Across the table, the two sides stared at each other in silence.
　Ten seconds, twenty seconds ... time that resembles an eternity.
　Only the elaborately carved spring-loaded clock on the tabletop was silently ticking away.
(What did this guy just say...?)
　Pushing down the fear that crawled up his spine, Glisson repeated Ryoma's words in his mind.
　The Queen of the Elnesgoura Kingdom, Grindiena Erneshaar, is in the royal capital Dreizen, far away from the frontline base of Memphis.
　That is the only reality that the young man in front of him can know.
　The words of a young man with a straightforward gaze are supposed to be nothing more than nonsense.
　You're going to be able to find out what's going on in the world, but before you know it, Grissom's mouth is dry and his throat is sticking out.
(Don't tell me this guy has found out what His Majesty has in mind?
　From the reports of spies and merchants, I've heard that the young man standing before me is a sharp man.
　Although he is from a commoner's background, his wits could determine the fate of a nation....


"Nonsense Your Majesty is in King's Landing Dreizen...

　Hearing Glisson's words finally squeezed out of him after breaking the long silence, Mikoshiba Ryoma smiled with his lips lifted up.
　Just by looking at that expression, Ryoma is convinced that he has won the bet.

''Royal capital Dreizen........I don't think that's possible.

　Glisson's face contorts under Ryouma's stinging gaze.

''What in the world do you base that on........''

　Earlier, it was indeed Glisson himself who had been in control of the scene.
　However, the atmosphere of the place has changed dramatically.
Now, the person in control of this place is the young man with a thin smile on his face in front of him.
　He hadn't meant to insult the young man at the beginning, but this was beyond Grissom's imagination.
　Grissom unintentionally turns his gaze to the mirror on the wall, clinging to it....

'I do have a basis....it's just that I think it would save you a lot of trouble if you let me talk to you after I've had Lady Grindiena with you rather than explaining it to you now.

That's....

　Grissom choked on his words again.
　Neither affirmation nor denial was possible for Grissom.

'That's troubling ... as General Grissom knows, we don't have much time.

　Ryouma shook his head as if to say he was in trouble.
　In fact, Ryouma didn't have much time left.
　I'm not going to waste my time with someone who has no authority over me.
　Ryouma glanced at the mirror hanging on the wall.
　Glisson's face paled as he realized the meaning of that gaze.
(This guy........why?)

But it would be rude to show up unexpectedly and ask to see His Majesty. Commander Greed, if you'll excuse me.

Oh, hey.

　When he said that, Ryoma urged Greedo, who was standing beside him watching the course of events, to get up from his seat.
　Ryoma then turned to the mirror on the wall, bowed his head deeply, and headed for the door.
　Only Glisson and the other human knew the significance of his actions.
　With a black-and-white look in his eyes, Greed stood up from his seat, followed by Ryoma.

''Now then, if you'll excuse me. My men should be taking an inn in the castle town of Memphis, so I will come back later to inform you of the name of the innkeeper. I apologize to General Grisson, but I would like you to inform Lady Grindiena of my presence.

　Bowing again politely, Ryoma turned the doorknob of the room.
　But Ryoma closed the door that was about to open at the sound of a woman's voice from behind him.

''Enough of the gut-wrestling. Let's stop this farce for both of us.

　When Ryoma turned around, he saw a woman who shouldn't have existed before.
　Before he knew it, one of the bookshelves that lined the wall was at an angle.
　Perhaps she was watching Ryoma and the others' actions through a magic mirror. Then, they must have decided that there was room for negotiation and came out of the hidden room in the next room.

''I've been getting a lot of reports about you. You are a young hero of Roselia and an otherworlder summoned to the Oltmere Empire. Hey, Baron Mikoshiba.　

　A beautiful voice, like the ringing of a bell.
　And a voice with enough will in it to make one fall flat.
　With an overwhelming presence, the woman stood beside Grissom.
　However, Ryouma kept a calm expression on his face and quietly lowered his head.

''I am horribly pleased to see your face, my lord. Grindiena Erneshaar-sama.''

　As she watched, Grindiena Ernestial, the young Queen of Elnesgula, wearing a gleaming crown, smiled gracefully.


''Well then, let's hear what you have to say.

　Sitting down on the sofa, Grindiena turned her gaze to the face of Ryoma, who sat face to face.
　She certainly wouldn't be described as an immensely beautiful woman.
　Even though she was dressed in a gorgeous pure white dress with lace and jewels, if one were to compare her beauty in appearance alone, it could be said that she was several steps inferior to Lupis and Shardina.　
　However, her carefully combed blonde hair ripples gracefully and her almond-shaped eyes are filled with an intense light of will that attracts the viewer.
　In terms of age, she's probably in her mid-twenties, and she's probably in her thirties or something.
　That is the appearance of the woman who is rumored to be the northern vixen.

Which story should I start with?

　Hearing Ryoma's words, which he asked back without fear, Grindiena opened her eyes and smiled happily.

''That's right. Since Grisson seems to be concerned about it too, let's start by asking him why he decided I was in Memphis. That's fine with Grisson too, isn't it?

　Grindiena turns her gaze to Glisson, who stands beside her.

''Then.........''

　Seeing Glisson nodding silently at Grindiena's question, Ryoma quietly opened his mouth.

''To be honest, I did not know in advance that Grindiena-sama would be here. However, considering the various conditions, I thought you had the means to work closely with General Grissom, who is stationed in Memphis.

'So that means you understand what I want, is that what you think?

　Grindiena's eyes sparkled and she clapped her hands happily.

'It's not perfect ... but ... approximately.

　Ryouma nodded quietly and unfolded the map of the western continent that he had brought on the table.

''Good, dear. Those silly Zaruda guys wasted more than a year of time after I raised so many hints, and they still don't know... To be honest, I was secretly worried that they were going to be destroyed by Oltmere like this.　

　While talking about the survival of a country, Grindiena's tone is light, as if she were making small talk.
(After all, they've been weighing the scales so that it doesn't matter which way it goes..................as expected, they're only nicknamed vixens.
　Seeing Grindiena's attitude, Ryoma realized once again that his prediction was correct.

''Then let's hear your answer.

　Grindiena's eyes shine like a child who has been given a toy.

Yes, then........the first thing I noticed was that Elnesgoula's army had stopped invading Memphis after capturing it a year ago, even though they had raised their army so quickly. I took that as a signal to negotiate.

　If Oltmere invaded the whole of Zaruda, even Elnesgoura would not be able to remain silent.
　However, that doesn't mean that teaming up with Zaruda to fight Oltmere would not be beneficial to Elnesgoura.
　The Kingdom of Zaruda itself is located in a mountainous region, so it is unsuitable for the production of food.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find some good iron ore, but to ask for it would be the same as having no other industry in the kingdom of Zaruda and having to destroy the country.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to say that I am.
　No, the royal family of Zaruda itself is nothing more than an ally of the nobles.
　King Julian I of Zaruda is rumored to be mediocre by the public, and that was no surprise.
　He is only a mediator and representative, not the ruler of the Kingdom of Zaruda.

''Over the past year, the Kingdom of Zaruda has sent emissaries to Ernest Gura on numerous occasions, but no progress has been made in discussions.

Well, what did you think of that?

　Grindiena leisurely turns a searching gaze as she sips her cup of tea.
　No matter how much land and cession from Zaruda, if no profit is generated from it, it means nothing.

''Of course, I think Grindiena-sama's decision is natural. No, if he moved his army under those conditions, I can only think that there is some kind of backstory to the contrary.''

　Hearing Ryouma's answer, Grindiena nodded with satisfaction.

''Well. It seems that those idiots thought they were excited about the conditions because of their determination....... They were quite lenient in trying to rub me the wrong way with that level of conditions.

That's right.

'Why not?　To think of being forced along with the independent-minded aristocrats' keepers, too...

　Grindiena sighed in dismay.
　The territory offered by the Kingdom of Zaruda is roughly the northern part of Zaruda's land. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it.
　However, it's no surprise that Grindiena had difficulty with that condition.
　Certainly, it can be said to be an unreasonable condition.
　It can be said that on the side of Zaruda, it can be said to be a condition presented with the desire to vomit blood.
　After all, they are ceding their territory without fighting.
　However, that is just the selfishness of Zaruda's side.
　They are missing the point of view of how Grindiena, the one to receive the cession, will receive it.
　They don't understand that what they want is not necessarily what everyone else wants.
　The country has a lot of mountainous terrain that is not suitable for agriculture to begin with. It's not worth it to have a large piece of land with a mine, let alone a large piece of territory.
　Moreover, half of the offered territory has a lord.
　The biggest problem was that not all of them were under the direct control of the Zaruda royal family.
　Because it's unlikely that these nobles would meekly follow the rule of Grindiena.
　We can't keep nobles whose hinterland is not certain at the border.
　If we leave such people unattended, they will be interfered with by the neighboring countries and will bring in unexpected sparks.
　However, that doesn't mean we can't change their territory.
　Unless they are richer than the fiefdoms they are currently ruling, it is because the fiefdoms they have ruled for generations are easier to rule than the fiefdoms they have ruled for the same amount of time because they know the nature of the land.
　Therefore, if Grindiena doesn't prepare a rich land that they are satisfied with, they will never give up their fiefdoms.
　And if they are forced to change their lands, they will eventually revolt.
　From Grindiena's point of view, they will only feel that they have been forced to be a nuisance.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's better to attack Zaruda after Oltmere's destruction, while the ruler has changed and his rule is still shaky. That way, it will give us an excuse to get rid of all the nobles who are in our way. Lady Grindiena thought so.

　At Ryouma's words, Greedo, who had been watching the course of events in silence at the side, involuntarily gulped.
　Although he had heard the explanation beforehand, it was a terrible story for a person who served the Zaruda Kingdom.
　It's like being told that you don't have a single bit of interest in the existence of the Zaruda Kingdom.

''Isn't it a natural decision?　I am the Queen of Ernesgula. When you order your soldiers to die, you must have a certain amount of advantage.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

'But that would mean an all-out confrontation with Oltmere. Although the country's power is slightly superior to Ernest Gura's, it can be said that they are almost the same, so it is impossible to know which way the victory will fall. And moreover, it's a battle inside Zaruda, where there is little knowledge of the land. If possible, I'd like to avoid fighting in my own country alone.

　Before he knew it, a sharpness like a blade resided in Ryoma's calm eyes.　

''So?''

That's why, Grindiena, you didn't move your army while occupying Memphis. And now you are here, having vacated King's Landing Dreizen. To see exactly what you want, and to find out if there are enough people here to fight with you.

　At Ryouma's words, Grindiena laughed with amusement, and then turned her face into a single, sharp gaze.
　That is exactly the face that is worthy of being called the vixen of the north.

''Of course.

　The air as if they are cutting each other with swords dominates the room.
　No, they are now wielding the sword of words.
　The fate of a country is at stake........

Yes, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.

　As he said that, Ryoma held out a letter from his pocket to Grindiena.