Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Pax Croisenca
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"There are many ways. We could wield trade as a weapon or employ divide-and-conquer tactics. Unless they're fools, they'll prefer to sit idly by just enough, intervene just enough to reap the benefits from behind the scenes, rather than risking all-out war with the Empire."
"Once we've stabilized our surroundings and mended those relations, we'll bind them economically to our Empire. We'll make it so they can't even pick up a sword or spear if they wanted to."
"Croisen. The order of peace revolving around this glorious Empire. Pax Croisenca. That is the grand vision I ultimately desire."
At first listen, it sounded utterly implausible—almost pie-in-the-sky.
Yet the more you heard, the more it seemed plausible, drawing you in deeper.
Rumors of the First Prince's eloquence weren't exaggerated.
If I weren't from my family and had been with the Neutral Faction instead, I'd have viewed it positively.
Of course, the princess sitting beside me was about to snap at the prince's nonsense...
"..."
No, Princess? What am I supposed to do if you're looking bewitched like that!
Snap out of it! You're with the Hawk Faction, not the Doves!
"Ah."
Thankfully, she came to her senses quickly, her face twisting in a scowl.
"The idea was so outlandish I was tempted for a second. But looking closer, it's just fancy words."
"Which part exactly, Bel?"
"You think if we drop military force and use other means, they'll just go, 'Oh dear, the Empire's pressure is too much. Better bow our heads'? No, they'll double down on military action!"
"That's—"
"And besides, what's so bad about military action? It's the fastest and most effective option! Look at our neighbors! Nine times out of ten, they fold when our Imperial Army stirs near the border!"
That's right. That's how it is. In a clash between the Empire and a kingdom, nine times out of ten, the Empire wins.
The wider the territory, the more resources, the larger the population—the Empire holds every advantage.
That's why it's called an empire: overwhelming superiority in all three.
And that superiority was forged through ceaseless wars.
"...Fine. Good. Let's set aside the ideals and look at something more realistic, Bel."
At some point, the conversation between the prince and me had turned into a spat between him and the princess.
But I didn't intervene. If anything, it made for good entertainment.
"Do you know how much tax went to the military just this year, Bel?"
"...Quite a bit."
"'Quite a bit' doesn't cover it. It's gone up again. With more military activity comes more resource consumption, which means taxes on Imperial citizens aren't holding steady or dropping—they're rising."
Hm. As expected. The most realistic—and fatal—issue rears its head.
Money matters are crucial anytime, anywhere, for a single household or an entire empire.
Especially taxes, which aren't just simple income... Sigh. My head's already starting to ache.
"The Empire pours enormous taxes into military spending nonstop. But the returns aren't what they used to be. We're not waging conquest wars like the Great Emperors or our early ancestors did, yet we're burning through just as much."
"It's providing deterrence instead!"
"We could achieve that deterrence with far less spending. And prevent needless casualties among the Empire's youth."
The princess was countering fiercely with other arguments.
But she looked strained. No wonder—the prince had brought up taxes.
This wasn't just money. It was the people's morale, their love and support for the Imperial Family.
Higher taxes meant all that plummeting in tandem.
"Young Lord Kael."
Having routed the princess, the prince turned to me and continued.
"As you know, war costs are never small. Even the recent friction with Norobogord cost a fortune just to move one legion. It's always like this. How long can we sustain it?"
"..."
"I'm not saying abandon force altogether, as I said. Just think harder, consider more carefully. Make it our last resort, not the first."
Damn. I shouldn't, but I'm getting drawn in. That rhetoric, that eloquence!
"The Hawks won't give up despite the unsustainable taxes. It's the easy path. That's why I need someone who stands with the Hawks but understands my position."
"And that's me?"
"I saw potential in you. No—certainty."
Potential. Certainty. I asked exactly what he meant.
The prince smiled and began.
"You marched to war but broke the enemy's will without fighting, made them kneel. As the eldest son of the Bertier Imperial Count, you could have been a fervent military supporter, yet you stepped back for that approach. I hold that in the highest regard."
"..."
For a moment, the words it's all a misunderstanding swirled in my mouth.
The prince seemed to think I was skeptical of using force.
But I wasn't at all. If I truly were, I wouldn't have joined the campaign.
"Your Highness is seeking a new path."
"You could say that."
"I have one question."
Up to now, I'd only heard appealing ideas.
And like all political figures, there's always a stick after the carrot.
"If the military and Hawks keep resisting like this, what will you do?"
"Then the next Imperial budget assembly in parliament will get noisy."
"You'd pressure the military budget?"
"Provoking neighbors for no gain, forcing more spending— that's treason against the Empire in my view. What do you think, Young Lord Kael?"
I fell silent at the prince's words, while the princess shot up from her seat, demanding what nonsense that was.
Pressuring the budget when so many were toiling to defend the Empire today?
It would turn every heroic Imperial soldier who'd fought honorably into enemies.
But the prince parried smoothly, as if he'd been waiting.
"Bel. What did those Imperial heroes fight for? To change things. So your sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters—and their descendants—wouldn't face war's threat. We're not in the founding era anymore, and there's scarcely a nation around poised to invade us en masse. The world's changed—why cling to the old ways?"
"No nations to invade? Norobogord alone may lack our numbers, but their training and combat experience match ours! And that's just one-on-one. What about if the neighbors unite to pressure us?"
"That's why we handle it through diplomacy..."
"Demons want bigger prey! More to carve up! They're the same! Do they want our scraps, or a huge chunk ripped from us?!"
Both sides had valid points. Hard to call one right or wrong.
As I quietly watched the siblings clash, the prince turned to me.
"That covers my thoughts. What do you say, Young Lord Kael?"
"Your Highness's words were deeply impressive."
"Glad to hear it. I half-expected you to call it idealistic nonsense."
"Force is ultimately a means to protect and maintain peace. Your Highness thinks so, and so does the princess beside me. In the end, aren't we all aiming for the Empire's peace?"
The prince gazed at me with warm approval.
Even though I'd shone in the military and my father was a pillar of it.
Me reacting positively to his views? Understandable.
Conversely, the princess eyed me with quiet concern.
"But Your Highness, force ultimately makes the other side listen more closely. It's not optional—it's essential. History proves it."
"..."
"Your Highness, ultimately I'll vote in favor of your view. But not yet. It's premature."
"Even with the heavy burden of frequent military actions?"
Like with the princess, he was coming at me with taxes.
And rightly so. Nobles, the Imperial Family—no one wants angry citizens.
How many nations have crumbled under excessive taxes?
"The Doves plan to use that in the next parliament to pressure us."
"They will."
"You can say all this in front of me and the princess?"
"You'll learn soon enough anyway, and I figured you'd anticipated it."
No, I hadn't. Please stop overestimating me. Cut the misunderstanding!
"Then, since I've heard in advance, I'll say this upfront too. Your Highness, that argument won't hold much sway in the next parliament."
"...What do you mean?"
"Imperial citizens won't rebel against taxes as much as you think."
The prince made a face like that was absurd.
How could they not? It was taxes, plain and simple.
"They say economic factors shape political outcomes. Your Highness, there's a saying: 'Politics is subordinate to economics.'"
"Profound words. They resonate deeply. Did you come up with it, Young Lord Kael?"
"...Sure."
Sorry, Yang Wenli. You're not here, so I'll take credit.
"But if we follow your words, it works against us. Economics is money, taxes are money—so we'd be boosting the citizens' complaints."
"True. But sometimes, it flips."
"Flips? Even with rising taxes? Clear economic loss?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Have you ever heard of nationalism, Your Highness?