Derma

She didn't wait long for the head of diplomacy in Raalo. She showed up about an hour after sending for her. Zonna greeted her and began to present her new ideas.

"I invited you today because I have thought about our international situation. I've decided to expand the scope of our activities and I want to set new goals that you will have to accomplish. Your opinion on their implementation and the resources needed to achieve the set tasks will be very valuable." Zonna began.

"I understand Your Highness I will try to give an accurate assessment and a chance to implement your new ideas," Derma replied happy that the princess wanted to know her opinion on the new diplomats' guidelines. At the same time, she was curious about this sudden change, after all, they had seen each other a few days ago and agreed on a plan of action. However, she did not intend to undermine the future queen's decision and intends to carry out the tasks assigned to her.

"First of all, I want you to expand the area of our operations to all the countries of the Alliance of Ardea. I have decided that action in Raalo alone is insufficient and we should expand our activities. In addition, we should not focus solely on joining the alliance. We must strive to establish good relations with all countries in the Alliance. Mutual trade agreements, seeking bilateral cooperation in various fields, or even military cooperation. These are just suggestions that you should not limit yourselves to."

She concluded her statement while waiting for Derma to analyze her ideas. This one, she took a few minutes to think after which she began to present her point of view.

"Your Highness, as a diplomat I am happy to expand our tasks however I have a few doubts that I would like you to clarify before I begin. As I understand it, we are to focus on general relationship building with other countries in addition to trying to find support for joining the Alliance. However, I should know for my own information what your goals are in establishing good relations. This will allow me to establish a coherent strategy for my Maji." She asked Zonna. Only by knowing the princess' intentions would she be able to conduct diplomacy so that her country's next moves would not derail the diplomats' efforts.

"Our main goal remains invariably the desire to join the Alliance. However, we must be ready to fail and prepare for war. We must, therefore, seek support for the duration of the conflict. It is not out of the question that we will be attacked in three years."

"Why then?" Asked Derma, not knowing why such a specific date.

"We received security guarantees from Bazionia for three years. After they expire, if we are not in the Alliance sooner, I think they will attack us lest we find another protection from them." Zonna explained her prediction.

"I understand, we have three years to join the alliance or prepare for war." She now understood the situation and the period they had left to secure Balmaszeglodia.

"Thinking realistically, we may run out of time to prevent war by joining the Alliance. We also can't count on further guarantees from Bazionia, because that's too uncertain. We must, therefore, build our relations with other countries so that we can possibly receive their support during a conflict."

"As far as I know, the countries where we will be operating are unlikely to agree to send their warriors to help us," Derma, who is somewhat familiar with the situation of the Alliance's countries, noted.

"Apart from Sangeria, with whom I intend to personally negotiate on the subject, I don't count on their support in this regard. I'm counting more on importing food and weapons in time of war," Zonna said, thus betraying her intentions.

"That is, in summary, the main goal is to join the Allianceof Ardea and build good relations with its members. At the same time, preparing the ground for possible support in the war against Nyirgyar, Balumegradvar and Kahaberthia. Did I understand correctly?"

"That's right." She nodded to Derma.

"This I must say that there are too few of us to conduct diplomacy in all the countries of the alliance at the same time, namely Raalo, Sangeria, Masabonia, Kuhtia and Aszavaszaros. We also do not have the funds to operate on such a large scale. Our original task was to take care of the Balmasheglodia students and provide general information about Raalo. That was the only thing we had the budget for. Already your earlier request meant that we had to cut spending elsewhere." Derma listed the problems that came with expanding diplomatic activities.

"You don't have to worry about the budget. I will provide funding for expanded diplomacy. As for staff shortages..." Zonna began to think and after a moment said: "Designate five Maji, each will be responsible for one country and for finding diplomatic personnel. In turn, you will be responsible for coordinating their activities. The direction of foreign policy will be created by Maji, whom I will introduce to you later. I would like to have everything functioning within two months. Do you have any more questions?" She asked at the end.

"No, that removes all my doubts. I believe I will be able to meet your expectations Your Highness."

Having established all this, Derma left Zonna's residence, and princess groomed herself to go to the Academy. She met up with Etiene and together they rode in a carriage. Zonna did not share information about Enzo for the time being. She didn't want her friend to be distracted on such an important day. She intends to tell her everything tomorrow or the day after. In addition, she intends to ask her for help in convincing her brother, Tomaz, to form a military alliance and take part in a possible war.

On site, they found a large group of Maji in front of the administration building. There were many places to register items of choice. However, this didn't exactly help to disperse the gathered crowd. It looked like the princesses would have to wait their turn.

Zonna and Etiene stood in line along with Ramza and Andros, their bodyguards. After a while, a blond-haired Nord began walking toward them. The princesses recognized in him Desmon Urino, a nobleman from Viohtari, who was Sirius' opponent in the duel at the stadium. They were curious about what he wanted from them. The magicians stood closer to the Maya they were protecting. They weren't sure what the duke's son would want to do.

Desmon stood with his bodyguard, Cristo, in front of the princesses and bowed in greeting after which he began to speak.

"I welcome the princesses of Sangeria and Balmaszeglodia. Our last meeting put me in a bad light and I want to apologize to you for that. As part of this apology, I would like to offer you two seats at a lecture at the Mage Tower in Luddor. I have heard that Princess Zonna is interested in magic and I have decided to give you these tickets for the weekend." He handed them two tokens serving as entrance fees.

Zonna had heard about the event and wanted to go to it, but the magus had already sold out all the tickets. She wasn't sure of Desmon's intentions, but it was too valuable an offer for her to turn down. She looked in Etiene's direction and waited for her decision. The latter, after some consideration, nodded her head in agreement.

"We accept your apology Desmon Urino. We are grateful for your gift and hope that in the future our relations will be free of conflict." She accepted the offer to reconcile with the duke's son.

"I am happy about this, having the royal family as enemies is always dangerous. I hope that in the future we will have the opportunity to do business." He expressed his satisfaction.

Suddenly Desmon's face twisted and the anger bubbling up inside him was visible. At the same moment, a new Maji, Sirius, arrived in their group. When he saw Zonna and Etiene, he wanted to greet them. However, after a moment he noticed the nobleman with whom he has a conflict. He then thought that the duke's son wanted to cause trouble for the princesses again.

"Zonna, Etiene, is that honorless Nord causing you problems again?" Sirius asked, without even saying hello.

"I see they didn't teach you etiquette in addressing nobility, simpleton. Besides, how does someone like you know the names of the princesses?" The young nobleman quipped.

"None of your business, trash."

Desmon drew his blade and shouted with rage: "Repeat that bastard!"

Sirius was not indebted and also took his sword in hand. "What, you won't attack from behind this time?" He further provoked the duke's son.

When it seemed that they were going to throw themselves at each other, Etiene, usually shy in such situations, stood between them.

"If you're going to fight with each other do it somewhere else, I and Zonna, unlike you apparently, are here to enroll in subjects at the Academy." Princess Sangeria's words had a sobering effect on the young men, who holstered their weapons.

"If I were you, I'd stay away from him, the local rats might bite you. See you in class." Desmon said goodbye, earlier insulting Sirius.

"I have to go now too, I promised Hanes that I would help him at the forge. I'll see you in a few days to schedule our training sessions Zonna." The young swordsman also left them.

After the calm came, the princesses waited ten minutes until it was their turn. Zonna had already determined which subjects would be her focus, so she didn't need much time to choose them. Of the normal lessons, she chose those that would be useful to her as queen. These were all classes related to the management of the state and people. In addition, she took classes related to running a business. This too could have been useful to her. In addition, she decided to learn war strategies and army command. This will be essential knowledge if war breaks out.

From the combat section, she chose sword fighting without any specialization. She wanted to learn the basics and master them. Only later will it be time to decide to go in a specific style. Starting this training also means training her entire body. She will have to devote several hours a day to this outside of her sword sessions, but she was ready for it. She needed to be able to defend herself.

From the magic department, she chose a class on mana theory and spells. Mana theory could always come in handy for her. Besides, she might discover a way to become a mage. And the knowledge of spells will allow her to effectively select defence against them and allow counter-attacks from her magis.

After making their choice, Etiene and Zonna returned to their residences. It was a very busy day for Princess Balmaszeglodia. For the evening, she still wrote a letter to her father and went to bed.