A Mid-level (Middle-aged) Office Worker’s Laid-Back Industrial Revolution in Another World

"Isn't it bad as a supposed battle?

"It's a victory as it turns out, but this one's draining heavily, too.

Grandpa Elvis and Frederick share their thoughts.

"But there are ways you can do this if you want to win just this battlefield, right?

Jesse says.

"Right. But I don't want to fight this far, given the security situation that followed.

Count Godwin shares his thoughts.

"I guess. That's why both sides don't want to take the victims, so they're going through the current state of affairs, and...

Either that, or your opponent seriously beats this one... sounds like it could be a defensive battle when you're tempted to attack.

Well, at that time, we have to think of fewer victims here...

In fact, what is the demon kingdom like?

Takeo says.

"Right... that's surprisingly motivating where we are adjacent.

If there's a gap, the guy who tries to attack me sounds like a lord.

There's a lot of tension between us.

says Count Godwin.

"Um, because we're each other's biggest fighters around here.

Aren't our neighbors very active in combat?

It is not the case that heavily armed soldiers have been placed with each other even at the barracks.

"... is the demonic kingdom also an aristocracy?

"Hmm? Didn't I explain?

"Yes."

"The political form of the demonic kingdom is no different from ours.

There is a king in the king's capital, and each lord manages and operates along the border.

Except... the election of the king is not over there.

"Election?"

"The kingdom of Azpar is governed by generations of bloodlines.

But in the demonic kingdom, the strongest people in the country will be king when it comes to replacing them.

"Heh, the strongest with personal force?

"What do you think? I don't know the details, but every time, the name changes.

It could be personal force, it could be organizational... mysterious.

"Well, you won't publish the election method.

For once, will I be contacting you if I replace you?

"Will it be made the king's capital? Well, even if it's hostile, it's a relationship between countries.

Are you going to be diplomatic?

"Really?

By the way, I'd like to ask you two... "

"Uhm."

"What?

"Are you willing to expand your territory?

"" None.

Two counts answer instantly.

"That's an instant answer. Reason?"

"Um, more from Fred's point of view than mine.

"As a big premise, I am unwilling for the current king of Azpur to expand his territory.

As a lord, I can't take the enlargement route on my own, even though the king is unwilling.

Besides, I can't afford to run my territory.

Even with more new territories here, it's just a load.

If you attack me from the other side, I'll chase you back, but if nothing happens to you, don't expect the status quo to be maintained.

"Um, Fred's right.

I explained it to Takeo. They say we can manage even if we get territory from another country.

More than that, I want to move forward with the development of the territory.

"What about Count Temple?

"Yeah, he's very busy maintaining law and order in the realm, and you don't want to fight himself, to be honest.

"I see.

I'm glad it wasn't belligerent.

"How about taceously?

"Shouldn't we do what Mr. Elvis wants?

"No... taceously, what do you think of warfare and territorial expansion?

"I don't think I have a problem with the current territory, do I?

There's still room for the area that can be farmed land, and there's no point in forcing the territory to expand.

I enjoy thinking about measures to promote my territory, so you're not willing to fight.

"Uhm."

"With that said... Mr. Frederick, you showed me a map of the whole country before, didn't you?

"Yes, you will have it.

Bring a map from the corner of the room and spread it out to your desk.

"Takeo, what's wrong?

"No... I want to make sure, so...

This part of the northeast is Elvis territory, right?

So, Mr. Godwin's place is south of Elvis territory, east of the country, right?

"Right.

"There are dwarves to the north, demon kingdoms to the east, king capitals to the west, and counts of Godwin to the south.

It has one of two main streets from the Wang capital to the Demon kingdom... was it?

"Uhm."

"How many paths are there from the Dwarf country towards the kingdom of Azpur?

"Two. One is in our territory and the other is branching out of the streets going to the Katlanda Empire side.

"Because Dwarf's country doesn't go to war with anywhere?

"Oh. I buy and sell iron to every country.

I don't know if there's a difference in price... "

"... part of the east is white in the Dwarf country... is it a border with the demon kingdom?

What's this? "

"Um... it's hard to explain.

"Master Takeo, that's a blank zone, isn't it?

Frederick answers.

"Blank?"

"It was originally Dwarf's national territory, but now the demons have settled there, and Dwarf has renounced it.

"Because those who occupy are strong?

"Um... I can't say anything. Because I'm not interested.

Though we monitor it so that it does not flow into our house.

Does Takeo interest you?

"It's a resource... I hope, given the management in the realm.

What do the occupiers do for a living?

"Using the blast furnace left behind by Dwarf, he seems to be producing a little less pure iron and selling it to the Demon King.

And then the toll from the Dwarf country?

"You don't seem to have a connection to the Demon Kingdom.

What makes it officially a territory from the demonic kingdom?

"No. The kingdom of Azpur, the demonic kingdom and the kingdom of Dwarf are not any lands there.

Besides... we don't have the iron refining technology.

There's no point in occupying it, so you can't tell if it's something you can get until you sacrifice it.

"Really... well, I'll put it in the corner of my head.

and other butlers came to the guest room to let them know that dinner was ready.

Everyone was headed to the dining room.