第８８３堀：同盟参加国の心配事と友の門出 (Part1)
Chapter 883: Concerns of the Allied Nations and a Friend’s Departure
Side: Deryu
"I see. I understand why Yuki-dono has come, but I must say, I am surprised by such a straightforward marriage proposal."
Queen Emerald of the Seasiph Kingdom said this with a wry smile.
Well, that is only natural. Unlike a common household, both Stasia and Enora have powerful factions backing them in this marriage.
Or rather, both are royalty to begin with. Strictly speaking, Enora is a bit different, but it’s close enough that it doesn’t matter.
It is impossible for such a union to end with a simple "Please, let me have your daughter."
Normally, there would be preliminary negotiations, formal greetings, exchange of gifts, and a series of ceremonial procedures. Yuki, however, skipped all of that... and then it hit me.
I finally understood Yuki’s secondary objective.
"Still, I am relieved. By planning a joint wedding after the Intercontinental Exchange Conference, it makes it much easier to decide on budgets and gifts."
"Indeed. Under normal circumstances, we would have needed to arrange separate ceremonial seats for the marriages, so this is a genuine help."
Yes, marriages between people of such high standing usually require an immense amount of time for coordination and preparation—not just months, but years.
But as King Findar and Archbishop Enol noted, by aligning it with the Intercontinental Exchange Conference, it becomes easy to request attendance from various nations, and they can celebrate simultaneously. It is a "two birds with one stone" strategy.
I had been wondering why he would choose such a busy time, but that was the reason.
Rather than holding them at separate times, this is the most efficient and effective method. Yuki has truly steeled his resolve.
Of course, he is likely thinking of Stasia and Enora as well.
It might sound cynical to say he never falls without picking something up, but even in this situation, Yuki has not forgotten to consider multiple angles to ensure the best possible outcome.
Truly, he is my husband.
As I was thinking this, Queen Emerald spoke up again.
"This is a great help to us as well. Our coffers have been quite tight lately due to the issue with the sea monsters. By the way, the main topic of this Intercontinental Exchange Conference will be our nation, won't it? I am anxious about what conditions will be imposed on us to join the alliance..."
Ah, we hadn't explained that part yet.
The reason we came here was precisely because that explanation was necessary.
Depending on the time and circumstances, to secure a seat where one can voice opinions at this Intercontinental Exchange Conference, one generally needs the approval of the major powers already participating, as I mentioned earlier. And to gain that approval, there are necessary expenses.
It is the cost of promoting one's own nation's existence.
Whether that is limited to legitimate costs or includes things like bribes is not yet determined.
Actually, for my part, I don’t particularly reject the idea of bribes.
Bribes and behind-the-scenes maneuvering are also necessary political tools.
Yuki’s answer to Queen Emerald’s concern was:
"You likely don’t need to worry about that. Every nation is eagerly awaiting trade with a maritime power."
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. Just as Queen Emerald has been troubled by the damage from sea monsters, other continents are suffering from the same problem. Moreover, eliminating those monsters is nearly impossible here. In other words..."
"You mean that a nation like ours—one where monsters do not appear and maritime resources can be harvested—is something they desperately want?"
"Yes, exactly. If your nation can negotiate using those maritime resources, they will likely permit your entry."
"...I see. But is it really alright to tell us such important information? For the nations of the Rogali and If continents, this would have been a perfect chance to wrap things up under favorable conditions."
Queen Emerald asked Yuki, looking puzzled.
Indeed. For us, normally—or perhaps in the past—that line of thinking would have been a given.
To enrich one's own country, one would trade with an ignorant nation under the most favorable conditions possible.
That is common practice everywhere, but...
"It is fine. It is to avoid future trouble. In the long run, equal trade that lasts is overwhelmingly more profitable than a fleeting moment of gain. If a nation that has been cheated suffers a loss and ends up starting a war, that would be a massive deficit."
Yes, as Yuki says, from a super-long-term perspective, trade that is equal from the start is essential.
If you engage in trade that causes the other party to suffer and collapse, it will only breed resentment, and it is clear that you will be the one to lose in the end.
"I see. Is that because there are so many trade partners?"
"Yes. Especially regarding this Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, even if you tried to negotiate such one-sided, disadvantageous terms, it would be immediately verified by the other allied nations."
"So, the nation that tries to squeeze others would end up isolated?"
As Queen Emerald said, such petty nations would eventually be cast out.
Well, there is still the possibility of price gouging, but even that is something the attending nations of the Intercontinental Exchange Conference have agreed to regulate by consensus.
"Yes. We monitor each other to maintain a range of fair trade prices. Of course, if the demand for a product disappears, the trade volume will drop, but there is the history of the relationship..."
"So it doesn't collapse immediately, and there is time to prepare for the next step?"
"Exactly. It is rare for things to plummet suddenly, and if a leader cannot create other sources of income in the meantime, they are being negligent in their duties."
"That is certainly true. However, there must be costs to maintain the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, correct? Where and how is that covered?"
"Since trade, including that between nations, is primarily conducted in Weed, we collect a certain trade fee there. You can think of it as an annual usage contract for the Gates and such. We use that to maintain the system. Though, there are also voluntary contributions."
"I see. So there is a hierarchy there."
"The wealth gained there primarily goes toward the maintenance costs of the Intercontinental Alliance. Usually, it is an organization that watches over the fairness of trade, but in times of emergency, it functions as an Allied Army to provide relief to participating nations that request it."
This could be called the greatest benefit of joining the alliance.
In times of crisis, a coalition army consisting of all the allied nations rushes to provide aid.
This is the biggest reason why nations, small or large, want to join.
It is a way to increase the means of defending one's own country at a low cost.
"...I understand. If we join this alliance, we can receive military support not just from major powers, but from all participating nations."
"Strictly for defense, though. Attacking proactively is a last resort."
"Oh? So you do attack sometimes?"
"Only if it is impossible to maintain the nation otherwise, or if trade is being hindered. Of course, that requires approval at the conference. But tell me, Queen Emerald, do you even desire the territory of a distant, foreign land where you cannot understand the language?"
"...Is that how it is? There is no merit in maintaining occupied territory. That is why it is better to nurture the other party as a trading partner."
Hmm. As expected of a Queen, her level of understanding is high.