Bölüm

[AI ERROR / SAFETY BLOCK - RAW ENGLISH RETAINED]

“Heh.”

Then he smiled.

It was tiny yet filled with compassion.

What was the meaning behind it? Before Ninym could ask, the slave departed as if nothing had happened.

Shocked and breathless, Ninym stood alone for a long time.

“—And that’s what happened.”

Wein had explained the events of the party to Ninym in private.

“It looks like Oleom and Lejoutte are convinced I support Muldu, so it’ll be hard to team up with Facrita or Roynock. I suppose I can understand avoiding foreign aid when it still appears you can win on your own.”

“…”

“Still, there are definitely cracks forming between them. They might be friends now, but they’ll be ready to butt heads once Muldu is out of the picture.”

“…”

“Ninym?”

The young woman jolted. “Ah, s-sorry. I was just thinking.”

Wein fell silent for a moment, then looked deep into Ninym’s eyes.

“Ninym, I’m only going to ask once… Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s fine,” she asserted.

Wein closed his eyes and seemed to ruminate over her answer.“Okay,” he said with a slight nod. “In that case, let’s plan our next steps.”

Aware he was being considerate, Ninym did her best to focus.

“Agata will be our only option if we can’t negotiate with the Roynock or Facrita, right?”

“Yeah, most likely. Agata must have sent me to the party because he saw this coming,” Wein replied, obviously irritated. Regardless of whether Agata’s motive for aiding the enemy was a mystery, Wein had greatly underestimated the chance of failed negotiations. “I do have another idea, however.”

“What is it?”

“We’ll keep helping Agata, but half-ass it. Once he’s down for the count, we can join either the western or the southern city when they start fighting each other.”

For Wein, Agata’s victory was convenient but hardly a requirement. The Roynock-Facrita partnership would end with the representative of Muldu’s defeat, and Natra’s foreign military would make a tempting ally when Roynock and Facrita went to war.

“Still, this plan has its flaws,” Wein admitted.

“It’ll take time.”

“Yep.” The prince groaned. “We can only make a deal once Agata is out of the way and those two turn on each other. If we’re not careful, we’ll be stuck here ’til spring.”

“We shouldn’t be gone from Natra for too long. There’s plenty to be done back home.”

“So I’m not allowed to procrastinate if I stay in Ulbeth?”

“This isn’t a vacation.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Wein replied. Then he muttered, “Still, Sirgis is easier to maneuver when I’m away.”

“Did you say something?”

“Nope. Hey, who else is hungry?”

“I’ll prepare something after our discussion,” Ninym answered before returning to the conversation at hand. “Regardless of time limits, I’m not sure you’ll be able to negotiate. From what you’ve told me, they don’t sound like your biggest fans. I also felt this nation’s deep-rooted bigotry while exploring the city.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that.”

“Why?”

Wein smirked. “You might say it’s the fate of every young politician.”

“Welcome back, Lady Lejoutte.”

The representative of Facrita’s subordinates politely greeted her as she returned to her temporary residence in Muldu.

“How was the celebration?”

“It went well. Agata sent Natra’s crown prince to meddle in the affairs, but it was a meaningless effort. Mulduwillfall.”

“You are as brilliant as ever, Lady Lejoutte.”

“Facrita is in excellent hands.”

“Isn’t Natra some remote northern country? What could their prince ever accomplish?”

“I couldn’t agree more. Besides, Sir Agata is just a senile old man.”

“At this rate, that newcomer Oleom will fall as well. The southern city will soon rule the Alliance…!”

Lejoutte threw a sidelong glance at her enthusiastic followers and quietly sighed. “I’d like a moment to think. I’ll be in my room, so do not disturb me.”

“Yes, understood.”

They bade her farewell, and Lejoutte returned to her quarters.

Then—

“SHOOOOOOOOOOOT!”

She crouched down with her head in her hands.

“WHY?! Why did Natra’s prince have to show upnow?!”

Lejoutte cast off her noble air and pummeled the bed next to her.

“If he’d come just a little sooner or later, I could have convinced everyone our partnership is a good idea…!”

Brave young Lejoutte was the South Representative. Her pedigree was, of course, impeccable, and she demonstrated promising talent as well. In her pre-representative career, she had focused on improving inefficient agricultural techniques by visiting local farmlands, actively conversing with staff, and rewarding ingenuity. Lejoutte integrated foreign expertise as well. To the small-minded Ulbeth people, her methods were highly irregular.

Naturally, there were critics, but the results silenced them. The produce output in her domain soared, and others tried to imitate her success. Keeping no secrets, Lejoutte openly shared her agricultural techniques. Altie prospered even further, and Lejoutte was appointed representative.

In this new position, she immediately allied with the naval city of Roynock to the west and used this new market outlet to great success.

“I’ve worked so hard. My position should be solid…but I suppose that’s too much to ask.”

Lejoutte sighed in exasperation. Her youth made people underestimate her, but there was also the matter of her agricultural innovations. Those who benefited were ecstatic, yet it was not a unanimous victory. Some were even left at a disadvantage, and they saw Lejoutte as a bitter enemy. This was where Ulbeth’s complexfamily tree came into play. The disgruntled tried to tarnish her by complaining among their own circles.

Altie’s relationship with Roynock was limited as well. The Ulbeth Alliance was formed of four cities that allegedly held equal power, but in truth, each citizen considered their city above the rest. While Altie flourished, thanks to its cooperation with Roynock, everyone irritably thought,“They should be bowing tous. Now we look like equals or something.”

“You’re all so stupid, stupid, stupid…!”

Now Lejoutte had to make Ulbeth and the rest of the continent believe she had befriended Roynock out of necessity and would eventually abandon them. Anything else would cost the woman her representative position.

“Why is nothing working out…?!”

Lejoutte could have made a deal with Natra had she not already sided with Roynock or cut ties already. That opportunity was long gone, however. Altie was more confident than ever before. Lejoutte had been forced to snub Wein at the party lest she appear weak and timid.

“Hahhh…Oh, Oleom… What should I do…?” Lejoutte whispered into the air.

There are jokes about every nation.

Why is there no face powder in Natra? Because it’s piled up outside!

Why are there no plates in Soljest? Because they were eaten!

And…

Why are there no world maps in the Ulbeth Alliance? Because the people insist they’re at the center!

“…At the end of the day, we’re bumpkins in denial.”

In his private quarters, West Representative Oleom was mumbling to himself.

The Ulbeth Alliance was a union among four city-states that had once battled for hegemony of their region. It wasn’t a large area in any respect. Ulbeth mocked Natra as the “northern backwoods,” but other countries regarded Ulbeth as the “western boonies.” What’s more, Natra was a rising world superpower. Oleom doubted Ulbeth could keep up.

“Location aside, it was a mistake to leave Muldu in charge of foreign affairs.”

The four remote cities created two policies when they’d founded the Alliance.

First, each city would develop its specialized industry and compensate for the others’ shortcomings. This would ensure an efficient government.

Second, all the settlements were to keep their competitive spirit alive while maintaining harmony and encouraging one another.

“I don’t think those policies were a mistake, but…”

So much time had passed that everyone had lost sight of the original aim of the two tenets.

People failed to hone their strengths and forgot anything that wasn’t their one job. They were glad to leave unpleasant tasks to their neighbors, but the mutual hostility within the Ulbeth Alliance never faded.

Although foolish, many citizens thought the following despite their own city’s incompetence:“Other cities can handle the annoying stuff. Ours should rule the Alliance anyway.”

“If only we could have resolved things and maintained the union.Yet Facrita and Roynock are making rapid progress, and Muldu is failing…”

The southern and the western cities were excited to become the face of Ulbeth. However, people failed to realize that they would be taking over Muldu’s diplomatic duties. The uneducated and xenophobic Ulbethians would have to carry the torch.

Pointing this out wouldn’t do much good either. Since citizens respected only their own city, most would laugh off the danger and say,“The others can handle it, right?”

“People understand the risk of allowing an amateur to do a master’s work when it’s their own field yet optimistically believe everything will work out somehow when those roles are reversed. Maybe that’s human nature.”

Oleom’s mouth twisted into a sardonic expression.

He had a duty to lead Roynock as West Representative. It was a frustrating job, though, and Wein’s appearance at the banquet was a perfect example. Befriending the prince was obviously the best option, but Oleom’s citizens would never approve. After all, they believed themselves superior and didn’t understand Natra’s importance.

“Lejoutte…what should I do…?”

The man’s anguished whispers went unheard.

“I see. So civic duty shaped their reactions rather than personal feelings.” Ninym nodded after hearing Wein’s explanation. “I also heard that both representatives were only appointed a few years ago. It’s no surprise things are troubled when they don’t have a strong grip on their factions yet.”

Both Oleom and Lejoutte were regularly praised for their competence, yet neither had unanimous support.

[AI ERROR / SAFETY BLOCK - RAW ENGLISH RETAINED]

This seamless transition of power to a talented new generation would have made the Empire’s people grit their teeth and say,How nice for you.

“Wow, those two really do have it rough. I can relate,” Wein remarked. As another bright, young leader of tomorrow, he could easily sympathize.

“So will you show mercy and go easy on them?”

“What? Nah.”

And there you have it.

“I’m a man who can separate his work and personal life, after all.”

“I suppose I can’t complain about that.” Ninym wasn’t totally satisfied with the prince’s answer but moved on anyway. “At any rate, I understand now that there is still opportunity for negotiation. What are your plans, though? Should we prepare for a long battle?”

“Hmm…”

Wein pondered for a while. It was a rare sight since he usually went with his gut or devised a quick solution despite potential concerns. Were the scales tipped so evenly, showing no favor for one option over the other?

“Okay. We’ll meet Agata tomorrow, hear him out, and go from there,” Wein decided after much deliberation. “If he just wants to break up Facrita and Roynock’s honeymoon, we’ll cut ties right there and join the southern city or the western one.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Ninym replied, nodding. “But we should also consider retreat if it looks like this will take too long.”

“No way. I’m not going home empty-handed.”

“Sometimes it’s important to cut your losses.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Yup, just leave everything to me.”

Wein was brimming with confidence, but Ninym had to wonder if they’d truly be all right.

The next day, Wein met Agata at the Holy Elite’s mansion.

“So what did you think of Oleom and Lejoutte?” Agata inquired shamelessly.

Ninym kept her scowl hidden from her place behind Wein. Last time, she’d had to wait in a separate room, but Agata and his aide Kamil didn’t mind that Ninym was a Flahm and allowed her to join Wein during this meeting. Even so, she had no authority to speak and thus could only observe.

“They were quite delightful. Given time to mature, Ulbeth will be in excellent hands,” Wein replied cheerfully. His comments were dripping with sarcasm, but Agata wouldn’t have become East Representative without a thick skin.

“Exactly. That’s why I must stop them.”

“Got any ideas?”

“This.” Agata had Kamil bring over a large stack of papers. “I have gathered various records about Ulbeth’s citizens over my long career as East Representative. No other city has such a vast collection. I will use this to divide Roynock and Facrita. I want your help in convincing others to join our cause, Prince Wein.”

Ah, this is never going to work,Ninym thought immediately.

The volume of information was impressive, but it was your run-of-the-mill scheme from every angle. Based on what Weinhad told Ninym the night before, he intended to end things with Agata now and join Roynock or Facrita. She couldn’t see the prince’s expression from behind him, but she imagined he looked bored to tears.

However, Ninym couldn’t have been more wrong.

What’s going on?

Wein stared Agata dead in the eye. He had a vague sense of the man’s intentions.

Agata wants to drag this out. And he’s totally fine with me joining the south or the west to make it happen…!

There was no proof, but Wein knew. The stone-faced Agata’s crumb trail of information led him to this conclusion. It was undeniable. This gave rise to another concern, however.

The unification is a bluff, and the homewrecker plan is, too. In fact, he doesn’t even want to be representative…! Sending me to that party was supposed to trick me into believing I had leeway to team up with Roynock or Facrita. Agata is making every excuse to keep me here! But why?

Wein couldn’t read him. Agata’s deepest core was shrouded. Still, even if he didn’t know what the Holy Elite was thinking, there was something the prince did understand.

This was a trap—an extremely convoluted one.

Knowing this, Wein…

Interesting. Okay, let’s dance, Agata!

…felt an excited flame burn in his chest.

“…What an impressive collection. I’d expect no less from Muldu’s veteran representative. Clearly, you have nothing to worry about with these in hand.” Wein began to test the waters. “Still, Sir Agata, I wonder if you’re being a bit light-handed.”

“Oh…?” Agata’s eyes flashed with evident interest. “Are yousuggesting I use greater force? The Ulbeth Alliance usually avoids such measures, but…”

“Not at all. Anyone who has records like these but chooses violence should return to the pack of monkeys they clearly belong to. I have a more constructive way to split the opposition.”

Wein’s thoughts whirled excitedly.

I see your game, Agata. You want me to stick around here. In that case, I’ll do the complete opposite! I’m gonna wrap things up pronto and hightail it out of Ulbeth!

A dazzling smile spread across the prince of Natra’s face.

“In other words—it’s time for a marriage campaign.”

---