The Second-Best Strategist's Gambit
“What about the Nines Tunnel?”
“The terrain is too high and the passage too narrow. It was only ever a temporary route used by the dwarves, so it’s hardly suitable for moving supplies now.”
“Of course, with proper maintenance it could be made usable, but it would inevitably affect border defense…!”
The royal council chamber of the Ayman Kingdom. In the early afternoon, just past lunchtime, we had been summoned to discuss the treaty with the Empire. Various ministers and scholars were raising their voices, each offering their own opinions, while Aegina and Rowell had been quietly listening to them for two hours already.
“……”
Outwardly, I was pretending to listen as well, but honestly, nothing was registering in my head. Lack of sleep had left me drowsy, and fragments of yesterday’s events kept surfacing and replaying in my mind.
‘…I really did go too far.’
Every time her words and actions flashed through my thoughts, I felt the strain of keeping my expression under control. On top of that, whenever I tried to relax and clear my mind, a yawn threatened to escape, making the whole ordeal exhausting.
“…Yes. We have heard everyone’s opinions.”
The meeting had turned emotional, with one side refuting another only to be refuted in turn, until at last Rowell and Aegina spoke.
“In short, there is no other option at present.”
At the cool tone and sharp gaze from Aegina, the ministers and scholars fell silent. She was right—there was never a perfect answer in diplomacy or statecraft. How often did truly brilliant or flawless solutions actually exist?
If the others were completely ignorant or incompetent, that would be one thing, but anyone with even a modicum of insight tended to arrive at similar conclusions. Even so-called “ingenious” ideas that others supposedly couldn’t think of usually weren’t that different in the end.
Setting aside cases of sheer ignorance or lucky “wrong answers” that happened to work out, the real issues always came down to execution and cost.
No matter how good an idea sounded, if it wasn’t realistically achievable, it was nothing more than a gamble—one whose failure could have devastating consequences.
And the direct financial and manpower costs of execution and maintenance, along with all the potential problems and ripple effects that would have to be endured if it succeeded—those were all costs too.
Then there were the countless variables that could arise at any moment. Unless one was a god who could see the future, there was no such thing as a perfect answer.
“…Indeed, realistically speaking, accepting the Empire’s proposal seems the most prudent course.”
I agreed. From what I had skimmed, their offer was reasonable enough. Even with the increased tolls, the rates were still lower than those imposed on neighboring countries, and they had promised substantial investment in rebuilding the border regions of the Ayman Kingdom.
“Besides, since we gave them a pretext in the first place, refusing isn’t really an option.”
At Aegina’s words, several ministers and scholars brightened visibly. They had supported accepting the treaty from the start—some for personal gain, others out of genuine belief that it was the right choice.
Because the meeting’s purpose was to explore alternatives, they had reluctantly offered various opinions, but none had been particularly realistic, and most of their contributions had been spent proving why everyone else’s ideas were impossible or inefficient.
“That is correct, Princess Aegina. Although the Empire framed their demands as a diplomatic matter, even if we view the investment in border reconstruction as compensation, the terms of this treaty are not unfavorable.”
“Indeed. While we would have to concede partial stakes in several border mines, considering the development costs and future profits, the benefits lean heavily in our favor. Moreover, even if trade route tolls rise temporarily, we could always seek alternative routes later, could we not?”
They launched into enthusiastic explanations of the treaty’s advantages, like fish in water. And they weren’t wrong—it was the most sensible answer available.
But.
“Then, Lord Pel Dork and Scholar Culcle, I assume you have also prepared countermeasures for what comes after?”
“Pardon?”
“……?”
They stopped mid-sentence at Aegina’s question, their expressions making it clear they didn’t understand. In response, more than half the scholars and ministers exchanged looks of contempt, while the rest simply stared at Aegina in confusion.
“On the surface, the proposal presents no immediate problems. But that only holds true as long as our kingdom maintains its current trade volume.”
“……!”
“Ah!”
Only then did realization dawn, accompanied by quiet sighs of dismay. That was exactly it—they had overlooked anything beyond the present moment.
“I assume you are already aware of the situations in neighboring countries that are gradually recovering their national strength, as well as the newly established or rebuilt nations.”
The Ayman Kingdom’s trade volume was growing rapidly, fueled by the influx of refugees, postwar recovery, and a robust economic foundation that had endured the war. As other nations that had focused on reconstruction began to regain their strength, trade could only expand further.
“What the Empire seeks is not merely higher tolls, nor is their investment simple goodwill. This is an attempt to check the Ayman Kingdom’s growing power.”
Of course, a slight increase in tolls wouldn’t immediately reduce trade volume. However, it would certainly limit the scope for new trade ventures. All trade began small, after all. That was why many nations accepted short-term losses during the early stages, prioritizing long-term relationships over immediate profits.
But that willingness to endure initial losses only applied up to a certain threshold. Once costs exceeded acceptable levels, even starting such ventures became hesitant. Indirectly, it served as a check on trade expansion.
Furthermore, the investment—disguised as a carrot—would grant the Empire partial stakes in border resources, costing them nothing while extending their influence into another nation’s territory.
They inflicted no direct or immediate harm, yet they hindered their rival’s growth while securing their own national interests. That clear objective was why they had gone to the trouble of using the marriage arrangement as a pretext to insert such a scheme into the treaty.
“The Empire is steadily expanding both its national strength and its influence over neighboring countries. What could possibly motivate them to check a kingdom as modest as ours in this manner?”
Even with overwhelming military power, they couldn’t pose a direct threat while we were here. That left economic and capital-based subjugation as their only viable path—and for that to succeed, it was in their interest to prevent the Ayman Kingdom from growing any stronger.
“……”
One by one, those who had supported the treaty lowered their heads. Of course, this single treaty alone wouldn’t bring about any catastrophic outcome. If someone claimed it would reduce the Ayman Kingdom to a vassal state, that would be an absurd exaggeration. Still, it was clearly the best option the Empire had devised under the circumstances, and the effort they had put into making it happen showed just how important it was to them.
“Anak? You’ve had a serious expression since the meeting began and haven’t said a word. Do you have any thoughts?”
I had been half-asleep, barely following the discussion, when Aegina’s question suddenly drew every eye in the room toward me.
“Hmm……?”
The weight of so many gazes jolted me awake.
“If you have any ideas, don’t keep them to yourself. Please share them.”
If it had been just the three of us, I would have honestly admitted I had been dozing off and offered Aegina and Rowell an awkward smile. But the problem was that over fifty ministers and scholars were gathered here, most of them staring at me with eyes far too bright for their age.
“If it is Lord Anak, known as the Second-Best Strategist, then surely he must have some insight. Even if it is not yet fully refined, please share it with us here.”
“I heard that the annihilation of the Demon King’s forces during the Falcon Defense was also thanks to Lord Anak’s wisdom.”
…The real issue was that this was the Ayman Kingdom, where my name and reputation were most well-known. During our campaigns here, it had often been just the three of us, so Rowell, Aegina, and I had been treated as equals, and my contributions had been somewhat exaggerated. Honestly, my “strategy” during the Falcon Defense had been nothing more than a simple pincer ambush.
“……”
I truly had no thoughts at all. Yet faced with their expectant stares, as if some brilliant plan were about to emerge from my mouth, and perhaps still half-asleep, I found myself blurting out something without thinking.
“…W-what if we brought the dwarves into this?”
The moment the words left my lips, I felt the blood drain from the back of my neck. It was such an out-of-the-blue suggestion. Dwarves? It must have been the influence of hearing about them during the discussion of the Nines Tunnel.
“The dwarves?”
People tilted their heads in confusion, while Rowell and Aegina regarded me seriously, their expressions demanding an explanation. But I had spoken without any real intent—just whatever came to mind.
“I-it was just a passing thought, so you don’t have to take it seriously……”
My face burned with embarrassment. I should have just said I couldn’t think of anything. Why had I blurted out something about dwarves…?
“I see!”
Suddenly, an elderly scholar seated toward the back shot to his feet.
“As expected! As expected of the Second-Best Strategist! To think you would come up with such a solution!”
Wait, what? What solution? The person who said it didn’t even know what it meant—what on earth had he figured out?
“To think you would review all the geological survey reports of the border mines in a single day! Truly worthy of one of the heroes who saved the world!”
As the old scholar cried out in excitement, the others turned to me with even greater curiosity. Of course, I had no idea what he was talking about. I maintained a meaningful, satisfied smile to match the atmosphere, but in truth, I was the one who wanted answers. Geological survey reports? I had glanced at a report predicting what resources might be present, but I had never seen any geological surveys.
“Ah! That’s it! That method was available all along.”
“As expected of Anak. Impressive!”
Even Rowell and Aegina were nodding as if they had understood something, looking at me with pride. Wait, what? What did geological survey reports have to do with dwarves…?
‘Ah!’
I barely managed to suppress the exclamation that nearly escaped me. Instead, I offered a faint smile and nodded as though I had intended this all along.
“That is correct. We should conclude the Sherpen Treaty.”