Zerpha, the Crown Prince Alonso's main palace.
The Crown Prince had summoned his most trusted inner circle aides.
"Is everyone here?"
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The head of security, the chief of staff, the deputy finance minister, the legal counsel, the royal physician, and others... They were now wholly his people, his faction.
A sturdy shield that protected him against the opportunistic nobles of the royal court and the rot-infested military. His most reliable sword.
"First. Fill the glasses."
At the Crown Prince's command, the butler poured a pristine white wine for everyone.
"As you all predicted, Sir Maximilian attempted to involve himself in personnel appointnts."
"Yes. There was likely a request from the Empire's side."
"Right. The Empire would never leave such interests alone. However."
The Crown Prince raised his glass high. Everyone wore tense expressions. They had all anticipated together that in exchange for this support, personnel authority would be demanded.
"......I firmly refused, and Sir Maximilian graciously understood my position."
At that mont, every aide rose from their seats and applauded.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
Seeing them rejoice so sincerely, the Crown Prince felt his chest swell with emotion.
"It's all thanks to each of you."
Even as he spoke, he nearly choked up.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
Just half a year ago, he had been utterly isolated in the royal palace.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
"Enough, enough. I may disgrace myself if this continues. Please, raise your glasses."
A puppet Crown Prince who had rely hovered on the fringes, powerless, while his gravely ill father lay beside him.
But these people saved him. Of course, it was thanks to Maximilian lifting the siege beforehand, but even so, those who rushed to this place despite the dire circumstances and willingly pledged their loyalty have now beco his most precious assets.
"For Zerpha, salut!"
Clink–!
The most critical, most sensitive diplomatic hurdle had been safely cleared. Touching their glasses together, they raised a toast.
"Now, let's h??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????ave a al prepared."
Alonso sat back down, but his face suddenly settled into quiet composure.
He sank into silent thought.
"......."
The conversation he had just shared with Maximilian kept echoing in his ears.
The knight's voice, dry, almost rusted, worn thin with exhaustion.
Maximilian surely had his own troubles, yet that bitter smile as he understood Alonso's firmness and accepted it without resistance.
"......Did sothing happen to Sir Maximilian back in the Empire, by any chance?"
Alonso found himself worrying about him.
"Yes. According to the rumors circulating, one of the high-ranking nobles in the Imperial Palace embezzled and sold Gigantes weapons on the black market."
Alonso's eyes widened.
"Good heavens. An Imperial noble dared to do such a thing?"
"Yes. Because of that, the Imperial Palace has apparently been consud by political strife. It seems Sir Maximilian was also caught up in it for a ti."
"So that's why he looked so exhausted......."
Alonso found himself worrying about Maximilian instead.
Had his refusal inflicted so wound upon a man who had devoted himself to Zerpha even amid the Empire's own fierce internal struggles?
Had he been too cold toward soone who trusted and respected him so deeply?
"Your Highness."
The head of security stepped forward.
“We can repay Sir Maximilian by taking the heads of those bastards in our military who dared to siphon off his support and deceive Your Highness.”
"Yes. That is exactly what should be done."
Alonso nodded gravely.
"However, everyone. What are your thoughts on our relationship with the Empire?"
"We must advance it further."
The chief of staff opened his mouth as if he'd been waiting for this very question.
"That is precisely what the Republican Faction fears most right now. That our monarchy will beco irrevocably close with the Empire."
"A pro-Empire stance... you an."
"Yes. If, by so chance, we were to establish a relationship with the Empire on par with an Autonomous Region, the Republican Faction would lose their will to fight entirely and crumble."
"......An Autonomous Region?"
Alonso's brow furrowed sharply. He had rejected even Maximilian's proposal to protect Zerpha's sovereignty. And yet here they were, discussing an Autonomous Region, effectively handing the country over?
"What are you even saying......"
The Crown Prince was about to erupt in anger, but he couldn't help but hesitate.
Every one of the aides present in the office reacted identically.
Far from showing any aversion to the term "Autonomous Region
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