It was a new year and I was twenty-one years old.

　Anx and Fiona turned three years old in their counting years.
　I turned three years old safely.

　I was relieved.
　The mortality rate of babies goes down dramatically after the age of three.

　We can't be too careful yet, but it's a relief.

　Maybe it's a good thing I took care of my hygiene.
　Well, there's also Yulia, our country's best spellcaster (doctor).

　Well, since it's New Year's Day, I'd like to tell you about the progress of various policies.

　First of all, the construction of the capital.
　This will be completed in five months.

　I'm in the middle of building the palace and the temple now.
　Once this is completed, we will be able to call ourselves the capital for now.

　However, the residences of the nobles must be built as well.
　It will take another two years to build the houses of other merchants and tradesmen, and it will take another two years for them to be able to call themselves a city.

　But it also depends on how fast the nobles and merchants build their houses.
　In some cases it might be faster, in others it might be slower.

　Next comes the construction of the roads.
　This is being laid out well.

　Already the laying of important roads to the old and new capitals, to each major city and new capital, and to the borders of each country has been completed.

　Since King Rosais' country has a flat terrain, laying it down was not that difficult.
　We are now in the process of stretching a narrow road across the country.
　This is not for military use, but for information transmission and economic development.

　Roads only make sense when they are a road network.

　.........just the infrastructure has to be constantly maintained.
　We'll have to lay them out in consultation with our wallets.


　The next step is to develop farmland in the country.

　The target area is the plains near the new capital.
　The New Capital is located at the confluence of three rivers.

　The area around this site is like a swamp or marsh, and it was difficult to turn it into agricultural land.
　However, the fact that it was a swamp and marshland meant that it was an easy place to get water for agriculture.

　If they built an embankment in the river and drained it, the land would be reborn as fertile.

　In order to secure food for the new capital's consumption, and in relation to sanitation, flood control, etc., it is essential to convert this land into agricultural land.

　Well, the dikes and drainage have been half done to build the capital.
　It's not that difficult.


　The clearing of the Romarian forest is in Gram's hands and things seem to be going pretty well.
　Perhaps it's because the lumber and furs sell for a decent price, but they've also succeeded in making the business profitable.

　The most successful part of the business is the cultivation of the Romarian Forest.

　On the other hand, it's the drug and spy busting that has been left to Ron.
　Well, this is a job that involves dealing with people, so it can't be helped.

　We'll just have to be patient until the system is in place.

　The drug monopoly that supports our finances has been a modest success.
　The plan with Julia to sell perfumes and oils is still in the preparation stage.

　It's partly because Julia is also busy with a lot of things, and partly because it's difficult to grow flowers.
　And I'll have to teach the slaves how to make perfume.

　I'm sure that if we succeed, we'll be able to make a profit, so I'll just have to be patient.

　So, so far, we've been talking about domestic politics.

　Now, let's talk about foreign affairs.






　"Your Majesty, there's been a political incident in Rezad.

　A month had just gone by when...
　Ial's report revealed it.

　It seems that Rezad had closed the gates and gates to prevent political changes from leaking out to the outside world.
　The diplomatic network that Ial had put up for me had revealed it to me.

　'Is it the pro-Lossians who won?　Or are you anti-Lossies?
　'They are anti-Lossies. They appear to have incited some citizens to take over the council. It seems that the pro-Locaissez councillors and their families have been imprisoned.

　Hmmm ... this is tricky.

　Because I wanted a political change in Rezad.
　Because I was thinking of teaming up with the exiled pro-Losais senators and advancing the army to Rezad.

　But if all the pro-Rosaisian senators and their families were captured, it would be a different story.
　This would make it impossible for them to cooperate with the pro-Lossies.

　If we can't cooperate, we won't get the cause of the invasion.

　If we conquer Rezad, our country will become the headline-grabbing power on the Adelian peninsula.
　We will be warned.

　In order to alleviate the alarm as much as possible, a call for help from the pro-Lossians is indispensable.

　I don't know what to do.

　'How about we send a secret agent inside somehow?　If we can get him out of jail...
　But they're not dumb, are they, Rezad?　Would you let me break out of jail that easily?

　But we cannot leave it at that.

　Trade with Rezad is a source of great wealth for our country.
　Most of our drug purchases are also from Rezad.

　If we leave this situation as it is, trade will be stagnant and our country's power will decline.

　Do you think they will let Rezad get to them first?
　But what can I do to...

　They don't want to get their asses kicked to the curb and do battle with our country.
　It's not easy...

　Would it be possible to work with Alexios Barca?
　'That man is a mercenary hired by Rezad. As long as Rezad's council has been taken over...

　I can't help it.
　I don't want to make an enemy of that man.

　Let's think about it for a minute. Now back off.

　I made Ial leave.
　Now, what to do...







　It was that night.

　'Your Majesty, I need to talk to you.
　Alice. That's unusual.

　Alice bowed deeply.
　Alice's hair glowed golden in the candle flame.

　'I have heard that there has been a political upheaval in Rezad.
　Yeah, I'm busy dealing with that right now.

　Rezad's political changes could spill over into the country.
　It was necessary to increase the surveillance on the allied and autonomous cities.

　''Would this situation be resolved if we could get Rezad's officials into exile?''
　'I can't do it right now. It's January now. It's not until spring.

　It is very dangerous to take military action during the winter season.
　This is because the cold winter weather greatly drains a soldier's strength.

　Deaths in war are more often due to ill health caused by climate and epidemics than to injuries sustained in combat.

　It is better to avoid military action in the winter months if you can avoid it.
　Well, that's not to say that there isn't a tactic of taking action in winter and taking them by surprise.

　Since our country is superior to Rezad's in terms of military strength, there is no need to take risks on a regular basis.

　But it will give us an advantage, right?
　'Well. With them at the head of the banner, we can swap the invasion of King Rosais's country of Lesad for an internal conflict in Lesad.

　I know it when I see it.
　What's important is the construction.

　How about I break in and guide you through the breakout?
　Can you do it?
　'It is possible. We've done something similar many times before.

　Alice looks straight into my eyes.
　I'm glad that Alice will be able to make decisions of her own volition, and more importantly, I hope that she will volunteer for dangerous missions such as assassinations.

　But....
　Are you sure that's a good idea?

　It's dangerous.

　I'm fine. Your Majesty. This level of danger is not even close to dangerous. Above all...

　Alice put her hand on her chest.

　'Your Majesty has released me from my chains. I am indebted to you in ways that cannot be repaid. I want to be of service to you in any way I can. I wish to repay you for your kindness.
　...the chain was ripped off by you.
　But I couldn't have done it alone. It's because of you.

　Such Alice's eyes were straight and of a good color.
　She seemed to think that from the bottom of her heart.

　........

　'Can you really do it?　I don't want to lose you here.
　It's all right. Your Majesty.

　Alice nodded deeply.
　'If you say so much, you'll be fine.

　'All right. It's an edict. Go break into Rezad and break out a few of the pro-Rosaisian senators.
　I accept. Your Grace.

　Alice knelt.

　Thus began the pro-Lossies prison break operation.