第５３８堀：誰だって色々考える (Part2)
"Yes. If that happens, no one will be able to say my judgment was wrong. The technology and goods brought in through trade with Weed will enrich Haiden significantly. I have no use for trash who cannot even discern such a simple fact. And what if I were to say that by negotiating the territorial cession—the reparations—I managed to secure much lighter terms? What would that imply?"
"Er, well, in that case, the Princess's capabilities would be lauded... Ah, I see. That would elevate your standing, wouldn't it, Princess?"
"Exactly. Weed never truly desired the land in the first place. Getting them to lower that demand shouldn't be difficult. I can use that to identify the factions opposed to interacting with Weed and suppress them decisively. Though, I suspect Her Majesty the Queen is already aware of this."
"Eh? Is that so?"
"It would be strange if the Queen, who is the wife of Yuki-sama and the ruler of Weed, couldn't grasp such a thing."
Well, that’s certainly true.
"This is the second reason. It is a way to sort out the allies from the enemies within Haiden—a way to flush out the fools. If we unknowingly harbor thoughtless idiots who would antagonize Weed, Haiden would surely perish before long. This is to root them out."
Wow, the Princess is actually thinking quite far ahead.
Indeed, even in tactics, one often uses such psychological warfare.
It seems it applies quite well to politics, too. The First Ancestor’s treatise on tactics really is useful.
"And the third reason for offering the land. It is because I do not know what Yuki-sama and his people are truly aiming for."
"What do you mean by that?"
"At first glance, based on what Yuki-sama and Ratz-sama have said, their desire to expand the circle of nations and their claim that they cannot govern the territory even if they received it seems reasonable and natural. However, that is not actually the case. Baide and Weed are already connected by a gate. They are in a situation where they could return to Weed at any moment, yet for some reason, they do not return and instead lend a hand to our problems. This is extremely unnatural."
"Eh? Why is that? Because if Haiden and the Empire go to war, it would be a nuisance to Weed..."
"Do you really think it would be a burden? They could simply close the gate. If they were able to open it, they should be able to close it as well. It is true that when they were first summoned, Yuki-sama and his people acted on their own to ensure safety and resolve the situation. But the situation is different now. Why would they involve themselves in another country's problems when they could return to Weed at any time? They could have simply turned a blind eye and opened diplomatic relations once things settled down. In the current situation, it wouldn't be strange to suspect them of interfering in internal affairs, and as for Baide, acknowledging them as part of Weed is essentially the same as having occupied them."
"Eh, but that is for our sake..."
"I find it hard to believe that Yuki-sama and his people, who understand the position of a nation, would involve their country based on personal emotions. Even regarding the problems between Haiden and the Empire, there is no need for them to act as intermediaries."
"......Er, well, t-that's right. There are the reparations!! To collect the reparations..."
"Well, as Kagura says, the collection of reparations is not entirely out of the question, but it is highly unnatural for Yuki-sama himself, the Prince Consort, to be involved in this issue personally. Normally, he would have dispatched someone else."
"......"
Now that she mentions it, it is indeed strange.
But they said it was to protect Baide from the Great Monster Outbreak...
If that were the case, wouldn't placing Baide under their protection be a net negative for them?
Wait? Why *are* Yuki and his people helping us this much?
"It may look logical at first glance, but when you think about it carefully, it is unnatural that they are working so deeply for the sake of our country and the Empire. While claiming to be friendly, they have effectively placed Baide under their control and are still holding the Imperial soldiers, including Georgin-dono. Even if it is for the sake of reparations, if things go poorly, they could end up at war with Haiden and Findall. I know they cannot lose, but given the personalities of Yuki-sama and his people, I do not believe they are maneuvering like this just to fight."
"......So you think there is another reason, one we don't know about?"
"That is what I think. There is no benefit in governing the territory of a land one is unfamiliar with; it only brings trouble. It would be far easier to receive reparations in money, establish diplomatic relations, and engage in trade. It would be even better if they attached privileges like tax exemptions. And yet, Weed did not take that route."
"I understand the story. But why does that lead to the offer of territorial cession?"
"It is an expression of intent: that if they are in any trouble, we will cooperate as long as it does not tilt the nation."
"Then, couldn't you have just conveyed that intention from the beginning?"
"That is not possible. We have no idea what kind of cooperation might be requested. We must avoid being held to a promise. ...This is the third reason. It is to probe the true thoughts and objectives of Weed."
Hmm...
This is getting complicated.
"Well, there is no need to think too hard about it. For now, the priority is to get along with Weed and to stabilize Haiden. To that end, we must make tomorrow's discussion with the Empire a success. Understood?"
"Yes."
Well, I'll leave the difficult stuff to the Princess and my father.
My role is already finished, after all.
As I was thinking that while drinking my cold tea, the Princess spoke as if she had just remembered.
"Ah, for the sake of friendship with Weed, a diplomat and a connection are essential. Therefore, I am appointing Kagura, who is on good terms with Yuki-sama and his people, as the Weed diplomat. Be prepared for that."
"Eh?"
"There is no 'Eh?' about it. Well, I will leave the political exchanges to the Duke, but as a representative of Haiden, there is no one else but Kagura. I am counting on you. The future of Haiden rests on your shoulders."
Ehhhhhh—!?