Volu 4 Chapter 25
Translator: HASUTSUKI, Editor: Starbuck11
Across the table, two people stared at each other silently.
Ten seconds, twenty seconds the passing ti felt like an eternity.
Only the sound of the clock with stunning carvings could be heard.
(What did he say just now?)
Pushing back the fear that began to crawl up, Grisson repeated Ryoumas words inside his mind.
ErnestGora Queen, Grindiena Erneshal was currently in the nviz city, away from her royal capital Drizen.
It was a reality that the young man in front of Grisson knew of such a truth.
That was why the words of the young man in front of him supposedly can only be regarded as sothing stupid.
Grisson would want nothing more but laugh at it, yet sohow his mouth felt dry.
(It cant be, does this man noticed her majestys expectations?)
Grisson had heard rumors and reports about the young man in front of him from spies and rchants, they had described him as an able man.
Despite being a commoner, he had influenced the fate of one country
(No, that is impossible Being able to speculate her majestys expectations ans he is equal to her That is a bit too much)
Are you stupid? Her Majesty currently is in the royal capital Drizen
Listening to Grisson words Mikoshiba Ryouma lifted his lips and laughed hard.
Just looking at his expression, Ryouma was confident that he had won the bet.
At the royal capital, Drizen is it? I dont think so
Grissons expression becos distorted after Ryouma gazed at him with stabbing gaze.
What on earth is the basis of that confidence of yours
Until recently, Grisson was the one who led the conversations.
However, the atmosphere of the place changed completely.
Right now, the young man in front of him was the one who took all the initiatives.
Although Grisson didnt have any intentions of underestimating the young man from the beginning, this developnt was beyond Grissons imagination.
Grisson unintentionally turned his gaze toward the mirror placed on the wall
I do have so basis But, if I have to explain it, then we can save more ti if we do it together with Grindiena-sama.
T-That is
Grisson was at loss for words.
Neither affirmation nor denial was able to co out from Grisson.
This is troubling As General Grisson already knew, we do not have much ti, see?
Ryouma said those words as if he was really in trouble.
Although it was actually the truth that Ryouma had only a little ti.
He had none to waste with soone that had no authority
Ryouma then turned his gaze towards the mirror hanging on the wall.
Grisson face turned pale realizing what was the aning of his act.
(This man How?)
However, since it would be rude to et her majesty suddenly like this For now, shall I go back just like General Grisson had suggested, I wonder? Gurido-dono, lets leave for now.
O-Oi
Saying that Ryouma stands up and urges Gurido to leave with him.
Before he heads toward the door, Ryouma bows his head toward the mirror hanging on the wall.
Only Grisson and another human being knew the aning of that action.
Gurido readied himself following Ryouma while feeling bewildered by the situation.
Well then, please excuse us. As I will stay at the inn in nviz, my subordinates will inform you of the address, please do notify us as soon as possible when your side is ready for a eting. It was a bit rude for General Grisson but, please do deliver my ssage to Grindiena-sama.
Lowering his head toward him for the last ti, Ryouma then turns the doorknob.
However, before Ryouma opened the door, a womans voice could be heard from behind him.
Shall we end our farce of probing each others intentions, right here and now?
When Ryouma turned his head back, there was a woman standing, where none should have existed inside the room before.
Along with her, bookshelves that should not exist also appeared.
Probably, she had been watching Ryouma through a magic mirror. And judging that there was room for negotiations, she decided to co out from the hidden place.
Ive received reports regarding you A young hero of the Rozeria Kingdom, a summoned individual from another world, perford by the Ortoa Empire. Am I right, Baron Mikoshiba?
Her voice sounded clear just like the ring of a bell.
And also contained pressure that makes people bow down to her.
The woman standing beside Grisson gave an overwhelming presence.
However, Ryouma kept his calm expression and gently lowered his head.
Im happy to be given the opportunity to et you. Your majesty, Grindiena Erneshal-sama.
Looking at his response, ErnestGoras young Queen, Grindiena Erneshal smiled elegantly with a glowing crown on top of her head.
-
Well then, shall we begin our talk?
Grindiena sat down elegantly with Ryouma sitting down across the table.
Certainly, she was not soone that can be categorized as an absurd beauty.
Although she was dressed in a luxurious pure white dress with lace and jewels, if one was to compare her beauty with Lupis and Sardina, she looked inferior several tis against them.
However, her elegant wavy blonde hair and her strong-willed gaze could turn peoples eyes towards her.
Her age was around mid-twenties or early thirties.
That was the appearance of the woman known as the northern female fox.
Now then, where shall I begin the talks?
Hearing Ryoumas question without being nervous, Grindiena opened her eyes wide and laughed rrily.
Aha, lets see Since Grisson seems to care about it, how about starting from how did you find out that I was here? Youre fine with this right, Grisson?
Grindiena turned her gaze at Grisson who was standing by her side.
That is
Ryouma slowly opened his mouth after seeing Grisson nodding his head in response to Grindienas question.
To be honest, I didnt know that Grindiena-sama was here However, considering various conditions, I thought that I might be able to get so cooperation if I negotiated with General Grisson stationed in nviz.
From your words, you seem to understand my aim, is that right?
Grindiena gaze turn sharp.
Although I dont think I can grasp your majestys intentions completely But I can guess what your majestys aim is
Ryouma nodded quietly while spreading the map of the western continent that he had brought on the desk.
Not bad Despite having scattered hints here and there, the stupid Zalda guys spent and wasted almost a year figuring out nothing To be honest, Im worried if the Zalda Kingdom get destroyed by Ortoa Empire, you see
While she talks about the fate of a country, Grindiena uses light tone as if she didnt care about anything.
(As expected, she knew that this war could break the balance of power As one would expect from the one nicknad northern female fox huh?)
Looking at Grindienas attitude, Ryouma realizes that his prediction was correct.
Well then, shall I hear your explanation in detail then?
Grindienas eyes shine like a child who got a new toy.
Sure, well then First of all, despite having the army mobilized so quickly, Ive noticed that the ErnestGoras army had stopped from invading right after the occupation of nviz city. Which indicates that ErnestGora is ready for a negotiation.
ErnestGora could not stand silently while the Ortoa Empire invaded the Zalda Kingdom.
However, ErnestGora was also not stupid enough to fight side by side with the Zalda Kingdom if they only get a small profit from it
Because the Zalda Kingdoms territory itself was a mountainous area, the land was unsuitable for food production.
And it was the sa as total destruction if the Zalda Kingdom lost its iron production since they didnt have any other industries.
Although the aristocrats of the Zalda Kingdom held so feeling of patriotism, fundantally they were independent and were not obedient to the Kings order.
In fact, the Zalda Kingdoms royal family position was only as the leader of the aristocrats.
Having Julianus the First being portrayed as soone diocre was sothing natural.
After all, he was just a diator and a representative for the kingdom, not the ruler of the Zalda Kingdom.
In the past year, the Zalda Kingdom had sent ssengers, but the discussions didnt progress
Right, what do you think of that?
Grindiena tried to probe Ryouma while caressing the teacup filled with black tea.
No matter how many lands they took, there was no aning in it if there were no profits coming from it.
Of course, in my eyes, Grindiena-sama judgnt is natural. On the contrary, if your majesty move the army with just that kind of small profits, I will feel suspicious that sothing must be hidden behind the curtain.
Listening to Ryoumas answer, Grindiena nodded in satisfaction.
Right Although I can understand why those morons presented us with those kind of terms It was naive of them to think that we will move just with that little of a profit.
As expected, I was right, huh?
Of course, think about it, it felt like I was being pushed to take care of those independent nobles.
Grindiena sighed as if feeling amazed.
The territory the Zalda Kingdom was about to give to ErnestGora was the northern part of the Zalda Kingdom. It was one-fifth of the whole country.
However, it was natural for Grindiena to feel disappointed with such an offer.
Certainly, the terms were quite extraordinary.
It can be said that the terms were presented as if the Zalda Kingdom vomited so blood.
After all, they gave away part of their territory without a fight.
However, that act was actually a selfish act perford by the Zaldan side.
They lacked Grindienas viewpoint as the receiving side.
Just because one knows what ones side wants, it doesnt an that it equates to what the other side also wants.
In the first place, the Zalda Kingdom territory was unsuitable for agriculture. Having mines aside, other than that the vast land given to her has no particular value.
Not only that, half of the territory being given to her had lords governing it.
That was the biggest problem, not all the territory being given was the belonging of the Zalda royal family.
And it was also unlikely for those nobles to follow Grindienas rule quietly.
Grindiena could not afford to leave lords with questionable loyalty to govern the border of her nation.
If she left such lords to govern,they would be susceptible to foreign intervention and they might rise up in conflict.
However, she could not easily change their ruling territory either.
Because it would be more efficient to have the nobles who are familiar with the territory and had governed the land, generation after generation, to take care of the land.
That was also why those nobles will not let go of their land if Grindiena didnt prepare another rich land as a replacent.
And if she forcefully changes the lord, they will end up rebelling against her.
From Grindienas perspective, she felt like being forced to take care of sothing troubleso.
With that being the case, it would have been better for your majesty to take the parts your majesty want, after the Ortoa Empire destroyed the entire structure of the Zalda Kingdoms governnt. Like that, your majesty would be free from the troubleso nobles all at once.
That was what your majesty, Grindiena-sama had aid for
Hearing Ryoumas words, Gurido heaves a big sigh.
Although Ryouma had explained it to him beforehand, such words were still hurting for the one who had been serving the Zalda Kingdom.
It was as if being told that the existence of the Zalda Kingdom was lacking in all sense.
I was right to take that decision, dont you think? After all, Im the Queen of ErnestGora. I need sothing reasonable to mobilize the army, where the soldiers might die
Looking at Grindiena who shrugged her shoulders, Gurido unexpectedly felt so fear different from what he usually felt during a battle.
Although her face was laughing, her eyes emitted a sharp light that only people who were aware of the responsibility as a ruler could have.
Next, in case theres a full confrontation against the Ortoa Empire. Although their national strength is sowhat better than ErnestGora, it can be said that overall we are near equal, which makes it hard to see which side is going to win.
Much less waging a war in the unfamiliar territory of the Zalda Kingdom. If possible, your majesty wishes to not wage war in your majestys own territory.
Before anyone realizes, Ryouma calm gaze had turned into a sharp gaze.
So?
That was the reason why Grindiena-sama didnt move the army further after occupying the nviz city. And ca all the way from the royal capital Drizen to this city personally.
That was in order to understand the situation and the surroundings perfectly, and also to see if there would be a person worthy enough to fight hand in hand.
Grindiena laughed happily after she heard Ryoumas explanation, soon after, she directed a sharp gaze at Ryouma in turn.
Her expression was befitting soone being called the northern female fox.
Of course. Since I have no reason to associate myself with fools Very well then, since you understand that much, how about we go down to the main business imdiately What kind of negotiation terms have you brought today?
The tense atmosphere imdiately filled the room, it was as if two people holding swords faced each other.
No, it would have been more precise to say that their words will be the swords.
Words that carry the fates of ones own country.
Of course, Ive brought with sothing that Im sure will satisfy your majesty
Saying that Ryouma handed over letters to Grindiena.
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