Finally, it’s the first diplomatic conference! This is really nerve-wracking~!
No, I have talked with the king many times, but that was only 『Me and the King』 conversations . On the other hand, this is a 『talk between kingdoms』, hence the burden felt completely different .
……Though, the one who will talk is the Earl and not me, as this is not a formal treaty conference, but instead it’s no more than just a prior meeting for laying the ground work .
The location has been moved to a meeting room, and we began the business talk with only the key people of Darison Kingdom as the main participants . Of course, the one who’s on the top of their side will be the princess . No wonder as this is a conference to make important decisions for their kingdom . The others is probably the Prime minister, ministers, or military big shots . Though, I won’t know for sure about each person’s title .
(Audyst) 「Now then, let’s get into the main topic immediately, shall we?」The Earl, who had finished his light introduction, finally came up with the main subject .
(Audyst) 「As everyone might already know, it’s the matter regarding the invasion of a fleet from another continent to our kingdom .
As you have heard, they brought powerful assault weapons that we don’t understand its principle, such as 『Cannons』 and 『Guns』 . In addition, they attacked us one-sidedly with three huge battleships which consists of hundreds of crew on each ship and demanded us to bring out our kingdom’s treasure and took our people as slaves . 」
The meeting room became noisy as the Earl finished talking about the violent aggressor’s demand .
Apart from the fact that the enemy fleet had attacked, no information was leaked as the details of the discussions were unknown to the people besides me and the Royal Palace’s officials, even to how cruel their demand was .
(Audyst) 「Well, fortunately, we were able to capture all the battleships with no casualties…」
When the Earl said so, snickers was spreading inside the room .That’s a given, due to the fact that we had won without any casualties when their side was threatening us with huge battleships and powerful new weapons .
However, those who is currently in here should have known about this matter in advance . What they didn’t know was the opponent’s weapons power .
(Minister A) 「In other words, our kingdom also won’t have to be afraid and concern about the enemy kingdom, if I may assume?」
One of the ministers said so as if to speak for everyone’s thoughts and they were also nodding their head .
But if they thought it like that, the story can’t continue .
Then, the Earl continued his words .
(Audyst) 「Yes, however that will be the story if this kingdom happens to have 『Goddess’ Divine Protection』 when it is genuinely attacked .
If there was no Goddess’ divine protection, our kingdom would already have its treasures be taken away and its people become slaves . And then, we as a vassal state could only wait in shivers for a Viceroy to come from the ruling kingdom . 」
(Everyone) 「「「「「Wha……!」」」」」
Surprised voices spread in the conference room .
That is to be expected . Those were unbelievable words coming from the envoys of a kingdom that has a strong army who had repelled the Empire’s all-out attack the other day with a slight damage, killed two ancient dragons and drove away the other one . That matter is, of course, an information that you need to get in quite details . Perhaps excluding the true identity of those said soldiers .
It would be unbelievable to say we were no match with merely three ships while having such army .
Of course, this was only a report from the Earl .
The crew of those three ships alone cannot occupy the entire kingdom and the cannons that can only shoot a few miles away cannot threaten the royal capital .
However, it might have been possible to threaten our kingdom with the background of their weapons’ power and their kingdom’s national power . With that, they could bind us with one-sided pact . And there might be more soldiers and a 『Viceroy to lead the colony』 in the upcoming enemy fleet . By no means, it’s a big exaggeration . It’s just a story that was compressed and explained in a chronological order .
(Audyst) 「Therefore, our plan is that we would like to form an alliance around this kingdom in preparation for the upcoming attack from the enemy fleet . This time, we would like to receive your internal opinions before the conference starts and that is also why we have explained our circumstances . 」
Once the Earl cut off his word, they immediately threw a half-joking question .
(Minister B) 「So, this means that your kingdom will be the mediator and also the founder of the alliance?」
Certainly, it’s not strange that the founder will also take on the role of a mediator . However, the large kingdoms will not shut up as the said kingdom can gain various benefits if they become one . Including here, Darison Kingdom .
That is why, I’m here .
(Audyst) 「Yes, we would like to think so, but that’s not just because we are the founder .
Enemy battleships, mounted cannons, and guns . The one who has these things are only in our kingdom . We have accepted the naturalization of former enemy militants to be our people while also having the people who knows how to manufacture and operate them . That is why, our kingdom is the only kingdom that can develop this technology in order to make a copy of it . 」
(Everyone) 「「「「「………… . 」」」」」
No one can argue against the Earl’s words . If he said it like that, there’s no way that other kingdoms can get rid of us .
Also, if the mediator is another kingdom, there’s a possibility that it would get out of control as they will represent many kingdoms . In order to also avoid unnecessary battles and chaos, it might be the most reasonable decision if our kingdom takes on the role as mediator, and thus, those were the reasons that everyone was unwillingly convinced .
(Minister C) 「But are the weapons really that powerful? Weren’t they easily defeated by the soldiers of your kingdom?」
(Audyst) 「No, we won’t even be a match if we fought properly from the front, you see . Well, they may have a small number and problems with the supply, but we can’t do any damage and could only wait for the other side to run out of supplies .
And the other side who now knows the existence of this continent will see our place as a hunting ground where they can get some slaves and treasures, and there’s also a possibility that a sufficient number of ships and soldiers will come next time……」
(Everyone) 「「「「「……」」」」」
(Remia) 「Then, if I could guess, your purpose here is to show us the power of that weapon, yes?」
Her Highness Princess Remia, who had been silently listening until now, suddenly opened her mouth .
(Remia) 「And that is why you bring a package like that?」
Having said that, Her Highness Princess pointed at the long thing that I was carrying .
Umumu, don’t tear and snap now .
I guess this is my turn?
(Mitsuha) 「Yes, that is indeed right . 」
(Remia) 「……you are?」
(Mitsuha) 「Yes, I’m the technical advisor for this mission, Viscount Mitsuha・von・Yamano . 」
(Remia) 「Eh? You are, that……」
Her Highness Princess looked surprised . There’s also a commotion occurring among the others .
Hmmm, how far have they known me……? A young girl of a brave noble family just like what the official announcement of the Royal Palace said? Or maybe the open secret from the royal capital in which I’m a princess from another kingdom who has a little connection with the goddess and mysterious power?
(Mitsuha) 「I don’t know what 『that』 Your Highness is referring to, but it’s probably the same Yamano Viscounty . 」
(Remia) 「……」
And then there’s a princess who has sparkles on her eyes . What in the world are you thinking about……?
Though, you really have a sense of style if I may say, Her Highness Princess Remia . A beauty and strict-looking, neat and lovely . Truly a princess among princesses! A big difference with Sabine-ch-……, *cough**cough*!
(Remia) 「In any case, there’s nothing to negotiate with if you haven’t shown us the new weapon and what it could do . The talk will be after that, yes?」
According to the words from the person who has the highest position, Her Highness Princess, the conference was suspended and turned into a gun demonstration . Well, there’s no problem about it as this is what we already had imagined from the beginning .
And thus, we were guided by them from the meeting room and moved together in one group .
The destination will be the arena in the courtyard .
It’s not a genuine one, even though it is called an arena . It’s usually used for matches to boast one’s strength as an entertainment for a garden party and such . There’s a meadow with the size of an elementary school classroom, but it seems that there’s no other building nor stand around it . It is said that they have already prepared a wooden doll dressed in armor .
They have well prepared for this……
When we arrived in the courtyard, the audience had already been waiting .
This demonstration is not a big deal, but as expected, it seems that the officials and army top-brass have also gathered as this is the only opportunity to see the power of the new weapon . It’s probably a natural for them due to the fact that it might change the form of battles from now on .
Her Highness Princess and the Earl stopped at the outer edge of the small meadow of the so-called arena .
The three of us moved to the far end of the arena and faced a wooden doll dressed in armor that has been set up on the other side .
Distance, about six yards . It’s approximately five meters .
(Mitsuha) 「Umm~, This is a little too close, though……」
This…
is the distance for a handgun .
