Maou No Utsuwa

Amphang, the city of the western north of the continent, is the capital of the Kingdom of Schutz Alten as well as the city where the central government of the Federal Republic of Arten Kreutz is located.

Vasily was visiting that Amphang as a messenger of the Ruthuan Empire. It's Alto you're dealing with.

"Federal Republic?

Vasily noticed the subtle change in the name of the country and asked for confirmation for Alto.

"Yes, it has become a federal republic. Well, it's a bit of a situation. Call me whatever you want."

How many times has Alto and Vasily discussed it? The atmosphere has completely disappeared these days.

"You can't call the country names what you want. But, well, do you ever say your official name again and again?"

That's the same for Vasily. Vasily is more aware of Alto's attitude. There is no way that Vasily of the Empire, the Sovereign Nation, could be.

"Sort of. So, what can I do for you this time?

Cut to waste, Alto asks for the purpose of his visit.

"I haven't officially decided on this yet..."

Vasily's voice slowly turns down because it seems like a difficult thing to talk about.

"What? Can't you hear me?

"… I intend to have national public offices in Imperial Capital"

Urged by Alto, Vasily spoke clearly of the matter. Besides, this is a way of saying things around.

"... I see. So, who lives in that office?

Should I say fortunate for Vasily, I told Alto enough in a way that I turned away. The Republic has exhausted the debate beforehand on what the Empire will say after subordination. This is one of them.

"Success with the Queen."

"... That says something thoughtful again. If you take the Queen away from the country, it's not the Queen anymore. I think the rebellion is strong, though, huh?

In Alto's position, it's just that, isn't it, and we can't end it. I just want to point out the problem of doing it and stop it if I can.

"I know that. So I will allow kings of all nations to come to the Empire on a regular basis."

I say it as if it were for each country, but it's not. In the end, we're just talking about taking the king hostage, too.

"... you must be in too much of a hurry"

"Too much haste?

This word of Alto was unexpected to Vasily.

"That's all I think about in an imperial position"

"It's..."

That's right. We're talking about taking hostages not to defy the Empire.

"And yet it's not for the Empire."

Alto said this with a grin. I knew what you were going to say, so naturally I'm also thinking about objections to it. It's strange that it's useful now.

"It's not for the Empire..."

Vasily thinks of the meaning of Alto's words. Neither does Vasily expect the Republic to obey honestly. I know that, and I'm here to talk to the Republic first.

Simple things like persuasion of another country, if you can convince the republic. This is what I think.

"Who sees national politics while the king leaves the country?

"That will be the prime minister and senior officials of the sentence will see. Isn't that obvious?

Most of the national government is run by civilians, even when the king is in the country. It's not like it's going to be a problem. If it is normal.

"Well, yeah. If the king is absent, the head of the civilian takes power. Does that stabilize the country? It doesn't mean it's going to be unstable."

"... you mean that"

Vasily also figured out what Alto was trying to say. In the course of the founding of the empire, many new countries are emerging, and those countries are still far from stable.

There are also a number of countries where the aristocrats have come to visit and founded their country. What happens if the King continues to be absent in that country, where his loyalty is also dubious? There must always be an ambitious one.

Alto points this out.

"If this happens, the king of that country will rely on the Empire. There's no military power for a king in the capital."

We must not bring many troops to the Imperial capital. There is no way the Empire will allow that. In that case, that king has no power to rule his own rebellion.

"... I have no trouble being relied upon. It has the power to quell the rebellion."

It is not an empire that fears the rebellion of emerging nations. None of them are small countries, not big military forces. With the Imperial Army out, it would be easy to crack down.

"That's natural. But what if it goes on and on? That's not all. In fact, it's not even a rebellion, but the king may come out to use the empire to deport his subordinates."

"It's..."

There is a question as to whether there is actually a king who thinks that, but it is not a story that can be totally denied. Vasily couldn't find an objection right away.

"This is why we're in such a hurry. Subordinate countries are still unstable everywhere. I don't think it's for the Empire to sprinkle more seeds of chaos there."

"... and the Republic, by the way? If it's your country, it won't be a rebellion."

"... I can't say there isn't at all. Well, I guess so."

"So can the Republic accept to live in the imperial palace?

I see there's a problem. But only the Republic is afraid of the Empire. If we can hold the Republic back, that's fine. That's not all. There is also the thought that if the republic were to have obeyed heavily, other countries would have to follow.

"... you're telling me to persuade you?

With a rather unpleasant look on his face, Alto told Vasily this.

"Can you persuade me?

It is a pleasure for Vasily that this word came out of Alto's mouth, in an attempt to make him look disgusted. Vasily thought Alto was the biggest obstacle in the matter.

"Who else can do it besides me?

"Right."

One of the people who would most likely be able to persuade Kamui is Alto. The only other thing Vasily can come up with is the Hildegand of the person taking him hostage.

"Ha... Marie's guy, what do you say?

Alto blurs with a deliberate sigh. However, its content was a different word than what Vasily had in mind.

"... Marie?

Vasily doesn't understand why Marie's name comes up here.

"I'm not in a position to be the Queen, but my wife is only Marie."

"No, I didn't. It is the righteous queen of kings of all nations who dwells in the mansion."

"So you're Marie, right?

Alto is not mistaken. I understand correctly and give Marie's name.

"... no, it's Her Royal Highness Lady Hildegand"

Vasily's heart has a bad feeling spread.

"I'm the representative of the Federal Republic of Artenkreutz. So if they call me the Queen, I'll be my wife Marie."

"... what do you mean!?

To what Alto has just said, Vasily makes her voice absurd. If what we're talking about is true, all the assumptions go crazy.

"The representatives of the Republic are to be alternated on a regular basis. It was originally decided to send representatives from various countries in order, but there are many tribes that can't do national politics. For the time being, I decided to turn it around among people."

"... So what about Lord Kamui?

What Vasily fears is not the Republic, but Kamui the person. If we can't hold Kamui back, there's no point in hostage policy.

"Kamui is now full of heads in the illegal slave liberation. There are surfaces that have been alternated. There's no politics when you're moving around the continent."

"So you're good around?

"We're not. Originally, it doesn't matter what the title is."

This is the fear of the Republic, Kamui. Because you are a king, your surroundings do not obey, they obey Kamui individuals. If this is to spread beyond national boundaries. Nature and Kamui become the champions of the continent. Vasily has to do something about it.

At worst, Kamui thinks it's good to be a champion. We have to stick out the boundaries of the empire.

"… If you have left the national government of the Republic, I would like to consult Lord Kamui"

"About what?

"I want you to help me with the politics of the Empire"

"... hey, that's how it came"

This was unexpected for Alto. I wasn't thinking about it at all, but I didn't think the Empire would ever take this means.

"I'll have a position where I can do that. It's not an ornament, it's a position with authority."

"Is that what His Majesty the Emperor knows?

"... no, not yet"

They poke me where it hurts, and Vasily's face is distorted.

"I guess."

There is no way Emperor Nicolai will accept Kamui. Because he thought so, Alto didn't think the Empire would take Kamui inside.

"But we're going to make progress eventually. I see this as the best way to bring stability to the continent, peace to people. Naturally, those people include non-human races."

"... I guess so"

Alto knows what Vasily dares say not for the Empire, but for the continent and the people who live there. Let's have a big name that Kamui can easily accept.

"I would like the formal request to be communicated to Lord Kamui so that he can think of it after obtaining His Majesty's permission"

"If I had a chance."

You are right in your quest for stability and peace on the continent. But for Alto, it doesn't matter if it's right or not. The apex of Alto's picture of the future is only Kamui.

"... please"

I felt like I saw Alto's true intentions in an unsatisfactory reaction, Vasily, but now I've stopped touching it. You don't have to bother letting your enemies or disabled opponents know that this one thinks so.

"Speaking of which, there was one more thing I wanted to talk to you about"

"Not yet, are you?

"This... this, too, is not yet official. It's called a check-up. I am thinking of marrying King Therese of the Kingdom of Schutz Alten and Her Majesty's sister, Princess Juliana, you."

"... Huh?

"His Majesty sees Princess Juliana, a distant sister of the years, as her daughter. I'm still sad that I'm unmarried. I've always wondered if anyone was there."

"... So, Therese?

"King Thales is a former Crown Prince of the Empire, who consequently inherited the name of Schutz Alten. I think he's the perfect opponent, too. Don't you think it's fate that the princes and princesses of the formerly great powers will be united at this time of unity?

Vasily in a much taller way.

Certainly if they were two princesses of the Kingdom of Ruthua and princes of the Empire of Schutzarten, it would not be strange, even if marriage was normally married. But it is clear that this is the reason for the postponement.

"... I didn't know this was coming"

It seeks to incorporate not only Kamui's uptake, but also into the empire up to the Kingdom of Schutzarten. I didn't think Alto would try this now by means of marriage as well.

"This will also come after the recognition of Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana, but it is a story from Her Majesty. You won't say no."

"... haven't you considered the possibility that King Therese would say no?

"Why, say no? The Emperor's sister will marry you. [M] Do you think it's an honor?

Alto is available on this matter. As for Vasily, I feel rewarded with one arrow.

"... by the way, what is the king of the kingdom of Deere?

Alto has also managed to grab the thread of the counterattack, bringing up Claudia. For Claudia, the connection between the Terrays and the Empire is not desirable.

"There is no need to ask Her Majesty's opinion on this matter. It's up to you and your siblings to decide."

"Sort of."

Vasily knows Claudia will be offended. Upon learning this, Alto gave up his counterattack on this occasion. Even if you can't resist a well-prepared unintentional blow, the damage just increases. I think it's the right thing to pull.

"... its king, but you sure were a classmate?

Vasily has also changed the subject, feeling the signs that Alto pulled.

"It was in the same class at Imperial College. What's that?

"What was he like?

This is no longer diplomacy with other countries.

"Eight Beautiful Fools, that was your impression at the time"

Nor is this a word to commend the woman who is the king of one country and the empress of the Sovereign Nation.

"Right..."

Even if they call the Empress an idiot, there's no sign of Vasily getting mad at her. Vasily's mental perception of Claudia can be seen in this reaction.

"... it just seems that Kamui saw something different. I wonder if I am now too."

Alto speaks of things he doesn't have to say. I'm going to give Vasily a little advice.

Alto doesn't have the idea of using Claudia to do something. I feel resistant to thinking about using it for some reason. If we do that, the next thing it hurts, we'll be ourselves.

That's what I think.

"What's that like?

"That doesn't explain it well to me. It's best if you don't know what you're good at, but then you don't get it, do you?

"Oh. I just know that word fits best"

Unstoppable fear. Vasily feels this for Claudia too.

"The person I know most about is Theresa, because he's an idiot. I can't put it well."

"Became a side chamber? Those were quite surprising to the people of the kingdom of Dia. Lord Kamui and I have been known to be friends of the Dog Monkeys since Imperial College. Right?

Claudia wasn't the only one surprised to find out that Camui had Theresa in the side room. Everyone who was of the Old Empire and knew how to behave with Theresa's wicked lady was stunned. So much so that the imperialists wondered why they were so surprised.

"Exactly. However, it is believed that Theresa was under the influence of the Lord. Now Theresa is influenced by Kamui and Mr. Hildegand and looks like someone else."

"... that the actions of Lord Therese at the time were by order?

Vasily said a word of confirmation, thinking it would be a tip to know people for Claudia's sake.

"It seems more complicated. I don't know if it's true, but Theresa can read the hearts and minds of loyal opponents. Guess on your own, there was a part of you that was acting on your own. I don't know if there's anything I can do to make you think so."

Alto also honestly returns the answer to Vasily. Alto can't control Claudia's behavior. If Vasily was going to do it, he thought he could help with it.

"... by the way, what did Lord Therese do?

I can't really talk about that.

There is no evidence that Theresa's actions were instigated by Claudia. I'm not coming out this way either. Distorted by its contents, Alto feared it would be used by the Empire.

"Right..."

"I don't even know if it's a fool's idea or a calculation. But anyway, sometimes I act unexpectedly around me. Besides, I don't know which side you're on."

"... you sure do"

By its abrupt actions, the Kingdom of Ruthua acquired the status of an empire that would unite the continent. Vasily, who is Ten himself who used it, still had not disappeared.

"Well, tie him up so he can't move, or keep him away. Either way, but you better not be too alarmed."

"I know."

Alto did not give advice for the Empire or Vasily. The unpredictable behavior is just trying to seal Claudia's move, thinking it would get in the way of the ploy.

Vasily knows this too. I know, but I didn't feel like ignoring the advice. All of Claudia's actions are private interests, personal greed. Vasily knows there's no thought for the Empire, not for his country.

For Vasily, in a way, fear of taking Claudia within may be stronger than fear of taking Kamui into the empire.

"... is there anything weird around me? Anything you do, you need someone with hands and feet."

One of Claudia's wonders is that her hands and feet are always there for some reason. Looking at the results alone, it seems that those who approached us to use Claudia were used.

"In the kingdom of Dia, we seem to have recruited some new people. You can't complain about it if you ask me to fill a hole that's missing."

Subtle Vasily is disgusting. When it comes to where your men have gone through the kingdom of Dia, this is Amphang here, where the two of us are talking now. It is stranger to think that the Republic is not involved in this action.

"That's right. I'd be in trouble if they did that. Home affairs interference."

Alto flushes his rustling Vasily aversion and changes the direction of the story.

"... I do not intend to interfere in internal affairs. conditional on not even imitating it to disrupt the reign of the Empire."

In other words, if we decide that it is an action that disrupts the continental rule of the Empire, we will also be interfering in internal affairs. I'm going to have a little restraint.

"Well, naturally. Not a good imitation to disturb the peace."

With a grin Alto gives Vasily his consent. You wouldn't think this was the real deal, even if it wasn't Vasily.

"The confusion will still persist. But one problem at a time, the continent will be an uncontested, peaceful land."

Vasily's purpose now lies in this. Continental domination that could be achieved unexpectedly. We are still on the way, but surely we are seeing its completion.

If this happens, the Ruthua Empire must bring peace to the world as the champion of the continent. Vasily thinks that's his mission as a champion. It was under the influence of the King before Alexandros II.

"Peace. How long does that peace last?

Alto returned it with doubt to Vasily's words. Alto does not believe in eternal peace. of the human race, thinks that human sexuality does not allow it. This is influenced by the fact that he taught the demons, who were masters, an ancient history that was unknown to the past and ordinary human race.

"... even if not forever, a peaceful world should be better than a world of war"

"Even so, if the intrusion is tentative, shouldn't we aim for the best form even at that moment?

"... what?

"If you're going to do it anyway, it means don't compromise or anything and try to follow your ideals. Am I wrong?

"... no, I can't say it's a mistake"

It can't be a mistake. But the question is, what is Alto's ideal? Vasily hesitated to ask. You don't have to ask. I know somehow. That's why I was afraid to hear it clearly.

Claudia is moving with her private lust. But Vasily also wondered if creating his ideal world could be described in a sense as a private personal greed.

If actions by private personal greed collide, there will always be strife there. In the end, Vasily thought that myself and Alto, even if we could tell a little bit, would make no difference to being enemies.