Chapter 87

"Everyone, thank you for gathering here today. Before we start the meeting, I would like to make one rule. I think we should stop using honorifics with each other. We are all students—oh, there is one teacher here. But I want to stop using honorifics that indicate hierarchy among students. Of course, I think polite language is good."

Seven people were seated facing each other at the table.

League, who was in the birthday seat, began by saying,

"Wow! That would be great. I'm not really good with that kind of thing."

Ivan Jalarzak, the first to agree, was a student in the Great Sword lecture. He was the son of a swordsman with considerable skill in Jalarzak, a fact that was only known when he was invited to this meeting.

It seemed that no one else had any particular comments, so League nodded and continued.

"Time is limited, so I want to get straight to the point—"

League continued.

The seven countries of the Forestia Union were acting separately.

The federal government had not functioned properly for decades.

During this time, disaster prevention projects such as flood control and defense preparations, which should have been carried out over a long period, had not been touched at all.

"These issues are something you all know about, I'm sure."

Only Ivan was tilting his head, but the other participants looked as if it was to be expected.

During the conversation, Ravia served tea, and Hikaru distributed the snacks.

They didn't really need to do this, but it just seemed to flow that way.

"But I'm sure you all think this: 'The federal government hasn't prepared, but we have been preparing within our own countries.'"

The seven countries were acting independently. They collected taxes independently, advanced military preparations independently, and conducted technological development independently.

The only thing that made the federal government a reality was the absence of tariffs within the union and the ease of movement of people, but in substance, the federal government was just a figurehead.

"Then, what is the federal state, what is the Forestia Union?"

"It's a bulwark against external enemies."

Until then, Ekaterina had not spoken, but now she spoke for the first time.

"A hundred years ago, the Ponsonia Kingdom was growing stronger. Small countries, fearing this, banded together to form the union. Later, the Quinbrand Empire rose to prominence, and this time Ponsonia was in danger. If these two countries fought, it would have nothing to do with us, the Eulava. The title of the union would become unnecessary."

"That's right. But the 'Evil Emperor' Balthard of Quinbrand was assassinated, and now Ponsonia has declared war on Quinbrand."

Sylvester affirmed and continued, and League took it up.

"I also think that the crisis of a hundred years ago is approaching again."

"…Are you saying that the current Ponsonia is so formidable?"

"Yes. It is said that the Order of Knights led by the Sword Saint Lawrence easily broke through Quinbrand's defense lines. It might be different without him, but…"

Hikaru almost spat out a "Buh!" and almost dropped the kettle.

"?"

League glanced at him, but Hikaru shook his head to indicate it was nothing.

(Lawrence is really something. That sword is indeed powerful in one-on-many situations.)

While thinking this,

"But I also heard that Ponsonia withdrew without taking anything. That's proof that something happened domestically."

"You know a lot. But we don't know what that 'something' is. As long as the Order of Knights' Commander Lawrence is preserved, Ponsonia's advantage will not waver."

Hikaru nodded.

(Gafurasu caused a commotion, didn't he?)

Ravia sent a gaze his way.

(What?)

When Hikaru asked in a whisper,

(Are you not going to talk about Gafurasu?)

(I don't mind saying it, but I think it's better not to say it now. League wants to create a 'common external enemy' to encourage unity.)

Then League continued.

"In the past hundred years, if the seven countries had seriously cooperated, what do you think would have happened? If the secret of Jalarzak's power had been known by other countries, a stronger army could have been organized. If the development capabilities of Kotobi had been used to analyze the relics of Tsuva and prepare new weapons, it might have been possible. If the relationship between Kirihar and Ludansha had been better, the transportation of supplies would have been much easier."

Kirihar and Ludansha controlled the main roads within the Forestia Union, but the strong checkpoints they had set up on these roads had become a cause of obstruction.

"Perhaps there would have been no need to fear the movements of Ponsonia now."

League looked around at the participants.

Sylvester nodded firmly in response.

Claude and Rika exchanged glances.

Ivan had a puzzled look but was saying, "Getting stronger is a good thing, isn't it?"

Ekaterina did not deny League but seemed to be deep in thought.

"In other words, League, you are saying that the seven countries should not only be united in name but also in substance, right?"

Katie said.

"Yes."

"How do you plan to do what couldn't be done in a hundred years? Yes, the students here have some influence in their countries when they return, but that's all. You are still students. You are not yet seen as fully capable."

"Exactly. We are students. On the other hand, we still have time. We want to consider what obstacles there are to the seven countries coming together and how we can overcome them. With this group."

"Hmm... I see. I think it's a good idea to build connections among students before getting involved in practical politics."

To Hikaru's surprise, Katie also agreed.

(I thought she didn't care about anything but research.)

He thought, somewhat rudely.

"When I was a student, we formed research teams regardless of our countries. But after graduating, the pressure to 'research for Kotobi' was so intense that I returned to the academy."

"Can you help us, Ms. Katie?"

"…I think your idea is good. But the chances of success are almost zero."

"Can you tell me why?"

"As I said. When you leave the academy and return to your country, you will understand. It's no longer the academy. Around League, there are only Romanians. They only think about maximizing their own interests. How much can you stand up to them? A normal person wouldn't last a year. Because the friends who support you are on the other side of the border, suffering the same pain."

"I see… The words of someone who has experienced it are heavy."

League took Katie's words seriously, and Claude and Rika became dispirited.

"But it's okay even if that's the case."

However, League said confidently.

"…What do you mean?"

"I don't think the union will change easily. But we can create a 'Student Union' here. We can pass this on to the next generation. Gradually, we can create cross-border connections within the union. I want to create more and more friends like the research team. I want the academy to be not just a research institution but a place to nurture the young people who will lead the next generation."

"That's… a grand vision."

"My role is to first create the Student Union. To create an organization that will last for generations. I will eventually return to Romania, but I have no intention of forgetting this mission. I will ensure that the academy has the influence to protect the Student Union. If I can continue until I die, the Student Union will function. This is the job of the head of the most influential Romanian clan in the union."

League said "until I die" casually.

He was committing to at least 30 years, possibly 50, of dedication to the academy.

Hearing League's resolve, even Katie was speechless. This meeting had more significance than she thought.

"What are you trying to do alone, League?"

The silence was broken by Sylvester.

"Indeed, I am from Tsuva, so my influence is limited. But in the federal government, each of the seven countries has one vote. Among us, I am almost the only one who is almost certain to be the next representative. If things go smoothly, I will become the Union King in three generations. If League is still motivated by then, I will be more than happy to support you!"

"…Mr. Sylvester."

Sylvester's words had a reassuring quality.

Hikaru thought this was the charisma of a "crown prince."

The atmosphere of the meeting changed dramatically. Claude and Rika, in particular, looked pleased. It was probably because it was directly related to their lives.

"…What about the constitution?"

Ekaterina's words cut through the atmosphere.

"The Constitution of the Forestia Union. It states that 'the founding of the union will not reduce the interests of the seven countries' and that 'amendments to the powers of the federal government require the approval of all seven countries.' This is equivalent to saying that the federal government should not have power. Each country is allowed to prioritize its own interests."

"I don't think my current proposal will reduce the interests of the countries."

"But it will go against people's emotions. Especially Kirihar and Ludansha will be furious. These two countries will be the biggest obstacles to continuing the Student Union."

Ekaterina's point made Claude and Rika flinch.

(She has a point. When emotions come into play, the truth dies. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to uniting this union is the poor relationship between Kirihar and Ludansha.)

While Hikaru was thinking this,

"Ekaterina's point is correct. Human emotions are not easily changed. If Kirihar and Ludansha stop supplying lecturers, instructors, and students, the Student Union will end there."

Katie added from the perspective of a lecturer.

It seemed that League had also considered this, but it was a painful point.

"Don't look so grim, League."

Katie continued with a cool expression.

"Human emotions can change with just one action. If a neighbor you dislike is seen carrying an unknown sick person to the clinic, it might soften your bad feelings. Isn't that true for Kirihar and Ludansha as well?"

"That—yes, it might be. I also think that some kind of 'action' or 'means' outside the Student Union is needed to change these two countries. Do you have any ideas, Ms. Katie?"

"No, I don't. I specialize in research. That's why we should all think about it. That's the purpose of this gathering of students—right, Hikaru?"

Katie suddenly turned to Hikaru.

League's passionate speech was met with a cold shower from Ekaterina's style.

Of course, League had considered this, but was still in the process of exploring solutions.

The killer pass to Hikaru, who was suddenly called upon.

The first meeting will end in the next part.