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　The talks in the Principality of Norway are still ongoing.

"......, so perhaps the four duchies have slightly different principles."

　So, perhaps, the four duchies have slightly different principles," said Duke Keith Tennick de Norha, who had finished explaining the situation for the time being.

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　Vizier Prems High Yasna added: "The transportation is scarce.

"The lack of transportation and the priority given to the unity of the countries means that there is very little exchange between the Principality and the other Principality.

"...... Thank you very much."

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　Gaju Tugga thought that this explanation had clarified a lot about the situation in the four duchies.

　Then he was asked if he had any other questions,

"I understand that you have a national culture of respect for reason. What do you think about other countries in ......?

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　Tsuga then connected the question with an important question: "Other countries.



"Other countries? ...... I have to admit that I'm not very interested in them."

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　The answer was given by the Prince.

There is still much room for development within our country. We can't afford to communicate with other countries.

"Is that what you mean ......?"

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　It is true that roughly 70% of the country's land area is undeveloped.

　In such a situation, invading other countries will not make much sense. In fact, it would probably reduce the power of the country.

"We know that other countries are in the same situation. No, it may be worse because there is no lake.

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"That's right, Your Majesty. We have plenty of water with our possession of Lake Kotsi and a part of Lake Yatoh. There is no need to invade other countries.

　The Prime Minister agreed with the King.

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(......)

　Fionn Phias was relieved inwardly, though he did not say so.

(Then, the only thing left to talk about is that subject ......)

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"Your Majesty, I thank you for the many things we have talked about so far."

"Yes."

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"May I ask one last in-depth question?"

"Of course. ...... is this about the ?

"Yes!"

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　Gaju Tugga had no choice but to ask a question, and the Prince had guessed exactly what he was going to say.



"Ha-ha-ha, what if you don't know that much?　I heard that you have visited three duchies, including ours. The remaining one is the Principality of Jagus. And indeed, that country is a mystery to me.

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　So says the king.

"Are you aware of the ongoing conflict in the Plains of Mycenae?"

"Yes."

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"Yes. The Duchy of Jagus and my country have been at war for a hundred years or so. Or rather, we've been fighting them off because they've been messing with us.

　Perhaps they want water resources, the king concluded.

　But...

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"May I offer an opinion?"

　Gaju Tugga did not think so.

"Yes, of course. What do you say?

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"Yes, thank you. You mentioned ...... water resources, but looking at the topography, it would be next to impossible to get water from lakes Kotsi and Yato to the Principality of Jagus.

"Indeed. I understand what you are saying. But that's what the people of the Duchy of Jagus say.

What?

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"Prisoners of war captured in the conflict have said so!"

　Now the Prime Minister answered.

"Not just one, but more than ten people have said the same thing, so I'm sure there is no mistake."

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"I see. ......"

　However, it is quite conceivable that it was their policy not to reveal their true purpose to low-ranking soldiers, and furthermore, it is not impossible that they intentionally made them prisoners of war in order to deceive them into believing false information.

　When Gaju Tugga said that,

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"Well, of course, I don't discard that possibility.

　Gaju Tsuga responded, "Yes, of course, that is a possibility.

"But there is no other reason that makes sense to me. The Maise Plain is a wasteland.

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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　The old man in the audience was convinced.

　When Jin and Rhodoth had escaped from the Duchy of Jagus, the plain of Maise was a desolate land with only a few grassy patches.

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　At the time, Jin thought that it was desolate because of the conflict between the Duchy of Norway and the Duchy of Jags, but in fact, it was desolate from the beginning.


　The old man was not convinced that it had been ravaged by a small skirmish, though he did not know if a battle among tens of thousands of golems would have occurred.

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　That is fine. However, it was not clear why the Duchy of Jagus was going to the east.



* * * *

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　Even the Duchy of Norway, which has been in conflict with the Duchy of Jagus, has not clarified the reason.

Please forgive me for saying so. ...... Perhaps they want to expand further east?"

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　Fiona Fias, who had been silent up to this point, opened her mouth.

"What?　...... vice-envoy, what do you mean by that?"

　The king, who did not understand the meaning of Fionn Fierce's statement, asked a question.

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"Ah, yes. Well, I was wondering if the purpose of the Duchy of Jagus might not be here in the Duchy of Norja, but further to the east. ......"

　The Duke seemed to have an idea, though he did not seem sure of his answer.

"Umm...... then, is it possible?　No. ......"

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　I ponder for a moment.

"The ......?"

　Fionn Fiasse paled a little, wondering if she had said something wrong,

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"No, my lieutenant. Don't worry about it."

　The Prime Minister quieted her and she breathed a sigh of relief.

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



>

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　The old man listened to what the Prime Minister said and thought about it.

　To the east, there is a mountain range running from north to south, and to the north of the mountain range, there is the huge Lake Omosele.

　To the east of that is another huge mountain range, but I don't think that the Duchy of Jagus would want that much.

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　So, the old man decided to investigate the eastern mountains on his own.

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He decided to investigate the mountain in the east on his own.



May I ask one more question?

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　Now Manon raised his hand.

"Oh, sure. If you have any questions, just ask.

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty. I have heard that you also use golems in your conflicts with the Duchy of Jagus, is this true?

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　The question seemed to startle the king a little, but only for a moment.

　The next moment,

"Well, you seem to know a lot about it. ...... is right. And that is the main reason why the economy is under pressure.

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　He replied with a bitter look on his face.