Bölüm

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Miroslav neither confirmed nor denied this. Lowellmina continued, unfazed.

“I have two proposals to combat these issues. First, the Earthworld Empire will export food to Falcasso.”

“…Wait, are you serious?”

“Yes. Ours is a land of plenty. My faction controls a portion of our harvest, so I am able to loan you some.”

“I doubt your citizens will be very happy about that.”

Falcasso’s animosity wasn’t one-sided, after all. Countless battles had chipped away at Earthworld’s goodwill.

Lowellmina’s following words were even. “Indeed. Many of my citizens will protest if we sell food to Falcasso. However, trade between allied nations is a different story.”

Miroslav quickly realized what she was getting at.

“Hold on. You don’t mean…”

“Take Patura, for example! The Empire’s citizens have no quarrel with its people now that we’ve become allies thanks tomyimpressive, most marvelous feat. Should the archipelago have an occasional surplus of food and export it, I doubt the Empire would even notice.”

In short, the Empire would launder food to Falcasso through Patura.

Miroslav groaned at Lowellmina’s underlying intention. Yes, her plan was entirely feasible.

“I have one more proposal. Eastern Levetia has been giving your nation grief lately, has it not? You’re frustrated, I’m sure. Yet no matter how you oppress the followers, they scatter like baby spiders, only to return later. What if you establish a limited sector where Eastern Levetia is free to operate?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Levetia will never recognize Eastern Levetia!”

“I know. That’s why it would be strictly unofficial. Eastern Levetia is also aware you have a position to uphold. If you promise them an informal region where they are allowed to practice, you can make Eastern Levetia devotees vow to follow those guidelines.” Lowellmina gave a luminous smile. “If you accept these proposals, Prince Miroslav, both your food shortage and religious troubles will be taken care of! It’s a marvelous deal! It would be pure madness to let such a chance slip away.”

It was absurd yet undeniably tempting. However, that put Miroslav on edge.

“…So, what do you want?”

“What do I want? I’m only trying to help.”

“Cut the crap. Just tell me. What do I have to do?”

Miroslav’s harsh insistence forced Lowellmina to answer.

“Will you strike my two brothers for me?”

“…You mean Bardloche’s and Manfred’s armies?”

Both were far from Falcasso, but Miroslav knew they were butting heads.

“My brothers are only pretending to fight. They have no intention of warring. Their soldiers have realized this as well, and morale is fading fast. The damage will be substantial if their forces are ambushed now.”

“A surprise attack won’t work if they can see us coming.”

“They won’t see you,” Lowellmina asserted. “My brothers have underestimated Falcasso and believe you won’t make a move. You’re dealing with famine and a religious conflict, and more importantly, you’re still in the middle of a power shift after a great king. Frankly, they look down on you.”

“…”

Lowellmina watched Miroslav turn angry. This fury wasn’t directed at her but at his own worthlessness. He understood that he didn’t have the clout to be held in any sort of regard.

“If you strike my brothers, you’ll earn the renown you so desire,” Lowellmina whispered sweetly. “As for justification, claim my brothers pretended to fight to hide their real plan to invade Falcasso. You only attacked first out of caution. The part about their charade is genuine, and considering how often the Empire has attacked Falcasso in the past, such intentions sound quite plausible.”

Lowellmina’s crafty rhetoric flowed like a song.

“If you strike the loathsome Earthworld Empire and deal a hard blow, your people will praise you. Plus, the Empire will recognize you as a formidable enemy, and you’ll have more influence in the West. When the time comes for you to attack Bardloche’s and Manfred’s armies, I swear on my own name that the main Imperial army waiting on standby will not respond.”

“……”

Only a demon could exploit human weakness and desire so precisely. How was someone like Lowellmina even produced? To Miroslav, this woman was as dangerous as Prince Wein.

Despite knowing the peril, the prince couldn’t resist the temptation.

“…Selling food to the enemy and demanding I attack your countrymen. Now I know what the face of high treason looks like.”

Miroslav extended his hand.

“Whether I am remembered as a traitor or a forward-thinking patriot is for history to decide. However, if you ask me—no one loves the Empire more.”

Lowellmina reached out as well. The two shook firmly, solidifying their secret pact.

“…Oh yes. I have one last request,” Lowellmina added as though remembering something. Miroslav frowned. “I hear Eastern Levetia has a presence in Delunio as well, but it seems to be in a precarious position. Could you kindly declare they are Falcasso citizens you sent?”

“…What the heck? Why should I do something like that?”

Lowellmina didn’t blame Miroslav for his bemusement. However, this was one of the conditions Wein mentioned in his letter.

“This is for your benefit, Prince Miroslav. If Eastern Levetia starts to proselytize heavily in the West, Levetia will take action before long. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eastern Levetia followers were expelled from the West entirely. Your Eastern Levetia district plan will be in trouble if that happens.”

“Ngh…”

If there was a movement to expel Eastern Levetia worshippers, Falcasso would have no choice but to follow suit. However, there was no way to eliminate every devotee in the West. This was especially true for Falcasso, which bordered the East. There was constant foot traffic on an average day, and Eastern Levetia members banned from the West would undoubtedly be more determined than ever to set down roots in Falcasso.

“We’ll both turn a blind eye to buy time. What do you think?”

“All right. But I’m only confirming their citizenship. Nothing more.”

“That will suffice. You have my gratitude, Prince Miroslav.”

Lowellmina felt immense relief now that she’d fulfilled Wein’s condition.

Now I just have to send a letter from Miroslav… But what’s all this for?

The princess couldn’t even begin to imagine, but she was almost certain Wein’s aim was to ruin someone’s day. Lowellmina’s thoughts turned to her distant friend.

And now, let us return to the present.

“…There’s no way!” Tolcheila was livid. “Why would Falcasso send people out here?! That letter is a fake!”

Her reaction was justified. To those unaware of the situation, Falcasso had appeared out of nowhere.

“This handwriting…is authentic.” Despite this sudden upset, Caldmellia remained calm. As director of the Gospel Bureau, she conducted various correspondences and was familiar with Miroslav’s script.

“…! Are you saying you accept this?! That they aren’t with Eastern Levetia?!”

Tolcheila wouldn’t stand for it. She’d seized her opportunity after spying a connection between Eastern Levetia and Delunio, but she had no excuse to criticize the latter if the link proved false. Now that Gruyere had the Soljest throne back, losing Delunio spelled total failure.

“Yuan, was it?” Caldmellia’s eyes locked on the missionary. “Is this letter true?”

“Yes. We are not Eastern Levetia members but Falcasso citizens sent by Prince Miroslav.”

Yuan gave a distinguished bow as he lied through his teeth. He glanced at Falanya beside him and noticed her pained expression. He gave a small smile.

It’s all right, Princess Falanya.

Prior to this meeting, the princess spoke with Yuan.

“Yuan, I’m afraid you’ll have to lie about your convictions for this plan to work. Will you be okay?”

“Of course. I’ll do what I must.”

“…I’m not pious myself, but I understand those who are don’t take lying about their faith lightly. I’ll find another way if it starts to feel like too much, so please don’t force yourself.”

Yuan wasn’t putting up a brave front. This was for the good of Eastern Levetia. There was no shame involved.

Still, Falanya’s conscientiousness touched his heart.

Even I wouldn’t really consider myself “pious”… But Princess Falanya’s support is definitely part of God’s divine plan.

And so Yuan would spread pure lies on this grand stage.

“If you are still uncertain, please feel free to contact our homeland. We are devout followers of Levetia who serve the Holy Elite Miroslav.”

Mentioning a Holy Elite gave Yuan’s words new gravitas. The Holy Elite were a unique existence within Levetia. A slight against them was a slight against the Church.

“My, this is quite the conundrum,” Caldmellia muttered.

She could easily crush Delunio on its own, and even Natra’s interference was no trouble for her. However, it was different if Falcasso endorsed both countries. Claiming people sent by Holy Elite Miroslav were from Eastern Levetia was akin to challenging the prince. Falcasso was the West’s first line of defense against the Empire. Appeasing him was a common practice.

Well, that’s precisely why it doesn’t hurt to try.

Caldmellia wasn’t sure how Miroslav was roped into this, but he’d likely withdraw if she pressed the issue here. There was a chance she was wrong and everything would spiral into a disaster, but that would make the situation more entertaining.

However, my role is minor this time. I’ve already collected my fee, so perhaps I should leave the rest to her.

Having reached this conclusion, Caldmellia turned to Tolcheila.

“Princess Tolcheila, I believe both this letter and Yuan’s claim are authentic. What do you think?”

“Wha…?!”

Caldmellia was tacitly announcing Levetia would bow out if Tolcheila couldn’t turn things around.

“You mean Levetia will just accept their idiotic story…?!”

“You speak out of line, Princess Tolcheila. Dismiss the direct testimonial of a Holy Elite as ‘idiotic’ and appropriate measures shall be taken.”

“N-Ngh…!”

Tolcheila ground her teeth with such force that one might expect blood to spurt from them.

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Her plan had been flawless. One more step and she would’ve had Soljest’s throne and part of a dissected Delunio. Now she stood to lose it all at the final moment.

“…Hold on! Then why did you lie about being from Eastern Levetia?!” Tolcheila shouted at Yuan. “I heard you back at the ceremony. You said you were with Eastern Levetia! Nearly the entire room heard it. What was the point of that if you actually serve Miroslav?!”

Even if Falanya’s group tried to mask the truth with lies, there were bound to be gaps. Tolcheila caught one and jumped on it mercilessly.

However, Falanya had taken that into account. “That was to excise troublesome elements from Delunio, of course.”