I'm afraid the story has moved a lot faster than I thought it would...

　I lock eyes with the man in front of me, Emperor Xerxes I of the Persis Empire.

　I'm taller than him, but the old man, with his arms crossed and a fearless smile on his face, wears a unique demeanor.
　Strangely, Emperor Xerxes looks bigger than me.

　I guess you could call it the style of a champion.

　I went down on one knee and bowed deeply.

　"I am Armes, King of the Kingdom of Romalia. Thank you for inviting me here today.''
　I am Xerxes I, Emperor of the Empire of Persis, Pharaoh of the Kingdom of Misrule and King of the Kings, Shahanshah. Well, you're king too. You have your place. I suggest you stand face up. No need for such formality. Let's have a productive meeting.

　Then Emperor Xerxes grinned.






　''Oh I'm worried. Worried, worried........''
　Um, uncle. You don't have to worry so much about....
　Yes, Inspector...

　Yulia and Ial quieted Raimondo, who was pacing around in circles as if to say he was restless.
　The three of them had come to the former Clarice, the capital of Cilicia, a province belonging to the Persis Empire, as an escort for Almus.

　The season was in the middle of February.
　January was busy with a mess, and after March, they had to confer with the countries of the Gallic Alliance against the Roselle expedition.

　The opportunity is now or never....
　When I offered to do so, I was immediately granted permission.

　How could it be so easy to meet Emperor Persis, who was said to have been waiting ten years for an interview?
　I think you're being duped.
　But it was Emperor Xerxes who had asked them to show their faces in the first place.

　It's logical that Persis' side would match the convenience.

　And now, about the selection of the three....

　Raimondo, who is about to go to negotiate with the Germanic nations, is naturally necessary.
　Julia, the official chamberlain of Almus, is also needed as a check and balance to prevent Emperor Xerxes from imposing a strange woman on her.
　And to ensure that Raimondo, who is too young to take over quickly, it would be better if Ial, who is still young and has an important role as regent, also showed his face.
　The decision was made.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one. I thought our newly built castle was big too, but...''

　''The frightening thing would be that this is not the capital city. ........I wonder how huge an imperial palace there is in Jamsheed, the capital city.......

　If it's only the size of it, it's still good. ........Look at this wall. If you look closely, you can see the fine grained carving on this wall. If this pattern were to be carved on all the walls of the Imperial Palace...

　The three of them cowered their shoulders.
　They had heard that it was a superpower, but hearsay and the real thing were very different.

　There is no chance of victory even if you fight against such a country.

　That was the impression the three of them had.　

　'But you didn't come here to listen to a sermon, did you?　We're here to deepen our friendship. With countries like this on our side, we don't have any enemies.
　''Well that is if we can get them on our side. That's why I worry about you.

　Raimondo sighed deeply.
　Nevertheless......

　'I'll have to trust your Majesty. In this matter. Let's wait for you first.

　Ial muttered to himself.





　The first impression of the Imperial Palace of Persis is huge.
　The second impression after entering it was liberating.
　It was.

　There were several courtyards in the royal palace, and there was always a fountain and a field of flowers in the courtyard.
　Wherever you walked, the scent of water and flowers was carried by the wind.

　The atmosphere is very peaceful and harmonious.

　It didn't look like a great empire that had been expanding its territory and building up a number of corpses.

　What do you think of this palace? Isn't it wonderful? It took three years to mobilize 500,000 workers and artists from all over the world to build it. It's become a good public works project.
　...public works, sir?
　Yeah. Yes, we gave those who had lost their land and their jobs in the war a place to work. The wages we paid them would come back to us in the form of tax revenues. Now the economy of Cilicia has been rebuilt. We'll be in the black from next year.

　I see.
　It's not just invading, but conquering. It's not just about conquering," he said.

　The road of the king will cross Cilicia in one year. Then the West (Occident) and the East (Orient) will finally be directly connected. ...Come to think of it, I hear you're doing the same thing.
　Building a road into the Occupied Territories?
　The public works, including flood control.

　You've done your research.
　In fact, I'm quick to lay roads and flood control works on the land I occupy.

　This is because roads are not only militarily, but also economically significant.
　In addition, it is easier and better to do flood control work in the chaotic period immediately after conquering a country.

　The problem with flood control is the water disputes between farmers, but if the country has just been conquered, the threat of force will work.
　You can end all the nuisances with a military decree and then turn to civilian politics.

　'When the roads are built, we will be ready to transport the excesses to the areas where they are in short supply. Naturally, fewer people will die of starvation, and the people's lives will be enriched. People are not going to take up arms while they are rich. ........Now, one question. As the money economy progresses, the people will become richer. But there is one caveat on tax revenues. And what is that?

　What's going on?　This guy.
　Just when you think you're beginning to ramble on, you suddenly turn into a riddle.

　...a note on tax revenues due to the development of the money economy.

　"When a nation's finances depend on the payment of goods from agricultural produce, tax revenues are highly dependent on the market. Does that mean?　....We need to change our tax system to keep up with the progress of the money economy.

　That's right, King Almus. But it will be a long time before our country faces this challenge. In a hundred years, two hundred years, maybe even a thousand years.

　Emperor Xerxes paused.
　A large door appears in front of him.

　Slowly, the door opens quietly.

　A large table in the room. Two chairs facing each other.
　And a variety of colorful dishes were placed on the table.

　'Why don't we talk while we eat?






　The conversation during the meal started off extremely corny, as opposed to the one in the hallway.

　'How many wives do you have?'

　Emperor Xerxes asked me as he took a bite out of the big meat.
　I stop playing with the goat's brain and answer.

　'There are two of you. One main chamber and one side chamber.
　'Is this beautiful woman with you in the room?　Or is it a side room?
　Front room.

　Then the Emperor Xerxes sighed.

　'That's a shame. If it had been a side room, I would have offered an exchange (...)...'
　....
　'It's a joke. I consider marriage to be a political tool. I don't want to make things worse for you with such nonsense. And if you're a woman, it's already too late.

　With that, Xerxes looked at the woman who was waiting in front of the door.
　The woman approached slowly.

　Her skin is brown like the wheat of autumn. Her hair was a beautiful golden color that reflected in the sun.

　The woman slowly bowed.

　'My name is Ayesha, Chief of the Desert People (Alarmists). King Almus-dono. Xerxes the Emperor's ... er, I think it's the 547th wife of Emperor Xerxes.
　It's a 574.
　It's a small difference, isn't it?

　.... at least five hundred and seventy-four, my wife.
　That's great.

　I mean, speaking of desert people (alarmists)....

　"Dragon Damascus Steel?
　'Yes, sir. The best steel in the world, melted and forged from the dragon's heart metal and Damascus steel. It can only be forged by our clan. ........If you get a high quality heart metal, please contact us.

　With that, Asha turns on her heel and leaves.

　'You're a business-minded guy. I'm sure you're a business-minded guy, but let's get back to it. I understand that you are a loving wife. But you don't mean to say that you don't have a single concubine, do you?
　...there is one person.
　Yeah, right.

　Emperor Xerxes laughs with amusement.
　What's so funny?

　What's your favorite part of a woman's body?

　.........

　'I don't think it's fair for me to be the only one to answer. Your Majesty will tell me.
　'That too. I'm ... well ... breasts. I like big breasts. I don't really care much for skin color or hair color.

　Breasts.
　The woman who just came in certainly had large breasts.

　Well, let me tell you something....

　I have an ass.
　Speaking of which, your chamberlain has a big ass too.
　....
　'Don't be angry, don't be angry. Even you thought of Ayesha when I said 'it is a breast', didn't you?

　.... yeah.
　I'm in no position to complain.

　'I'm not hung up on big asses. I like small ones too.

　Tetra's ass is cuddly and tight.
　That's cute in its own way.

　'I see, so your side room has a slender figure.
　Well, yes.

　How did you know that?

　'By the way, my daughter has a girl with a big ass and a girl with a tight little ass. Her skin ranges from pale to brown to black. Her hair is black, blonde, silver, red, blue ... ah, but not purple. All of them are beautiful, like me. Why don't we take one of them?

　'No, the lady is in time...'

　Honestly, I can't keep up my strength any longer.
　And on top of that ....

　"Now that we have the Princess of Persis, we must place her in the front room. But the main room is already occupied. We must not create a factor that divides the country.
　I see, well, it's just a bad idea to ask. I'm sure you'll only end up locked up in a corner of the palace if you give your daughter to your husband.

　That's right.　
　If I had to take on the marriage by force, I was going to set up a special mansion and lock him up there.
　So that he could not exercise any political influence.

　'But are you sure?　My daughter is wanted by every country in the world, okay?
　"My power is secure, even without your authority.

　I reply, and Emperor Xerxes smiles wryly.

　'Well, then, I'll give up my marital status with you. ........Then how about with your son?
　!!!

　It's....
　Maybe it's not a bad story.

　I founded Romalia on merit, expanded my territory, and set up my institutions.
　Eventually, I intend to unite the Adelian Peninsula.

　That's why commoners and noblemen alike recognize me as their undisputed king.
　That's because I'm sure of my abilities.

　Because I know in my bones that if you follow me, you'll be safe, and you won't be able to stand against me.

　But.....
　My successor, Marcus.....

　The third generation would be good.
　Because there is already a precedent for blood inheritance.

　But not with Marx.
　Of course, if Marx were as good or better at politics than I am, there would be no cause for concern, but he's just a baby. I can't be certain of that.

　In fact, I wasn't sure if I should take a wife for Marx.
　I couldn't find just the right one.

　If he chooses from Rosyth, Rosyth's power will increase.
　If he chooses from Ath, the political conflict with Lossies will intensify.

　The new nobles - Bartolo Pompeius, Alexios Cornelius, Ial Claudius, Ron Aemilius, Rosward Fabius, and Gram Calpurnius.
　I thought about addressing their daughters, but ....

　A poorly executed superiority contest would still lead to political strife.

　If you can invite a wife from Persis........
　It might not be as great as this.

　If Romalia and Persis were to enter into a marriage relationship, they would be safe for a while.
　It would be a problem for Romalia to become a subordinate, but considering the difference in national power, it is inevitable.
　What we should be concerned about is the possibility that the Persis Empire might interfere in our internal affairs.

　As long as we are sandwiched between the two great nations, Roselle and Pofenia, our country has no choice but to rely on Persis.

　Well, your son Prince Marcus has only just been born. It's not a decision you want to make any time soon. Just consider this.

　Emperor Xerxes' smile deepened.