Well, let's get to the point. King Almus, monarch of Romalia. What do you want from me and what will you give me in return?

　Emperor Xerxes asked me as he brought the fruit to his mouth.

　Hmm.....
　Finally, the real deal.

　'One thing first. I would like to establish diplomatic relations with the nations of Germanis. On top of that, I would like your Majesty to assure me of my status.
　Does that mean I'm going to have to take a bookseal?
　'Yes. I would like you to recognize me as the King of Romalia.

　Domestically, it's not a good idea to take on foreign books.
　But in terms of diplomacy, it is still an advantage.

　After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the advantages prevailed.

　'Two, I would like you to write a letter of introduction to the Germanic countries.
　I see. I could write as much as I like about that.

　Emperor Xerxes nodded with a gentle smile on his face.

　''If you agree to the two points, I will send an envoy to Persis every year to pay tribute to you.

　When I replied, the Emperor Xerxes narrowed his eyes.

　''I see ... hmmm, well, that's hard to say. Good. I'll make a suggestion to you.''

　Emperor Xerxes stuck out three fingers, three fingers.

　'One, I will maintain favourable neutrality when Romalia is at war with a third country. Two, I will tacitly approve of Romalia's conquest of the countries of Adelunia. I will also tacitly approve of him taking Northern Adelnia from the Kingdom of Roselle by himself, as long as he obtains permission from us in advance. And third, if you wish, we will stand between you and Roselle or Pofenia, or both of them, if you are at war with them.

　.........
　.........
　Oh, really?　Are you sure?

　I mean, how does this man know that I'm trying to conquer the Adelian countries?

　"But on one condition. I expect you to keep Roselle and Pofenia at bay. In particular, the straits of Mersina, that place must not be given to Pofenia. Of course, I'm not asking for war. If we can solve the problem by talking it out, that's the best way to go about it. Just prevent Pofenia from taking control of the entire island of Trisichellia.

　Well......
　Emperor Xerxes' proposal is wishful thinking on my part.
　The diplomatic benefits to be gained are enormous. The value is also consistent with our nation's interests.

　But this, on the other hand....

　What if it's not enough for our country to hold Pofenia?
　"I will urge the kingdom of Roselle to move south.

　Well......
　I understand.

　The country of Romalia is now sandwiched between the powerful nations of Roselle and Pofenia.
　From Emperor Xerxes' point of view, the biggest problem is that our country will be swallowed up by one or the other.

　So we want to support Romalia and not make both Roselle and Pofenia strong powers.
　But if our country is too weak...

　To prevent either side from gaining too much, I'll make sure that both Roselle and Pofenia are divided equally under the supervision of the Persis Empire.

　'What shall we do?　Do you want to kick it?
　''Well kicking it won't change Persis' foreign policy, will it?　I understand. Let's do our best to live up to your expectations.

　I stood up and bowed.
　Then I opened my mouth.

　'But Roselle and Pofenia are both great powers. As long as we are sandwiched between them, we are at a geopolitical disadvantage. I ask for your support.
　What do you mean by that?
　I would like to learn more about Persis' advanced technology.

　Then the Emperor Xerxes began to laugh.

　'Technology!　Ha, not money, not weapons, not soldiers, but technology!　All right. I thought you wanted a numismatist, didn't you?　I'll send you a top-notch engineer. What else?
　I've heard that Persis has the world's best flood control and irrigation technology. We would love to learn from you.
　All right, all right.

　Thus the meeting with Emperor Xerxes ended successfully.

　What we got this time was the support of the Persis Empire for the unification of the Adelian Peninsula.
　And the means of peace in the event of war.
　Lastly, we provided technology.

　We also agreed to establish embassies on both sides in order to facilitate future diplomatic negotiations.





　And that's how it ended.
　That's ... a great victory.

　Ial smiled bitterly.

　'Honestly, we haven't had a negotiation-like negotiation.

　'They liked you, you mean?
　Hmm, what could possibly make me like him?

　I have a feeling we're only talking about butts.

　"First of all, now that our meeting with Emperor Xerxes is over, we'll go back to Romalia. Raimondo and Ial, you'll find out what there is to know about the Germanic countries and come back to Romalia.
　I understand.
　Yes, sir.


　And so Julia and I returned to Romalia.





　That night.....

　How did it go?　King Alms.
　Behrouz.

　Behrouz, the man of merit who had brought Almus to Emperor Xerxes, had an audience with Emperor Xerxes.
　Behrouz had come to get specific instructions as he was set to go to Romalia as an ambassador.

　''Hmmm.......well, it's hard to evaluate it with just one look.
　'It would be...'

　Behrouz smiles bitterly.
　One look at a man and you can tell whether he's good or bad!

　There is no such thing as such.

　If anyone says such a thing, they are simply being deceived.

　But you seemed to be able to trust him personality-wise. He's got a lot of guts.

　There are many royal and influential people who are told by Xerxes to give their wives to him, and he easily gives them away.
　But Almus clearly communicated to Xerxes his intention to be unpleasant.

　That's how much he cares about his wife, and he's not a person who succumbs to power easily.

　'Well, the only things we gave you are the money casting technology and the technology for flood control and irrigation. It's not a problem for me at this level. And I just made a promise to you. This is the only way to get a card to seize Pofenia and Roselle. I'd say it was a great success.

　Xerxes smiled happily.

　'But are you sure you're happy with your engagement promise?
　I have many daughters. It wouldn't hurt to give one or two to a foreign king. If the man has really grown the country enough to keep Roselle and Pofenia at bay, he is well worth a daughter.

　From the point of view of Xerxes, who has sent his own daughter to all the countries of the world for betrothal, there is no more trouble than giving his own daughter to the son of Almus.

　'Behrouz. 'When you've done your paperwork here, go to Romalia. It won't change what you do. You'll report in once a month. We'll send a ship out when we have special orders.
　Yes, ma'am, I'm here to see you.

　Behrouz bowed and left.

　'Well, we'll see how far you grow. We'll see.







　'Yeah!　Marx is married!
　'Stupid, you're too loud. That's not what I decided to do!

　On the return trip home, Julia and I are alone in the cabin.
　All you can hear is the sound of the waves.

　"...Is that true?
　'Well. But I think there will be a precondition of 'when Romalia becomes a country on par with Roselle and Pofenia'.

　If Emperor Xerxes decides that Romalia is not usable, he will destroy Romalia without mercy.
　So Emperor Xerxes must be given the perception that Romalia is a usable country for the Persis Empire.

　''But it's still awesome!　I can't believe I'm getting a wife from that Persis!

　Julia is so excited, she keeps jumping up and down.
　It's not all good, you know.

　'Your wife's character is bad........or rather, if she's the type to meddle in politics, it's a big problem. I can't pick and choose because I'm in a position to get a wife....

　To get a wife from Persis is to carry the risk of interference in the internal affairs of the country from Persis.
　It's not good if a Persis clique or something like that is formed within the country.

　It's also a problem if there's a weird sense of pride. It would be unbearable to have people ignore Romalia's ways and customs and stick to the Persis way of doing things," he said. It's a good idea to have a person who is conscious of being the king's legitimate room when she becomes the next king's wife. .........hmm?　Julia, what's wrong?

　I don't know why my face seems to be so tense but...

　'What?　No, it's nothing. Yeah, it's important, you know, awareness. Awareness of being the wife of the king. Yeah, yeah.
　Do you still care that Raimondo was pissed at you?

　twitch
　Julia's well-formed eyebrows move.

　It's like a figurehead.

　'Hey, how did you know!
　No, that's because Raimondo explained it to me.

　Perhaps Raimondo explained early on, considering the possibility that Yulia and Tetra, who were upset, might report something appropriate to me.
　Well.........
　For all intents and purposes, Raimondo's words are more trustworthy and Raimondo's worries are unfounded when it comes to the usually calm Raimondo and the two of them being crazy with pregnancy.

　'Oh, you uncle fool!
　'You didn't want to be upset like that, so you reported it to me.

　When I say that, Yulia sits down as if dejected.

　''Well yeah, I'm sorry about that, okay?　 What if you don't have a girl?　It would only embarrass Almus if he said anything, and he probably would have been angry at whatever was said then...
　'I don't care anymore. Besides, Julia has done well as my wife and wife and mother to Marcus, Flora and Fiona.
　Oh, really?

　I lock my gaze to Julia's height and stare straight into her eyes.

　'You're the best wife I've ever had,'

　I put my own lips to Yulia's lips.
　I pick up Yulia, who is enraptured and deflated, and carry her to the bed.

　'Let's make another baby. This time I don't care if it's a boy or a girl.
　...yes!