The Strategist Knows Everything

"Sometimes it's unusual. I didn't know you were coming to the castle."

"Yes, a rare guest came yesterday."

The Next Day Zach Came.

Earlier in the morning, I asked for Kaguya's reaction in those words.

"Speaking of which, there was a report of Zach Williams visiting that place. Did they tell you to help?

"Yes, Albion seems to want to have a close relationship with Velis in case something happens."

Albion's and Velis's are. The alliance is almost close to a truce.

Few clauses were supposed to be decided in detail, and for now it was only decided that we should end the war and get along.

When it comes to how that happened, it's because they both lost their war purpose.

The defeat of Stratos was the purpose of Velis, and it was also caused by Stratos that Albion was attacking Velis. So at the time Stratos was gone, there was no point in both countries continuing the war.

And the next problem was the existence of an empire.

Velis had been attacked by the Empire from the sea, and Albion was in danger of being attacked by the Empire from land. They both needed to tie their hands together as soon as possible.

That's why Zach came down here to prepare for that detail, but it's the Velis' heavy ministers that are at issue here.

"You also know that, but most of our country's heavy ministers are critical of Albion. Some say it was all Albion's fault, starting with the civil unrest in Velis. It was Albion who invaded it, and it was Velis who jumped it. Some say we should demand a lot of compensation as a victorious nation."

"Well, I know what you're trying to say. War costs money. But Velis must have gotten a lot of apologies from the Empire, right? An apology for selling me."

"Oh. My finances don't have to lean because of it"

"Then you won't have to bother to squeeze it out of the Albion on the way to reconstruction. It's more effective in the long run as a good neighbor than that."

"... long run. Certainly would be right. As for the matter of this war, it is better for Veris to have it returned after he has rebuilt it as a loan to Albion. But they are afraid. If we don't beat Albion now, we might be able to do it in the future."

The fear, anxiety, is understandable.

Albion is a land of sorcery. New sorcery is always developed and new sorcery tactics are created.

I got a lot of pain in this fight, but that's the same as Velis.

Albion will also be rebuilt when Velis rebuilds. So I'm saying we should be good neighbors, but some people get aggressive because of fear.

The idea is to do it before they do it.

"It's more natural than being invaded. But then I think we should tie hands. This one could be attacked by the Empire."

"That's right. The empire's power of war is horrible. We should have done quite a bit of painful too, but that country has yet to do its utmost. It beats the quality of soldiers, but it's better over there in numbers. It is the Stone that unites hands with Albion to counter it. But. Yukito. The heavy ministers are not afraid of Albion alone. What I fear is the worst development. What if it went to war with Albion? Everyone is anxious that you won't move for Velis."

"... you think I'm going to betray you?

"I don't think so. But we all know that Sophia has a special relationship. A lot of people say it's going to be Albion for Sophia's sake, and some say it's because they're going to be Albion in the future."

"……… you're in trouble. I wanted you to think that coming back like this was more than anything else?

After the battle with Gwaigan.

I had a choice to stay in Albion.

True, I am a person on Veris' side, but after all that confusion, I was able to hide my identity by deciding to die.

Lord Kaguya must have been happy to be back because he didn't do it.

"I don't doubt it. Don't give me that look. I haven't fallen that far."

"So why are we talking about that?

"It's hard to persuade. Both the Council and the Chancellor are taking a leap forward in trying to create the era of the best of Velis. I think each of the five powers should strike a balance..."

"I agree with that. Soon there will be countries uniting with the continent...... not now. Because the power of war is too even. Whatever the difference among the five powers, there are no small and weak countries that can be attacked at once. Now, if we can't unify, we'll just bleed."

"I'm saying something similar..."

"Maybe... you want me to convince you?

Kaguya shook her body victoriously as if she had been poked at a picture star.

Totally. This guy...

Why are you trying to make me do that?

"If you pull me out because persuasion is troublesome, it will be extra troublesome, won't it?

"Meh, I don't think it's a hassle! It's just... I'm just sick of it"

"It's something similar. Good luck as king."

"Don't just push the trouble on me like that! Do you know how hard it was for me while I was gone!?

"I can imagine. But not in the council for that?

"We were quite united in one during the war, but now the council is not a single rock. They're people, too. There is a lust for mankind."

"It is only by using it that we are called kings. I'm sorry, but I can't leave. 'Cause I'm just buying their objections."

"... I honestly can't breathe right now. It's easier when you're still whispering."

"Because we were understaffed after the civil unrest then. I needed to do a lot of things. But not now. Velis got back on his feet and then the war ended. From now on, it is a battle to stabilize the country. That will require guts. It will be hard, but preach the benefits of tying with Albion."

……

Kaguya glares at me dissatisfied.

What do I do in the meantime?

Well, they push me to work, and if the person I push is playing, I'm also upset.

That's why.

"In the meantime, I'm going to look down on the territory. I'm done resting."

"Underground view of territory? Haven't you been there yet?

"Yeah. I'm only a Count, and I'm not in the realm. Well, thanks to the excellence of the ministerial corps prepared by Master Kaguya, the maintenance of the territory seems fine."

"Naturally. That was originally a royal jurisdiction. The royal talent that ruled there was made into a minister. I can't go wrong."

"I appreciate it. So I was wondering if I didn't have to show my face, but as Count, I didn't think that was a good idea."

"Right. It also became a territory. You will have to know the people well."

Kaguya often looks at what she thought there.

I wonder what the hell you're thinking.

"Whatever. Shall I teach you how to unite the people?

"I won't let you. It's definitely not for me."

"Hey, what!?

"Well, here I am."

Try to leave the room by giving Kaguya a bowl of grace before things get troublesome.

But.

"Wait a minute. It's been a long time. Why don't you just drink some tea?

"It's a heart-catching suggestion, but I'll go see the territory right away. I'll do the tea when I get back."

"Is that so… be careful on the road."

"Yes. Take care, Master Kaguya."

"Careful? To what?

"Master Kaguya's horizons widened as a king. But some are narrow. I'm sure they'll think you're a stranger. Like this one thinks so over there. And those with narrow horizons go into short-circuited behavior. Yume, don't be alarmed."

"Right. Let's remember the liver."

Saying so, Master Kaguya smiled and sent me away.

Then I head to the territory I was given.

The slight anxiety is that it is close to the border with the Empire.

There is a large mountain range between the Empire and Velis, making passage of large armies impossible. But not if it's a minority.

"Well, there's border guards, and you're fine. Probably."