"I apologize for this treatment of you when I should have been honored to host you as a guest of honor.

No, no, no, I'm not...

Come on, come on down. This is the Palace of Northlea, the capital of Orleans.

Huh, huh...

　She introduced herself as the Queen--Feliana Northlea Olvans, and Alisa and I were led straight into the royal capital. As expected, though, Puppy was asked to wait at a slightly distant position because of the confusion in the city.
　They were then put in a carriage and brought straight to the palace. Alisa looked uneasy, but she reassured me by telling me overheard that I could take care of it if the situation arose.
　If Feliana is trying to bring harm to us, I won't hesitate to do so.

'It's over here,'

Huh....

Normally, I should be acting as the queen of the Kingdom of Orleans, but I am sorry to say that this time I would prefer to have a private meeting with a private citizen. What do you think?

...and why is that?

　I genuinely questioned that in response to Feliana's words.
　I don't really understand how it's done publicly. But that doesn't mean that it's okay to just accept what the other side has to say. To begin with, I'm not smart enough to argue with them.
　If that's the case, it's quicker to ask them for their true intentions.

"This is the new country you mentioned earlier, Grandizia.

Yeah.

"Our country rejoices in the founding of Grandizia, and we want to work together as like-minded people. We would like to have an alliance, or at least an inviolable treaty. But at this time, having a record of an unofficial meeting with the king of this new country, Grandizia, would be detrimental not only to me, but also to Master Noah.

What do you mean?

The surrounding countries will not look good. Grandizia visited the Queen of the Kingdom of Orleans prior to the founding of the country--which is considered to be the highest regard for our country among the surrounding countries. At least, the empire will no doubt think so.

....

　I got to that empire before you did.
　Well, I got kicked out, so it was the same anyway. As it turns out, Feliana is the first important person from another country that I meet.
　If the empire says something to me, should I claim that I went there first too?

''If we make that a meeting between private citizens and private citizens, does that solve anything?''

I'm the queen of the Kingdom of Olvance, but I can't bind you to everything you do. I'm just meeting with my friend Noah as a private citizen. You can claim that.

...I see.

I hope that's okay with you.

　Uh-huh, says Feliana, smiling.
　No, I don't understand at all. But for now, I'll nod accordingly.
　It's not like you have any intention of doing any harm to me.

It's a good idea to have a private meeting. I hope that we can have a meaningful conversation.

Yes. First of all, I have a lot of questions for you.

Yes, sir. I will give you all the answers I can. Master Noah.

How do you know my name?

　I've never said my name in this country.
　But Feliana clearly knew my name. She called me 'Noah Whitefield' with a certainty.
　You can't do that without any information. In other words, Feliana had researched me beforehand.

''The Kingdom of Olvance and the Draukos Empire have been enemies for a hundred years. We still have skirmishes, but if something happens, the edge of the war will open up immediately. Therefore, in order to ensure that the information from the Empire reaches our country as quickly as possible, a number of insiders have been infiltrated. Of course, it's exactly the same with the Draukos Empire. There will undoubtedly be someone somewhere in our country who will carry information to the Empire.

You mean, the spy?

I see. And so, Imperial adventurers Randy Jackman and Shelly MacLaine have provided the Emperor with information about Master Noah. I couldn't believe my ears at first, but with his ability to harm even the Drake Death Sizer and his ability to control dragons at will we knew he would become a formidable foe. Wa.

....

　Drake is still alive. He's just a bit of a zombie.

But we have a better idea.

"Law.

I would like to support you with all my might as you build your country, Noah. We will also prepare a cause for the neighboring countries to claim the forest as their own. If necessary, we will write a letter of recommendation for your participation in the Continental United Nations. That is how much we can let other nations know that we value Master Noah and Grandizia.

You mean you have our back, right?

'As you wish, sir. If you need help with money or labor, I will help you with money or send you labor. If you wish to clear the forest, you may move the knights of our country to do so.

　It's too delicious a story.
　Of the Kingdom of Orvance, which is a great power on the continent, its queen will do her best to back me up - that will be necessary in founding my country. At the very least, my objective today was to 'declare the founding of the country to both the Draukos Empire and the Kingdom of Olvance'.
　The Empire's side gave me a cold reception, and the idea of walking together with the Kingdom of Orvance - that's not the case.

''One question.''

Well, what is it?

'I understand that this is something we need to talk about. I am indeed trying to build a country - a country called Grandizia. I'm thankful that the Kingdom of Orleans is backing me and assisting me in this endeavor. However, there is a part of me that is unavoidably caught up in this.

What do you mean?

What good would it do to the Kingdom of Orvance to do that?

　Feliana's decision as the head of the country is the opinion of the country.
　And a country is fundamentally driven by interests. No matter what you do, if you don't have an interest in it, you won't be able to act.
　The Kingdom of Orleans will be the backbone of my country - I don't think there are any benefits for the Kingdom of Orleans in that.

''Benefits?

'I'm sure it's gratifying for us. But to the kingdom for doing that...

It's a win-win situation. Of course, I'll tell you more about that in the future.

　Feliana smiled bewitchingly and crossed her arms.
　Along with the gesture, her chest rose to reveal her cleavage. Her eyes were drawn to it for a moment, and she gently averted her eyes.
　No good, don't be fooled by that kind of gesture from a woman.

''As I said before, my country and the Draukos Empire have been enemies for a hundred years.

Yeah ... earlier.

Between such an avenging enemy, the Draukos Empire, and our nation, a new nation that is so powerful that it can control dragons.

　Feliana's beautiful eyes - as if she was floating a distorted fire behind them.
　She looked at me and said.

''Wouldn't it be wonderful if such a powerful country and Olvance could form a friendship with each other?

　Still, Feliana doesn't look at me.
　Don't look at me, look beyond - at the Empire.

　See me and my country.
　As a military force - and I knew you were thinking about it.