Price of Management

* * *

The next day, King Erik refused to speak my mind.

“No. I can't allow it. ”

“Yes?”

It's been a long time since my opinions were so resolutely rejected that I was momentarily embarrassed.

King Erik said.

“Don't you know how dangerous it is for you to visit the Horn Empire at this point in time for war? ”

“Of course I know. But since it's such an urgent time, we shouldn't leave communication until the very end. ”

“You have not failed in your bargaining so far, but this time you have to look pessimistic, too. The Horn Empire has already deployed an army and is ready to launch an invasion at any time. Can this ever change when you meet Emperor Kars? ”

“I'm not sure how successful a conversation with the Emperor can be. Maybe we can't stop the war. But if there's any way to change King Kars' mind, I'm the only one who can. ”

“You're the only one I've ever met in this country. ”

“It's not like that. Emperor Kars considers me special. I'm the only one who can face the real human Kars Hort hidden behind his faceless mask. I want to talk to him until the end. ”

I strongly insisted.

King Erik shakes his hand and says, "Couldn't resist anyway."

“Good, then I'll make my decision after hearing the opinions of others. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

* * *

“Of course, the Chancellor should not be sent to the Horn Empire. ”

It was Jeron's speech.

While the best men gather in King Erik's bedroom, Jeron says it's perfectly natural.

“I've been very keen on how to harness your abilities as I develop strategies to fight the invaders of the Horn Empire. His Holiness's aesthetic was so useful in so many different situations that it was fun to strategize. There can't be a better card than this as a commander. ”

Jeron continues.

“In other words, it means that the enemy has never been more troublesome than the President himself. Assuming that Emperor Kars is an incredibly meticulous strategist, he would want to put the variable recollection aside on the battlefield first. ”

Louie was in on it.

“I think the same thing. The expenditure of the Horn Empire on the study of great aesthetics is estimated to be astronomical. Nevertheless, if you don't have much success, the last resort is to call in the Chancellor and fall into a trap. ”

King Erik listens to you and asks Baron Hazel Duron.

“What do you think, diplomatic bookkeeper? ”

“I agree with you both. I heard about the situation inside the Horn Empire through the news from the social community. They were raised by the conquest war, whether nobles, commoners, or heavenly citizens. It was an atmosphere that firmly believed that old glory would come again. ”

"That's how the battle against Duke Bezalius came to be," he said, "after a serious national security crisis and a desperate struggle over the economic turmoil he caused. ”

King Erik kicks his tongue.

In fact, the one with the most accurate historical view of the Duke of Crocente Bezalius would be our Kingdom of Ledon and the Kingdom of Orion rather than the Horn Empire.

The Horn Empire became obsessed with the drug-like parade and its vast territory, completely losing its objectivity.

I understand how anxious Duke Bezalius has been all his life.

Compared to the Orient Empire which was fundamentally strong, once defeated by a significant inferiority of national power will not stand up again.

After he dies as a tax-exempt strategist, the future of his country will be gloomy again. After a defeat, the Orient Empire eats him up again.

Knowing that, Duke Bezalius went to war for his conquest. To make the Horn Empire the continent's greatest nation before he dies.

And the Horn Empire consumed all of its latent capabilities in the war for conquest, making life very difficult for the people. Duke Bezalius was also desperate.

The people of the Horn Empire have completely forgotten how hard and painful war was. Taken into the United States of America, they thought war would solve their economic difficulties. How foolish of me.

Bird of Hezel Duron speaks.

“So is the mood, and now the Horn Empire can't help but go to war. Now, if you give it up, you will also be golden by the absolute authority of Kars. ”

People who are disappointed are scary.

The people are furious even when they lose a war. The attitude of those who supported the war is to insult the power of the dominant.

That's why even the battles that have been defeated since then have been equally uncommon to wrap them up with victories and drawings. You know, just to say that the weather was bad and that you were discharged.

“So even if we enter into a nonaggression agreement, the terms of the agreement will be as close to surrender as Earl McDell demands. Therefore, I disagree with the dispatch of the Chancellor to the Horn Empire. ”

King Erik nods.

“You're all thinking the same thing. Lord Ligand, if I send you to the Horn Empire, they will see you as the perfect opportunity to capture you. There is no need to explain to us how much it would be a loss to go to war without you. ”

King Eric and the wise men of this country, including Louis, Jeron and Hazel Duron, opposed to being driven.

I cleared my mind and opened my mouth.

“I don't expect to persuade Emperor Kars to stop the war. I don't know that it's hard. ”

“Then?”

“I believe in everyone. I have no doubt that the wise king, the royal loyalists, and the lords of this country will become one and fight the invasion well. If our efforts so far have paid off and the Orient Kingdom's forces are too strong, we will be able to defend our country. ”

I kept explaining.

“Our defensive strategy is inevitable to prevent the bitter aggression of the Horn Empire. Even if the strategy is successful, war is very likely to be prolonged. ”

Our basic strategy is to defend the Horn Empire army until there is a shortage of supplies.

However, two families of Earl Lindell and Earl Antares became allies of the Horn Empire.

Two families with enormous wealth will not stand idly by while the Horn Empire is defeated by a shortage of supplies. It is because the defeat of the Horn Empire does not guarantee the honor of the two families who rebelled against the Kingdom of Leaden.

Then the war will last more than a decade, as it did in the past. That long war will be enough to drive the country to ruin.

“I will convince Emperor Kars not to prolong the war. If our strategy is successful and the Horn Empire is impaired by the excitement, then Emperor Kars will change his mind and have room to negotiate. ”

“So you intend to stay in the Horn Empire the whole time the war is going on? ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I think Emperor Kars is going to start a war right away with me. ”

King Erik shakes his head with his tongue.

“I don't understand the consequences of walking into a trap on my own to negotiate an end to an unknown war. If you do not serve in the war, it will be a great loss. ”

“But what if Emperor Kars doesn't join the war? ”

“Excuse me?”

Everyone's face, including King Erik, puzzles with wonder.

I said with a fucking smile.

“Of course, I have no intention of being caught by them. Whether hiding in the earth or rising into the sky, I'm proud to be the best on the continent. If you want to capture me like that, you're going to have to lure me into ambush with the error masters and wizards and knights in all directions. But it's okay for me to be deceived by my sharing my senses with spirits and not be seduced by them. ”

Then Jeron, who was listening to me quietly, said a word.

“Impossible, unless Emperor Kars himself is the bait. ”

Jeron seemed to recognize my intentions.

I nodded.

“Exactly. ”

The situation I was expecting was that Emperor Kars was waiting for me in the middle of that trap.

Then even a trap would be willing to walk into it.

“Even if I don't go to war, it won't be that bad of a business if Emperor Kars falls. Isn't that right?"

* * *

I have finally succeeded in persuading King Erik and revealed to Earl McDell that I would like to negotiate with him in person.

Earl McDell said he would ask Emperor Kars what he meant. Probably agree

I may not trust Earl McDell, but he was right about one thing.

Emperor Kars and I have a peculiar relationship of trust.

I'm sure Emperor Kars will see me. I know that he knows each other's intentions and that they will meet their expectations. For better or for worse.