Chapter 175 - Postlude 3 "Diplomatic Issues Only Occur Between Nations"
Gokigenyou! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
Today, as a 'bonus,' I think I'll look back on a story from a while ago... yes, about two months after the day I started the revolution and burned the royal castle.
Looking back now, it feels nostalgic, but at the time, I was truly busy, and it felt like my head was spinning. Mainly with cleaning up the mess within the country.
After all, it was a country ruled by that wicked House Orchesta. It was a mess even before the revolution. And it became even more of a mess because of the revolution.
My first job as Queen was to clean up that mess. Honestly, if that royal family had been even a little bit more decent, I don't think I would have had such a hard time.
...Well, I'll let them hear plenty of my complaints in hell... let's get to looking back.
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"Haa, I can't stand this... What is this crap ledger? I can only think they're looking down on the concept of an audit... Keeb, Keeb, come look at this!"
"What? ...Eh, what is this. Uwa, the digits don't match."
When I beckoned, Keeb, who was doing clerical work at the next desk, came over, peeked at the ledger, and made a 'uwaa' face. Yes, that's exactly my reaction too. 'Uwaa.' After all, in this ledger, a whole digit doesn't match. It's surprising. Ohohoho.
"T-This, what on earth does this mean...?"
"It's obvious if you think about it normally. The person who was doing this accounting embezzled this entire digit's worth."
"Eh!? E-Embezzlement!? No way...! Ah, the royal family was corrupted to that extent..."
Lital, who was working next to Keeb, also peeked at the ledger and made a very pained face. Both Keeb and I are already so jaded that we can only laugh, but Lital still seems to have a softness of heart that feels sadness and indignation at this miserable ledger. Yes, please stay that way!
"Naturally, I cannot allow the embezzlement of an entire digit of the country's funds."
Now, the problem is what to do with this fellow. First, forgiving is out of the question. Overlooking is also out of the question. I must absolutely catch and punish him. It's only natural.
"Um, is the culprit still here? Hasn't he already fled the country...?"
"Even if he has, it doesn't matter. Even if he crosses the sea, I shall chase him. This fellow embezzled a whole digit of the national budget in the confusion. He won't have kicked the bucket yet, so he's worth chasing."
Whether it's fleeing the country or whatever, I do what I decide to do. As the Queen of this country, I must not overlook a single mess in this country and must blow them all away. Especially if there's a possibility of recovering a digit's worth of the national budget, I can't afford to overlook it even more!
"I shall crush him. And I shall take back that one digit."
...Yes. The messes of the country I have to process include things like this!
If I'm going to start moving immediately, the first thing I need is information. And for information, fortunately, I have a companion who handles it, so it's very easy.
So I immediately summoned Giovan. Since I summoned him, I must at least serve tea, so I'll brew some for Keeb and Lital as well.
"I've already looked into it, Ojou-san. I was just chasing him myself."
With this level of competence, I can't help but have a full smile while preparing the tea! Things moving quickly is the best!
"My, what a coincidence."
"This might already be fate. ...So, about him, it seems he's sought asylum in the Kingdom of Duetta."
My, Duetta? ...He sought asylum in a rather subtle place.
Let's see, the Kingdom of Duetta is a neighbor of the Kingdom of Windry. It's not quite adjacent to this country, but it's a neighbor's neighbor, so it's a fairly close country.
However, Duetta is not a very large country. It's not an exaggeration to call it a small country. Honestly, even with this country in its current messy state, it's not an opponent we would lose to in a war.
"Why Duetta? I don't think there's anything special there... In such a small country, seeking asylum wouldn't exactly lead to a life of freedom."
"Precisely because it's a small country, Ojou-san. If a noble comes into such a small country with a whole digit of a national budget, what do you think happens to his status?"
"...Because it's a small country, he can sit in an important chair. Is that it?"
"That's it. Well, it's easy to understand and simple, but it's a strong move."
Well, they do say 'Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a dragon.' To settle for being the bottom of a top group rather than the top of a bottom group. If I may say so, I'd describe it as 'lacking class.' If you want to be the head, don't do something petty like targeting chickens; become the head of a dragon!
"Haa, I'm amazed. You'd think he'd realize I'd find out immediately if he became a high official of another country."
"He might be underestimating us, thinking we wouldn't worsen diplomatic relations for the sake of one noble who fled to a mere small country. Or maybe he thought our Queen-sama was too busy with internal affairs to have time for him."
"My, I'm being underestimated. Fine by me. ...Ah, by the way, Giovan, you take your tea with milk and no sugar, right?"
"Yeah, that. My, it's an honor to have my tea preference remembered by the lovely Queen-sama."
Yes, yes. I remember the tea preferences of everyone I've had tea with. Lemon for Keeb, plenty of sugar and milk for Lital. And for me, straight with one sugar.
"Hey, Violia. Are you going to request the extradition of the criminal from Duetta? I don't know if Duetta will respond properly, though."
Keeb had a slightly worried face as he received his cup of lemon tea. ...Well, I am aware that I am being underestimated by everyone right now. After all, a young maiden is ruling a newly revolutionized country alone. Many neighboring countries surely think 'we can do whatever we want.' Even a small country like Duetta is probably underestimating me, so they likely won't respond to the extradition of the criminal.
...In that case. The answer is one.
"I shall go to Duetta directly and drag him out."
I won't rely on the opponent; I'll solve it with my own power. And... I shall show it off to my heart's content.
"And I'll make it a warning to those inside and outside the country. This is what happens if you harbor those who were on the side of the House Orchesta!"
If they're underestimating me, that's just fine! I'll show them my strength and tenacity! And if they defy me, I don't mind destroying a small country or two!
"Isn't that great, Ojou-san. I like that side of you."
"I like this side of me too! Ah, just thinking about it is making me a bit excited!"
"Hey, Violia. If you're going, take me with you."
"In that case, I shall accompany you as well!"
My, my. In that case, since we're at it, let's make it a vacation. Look, I've been bored with nothing but internal affairs lately! I haven't been able to go monster hunting properly for days... so let's go on a rampage to reward ourselves for these two months of hard work! O-hohohoho!
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Yes. And so, I immediately drafted an official document and sent it off.
The way to send it was simple. I had Chris, who I made a civil official of our country, take the letter and head to the Kingdom of Duetta.
"...So, I delivered the document to the King of Duetta."
"I'm glad it went smoothly. Good work."
The returning Chris brilliantly achieved the order to 'return in one day.' Yes. Specifically, Chesta carried Chris on a dragon, dropped him in front of the palace in Duetta, and after the audience was over, he just brought him back. I must reward Chesta later too. Chris is exhausted, but I'll just leave him be. Ohohoho.
"How was the reaction?"
"He seemed not to understand. It seems rumors of the new Queen of the new Orchesta... the Kingdom of Fortesia, have reached Duetta, but it's only natural, since the first foreign country that Queen herself visits is Duetta, a self-proclaimed and publicly recognized small country."
"As I thought, you are an excellent slave..."
Based on Chris's story, it seems the King of Duetta is indeed perplexed.
Well, I understand that. After all, this is the first time I'm officially going abroad.
Normally, one would choose a larger country... Asumbra, Windry, or some other country with a certain amount of size and power as the 'first.' And then deepen diplomatic ties; that's the standard move. A newly revolutionized country is finished if it's crushed by another country. I am well aware that I should value connections with other countries.
...But you see. That's exactly why I'm making the 'first country to visit' Duetta.
The weight of this should be conveyed to other countries as well. Ohohoho.
"Ah, Violia is thinking of something fun again. Am I wrong?"
"You're right, Keeb. Fufufu, I'm looking forward to it."
Well, it's certain that something fun will happen. A fun anomaly that is very important for my future governance of this country will occur.
...No. An anomaly is not something that happens, but something you 'make' happen!
Yes. And so, I officially visited the Kingdom of Duetta.
They asked, 'You are coming by ship, right?' so I replied, 'No, I shall fly directly by dragon.' They were troubled. But I don't give a damn!
...And so, one week after Chris returned, I ended up visiting the palace of the Kingdom of Duetta, but.
"My, my, it's quite grand."
Even so, I am the Queen of a large country. I'm probably being underestimated because it's a newly revolutionized country ruled by a single Queen, but even so, a proper welcoming ceremony was prepared.
"Welcome. Queen Violia Nico Fortesia-heika."
The King of Duetta is a relatively young man for a King. If I recall correctly, it hasn't been long since he took over.
Well... I haven't heard anything about him being strong, and his facial features aren't god-like; he's just a mediocre, ordinary King.
"Thank you very much for allowing our visit today. I am grateful for the King's heart."
I also said some appropriate social pleasantries while checking the surroundings.
...I checked the faces of the King's aides. Well, if our one-digit embezzlement fellow had sought asylum and taken an important post, I didn't think he'd shamelessly show his face before me, but just in case...
"...Oh?"
To my surprise, he was there.
Yes, he was there.
The fellow who stole a digit from our treasury and fled was normally! In the line of vassals next to the King! Standing! There! Ohohohoho!
Naturally, I cannot overlook this in silence. I walked up to the embezzlement fellow. He was flinching just from that...
"Oh? Queen Violia. What is the matter?"
The King cut in with words.
The King is smiling nonchalantly as if nothing is wrong, but I can tell.
He's making fun of me. He's underestimating me.
This small country is making a fool of me.
But I don't panic. It's not time to panic yet!
"I have business with the person there. He was a person of the former Orchesta, was he not?"
"No. He has always been a person of Duetta."
"Oh, is that what you say?"
The King seems to intend to feign ignorance to the end. Well, I suppose he's asking for evidence. For evidence, the reaction of the person himself who is flinching under my glare right now is evidence enough, but that wouldn't be smart.
"Yes. He is a person of Duetta. And the wealth he has brought to Duetta is immeasurable. He is an indispensable talent for Duetta."
In every word of the King, I can see him making fun of us. He's implicitly saying 'he funneled the embezzled amount directly to Duetta.'
"Now, Queen Violia. Let's leave the boring talk for later and start the banquet to celebrate your arrival."
When the King said that and clapped his hands, the banquet immediately began. Yes. He's definitely slighting us. He's underestimating us. It's very infuriating! Grrr!
...But it's fine to underestimate us. We have several mad dogs here.
"It's really infuriating."
At the banquet table, while beautiful music was being played in the dining hall, Keeb, who I brought as my aide, had a look on his face as if he were about to bare his fangs. His cute face is ruined! Please have a more gentle face!
"What's with them. What do they think Violia is?"
"Well, that's obvious, isn't it? 'The Queen of a newly born country with no foundation. The ruler of a neighboring country that the small country Duetta can finally look down on.'"
Additionally, the one uttering words that further irritate Keeb's frayed heart is Giovan. Yes. I brought him too. As one of the nobles of the Kingdom of Fortesia.
"What is that. Are they stupid?"
"True. I think they're stupid too. It's not sane to openly antagonize our Queen-heika, of all people."
While having a very frayed conversation, Keeb and Giovan's table manners were perfect.
I recently hammered all these manners into Keeb. Since he's a quick learner, he acquired beautiful movements that wouldn't lose to a noble in no time.
And Giovan can do all these things from the start. As long as he feels like it, he doesn't look out of place at all in such an elegant setting.
"Hey, Violia. When do we move?"
And the one whispering to me from behind is Doran. Yes. I brought him as a guard. For now, I've had him carry a sword and shield as a fake, but... if Doran really starts fighting, the sword and shield will probably just be used as throwing stones.
"After this, once the dinner is over, there will surely be a ball. Let's move then."
"Understood."
Doran whispered back into my ear and returned to his standing-at-attention position. ...Just having Doran stand behind me and glare at the surroundings provides a fair amount of intimidation. After all, he's a large, well-built man. Normally, just having Doran there should make it impossible to underestimate us... but well, as for the King of Duetta, he is a King. He probably thought that by just moving one finger, he could move the hundred or so soldiers waiting in the audience chamber, so one werewolf wouldn't be a problem.
"Ah, seriously, it's annoying."
Keeb's movements were perfect, but all the words he muttered were curses. He must have really hated that King's behavior, and I feel the same way.
...Well, in that case, it can't be helped.
"Hey, Keeb. Since they've been so rude, I'm thinking of being rude back, but do you intend to accompany me?"
"Eh? Ah, yeah... I'll accompany you, but... what?"
While smiling at the blinking Keeb, I took another bite of the delicious food. Well, the Kings' attitudes are as unpleasant as can be, but the food is delicious. The food is not at fault, so I shall enjoy it thoroughly. Ohohoho.
Now then.
As expected, after the meal and a break, it became a ball. Since they were welcoming a dignitary from another country, they probably wanted to have a place for exchange where they could physically close the distance...
"Queen Violia. It's sudden, but would you care for a dance?"
Well, I thought so. The King asked me for a dance.
At a time like this, the first partner you choose is important. Especially at a place of exchange like this.
Therefore, it would be polite for me and the King of Duetta to dance one song.
...Then I shall trample over such a thing!
"Oh, please excuse me. I already have a prior engagement for the first song."
Yes! Right here! I shall kick away the King of Duetta's invitation!
Naturally, the venue is buzzing because I turned down the King. I can hear voices whispering that I'm a 'Queen with no manners,' but I can endure it because the King standing there blankly with his hand out is amusing.
Besides...
"Then Keeb. Would you care for the first dance?"
"So that's how it is. Well, I'll accompany you."
Keeb is grinning and looks happy. This smile is more than enough reward!
I danced one song with Keeb just like that.
Keeb has become quite good at dancing. I've been teaching him various things between duties, but the clumsiness from the beginning has completely vanished. ...Keeb's slightly clumsy way was very cute, so it's a bit of a shame that it's gone...
"Violia. That King bastard is watching."
"Let him watch. He can't do anything anyway."
Now, the King who was made a fool of is looking over here quite unpleasantly. But I am a dignitary from another country. He can't say anything to my face.
"We must make him understand which of us is 'above.'"
My selfishness is also a kind of performance. If we let them keep making fun of us, it might give the impression that our country is 'below' Duetta. We must swing back at the rude fellows.
...Well! I simply wanted to play a prank on someone I dislike, and that's my only motivation for dancing the first song with Keeb right now! Ohohoho!
Yes, we danced. Then for the second song, I danced with Giovan. Dancing with a skeleton is a bit unpleasant, but it's just right for making a fool of the King, so I'll continue like this.
Giovan is flawless, so it ended without any particular incident.
...So, by the third song, the King naturally didn't come over anymore. He probably wanted to show an attitude of 'I won't dance with such a woman'... but that's naive!
"Then, you there. Would you care for a dance?"
"Eh? M-Me?"
I didn't even look at the King and caught a random aide from the Duetta side and invited him to dance.
The person I spoke to was glancing at the King and seemed unable to decide how to respond, but I acted as if it were natural and linked my arm with his, and quickly led him to the center of the dance hall. Well, he didn't have the courage to shake off this arm and run away.
He was a timid aide, but once the song started, he began to dance. Normally. Well, it was a very ordinary, not-at-all-fun dance.
Beside such a dance, I whispered to him very meaningfully.
"Hey, do you prefer meat or fish?"
"Eh?"
He was bewildered by the talk that had no context. Yes, I suppose so.
"Then, wine? Do you prefer red or white?"
"E-Eh, I prefer white, but...?"
"Oh, really. I like red, but I think white isn't bad either."
I continued the meaningless small talk in a low voice. The opponent also couldn't easily not answer my questions, so he replied bit by bit.
...And the King of Duetta was watching us suspiciously.
Yes, naturally, it would be suspicious. I suddenly invited one of his vassals to dance. Furthermore, if we were whispering something during the dance, it would look even more suspicious.
At best, let him be driven by paranoia about what kind of secret talk or information gathering it is! O-hohohohoho!
"Now. Shall I have you dance with me?"
After enjoying myself appropriately, I finally succeeded in catching the wrist of the target person... the fellow who took a digit from the treasury.
He was breaking out in a cold sweat but seemed to be trying to stay calm, but I could clearly tell he was flinching.
And I danced with him in silence. He was so clumsy as a dance partner that it wasn't fun at all. But it's fun in its own way to see someone I dislike flinching.
...So, after finishing one song.
"You took a digit from the treasury of the Kingdom of Orchesta, didn't you? Will you return it? That is the blood tax of the citizens."
I cut straight to the point.
If he said something, that would be fine, but if he tried to slip away because I didn't say anything, I couldn't forgive him anymore.
"W-What are you talking about?"
...I thought so, but he started feigning ignorance even at this stage. I'm a bit surprised by the thickness of his skin.
"Stop playing dumb. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll execute you immediately."
"E-Execution? H-Haha, what a joke!"
Since his skin was so thick, I'll move the talk along. Well, I mostly knew the reaction...
"I am a citizen of Duetta. Why can you, a foreigner, judge me?"
This is it.
Yes, as expected.
Naturally, I am the Queen of the Kingdom of Fortesia. I have no right to judge matters within Duetta.
However, I can simultaneously request the King of Duetta to 'hand over that criminal'... but well, that's also a slim hope.
While I was facing the embezzlement fellow, the surroundings started buzzing, wondering what was going on. I don't know how much of this was staged either.
"I can tolerate personal accusations. But if it goes beyond that... it will develop into a diplomatic issue involving the Kingdom of Duetta? Is that alright? Your country, the newly born Kingdom of Fortesia... will you cause trouble with another country within three months of the revolution?"
The embezzlement fellow said it quite grandly while flinching. Yes, he takes quite a big attitude. I'm almost impressed.
"The gentleman is a person of this country. I'll have you stop interfering in internal affairs."
...But when even the King came over and this farce began, I finally started to get fed up...
"I'll tell you because you surely know. This man embezzled a large amount of funds from the treasury in the Kingdom of Orchesta before the Kingdom of Fortesia was born. You will respond to the extradition of the criminal, right?"
For now, Doran had come behind me before I knew it, and he started intimidating the surroundings with his physique and the imposingness of his armor. However, the opponent's skin also seems to be quite thick. The King isn't listening to us at all.
"My, my, what a strange thing to say. He is a citizen of this country. Are you not mistaken about something?"
I don't like the King's smirking laugh. And this triumphant face. Ah, it's annoying. It's annoying. It's very annoying!
"It's a problem if you make such strange accusations. I've heard that Queen Violia Nico Fortesia is an unconventional heroine, but if you behave so outrageously, this will develop into a diplomatic issue. We neighboring countries must take a firm attitude and condemn the newly born Kingdom of Fortesia!"
This face that says 'we are the righteous ones.'
He probably had the embezzlement fellow funnel some funds to him and is feigning ignorance while knowing everything.
Truly, the method is extremely childish.
If he simply wanted money, he should have just handed the embezzlement fellow over to me and taken the embezzlement fellow's funds for himself.
And if he simply wanted to make fun of me... that is a foolish thing.
Yes. If he had tried to build a friendly relationship with me and still tried to protect the embezzlement fellow, that would have been fine. If he showed that much intelligence and greatness of character, I really thought about becoming a 'friendly nation' with the Kingdom of Duetta.
...But he has disappointed me quite a bit.
Underestimating us, thinking 'there's no way evidence will come out. Even if it does, we can just say it's fabricated and make it a stalemate.'
The method is too clumsy. If you're going to do it, do it better, I want to tell him.
But well, it's fine.
Since the opponent is such trash, I don't need to show mercy, and it's easy.
"I see... a diplomatic issue, huh. In other words, that means a dispute between countries, right?"
"Of course. Or do you intend to start a war? If so, we neighboring countries..."
"No. I just thought that for a 'diplomatic issue' to develop, countries must exist."
At my confirmation, the King of Duetta was blank-faced.
Well, it might be a word that doesn't make sense to him. He surely hadn't even expected it.
But you see, one should always think about it.
'Is it safe if I lock the door? Don't you think about the door being smashed?'
Or, 'Is it safe if I wear armor? You'll burn to death if you're put in a fire with the armor?'
Furthermore...
"In short, if there is no country, a diplomatic issue won't happen in the first place."
"Ha?"
I shall teach the foolish King. I am not someone who can only politely knock on the door. I can win even against an armored knight.
"Do you still not understand? ...If a country vanishes overnight, there won't be any diplomatic issues or anything, right?"
I am a villain who would calmly do something that flips everything from the roots!
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"Yes, Ojou-san. I've procured the newspapers of the neighboring countries."
"Oh, thank you. Now, I wonder if they are wonderful newspapers?"
"Of course. Look, see? It's a front-page headline just as you wished, Ojou-san."
Yes.
And so, the newspapers of the neighboring countries are all dealing with the 'Tragedy of the Kingdom of Duetta.'
Yes. After all, the Kingdom of Duetta safely vanished.
...Well, I didn't do anything much. It's just that while I was shouting at the King and drawing attention, Keeb dropped a massive lightning bolt on the palace. Additionally, the explosives that Chesta, the behind-the-scenes worker who was acting completely separately this time, had planted made the palace collapse from the feet up.
And Doran and I just stuffed everyone who was at the venue into the bag and brought them back; that's all. Even if there were a hundred soldiers in the castle, if they are idiots who panic at an explosion, it's the same whether they are there or not!
Giovan and Keeb had successfully blocked the venue, so it was really just a simple job of stuffing the rats in a bag! O-hohohohoho!
"Heh. Look, Violia. It says something interesting."
"My, my... it's interesting. I wonder if this newspaper reporter would come to our place."
In the foreign newspaper Keeb showed me, it was written that 'the Kingdom of Duetta became like that because they picked a fight with the Kingdom of Fortesia.' It's quite interesting.
"W-Will we receive sanctions from the surrounding countries all at once because such an article was written!?"
"No, no, Lital. You're still naive. Certainly, the Kingdom of Fortesia is a headache for the neighboring countries. There are probably countries that want to crush it. But you see, with this incident, it was sufficiently conveyed that 'the odds are bad.' I don't think there's a country with the spirit to pick a fight with a heroine who vanished a country overnight!"
That's how it is. As Giovan says, there's no need to worry.
Rather, if there are people who come to pick a fight with me after seeing this, it seems they'll entertain me. I'm actually looking forward to it a bit!
...Well, in the end, I executed the embezzlement fellow and issued a statement saying, 'Even if you flee to another country, I will never forgive those who run away with the citizens' blood tax! I will crush the country! But if you return the full embezzled amount, I will spare your life!', and other countries immediately returned the exiles, saying 'this is a person who fled from your country, we are returning him!'
Well, of course. They don't want to be dragged into it themselves. A wise country that doesn't want to follow in Duetta's footsteps will voluntarily return the exiles!
"With this, the treasury has been somewhat enriched."
So, I was able to catch the exiles very efficiently, and I am very satisfied. For boring or troublesome tasks, it's best to be able to take it easy like this! Besides, I feel very happy when I see the faces of the exiles who were betrayed by their place of asylum and returned! Ohohoho!
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...So, a warning is important, is the story. Additionally, it's also about how it's better to just go all out if you're going to do it.
It's a very simple conclusion, but it's an important lesson for my life. Because there will surely be things like this in the future.
Well, with that, gokigenyou everyone. Please lead a life with good decisiveness! Ohohoho!
The book 'The Fallen Noblewoman's Anthem of Villains' will be released by Arianrose on November 10th. Please look forward to it.