War on the Table (5): Gates of the Canyon
The war table (5). We had arrived at the gorge. I had opened the gate that had been sealed shut, and Queen Carmen and her knights had simply walked across the plains into the canyon.
"Even though it's just Gate 2, what an incredible view."
Queen Carmen, ascending to the top of Gate 2's walls, smiled faintly.
"I'm glad I supported the elevator business. Otherwise, you'd have had to be carried up by a knight or something."
"Not bad, right?" I pointed to the elevator installed on one side of the wall. The entire circular platform moved up and down, powered by mana stones and pulleys.
"I had it built just to show you this view, Your Majesty. Enjoy it to your heart's content."
"I thought you did it so you could bring Naria here for a date."
"Let's just say bringing you here counts instead."
"Heh."
Queen Carmen brushed her hair behind her ear as she gazed toward the Empire, at Gate 1 standing firmly closed.
"The Empire has wanted to open that gate for 500 years. Do you know why?"
"History lesson?"
"A crash course. You need to know this to converse smoothly with them."
Why did the Empire want the Gibraltar Canyon open?
"Because it's the shortest path."
There were various reasons, but the canyon was the only route that allowed crossing the continent from east to west.
"It's the sole passage humans can use across the continent."
Once the gates opened, travel from the Empire's capital to the kingdom's capital would take just two weeks by carriage. And that was assuming full stops for sleep and rest every night.
"If the Empire were to conquer the kingdom—ah, purely hypothetical."
The knights behind Carmen shot me sharp looks for a moment. I understood. Any kingdom citizen would naturally assume the opposite: when the kingdom conquered the Empire.
"Ahem. If that happened, this place would become the only thoroughfare, with thousands, tens of thousands passing through daily."
The future. When Empire citizens toured the entire kingdom, they all passed through Gibraltar. Once rails were laid through the canyon, trains shuttled between the old capital and the imperial capital in a single day. The tolls alone back then funded more academies than you could count. Other methods could cut it to half a day.
"Whether war, tourism, or trade, opening the gates is pure profit for the Empire."
That's why they desperately wanted the gates open.
"Is that enough?"
"Yeah. So they've been prodding in every way possible—whether with letters or swords."
They'd tried every method until now, and finally reaped results.
"It's only possible now because we've half-approved it on our side."
"What's that?"
"An unofficial diplomatic document. The Empire's request for talks."
Queen Carmen pulled a single letter from her bosom and waved it.
"We were originally set to meet at sea, but since Gibraltar agreed to cooperate, we chose here."
Originally at sea. Meaning, in the original timeline, the Empire's delegation would have contacted the queen via the ocean. Unlike now, before regression, Gibraltar and Morgania had dealt with the Empire separately.
Who could've predicted it? That the margrave would defect to the Empire in person and make contact with the emperor.
Not even Morgania had foreseen Father's betrayal. That the man who decided on treason would sprint to the Empire's envoys while Mother slept.
I didn't know either.
I learned on academy graduation day. That he'd been in personal contact long before.
So that's how it merged into this moment.
History had twisted.
Officially or not, Gibraltar had grasped the hands extended by both Morgania and the Empire.
And now, in the present.
"Grey. The Empire's delegation will arrive soon. I've sent the signal, so they'll be here any moment."
Queen Carmen had graciously brought me along to the site where she would receive the Empire's envoys.
"Originally, the margrave would have come himself. As the one who moves the gates."
"Yes."
The "originally" she meant was the current timeline. Not me stepping forward, but the margrave accompanying her.
"The Empire's envoys—from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their 'ministers,' right?"
"You know the Empire's administrative structure well?"
"Learned it from those newspapers flying over there."
"...They do come frequently."
Queen Carmen looked up at the sky. A clear sky without a single cloud, something floated lazily and smacked into the gate's walls. Paper. A newspaper. Various Empire news, with "[Imperial Gazette, Subscribe Now!]" plastered at the bottom.
"The Empire's got talent. Sending these into the canyon even on windless days."
Queen Carmen unfolded the newspaper fully.
"...We should use paper like this too."
A material utterly different from parchment—paper-thin.
"We could make it, couldn't we?"
"Too expensive. Labor, technology, all that—plus the screams of the existing parchment craftsmen. Headache all around."
The technology itself was simple. The kingdom could introduce it if it wanted.
"You wouldn't know, but in the capital, anyone you try anything with screams 'That's impossible!'"
But that would rile up countless entrenched interests, so the kingdom couldn't attempt changes lightly.
"Really, there are times I want to chop off all their heads."
"You've had it rough."
"Why don't you come to the capital and help me? Princess Naria's already pitching in a bit."
"The princess is already handling kingdom administration?"
This was unexpected.
"I figured she'd start after coming of age, once the academy opened."
"Yeah. No idea what wind blew, but she's been helping since last year. Just learning procedures for now."
"...Not proposing 'improvements' or 'new laws'?"
"Nope."
"......"
One possibility flashed through my mind, but the odds were low. If it were true, we'd be using Empire-style paper instead of parchment by now.
"...When the Empire's academy opens, lots of people will come and go before then."
"Could include assassins mid-way, but publicly, it'll be merchants and scholars."
That's exactly what happened.
"Grey. This isn't an official meeting. You realized, right?"
"Yes. If it were official, you wouldn't come so discreetly."
Everyone would learn eventually, but for now, it had to stay secret.
"The ministers would've kept you tied up yelling 'Nooooo' anyway."
"Pfft, yeah. Truly, those change-fearing pests."
Queen Carmen laughed bitterly.
"I have to come out under the pretext of wall inspection to meet discreetly. Only with my own people."
"Wasn't it supposed to be yesterday?"
"They're the ones waiting. And whose fault is the delay?"
"Sorry about that."
This was state business. Empire capital embedding in the kingdom's heart. Trillions in capital at stake. Queen Carmen, emotionally shaken, shouldn't be here.
"If I'd come here with my mind rattled because of you, the Empire's delegation would've cleaned us out."
Only after our nighttime talk did she regain composure.
"Lucky the margrave's solidly behind us now, or it'd all be ruined."
And now, through her candid talk with Father, the cool-headed, rational woman stood here.
"So take responsibility."
"Give advice?"
"Advice? Ha. Cocky. Just standing behind me is enough."
Queen Carmen puffed her chest and patted it.
"No matter how genius you are, you think I'd entrust this to a 13-year-old? Do I look that incompetent?"
"No. I trust you completely. But."
"But?"
"Looking at your escort knights, three Advanced Knights seem to be the top force."
Lady Mente, and two other Morgania knights.
"Fortunately, with Viscount Hex included, that makes four. Enough to stall a Master for about five minutes."
Viscount Hex was down below the gate now, busily preparing something with the knights. In the empty canyon center, a tent like a conference hall was being set up.
"Worried?"
"Just considering the worst case."
In other words, Lady Mente was the ace. Not that she was weak, but—
"What if one of them looks like a mild-mannered scholar... but is a Master?"
"The meeting terms—"
"It's the Empire. If I were them, I'd send a Master no question."
Precisely, if it were the emperor I knew.
"...I know the current emperor well. That old man's not one for such tricks."
"He prefers crushing with raw power head-on."
"Yeah. Awkward to say at a diplomatic table, but he's straightforward enough to trust in that regard."
"Understood. I'll follow your lead, Your Majesty."
If it were the current emperor, sure.
"But if a Master shows or things get dangerous, I'll protect you first."
If the emperor I knew made a move, at least one would slip in covertly.
"Fortunately, this is still Gibraltar territory."
I bit my thumb lightly.
"Until Father arrives, I'll buy time. With the knights."
* * *
Thirty minutes later.
Knowing the future didn't make every situation advantageous.
I roughly knew the Empire's personnel lineup. Especially Master-level talents—I remembered them precisely. Though that was still seven years from now, when I turned twenty.
Still, like instantly recognizing Lady Mente or Ethan Sezar, I had a clear grasp on future Masters.
These are the ones you must rule, Grey Gibraltar. For various reasons.
I knew them too well.
But could I tell Queen Carmen that info now?
No.
What was the basis for knowing the enemies' identities? How did you spot what even I missed? Gibraltar blood? Don't make me laugh.
Other Advanced Knights missed it, yet you answered like you knew all along.
At minimum, they'd think I had precognition.
I know the future.
Even hinting at that nuance, and Queen Carmen would drag me to the capital to exploit me.
No thanks.
Sorry to her, but—
Frankly, I'm more comfortable using the Empire than the kingdom side.
Without 'basis and justification' for my Empire intel, 13-year-old Grey Gibraltar could only shadow her quietly.
All I could do now was hold my breath in the back, memorize everyone who arrived.
Or so I thought.
"Hello~~"
The Empire delegation entered through the canyon gate, their representative greeting brightly. Not in the Empire tongue, but fluent Nostrum.
"Nice to meet you! Queen Carmen!"
"......."
I'd worried about a Master.
"C-can I take a photo?! Oh, just for personal commemoration! Private keepsake!"
But something far more asymmetric—and gravely serious—had appeared.
"Ah, you know cameras? Also called projectors. It's like magic that projects time flowing through the mana stone lens inside..."
"Who are you?"
Queen Carmen's face hardened rigidly as she demanded coldly. Unlike her usual self, icy demeanor from the first meeting.
"Your Majesty. My apologies. Allow me to refill your cup."
I stepped forward immediately. Rude, I knew, but the current Queen Carmen would surely halt talks if they started now. Deep breath, rest, calm.
"Oh my! Your son? I hadn't heard you had a prince."
"...Not my son."
Queen Carmen had expected someone her type at the table—ready for verbal sparring. Indeed, such figures stood behind. The Empire's Ministers of Education and Foreign Affairs bowed behind the lively, cheerful woman before us.
"Phew. Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Carmen Morgania Nostrum, queen consort of the Nostrum Kingdom. And who might you be?"
"Me? I'm!"
White hair. Sky-blue eyes. Unlike the queen in her dress, she wore an Empire-style black suit.
"Erwin, that's me!"
And thanks to her energetic movements, those heavily bouncing assets. The white shirt buttons strained to hold the fabric apart.
"......."
Smaller than Mother, sure, but her taller stature made her a tall beauty that hip-line admirers would savor. The suit's waist and skirt hugged her hips perfectly, drawing eyes inevitably.
Look at the knights?
Morgania's knights had their guards drop instantly. Breaching etiquette, they scanned her top to bottom; the Empire attendants nodded knowingly at the knights.
Only Lady Mente shared Queen Carmen's heightened wariness.
Did the Empire have such a beauty?
Ah, right.
She existed. At this point in time, she did.
"Erwin, that's all?"
"Yes! Oh, His Imperial Majesty appointed me head of this meeting! Nice to meet you!!"
Someone I'd never met personally. No memory of meeting, but in the records.
Unofficial crown princess consort.
The woman executed before I came of age, before the emperor ascended.
"Um, Chairwoman."
The apparent Minister of Education called the woman 'Chairwoman'.
"Perhaps a business card."
"Ah! Look at me. Sorry, first time with this. Hehe."
Acting the fool, blooming like a flowerbed—but no flowerbed.
"Chairwoman of Iferia Industries in the Empire!"
"Iferia...? No way, the investor—"
"Yes!"
Her power was.
"The money for building the academy? I'll cover it!!"
Capital.
"I, I've got money!"
The future.
"...I heard you'd fund 99% of the construction."
"Yes!"
"Initial capital offered: 100 billion."
"Yes! I'll pay!"
The emperor executed her, confiscating her wealth to fund the war.
"...Why?"
"Well, truth is... hehe...."
And.
"My daughter wants the kingdom and Empire to get along!"
She was the birth mother of the imperial princess.