kscans

Chapter 49 - Let's Found a Nation, Let's Bury the Past

"For our new queen, we toil and sing—"

"""Heave-ho, heave-ho!"""

Singing a cheerful song, the Goblins, the Orcs, and the Dark Elves were hard at work. And not just them. The other races who had immigrated here after the last battle were also working with joyful expressions.

"No more worrying about human eyes—"

"We can walk outside with pride—"

Considering their past circumstances, the lyrics are rather poignant.

"But things are different from now on—!"

"We're building our very own country—!"

"""Our savior's country is being born—!"""

Yes, the reason they're all so ecstatic is that the Founding Ceremony for my country is happening soon. Why a founding ceremony? Because everyone wanted one.

According to Adolnel:

"As it stands, we are merely invaders who have stolen a human nation. Once their wounds from the war have healed, they will undoubtedly send another army to subjugate us. Therefore, by formally establishing a nation, we assert our legitimacy."

"Yeah, but don't invaders not get to claim legitimacy?"

"If you're going to say that, humans invade each other, steal land, and claim it as their own all the time. Is this really any different?"

Well… yes, she has a point.

"But even if we found a nation, I doubt the humans we defeated will accept it."

"You are correct. Even if we found a nation, if the surrounding countries do not recognize us as such, we will continue to be targeted as barbarians who have seized land. Therefore, we will use our power to threaten them into recognizing us. Now, while everyone is exhausted, is the perfect time to do so."

That's a surprisingly direct method. Still, I feel like they'll just attack us again once time has passed.

"Once we are established as a nation, the next step is foreign relations. In other words, trade, Sister."

"Trade?"

"Yes. By establishing relations with us, they will be able to obtain precious goods that cannot be found in other countries. Once they understand this, the surrounding nations will realize that it is more advantageous to build a friendly relationship with us than to fight us."

"But do we have anything that could be a centerpiece for trade?"

"We do. Goods produced by monsters."

By monsters? But the ones here are mostly Orcs and Goblins, races that have little to do with industry. The Dark Elves might have a chance, though.

"Our country is home to many races that are hostile to or have poor relations with humans. Among these races are some who possess skills to create goods superior to those made by humans, or who can domesticate specific rare monsters that are used as valuable materials, a feat humans cannot manage."

Oh, so there were races like that.

"We are considering using these goods, which are difficult to supply regularly in human society, as trade goods."

Ah, I see. If you want to get your hands on rare goods produced by a hostile race, your only option is to attack their settlement and steal them. A regular supply would be impossible, and if human technology can't replicate it, then yeah, it would definitely sell.

"You've really thought this through."

"Ehehe, please praise me more."

"There, there."

I gently patted Adolnel's head.

"Hehe. So, for that reason, I believe negotiations are entirely possible. I have already sent invitations to the Founding Ceremony to various countries."

"Since when?!"

"Around the time the preparations for the ceremony got on track."

So you sent them out pretty early on?!

"Also, the Dark Elves and Goblins requested permission to invite other races they have relations with to the ceremony, so I approved it."

You even did that?!

"Many races have trouble dealing with the sheer number of humans. So when they hear that you, Sister, who achieved a great victory against a human allied army, are founding a country, they will surely want to get on the winning side. If our country is formally recognized, it will become the central power for non-human races, a nation led by races hostile to humans. They will absolutely participate to secure connections for future negotiations."

Huh, she's really thought about all this. I hadn't considered any of it. I just figured I could take over a town by swarming it with undead. To think that a casual idea would lead to me getting such a talented subordinate… You never know what good fortune life will bring.

"Well, if it means we don't have to deal with human retaliation, that's for the best."

"Yes. The ultimate goal of this founding is to entangle the humans in a web of their own desires and constraints, making it impossible for them to act against us."

So says Adolnel, emphasizing the avarice of humans.

"Fufufu, I'm so looking forward to it. A Vampire, an enemy of humanity, establishing a nation right in the heart of a human country."

Yeah, but you guys are the ones who wanted this. Well, it's fine by me, since it will restrain the humans' movements and increase the number of my subordinates.

"Oh, and we're making an amazing dress for you for the ceremony, Sister! Please look forward to it!"

"Ah, okay."

Honestly, that's something I'm not really looking forward to. I overheard the races making the costume chatting, and it sounded like they were making something you'd see at a New Year's Eve singing contest…

"Please, let it be a normal dress…"

I had a feeling, just a feeling, that my wish would not come true.