233 Episode 16 Peace Talks V. (1/2)

I thought King Ludwig I would have listened to you?

Hercule said to Cecilia, who had come over, rather sullenly.

This is because the content of the meeting was slightly different from what Cecilia was talking about ......, that is, ”Ludwig I will listen to you.

Don't worry. I've just spoken to King Ludwig I.

And he smiled with pride.

If Hercule admits that King Fraling is equal in status to the Emperor of Lemuria, then Ludwig I is prepared to concede defeat and cede territory to Lemuria.

...... You're awfully straightforward.

I'm not sure if it's possible for that man to bow down and cede his territory?

I'm not sure what to make of that.

(Well, but the difference in power is overwhelming. The man must have cooled down.

Hercule decided to think about it and felt a little relieved.

However, ...... Hercule himself does not have the luxury to complain about King Ludwig I. (King Farus).

(King of the Foulds ...... is only conducting a military exercise.

So far, the army of the Kingdom of Phallus is only conducting military exercises near the border of the Lemurian Empire. ...... There is no sign of an invasion.

However, we don't know when they will breach the border.

Even if they do attack, it is unlikely that they will be able to break through the defense line so easily. ...... A two-front strategy against the Kingdom of Fars and the Kingdom of Fulling will be difficult.

(You mean you won't allow us to expand our influence any further? Not at all. ......)

We have already been negotiating with Sasan VIII of the Kingdom of Phars through Scheherazade and Todris.

However, he has not shown any sign of retreating.

We have made a proposal for tribute money as a test. ......

(He proposed thirty times the amount of our proposal. (There is no way we can pay the equivalent of five years of the national budget.

It is better to compromise with King Ludwig I than to pay five years of the national budget.

But ...... is only about profit.

What matters is the face.

I'm not willing to admit that the position of King Fullerling is equal to that of Emperor of Lemuria.

”Only in terms of diplomatic protocol, sir. Master Hercule. Since the Emperor of Lemuria is still the agent of God on earth and the protector of the princess maidens, ...... isn't it obvious that the Emperor of Lemuria is in fact superior?

As a nation, we are equal when it comes to negotiations.

But when it comes to princesses and messianism, the Lemurian emperor is still the higher authority in terms of religious authority.

Cecilia explained to Hercule.

...... Well, there is the precedent of the Kingdom of Chellda and the Kingdom of Faerus, if you want to equate them in terms of diplomatic protocol.

The Kingdom of Chellda was conducting diplomatic negotiations with the Lemurian Empire on an almost equal footing.

And so did the Kingdom of Phallus.

But this was only allowed because both were heretics and pagans to the Lemurian Empire.

Since the Kingdom of the Fuller Ring is also an Orthodox country, there is inevitably a dispute over who is the guardian of Messianic Orthodoxy.

The city of Lemuria, where the Lemurian Patriarchate is located, is a territory of the Lemurian Empire. The city of Lemuria, where the Patriarchate of Lemuria is located, is a territory of the Lemurian Empire, and the guardian of the Princess Priestess and the Church of Messiah is still the Emperor of Lemuria. In addition, can we not acknowledge their status as equals in terms of diplomatic etiquette?

”...... Well, if King Ludwig I is willing to admit defeat and cede his territory, I'm willing to accept it. But that depends on the territory.

It would be a great loss for Hercule if he were to give us a trivial fishing village.

This war is costing us a lot of money.

I would like to see some profit.

”King Ludwig I is ready to cede the city of Genoa.

”......

The city of Genoa.

It was one of the city-states that Hercule had been eyeing for some time.

You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

Genua City is an independent free city in the Kingdom of Edelna, under the patronage of the Kingdom of Fulling and its authorization.

The city of Genoa is an independent free city in the territory of the Kingdom of Edelna, under the patronage of the Kingdom of Fullerling and authorized by it.

King Ludwig I is playing a bigger game than I thought.

Hercule and Ludwig I have different opinions about the city of Genoa.

For Ludwig I, the city of Genoa was one of several ports that the kingdom of Fullerling used to go to sea.

The size of the port of Genoa is inferior to the ports of Edelna and Adleria.

Therefore, it is not a very valuable land for King Ludwig I at the moment.

However, the situation is somewhat different for Hercule.

The Lemurian Empire has a number of large ports.

Compared to such ports, such as Nova Lemuria and Cerda, the size of Genua's port is small.

However, it is not the size of the port that is important, but its location.

Genua is located at the base of the boot-shaped peninsula where the Kingdom of Edelna is located, on the west side of the peninsula.

It is just the opposite of the Republic of Adleria.

If this port comes under the control of the Lemurian Empire, it could become an important base in the western Album Sea.

Yes. If the Lemurian Empire were to take control of this port, it could become an important hub in the western Album Sea. ...... So it seems that King Ludwig I will not be able to hand it over so easily.

”Yes?　You're the one who said you're ready to cede it, aren't you?

He can't pay as compensation. I mean, it's a good cause.

”...... Hmm.

From Hercule's point of view, we've already achieved some of our war aims.

The Republic of Adluria is almost in our hands.

You can get a pro-Lemurian king who has defected from the Kingdom of Edelna as king, and the southern half of the kingdom can be effectively annexed as its territory.

The city of Lemuria and the Lemurian patriarchate would be acquired, and the Sisma would be brought to an end.

Finally, the emperorship of King Ludwig I is still under negotiation, but if King Ludwig I stops calling himself emperor and recognizes the religious authority of the Lemurian emperors and their status as guardians of the Messianic Church. It would be a good compromise for Hercule.

There is no need for Ludwig I to apologize, since he has as good as won, so there is no problem as long as he pays a little attention.

The problem is the justification for it: ......

'What is it you wish to make a name for yourself?　King Ludwig I.

It's a betrothal gift.

What's that?　...... Oh, I see. Constantina.

Constantina.

The baby girl born to Hercule and Karolina a while back.

She's growing up nicely now.

I have no intention of marrying her off!　I'm not going to give her to Ludwig I. I'm not going to give her to ...... you know.　I'm not going to give it to King Ludwig I. I feel sorry for him. I'm not going to give it to Ludwig I. I feel sorry for him. ...... I'm not going to marry an uncle like that.

For Hercule, marriage is just a political tool.

His daughter is just a political tool, a pawn in his game.

However, this does not mean that he has no love for his daughter.

Even Hercule feels that it would be too pitiful to marry her off to an uncle as old as King Ludwig I.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

...... I think he's about 20 years old?　Well, then.

The life expectancy of the High Elves and the High Warbeasts is about the same.

In other words, the age difference of about twenty years between Konstantina and King Ludwig II is not out of age difference.

I've heard that you are a reasonably intelligent prince.

I'm sure you are.　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject at ....... When that happens, Ludwig II's father-in-law, Hercule, will be his de facto guardian. What do you think of ......?

”Not bad.

Young . You'll outlive your opponent.