(...... 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.

　Sasan VIII's goal is to prevent the Lemurian Empire from gaining any more power.
　Therefore, the conditions that Sasan VIII would offer to Hercule I would be enough territory and treasure to offset the benefits that Hercule I would gain from the Edelna War.

　Rationally speaking, he would rather make peace with the Fulling Kingdom than with the Firth Kingdom.
　If you have a princess maiden as an intermediary, you will gain more and lose less if you negotiate with the Fullerling Kingdom and make a compromise.

　...... Yes, if Hercule I is rational.
　The problem is that he may not be rational.

I came to the table because Hercule I was prepared to make concessions. This is not the same thing.
"Yes, it is ......, but don't worry.

　Cecilia smiled innocently at Ludwig I, who looked annoyed.
　This is a great way to make sure that you will be able to get the most out of your vacation.

I'll go talk to her.
I'll talk to her." "I have no intention of making any concessions.
"Don't worry. Don't worry, it's His Majesty Hercule who will make the concessions. If you talk to him sincerely, he will understand.

　If he understood sincerely, there would be no war.
　Ludwig I thought, but decided to listen to Cecilia for the time being, instead of saying it out loud.

If there are any mistakes, please let me know. If I'm wrong, please point it out. ...... Your Majesty's idea is this, isn't it?　It's fine to abolish the accession to the throne of West Lemuria. But I want a price. Isn't that right?　If that's the case, then I'll go and get what I deserve from Hercule.

...... What is it exactly?

The city of Lemuria.

　King Ludwig I's eyes widened.
　The city of Lemuria," said Cecilia to the surprised King Ludwig.

You think it's troublesome for Lemuria to fall into the hands of the Lemurian Empire, don't you?　Well, of course. If the division of the Church of Messiah is settled and its leadership is concentrated in me alone, ...... the influence of the Lemurian Emperor, who protects me and Lemuria City, will increase.

　The reason why King Ludwig I made up the "Pope" in the first place was because he feared interference in the internal affairs of the Lemurian Empire through the Church in the Fullerling Kingdom.
　So far, he has been able to eliminate most of that influence through his maneuvering during the schism. ......

　When the messianic churches are united again, it is possible that their influence will begin to grow.

　No, not likely.
　Inevitably, Hercule will interfere in the internal affairs of the Fulling Kingdom through the Church of Messiah.
　There's no way they won't.

So, let's tear Lemuria away from the Lemurian Empire. Of course, it will still nominally belong to the Lemurian Empire, and it may not be the territory of the Fulling Kingdom, but at least I'll put it together in a way that it doesn't belong to either of us.

...... Hmm." (So it will effectively become Edelna's territory?)

　It may or may not be possible, but it's not a bad deal.

But do you approve of Hercule I?　If I were you, I would not?

"Yes, so please ...... cede some of your territory to the Lemurian Empire in exchange. In return, you will receive the same status. Specifically ......, how about the city of Genua, for example?

　King Ludwig I frowned.
　The city of Genua is one of the free maritime cities that have begun to grow rapidly in recent years.

　It is not as big as the Republic of Adleria, but it has developed commercially in its own way.

　It is one of those cities that King Ludwig I would be happy to throw away, but not to give away.
　It is one of those cities.

If I were to give up my territory, it would be as if I were admitting defeat.

　However, for King Ludwig I, the act of ceding territory itself is a problem.
　Even if the territory is worthless, or even a burden to hold, if it is ceded, it will be the subject of domestic criticism.

　Strangely enough, humans are creatures who are attached to land.

How about a form of--?
"............That's fine, but ......

　Cecilia's suggestion was one that Ludwig I was rather pleased to hear.
　Of course, this was only if Hercule accepted it.

　At this point, Ludwig I suddenly had a question.
　Why did the girl in front of him want to reconcile him with Hercule so badly?

What's in it for you?
"...... I want credit. You know that, don't you?　I don't want to be belittled as a little girl anymore.

　Cecilia said, her voice filled with negative emotion.

And I don't want ...... to be insulted anymore. I don't want to listen to that man.

　Cecilia hugged her body with a look of humiliation on her face.


　(I've heard rumors that you've been threatened in various ways and asked for your body.

(I've heard rumors that he's been threatened in various ways and asked for his body, but from the looks of it, it seems to be true. I see. ...... If you think about it calmly, there is no way the relationship between those two is good. I'm sure you don't like men who demand your body as a condition of protection. (It must be quite humiliating for a ...... woman.

　Ludwig I had a little bit of sympathy for Cecilia.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one.

I'm ...... sick of it. I'm ...... sick of it, anyway. I don't want to be at his beck and call anymore. I want to give that man a blow to ...... remind him that he can't do what he wants with me so easily.

...... Hmmm... that's quite a difficult life you've led.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
　Ludwig I forgot that he had burned Gregorius, and thought, "What a wicked man to threaten such a girl and demand her body.

(But this guy's handy. Hopefully, I'll be able to get laid.

　Of course, he has no taste for coercion, and as a married man, Ludwig I has no intention of embracing Cecilia.
　It's just a figure of speech.
　Well, I wouldn't mind if this pretty girl asked me out. ......

　And after thinking that, Ludwig I got rid of the unimportant noise that came to his mind.

(At any rate, it is convenient for me that she dislikes Hercule I.)

　If Cecilia became pro-Fullerling, she wouldn't have to be afraid of "interference in the internal affairs of the Lemurian Empire", she could even "initiate interference in the internal affairs of the Fullerling Kingdom".

　Then, I have an evil thought that this woman might be able to make a proposal that is more favorable to my country if I ask for more.

But as long as the ...... Emperor of Lemuria calls himself the Guardian of the Princess Priestess, his influence will inevitably remain. And since our church is back under your command, it will be difficult to eliminate its influence. I desperately need the title of Emperor of Lemuria.

　I really need the title of Emperor of Lemuria." Ludwig I switches his argument from "I don't really need the title of Emperor of Lemuria" to "I really need the title of Emperor of Lemuria.
　It's a blatant switch, but it's a request based on the assumption that this innocent-looking girl will be able to deceive him.

　Then, perhaps wanting to get rid of the Lemurian Empire or wanting to get King Ludwig I on her side, Cecilia made a big offer.

So here's what we'll do. The churches in the territory of the Kingdom of Fullerling will remain the same orthodox Messianic Church, but the treaty will clearly state that they will no longer be under the command of the Princess Priestess.

What?　But with ......, who will be in charge of the Church in our country?

Yes, that's right. ...... This will not be written in the treaty, but will be a secret agreement between you and me.

　Grinning, Cecilia smiled.

It's me.

　King Ludwig I tilted his head for a moment.
　But he immediately understood her intentions.

　Then he reached out his hand to Cecilia.

I see, that's a good suggestion. That's a good idea. It'll save my face. I look forward to working with you on ......, Your Holiness.
"Yes, Your Highness.

　The two men shook hands firmly.





　Now, Cecilia sighs loudly as she walks away from King Ludwig I. "I managed to fool him.

"Somehow, you managed to fool me. Now all we have to do is ...... trick Hercule and we're done.

　Then she smiled bewitchingly.