Maou No Utsuwa

Ostenburg, the central city of the Oriental Uncle family.

On a small, tall hill, its castle fort city has long been a hub of the Oriental Uncle's military junta and a hold on the eastern border.

Most now, not only the eastern border territory, but also the new kingdom territory, which is largely on the imperial side, and the Artenkreutz Republic, which has emerged in the north, are the subject of vigilance.

It is the most important base for the empire today, Ostenburg, but its treatment is subtle.

"You still haven't said anything from the Empire?

Oriental uncle Maximilian Ezenberg asked his men, anxiously, then in a slightly frightened manner.

"Nothing specific yet. Just so you don't fail to be alert to the East."

"You don't have to tell me that, I know. There's nothing I can do about it."

"Why don't we get the messenger out of here again?

"What do you say with a messenger out there? We don't intend to flip an anti-flag against the Empire, etc., we will just reject it and buy suspicion."

"So on the contrary, if we ignore it as it is, we have an idea here, too, but why don't you tell us?

It is the same with my men who are frightened by the empire's response. In the case of subordinates, they can no longer just fit in and are angry.

"Hey, would that be a threat?

Turning that out, Uncle Oriental turned the tone into a joke, with a bitter laugh. I thought about relaxing my men's feelings.

"If they don't, won't the Empire take it seriously?

But the attempt ends in vain. This is not an easy thing to forgive for the Oriental House.

"Hmm. But if you do that to the present empire, it could overreact. Isn't that just taking things in the direction of contention?

"That might be true, though."

"It makes no difference that the Oriental House is a loyal minister to the Empire. We can't imitate anything that would cause further disturbance to the Empire."

"Even if the culprit is on the Imperial side, is it?

"Yes."

"... ok"

Words say yes, but in my mind, it's obvious I'm not convinced.

Unilaterally push Hildegand into rebellion and question the thousand years of loyalty of the Oriental House on the grounds of it.

This man is not the only one who is feeling angry. Many Oriental uncle ministers remember their anger at the imperial iniquity.

And that's what I'm trying to applaud.

"What about the messenger of the Republic?

"We are meeting with Master Samuel"

"That's a long time."

"... if your wife is with you"

"Hey."

"The apostle said he wanted to convey Hildegand's words directly. Besides, before you ask your lord, it's in your wife's ear."

"Samuel."

Without instructions from Uncle Oriental, only about Samuel, my son, can do that.

"Samuel admired his sister, Hildegand."

"It's time for me to learn about public and private bullying as my next lord."

"Isn't your story with your wife and the messenger similar to mine?

"... don't spoil it too much. It's not for Samuel to take refuge."

"Ha, I'll be careful"

Rumor has it, a shadow is something I used to say, and there Samuel appeared. That face, of course, would be a sign that the meeting with the Messenger was a meaningful one.

"It's over?

"Yes, the Apostle of the Republic has left the castle."

"Right."

"I wish my father had seen you, too."

"If Non meets, it will be an official meeting"

"If we are meeting there in the shadows, isn't that what the Empire suspects?

"I'm not going to be there. The emissary's visit will be reported to the Empire in dignity."

"... Really?"

"What's up? Are you even dissatisfied?

"The Apostle of the Republic had spoken. His Majesty the Emperor is highly suspicious of that. Even if we're going to report this, we need to figure out how to report it."

"The Emperor's suspicions are strong? I don't think so. Either way, I feel like I trust people too much."

The general Claudia Emperor review in the Empire is as Uncle Oriental put it. Only about Therese knows Claudia's original character.

"It seems extreme. Believe easily if you think it will help you, but change your attitude as soon as you find it useless. Well, they said they couldn't explain it very well."

"Why do you care so much about His Majesty... Who was the messenger of the Republic?

"This is Alto Kostr, Prime Minister of the Republic of Artenkreutz."

"Chancellor Left? No, wait. Who's Alto? That Alto?

This is the first time Uncle Oriental has heard of the status of Prime Minister Left. But Alto's name is also known to Uncle Oriental.

"Yes, it is that Lord Alto, one of King Kamui's four pillar ministers and also said to be half of it in terms of strategy and strategy"

"... right"

"When I say Prime Minister Left, he says it's positioned like a prime minister in an empire. It was explained that Prime Minister Left would be in charge of matters outside the country, and Prime Minister Right would be in charge of the country."

"Then there's the Prime Minister."

"Yes. Prime Minister Right says it's Matthias Schneider."

"What!? Mathias from the Schneider family?

The Schneider family is a subordinate nobleman of the Oriental House and one of the leading families. Naturally, Uncle Oriental knows Matthias' name.

"It's an amazing promotion. I think it would be better if you reported what the Apostle said about the situation."

"Right...... Right. Report it to me. What have you been up to?

First of all, I apologize for taking my sister away to the Republic.

"Hmm."

"And I cannot return my sister to the Empire."

"... why?

"My sister will be the queen of King Kamui."

"Hey, what?!? There's no way I'm allowed to do that!

Hildegand is married. Uncle Oriental thinks so.

"That's..."

"What!?

"His Royal Highness Prince Therese admitted it."

"What!?

Uncle Oriental's surprise never stops.

"Father. What, are you just?

Samuel, my son, has never seen an Oriental uncle show so much surprise. Samuel seems to enjoy seeing his always tough father's, usually unseen.

"... you weren't surprised?

"No, I'm surprised"

"Well, you look happy."

"That's right. That's what my sister always wanted."

"What..., no, really?

He was an Oriental uncle who was convinced by Samuel's words, but returned his doubts thoughtfully.

"You know Father, don't you? My sister and King Kamui have been attracted since the time of Imperial College."

"I know that. But it was over a decade ago."

"That seems to have been on my mind all along."

"... it became Her Royal Highness's queen, didn't it?

"So didn't you say His Royal Highness Prince Thales was also recognized"

"What do you mean?

"His Royal Highness Prince Thales said that when he returned what he had kept with King Kamui, he left with a letter. I told my sister to leave me alone."

"... wait. Was His Royal Highness Prince Therese in the Republic?

Uncle Oriental was more surprised by the fact that it was done than by the contents of the letter.

"Seems so"

"Where now?

"That just didn't teach me. But I'm sure you're safe."

"Right..."

"As you can see, my sister will be King Kamui's rightful queen. I am delighted not as an Oriental uncle, but as a brother."

"No, that's not true."

"The Apostle said he didn't intend to seek forgiveness."

"What!?

Samuel preached Alto's words ahead of time. Uncle Oriental's reaction was found out by Alto.

"He says this is not as Prime Minister Left of the Republic, but as a friend of Kamui Kreutz. It's our grief to tie the two together. Whoever interrupts it, whoever it is, must be forgiven."

"Oh my..."

"It wasn't stated clearly, but for that reason, many seemed to have moved. Could this be why the Empire and the Kingdom are at war?

"Then, stupid..."

"It's a joke."

I'm not necessarily kidding. It is true that Alto's plot includes such elements.

"It's a joke of a bad nature"

"Well, because they are Lord Alto. I don't doubt it too much."

"That's right..."

"By the way, she said the wedding of her sister and King Kamui will take place in three weeks. You're still gonna make it, aren't you?

"... there's no way I can go?

While I was only available. That is the true meaning of Uncle Oriental.

"Officially. It was said that if you wanted it, it was possible to invite it in a way that the Empire didn't know."

Samuel knows that, too.

"Still, you can't go."

And Samuel also knows that Uncle Oriental is willing.

"Well, at least just your mother"

"You want that?

"Please ask your father directly and your mother. But this may be the last chance to see your sister."

"... right"

"Then there was another offer from the Apostle."

"What?"

"It's about prisoners. If your father wanted it, he said he was prepared to return some of his captives to the Empire."

"It's..."

"Accepting or not is one bet"

"Hmm. Why do you think so?

Samuel's words surprised Uncle Oriental. You seem to have the same idea as yourself.

"Negotiations between the Empire and the Republic have not gone as far as the Empire thinks. But on the offer of his father, the Oriental uncle, the Republic returns the prisoners. How the Empire sees it."

"How do you think I see it?

"After all, there is a covenant between the Oriental House and the Republic. The Oriental House is dangerous. Here's one."

"What's the other one?

"The Oriental House is to the Republic, in front of my sister, a being that must be attentive. The Oriental House is worth using in negotiating with the Republic"

"I see. You seem to have grown a little too."

It was perfectly in line with my thoughts. My son's growth is honest. Uncle Oriental is happy.

"If so, that would be because the master is good"

"Master? Was there someone like that?

"My sister sent me a letter every time something happened. King Kamui moved like this. Perhaps this is the intention, well, here's the thing. I read it, and I was going through a lot of ideas."

"I mean, what about your master?

"Through my sister, King Kamui or Lord Alto"

"... the fool. Is there someone who says it in front of his minister?"

I have to say this when it comes to defending my position as the emperor's uncle.

"If there are any good, we should learn whoever it is. That's what my sister taught me. In that sense, will the master still be my sister?"

"His sister is the queen of the republic."

"That's right. So it's no big deal that I respect King Kamui. Even without it, the trust of those under our ministry in the Republic is deepening."

"For once, let me ask you why"

"In the absence of any apologetic envoy yet for the Empire to our home, the Republic has sent Lord Alto, the head of the national government, King Kamui's right-hand man, as an apologetic envoy. It's obvious which is sincere."

"Right..."

This is what Uncle Oriental was feeling. It is also decided to be taken in favour of an empire that feels like a political strategy but still does nothing.

"And it's the treatment of my sister. The position of the Queen cannot erase the smell of political manoeuvres, even if it was originally what King Kamui and his men wanted."

"Right."

"But I promoted Matthias Schneider to Prime Minister Right, who would be second in state politics. Even though I can see the colour of the political strategy, at least it doesn't make my sister the only queen of form, it will show both inside and out. This is good faith, too."

"... Indeed"

Samuel's reflections have gone beyond the Eastern Uncle. Whether it's a difference in time to think, this growth is just amazing.

"It is further the liberation of the prisoners there. The prisoners to be freed will be those of the Oriental House, the subordinate aristocracy. Is there anyone who doesn't appreciate having their family back? And if the Empire does not accept that, then gratitude to the Republic will remain turned to resentment of the Empire"

"Is it still a ruse?"

"Yes. Exactly. This is a way to make the relationship between the Empire and the Oriental House even more subtle after making a good impression of the Oriental House adjacent to our country."

"You're far from honest."

"Is it? People relate here for His Majesty the Emperor. If you think our house is worth using, His Majesty the Emperor will not be doing anything uninhabited. It can also be seen as a way to protect our home."

"... I see. But it's an assumption that people are like that for His Majesty's sake."

"Yes, we need to make sure of that"

"How?

"There are rumors that the chief of the Imperial Mage has been dismissed. Both His Majesty's milk sisters, Lord Therese, and rumors that they have already been turned away. Apart from the actual contribution, we are both certain that His Majesty has committed himself to the throne."

"That's... but not a bad thing for the Empire. The two bad reviews are well known. If we stay away from that, won't there be many who will be relieved?

Oriental uncle who dares to deny his son's words. If you are bound by being a minister of the Empire, you have to react like this.

"The problem is the treatment that follows. Are you treating me in such a caring way? Or is it something worthy of the word truncate? Isn't that to some extent what you see for people?

"It would be good. I'll look into it. But no matter what people do for His Majesty's sake, my loyalty to the Empire of the Oriental House remains the same."

"Father, what empire is that?

Samuel's inside, he's a good talker. This is not something you can learn by letter or anything. It would be the original qualities.

"What are you talking about? Only my country, the Empire of Schutz Alten, exists in the world."

"Its the Schutz Alten Empire..."

"What?"

"There are rumors that we're going to change our names."

"Become what?

Uncle Oriental's biggest surprise of the day was this.

"Rumor has it, or the Empire has promised the Republic that. Even if you change your name, the Empire must be an empire. What is a country name this light?

…………

This fact was difficult for Uncle Oriental to accept. If I have loyalty to the Empire, I will learn to resist changing the name of the country for some time.

"Whatever the consequences, the Empire is ushering in a new era. Shouldn't the Oriental House also explore the way it was in its time?

"... let me think for a second"

"Yes."

◇ ◇ ◇

If Oriental Bertian Ostenburg is the central city of the east, the western Bertian capital Bestenbrume is the western capital.

But the fun is very different from Ostenberg, a castle fort city.

Built on a plain, Bestenbrume is situated in the heart of a westerly stretch of streets, with strong properties such as commercial cities, due to the rationale of the land.

After the founding of the country, the western realm of the Empire, which was almost at its disposal near the western edge of the continent at an early stage, had diminished the colour of the martial arts and had a stronger shade as a commercial area. The Western Union of Nations is also influenced by the fact that it is a commercial state.

"How's the search going after that?

"The survival of those believed to have been involved in the raid remains to be found. Perhaps it will be difficult to find them in the future."

"Right..."

"Whatever you say, I don't know your face or your name. So I don't think it's possible to find it."

"Well, I guess so. When that happens, is it hard to get the facts straight"

"Just one new piece of information."

"What?"

"Deafried disappeared from the Imperial Capital, and not long ago, someone saw Theresa in the Glades."

There are those who have actually seen them. But the rapporteur has no doubt as to why those in the Glades found out that it was Theresa.

"... Your Majesty's milk sisters"

Western uncle was the same again. In the case of Western ambassadors, the report alone has reason to not understand the situation.

"Yes."

"What's the purpose?

"I don't know exactly what the purpose is, but I would have asked someone in the back of society for some kind of dark request. On the contrary, I can't think of any other reason to visit the Glades."

"So is that. So this is unlimited gray near black?"

"It's black in the circumstances."

"But without proof. No, even if I had proof."

It's not like we're going to judge Claudia, who has already become emperor.

"Are you crying to sleep? Then Master Deefleet will not float."

"Can we get that woman?

"It disappeared from the Imperial Capital."

"... have you escaped"

"No, we don't have confirmation yet, but it looks like we're headed to the Republic"

There is just one thing I can say about the information network of the Western House that is grasping this.

"What's that supposed to mean?

"It seems to be a negotiating messenger, but I don't know what it means to send Therese in. Rumor has it that his friendship with King Kamui in Imperial College sucks, and he just pisses me off. And with that, no one in the Imperial City seems to believe it as a fact."

"... personal?"

"It's possible, but I don't think it will improve relations between countries due to my student worries"

"If that Theresa and I were doing a dirty job, wouldn't that be it? The purpose is not to improve the relationship, but the end of Theresa"

"If so, Your Majesty will know the dirty work and what to do."

"That Your Majesty..., I can't think much of it, but that, as a result, won the battle for the throne. Maybe it's a mistake to judge just by your appearance."

"Yes."

Western uncle's reckoning is limitless truthful. This reminds me that Western uncles are still not good men.

"Well, good. If Theresa went to the Republic, that's funny. facts may be revealed there"

"It's just the republican outgoing, it's incredible"

"You don't have to believe me. I wish that possibility could spread to the public."

I'm not going to cry to my western uncle. However, not because of vengeance, but because of the idea of using what can be used for ambition.

"What are you going to do?

"That's coming. But at least we can make the Empire feel drawn. I don't know how to use it."

"Is it available?

"We're going to think about that, too. This has been going on for a while now. How about the other one?

"Almost certainly. I checked with other merchants anyway. All the biggest merchants today have never stood out in the Empire before."

The Western uncle had also let him take the corroboration of the information brought about by the Deto Chamber of Commerce. Naturally. And this is not for the Empire either.

"That's not all. Are you sure the kingdom's breathing?

"There was also something quite suspicious about commerce. Before the kingdom attacked us, it seemed like we were buying and fishing for a fair amount of food. I just think I knew the war was going to start."

"Again, is this black in circumstantial evidence"

"Yes, but even though there is something suspicious about commerce, that's not enough to incriminate me. Even if the supplies were flowing into the kingdom, it's about the merchants. There will be other merchants who do the same."

"But you can't just leave me alone."

They hold their own logistics. Western uncle understands this importance very well.

"In part, I wonder if the deprivation of privilege is effective"

"Specifically?

"That's not so much. Open trade in goods in an exclusive state to other houses as well. Along with that, we're going to reduce the volume of transactions in our homes somewhat. It means competing with other merchants and weakening them."

"Are there merchants that have as much power as they can counter? Wouldn't it be crushed if you strained it badly?

"It's..."

My men cloud the words. The name I can think of was one that I couldn't speak of right away.

"What?"

"... if it's the Det Chamber of Commerce, I don't want to be afraid to face it."

"Isn't it like chasing a tiger and inviting a wolf in?"

Western uncle's reaction was what his men expected.

"Exactly, but no other competing temper and capital chamber can be found"

"... so much capital? You weren't a little merchant yet?

"If you look into it, there's something suspicious inside."

"What is that place?

"Indeed, as a Det Chamber of Commerce, the number of servants looks small. However, the number of counterparties seems to be in the same category as the major merchants."

"What the hell is that?"

"Do you mean a merchant for a merchant? When a merchant tries to purchase a hundred items, he asks the Deto Chamber of Commerce, not the individual merchants. The Det Chamber of Commerce gathers hundreds from a number of merchants to wholesale it"

"Isn't that a waste?

The Det Chamber of Commerce naturally puts its own interests there. That seems futile to Western uncles.

"Yes, normally. The Det Chamber of Commerce, however, finds out where and how much sooner than it hits individually, and certainly carries it. Even if you pay a small fee, that seems more profitable."

Of the Kamuis, the use of information is not just a strategy or a plot. Even in commerce, the advantages of those who hold information are more overwhelming in commerce.

"... what about the selling side? What good is it?"

Western ambassadors have also been intrigued by the way the Det Chamber of Commerce operates.

"The Deto Chamber of Commerce will make the payment of the price at the time of purchasing the goods. Simply put, payments are made before they reach the merchant you are looking for."

"I see. If you do business individually, you will get money on the spot for what is two months away. If we get the money, we can buy it differently soon."

"The funds spin faster, so I can't stop being a merchant. Especially as beneficial as small merchants who can't afford the funds. There seems to be other benefits, and for small merchants, the Det Chamber of Commerce is becoming something that has to be"

"But for the Det Chamber of Commerce, there is considerable risk. If you dare to do that, you don't have to ask how the Det Chamber of Commerce is going to fund all that..., etc."

"The Republic must be behind it."

"How did the Republic get all that money?"

I don't know how much money Western uncle will need, but I don't think he can store it in Nort Ende, which was a land unrelated to wealth.

"I don't know that."

"Isn't it the Det Chamber of Commerce that should be crushed? The merchants of the Empire will eventually be bullied by the Det Chamber of Commerce."

"It's how you see it."

"What do you mean?

"So what happens if the Det Chamber of Commerce puts its foundation in the kingdom and does it without turning into an imperial merchant?

The power of the Det Chamber of Commerce does not rule it out, but should be taken in, his men say.

"... is that possible?

"I don't know. So, based on the East, what if they do that? Wouldn't the commercial center of the Empire move from the West to the East? The equilibrium between the west of the business and the east of the farm will be broken."

"... the man"

A bitter thing floats in the face of a western uncle. I found myself stuck to Kamui.

"I was totally poked at our weak spot. I think we can fight it if it is the most now. Gather the power of the great merchant and crush the small merchant, and the Det Chamber of Commerce will lose its raison d 'être."

"And if you do, the breathtaking merchants of the kingdom will cow the empire."

"Yes."

The story of my men is that I know the answer to Western uncle. Now the western uncle can turn his feelings to the decision.

"That's why the man can't eat. Take away most of our options, and then bring us the story, and let it take shape as if we had made our own decision."

"In other words?"

"Tell the Det Chamber of Commerce to crush the merchants involved in the kingdom. I'll give you all the permits you need to do that."

"Yes, sir."

"Hmm. But when the Republic has that much power, you have to think about it."

"What's that?

"You can't call your southern uncle just an idiot."

"Dear Western uncle..."

Exactly, I didn't think Western uncle would talk about this right now.

"If the Empire cannot be the empire it tastes, then neither can our home be our previous home. That's what I'm saying."

"... Ha"

It was the moment when Western uncle revealed his ambitions for the first time in front of his men.