232 Episode 15 Peace Talks IV. (1/2)

(...... both sides, both minimums are too different to talk about...)

Cecilia sighed involuntarily.

Hercule said, ”I will grant you independence, but the position of King Fulling is below that of the Emperor of Lemuria.

On the other hand, King Ludwig I's argument was, ”I'm willing to revoke your position as Emperor of Western Lemuria, but you are still equal to the Emperor of Lemuria, and if you revoke your position, you must pay a reasonable price.

(It's possible that he's just playing games with us.

It is a common practice to make unrealistic demands in order to negotiate.

The same is true in diplomacy and commercial negotiations.

However, things are not so easy.

It is good if, after making a demand, both sides can gradually make concessions to each other and come to an agreement, but it is often the case that a negotiation breaks down without making any concessions.

This is because it is not always the case that if you make a concession, the other party will also make a concession.

As a result, it is not uncommon for both sides to keep raising the terms of the agreement and not be able to reach an agreement. ......

Rather, this is more common in diplomatic negotiations.

(These two are the type ...... who have never made any concessions in diplomatic negotiations.

For Hercule and Ludwig I, diplomacy equals intimidation.

For both of them, diplomacy means intimidation, because they have never been defeated in a war - not even at the level of local warfare, but at the level of total interstate warfare.

It's okay to make concessions.

But only after the other side makes concessions.

But only after they do.

In fact ......

”I'm not going to make any more concessions!

(No, at what point did you make concessions?)

Cecilia can only be dismayed inwardly.

(Negotiation for me and negotiation for these people seem to have different meanings even though they are the same word.

For Cecilia, negotiation is about how to obtain the minimum benefit while making concessions.

Because of her position, she has been forced to make various concessions to Hercule.

He has even sold his body (objectively speaking).

He has also negotiated with King Ludwig I many times regarding the church property of the Princess Priestess Faction in the Fulling Kingdom.

This is not because Cecilia is a weakling.

In fact, it is because she is weak.

The Church of Messiah does not have any real military power.

What it does have is the ”keys to heaven,” a shady religious authority that may or may not exist.

What is God's is God's, and what is the Emperor's is the Emperor's.

These words are a motto invented by the Messianic Church, which was trying to protect the Holy World from secular powers.

The fiction of the ”principle of separation of church and state” - that politics and religion are essentially the same ”festival” - was created by the clergy.

See ......

The secular powers quote the clergy when it suits them, and ignore them when it does not.

Hercule is a good example.

(So they have experience in using, but not in being used. These people are ....... Well, I can't blame them. (I'll take a stab at it here.)

Cecilia smiled inwardly.

This is because ...... up to this point, Cecilia has had her way.

It was obvious that the negotiations were going to break down.

Cecilia's goal was not to reconcile these two people.

Rather, she did not want them to make up.

If both of them were to get along, the authority and vested interests of the Messianic Church would be increasingly taken away by these two.

Divide and rule. (Divide and rule.) That's a very good quote. (...... I'll divide and rule, if I may be so bold.

I'll divide and rule.” Cecilia said to the two who were about to start arguing, hiding her inner thoughts.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results. ...... Since the discussion has already reached a boiling point, why don't we take a break?

Cecilia's suggestion was met with a look of disapproval from both of them, but they agreed.

It was only natural that both of them did not really want to fight - in other words, they wanted to make up.

They are hoping that the other will cool down and give in.

...... Although, as it is, neither side is going to make any concessions.

Now, Hercule and King Ludwig I have returned to their respective waiting areas.

They were probably planning to take a rest while conferring with their retainers.

Cecilia came to see King Ludwig I. ”Good day, Your Majesty.

”Good day, Your Majesty.

”...... Hmm, the High Priestess.

Ludwig I said, looking down at Cecilia.

I'm not going to call you ”Your Holiness.

He had no intention of recognizing such a small girl as the leader of his religious organization.

At least not until a formal treaty was signed.

According to you, Hercule I wants peace, doesn't he?

”He's an innocent man. He really wants to raise the white flag against you.

Ludwig I predicted that he would have told himself a lie anyway.

A third-rate mediator, self-proclaimed.

This is a common practice of third-rate mediators and self-proclaimed balancers.

Well, I'm the one who fell for it, albeit half-heartedly. ......

Ludwig I mocked himself.

I was actually clinging to a straw.

(......I don't know how long Sasan VIII will be able to keep deploying his army.

The Kingdom of Firth and the Kingdom of Fulling.

The Kingdom of Foulds and the Kingdom of Fulling do not border each other, nor do they have direct trade relations.

But this time, they have formed a temporary alliance against the Lemurian Empire.

This is because the two countries share a common interest in not allowing the Lemurian Empire to grow any further.

It is true that the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fahls have ostensibly formed a friendship through blood relations.

However, there has always been a potential territorial dispute between the two countries.

For the Kingdom of Phallus, the loss of an enemy that threatens the west of the Lemurian Empire is something that cannot be overlooked.

If the Lemurian Empire's entire military force is directed to the east, and if they are caught in the middle of the Kuro Rush, the Kingdom of Phallus will not be able to get away with nothing.

So far, the Lemurian Empire has swallowed up Bulgaron Chelda.

Up to this point, the Kingdom of Foulth could forgive them.

But the ...... swallowing of Edelna and even the evacuation of the Fulling Kingdom cannot be overlooked.

That is why King Sasan VIII chose to join forces with the ”infidel” King Ludwig I.

But ......

It's clear that he's just trying to use him. ...... If the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fars were to make peace, we would be the only ones who would have to draw the short straw.

Presumably, the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phallus are currently negotiating through diplomats.

If the Lemuria-Faals negotiations succeed before our negotiations, ...... the Fullerling Kingdom will be in a tight spot.

(......Well, I don't think Hercule I will accept the terms that Sasan VIII offers.