第４８７堀：目の前の問題を片づけたらより難題が出てきた (Part2)
"Watch your tongue!! To suggest that the Haiden Kingdom is inferior... you lack patriotism!!"
If patriotism alone were enough to fix national strength and everything else, no one would ever be in trouble. I couldn't possibly say that out loud, so I focused on trying to calm the Princess down.
"Please, compose yourself, Princess. Lady Catherine is speaking for the sake of the Haiden Kingdom. Do you truly believe we could win if we were to clash with them?"
"...That is..."
As expected, even she doesn't seem to have any delusions about us winning against that kind of extraordinary power. If she had started claiming we could win, I would have defected to Weed right then and there. It would be a guaranteed loss.
"I apologize for the bluntness of my words. However, what we must do now is not to subjugate them, but to establish a dialogue on equal footing—even if it is just an alliance. If we do not act as allies or a friendly nation, the Haiden Kingdom risks being branded an enemy. And you, Princess, are the only one who can facilitate that. If we were to try to explain such preposterous power, they would never believe us. We must have you and Lord Kamishiro testify to prevent hostilities with Weed at all costs, or the country will perish."
I am of the same opinion as Lady Catherine. I don't feel like we have a shred of hope if we turn that kind of terrain-manipulating magic against us.
"Fortunately, despite the problematic start, we were not executed and were released just like this. They haven't done anything to the people of Baide, either. Our meeting was disastrous, but I believe we should build a positive relationship from here on out."
"...I understand your point. Certainly, I do not wish to be an enemy of the Heroes. I understand their position as well. However, the fact that they have occupied Baide..."
"That is something that will surely need to be discussed. But if the current governance remains as it is, it is no different from when I was in charge. Personally, I would prefer to remain under Weed’s dominion as a starting point for our future relationship. If sacrificing my own position is what it takes for the sake of the Haiden Kingdom, then so be it."
"...Catherine. So you were saying all that out of concern for the Haiden Kingdom. I understand. I will make sure to persuade Father and the others. First, let us write a letter to the Royal Capital and arrange a formal meeting!!"
With that, the Princess promptly swept out of the room.
...As always, she acts without thinking, or perhaps just on a whim...
While nursing a headache over the Princess's behavior, I opened my mouth.
"Lady Catherine. Am I correct in assuming you intend to side with Weed?"
"Yes. Honestly, I don't believe any force exists that can defeat Weed. You feel the same, don't you?"
"..."
I couldn't return an answer, but my agreement with Lady Catherine remained unchanged.
"If that’s the case, you’d better follow that airheaded Princess, or His Majesty will send a subjugation force in the blink of an eye."
"...Was that your intention all along?"
There is no way that a princess as flighty as her would hand over Baide—a place she’d never even heard of—without a fight. In other words, her earlier outburst was a deliberate attempt to goad the Kingdom into hostilities with Weed.
"Obviously. You’re maintaining those ties because of your family’s history with the First Generation, but the current Royal Court is filled with nothing but fools obsessed with power struggles. If you don't know when to cut your losses, you’ll go down with the ship."
"...I will do my best."
I realized more strongly than ever during this battle that if I could cut ties that easily, I would, but it isn't that simple. I am a member of one of the Three Houses that has served since the time of the First Generation...
Perhaps my inner turmoil was written on my face, for Lady Catherine offered a single remark:
"...You have it rough, too."
As a female lord herself, Lady Catherine must have faced significant backlash. I can only imagine that her struggles were even greater than mine.
"Fortunately—or perhaps I should say, unlike the stubborn fools in the Haiden Kingdom, Lord Yuki and Lady Shera respect me as a woman. For the sake of my people, I will side with Weed."
"Do you think they will protect us? Them?"
"I do. They are rational enough to meet and negotiate with their kidnappers and their associates. In fact, they haven't laid a finger on the people of Baide, and their military strength is off the charts. I don't know about their political prowess yet, but they only acted against the Imperial Army after confirming hostile intent. They seem to have a good head on their shoulders."
"...They were kidnappers, though."
"True. I was the one caught up in it, so I can let it slide, but your relationship with them is in the red, isn't it?"
"Nooo!? Please don't say that!!"
I have to talk to Yuki and the others about so many things now!!
I mean, what am I supposed to do!? What can I possibly say to resolve this!?
*Summary of this conversation: Baide will side with Weed; the idiot Princess is a nuisance and should go home. In other words, Haiden has a mountain of problems.*