Chapter 98

The port of the Republic of Alzer is being urgently rebuilt.

In the area around the port in the Respina family's territory, embassies from neighboring countries have gathered, making it necessary to prioritize its renovation.

Why?

Because diplomatic negotiations will be more necessary than ever.

However, the situation has changed from before—this time, the Republic will have to bow its head.

Angela grabs my face with both hands.

"Leon, you haven't been with any other women while we were away, have you?"

I don't deserve your trust.

"No, I haven't. I was really busy for a month."

Livie clings to me and looks up with her eyes.

"Really? I'll check with Luke."

"Stop it. He'll definitely try to mislead you. He's a terrible person who creates trouble just to say I need stimulation."

My father, who was standing nearby, said, "You have no credibility to say that, considering you've caused trouble for your parents."

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

When Angela lets go of my cheeks, she smiles at me.

"This is a good opportunity. I won't say you can't cheat, but if you do, you must report it. It could lead to a succession dispute."

Succession dispute?

"No, who would want to inherit a nominal viscount's title? I don't have any land or wealth, you know?"

Officially, though.

I had scattered my wealth for the Republic's reconstruction. I've also made various contributions to the kingdom as an apology. The royal palace is busy, and I heard Roland is having a hard time, so I felt good about making the contributions.

Thanks to that, my finances are now very empty. —At least, that's the official story!

Livie looks as if she has just realized something.

"Angela, you haven't told him yet."

"That's right. I don't know where to start—"

Eh? Is there something?

As I make a displeased face, my father calls out to me.

"Hey, isn't that girl here to see you?"

There was Jean.

He held a paper bag and looked at me with a troubled expression.

"Um, well, that—"

I moved away from Angela and Livie and started talking to Jean.

◇

Inside the Recorn ship.

Leila, accompanied by Clemen, met the person in the reception room.

The person was a woman in casual clothes, smiling.

"Nice to meet you, Leila. This is our first time talking directly."

Though it wasn't an official setting, calling Leila by her first name with a suffix was disrespectful.

But that's how the Republic is treated now.

Leila bows.

"Nice to meet you, Queen Millene."

"Call me Millene. By the way, I took a walk outside, and the Republic is in a tough situation. I feel sorry for you. I'll provide support from my personal resources."

Clemen clenches his fists behind him.

Leila thinks.

(—This means she knows everything about the Republic's internal affairs.)

By relying on Leon and others for reconstruction, the Republic has revealed its detailed internal situation to the kingdom.

Millene narrows her eyes.

"Sit down quickly. We can't talk if you don't. I'm not free, you know. Consider my decision as the kingdom's decision."

When Leila sits down, Millene announces the kingdom's decision.

"Unofficially, but I'll tell you the kingdom's decision here. Your request for aid will not be recognized as it is. The reason is the compensation. It's not that it's too little, but—"

"But, we can't offer anything more. We—"

"The amount of aid and food is enormous. How much do you think the Baron Baltfalt is supporting? You're not giving any rewards to the baron, are you?"

"He refused them."

"Then, it's not a matter of doing nothing. You could at least honor him with a medal. The Republic is a cold country."

She said what she wanted to say.

Leila has her own reasons.

Leon had clearly stated that he didn't want any rewards or medals.

Even if she tried to give them, he would never accept them, and if she insisted, he would stop the support.

He said to focus on the people instead of such things—but now, it seems like this might be Leon's revenge.

Millene smiles.

"However, it's too cruel to ignore the current situation. I'll accept the aid with conditions."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. But—I want a port in the Republic that can be used freely. And, can you make the area around the port part of the kingdom's territory? You see, it would be much more convenient if the loading and unloading of goods were in the kingdom's territory. Inspections and taxes would be less troublesome. The procedures would be simplified, and it would go much smoother without the Republic's rough inspections."

A jab at the Republic's inspections, which have been a problem.

Leila can't retort, and Clemen hastily interrupts.

"Your Majesty, if it's for aid, we can make special arrangements for the airships. I hope you'll accept this—"

Millene narrows her eyes.

"Who said you could speak? I said I want a port. A country that can't keep its promises is not trustworthy. I can't feel secure about providing aid unless you do this."

Clemen falls silent.

The Republic's credibility is not zero but negative due to past events.

"If we give up the port—"

The kingdom's territory will be inside the Republic.

Moreover, if the port is taken, it would be like the kingdom holding a sword to the Republic's throat.

"Was it the Feve family? There's a land without a lord. I want the kingdom's port there. How about it?"

Leila looks down, thinking.

(I desperately want the aid supplies. But if I allow this, Euge will call me weak. The people will criticize me. What should I do?)

If she were to join another country, the people's dissatisfaction would grow. The nobles would also direct their dissatisfaction at Leila.

—When the image of Alberk's final moments flashes in her mind, Leila feels her blood run cold.

Seeing Leila, Millene sighs.

"Originally, the kingdom could have managed the Feve family's territory. One of the seven great noble families, right? I could have taken one of their seats, too?"

Prepare a seat for the kingdom in your council.

In other words, the Republic will be in a much weaker position with the kingdom.

Leon wants a seat, but the meaning changes when the kingdom sits in it.

It's not the same as the kingdom officially incorporating the Republic.

Minimal support—rebuilding the acquired territory, but the rest is uncertain. Plus, other countries might follow the kingdom's example and start similar negotiations.

The Republic could become a collection of other countries.

Worst case—become a battlefield for proxy wars.

Even becoming a vassal state would be better. But Millene says the kingdom has no intention of making the Republic a vassal state. —They won't take care of it.

Still, if the port is taken, the dissatisfaction will be directed at her. That's not all—

"I, I can't give up the port. If I do—"

"This is no good. That one's no good. Do you noblewomen understand your position?"

Millene closes her eyes, and a long silence follows.

To Leila, it feels like a very long time.

Millene, who freed her from this painful time, says,

"Then, let's revise the treaties and trade agreements. However, since we're making a treaty with you, who have no credibility, be prepared for the conditions."

"Thank you."

Leila can only nod.

Clemen looks regretful.

The documents Millene prepared are in the kingdom's favor.

Leila, who signs them, feels ashamed that she has to sign.

If only she had done better—she thinks they wouldn't have been exploited.

After confirming the conditions, Millene stands up—

"Well, my work is done, so I'm going. Oh, and—there's a girl who wants to see you. Please meet her."

Leila thinks the negotiations will continue, but Noel enters the room as Millene leaves.

She is in a wheelchair, pushed by Yumelia.

"Sis!"

"Noel!"

The surprised two wave at Noel.

"How am I? I've recovered this much."

Noel, who had been on the brink of death and then revived, is smiling.

Leila, seeing such a Noel, sheds tears.

"Sis, I—I can't do it anymore. I can't be a priestess."

Overwhelmed by the pressure of leadership and the Republic's current state, Leila cries. Noel gently speaks to her.

"Don't cry. You said it was your responsibility, right? At least, be glad you managed to secure aid."

Clemen sniffs.

"But, we've made an unfair treaty. Can't you intercede with Leon—no, the baron?"

Noel shakes her head.

"Deal with it yourselves. You've been a burden to others, so you can't rely on them when it matters. I'll do what I can, but you have to do your best."

Leila clenches her teeth while crying.

◇

In another room of Recorn.

Millene is raising both hands in joy.

"Great, Angela! We made a treaty in the kingdom's favor!"

Angela looks at Millene in disbelief.

"The Republic's land is difficult for the current kingdom to manage. It's hard to send people, so I think this is the best result."

Given the kingdom's harsh internal situation, it couldn't manage a port even if it received one.

Moreover, the Republic is in the middle of reconstruction.

Even if it received the port, it would be a loss, not a gain.

The talk of territory was a bluff.

"The negotiations ended smoothly, which is a relief. Now, I can enjoy the rest of the sea journey! I'll enjoy a long-awaited vacation!"

Facing the high-spirited Millene, Angela thinks, "She really does well."

"We need to think about where to buy magic stones when we return. Was it the gemstones Leon obtained? It would have been better if there were more. For some reason, there are fewer than reported."

Angela avoids Millene's gaze.

"Maybe a counting mistake?"

"Angela—I'm not angry. But, don't you think it's terrible for Leon to give up important assets for a woman? Do you know how valuable a single gemstone is?"

Angela sighs.

"To ensure the Republic's power supply, I returned the minimum necessary number. If we push too hard, it might backfire."

Millene smiles.

"Alright. But, tell me next time. Still, Leon is too lenient. To do so much for a girl—"

Noel's request resulted in Leon returning some of the gemstones to the Republic.

Erik was the intermediary, and only Erik in the Republic knows the truth.

It shows how little Leon trusts others.

"Even the kingdom has been saved by his leniency."

"You've become quite talkative. It's a shame. If you were my successor, I'd feel secure."

"I'm happy as I am."

Millene closes the distance to Angela.

The atmosphere is different from before.

"—I've also investigated the Luxion matter. The more I investigated, the more scared I became. I wasn't taking it seriously before. I've been concerned since the war with the principality. It's good that I could investigate to some extent."

The hidden strength of Luxion is now known to Millene.

The main goal was to investigate Leon's strength on the ground, not the treaty.

Angela's expression changes.

"I'm on Leon's side. But—I don't intend to actively destroy the kingdom. I won't let that happen."

"I want to believe you, but the world isn't that kind."

Millene's offer makes Angela's eyes widen.

◇

On the deck of Einhorn.

The group from the kingdom, having departed from the port, can now see the Republic in the distance. I never thought leaving a country where I spent half a year would make me feel so complex.

I look at the souvenir Jean gave me.

"A charm from his hometown, I guess."

Luxion peeks at it.

'Is this a status enhancement item? I don't feel any special power.'

It's a cord-like thing to tie around the wrist.

In the language of the Republic of Alzer, it has a blessing written on it.

"Marie didn't remember it when I asked. She said it looked familiar, though."

'Shouldn't you have confirmed with Leila?'

"I don't want to. She'll immediately prostrate herself."

Crying and prostrating herself—pitiful, but also touching.

A good memory might be making a friend in a foreign country?

Thinking about it, it's not so bad.

When Jean graduates from the academy, maybe I'll write a recommendation letter for her to Erik?

'Yeah, but—returning gemstones at Noel's request is quite generous. What's the catch?'

"Do I always seem to be thinking about something?"

There are places where power can't be reduced, like hospitals and others.

I returned the gemstones to supply energy to such places.

I told Erik to watch how they are used.

If I gave them directly, they would surely ask for more.

I've decided never to trust them again.

'This time, we've spent a lot. Officially, we're back to being a poor noble.'

"Really annoying. Roland will definitely be smirking when we return."

'What will the result be this time?'

Luxion is concerned about my treatment.

I've caused trouble in the Republic—resulting in the kingdom losing a place to buy magic stones.

I gave gemstones as compensation, but that won't last forever.

"I want to be demoted and live a quiet life in the countryside~"

'With two fiancées? Oh, three.'

"—Maybe I'll find a floating island on the way back. I want new territory."

'What about the queen?'

"A little detour is fine, right?"

'Where did the serious master go?'

"Seriousness doesn't last forever. Look at them. The serious atmosphere is gone."

On the deck of Einhorn, which is moving away from the Republic, everyone is celebrating with a small party.

Marie is drinking alcohol from a mug.

"Ah! It's so strong!"

"Marie, you drink well!"

Carla is clapping at Marie, but she looks like an old man! Is that okay?

Kyle is bringing a plate piled high with sweets.

"Master, I brought you some fried potatoes!"

"The alcohol goes down well. Here, you guys, eat up. We're going to party today!"

"Yes!"

"We couldn't party in the Republic."

Seeing the happy faces of Marie and the others, I can't find the words.

A little away, Julius is feeling down.

"I want some skewers. Maybe just vegetables?"

Zirk is unimpressed.

"Well, meat is probably out of the question."

Brad is eating sweets.

"Hey, this is delicious."

Gregg looks a bit worn out, but he's in a loincloth.

"This month has made me think."

Chris is the same. He's also in a loincloth, looking serious.

"Yeah, that's right."

During the reconstruction, everyone worked hard. Gregg and Chris prepared baths outside, and Brad made the children laugh.

Zirk supported everyone, and Julius gave instructions—surprising to see them work.

—Why don't they work hard normally?

Thinking about this, Luxion looks at me and says, 'You were about to say something that would come back to you.'

Does this guy have a function to read my thoughts?

It's a violation of privacy.

"Leon!"

Livie approaches me with two drinks.

"Angela is on Recorn, right?"

Taking the drinks, I talk to her.

"Yes. She's talking with the queen. It's a difficult topic, so I was told to board Einhorn."

Livie, a bit down, says, "But, I'm happy to be with you, Leon."

"R, right."

The Holy Tree, which is no longer in the Republic, is gradually becoming faint.

Lost in thought, Livie whispers in my ear.

"Leon, I understand now—but please tell me the truth someday."

Startled, I turn around, and Livie is drinking her drink.

Luxion whispers in my ear.

'Olivia might have noticed the master's secret. Leila might have let something slip.'

The brother thing—maybe Livie is just pretending to be convinced?

I drink my drink and think,

"Should I tell her someday?"