Maou No Utsuwa

The Union of Southern Nations was the most vigorous in the process of surrender of the Schutz Alten Empire and the establishment of the Ruthua Empire.

Even after the Royal Russua Army left the south, it moved to total control of the southern countries, which it had previously refrained from, without dissolving the army. The southern ambassadors under the control of the Royal Ruthuan Army were targeted where they were unable to move.

The anti-coalition forces, which had asked for the support of the Southern Bergamot Army, could not resist much, and would descend to the military gates of the Union of Southern Nations, where all the former southern frontier territories would be brought together as a coalition in just a few moments.

United Kingdom of Sidvest. This is the name of the new Union.

The Union of Kingdoms of Sidvest moves its troops by drawing yet another invasion of the southern Bertian territory. It was at this point that it was communicated that the Artenkreutz Republic seemed to accept its subordination to the Ruthuan Empire.

"... why? Why did Kamui cower when he got here?

Anger is all over Deefleet's expression when he heard the report.

It's an incredible thing for Deefreet. The republic thought that it could always engage in war with the kingdom of Ruthua. That is why, in the midst of the continental turmoil that has engulfed the Kingdom of Ruthua, we took the risk of moving once and for all to expand our forces in order to occupy the corner of the hegemonic struggle.

"That's not the right way to say cowardice."

Carlos has had a chilling tone and has denied Deefleet's words.

"What's the difference?

"Granting equal rights to heterogeneous races. And the freedom of independence of the border territories. What I was looking for is realized. It served its purpose."

Carlos has a better understanding of Kamui's purpose. I look more calmly. Deefleet, on the other hand, is not.

"... is what you get by bending your knees to the Empire"

"Even so, what you get is the same"

"How much is Nicolai worth to what I got by bending over to an incompetent man?

"... I still think it's worth the same?

Carlos doesn't know why Deefleet is so angry. I know the action I started to try to satisfy my ambitions was frustrating. But that's our own failure to read the situation.

"... how does Carlos read about the developments ahead?

Thinking that no matter how much he talked, it wouldn't make sense to Carlos, Deefreet changed the story.

"Perhaps no nation thinks of defying the Empire. This is the beginning of a new system of governance that revolves around the Ruthuan Empire."

"Is that a good idea? You're independent, and you're back again."

"I'm not quite sure yet, but I think it's better than when I was on the periphery of the Empire."

"What?

Carlos' answer was miscalculation for Deefleet, so much so that he lined up with the Republic's subjects. I thought the former border territories would rebel violently against the rule of the Ruthuan Empire.

"Maybe you were expecting ex-boundary territory rebellion?

In Deefleet's reaction, Carlos immediately made him read the thoughts.

"... does that mean it's useless to expect that to be the way to put it?

"I can't say anything at a stage where I don't know the terms of the negotiations. But if you don't have a formula to win, you know you won't fight."

I am not a borderline lord who was desperate and self-inflicted in the future. I don't think I'm going to bet the independence I finally got on a winless battle. At least Carlos doesn't.

"If there is an arithmetic to win..."

"There is? If you do, you might be able to convince me."

If there is a way to beat the Empire, Deefreet will not be angry. Carlos knows the answer and he's listening to this.

"... not now. I didn't think the republic would obey."

"Then you can't."

"Right...... Right."

"We're good to be subordinates, aren't we?

Where Deefreet spoke convincing words, Carlos confirmed the policy of the Union of the Kingdom of Sidvest. We also need to coordinate with other countries in the Union. The intention of the kingdom of Ericsson, the Allied Lord, must be made clear.

"I think it would be in that direction...... Can you give me some time to sort out my feelings?

It was too early to convince me of my feelings. Deefleet took his seat and left the room before hearing Carlos' reply.

"... sorry"

Serene, who was listening to the two of them in silence, utters words of apology.

"I didn't want you to apologize, I wanted you to stop."

"You heard that, didn't you? We need to sort out our feelings."

Serene knows that Deefleet was quite intentional in this war. So much so that Serene worried and advised me so many times.

"I don't have time for this. King Graz is afraid of our coalition. Imperial, not necessarily unattainable."

For a former southern uncle who became King Graz, the Union of the Kingdom of Sidvest is still a threat. In fact, until the other day, he showed signs of wandering the borders of the Kingdom of Graz. Naturally.

"Are you going to attack me?

"Probably not. But if you're going to obey, you don't have to bother to make the impression of the Empire worse. Even if not, we in the Union can never say that the size of our territory is small. It's possible that the Empire will try to cut its power."

The Union of the Kingdom of Sidvest, which unites all of the southern frontier territories, has a wider territory than the Union of Central States and the Kingdom of Graz. Of course, there can be no comparison in individual kingdoms, but being wrapped up in the form of a union should be quite a threat to the Empire.

"Would you like to cut me?

"First, definitely"

"... you're in trouble"

Serene shaped eyebrows were frowned upon. I feel quite threatened by the crushing of the Empire. But now it's Carlos who's in trouble.

"You're in trouble. It's the kingdom of Ericsson that brings the Union together."

"I know that. I know, but for Dee now..."

"... Something wrong?

Carlos changed his complexion, although slightly as Serene said.

The Alliance's lord is the kingdom of Ericsson, and the king of the kingdom of Ericsson, in his position of proxy, is Deefleet. If you have anxiety about Deefleet, the heart of the coalition, the response ahead will be rather harsh.

"You know what I mean, right? I'm in a pretty hurry."

"Oh, I know that. But why? Now what do we need to rush?

"Maybe I'm not convinced of myself right now. I'm not like this yet. You have such strong feelings."

"I don't know. What are you unhappy about even taking the seat of the Alliance leader?

Deefreet has the kingdom of Erickson and is also the ally of the Union of Kingdoms of Sidvest. Carlos has no idea what he's unhappy with about this.

"... never tell Dee this, huh?

"If you're not gonna tell me, I'm not gonna tell you"

"The position now is that given to Kamui. Isn't this what you think?

"That's..., I certainly can't tell you in person, but it's true"

It was Kamui who ruled the dispute between the Southern Border Lords and put Deefleet in the position of compiler. More importantly, other borderline lords accepted that also for the reason that Kamui valued Deefleet highly.

"Right? I don't like that. I want to gather the south on my own."

"Isn't that how much anything I want?

It is an untouchable fact that Deefleet's position was fed to Kamui. It doesn't make sense if you don't like it. Thank you honestly, Carlos thinks it's the attitude that should be doing what he can in the given position.

"It's a different starting point."

"Starting point?

"Dee was born and raised in the Western Uncle's house and even became the fiancée of Princess Sophilia. I may have seen the imperial government."

"… are you not satisfied with the level of allies of the Union of Border Countries?"

Carlos' gaze gets tough. Carlos is in a position to be king of one of its neighbouring countries. And I am delighted to have achieved independence from the Empire. Serene's story made me uncomfortable that I seemed to be being ridiculed.

"I'm not. How am I supposed to explain this?

I can't explain Deefleet's mood well, and Serene worries me. Nor does Serene, who grew up in the house of a borderline lord, fully understand Deefleet's thoughts. This discrepancy is Deefleet's problem.

"... what the hell did I feel like I was supposed to be called the golden generation?

This was what Serene said with a little worry.

"I've figured it out somehow. I mean, jealous?

"... I didn't want to use that word"

Nor does Serene know if the expression jealousy is correct. But I somehow felt that the cause of Deefleet's impatience lay with the Kamuis.

"That's quite a problem, isn't it? Why don't you pay attention to that?

"You think I can do that? No, I can be careful. But how do you think I'll take it?

"It's you... Now, there's no triangulation, is there?

The problems of the Union have become problems between couples. After hearing Serene's excuse, Carlos turns to a frightened face at once.

"Don't be weird. I don't care anymore."

"... already?

…………

This is the moment Serene first acknowledged her feelings for Kamui. More than ten years, memories of the past that I never spoke of.

"I thought so."

"So now it's different"

"Naturally. I want to know that. Why 'd you give up?

Carlos' feelings have also changed from being an adjunct to a former classmate in the coalition. For Carlos, who was a classmate, Serene's relationship with Kamui is a topic of interest.

"... do you hear that?

"From what I can tell, you and Kamui looked good together. Even after I heard you were dating Deefreet, I always thought it was a made rumor to hide my relationship with Kamui"

"And vice versa."

There have been many rumors of Serene and Kamui to deceive Hildegand's relationship. Now, it's a nostalgic memory for Serene, but it was a complicated thought at the time.

"After all, did you pull yourself off about Hildegand?

"... before that"

"Before? Was there anyone else in Kamui?

"No.... I didn't think I could"

With hesitation, Serene is answering Carlos' question. You can't stop talking to anyone until now.

"I don't know. What's that supposed to mean?

"I got to know the Kamuis, they got a little noticeable, but I'm a mediocre woman. You think I can follow Kamui like that?

"... Theresa's by your side, right?

"You're selling me fights?

Serene has yet to acknowledge the fact that Theresa has become Kamui's sideroom.

"It's a joke. I know about Kamui. But then what about Deefleet? He's a Western uncle, and he's a fiancée candidate for the Crown Princess. I think he was a long way from normal."

"Simply put, I could break it off from the beginning. It ends with good memories."

Serene, the only daughter of the border lord, was also inherently in an unacceptable position, such as free love. Apart from the appropriateness of our expressions, it is true that we had similar feelings.

"... you're a cheating bitch, aren't you?

"Shut up. I'm aware of that. At the time, all I thought about was making sure I wasn't hurt. I knew that, so I could honestly support Mr. Hildegand."

Hildegand, who knew it was going to hurt and didn't give up his feelings for Kamui. Against such Hildegand, even with all the jealousy, that was less.

"... shouldn't we talk to Deefleet about this?

"How does that happen?

"No, isn't what Deefleet needs right now the same feeling of giving up as you?

"... that's not true. That would deny Dee's will. I don't think we can give up moving forward, even if we're going in the wrong direction right now."

Kamui is special, and ordinary people are not the opponents of enemies. Serene can't tell Deefreet about this. That's because you're going to deny your will to go up to the heights of Deefleet.

"... because Deefleet is also said to have the king's vessel."

"That's what's extra. Dee is a benevolent, attractive type. It's beside Kamui, and he tells me that Kamui has the qualities of a king, so he imitates how to twist it down with force."

Kamui's impression of Deefleet in his first impression is people-friendly. It was prompted by the fear that Kamui, who had no intention of donating anything to the great nobility or anything else, was going to dive into his heart.

"The king of turmoil and the king of reign?

"What do you think? That fool is going to be a fine king in his reign."

"... Indeed"

Not benevolent, but Kamui has something to attract people to. Something irrelevant, whether it's a turmoil or a reign.

And Deefreet doesn't mean he's incompetent in turmoil either. It's just that Kamui has a different orientation. Serene thinks it's going to go crazy because that makes him aware of Kamui.

"... I'm starting to get angry. Next time I see you, I'll definitely kick you in."

"Please, before you do, put a drink in my own husband"

"... I'll consider it"

Even if Kamui kicks me in, Deefleet can't do that. In the end, the relationship that we had when we met is still in our minds.

"You. That reluctance…, is there no need to hurry? There's been no big move for a while. In the meantime, I just need you to calm down."

Carlos seemed to think that Serene's reluctance was creating Deefleet's jealousy of Kamui. But I stopped talking. Carlos doesn't think jealousy is all going in the wrong direction. I'm also jealous of Kamui.

"It's okay. Dee will definitely get himself back."

"Oh, I hope so"

Carlos has to make a decision to cut Deefleet off if he doesn't get back on his feet. If that is for the Union of the Kingdom of Sidvest.

◇ ◇ ◇

The Imperial capital of the former Schutz Alten empire remains the king capital of the kingdom of Dia. But now the flag that flies over the castle is not that of the kingdom of Dia, but that of the Ruthua Empire. Nicolai, who became emperor of the Ruthuan Empire, was now in this king's capital.

"Negotiations with the Republic of Artenkreutz are going well. I wonder if you can judge it to be moving in the direction of your subordination."

Vasily is the one making the report. Vasily, who was negotiating with the Republic, but with the negotiations progressing to what could be considered the last big deal, he was once back to seek the judgment of Emperor Nicolai.

"That's good, but when will the settlement be?

Emperor Nikolai cannot be satisfied just because he is moving in the direction of his subordination. Continental domination is not over when the Republic is settled.

"Conditions presented. If our country settles this condition, we'll settle for it."

"Conditions. What's that like?

"Yes, he wants the Republic to have investigative powers over the picking of illegal slaves."

Vasily returned to King's Capital to seek a decision on whether to accept this.

"... I don't know the specifics."

"It's a function of examining and picking on people who trade in illegal slaves, who possess illegal slaves, and these people."

"... What is the purpose of the Republic?

It's a republic full of plots. The Nikolai Emperor did not receive what he said.

"I believe it is to ensure that the liberation of illegal slaves is fulfilled. He seems suspicious that he will just announce it and not move anything into action."

"Hmm. What's the problem with accepting the terms?

"… if the liberation of illegal slaves is only at the tip of the mouth, there is a problem, otherwise it seems not particularly"

Vasily, who says this, thinks we should accept this condition. While the Empire no longer needs to move, the Republic needs to carry out its activities everywhere. If only we could sharpen the national power of the Republic at all, it would never be better.

"I don't like being moved around as much as I like."

"I thought that was a matter of mechanism. If you need an imperial permit to pick them up, you won't be able to do so."

"Hmm..."

Emperor Nikolai shows a bare gesture of thinking a little. When it comes to thinking about it, it's not exactly something, it's just somewhat suspicious.

"If there seems to be too much going on, then, shouldn't we go again? Firstly, subordinating the Republic. I think we should prioritize this."

To subordinate the Republic anyway. From there, Vasily thinks it's good to twitch and weaken.

"Are you sure you're going to obey me?

"Because that's the kind of negotiation"

"I thought you'd believe me. What do you think of Claudia?

Emperor Nicolai turned the inquiry to Claudia, who was present on this occasion. Vasily, hearing it, poses as faceless so that the inner discomfort does not appear on the table.

"Promise me you'll keep it."

"I'm anxious to believe that."

"Well, you can try it. Call me here and make me swear my devotion. I guess that's better before there's a lot of them. That way, I don't think you're lying."

"I see. That might be a good idea."

Emperor Nicolai is honestly pleased with Claudia's suggestion. Seeing this, more and more, Vasily felt ill.

He advised the Nikolai Emperor not to get too close to Claudia. Let me warn you, it's not like the kingdom of Dia is up to anything. Otherwise, there is the original Queen and the next emperor in the country. Even if there is no choice but to cede the seat of the righteous queen to Claudia, we must at all costs avoid any situation in which a succession struggle occurs.

"Vasily, what do you say we call upon the king's capital the men of the kingdom who will come under his umbrella to swear their devotion? I think it's a good way to let the glory of our empire know."

Without realizing Vasily's inner depression or anything else, Emperor Nicolai tells Claudia's proposal as it is.

"... Yes. I'll consider it."

It's not actually a bad idea. It makes a lot of sense that Kamui, in particular, vows to obey the Nikolai Emperor before those in other countries see him.

The only problem is that the request for this would result in the republic refusing to obey. And when the republic appears in bad faith, I am anxious to be able to protect the Nikolai Emperor.

"That's Claudia. He gave me a good idea. Don't you think?

"... Yes. I think so, Your Highness. Why are you here?

In the Kingdom of Ruthua, the Queen was not allowed to speak out on matters related to national politics. Vasily believes that even if it becomes an empire, it doesn't need to be changed. Well, it can't be that Claudia, the former emperor of the Empire, is involved in national politics.

"Claudia knows better than anyone about the Republicans. Isn't it natural to ask for your opinion on the Republic"

"... may be so"

Even so, when you talk about matters involving the Republic, you can only call it when you also need an opinion.

"Claudia is also the king of a nation. But he's still immature and wants to learn a lot."

"... Really?"

Vasily's alert level against Claudia increases at once. Although immature, Claudia was the emperor of the Schutz Alten Empire. So now Vasily wonders what we need to learn.

"I asked His Majesty. Sorry I bothered you."

When I saw Vasily, who seemed unhappy, Claudia came to apologize. The tone and tricks are certainly enough to make you feel young, beyond immature, when it comes to kings. There will be a lot to learn as a king.

But Vasily feels somewhere uncomfortable with it. There was a thriving appeal that the vigilance that sprung up in my mind was something different.