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.
　That alone is a great advantage.

This marriage will be of great benefit to King Ludwig I as well. I would definitely recommend it for the sake of friendship between our two countries.

　For King Ludwig I, the benefits of this marriage were even greater than the fact that his son would not be able to challenge Hercule due to his position.
　Because of the state system, the kingdom of Fuhring was easily divided.

　If King Ludwig I dies, there is a possibility of a civil war.
　It would be fine if it was between children, but if the situation was bad, another family could usurp the kingdom.

　Therefore, the backing of Hercule, the emperor of a superpower, and the lineage of the Julianos family, the most prestigious family in the world, would be a great strength and have the effect of deterring a civil war.

　In order for Hercule to exert influence over the Fullerling Kingdom as his adoptive father, Ludwig II, the son of Ludwig I, would have to take the throne.

　Even if that were not the case, there was no way that Hercule would just sit back and let his daughter and her husband be murdered.

"I see, I see. I understand what King Ludwig I was thinking. Genua City is a bridgehead in case of emergency. That's thoughtful.

　With Genua City, Hercule could send his navy and land forces into the Kingdom of Fulling.
　And while this bridgehead would work well enough to send reinforcements, it would not be enough to send troops for a war of aggression.

　This is because it is far away from the mainland of the Lemurian Empire.
　No matter how much transportation power the Lemurian Empire has, it will still need to cooperate with local forces.

　The Lemurian Empire is located in such a perfect location that it would not pose too much of a security problem, and would allow the Lemurian Empire to exert pressure on any unsettled forces within the country.
　Genua City is in such a perfect location.

Even my adoptive father can't interfere in the internal affairs of my country as long as Ludwig II has a decent intelligence. Hmmm, ...... something to think about.

　Was it Ludwig I or Cecilia?
　Whichever of them thought of it, it was not a bad idea, Hercule snorted.

But there are two conditions to the marriage.
"What are they, ......?
One, Constantina is too young. One, Constantina is still young. I'm not going to let her go until she's at least fifteen, maybe eighteen. Keep it to the engagement. But Genua City will pay in advance.
...... I'll try to persuade them, then.

　I'm sure King Ludwig I won't ask you to give up your child.
　It's reasonable that he won't marry until Constantina is grown up.

One more thing. Allow our merchants freedom of commerce in the realm of the Hullerling. I also demand the removal of tariffs from the ports.

I understand. I'll persuade him.

　This is also not a very serious request.
　There is no proper industry in the kingdom of Fulling to begin with.
　In fact, the merchants of the Lemurian Empire would benefit the kingdom greatly by entering the kingdom, which has no developed commerce.

I wasn't expecting much, but it's not a bad deal. I'm willing to make peace with you. ......
"No, Mr. Hercule. There's one more condition from King Ludwig I.
"What's ......?

　Hercule instantly became unhappy.
　Cecilia looked a little flustered and tried to make up for it.

I'm not sure what to say. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own website.

"Well, that's quite plausible. You and I are, in fact, good friends.



　Then Hercule put his hand on Cecilia's chin and tried to kiss her.
　But Cecilia dodged it.
　With a slightly red face, she said reproachfully.

We're talking about something serious now.

Is that so?　However, despite the concerns of King Ludwig I, I have no intention of stopping the effective control of Lemuria City and the Patriarchate. Even if we don't interfere with the Kingdom of the Fuller Ring, it is absolutely necessary for the control of our country and the rest of the Church.

　The control of the Church of Messiah is a pillar of diplomacy for Hercule and the Lemurian Empire.
　We can't give it up.

Yes. So, I'm thinking of stating that the churches in the ...... Fullerling Kingdom territory will not be influenced by the princess priestess.

"...... That would diminish your authority, is that okay?

I don't mind if it's for the sake of peace. I don't care if it's for the sake of peace. It's not right for Orthodox people to kill each other.

　Cecilia said with a big smile on her face.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

But who will rule the church in the kingdom of Fullerling?　You can't say that it's King Ludwig I, can you? If the princess maiden's influence does not extend to the first place, the sisma will not end.

The Church of the Fulling Kingdom is ruled by the Pope, the agent of the High Priestess.

"...... I see.

　In other words, Cecilia is trying to pretend that the Sisma itself, the Great Schism of the Church itself, never happened.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.
　And that person will effectively lead the church organization in the kingdom of Fulling.

　This way, the Church will not be legally divided.

So what's the plan for Lemuria?
"King Ludwig I said ...... that the Pope should have effective control over Lemuria. He also thinks that it should be a neutral zone.
"What neutral zone? What neutral zone? That would effectively be the territory of the Fulling Kingdom.

　Hercule sniffed.

I will not give it to the Pope, I will not give it to King Fulling.
But ...... the effective control of the Lemurian Empire is still a concern for King Ludwig I. ......
"Then I will give it to you, Princess Miko.

　In the event that you've got any questions concerning where by and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site.

(Hmm?)

　But when he looked at her again, Cecilia's eyes widened and a look of surprise appeared on her face.
　And then, immediately, her face lit up.

"Are you sure?
"Well, as long as it's in the form of a donation, you won't feel any discomfort. I'm sure you won't complain." (...... Is it my imagination?)

　Suddenly, Hercule felt as if Cecilia had "made" him say it.
　With some doubt, Hercule shook his head left and right.

No, you can't. I don't want to let you go.
"Is that a ...... proposal?
What?

　The next thing you know, Cecilia is red-faced and squirming.
　It's very cute, and it tickles Hercule's protective and controlling fancy.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

Cecilia's soft breasts pressed against Hercule's body, "Even if the effective control of Lemuria City is mine, as long as I am Hercule-sama's, don't you think that I am ultimately Hercule-sama's?

　With a snap, Cecilia winked.
　Hercule read Cecilia's intentions.

　In other words, Cecilia was trying to trick King Ludwig I.

"...... You're absolutely right. Will you marry me?
"Yes. We'll have a beautiful ceremony, please.

　Their lips met.




"What the hell ...... are you doing ...... with a hickey on your neck? That's fine. All you have to do is tell King Ludwig I the terms that Hercule said.

　Cecilia muttered quietly as she walked away from Hercule.