Huh... if only those barbarians hadn't moved on...

　The Cru slams the wine cup to the ground.
　The retreat was costly because King Roselle had rushed Kryu.

　King Roselle had overreacted to the unrest among the Germanic and north-eastern Gallic tribes.
　Crew had no time to prepare for this, and had to retreat with a forced march.

　In addition, the race of Gauls were originally in good shape when they were winning, but when they were losing, they suddenly became fleeing.
　This was another reason for the increase in damage.

　''It can't be helped. It's only natural that they would move on it was painful to lose.''

　This is the first time since the beginning of Roselle that they have lost so badly.
　Roselle has many enemies.

　It's obvious that as soon as they show an opening, they'll swarm you.

　''In the meantime, I'm in contact with the Alvans from south of the Equus tribe the sorcerers I've hidden among the Ariace and Lupus tribes. If they make a move, Equus will be forced to turn back.

　If the Equus cavalrymen were to be pulled out, the strength of the Allied forces would be greatly reduced.
　If that happens, the allied forces will have no choice but to retreat.

　''And yet, the alliance against Gaul.......it's a swallowing thing. Do they not think that they will be swallowed up by King Rosais' country while they are dealing with us?






　Time goes back a bit.



　'It's finally here...'

　I was looking out over the plain from the top of the hill.
　A river flowed from west to east, cutting through the plains.

　The boundary line separating South Adelnia from North Adelnia.
　It was the original border line between the Kingdom of Roselle and King Domorgal's country.

　Originally, because for the last hundred years, the border line came with the intensification of the Roselle Kingdom's southward movement, so it was retreating to the south.
　In other words, the allied forces were able to regain the original territory of King Domorgal's country.

　King Domorgal's country was not the only one.
　King Gilbed's kingdom and Fardham's kingdom had also succeeded in regaining some of their lands from the Kingdom of Roselle.

　You could call it a great success.
　But the reason we've done so well is because we've been lucky.　
　I'm not proud of it.

　"I didn't think you could make it this far. Any further up north........
　I know. It can't last any longer.

　I interrupted Raimondo's words.

　Some of the great families and generals insist on going further north....
　Don't get swept away.

　As a matter of fact, some of the soldiers are beginning to voice their desire to return home.
　The Equus, including Muzio, also want to return home soon.

　If we are defeated, it will be all for naught.
　It would be better to make peace now.

　
　If the Roselle Kingdom says, "We won't stop the war until King Almus cries! And I would cry.

　That said, if we make too many concessions, there will be accusations from inside and outside the country that King Almus is a slacker.

　Diplomacy is a pain in the ass.


　'How many prisoners have you captured, by the way?　Is the tally done?
　16,000 men. It's a great success. It's a good sale, or you can take them home. Well, I suppose we could let them go if we negotiate.

　16,000 people.
　Slaves are a valuable labor force.

　We want a certain number of them to help us develop our farmland.
　But we don't want to take too many of them back, otherwise we risk rebellion.

　These people are Gauls and....

　How many slaves to the population would be OK with that?
　I'm told that in ancient Rome, a third of the population were slaves...

　Come to think of it, how big is the slave population in our country?
　The residence papers literally only record free people.

　If you even record the number of slaves, the process will not be able to keep up.
　You can't take taxes from slaves in the first place, so there's no point in counting them.

　Maybe we should take a big census next time and find out.
　We need to get an accurate picture of our national strength.


　'You were able to seize a lot of weapons and troops as well.
　"We had better return the rations as they are plunder. To King Domorgal's country. We'll take the weapons from them.

　We throw what we can use into the armory, and what looks useless we crush and rebuild into farm tools or new weapons.
　Iron is still a valuable commodity.

　If there were blacksmiths and other technical workers among the slaves, the iron production capacity would increase.

　Well, I guess it's time to go. I'm the one who invited you in. We can't be late.

　I turn my back on the territory of the Kingdom of Roselle.
　I must greet King Gilbed and King Fardham.

　''I never thought that our country, which was a medium-sized state in the north of South Adelnia, would have to meet side by side with the three northern countries.

　The King of Adelunia meeting begins....




　It was the night of the full moon when the King of Adelnia's meeting began.
　A huge full moon shone warmly over the land.

　The four kings of each country gathered under the moonlight, all holding something in their bellies.
　It was the first international conference ever held in history.

　Thank you all for being here. Tonight.........
　'Let's not get ahead of ourselves, King Alms. We should get to the point quickly.

　King Gilbed interrupted Almus' words.
　Of the four countries, the one that was considered the most powerful country was King Gilbed's country.

　King Gilbet was not pleased to have a young, lowly king presiding over the meeting.

　Young people are impatient," he said. "The young man is impatient," said Gilbet, "but if you are too hasty, you won't have time to do anything.　King Gilbed.
　'It's none of your business. King Fardham.
　'Hee hee hee ... that's the most senior piece of advice I can give you.

　King Fardham and King Gilbed glare at each other.
　These two countries are not on very good terms with each other.

　While the two countries are fighting against the Roselle Kingdom, they are constantly skirmishing with each other.
　Both countries are not highly centralized, and war is necessary to keep the country's powerful families in line.

　Carlo watches this with a troubled look on his face.
　Although Carlo is not officially the King of Domorgal, he is participating in this meeting because he can be treated as the King of Domorgal.

　'King Gilbed's point is also valid. Let's get right to the point.

　Almus did not get angry and proceeded with the meeting.

　''First, we will make peace with the Kingdom of Roselle. This will be done simultaneously with the four countries. As for the terms, depending on the merits of each country it will be up to you, is that alright?

　""No objection."

　It's a unanimous decision.
　The reason why we are currently able to fight the Roselle Kingdom more than evenly is because the four countries are working together.

　If one of the four countries were to pull out, they would not be able to hold Roselle's kingdom.

　No country welcomes a sneak attack.

　Incidentally, the country with the highest probability of slipping out of this group is King Losail's country.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what's going on.

　''Also, in the future, when confronting the Roselle Kingdom, I propose the formation of an alliance against Gallia.
　'It's King Alms, of course!　Our country agrees!

　It was Carlo who was the first to express his approval.
　From the country of King Domorgal, whose national power had been greatly reduced, an alliance of equals was something that he could not wish for.

　''........''
　....

　It was King Gilbed and King Fardham who expressed difficulty.
　The reason is simple.
　They don't like each other.

　I understand the need for alliances.
　I see the value of alliances.
　But I don't like this guy.

　There is a persistent border problem between our two countries.
　An alliance would mean that there would be no way to win it back through war.

　Let bygones be bygones in order to fight a stronger enemy.
　That was never going to be acceptable.

　Also, they don't like the idea of King Loseys' country being in charge.
　King Losais' country was the only one that did not share a border with the Kingdom of Roselle.
　And yet, they are taking the initiative of the alliance.

　Stomping backwards, stomping backwards, "I'll help you" in a great way....
　Both King Gilbed and King Fardham, who take pride in being a great power, don't like it inside.

　However, history has proven that if each country goes about its business separately, it will not be able to compete with the Kingdom of Roselle.
　It is also true that the power of King Rosais' country is indispensable.

　Both King Gilbed and King Fardham are willing to make an effort to form an alliance.


　After all, the peace was signed with the intention of placing a military vacuum in the areas where the border problems were occurring and signing a mutual non-aggression treaty.

　In short, the problem was postponed.
　The trouble was that both countries were aware that they had made concessions in the territorial dispute.
　There will surely be a resurgence of this in the near future.

　The alliance is due for renewal for three years.
　Then, once a year, they would hold a meeting of the king to rub their views against each other.

　The specifics are.....

　The four countries sign a non-aggression pact with each other.
　Of the four countries, the others will send in reinforcements for the invaded country.
　Countries support King Domorgal in rebuilding his country

　There are three.
　The size of the reinforcements to be sent depends on the size of the invading army, and so on... There are some parts of the treaty that stand out as unclear.

　This is because, if the treaty is made too clear, it could lead to a situation where other countries are given priority over their own.
　The pretty thing is yourself.
　All four countries are not aligned with each other.

　It's much better than the dragging relationship we've had so far, though.


　Afterwards, the meeting ended successfully with a gentle banter.




　Thus, the conversation returned to the beginning.



　''A Gallic alliance, I believe the proposal is King Almus. He's the one who has the most to gain.
　What does that mean?
　It's easy. They're the only country that doesn't have borders with us. We don't help each other, we help each other. With three other countries. King Losey's country has no interest in joining this alliance. So all three nations must keep King Losey's country around.

　In other words, it was an increase in the international voice of King Rosais' country.
　He was to reign as the actual leader of the alliance against Gaul.

　''Ho........That young man has thought of this too.

　Kryu was impressed.
　Kryu saw Almus as a young and dynamic king.

　Add to that his reputation as a scheming man.

　'Really?　Invisible. Well, I'd say it worked because the three countries were forced to form an alliance, even though it was invisible. That's how much our Roselle Kingdom is feared.

　Mari cowered her shoulders.
　Among the countries of Adelunia, King Rosais' country was the first one to corner the Roselle Kingdom to this extent.

　If it wasn't for King Rosais's country, they couldn't compete with that powerful enemy Roselle.
　This war has made the nations of the world think so.

　And what's more, to the advantage of King Loseys' country, we have a treaty of non-aggression. As long as it exists, the three countries cannot sanction the military actions of King Losail's country.
　Gilbed and Fardham are so close to our country that it's impossible for them to expand their territory to the south. King Domorgal's country borders our country as well, and there is no country around it that we can invade. King Rosais' country, on the other hand...

　There are a lot of small states in the south.
　They can invade all they want.

　Since they don't share borders with the Kingdom of Roselle, they can lean their entire army towards invasion.
　King Belvedil's country, King Evil's country, and King Zoldias' country exist in one form or another, but.......

　Belvedil and Evil are semi-villages of King Rosais' country, and King Zoldias' country does not have the national strength to compete with King Rosais' country in a decent way.

　King Rosais' country would use this alliance to further expand its land.


　And yet.... huh?　
　Personally, I'd like to say it's 80% your fault, but I was the one who led the army...

　Mari and Kryu had a dark look on their faces.
　What kind of sarcasm would they get when they returned to their home country...

　It makes me sick to think about it.

　'The question is peace. 'Lord Murray. We will continue our war unless we take back our territory to strength!　I think I could push it away if I insisted on it...
　King Roselle, you know, is very annoyed with me and wants me to make peace sooner rather than later. Given the time frame, I can't complain too much. If we don't give in...

　They both sighed loudly.