Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Eastern Three Kingdoms' Alliance
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Beyond the eastern borders of the Empire lie a total of three kingdoms.
In order of territorial size: Burkhai, Kaden, and Porland.
These are known within the Empire as the Eastern Three Kingdoms.
Territory: average. Population: average. Resources: average. Everything else: average.
They are kingdoms in the truest sense of the word.
But one thing stands out. Their history is as ancient as our Empire's.
What does that mean? It means they possess a certain pride born from their storied past.
They watched the Empire's rise with growing wariness and even waged wars against us.
In fact, just ten years ago, the 'Imperial East' was a perilous hotspot of conflict.
If this region hadn't been divided into three separate kingdoms but formed a single one...
I can say with confidence that the Empire would have had one hell of a headache dealing with the east.
All three kingdoms despised any one of them growing too powerful.
A neighbor right next door thriving irks you more than some distant land.
Whenever one of the three showed signs of rising, the others would drag it back down.
Thanks to that, the Empire never had to pour excess resources or time into the east.
Yet the words that had just left the Crown Princess's mouth turned all that on its head.
"Sister? What do you mean... the Eastern Three Kingdoms forming an alliance?"
"It's a report from the Special Affairs Ministry. And the Foreign Affairs Ministry says the possibility is very high."
"That's..."
As I said, the Eastern Three Kingdoms are nothing special in any regard.
But that's only when viewed one at a time. And right now, that mediocrity has tripled.
...No, not tripled. More than that. There's such a thing as synergy.
'An alliance of the Eastern Three Kingdoms. What that implies... just one thing.'
"Kael Young Master. What are your thoughts?"
The Crown Princess turned to me with her question.
I answered without a hint of hesitation.
"They will take military action, Your Highness, Crown Princess."
"And?"
"...In a more extreme scenario, the fires of war could erupt in the east."
No way those three banded together to say, 'Let's all get along with the Empire!'
These rivals who spent years checking each other and gleefully tripping one another up now joining hands?
This means fighting solo was too daunting, so they sought out comrades.
"Indeed. Just as you say. The Eastern Three Kingdoms appear intent on risking war with our Empire."
From none other than the Crown Princess herself?
It's safe to assume hostile actions from the Eastern Three Kingdoms are all but certain soon.
The Empire will likely mobilize in earnest within two days at the latest.
"Sister. Then shouldn't we pressure the Dove Faction nobles right now?"
"Pressure."
"Yes. Their precious diplomacy that they championed so loudly has been proven worthless. Think of all the time, resources, effort, and sincerity the Empire has invested in the east!"
As the Princess said, the Dove Faction had targeted the east as the most promising front.
With the three kingdoms so nicely keeping each other in check, there was potential to ease anti-Empire sentiment.
That was their thinking—they supported pro-Empire factions through various overtures.
But the result? The three kingdoms unite, and the Eastern Three Kingdoms stand on the brink of drawing swords against the Empire.
Let this slide, and other neighboring kingdoms will start making dubious moves too.
The Empire's response is inevitable. And so is an internal purge.
That was the argument the Princess was making before her sister, the Crown Princess.
"Tsk, tsk."
But the Crown Princess merely clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Bell, it seems you still have much to learn."
"Sister? What..."
The Princess looked utterly flustered, at a loss for words.
"Kael Young Master."
The Crown Princess turned to me and continued.
"What do you think? Do you truly believe we should use this chance to oust the Dove Faction from the political stage?"
"..."
I am the eldest son of the Bertier Imperial Count. Heir to a family that's served in the military for generations.
I fought on the battlefields and, even after moving to the capital, aligned with the Hawk Faction.
To others' eyes, I'm unmistakably Hawk Faction.
In that context, the Crown Princess was asking me how to handle the Dove Faction.
'...Is the Crown Princess with the Hawks?'
No. If anything, she's closer to Neutral.
...Wrong. She's absolute power. She has no need to choose sides.
She only appears neutral because she can pick allies or discard them at will.
What answer should I give before such a figure?
What words would earn her satisfaction?
My mind raced furiously, but the response came in mere seconds.
"No, Your Highness. On the contrary, precisely now is why we must not push out the Dove Faction."
"Kael Young Master?!"
"Hoo."
The Crown Princess wore an intrigued expression, while the Princess eyed me like a traitor.
No, Princess. Don't give me that bat-like glare. It's not like that.
"I'd like to hear your reasoning. If that's alright?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
I steadied my breath inwardly, organized my thoughts, and spoke.
"First, the Empire's Dove Faction hasn't completely failed."
"Hasn't failed? Isn't this situation proof of failure? The three kingdoms have allied, putting the east in peril."
"It appears that way. At first glance, yes."
Of course. If it were true failure, things wouldn't have escalated so abruptly.
"The three kingdoms acting this suddenly... there must be a reason. For instance, to crush the pro-Empire factions rising within their borders. They've sensed a threat."
"So the anti-Empire factions, feeling desperate, joined hands and drove the alliance talks?"
"In the three kingdoms, the anti-Empire side still holds more power, so it's not impossible."
A classic pattern I'd seen plenty in my past life. Nothing tricky about it.
The easiest way to crush a political rival: fabricate an external enemy and claim ties between that enemy and your foe.
Public sentiment fractures in an instant, leading to swift division.
"Starting a war with the Empire just to eliminate fledgling pro-Empire factions? Hmm. Kael Young Master, aren't you underestimating the three kingdoms' leadership?"
"I'd prefer my prediction to be wrong. I hope their leaders are sharper than I anticipate."
"Why is that?"
"Those who hold power dread losing the source of it more than losing the nation itself. Even with a clear future ahead, they can't help fearing an immediate shift in public opinion."
The Crown Princess nodded silently.
Tok, tok. The only sound was her fingers drumming the table.
"And the Empire's Dove Faction must remain for what comes next."
"What comes next."
"Leaving a faction that seeks dialogue even in this crisis. To other kingdoms, it plants the notion that 'the Empire always keeps a door open for peace.' If we navigate this eastern crisis well, it'll benefit the Empire in countless ways."
To my response, the Crown Princess smiled faintly. 'Plus, the Empire can claim it left room for talks with the Eastern Three Kingdoms to the very end—a fine pretext, no?'
Sharp as ever. She'd grasped everything, even beyond what I'd said.
"Indeed. Kael Young Master, you're spot on. Impressive. To have seen it all."
"I am humbled, Your Highness."
"You're just twenty-one, aren't you? You don't look it at all. Truly remarkable."
If we're comparing ages, Your Highness is only twenty-four and saw the same without past-life memories or experience. That's even more terrifying.
I was just bluffing desperately to survive this moment!
"Ah... aaah..."
At that moment, the Princess who'd been listening quietly let out a sigh.
She bowed her head deeply before the Crown Princess in apology.
"I-I'm sorry. Sister. I'm so sorry! Your Highness, Crown Princess. I'm so lacking... I failed to grasp the bigger picture..."
"It's only natural you wouldn't know, Bell. Truth be told, the man at your side is abnormally brilliant—bordering on excessive. You've hooked a big one. Hehe."
"...?"
Hooked what? A big one? What are you talking about?
"Now, shall we move on?"
With a gesture from the Crown Princess, maids appeared from nowhere to clear the table.
It happened so swiftly that I only realized what occurred afterward.
Imperial palace maids indeed. They can double as guards—no exaggeration!
"Take a look at this, Kael Young Master. Do you know what it is?"
"...With my limited insight, it appears to be a map of the Empire's eastern border and the adjacent zones of the three eastern kingdoms."
"Correct. It's a map with detailed terrain of that area."
The Empire lives up to its name. A tactical map like this—even exaggerating a bit, it's close to a modern one.
"Their confidence in defying the Empire's heart lies here. They have many paths to us, but our routes to them are limited. Seize even one chokepoint, and it's like cutting their leash."
The Crown Princess pointed to one spot in particular.
"This place—we call it Pavilion Pass. We plan to station elite troops there and hold it. The War Ministry and military command will issue operational plans soon."
"I see."
"And I want you to accompany them there, Kael Young Master."
"Me... you say."
I'd expected it wouldn't be ordinary, but... another field deployment?
This time, it's a direct order from none other than the Crown Princess.
"I'd like to borrow your ingenuity once more. Will you help?"
"Your Highness, this body is always prepared to serve the Empire. However—"
"No one will nitpick your age or experience. I promise you that."
Damn. This is trouble. A poisoned chalice. The expectations of the Empire's second-highest figure!
Succeed, and all's well. Fail, and it's not just a stain on our family honor.
"...I will do my utmost, Your Highness."
Of course, I couldn't exactly say, 'Nah, pass,' and run.
A request—or command—from the Crown Princess herself.
Perform well, and our family will soar.
"A willing response. Then let me ask: if you were on-site, how would you proceed?"
"If I were there, I would..."
Chokepoints that would leash the Imperial Army. Key positions we must hold.
Beside the relatively defensible paths stretch mountains.
'Mountains. Mountains.'
Having finished deliberating, I pointed to one spot on the map before me.
"I would make use of this place, Your Highness, Crown Princess."
A mountain positioned beside the pass. At my choice, the Crown Princess's expression turned peculiar.
She must have been baffled—leaving an easily defensible chokepoint for a tactical novice's obvious answer, only for me to pick the wrong one.
But have no fear, Your Highness.
I'm no amateur hiking enthusiast like Teacher Masu, who only knew one trick.