About ninety years ago.
　The first "ship from across the sea" arrived at a port town on the west side of the kingdom, opening the door to the history of foreign relations in the modern era.

　The nationality of the ship that arrived was Stanza. To the people of Ergeland at the time - even to the members of the Crester family, descendants of the Wise Men who had passed down wisdom and knowledge from generation to generation - it was an unknown country, of which they had only a vague knowledge of the country's name and situation.
　However, just because we didn't know the other side didn't mean they didn't know us. There have always been a small number of people who, despite their various circumstances, have boldly challenged the raging seas and blowing mountains, and set off for the outside of the kingdom. Most of them may have lost their lives in the process, but a fortunate few may have made it to the other side of the sea or to the other side of the mountains, and let the people there know of the existence of the kingdom. In fact, the people of Ergeland knew of the existence of the Stanza Empire, even if only in name, thanks to the castaways who came from across the sea.
　However, before the name of the country was changed to "Ergeland," from the time of the predecessor city-states, the word "invasion" had never crossed the minds of the Kingdom's people, and even if they were told that there was a country called the Stanza Empire on the other side of the sea, they would just say, "Hmm. Hmm". In both good and bad ways, they have little interest in the other side.
　That's why for many years, the Kingdom of Ergeland, a country with an easy-going character, had an opinion of the other side of the sea and the other side of the mountains that was limited to "I heard there is such a country" and "Wow.

In the world, countries like Japan, which are dedicated to "defensive defense," are in the overwhelming minority. As humanity's technological capabilities increase, medical care develops, and the population grows, there will naturally be a shortage of land to live on. In search of a more affluent life, a country seeks a large and comfortable land, mountains rich in valuable materials, forests and oceans where many living creatures live for food. That's what a country is.
"In other words, ...... the Stanza Empire grew that way, and is a typical force-oriented nation?
The most common cause of death for men in the Stanza Empire is death in battle. I've heard that the situation has calmed down since the emperor united that area a few generations ago. Even so, skirmishes with minority tribes still occur on a daily basis, and all adult males in the Empire, with a few exceptions, are required to serve in the military. Therefore, it is said that the number of ordinary people who lose their lives in battle will never decrease.
I'll tell you what, as a combat veteran, an amateur with a weapon who hasn't been trained on a daily basis standing on the battlefield is, quite frankly, just a distraction.

　Edward and Chris nodded profoundly at Alford's opinion, and although they could not be seen, a hint of agreement fell from above. In the event that you've got any questions regarding the way to use the internet, you'll be able to contact us at the web site.

I'm sure that for the Stanza family, who have been looking for a better place to live for many years, perhaps even since the beginning of the country, the Kingdom of Ergeland, which is located on the other side of the ocean, must have looked very attractive. In the event that you're not familiar with farming, you'll be able to go into the forest or the sea and you won't have any trouble finding food. In fact, it's not that easy, but it's not surprising that Stanza had excessive expectations for the Elgrand Kingdom, which he had only heard about.
You're saying that if we invade and conquer the kingdom of Ergeland on the other side of the river, the people will live a more prosperous life?
Yes, indeed.
It's an idea I understand, but I don't agree with it. As a king of a country, you must respect the people and the royal family of other countries as much as you do for the well-being of your own people. Although our ideology and history may differ, we are the same people and the same country that has been around for a long time. In the first place, the wealth that can only be obtained by overrunning other countries will be nothing more than a useless and expendable commodity.

　Juke's words were spun with a natural expression on his face. This is the very idea of the kingdom that the royal family of Elgrand has been upholding since the days of the Kingdom of the Lake, long ago. Juke has read and inherited from the past kings as a matter of course, something that he could not have learned from the distorted education he has received.
　I'm sure you'll agree with me.

I agree with you, Your Majesty. Nature is indeed unequal, some places are blessed with forests and soil, like our country, while others are dominated by wind and sand, like the Stanza Empire. I've only heard stories of places where the ice doesn't melt all year round, and places where half the land sinks into the sea when the tide comes in.
I can't even imagine. ....... The world is so big.
Yeah. But no matter where you are, you can certainly live in a way that is rooted in the land. It's not only the harshness of nature that makes it so. The forest has its own challenges and blessings, the sand has its own challenges, the ice has its own challenges, and the sea has its own blessings. We humans, as part of nature, have nurtured the strength to overcome trials and the wisdom to receive blessings, and have lived in each place and each time. I feel that our ancestors have taught us that this is the way to create true wealth.
But the ...... stanza empire is probably one of the harshest places in the world, where you can only feel the trials that nature gives you. If it is difficult to even find blessings, the human mind will be exhausted. An exhausted mind can make what someone else has seem more wonderful than it really is.
If the people of the Stanza Empire are so trapped that they find it easier to take what someone else has than to face the land they live on, ...... that's very sad and pathetic.

　Shayla added softly to Juke's words. In the event that you've been informed of the danger of invasion, the people around you will look at you with respect as you feel pity for the other country before hostility.
　I'm sure that Juke and Shayla will be fine - Diana's expression changed to a serious one.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. --As Shayla said, it is a sad thing, but they do not know any other way to enrich their country. Therefore, ever since they learned of the existence of the Kingdom of Elgrande, they have been developing their shipbuilding and shiphandling skills, thinking that one day they would invade this side.
There is an overland route from Stanza to Ergeland, but it requires crossing several countries and trudging through the Goddess Mountains, where it snows all year round. Stanza is also a country that has benefited from the sea and rivers. In terms of straight line distance, they probably took the sea route rather than the land route.
"However, they were also uncertain about our country's internal situation. No one would be so foolish as to invade a country whose national strength and internal affairs were unknown to them. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.
So, those who appeared at the western port about ninety years ago and wanted to trade with the Kingdom of Elgrand--
The people who wanted to trade with the Kingdom of Elgrand, who appeared in the western port about ninety years ago, were probably what we call "spies" with close ties to the upper echelons of the Stanza Empire.

　It was a simple revelation that could have turned the country upside down.
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I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
"No, Master Letitia. It's been ninety years since they first set foot in the kingdom. They have already penetrated deep into the kingdom on the pretext of trade, and we cannot deny the possibility that they are not only leaking information, but are even working to weaken the country.
"No way. ......!　I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.
"Calm down, Letty, Shayla. It's pointless for House Kiel to cut ties with the Stanza Empire alone.
Then you should inform the merchant families.
If Stanza is the only one planning to invade Ergeland, that might be a good idea.

　This time, everyone in the room rolled their eyes and looked at Diana with a pale face.
　After a few moments of silence, Keith opened his mouth, slowly pushing up his glasses.

In short, this country is now in a state of national security crisis, with all sides watching vigilantly for an opportunity to invade?
The north side is not an ocean that can be crossed by humans with today's technology, so we can rule it out for now. But the east, west and south are.


That's ...... how many countries are there?
"Including the stanzas, I'd say three moderately large countries. In terms of direction, the stanzas are from the west and south, and the two countries on the other side of the mountains are from the east.
Two countries from the east?
If the two countries in the east were to crush each other, we would have a little more room. Since the two countries are about the same size and have almost the same power, they are planning to strengthen their power by acquiring the other country (Ergrand) on the other side of the mountain before they destroy each other.
"A match between two people of equal ability is very exhausting for both the winner and the loser. It's only logical to prioritize becoming overwhelmingly stronger than one's opponent for the future.
I can understand that, but for those of us who are being targeted for it, it's not so easy. It's just so annoying.

　I'm still in sympathy with Stanza's situation. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.

Really, that's it.
"Think of the effort we'd have to go through to get rid of you every time you start sneaking around.
The coastline is better because it's easier to see. It's hard enough to get people who risk their lives to come down the mountain to the forest to go home. They don't even know they're being noticed, so we have to make the forest path difficult and confusing to create the mystery of 'no matter how many times I enter the forest, I keep coming back to the same place.
But you're not really doing that, are you?
"Of course I'm not the one who's actually doing it. Whenever there's an intruder, I have to listen to everyone's voice and figure out how to confuse them.
Okay, enough about Krester's troubles. I think it's time to explain the main issue of why we're encouraging trade with other countries even though we're in danger of invasion and pretending that we don't know about it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what I'm talking about. Deanna, realizing what was said, said, "I'm sorry," and sat back down deeply.
　Juke gives her a deep, intense look.

"Red Rose. If you and the others of Cresta have such a deep understanding of the situation in the kingdom, then of course the kings of the past knew about it, right?
"Of course, sir. The king at that time, His Majesty Juke's great-grandfather, was well aware of the fact that the Stanza Empire on the other side of the sea was an armed nation. He could not have been indifferent to the news that a Stanza-registered ship had arrived in port.
It is a little-known fact that the kingdom imposed few restrictions on trade with foreign nations until more than a decade after the first stanza arrived. Before that, although not prohibited, there were strict restrictions and controls on the goods exchanged and the people involved. Isn't that right, Al?
Yeah. If you look it up, you'll find it in the records and history books. It's just that the time that followed was so turbulent that it's a blur.

　No one doubted the words of the Swoon family, the greatest historical researchers.
　They all nodded, and Shayla looked at Diana with a flash of lightning in her spring sky eyes.

So, ...... something has happened in the ten years since the Stanza Empire ships arrived in port. Or was the ban on free trade lifted as a result of something they did?
"Both are correct, Shayla.

　Nodding her head, Deanna looked around at everyone.

At the time, the second and third sons of the Cresta family were thinking of moving to another country. Fortunately, he pretended to have hit it off with the Stanzas and went straight to Stanza. --The purpose, of course, was to spy on the Stanza Empire.
Incidentally, his descendant is that loving wife of yours I was telling you about.
The reason why we are still in contact with their family is not so much because of their penmanship, but more because of the role they played. If you go inside the empire and secretly look into the empire's technology, military power, and developed weapons, you will find that the overall military power of the Stanza Empire far surpasses that of the Kingdom of Ergeland. It's not surprising, since the country grew by relying on military power.
It's not a matter of individual skill with the sword. If you want to have a good time, you need to have a good time. And yet, it had a long range. With such a state-of-the-art weapon, there was no way they could win.

　Edward, an expert in combat, held up a finger at this point.

"Here's the problem. What do you think is the best way to avoid losing against an overwhelmingly unwinnable enemy?

　Everyone, except those who knew the answer, turned silent and thoughtful. After about ten beats of silence, a voice fell from above.

I'll check, Mr. Edward. We don't lose, do we?
"Yes.
Yes. Then we'll run.

　Kai's answer was given as if it were the truth of the world. The others who had been pondering looked up, their faces struck with disbelief.
　Shayla raises her eyebrows and asks, "What did you say?

"What did you just say?
I said, 'run away'. I mean, if you're going up against someone who has no chance of winning, you don't want to lose, right?　If that's the case, then running away is the quickest way.
But won't that mean that they'll catch up with you and eventually you'll lose?
If he's chasing us right away, we'll run to a place where his best weapon won't be able to use its maximum power. If it doesn't come after us, we'll have to wait and see. If it is not chasing you, then you can think of a countermeasure after you have escaped. You can buy a weapon that will give you an advantage over your opponent, or you can simply improve your skills. In a fight, you win if you have a life. The old man said, "Running away is winning.
...... You're good, Kai.
I don't want to fight with your kind. You're not a good match.
I don't want to fight you either, Edward. I don't want to fight you either.


"Wait, wait, wait!

　Juke puts his hands out in front of him, seemingly unable to keep up with the bouncing conversation between the room and the ceiling. He fixed his gaze on Edward.

You can't see what's going on if you're only convinced by those who can fight. What's the point?
In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.
"...... I see.
I think I finally see what you're talking about.

　In contrast to the impatient Juke, a voice of understanding came from the childhood friend duo of Raia and Yolanda, who had been silently following the story until then. After nodding their heads several times, Leticia and Shayla asked.

I'm not sure I see it yet. ......
What did you two understand about what I just said?
Well... Maybe it's hard to see for two people so close to the outside world.
Oh. If we're talking about proximity, I'd say you're closer than Letty and Master Shayla.
I have half the blood of the Stanza people, but my mother was more critical of the empire. --I'm sure I'm half Stanza citizen, but my mother was more critical of the way the empire was run, which is why Edward's story made sense to me.
"Oh, ......, is that what you mean?

　This time, Keith's expression changed when Raia said that. I'm not sure what to make of that.

It is true that from that perspective, the current situation is probably the least gratifying for the Stanza Empire.
"It's not just Stanza. If a country that wants to start a war were to respond like this, most countries would be baffled.
That's true. I'm sure it was the Cresta's who came up with this absurd plan anyway, but ...... it seems that their thinking is just as out of whack now as it ever was.
Is that a compliment or a put-down, Keith?
I'd say it's undermining ......, but unfortunately it's a compliment.

　I'm not sure if it's a compliment or not, but I'm sure it's a compliment to Keith because he's not very good at lying. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.

I'd like to ask you both, for example, what do you think would happen if a strong man suddenly hit a weak woman while she was walking down the street?
That man would be condemned by the people around him and he would be caught.
"Then the man claims, 'He stole my wallet, I was just trying to get it back! "Then what if the guy claims, 'He took my wallet, so I'm just trying to get it back,' and actually finds a man's wallet in the woman's pocket?
In that case, you might be guilty of ...... hitting her out of the blue, but there might be room for extenuating circumstances.
So. --The same logic holds true between countries.

　If you violate a country that has done nothing but live peacefully in its own backyard with only a hundred percent selfishness, the neighboring countries will not remain silent. If Ergeland and Stanza were the only countries in the world, it would be a different story, but since there are several other countries besides Stanza that want the kingdom, an easy invasion without a good cause would give the neighboring countries an excuse to intervene, and in the worst case scenario, Stanza would be outnumbered as "evil. If we are not careful, the stanzas may be forced into an inferior position as "evil. Then, no matter how strong the weapons are, the people's morale will not rise and it will be difficult to continue the war.

In order for the Stanza Empire to attack the Kingdom of Ergeland with impunity, it would need a reason that is obvious to everyone. Something like the 'purse-snatching' I mentioned earlier. Then it's easy. Just don't give them an excuse. We'll be very friendly on the surface, and we'll lift the ban on all trade with foreign nations, and let people come and go as they please. Any citizen of the Empire of Stanza can come to the Kingdom of Ergeland, and we will not stop the people of Ergeland from coming to Stanza. If you want to live here permanently, you'll have to go through some investigations and procedures, but even then, you won't be denied permission unless there's something wrong. If you invade a country that welcomes you so openly, who will be criticized more, the invader or the invaded?
"Wow, .......
"Oh, sure, that's the hardest thing to do. ......
"By applying this policy in all directions, we have created a situation in which we can use a third country as a shield, even if only temporarily, if one of the countries becomes paralyzed and attacks us. They took full advantage of the situation where they were being targeted by several countries at the same time. Incidentally, this plan was only possible if people believed that the Kingdom of Ergeland was completely peaceful and harmless, and that it was a flower garden that welcomed all comers, so the surrounding countries' harmful intentions toward the Kingdom of Ergeland were generally kept secret. Only a few people, including the Old Ones, know about it. I'm sure there are a few people out there who are aware of what's going on and are looking out for it.
"That's why a family like ours that owns a territory along the border needs to do some tedious tricks. The other side of the mountain, they sometimes send a few scouts, but since they don't know the threat of invasion in the first place, you can't eliminate them head-on. You can't eliminate them head-on. You have to provoke them from behind the scenes, get them to show their weapons, and then say, "Bandits! It's a bit of an extra step.
"At the southern end of the Goddess Mountains is Crester territory, and at the northern end is Mondrian territory. It's the easiest overland route to get to and from the other side of the mountains, so these two houses guard the borders because they know what's going on and are less likely to get into trouble if you're a bit reckless and unreasonable.

　The same can be said along the coastline, where there are ports that foreign ships can easily reach due to the tides and other factors, it is usually the territory of the ancient families and the royal families. The Mael region of Cresta, where the port of Ciria is located, is also one of them.
　The three who had been quietly listening to Deanna's explanation, Raia, Yolanda, and Keith, smiled stealthily almost simultaneously.

I've always wondered if the Cresters are good people or bad people. --I've always wondered if the Cresta's are good or bad people, though I suppose it's mostly a reflection of the humanity of the stanzaic emperors of the past, who, despite their ambitious and greedy nature, are so concerned with appearances that they invent anecdotes of heroism and superficial justice. But even so, such a strategy would require a devilish understanding of the human mind to come up with.
Rather, even if you did, you would usually hesitate. It's a grand scheme to deceive and involve all the people. Even if it's the best plan with the highest chance of winning, right?
"I wholeheartedly agree with you, Waterlily and Suzuran. Even though the time has come and gone, the wisdom of the "military strategist" is still alive and well.
"...... is being talked about in the present. I'm sure it was my great-great-grandfather who framed this plan, but he's long since passed into the grave.
What... Like Dualis, you've inherited it well.
I don't like it when people talk about me in the same breath as my father. ......

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In addition, this 'ostensibly friendly trade promotion' has other objectives, one of which is to naturally raise the national strength and technology of the Kingdom of Ergeland itself. Trading with foreign countries with advanced technology will raise the level of the country, no matter what. Second, the natural migration of informants (spies). This is probably mutual, but at least we have some idea of who is coming from outside the country, thanks to the cooperation of those who work behind the scenes. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. --Intelligence warfare has been the family art of the Cresta since ancient times, you know. This is not a family that will sit back and let a newcomer do whatever he wants on this peninsula.


"Heh, ......, I see.
...... Edward-sama, of course, but Dee is also a direct descendant of the Cresta family, isn't she?
I'd like to get into what that means, but I'll save that for later. The third and most important objective is to buy time while accumulating enough military power to drive away the attackers when they come. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
This is exactly what Kai was talking about.
"In a short while, you will be inspecting the entire kingdom. I'm sure my father will show you around. This is the most important secret in the kingdom today, so Crester, who is in charge of the kingdom's "backroom", is working on it in secret .......

　Once the words were cut off, Deanna exhaled deeply once more.

In the event that you're not able to get into the details, you should at the very least have an idea of what kind of measures are in place behind the free trade with foreign countries,......, Alford-sama.
It's a good thing I was able to explain everything to you at once, now that I've told you .......
It's not like we're here today to explain all of this again. We're here to sort out the current situation and discuss the future of the palace.
So, shall we get back to it?

　Kai's suggestion was clearly meant to be funny, but I was all for getting back to the topic at hand. There was no objection from the room either.

"Yes. Let's get back to it.

　The subject of the story is to go back in time to the spring of last year, to the rear palace.
　Back to the palace of the time when Deanna was not here.