Chapter 4: Pact (part 4)

I couldn't give her the real answer right now. But if I were to lie, or to completely

ignore the question, it would probably hurt relations with the Empire.

After thinking about it for a moment, I began to speak slowly and calmly. "This

is... let's call it a 'legend' from my world. Long, long ago, there were two gods, one in

the east, and one in the west."

◇ ◇ ◇

The God of the East said, "The world should be equal. Thus, I say to you, O

humans, you must each till the fields for the same amount of time, and the crops are

to be split evenly among all."

The God of the West, on the other hand, said, "The world should be free. Thus, I

say to you, O humans, each of you must till the fields, and those who work the

hardest may take an amount of crops equivalent to their efforts."

The God of the East said to the God of the West, "With your methods, the rich get

richer and the poor get poorer. In a world like that, conflict will arise between the

rich and poor."

The God of the West said, "If those who work the hardest only receive as much as

those who work the least, they will lose their motivation to work. If that happens,

the total amount to go around will fall, and society as a whole will be poorer for it."

And so, the two gods glared at one another. The conflict between these gods

influenced the countries that worshiped each of them. As the countries of the East

and West glared at one another, each thinking, We are right, and they are wrong, the

ones most troubled by all this were the countries caught in the middle.

If the countries that believed in the two gods went to war, they would be the first

victims. Their houses and fields would be all torn up. When they thought, Well, what

are we going to do about this?, the countries near the border had a flash of insight.

"I know! It may be inevitable that they glare at one another, but we just need to

lay down some rules that will stop a war from happening!"

And so, the countries that lived near the borders came together with many of the

countries of the East and West to establish some rules.

One was: "Let's not allow borders to be changed by military force."

One was: "Let's let the people of each country make decisions for themselves."

One was: "Let's arrange cultural exchanges between the East and West and try to

get along."

◇ ◇ ◇

"What was that story?!" Jeanne burst out.

When I'd suddenly started telling her some old legend, she had looked at me

dubiously, but as the story went on, her eyes gradually opened wide with surprise.

Jeanne had seemed composed up until until this point, but that was gone now.

Liscia and Hakuya had similar looks on their faces.

Jeanne slammed her hands down on the table, leaning in closer. "Setting the

process aside, those rules they decided on are basically the Mankind Declaration! So,

how did it turn out?!"

Jeanne was eager for an answer, but I shook my head quietly.

"As for what happened next... I can't tell you that yet."

"Sir Souma!" Jeanne burst out.

"But I do know how the story ended," I said.

"Were those rules... not enough to prevent the war?" Jeanne asked worriedly, but

I shook my head.

"No, at least in the time when those two gods were staring each other down, they

were able to avert the worst case scenario of a total war between the two gods.

Eventually, the God of the East broke apart, and because that god had lost the power

to fight, the God of the West was relieved and stopped glaring in that direction."

"It sounds like a happy ending," said Jeanne. "Where's the problem?"

"Well, if this is where it ended, it would have been a 'they lived happily ever

after,'" I said.

"There's more to the story, then?"

"...That's all I can tell you for now," I said. "Sorry, but I can't reveal any more of

my cards."

I broke off the conversation with a strong tone. Jeanne seemed to want to keep

pressing me, but she gave up when she saw the look in my eyes.

I said to Jeanne, "Don't worry. You'll know soon enough. I won't cause trouble for

the Empire."

"...You're worrying me," she said.

"I'd like you to trust me; our country would like to walk alongside yours. For as

long as Empress Maria holds true to her ideal of uniting mankind against the threat

of the Demon Lord's Realm, I promise you the kingdom will never become the

Empire's enemy."

Jeanne still looked doubtful. "You're not going to join the Mankind Declaration,

are you? Yet you still ask us to trust you?"

"The Mankind Declaration is not the only possible pact," I said. "We can't

participate in the Mankind Declaration, but our country would like to form an

independent alliance with the Empire. Secretly."

"A secret alliance... you say?"

I nodded firmly. "We've finally managed to stabilize the situation inside our

borders. From here, I intend to reform the military, creating a system which allows

me to move all of my forces with one unified will. Furthermore, I've managed to

break Amidonia's fangs in this war. Our country is finally free to move its forces."

Jeanne said nothing.

"So, here's my proposal," I said. "Right now, the Empire is dispatching troops to

aid the Union of Eastern Nations, right?"

"...Yes." She nodded. "They're a conglomeration of medium to small states, most

of which have signed the Mankind Declaration. As the leader of that agreement, it's

only natural that we would dispatch troops there."

"Yeah, that's it," I said. "Can I ask you leave that duty to our country from here

on?"

"Are you serious about that?!" Jeanne raised her voice in surprise.

Here was my proposal:

In the center of this continent was the impregnable Star Dragon Mountain Range,

where wise dragons lived. If the monsters and demons came south, they would have

to go around these mountains to the east and west.

That being the case, I was suggesting that the Empire resist their southern

advance from the west, while the kingdom would resist it from the east. In practical

terms, that meant if the Union of Eastern Nations was threatened by the menace of

the Demon Lord's Domain, the kingdom would dispatch reinforcements.

However, there was a process required.

"In the event that that happens, and the Empire, as head of the Mankind

Declaration, receives a request from the Union of Eastern Nations for

reinforcements, you will make a request for reinforcements to us," I said. "When our

country dispatches troops, I want it to take the form of us responding to a request

from the Empire."

"...That seems like a rather roundabout way of doing things," Jeanne said. "Why?"

"While we don't have the national strength to be called a great power yet, we're

the second largest nation by landmass if you exclude the Demon Lord's Domain," I

said. "If they learn that the first and second largest nations on the continent are

working hand-in-hand, there are going to be countries that get worried by that. The

ones caught in the middle between us—the Principality of Amidonia, the mercenary

state Zem, and the Turgis Republic—particularly so. That is why, as far as possible, I

don't want it known that the Empire and kingdom are cooperating."

"I see. Hence the secret alliance."

Jeanne had a pensive expression. She must have been weighing the pros and cons

of this pact. However, there shouldn't have been any cons for the Empire in my offer.

They would save the war funds that would have gone to defending the east, and

they could thicken their defenses on the western side of their own country, where

they shared a border with the Demon Lord's Domain. If there was anything for them

to be suspicious of, it was our intentions...

After some time, Jeanne nodded. "I don't see any harm in accepting your

proposal. But, is there any merit for you in taking on that duty?"

"If I were pressed to answer, I might say building trust with the Empire," I said.

"That, and because we'd be participating in the war, I would want you to stop

demanding war subsidies."

"Of course," said Jeanne. "That's something we ask of countries not involved in

the war. ...But, are you sure? I don't feel like there's enough in it for you..."

"Well, when the very existence of mankind is at stake, there has to be more

thought put into it than a simple cost-to-benefit analysis," I said. "Besides, if we act

as if it's none of our problem when our country is stable, the other countries won't

look kindly on that."

"I see..." Jeanne crossed her arms, groaning in thought. "In that case, it's a

question of how closely we can collaborate. The Empire and the kingdom are on

opposite sides of the continent. It'll take time for us to communicate. It's good that

we can redirect the requests for aid to you, but if the reinforcements don't arrive in

time as a result, that would be terrible."

"We have some idea of how to deal with that," I said. "Hakuya, bring me that."

"Yes, sire."

Hakuya rose and left the room, soon returning with a wooden box about the size

of a cardboard one. He then offered the box to Jeanne.

Jeanne accepted the chest, looking down at it dubiously. "What might this be?"

"Try opening it," I said. "I want you to give that to Madam Maria."

"Is this... a receiver? ...Ah!" It seemed Jeanne had figured it out. In the box was a

simple receiver, like the ones used when I'd issued my ultimatum to the three dukes.

"This receiver is set to the same frequency as one of the jewels held by our

country," I said. "When you return to the Empire, I would like you to send one of the

Empire's simple receivers to me. Of course, it should be set to the same frequency as

one of the jewels held by the Empire. That way, we can contact each other at any

time."

In other words, by using simple receivers and a jewel in each country, we would

establish a hotline between the Empire and the kingdom. Unlike jewels, simple

receivers were easy to walk around with.

If either country called the other's simple receiver with a request for talks, the

other just needed to go to the location where the jewel was and they could start

immediately. This would only allow us to transmit video and audio, so it wouldn't be

possible to sign anything, but if we had bureaucrats to go back and forth carrying the

documents, even that would become possible.

Jeanne looked highly impressed with this proposal. "With this, you can easily

hold meetings with my sister, who can't afford to leave the Empire. I don't know

what to say, Sir Souma. Your creativity leaves me trembling in awe."

"You're blowing it out of proportion," I said. "It was pretty ordinary to have

something like this in my old world."

"And you think it's perfectly ordinary... Um, Sir Souma? I would like your

permission to say something a little crazy," Jeanne said. "Would that be all right?"

Something crazy? What's she going to say? I wondered.

"I'll allow it."

"Thank you. Now then... Princess Liscia."

"Huh, me?!" Liscia looked surprised to have the conversation suddenly turn to

her, but Jeanne continued regardless.

"Would you consider restoring Sir Albert to the throne? If you act now, the

Empire will support you with everything it has."

Recommending she depose me?! I'm in the room, you know?!

Liscia seemed bewildered at first, but when she came to her senses, she replied

angrily, her face flushing red, "What are you suggesting all of a sudden?! I'd never do

that!"

"Oh, where's the harm?" Jeanne said. "It was Sir Albert's kingdom to begin with.

Then I'd like you to please give the newly-freed-up Sir Souma to us! If he'll come, I'll

give him the position of chancellor or any other position he wants! Heck, I'll even

throw in my sister as an added bonus, so please become our Emperor!"

No, if you're offering to throw in your sister like a free bottle of detergent... aren't

you treating the Empress a little too lightly?!

Liscia was indignant. "Do you even realize what you're saying?!"

"I'm sane, yes," said Jeanne. "The way Sir Souma thinks is ahead of our time. I

want to see the Empire my sister and he would create. If this was how it was going

to be, we should have never accepted the war reparations. We should have insisted

that Sir Souma come be with us. It's not too late, would you consider coming to the

Empire now?"

"Obviously not!" Liscia slammed her hands down on the table. "I need... the

kingdom needs Souma!"

Liscia shouted that threateningly, her canine teeth showing. It wasn't just Liscia;

Aisha behind us was giving off a grumpy aura. Her hand was inching towards her

weapon, too.

I appreciated that they cared so much about me, but Jeanne was, technically, an

important guest from another country. I couldn't let them be too hostile with her.

I patted Liscia on the head saying, "There, there. Calm down Liscia. I'm not going

anywhere, okay?"

"...I'm sorry," she said. "I lost my composure there."

"Aisha, stay, girl!" I barked. "Don't put your hand on that hilt!"

"I-Isn't the way you're treating me a little undignified?!" Aisha objected.

Ignoring that, I looked back to Jeanne. "I'm sorry, but I can't accede to that

request. I do hear that Madam Maria is charming, but I want to stay here and be king

in this country where Liscia and the others are."

"Whew... I know that," Jeanne said. "But I really think it's regrettable that you feel

that way."

Then, saying, "Thank you for allowing me to say something crazy," Jeanne bowed

her head. "Now, back to the topic of the alliance... That's something far too important

for me to decide on my own initiative. Now that you've provided a wonderful system

for our two heads of state to hold talks over the Jewel Voice Broadcast, I think it

would be best if you discussed the matter directly with my sister. For the time being,

I would like a few members of your diplomatic corps to come to the Empire. I will

also leave a few members of our bureaucracy here, so please take them back to the

kingdom with you."

"I see. That should make coordinating things easier," I said. "Very well... but how

about this? What if we each bestow the title of Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary on the representative of our diplomatic corps, then establish an

embassy in each country's capital? It's inefficient having to travel back and forth

between our two countries whenever we decide on something, after all."

"That's marvelous!" exclaimed Jeanne. "I'll look into the possibility at once. My

word... the wisdom gushes forth from King Souma like water from a hot spring."

Again, it wasn't like that had been my idea. If she rated me too highly, it was just

going to make me feel more constrained... But, well, setting that aside, Jeanne and I

continued to talk about various things after that.