＜Infinite Dendrogram＞

□ [Saint Knight] Ray Sterling

By sundown, we had arrived in the village of Welmina, the nearest village to the border.

Although there was trouble with escort members being raided last night, I can say that the schedule is generally on schedule after departure.

We will rest in this village tonight and tomorrow morning...... we will be heading to the venue of the conference on harmony prepared for the border.

After dinner, I got a call from Azrite.

Members of the Death Period, and Senior Susan, gathered here. Senior Lunar Shadow and members of the Lunar Society seem to be on guard around the village.

Beside Azrite is also the figure of the three Tian civilians she brought in.

"Azrite, what happened to collecting suddenly?

"I got you all together because I wanted to hear your opinions on tomorrow's harmonious meeting…"

"Our opinion?

"Yeah, I packed the terms on harmony before I left, but that's only in keeping with the way we see Tian. Some of them may not yet be able to accommodate their thoughts and policies, including Master. To make the final adjustments around there, I want you to confirm them before the pageant."

"I see..."

True, that could happen.

But to put it that way, neither of us had any real connection to a pageant.

In the first place, there is a difference between the consultations between states in < Infinite Dendrogram > in some respects from that in real life.

Force (status) that an individual will be able to bring into the consultation.

A wide variety of skills, including True and False Determination, which spots lies.

And it is the greatest difference… the existence of [the Pledge].

Among the [contractual] system items to make them keep their promises, only the Head of State or his agent will be allowed to deal with them, which, if broken, will do great harm to the State itself [pledge].

When it breaks, it is when the country perishes, and when a certain country broke the [pledge] arrangement hundreds of years ago, a giant black vortex ravaged the capital of that country, and later nothing remained.

Because of that, inter-state arrangements are in no way breakable, unlike those in real life.

That is why, at the Conference of Reconciliation, we will pinpoint the terms of reconciliation between the two sides, find a compromise and sign the [pledge] under conditions satisfactory to both sides.

That is the goal and cannot be overridden later.

"I'll explain it in order. Firstly, if the two countries agree at this harmonious meeting, a pact will be signed banning acts of war between the Kingdom of Alter and the Empire of Drife over the next hundred years."

A hundred years, huh?

Though this one flows in triple time, it doesn't look like there's going to be another war while I'm here.

"What is the scope of the act of war?

"The military invasion and illegal occupation of the territory, as well as the interdiction between the two countries. … to mention too many fine examples can break the clap, so this is the limit."

"That doesn't prevent the kind of terror that happened in Gideon and Calcherathan earlier, does it? It wasn't the army that moved, it wasn't the occupation."

Azrite nodded at Marie's words.

"Yeah, so we're going to seal that with the terms of the contract."

"Terms of conclusion?

"The conference will discuss the terms and conditions for the signing of the treaty in both countries. So... the Empire has also asked me to list the terms and conditions for harmony and what can be conceded in advance."

"That's... straightforward"

You want me to negotiate after arranging bills in advance?

"Right. But if you have the True or False Verdict on both sides, exploring bluffs and bellies is a waste of time."

But of the three civilians that Azrite brought in this time, one was a person in the build specializing in those interpersonal psychological judgments.

Plus, there may be something specific about reading the other person's thoughts, as well as Job's skills.

'So, what will the terms and concessions we list be, Bear?

"First of all, we've decided what we're conceding." The renunciation of the former Lunnings territories. "

Former Lunings territory… an area occupied by the Empire in the war ahead.

"Are you sure?

"... it's not a good idea not to let go. Just so we're clear, it doesn't make much sense even if the present kingdom has it"

Azrite said the former Lunings territory was devastated by an earlier [Gloria] raid, which also cost the lives of most of its inhabitants.

Moreover, there has since been the devastation of neighboring Kremil and the human damage in the war, and there are not enough human beings in the kingdom today to turn to the old Lunnings territory, which has become Kara.

The Duke of Lunnings family, which would otherwise be the first to claim territorial recovery, has died without one, and is not a necessary land for a royal family under its direct jurisdiction.

The former Lunings territory was originally the largest barn zone in the kingdom, but is now in an untouched state of devastation. Besides, for a kingdom whose entire nation has been blessed with fertile land, it is not so much a necessity. We can produce far more crops on other lands than we need.

Even if we retrieve the former Lunnings territory from the effectively ruling empire... it's certainly not in a state where we can turn our hands for opening and rebuilding, he's sure to hold it for a long time.

"In contrast, the former Lunnings territory for the Empire is above all a must. According to the information we have, the cause is unknown, but soil depletion for farming is progressing throughout the Empire. As an empire in a state of famine, we cannot let go of the former Lunings territory, where the soil is alive. If we try to take that away, we won't be able to reconcile in the first place, and I'm sure we won't have to choose the means."

'When that happens, the question is what do you demand from that irremovable concession as a condition... I see, that's the thing Bear'

My brother nods like he's convinced of something, and Azrite starts mouthing that answer too.

"As asked earlier, the biggest problem in our country today is terrorism by the Imperial Party."

The incident that Franklin committed in Gideon last month.

And the incident that [Demon General] committed this month in Kalcheratan.

Both were able to spare the worst possible outcome, but it was a horrible incident that was not strange at all when the two cities were gone.

"Something that's already happened twice. Now [the Beast King] is terror in the King's capital... and so on, it can't be undone."

…………

Terrorism is a deadly pre-emptive attack.

Besides, knocking down the killer and arranging a nomination in the kingdom would bring him back to life and come again at any cost if he wasn't arranging a nomination in the Empire.

In fact, neither Franklin nor [General Demon] has been sent to “prison”.

"So I'll crush it there first"

"That means..."

"The first condition offered by the Kingdom is - 'the commonality of nomination arrangements between the two countries'."

"... I see"

In the future, make a rule that if the Imperial < Master > commits a crime within the Kingdom and is arranged for a nomination, it must also be arranged for a nomination in the Imperial State.

This way, indeed, we can deter terrorism like Franklin and [the Demon General] did in the future.

"On the contrary, it will also be necessary to include conditions to prevent the other side from fabricating sins and arranging for the nomination of your brother or Ms Susan."

Speaking of which, when I was involved in the incident in the village of Torne, was my brother arrested as a suspect in an incident?

It seems that that was the work of some other < super > who tried to blame his brother, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he won't do the same thing with the state guru.

One of the civil servants has written down Luke's opinion.

"Right. I wonder if there's anything else."

"This is an even-handed condition because it's a two-way arrangement. Even though the opponent already has effective control, can't we include a few more favorable conditions here because we're letting go of the national territory?

Seniors are good at what they say.

Plus I still feel sweet in the sense of suppressing their movement.

"Yeah, I've got a couple of candidates, but I'd love to get my opinion on that, too, to pack it up."

When Azrite says so, the clerks hand us the booklet they printed with [the secretary's] skills.

The booklet lists candidates for the conditions presented by the Kingdom.

"Hmm? In this, the demand for compensation doesn't seem good. For example," The Survivor of a Soldier Died in War "?

As soon as the booklet was distributed, Senior Susan, who looked lightly at the list, said so.

"What's the reason?

"The Empire hired the Master for money to expand its power, didn't it? If I do, if I can cut that military money, yeah, I won't. The more compensation you pay, the less you can hire. I guess it's just right for future restraint."

It makes sense.

Prior to the incident in Gideon, I also heard from Hugo that the empire's finances were devastated by the war.

Then it would be hard for the Empire to step in, too, if it burdened its finances even more.

But......

"But once the treaty is signed, acts of war will be prohibited. In addition, you will be unable to reach the Master who belongs to the Empire under the first condition…"

I agree with the seniors. Wouldn't cutting military funds make no sense in the Treaty of Reconciliation?

"Bee is innocent or hey. Even a free guy who doesn't belong to the Empire like that would hire him for a lot of money. Yeah, I wouldn't. If you're confident in your arm and you're not blamed for terrorism, then take it depending on the amount. Or let the guy you belong to do it ready to go to jail? Either way, the amount you hire will jump more than it is now.

Did you have that hand...

Azrite is also more surprised than I am, "Such a hand..." he says in his mouth and wars.

Tian's “prison” feed is heavier than we think.

The exception is about Hanya, who was admitted for a misdemeanour, so the others are synonymous with the death penalty if he considers it impossible to return to the outside world first because of a serious crime.

Around here too, I can tell you the difference between what Azrite himself said about Tian and the < master > view.

A minor modification would be made to the first condition.

"Boulders are dirty in gold, nasty bitch, Kumar."

"Let it go -? If you have trouble paying for ammunition, and a cooking bear who sells popcorn by hand, you can apprentice. Yep."

…………

...... I wonder if you could not make it a pressing air for nothing.

◇

We talked some more afterwards, but the conditions on the Kingdom's side became the first and those mentioned by Senior Susan.

"But it's also likely that they'll come out with conditions other than the old Lunnings territory, just as this one will give more than one condition," Bear.

"Right. I can also think of a case of marrying me to the king and annexing the kingdom as it is..."

"... take in the kingdom as it is, or"

'Cause that's what they said originally.

"Huh?"

"The kingdom and empire before the war were friendly countries. I was studying in the Empire, and Prince Hallon, the first son of the first prince at the time, was studying in the Kingdom."

"Speaking of which, I've heard that you've studied in the Empire before and that you have friends in the Empire"

"... Yep. My friend is Claudia, tomorrow's negotiator."

"It's..."

Will you and your former friends now face each other in a negotiating setting on the back of the state?

"Or maybe you chose Claudia because you negotiate with me... Back then, the relationship between the two countries was really good, so we can't even think of an alliance in marriage… and then a merger."

…………

"Even so, they only spoke among a handful of superiors, such as your father and his advisor [the Great Sage]. Because I also found out the other day after looking at the records you two left behind."

You mean you weren't well informed until the story was settled?

"We were friends without that, and now we're at war. It's really causal."

"... right"

'So, what if the other one offers marriage or annexation, Bear?

"You can't swallow those kinds of conditions."

Azrite immediately answered his brother's question.

"Even from national sentiment, it's unacceptable. Besides, the Empire is growing in military power, but the power of the country is exhausting. One thing only increases the burden on the kingdom."

In terms of military power, the Empire has a large number of masters and holds five people, including the "most powerful physics" [Beast King].

But hunger has caused the people to suffer from hunger, the state treasury to exhaust at the expense of the war, and furthermore the civil war when it comes to taking up the throne has left the rulers of the territory short.

There are many negative elements, and annexation has nothing good in the kingdom.

In the first place......

"In the first place, the kingdom does not desire the land, resources, or even technology of the Empire. Merge, war, kingdom has nothing to gain (...)..."

The kingdom is unwilling to expand the country.

No matter whether it is land or letting go of the old Lunnings territory as it is.

They also have mineral resources in empires that don't have food resources, but that's not what kingdoms that aren't industrialized nations want that much.

Even mechanical technology is less developed than it was, and... it can even be developed anew from the < ruins > found in the Karcheratan the other day.

There really is no point in waging war or annexation.

At the beginning, it's like losing from the kingdom.

"Rather... I just lost it"

As she leaned down, that's what she said.

"Azrite......"

In the war ahead, she has lost many people, her master, and her father.

We can't measure how much emotion is caged in that word.

"So let's get this over with"

Still, she looks up and looks at us.

"On these terms and concessions, I will submit them to the conference. Conclusion of the Convention on Nomination Arrangements and Claim for Indemnity in consideration of the former Rennings Territorial Waiver. Even if there's a slight disadvantage here, this will end the war."

Azrite looks around at us.

"But... as there was a raid last night, there may be some trouble at the harmony conference... or there may be an imperial trap. If so…"

"Leave it to me."

I'll respond to her like that.

"If the Empire strips its fangs, we will protect you and your kingdom."

"Ray......"

"We can help the kingdom, right?

That's what I told Azrite, just to confirm the question one day.

By contrast, Azrite also... responds to that.

"... Yep!

Then the story is settled.

No matter what, no matter what waits.

We do everything we can to capture the possibilities Azrite wants.

◇

Thus, the evening before the conciliation conference ends.

Tomorrow we will go to a turbulent harmonious meeting awaiting many thoughts and “the strongest”.

The aim is the conclusion of the Pact of Reconciliation and the successful conclusion of the Conference of Reconciliation.

Quest, start.

To be continued