The Great Plains
The Lucilla Great Plains is a vast expanse of land located in the western part of the empire, bordering the frontier, slightly toward the south.
It is the home of all beastkin, and their spiritual homeland as well.
The one that holds sway over that place is the Tribal Alliance.
“The Kingdom Alliance is the same. Why do they all love forming alliances so much?”
“They know that if they want to face the Empire, they have to band together.”
I answered Lily’s question lightly.
Although I lumped them together with the Kingdom Alliance in my words, strictly speaking, the two have somewhat different goals.
“Beastkin generally enjoy fighting. They also worship the strong.”
If the Kingdom Alliance was formed voluntarily to oppose the Empire, the beastkin are different.
They would be brawling among themselves as usual, then suddenly think:
‘Fighting among ourselves is one thing, but if we want to fight the strong outside the plains, wouldn’t it be better to have a representative first?’
‘That’s not a bad idea.’
‘Then how do we decide on a representative?’
‘Obviously, the strongest one should be the representative.’
……Something like that. That is how the Beastkin Tribal Grand Alliance was created.
“Certainly, unlike the Kingdom Alliance, their attitude toward the Empire is quite moderate.”
Thanks to that, unlike the Kingdom Alliance, which was born to defeat the Empire, the Beastkin Alliance has maintained a relatively smooth relationship with the Empire.
“Requests for food aid have also been coming in periodically.”
Food aid, huh.
Occupying such a vast plain and still lacking food? One might think that, but it’s easy to understand if you think of them as nomadic tribes.
The Great Plains are immense, and while there is certainly fertile land among them…….
Most of it is closer to a barren environment.
In the first place, the Empire has already gobbled up most of the fertile land on the continent.
Of course.
“They must have been getting by on their stockpiles, but they really must be running low on food now.”
It’s true that they are lacking, but not to the point where they need to cry for help. It was more of a ploy to cover up the internal conflicts boiling within.
But that, too, must be reaching its limit now.
The fact that the old leadership was ousted and Groom has newly taken control is proof of that.
“I should send some food along when we dispatch this delegation.”
“Pardon?”
Lily, who had been listening, widened her eyes.
“You’ve rejected every request that has come in so far, Your Majesty.”
“The circumstances have changed.”
Sending food aid to those who were in the middle of internal struggles would hardly earn us any proper gratitude.
Even if the Empire sent aid to the ‘Beastkin Tribal Alliance,’ the ones receiving it wouldn’t be the massive group known as the Alliance, but the individual tribes themselves.
They wouldn’t have been grateful to the Empire, either.
Now, it’s different.
“A new leader has risen, so he’ll need to create results and clean up the internal mess. We should lend him a hand.”
“As expected, Your Majesty had a plan all along.”
As I was having a long conversation with Lily like that, I felt a familiar presence.
“Brother. I heard you were looking for me…. What’s the sudden matter?”
It was Theodore.
He should have been at the academy, but it seems he skipped his classes and ran straight here at my call.
“It’s been a while, Prince Theodore.”
“Oh, yeah. Good to see you too, Lily.”
Theodore, who awkwardly accepted Lily’s greeting, stood before me.
“Hmm.”
“……Why, why are you looking at me like that?”
I scrutinized Theodore.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
He seems to have grown significantly since I last saw him. The aura he exudes is exceptional. His control over his previously somewhat clumsy energy was also perfect.
Even without checking specifically, his growth didn’t seem slow compared to the original work.
At this level, he could clearly be considered among the ranks of the strong, even looking at the entire continent.
He can’t compare to the top-tier powerhouses yet, but that doesn’t change the fact that his growth rate is astonishing.
“……I still have a long way to go to catch up to you, Brother.”
Well, I’m a sort of bug-character, so that’s that. Even compared to the original tyrant, I’m confident I could end a fight within five seconds.
If Theodore maintains his current growth rate, he will be able to reach a level that could be counted on one hand before he graduates.
“Are you seeing the end of the sword?”
“Not yet. But I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
Theodore said, looking somewhat embarrassed.
He’s growing well on his own. It’s a satisfying result in many ways. At this rate, I won’t have any major worries about handing over the throne after Theodore graduates.
“……So, what is it really about?”
“Theo. I’ve decided to dispatch a delegation to the Lucilla Plains soon. I want you to take the lead.”
“Me?”
Theodore’s eyes widened.
There is a reason why I judged him to be the best candidate for this event.
First, one must understand what this Great Plains event is.
In short, the Great Plains event is…….
“It will be the event that determines the future of our diplomacy with the Empire.”
“What?!”
That’s right.
The story of the Great Plains event was about Groom, who had newly risen to the position of leader, contemplating what kind of relationship to form with the Empire.
If you’ve built up good favor with the main characters and cleared the beastkin-related quests, you maintain a friendly relationship with the Empire without issue.
Conversely, if you’re lacking, the relationship between the Empire and the beastkin turns cold.
“The leader of the plains has changed.”
“I heard about that.”
“The one who has newly pacified the plains is named Groom. He is a wolf beastkin.”
“……That’s a bit surprising.”
Theodore’s surprised reaction. It’s not that he’s a racist or anything.
Literally, he’s just surprised that a wolf beastkin became the leader of the Beastkin Tribal Alliance.
Are wolf beastkin weak? That’s not it.
But it is true that they are somewhat inferior compared to dragon or tiger beastkin.
That meant Groom’s individual ability was that outstanding.
“I understand that the new master of the plains is that capable. But then, shouldn’t you entrust this to someone else who is competent, not me?”
“Theo, do you not trust yourself?”
“It’s not that.”
Theodore shut his mouth.
He seems to be listening obediently because it’s my word, but he didn’t seem convinced yet.
How do I know? His eyebrows are forming an ‘八’ shape. Who wouldn’t know that?
I said to him:
“If you needed someone just to sit at the negotiation table, you’d be right. There are many people more capable than you.”
“…….”
“But what’s needed right now isn’t just someone smart.”
“Then?”
“You possess both martial prowess and intellect. Furthermore, as you are of the imperial bloodline, you are perfectly suited to deal with beastkin who value lineage.”
Especially that guy, Groom.
That guy is very picky. He’s the type who weighs the martial prowess, intellect, and even the lineage of the person greeting him.
Simply put, if you’re on his level, he treats you with the utmost respect and might even swear brotherhood with you, but if you’re below his standards, he becomes ruthless.
So, Theodore is the most suitable choice.
Apart from that, the character Groom himself has a personality that meshes well with Theodore, so they’ll likely become friends quickly.
“……Hmm. If Brother says so.”
However.
Theodore’s reaction is very lackluster.
“Why, don’t you want to go?”
“It’s not that. ……It’s just.”
This kid.
It seems there’s something going on.
He’s clearly trailing off as if hiding something and watching my reaction. There’s definitely something.
“Speak quickly. If you don’t, you’ll find out what it’s like to not be able to leave this room.”
“No. It’s just, you see.”
“Tsk.”
“W-wait a second. I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”
He’s finally opening his mouth.
I loosened my grip on my clenched fist. Theodore hesitated for a moment before giving up and saying:
“……Brother, are you thinking of getting married?”
“What kind of sudden nonsense is that.”
I furrowed my brow.
I wondered what he was talking about. If nothing else, I’ve made it clear enough that I have no intention of getting married anytime soon.
Yet, the fact that he’s bringing it up must mean there’s a reason.
“Why are you asking something like that?”
Ah, don’t tell me.
“……You.”
“That’s right. Actually, I confessed to Flora.”
“Oh my.”
Lily, who had been listening, covered her mouth with her hand.
I was surprised too.
The reason he asked if I had any intention of getting married was because of that. If I, the Emperor, haven’t married, he might feel self-conscious about getting married first.
Even if dating is fine, marriage is a matter to be thought about seriously.
But it’s fine.
Because I’m going to pass it on to you anyway.
“So, we’ve decided to date. It happened just yesterday.”
So this kid is already thinking about marriage after one day of dating?
No. I understand. That’s just how the male lead is.
“……So that’s why? Because if you take on the mission as an envoy, you won’t be able to see her for a while?”
“That’s, yeah.”
Theodore hung his head as if he felt ashamed.
“To put my personal feelings ahead of such an important task, I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry, Brother. I’ll pull myself together and go.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Huh?”
“You can just take her with you. Your lover.”
“……W-what?”
You said you were thinking about marriage.
Is there any reason you can’t take her?
Ah, is it because of the attendance?
“Flora, was it? In any case, I will issue the recognition documents for that young lady’s attendance.”
“Uh, uh?”
That’s enough, right?
So, go on your way.