第１４３４堀：賠償会議の様子出来レースとおバカたち (Part1)
Chapter 1434: The Compensation Conference, a Rigged Game, and the Fools
Side: Cleena
We are currently being ushered into a room that resembles a conference chamber in Kinauf.
Surrounding us are Kinauf soldiers. While knights dispatched from Litea and Suls are also present, we are hopelessly outnumbered.
If a battle were to break out, we would undoubtedly lose.
In that event, it would fall to us to step in.
Well, whether it comes to a fight or not... depends on the discussion unfolding before us.
"And those are the demands of the Alliance and Suls."
"You expect us to cede land as part of the reparations...?"
Lilishe-sama is proceeding with the negotiations by inflating the figures slightly beyond our initial plan.
Regarding the compensation, she has requested three times the intended amount, and as for the land, she demands the cession of a town in Kinauf territory near Suacania, a town in eastern Suls.
If you ask why, it is because the theory behind such reparations is to start with an aggressive stance so that you can eventually steer the outcome to where you originally intended.
"This is unacceptable! Such tyranny!"
Then, a voice cuts through the negotiation.
I turn my gaze to see the man who, if I recall, is the Chancellor? He is raising his voice.
"While it is true that we are at fault, to go this far would make paying the reparations impossible. Does the Alliance—no, does Litea intend to crush our nation?"
The influential nobles of Kinauf present in the room nod in agreement with his sentiment.
However, this, too, is part of the pre-arranged harmony; they must voice their complaints to demonstrate their opposition.
If they didn't, it would appear as though they accepted the terms without resistance, which would lead to dissatisfaction among their own ranks.
Though, there is a possibility they are being sincere...
"Chancellor, be silent. This is a negotiation between myself and the envoys. I have not granted you leave to speak."
"……But!"
"You are persistent."
When the King glares at him, he reluctantly returns to his seat.
"My apologies, Lilishe-dono. Please forgive the rudeness of my subordinate."
"I accept your apology. However, it is a fact that we have suffered damages. Please understand that unless you bear a visible cost, the honor of Litea, Suls, and the Alliance cannot be upheld."
Lilishe-sama responds with a smile, yet she refuses to budge on the reparations.
It is necessary here to show that neither side can concede.
If we were to nod too easily, we would be picked clean.
Ah, international relations are such a hassle.
As I think this:
"……Cleena-san. Your gaze is becoming too sharp. Try to be more natural."
"……Understood."
It is not my intention to cause trouble for Yuki, so I manage to soften my glare back to a half-lidded expression.
"Sleeping won't do, either."
"……Mm."
Honestly, I would love to fall asleep, but I cannot afford to.
I am here as an envoy of August, after all.
That means my actions reflect the reputation of August as a whole, and since I am Yuki's wife, they also impact the reputation of Weed.
It is a troublesome position to be in, but I cannot leave Yuki's side, so I resolve to do my best.
Once that back-and-forth concludes, both sides will continue to assert their claims while searching for a compromise.
Midway through, Lilishe-sama mentions what Alstaire had suggested: that they are considering the withdrawal of the Litea Church and even removing Kinauf from Litea's protection. At that, the Kinauf side falls silent at once.
Well, unless they are completely empty-headed, they understand that this would effectively mean the destruction of their nation.
They must have realized by now just how furious Litea is over this incident.
"However, I understand that doing so would harm the innocent populace. That would tarnish the names of both Litea and the Alliance. Yet, if we do not impose a penalty, as I said before, it affects our face. If a country like Kinauf were to act out a second time, we would have no choice but to crush it."
With those words, Lilishe-sama implies that there will be no next time.
Well, naturally, there won't be.
It is unthinkable to have such dead weight among our own ranks.
"Therefore, to ensure such an incident does not occur again, if you provide for the stationing of Alliance troops to monitor Kinauf and supply them with materials and provisions, we shall reduce the reparations to half of the original amount and waive the cession of the town."
"……You mean to invite an army into our borders?"
"Does that not make us a defeated nation!"
"You are, in fact, a defeated nation. To have done what you did and yet refuse to accept monitoring—are you fools? Or are you suggesting that the Alliance should simply attack?"
" " "……" " "
Lilishe-sama shows no restraint in threatening them with annihilation if they do not accept.
Well, if they were to reject the negotiation here, it would mean the continuation of the war, so that would be the outcome.
But even if it came to that, the result is clear, leaving the Kinauf side with no choice but to remain silent.
In that case, it wouldn't just be about land cession or stationing troops; the country itself would cease to exist.
I find it strange that they don't just accept it readily, but since this is how international relations work, I have nothing to say.
I am getting bored.
"……*Sigh*, it cannot be helped. Then, the reparations will be two-fifths of the original amount. The Alliance troops will be stationed on the plains adjacent to the royal capital. We will provide the construction materials, and you will hire the labor. That should also help provide jobs. In exchange, along with cooperation in investigating the Dark Guild, we will be granted the right to free investigation within Kinauf. I will not concede any further. How does that sound?"
Finally, Lilishe-sama announces the final compensation demand.
The Kinauf side begins to whisper and consult among themselves.
These are the nobles who have no real say.
"……If that is the case."
"But what of the right to free investigation within Kinauf? Won't they just use it to find fault with us?"
"Well, if we are hiring our own citizens, couldn't we just collect more taxes from them to further reduce the reparations?"
"Wouldn't that cause a backlash?"
I hear the very things Yuki and the others predicted.
It is particularly sickening to hear them plotting to squeeze money out of the people who come to work.
I think it would be a relief if I just burned them all to a crisp...
"Calm yourself. Even if you burn these nobles, we would still have to govern the people of Kinauf, would we not? That is impossible for us if we lack support in Kinauf. Burning them and walking away is the worst thing we could do."
"……I know."
The reason I don't eliminate these people is that it would cause suffering for the people of Kinauf.
Even if we were to replace them with others, it would take time to do so peacefully without causing casualties.