The Inner Palace Tale of a Villainess Noble Girl

Going back, roughly ninety years now.

With the arrival of the first ever "ship from beyond the sea" in the western port town of the kingdom, the history of interaction with the exotic in modern times opens the curtain.

The nationality of the ship that arrived was Stanza. For the Ellanders of the time - even the faces of the descendants of the 'Sage', who connected wisdom and knowledge from generation to generation - it was just an unknown country, to the extent that they had a thin blur of the country's name and circumstances.

Just because we don't know who they are doesn't mean they don't know who they are either. Circumstances vary, but those who dare to challenge the rough seas, the snowblowing mountains, and travel outside the kingdom exist in a very small number of times at all times. Most of them would have lost their lives in the middle of their minds, but some of the lucky ones would have gone to opposite shores, reached beyond the mountains, and informed the people living there of the existence of the kingdom. In fact, by those who came as drifters from across the sea, the people of Elland also knew the existence of the Stanza Empire, albeit only by name.

However, before the name of "Elland" and the country changed in the first place, the Kingdoms, who had not had the lid of "invasion" at first (ha) since the period of the predecessor group of urban states, ended with "Hmm" even when asked, "There is a kingdom called the Stanza Empire beyond the sea". Whether in a good or a bad way, your interest in the other person is really dim.

That's why the swallowing kingdom of Elland has been viewing the ocean and mountains for years to the extent of "there is such a country" and "heh", so.

"Worldwide, it is an overwhelming minority in a country as thorough as my country. If humanity's technological capacity is bottomed up, and if health care develops and the population grows, there will naturally be insufficient land to live on. Seeking a richer life, a vast area of good land, mountains rich in precious materials, forests and seas with lots of food creatures - if there are people who have lived there for a long time, they will do their best to twist and twist, and it will be the" country "that grows.

"I mean... that's how the Stanza Empire grew up, a typical force-focused nation?"

"Earlier, I broke it, but the exact cause of death of a Stanza Empire man is" death in battle ". Though he has settled down a long time since the emperor unified that area a few generations ago. Still, skirmishes between minority tribes occur on a daily basis, so imperial adult boys, with some exceptions, are obliged to perform military service. Therefore, there will be no fewer ordinary people who will lose their lives in battle."

"... let me tell you something from my combat position, even if an amateur with just a weapon that I don't routinely train is on the battlefield, I'm just clearly out of the way."

Edward and Chris nod deeply at Alford's opinion, and the signs of consent drop even from above, though they are invisible. Deanna also did not know that Stanza was not raising, or even raising, a professional soldier until the inner realm that was imposing military service on the general public, so by lightly associating herself, she expressed her consent, and Deanna turned her gaze back to Juke.

"For many years - and that is probably why the Kingdom of Elland, for the Stanza imperial chamber, which has been in search of a better inhabited land since the very beginning of its founding, would have seemed all the more fascinating. The surroundings of the country are protected by natural fortresses, the national territory is rich and rich in natural materials, with the exception of some, and the knowledge of farming is scarce but not difficult for prey if it is first put into the forest or sea. … it's not actually that easy, but it's not surprising that Stanza has placed undue expectations on the Kingdom of Elland, which we only hear about"

"You think if we invade and conquer the kingdom of Elland, a country on the other shore, the people can live richer?

"Exactly."

"Understandable, but not agreeable thinking. As much as the king of one kingdom does for the well-being of his own people, he must also honour the people and the royal family of another kingdom. Thoughts and walks differ, and they have gone through equally long periods, the same person and country. In the first place, it will only be consumables that can't be consumed without ravaging other countries."

Juke's words, spinning naturally with a natural face. That is precisely the very philosophy of the kingdom, which the Royal Family of Elland has long been listing since the 'Kingdom of the Lakes' era. Juke has read and inherited from the trajectories of the kings of the past what he should not have been able to learn in the distorted education he has received.

With loosely delightful eyes, Deanna stared back at the juke.

"I agree, Your Majesty. Nature is certainly unequal, with some places blessed with forests and soil, as in our country, and some lands dominated by wind and sand, as in the Stanza Empire. I've just heard about it, and they say that there are places where ice doesn't melt all year, or where half of the national territory sinks into the sea if the tide fills."

"You can't even imagine... The world is huge."

"Yep. But anywhere, in a way of life rooted in that land, people do live. It is not just the appearance of nature that brings harshness. There are trials and graces in the forest, in the sand, in the ice, and in the sea. We have also nurtured, as part of nature, the strength and graceful wisdom to overcome trials, living our respective times in each place. I think the ancestors are telling us that it is this that creates true richness."

"But... the Stanza Empire probably has so much harsh land that it feels all the trials nature gives it. If it is even difficult to find grace, a man's heart is exhausted. Exhausted minds are what make someone else look better than they actually do."

"If the people of the Stanza Empire are being hunted down the more tolerable it seems to take someone's possession away than facing the earth they live on... that's very unfortunate and pathetic"

To Juke's words, Shayla said softly. Before being informed of the crisis of aggression, the surroundings turn a respectful gaze to the two people who have feelings of mercy before their hostility to the other country.

Juke and Shayla would be fine - so sure, Deanna switched her expression to something serious.

"As I said earlier, the Stanza Empire is a country that has taken what it has never had and has expanded and grown its national territory. - It's pathetic, as Shayla said, but they don't know how to enrich the country otherwise. Therefore, from the moment they learned of the existence of the Kingdom of Elland, they have developed the skills of shipbuilding and ship manoeuvring, thinking of entering this side one day."

"There are some routes from Stanza to Elland through land, but we need to cross some countries and step up to the 'Mountains of the Goddess', which snowblows all year round. Stanza is also a country that has benefited from the sea and rivers. Even at a straight distance, you must have chosen sea routes over land as invasion routes."

"They were also, however, opaque, even to the inner fruits of our country. There are no fools suddenly attacking countries that have no idea what the state of national power or home affairs is like. Even in the sense of securing the safest route of invasion, the Stanza Empire chose to first knock on the door of the Kingdom of Elland in the name of 'trade'."

"That means those who appeared to the western harbour about ninety years ago and wished to 'trade' with the Kingdom of Elland -"

He must have been a so-called insider connected to the upper echelons of the Stanza Empire.

Lightly revealed, the importance of a country that could turn upside down.

Among the faces that are indoors, those who are or have been deeply involved in dealing with exotic countries - the complexion of Leticia and Shayla is dyed blue at once.

"So you're saying that the merchant ships of the Stanza Empire are connected to the upper rear of the Empire behind them and inform them of the inner details of our country?

"No, Master Leticia. It's been ninety years since they started and stepped into the kingdom. We cannot deny the possibility that we have already used trade as an excuse to get deep into the kingdom, not only to divulge information, but even to carry out work to weaken the State".

"Oh no...! If you don't let your father know right away and take your hands off the deal with Stanza,"

"Relax, Letty, Shayla. It doesn't make sense for the Keel family alone to cut their ties to the Stanza Empire."

"Then you can also pass it on to each merchant -"

"If Stanza is the only one looking to invade Elland, that might be good."

Now it was time for everyone in the room to round their eyes and look at Deanna with a pale complexion.

After a moment of silence, Keith opens his mouth as he slowly pushes up his glasses.

"In short - is this country in exactly the critical situation of national defence, where it is now being watched from all directions for opportunities for tiger sight and invasion?

"The north side is not an ocean that humans can cross in the first place with current technology, so we can rule it out for a moment though. East, west and south."

"It's... how many countries, though?

"With stanzas, is there a place there where there are three big countries? In terms of direction, it feels like Stanza from the west and south, and two countries from the east across the mountain."

"Two countries from the east too!?

"If the two countries in the east crush each other, I can afford a little more. A country about the same size, the power of the state came almost the same, so by getting other countries across the mountain (Elland) before crushing each other, it seems the first step is to increase the power of the state."

"Competition between those with antagonistic strengths drains terribly on both winners and losers. When you think about later, it's the stones that make you overwhelmingly stronger than your opponent first."

"I know, Suggy, but they're after me for that. Try this side, it's not a hoarding thing. Even annoying."

Kai dropped Po from above what everyone would have thought and not spoken. Deanna and Edward unwittingly nod deeply over and over again, even if they can still sympathize with Stanza's circumstances, because the Krester family's viewpoint was also "Don't get us into a fight over there" when it comes to the two countries across the mountain.

"Really, that's exactly it"

"Cocksucker, whenever they give you a little, think about the hard work over here that drives you away with a body you don't know anything about"

"Along the coastline is as good as you can tell. Because it's hard for people who risk their lives for nothing and come down to the woods to return. Because they're not aware of it, they have to make the path of the forest even more difficult and confusing, and create a mystery that says," No matter how many times you go into the forest, you come back to the same place. "

"But that's not what you're doing, is it?

"Of course it's not me who's actually moving and performing. When the intruder shows up, we have to think about how to confuse everyone by listening to their voices."

"Hi, Krester. Let's talk about it. Shouldn't it be time to explain the point: 'Why are you recommending dealings with other countries in pretense that you don't know it, even though you are exposed to a crisis of aggression'?

Kai, the shuddering voice, modifies the trajectory of his siblings off the sidetracks. Deanna, who was told and realized, "I'm sorry," she said, sitting back in depth.

Juke turns a deep, strong eye.

"Red Rose. So naturally, the kings of history knew that the Crestors knew so much about the state of the kingdom, right?

"It's about no matter. His Majesty the King at the time - His Majesty Juke's one grandfather - had a good grasp that the Stanza Empire across the sea was a state of force. There is no way you can remain indifferent to the announcement that the Stanza ship has entered the port."

"This is less known, but it was more than a decade after Stanza's first port of entry that the kingdom left little constraint on dealing with exotic countries. Prior to that, strictly restricted and controlled items that were not prohibited but exchanged and personnel involved. Right, Al?

"Ah. If you look it up, it's on the record and in the history books. The times that followed are just so turbulent and sumptuous."

No one doubts the words of the Swan family, the landlord of historical studies.

Everyone nodded, and Shayla flashed a lightning bolt in Spring Sky's eyes, staring at Deanna.

"And that is… in the ten years since the ship of the Stanza Empire entered the port, something has happened. Or, as a result of doing something, free trade was lifted?

"You're both right, Shayla."

Deanna agreed to look around at everyone.

"Just then, you were the second or third son of the Crestor family at the time, but you were thinking about moving to another country. Fortunately, I pretended to have an affair with the stanzas and went straight to the stanzas. - The purpose, of course, is the insider of the Stanza Empire"

"By the way, that descendant just showed up, you're the one in the loving wife's house"

"I guess the continued interaction with their clan to this day is greater because of its usefulness than the fact that they were brush mamas. If we entered the empire and secretly explored the technical and military capabilities of the empire, the weapons we developed, etc. - the overall military power of the Stanza Empire far surpassed that of the Kingdom of Elland. It's a country that's grown up with the use of force, so it's obvious."

"I'm not talking about the level of my personal sword arm. Gunpowder weapons can be found in our country, but the gunpowder weapons that the Empire was producing in large quantities at the time were so successful in lightening that they could be handled even by people who weren't working out, and the aiming was easier to match than those in Elland. Then the flight distance is also long. If they used the latest weapon like that, it would have been zero to win."

Edward, the battle bastard, put his finger up here.

"Here's the problem. What do you think we can do to make sure we don't lose against an overwhelmingly unbeatable enemy?

Everyone but those who knew the answer got a silent look. When I counted the silence for about ten beats, my voice drops from above.

I'll check, Mr. Edward. You don't have to lose, do you?

"Yes."

Well, let's get out of here.

Told like the truth of the world, Kai's answer. The faces I was thinking about looked up at me with void poked at me.

Shayla asks with a slight frown root.

"What did you just say?

So, "Run." Don't you dare lose to a winless opponent? Then it's the quickest way to escape. "

"But then, aren't they going to be chased and caught up by their opponents, and eventually lose?

"If we're going to follow him soon, we're going to escape to a place where his best weapon can't do its utmost. So, run off as you sprinkle, or look at the gaps and hunt. If you're not coming after me, you just have to figure out what to do after you get away with it for a second. You think you can buy a weapon in your opponent's favor, or simply raise your arm. There's a fight. In short, if you have a life, you win. Old people say," Run, but win. "

"... That's right, Kai"

"Exactly, but I don't want to fight the type like you. Too incompatible."

I don't want to fight Mr. Edward either. The head-on battle isn't good enough. "

"Wait, wait!

Juke, who couldn't seem to follow him, put his hands in front of the conversation between the pompous bouncing room and the back of the ceiling. Keep your gaze fixed on Edward.

"Even if only those who can fight are convinced, I can't see the story. In short, what's this all about?

"Summing it all up, the Kingdom of Elland is in exactly the same situation that the lion said, 'We're running into a bad spot for them, and we're taking action under the water'."

"Fully lift the ban on the deal and proceed with internationalization, there is a current doco over there with the national situation leaking!?

"... I see"

"You finally saw the story."

What made the voice of understanding, as opposed to the hurried juke, was the childhood combination of Rhea and Yolanda, who had been following the story in silence until then. Leticia and Shayla ask the two people who have nodded over and over again.

"I haven't seen it yet..."

"Where do you two understand now?

"Right. It might be hard to see for two people close to the outside world."

"Oh. If you say it by proximity, Rhea, rather than Lady Letty and Shayla, is that you?

"I do inherit half the blood of the Stanza Empire people, but my mother was somewhat critical of the Empire. - I was listening to her, and that's why I agreed with Edward."

"Oh... is that what you mean"

In Rya's words, Keith's expression changed this time. Then put a rare, amusing grin on his lips.

"From that point of view, surely, this status quo is perhaps least appreciated by the Stanza Empire"

"It's not just Stanza. If a country wants to fight like this, most countries will eat it."

"Right. Damn, it would have been the Crestors who put in place such an unscrupulous measure... but it doesn't seem the same now or ever that thoughts are off track"

"That's either complimentary or demeaning, Keith?

"I'm disparaging... unfortunately, it's a compliment"

I don't feel complimented, but it's actually about Keith, who doesn't like lying, so I guess he's complimenting me emotionally. With a bitter laugh, Deanna turns back to Shayla and Leticia, who are still floating question marks.

"I'd like to ask both of you, what do you think would happen if, for example, a tough man suddenly beats up a weak woman when he's normally walking down the road?

"Oh no... the man is condemned by his surroundings and will be caught"

"Then the man said, 'He just tried to take it back because he slipped my purse!' What if you insist, 'and you actually find a man thing purse out of a woman's pocket?

"And... suddenly you may be guilty of hitting me, but there may be room for circumstantial discretion"

"Yes. - The same logic is made up of nations."

Neighbouring countries are not silent if they ravage countries that have done nothing, just live peacefully within their own countries, with only a hundred percent selfish desire. Aside from the story if only Elland and Stanza exist in the world, the current situation where there are more than one other country that wants a kingdom in addition to Stanza, unrighteous cheap acts of aggression may instead intervene by giving neighbouring countries "just pretexts", and if they do poorly, Stanza may be pushed into disadvantage as "evil". Then no matter how strong a weapon is, it will not raise the morale of the people, and it will be difficult to continue the war.

"For the Stanza Empire to attack the Kingdom of Elland with dignity, everyone's eyes will need a clear" reason ". I just told you, there's a guy like 'I got my wallet sucked'. Then the story is simple. We don't have to let them make that excuse. On the face of it, it is very friendly, completely lifting the ban on dealings with exotic countries and also freeing the people from movement. Any Stanza Emperor Nation may come to the Kingdom of Elland, and vice versa will not stop the people of Elland from going to Stanza. A permanent residence will require some investigation and formalities, but there's no way you won't be able to get permission without extra time. If you attack a country that openly welcomes you so far, which would be more difficult to criticize if you attacked or if you were attacked?

"Wow..."

"I see. Sure, it's harder to attack than this..."

"By applying this policy in all directions, we have created a structure that allows us to shield third countries, albeit temporarily, if some countries have attacked us with paralysis. So you made the most of the situation being targeted at the same time by more than one country. By the way, the harm done to the kingdom of Elland in the neighbouring countries was generally concealed because this measure cannot come about unless the kingdom of Elland believes that it is a flower garden that is peaceful and harmless and that has nothing to refuse to come. That's what I know, very few of them, including the Ancient Clan. Maybe some of you are guessing something and watching how it goes."

"That's why a house with a territory along the border, like ours, is a wack to demand a troublesome little handicraft. They send little scouts across the mountain every once in a while, but they're bodies that don't know the threat of aggression in the first place, so they don't even go to the wax of eliminating it directly from the front. Provoke him from behind appropriately and let him release his weapon, then say, 'Bandit - get rid of him!' adds the hassle of taking it in the direction '

"At the southern end of the Mountains of the Goddess is Crester territory, and at the northern end is Mondria territory. It's the easiest route by land to get to and from the mountains, so being familiar with the situation and being somewhat impotent and reckless isn't going to be a problem, these two houses guard the border."

The same can be said along the coastline, the land where exotic ships are easily reached by tidal currents and so on is mostly the territory of the 'ancient clan' and the royal family. The Crestor Mele region, with the port of Sealia, may also be one of them.

I was listening quietly to Deanna's explanation, three people, Rya, Yolanda and Keith, grinned almost simultaneously.

"I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I don't know if people like the Crestors or worse. - Daiwa, for the sake of its essence like the decentralization of ambition and greed, although it must have weaved in the humanity of a generation of Emperor Stanza, who cares about the outside world and fabricates the anecdotes of heroes and the uppermost justice. I can't think of any operation like this without knowing people's minds by the devilish."

"It's usually something I hesitate to think of. So to speak, a magnificent petten that deceives and involves all the people. No matter how high the odds of winning, hey?

"Dear Sleep Lotus, I wholeheartedly agree with Suzuran. The times are coming down, so the 'Teacher' is alive and well."

"... something's been said in progress. I'm pretty sure it was Grandpa Hiccup who framed this measure, but he became a man under the tomb a long time ago."

"What. Dear Dualis, but you've been handed down nicely, too."

"When you are spoken in the same line as your father, you are increasingly uncomfortable..."

Unlike my father Dualis and his pedigree, Deanna couldn't deny that Edward also had a gifted army, so I dared to avoid commenting and return to the story.

"Finally, I explain that this' measures to promote transactions that are only ostensibly friendly 'have other aims, one being the natural bottom-up of the national power and technology of the Kingdom of Elland itself. Trading with advanced technology exotics will raise the country's level even if it doesn't. The second is the natural movement of insiders (spies). Especially since this will be mutual, but at least we have some understanding of the cooperation of the backers from outside countries. Although His Majesty had just said' the population is leaking ', in fact, the information being picked up and brought back by insiders (spies) from outside countries can be manipulated here to some extent. - Intelligence warfare has always been Crestor's art. It's not our home on this peninsula, where pompous newcomers keep their mouths shut as they please."

"Heh... heh, yeah"

"... Dear Edward, of course, but Dee is still a direct family member of the Crestor family,"

"I want to get into what you mean, but I won't dare to do it later. So, the third - the most important purpose is to buy time that way, while at the same time accumulating enough military power to get rid of them when they have to be attacked. Kai just said," You can buy a weapon in your opponent's favor or simply raise your own arm. "

"Where the hell is that?"

"In a while, Your Majesty will be on inspection throughout the kingdom. At that time, I know that my father will guide me. This is the most important secret in the current kingdom, so Crestor, who keeps the kingdom 'behind', is secretly proceeding..."

Once the words were cut, Deanna exhaled once more, deeply.

"Even if I can't talk about going that far, I still wanted you to talk about what measures are behind free trade with the exotic... Dear Alford"

"No, well, Holla... it's nice to be able to explain it all at once with what we just talked about, isn't it?

"I didn't come together to explain this story again today in the first place. This is a discussion of the current situation and the future of the rear palace."

So, it's time to get back to it?

Kai's suggestion, which I find interesting, but I agree strongly with going back. Even from indoors, there is no particular disagreement.

"Right. Let's get back to it."

The subject of the story is, it's time to go down again - last spring, to the rear palace.

Back to the rear palace without Deanna.