kscans

Chapter 192 - Episode 8: The Imperial Capital

A vertical rectangular region, sandwiched between a great river to the south and the Blood Mountains to the east. The Imperial Capital lies near the northern edge of this land, where basins are scattered among the mountains. It is the largest basin in the Empire. Furthermore, with a river warmed by geothermal zones to the north, it boasts outstanding food production within the country.

Against this backdrop, it became the center of the community against the threat of monsters. Successive emperors and royalty formed blood ties with the families ruling the basins in various regions. Within this bloodline alliance, those with superior qualities gained recognition in battles against monsters. Such was the system.

The Imperial Capital is surrounded by thick, fortress-like walls. At the center of the square city stands the Imperial Palace, utterly unadorned. The fortress-like building has no decoration other than projecting stone walls for defense. In the stables beside it, an unusual number of Horse-Dragons are parked, each bearing an emblem of a similar design.

In the innermost part of the Imperial Palace, a raised throne was placed beneath the black Imperial flag. In front of it, two long tables were arranged facing each other, left and right. Five men and women were seated at each table. These were influential members of the royalty.

At the center of the left table was Dagobard. At the center of the right table was Princess Lisabet. By the way, these two, and Maytyl who was not present, were cousins, not siblings.

An old man, like a withered tree, supported by his aides, took the throne. This was the result of consecutive crown prince candidates losing their lives in battles against monsters a decade or so ago, when the damage from monsters was at its worst. Even so, they should have ideally been led by a young new emperor who had triumphed over the Kingdom.

"I believe the Kingdom's offer is worth actively considering," Princess Lisabet said, being the first to speak. The reason she, a member of royalty but inferior in ability and merely the lord of a small basin, was present here was because she was Maytyl's representative, and because her small territory was located in a position closely related to the Kingdom's current proposal.

Seated to her left and right were, so to speak, the pro-cooperation faction with the Kingdom. This, of course, referred to their stance in the current situation, or relatively speaking.

On the other hand, Dagobard, seated opposite her, represented the skeptical faction. These were men and women who, at a glance, had the appearance of warriors, with many scars etched onto their bodies. Dagobard himself had acquired several new scars. Having been defeated in the invasion of the Kingdom, an invasion that was supposed to be a sure victory, he had lost significant prestige. However, by utilizing his remaining forces to rush to the defense of the homeland, he had regained his position as the strongest candidate for the next generation.

Of course, it was also a significant factor that Maytyl, his greatest rival, was currently abroad.

A man in his mid-forties, seated to Dagobard's right, stood up. He had many scars from his head to his arms. During the war with the Kingdom, he was a member of the royalty responsible for the defense against monsters within the country, using reduced forces.

"While claiming to cooperate against monsters," he said, "in the end, our sorcery technology will be unilaterally taken from us, and we will merely be conveniently used as shields."

A woman in her late thirties, seated to Dagobard's left, said, "The replenishment of Horse-Dragons and sorcerers lost in the previous war has only just begun. Our top priority now should be to stabilize the home front. If the Kingdom wants to venture into the flying dragon's territory, let them do so. Even if they fail, we have nothing but gains." She was responsible for breeding Horse-Dragons.

"The expansion and stabilization of trade with the Kingdom are necessary for the recovery of our military strength. And precisely because of times like these, we should take proactive steps for future development."

"Stability in trade is one thing, but expansion does not necessarily guarantee profit. If cheap grain floods in from the Kingdom, what will become of the Empire's agriculture? According to your argument, that city intends to lower grain prices, does it not?"

Although it cannot be compared to the Kingdom, an agricultural nation, many citizens of the Empire are also farmers, with their lives barely scraping by. Of course, there are also anxieties about the relative status of cultivated lands around the Imperial Capital being shaken.

"The Kingdom's assertion is that it is an expansion of opportunities for both sides to exchange crops they excel at. Regarding this, I have spoken directly with the person in charge of the new city. I have also confirmed about beans, and according to information from Maytyl-denka, there could be demand for buckwheat in the Kingdom."

"A Kingdom that produces enough wheat to export to the Empire, you say they prefer to eat coarse grains? I find that very hard to believe."

"No, it's not just for eating, they are proposing it for extremely high-grade confections and unusual ways of consumption..."

"You talk about profit, profit, but whose profit is it? As you say, even if the establishment of trade hubs with the Kingdom brings profit to the Empire, who will be the biggest beneficiary?"

The one who asked with a malicious look on his face was the lord of the territory that traditionally served as the Kingdom's point of contact.

"Cooperating with the Kingdom's new city through my territory is merely a condition for peace..."

"Then you, as the biggest beneficiary, should make the effort. If the plan succeeds, your territory will become a vital route connecting the Kingdom and the Empire, from what is currently a frontier of the Empire. Should it somehow lead to the development of resources in the Blood Mountains, it would have even greater significance. It would certainly be a rewarding endeavor."

"I am by no means considering only the convenience of my own territory. In fact, Maytyl-denka has also reported that joint research with the Kingdom would be beneficial..."

Princess Lisabet called to the sorcerer waiting behind her. He was Maytyl's subordinate.

"According to the report from her Highness, they have already succeeded in developing a magic power measuring device of formidable performance. It is said to play an extremely broad and significant role, not only in detailed observation of magic veins but also in sorcery research. The Kingdom will provide a new magic vein measuring device in exchange for the provision of Dragon Crystal."

"The agreement with the Kingdom is already showing results. Of course, the Kingdom will be acting based on its own interests. However, at the very least, the Kingdom is taking the recent anomalies in the magic veins seriously and recognizes the monster problem as a major threat. Can we not interpret it that way?"

The opposition fell silent at Princess Lisabet's words. Everyone present knew of Maytyl-denka's contributions and passion for sorcery research. Even as a hostage, her words carried weight.

"Then, let us also present information from someone who knows the Kingdom well."

However, one of the opposition members spoke. When the attendees nodded, the entrance to the conference hall opened, and a man in flashy white attire, more ostentatious than anyone else present, entered.

"I would like to ask His Highness Delnius, the Kingdom's Honorary Ambassador. Frankly speaking, does the Kingdom have the will to deal with monsters?"

"On my journey to the Imperial Capital, I was able to glimpse the monster situation in the Empire near the Blood Mountains. From that perspective, I must regretfully say that it would be difficult for the Kingdom to provide effective cooperation to the Empire."

"Oh, what is the reason for that? Though few in number, the Kingdom has demonstrated its ability to deal with numerous monsters, led by dragons, has it not?"

"That 'few' is the problem. The Kingdom certainly protected its country from the threat of monsters. However, that was by using the power of prophecy and by marshaling the nation's total strength to concentrate its knight orders on a single target."

"In other words, the Kingdom only has the power to deal with a limited number of threats."

"Regrettably, that is the case."

The skeptical faction nodded at Delnius's statement. Princess Lisabet could not refute it either. In contrast to the Empire, whose entire territory is constantly exposed to the threat of monsters, the Kingdom could pour all its efforts into a single monster, whose appearance region could even be predicted.

"Thank you, Your High—"

"More importantly, I have a great concern!"

Unaware that his required role was finished, Delnius continued.

"Though he is my younger brother, I must say it is dangerous to trust Prince Craig. After all, my brother is someone interested only in power. Despite being of royal blood, he personally took control of the knight orders and seized the throne in due time through that power. Considering my brother's character, who thinks only of his own ambition... I am heartbroken at the thought that he might become a new spark of conflict with your esteemed nation."

Delnius said with a gloomy look. With his remark that belittled fighting by leading knight orders, despite being of royalty, he didn't even notice that all the attendees' eyes turned cold.

"In other words, the possibility that the Kingdom harbors military ambitions towards the Empire cannot be dismissed, correct?"

The skeptical man who had brought Delnius to this platform seized the opportunity, despite his confusion. It was Princess Lisabet who panicked.

"S-such a situation, where such a possibility could be completely dismissed, is non-existent, is it not? In fact, the Empire invaded the Kingdom. If circumstances allowed, we might do the same. Naturally, the Kingdom would likely do likewise. Therefore, the problem is that by establishing monsters as a common enemy and expanding trade relations, we can achieve long-term..."

"No, that's not it."

Princess Lisabet desperately tried to weave her words. But her words were sharply cut off.

"Dagobard-denka."

Princess Lisabet tensed at the statement from Dagobard-denka, who had not spoken a single word until now. He possessed an aura of dignity that naturally made the attendees straighten their collars.

"The problem is not whether the Kingdom can be trusted, nor is it about the profits from trade."

"Are you saying...?"

"No matter how useful trade hubs with the Kingdom may be, and no matter how much profit the expansion of trade might bring to the Empire, it means nothing if the Kingdom doesn't have the power to maintain them."

Dagobard-denka said, "Trade routes that cannot be maintained are out of the question. This is even more so when considering the investment made before their loss and the chaos that would ensue from their disappearance." Naturally, Princess Lisabet also harbored that concern in her mind.

"The same applies to the anti-monster agreement. In contrast, the Kingdom would suffer little pain even if it abandoned this side of the great river. The Imperial army has no leisure to indulge in such games."

"..."

This time, Princess Lisabet's side fell silent. Dagobard-denka continued, surveying the opposite table with a commanding gaze.

"Then, what do Dagobard-denka propose should be done?"

"It's simple. The Kingdom merely needs to prove it has the power to operate in the flying dragon's territory."

"How, exactly?"

"It's settled. We will respond that we will agree to the anti-monster agreement. I myself will participate in the discussions with the Kingdom. The venue for the discussions will be Maldras, which you will provide. There should be no problem."

"Of course."

Dagobard-denka's words were suddenly positive. Princess Lisabet nodded, despite her bewilderment. Originally, she had wanted to invite that young man and thoroughly discuss the expansion of trade with the Kingdom. If she could make concrete plans for expanding trade with the Kingdom, that would become the power to move the Empire.

"However, the Kingdom must reach that point via the route we demand..."

Dagobard-denka pointed at the map. His finger traced an arc across the great river. When Princess Lisabet realized the meaning of that, the color drained from her face.

"Th-that is, far too much..."

Princess Lisabet's eyes widened at Dagobard-denka's words.

"There should be no problem. After all, it is something the Kingdom claims it can do. Of course, since I will be attending, the Kingdom must prepare suitable individuals for it, including, of course, the person in charge of that 'new city'."

Dagobard-denka grinned. His eyes looked past Princess Lisabet and gazed far to the south, out the window.