第１４３２堀：賠償の交渉について (Part2)
"So that's the angle you're taking. Understood. I'll broach the subject in that direction, but make sure you clear it with everyone else first, alright?"
"Understood. We'll discuss the details tomorrow, then?"
"That's the plan."
"Everyone is waiting for the results of this, so the timing is perfect. I'll go speak with them immediately."
"Good luck!"
With that settled, I wasted no time in presenting the matter of reparations to the kings of the allied nations, but...
"...Hmm. Reasonable, I suppose. It’s something I had considered myself."
"Actually, is this really alright for Litea? You were so furious, yet there’s no occupation of their towns, no monetary reparations, and it all ends with the handover of land that doesn't look like it generates any income at all?"
As Roschur and Gartz said this, they turned their gazes toward Alstaire of Litea, and as the other nations seemed to share the sentiment, all eyes converged upon her.
"The threat of force will be handled by Lilishe, and I have no objection to the outcome. Even regarding reparations, it was clear that for such a small nation, payment alone would take decades. Long-term debts like that, before they can even be fully collected..."
"Well, in the normal course of things, you'd either unilaterally cancel them or use them as a pretext for another war."
"The standard procedure, indeed."
Enaria and Zilba concluded with those words.
Divided payments are notoriously difficult to manage in situations like this.
It only serves to grind the defeated nation further into the dirt.
And that leads to resentment building up until it explodes.
Then we’re forced to deal with them all over again—it’s just a massive headache.
"However, what about recovering the costs incurred this time? No, while it is a gain in terms of our track record as an alliance, surely Suurus would still want reparations?"
Eupia of Zrable asked me this.
It was true; we did need the funds. The question was where they would come from.
"How about we have the alliance front the costs? They’ve left the negotiations entirely to Litea and the alliance. It’s not as if we’re being told to secure specific territory; we just need to get the reparations. In other words, there shouldn't be any issue with us covering the upfront costs."
"Hmm. Whether we build towns or not is one thing, but we will need locations for military garrisons. If the alliance fronts the cost, we can simply designate those areas as jointly managed territory, correct?"
"Exactly."
As Emerald of Cysypho pointed out, the territory in question wouldn't belong to Weed or Litea, but would become land managed by the alliance as a whole.
"As for whether we conduct trade there, that can wait for later, can it not? The most important thing is that we have secured this land. Naturally, since it is a nation under Litea's umbrella, I assume Litea will have the primary rights to utilize it?"
"Oh? Are you certain? One could argue that Litea is the one that caused this trouble in the first place."
Litea was surprised by the unexpected offer from White Forest.
Even so, it wasn't such a strange proposal.
"It is true that the trouble was brought about by Litea's subordinates, but if Litea's share of the occupation were to be reduced here, they would only voice their dissatisfaction. Even if it is joint territory, it would be better for the leader of the land secured in Kinauf to be chosen from Litea, with the other allies acting in a support capacity."
"Agreed. Well, for now, maybe we can make ramen a trend there."
As I nodded at August's words, I couldn't help but think that Rowdy was as consistent as ever.
"We can settle the finer details later, but can we proceed with the understanding that the land will be used for military garrisons?"
"No objections."
Considering the potential for future development, it was a unanimous decision.
Now, I wonder if the Dark Guild and Kinauf will honestly accept this proposal?
Will they realize it’s economic encroachment?
Well, even if they do, they can't pay, so it becomes a question of whether they'll hand over the towns.
For us, receiving towns or villages requires too much care; land with no one on it is actually more profitable.
Since I’m bringing them a deal that is beneficial to them as well, it should be hard for them to refuse.
Lilishe will surely handle that side of things skillfully, so for now, I’ll get to work on conveying these results.
Reparations are truly a nuisance.
Everyone is exhausted from the fighting, so you can't squeeze them too hard, yet you can't just take nothing, either.
In the end, you have no choice but to engage in trade or production on their end.