A Requiem for Beasts (4)
If the two nations built a atmosphere of peace, military spending would naturally shrink. That's wrong. The more peaceful it is, the more thoroughly you must maintain your military strength. If you naively weaken your forces, you'll get devoured—that's the reality of international politics.
The Empire had grown that way until now. The moment you sheathed your sword in response to their outstretched hand of peace, they'd stab your heart and sever your neck.
What about the Kingdom? With peace negotiations underway, the Empire would surely steer public opinion.
"The Empire has disbanded its navy—shouldn't the Kingdom make a corresponding move?"
Of course, those saying such things were on the Empire's payroll. But if you didn't know that secret, you'd assume it was the Kingdom's own public sentiment.
"If exchanges continue steadily, the Empire will demand the disbandment of the Wyvern Knight Order."
"That's a challenge to Nostrum and an infringement on our sovereignty."
"That's the point."
"......"
"We can't fight the tide, Your Grace. Among the Twelve Ministers, who truly works for Nostrum?"
"Ugh...!"
Winchester Grand Duke crossed his arms, deep in thought.
"A couple, maybe. But even they will eventually lean toward the Empire if their families are threatened or their finances are leveraged."
"You sound convinced that the Twelve Ministers will end up working for the Empire."
"Not the current ones."
"Not now?"
"If I were the Empire, I'd replace every single one of them."
Demoting those who work for the Kingdom. Secretly installing those who serve the Empire.
"No matter the process, they'll fill the Kingdom's key positions with pro-Empire factions. Then they'll openly push for disbanding the Wyvern Knights. That's just one example."
They'd weaken the Kingdom's national power from every angle, not just the Wyvern Knights.
"The influx of Empire currency will be the same. In the end, all the gold will be reclaimed, melted down into ingots, and the Kingdom's people will use Empire money."
"Is there no chance of that not happening?"
"There is—if I, the Queen, and Your Grace dedicate ourselves utterly to the Kingdom, sleeping just two hours a day."
We'd have to start moving today.
"Detain the Crown Prince, block all Empire logistics from entering the Kingdom, and launch a full-scale war against the Empire navy heading for Seirene Territory."
"That's extreme."
"I'm saying this under the premise of protecting Nostrum."
For a moment, though it didn't quite fit. Maybe think like the Princess of the Fallen Kingdom.
If I spoke from the mindset of the woman who sacrificed her life for Nostrum.
"First, we'd need to settle the payment Morgania received for selling the academy grounds."
"......!"
"That money is Empire funds, and you even got extra goods from Iferia Industries on top of the gorge agreement."
"No such—"
"Do you think I wouldn't know? Seriously?"
"......."
Erwin was a businesswoman, and from what I'd seen, she was the type to gladly spend money to grease the wheels.
"Just like before—no, even more thoroughly—the Kingdom must cut off all exchanges with the Empire. Erect a wall and keep out even a single ant."
"Extreme."
"Are Empire spies infiltrating Nostrum just one or two?"
"......."
"Setting aside the ten orphans Gibraltar took in, Morgania knows better than anyone how many Empire spies swim across seas, cross plague zones, and crawl through northern snowfields to seep into Nostrum."
The Empire would keep trying to send spies and open paths. They'd conquered everywhere else—only the Kingdom remained.
"Your Grace. Your Majesty. Shall we be a bit more honest?"
To persuade them deeper, I had to lay all my cards on the table.
"I've told my mother various things, but I doubt she shared much about me with Grandfather."
"Ahem. That 'grandfather' bit—"
"Let me speak my true feelings to you, Grandfather."
"I heard you're a sly one who manipulates people's emotions."
"Then I don't need to pretend anymore, do I?"
Winchester Grand Duke let out a hollow laugh and slumped onto the sofa.
"Fine. Go ahead and recite your plan to embrace the disaster called Taler and save Nostrum from ruin."
"Does it matter if it falls or not?"
"What?"
I sat across from him and filled his empty cup with tea.
"Until three years ago, Morgania's goals and Gibraltar's were polar opposites. But now, Gibraltar stands beside Morgania, looking down the same path."
"Is that your Gibraltar or Crimson's?"
"My will is Father's will, and I'm his voice."
"That's right, Father," Carmen said, sitting beside me. "Crimson follows Grey's opinions completely. Except on matters involving Charlotte."
"You're saying you'll throw away the prestige of a family loyal to Nostrum for five hundred years and become filthy politicians like us?"
"We're thinking even bigger than that."
Patriot.
I poured tea into the Grand Duke's cup too.
"Once Empire currency floods in, it'll erode the Kingdom. It's a natural process, and the national economy will shatter."
"......."
"Does Your Grace work for Nostrum out of true devotion, or to maintain your power as its leader?"
"...Hahaha!!!"
Winchester Grand Duke slapped his knee and burst into laughter.
"You traitor bastard!"
"An honor, Your Grace."
"In nearly sixty years, you're the first so brutally honest! Uhahaha!"
He laughed so hard tears welled in his eyes.
"Fine. Carmen had her reasons calling you son. Then tell me—what happens when the Empire swallows Nostrum economically?"
"A governorate will be established, and naturally, the governorship falls to you, Your Grace. Or... if you pass away, to Queen Carmen."
"Not a bad deal at all. Filial ingrate."
"Just being honest."
The Grand Duke, still smiling, fiddled with his mustache.
"But that's a problem. I have a real granddaughter who wants to be Nostrum's king."
"......."
"You plan to hand her a wasteland kingdom buried in debt?"
He struck at the sore spot.
"As long as Morgania thrives comfortably, whether Naria Geo Nostrum lives or toils for ruins doesn't matter?"
"Objectively, yes."
"Yes, objectively?"
"I have no intention of handing Naria Geo Nostrum a ragged kingdom."
No matter how capable she was or how I wouldn't help, I wouldn't leave her nothing but trash to build a kingdom from.
"Your Grace. This is truly, truly a joke."
"Doesn't sound like one, but go on."
"Even if the Kingdom regresses a hundred years, if the Empire utterly perishes, wouldn't the Kingdom become the continent's greatest power?"
"......."
The Grand Duke froze mid-reach for his teacup; Carmen frowned at me.
"Don't joke."
"I'm not."
"Why? Destroy the Empire more thoroughly than you ruin Nostrum? Smash it entirely?"
Carmen slid down the sofa arm, laughing hollowly.
"Sure. A one-legged man suffers agonyously, but if everyone loses their legs, he becomes the world's tallest. Right, kid?"
"Spot on?"
"......Talking like this to my son-in-law is awkward, but are you really hiding a monster inside?"
"Saint Geo Nostrum awakened the monster in me. I just wanted to live quietly."
It all started with the incompetent king.
"I tried to stay low, but keep poking a sleeping bomb, and it explodes."
The emperor had detonated it.
"Burn the mansion to kill fleas, as they say."
Casually, I sipped my tea.
"I prefer burning it down and moving."
"What about the homeowner, Naria?"
"As minimal courtesy, I can send tools and materials to build a new one."
"No plans to help in person?"
"None."
"Well."
Carmen and the Grand Duke stared at me for a long while.
"Father."
"Hm."
"If Naria struggles, shall we marry her off to him?"
"If he destroys the kingdom, he should at least take responsibility for her life. Half Morgania blood, after all."
I nearly let out a hollow laugh.
"Then you're my grandson."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Discuss Naria with your mother. With me, let's lightly talk Wyvern Knights."
"Of course."
I straightened up.
"I have no plans to turn your precious Wyvern Knights into a money-making circus. Spectators just come to watch the competition, races, and victories—and bet accordingly."
"Hm. Continue."
"Even if disbanded, would they kill all the wyverns, griffons, drakes, and hippogriffs they raised? No."
"We build a wyvern racecourse for them."
"Yes. Riders compete honorably there. The events lean toward racing, not kill-or-be-killed."
"We'll discuss details later. Good, then...."
Slurp.
"......Pardon?"
The Crown Prince gaped in shock.
"I, I didn't hear right?"
As if he couldn't believe it. Or like he'd tossed out a line unprepared for it to bite so eagerly.
His expression shifted like someone who'd bet on a 0.3% chance aging drake and watched it pull a massive upset.
"You're permitting Empire currency in Seirene Territory?"
"We are."
"......Pardon?"
This was unexpected.
"Um, Winchester Grand Duke? Queen Carmen? Did I perhaps misspeak in Kingdom tongue?"
"No. You understood perfectly. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
"Of course, Prime Minister."
Carmen, utterly composed, spoke with me behind her.
"Envoy. Convey my will in Empire tongue? Precisely."
"Yes."
I stepped forward slightly and clearly stated it in Empire language.
"Morgania accepts Your Highness's proposal."
"......."
The Crown Prince's face stiffened briefly.
"Ha."
Then he smirked wryly.
"Morgania, is it?"
A confirmatory tone, but he'd already grasped the situation.
"Grand Duke. Your Highness."
The Crown Prince licked his lips and grinned widely.
"The Empire sincerely welcomes you both. Haha."
A conversation in the reception room, unheard by the banquet hall.
"There's a sunny spot in the Empire south. Care for a vacation there someday?"
Betray the Kingdom, get southern Empire lands.
"I'd love tourism, but I prefer home. Morgania's wonderful. In exchange, if I visit the Empire someday, please treat me accordingly."
Maintain control over Morgania lands, ensure its power endures any circumstance.
"Naturally."
The Crown Prince nodded lightly.
Empire currency flows in.
No matter how much Gibraltar absorbs Taler, there's a limit.
'When the money pouch overflows, you slit the belly—that's basic.'
Even if Gibraltar acts Empire-friendly, if it seems to eat into their own flesh, the Empire will check it.
'But I can still aim the blade at the emperor.'
Whether wyvern racecourse or casino, securing Taler sows chaos in the Empire economy—all thrusts at the emperor.
If he visits the racecourse and falls into my trap for assassination.
Or true Empire citizens go mad for wyvern races, bankrupting key talents.
Conversely, if the incompetent king dumps Kingdom assets into wyvern races and bankrupts it.
No matter what unfolds, I don't care.
'My side and I will be fine.'
If Nostrum falls, Gibraltar survives.
Gibraltar will adapt to the changing world.
The emperor will die.
'Worst case, scoop up all the Taler and head to the Empire.'
An Empire without Hapsburg.
Utterly different from Nostrum, but anywhere, with capital, funds, and power to protect it, you live as a wealthy lord.
'A doomed nation anyway. Better reborn anew.'
Nostrum Republic.
New constitutional monarchy.
'Become the bomb to kill Hapsburg, Nostrum.'
After the emperor dies.
Whether Nostrum crumbles or not, none of my concern.
Gibraltar—and as a bonus, Morgania—will persist as wealthy powers.
Originally.
Even if a nation falls, traitors survive with wealth and power.
So.
To kill the emperor, I can sell the nation a hundred times over.
'When the emperor relaxes, assured Grey Gibraltar is a bone-deep Empire-loving traitor, stab his heart.'
Treachery is what I do best.
'I've done it before—I can do it better now.'
The surest blade to kill the emperor.