……
My eyes were sucked up by the perimeter map of the kingdom of Felde depicted in a stunning tapestry.
On the map of the Lius Alliance, which makes the Kingdom of the North (Schrendal) the ancestor of civilization, Felde is considered the 'Kingdom of the East'.
But naturally on this map, Felde was centrally located, with Philsand painted west of it and a battle axe township at the end.
The ocean is innumerably painted with storms and sea snake markings to the south, blocked by huge mountainous areas to the north, and anointed with gray to indicate that the east is a blank area.
If we think about Philsand, it is a geographic situation where the North is sandwiched in the dusk plains of undead nesting, and the South is sandwiched by the kingdom of the military gods (Run Baltic) and if we want to increase our territory, we can only attack the battle axe towns across the mountains or swallow Felde's own country.
The narrowest barren area between the southern kingdom of the military gods (Run Balt) and Philsand is now home to a land called the Garden of God, where the Shulls live, so there is no room for expansion at all.
The flashing thought just now was gradually beginning to become one strategy in me as I gazed at this diagram.
"What's up? Is there something you want me to do?
"Hmmm......"
The Duke of Philsand hears it in a slightly thorny voice.
I'm not the kind of person who originally listens honestly to others.
We have to come to a quick conclusion, but we still don't have enough information to be sure.
Desperately explores memories and wears back what he sees and hears about 'that area'.
Yes, a long time ago Sedam explained a lot to me...
"... changed my mind"
"What?
"The first condition… After the task of bringing your children together has been fulfilled, let's talk about the second condition"
Hmm.
Awkwardness beats skillfulness, but that's a modern Japanese proverb. I decided to temporarily shelve the negotiations.
"... I understand. Agbail will be dampened, and negotiations will begin soon to replace the Balzad and Schulz women."
"Oh, do that"
'If this isn't the Great Wizard, I'm about to skewer him,' he nods heavily at the inner poisoned Duke.
This will keep Elizabeth safe and buy her time.
"Hmm, speaking of which, what do we do about Elizabeth?
"What are we going to do?
"It's about marriage. I know it's convenient, but it would be more convenient for you to marry me anyway. You already have it anyway, don't you?
"I'm not holding you."
Well, I accidentally stuck it in with vegetables.
"Because I'm not hungry enough to get my hands on a teenager... I haven't touched a finger on the lady"
"I'm old enough to have a baby and I don't know what the problem is... well, I kind of get your taste."
I got kind of a terrific nigga.
In the meantime, Elizabeth and I decided to withdraw to the honored guest room.
"Welcome home, Lord..."
Returning to more luxurious rooms than those in Battle Axe Township, the company was gathered by way of example.
By the way, Fibble separates Ted and the three recruits into a separate room for escort. Deane is just jailed under strict surveillance.
The rest of you must have been waiting for me in the middle of the night, doing something bad.
Or, for some reason, Reykha looks exhausted.
"What's up, Laiha?
"No, not a big deal"
"He's an assassin. After you went to talk to the Duke, the Duchess sent me one assassin and a second son."
"That's what Mr. Reykha was doing all by herself."
"... sorry, looks like I'm still buying grudges"
Crawler and Ill explained the situation to me. Elizabeth says so too.
Shortly before I returned, the Duke would have moved me quickly because he said the signs of assassins and surveillance were no longer clean.
"Well, you took care of that. You did good."
"Oh, thank you. For Margils, the Lord of Flow (Orli)."
"Yeah, yeah."
I would love to stroke Leiha's, thin purple beautiful hair on one knee and bow her head respectfully... but it would be disgusting if the old man did that to me, and I would stay to slap him on the shoulder.
"Well, for now, I've been talking to the Duke. Elizabeth and we are safe for the moment."
and I briefly briefed my colleagues on the content of my meeting with the Duke of Philsand.
We are all honestly happy that we were able to agree on a deal.
Just.
"... Your father didn't say anything about me?
Yes, I dared not tell you about what I told you about Elizabeth.
I honestly don't have the courage to tell you from my mouth that the Duke left my second brother after her like a half-game bystander.
No, there is of course an excuse for not having the courage, but it still solves the family problem… at least it should be of the utmost importance for the parties to discuss it with each other in order to improve.
"What I have agreed with the Duke is first to contain the runoff of my second son, Lord Agbail, and secondly to rescue my eldest son, Lord Balzard. So your safety has been assured."
"Really? After that, why don't you just ask him directly from your father?
'I know you're hiding something,' Elizabeth nodded with a face.
"Oh. So far my relationship with my fiancée has not dissolved. If you need me, you can use me for a dashi. Hear the truth from the Duke yourself."
"Right. I've never really talked to my father before..."
Elizabeth shrugged with a dry grin somewhere.
I have no idea what magical language revives a twisted father-daughter bond. You're not the kind of hero a good dialogue would look like.
But make sure my father and daughter get a chance to talk. I want to do as much as follow up with you as circumstances dictate.
There is sympathy for herself, but half of it is also because she feels guilty on her own for what 'Bad Me' did.
"So what do we do about the alliance?
"What the hell are you going to do with the Duke?
"Uhm. Before that..."
Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to my people about.
I wanted to consider based on everyone's knowledge whether the paranoia I came up with was feasible in just a few minutes.
and look around at the faces of the people on the spot......
"I wish Sedham was here at a time like this..."
"Excuse me. Hey!
We spent the next few days arguing that we were, visiting the city of Philsand, listening to exotic merchants visiting the port and Philsand-based adventurers.
I even used [Fly] and [Subspace Travel (Move Outer Plane)] to go on day trips.
in order to obtain confirmation of the 'second condition' for showing to the Duke.
In the meantime, various cases move forward, such as Ill and Fibble making plans for the construction of a trading route with the Duke's treasurer. The Duke also sent out a messenger to the Schulz tribe for the exchange of prisoners.
"... Isn't this something you can go to?
"The premise is that we... You can work for the Duke's army for at least five years."
and as soon as the 'second condition' solidified and tried to stick it to the Duke.
"Lord. A large group of Schulds is approaching the south of Philsand."
... Yes, the world is constantly moving, just like us.