exchanged light greetings and pleasantries.
Surprisingly, Grand Duke Elsion showed little sign of surprise at the introduction of Christine, a young woman, as the Naval Admiral and head of the intelligence service.
He's surprised every ti he sees it when conducting diplomacy with human nations, but it seems it's not the case by elven standards.
And then, they got to the main point.
Grand Duke Elsion says a few very short words…….
“Regarding the fact that the heads of Francia's ard forces and the three Director-Generals of the National Assembly have welcod us today. His Highness Grand Duke Elsion, on behalf of the great, noble, and sole protector of the continent, the Tsar, has expressed his deep satisfaction. The friendship between our two nations shall be as long and eternal as an endlessly flowing stream—”
Long, long, complicated, and in any case, long and drawn-out diplomatic rhetoric flows out.
……If only Grand Duke Elsion would manage his expression and at least pretend to think that way, Konstantinov's tearful efforts would have so aning.
I leaned my head slightly towards Director-General Talleyrand and asked.
“So what did he really say?”
Talleyrand whispered to with a rotten smile.
“Then, let's begin. That's all he said.”
……Of course.
Talleyrand, ever the diplomat, had enthusiastically learned the language of the high-ranking noble elves of the Eastern Empire, so while his pronunciation was off, he had reached a point where he could understand it to so extent.
Of course, the Eastern Empire is a bit on the extre side, but since this is common in diplomatic custom, we pretended not to know and listened to Konstantinov's long-winded and aningless efforts.
“Thus, the great, noble, and sole protector of the continent, the Tsar, expects that the honorable revolutionary Kingdom of Francia will fulfill its duty of faith in the face of the vile and wicked threat of Abyss Corporation—”
“What is it this ti?”
“He says to fulfill the duty of a tributary state and join the war.”
……I feel truly sorry for Konstantinov, who is sohow weaving Grand Duke Elsion's single arrogant remark into plausible diplomatic rhetoric, but seeing how Grand Duke Elsion, whom the Tsar must have trusted enough to send, is acting, I don't think the Tsar is in his right mind either.
Since the revolutionary Kingdom of Francia couldn't possibly offer tribute, the diplomatic detour of Maurice Talleyrand personally offering it as a sort of gift seems to have been arbitrarily translated by them as the Kingdom's tribute.
Talleyrand, who persuaded friends like that to get reinforcents and cannon technology, looks truly great.
Anyway, after long, drawn-out, and tearful efforts, yet ultimately aningless interpretation from Konstantinov…… or rather, creative diplomatic rhetoric, the words we had been waiting and waiting for finally ca out.
“What is it this ti?”
Hearing Grand Duke Elsion's short and blunt words, Talleyrand froze with his mouth agape, so this ti I turned my gaze to Konstantinov's mouth.
“Thus, the great, noble, and sole protector of the continent, the Tsar, does not doubt that the revolutionary Kingdom of Francia will gladly provide an anchorage for the Empire's Azure Dragon Fleet, and lend its strength in conquering the vile and wicked Abyss Corporation's mainland!”
Oh, for goodness sake.
Reviews
All reviews (0)