The talks are about to begin in earnest in the << meeting room>.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Before ......,

"Come in."

　A lady handed out tea in front of everyone.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Mm. Thank you.

　The king thanked his attendants and took a sip of tea.

　At about the same time, Prime Minister Beyax Gere and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Lutraga also took a sip.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"You may drink, too," they said.

　He then offered it to Gaju Tugga and his party.

"Bon appétit!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Gaju Tshuga and the others also took a sip.

"This tea is very tasty.

"It is ......, isn't it?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The king nodded broadly.

　Gaju Tsuga looked at Manon with a sideways glance. She gently closed her left eye.

　This was the agreed-upon signal to indicate that the tea was free of any medicinal substance.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Well, I'm not here to drink tea. ...... Prime Minister, you're in charge of the proceedings."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　With a single deliberate cough, Prime Minister Beyax Gere opened his mouth again.

"Now then, I would like to begin the meeting between the friendship envoy from <> and the leaders of the Principality of Jagus.

　The Duke of Jagus nodded silently.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Then, first of all, please state what the <> side wants from our country."

　Gaju Tugga was a little intrigued to learn that the Principality of Jagus would be meeting in this manner, but he decided it was time to concentrate on the meeting and coughed once in imitation of the Prime Minister.

Then I, Gaju Tshuga, will speak. ...... Yes, <>'s philosophy is <>."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The Prince was silent when he heard this, but seemed to snicker.

"At the same time, we also aim for <> and >, and that is why we are here."

"I see, that's quite a philosophy."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The king said with a cold smile.

"It's fine to have high ideals. But the reality is different. Peace?　What is peace?　When there are two or more people, they always start quarreling. There is no such thing as a world without conflict.

　The Prince continued.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Therefore, what they are saying sounds like nonsense.



　But Gaju Tugga was not silent.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Perhaps you are right. Maybe it's called , but people cannot stop fighting. But we can strive toward our goals. And that effort is what is precious.

"Hmmm, that's a beautiful thing to say."

　Again the king snickered.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Conflict. ...... There's no significant conflict in our country, is there?　We are at peace. There is no strife in our country, no malcontents."

"...... but there seems to be a conflict with the neighboring Principality of Norway?"

　Gaju Tugga pointed this out and the Prince chuckled.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"There is a difference between inside and outside the country. I am obliged to protect, maintain, and develop my country and its people.



　As far as he was concerned, Gaju Tugga thought, this sounded very plausible.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Development, you say?　I'm sorry, but it's hard to develop in a closed country, isn't it?"

"What?"

"There is a saying left by a man called 'Magus the Wise'. . ...... Monju is the god of knowledge and wisdom.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　In reality, Monju is not a god but a Buddha, but since there is no concept of in this world, he is called .

"In other words, if people get together and share their wisdom, they will be able to sublimate it into greater wisdom. In other words, people can reach greater heights by cooperating with each other.

　But the king was more interested in a particular word than in what was being said.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Ah, the wise man Magus. I have heard of him. I would like to know what kind of person he was.

　Tsuga thought that the story of the <> had apparently reached the Principality of Jagus.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He then gave a brief explanation of the <>.



"I see, that is indeed a man worthy of being called <>.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The Prime Minister says with a look of admiration on his face. It seems that even in this country, the Magus is a respected figure.



"But is it a good thing to be rich?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The king's tone is negative.

It can be said that material things make the gap between the rich and the poor. We are creatures who try to enrich our lives while at the same time trying to kick others down the road."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"...... Your thoughts are similar to those of the <."

　Gaju Tugga wanted to know how he would react to this word.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hmm, <>. I have heard of it. Do you think my ideas are similar to theirs?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yes. < denies material civilization and aims at spiritual evolution. However, as living beings, we are bound by matter. Therefore, we could not abandon matter.

"......How did it end up that way? Interesting.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The meeting continued in a tense atmosphere, with lunch interspersed along the way.



* * * * *

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　In Horai Island, the old man was monitoring the meeting and analyzing the information from Manon.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　That is what I am concerned about.

　According to the analysis of the old man, one of the reasons for the apparently unbalanced trade by the merchants of each country is that they are lightly brainwashing the people.

　However, this has not been confirmed yet.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　However, what is surprising is that they say that <>.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

<>.

　>, and it was unclear at the moment where this thought of his had come from.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The old man's evaluation is that they are much more difficult to deal with than the other three duchies.

　<<> is, of course, not the case with you, but with Gaju Tuga and his party.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

* * * *

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Gaju Tsuga also felt in his heart that the people of the Principality of Jagdus were not telling the truth.

　 has presented and demanded two things, one desirable and the other undesirable for the Duchy of Jagus.

　What is desirable is the provision of technology, and what is undesirable is the renunciation of war.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Since we do not know what the Duchy of Jaguar is aiming for, we cannot give any further conditions.



　At this point, Gaju Tugga decided to play a trump card.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Are you interested in leaving the country?"

"...... what?"

No, I said, are you interested in exploring abroad?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

What if I said, "......, yes?"

I said, "Let's talk about it."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　This was the beginning of the second round of talks.