In the Kingdom of Romalia, the Senate is the second most politically powerful group after the King....
　This is only ostensibly true.

　The Senate is only an advisory body to the King, and is the real sponsor of the King.
　Its role is only to elect political officers, and it has no administrative or legislative powers whatsoever.

　In the early days of the Kingdom of Romalia, the king was the most powerful person in the kingdom, and he had absolute power.

　However, the king was not alone in deciding the policy of the country.
　It was not a dictatorship.

　But the king did not consult the Senate for political advice and opinions.
　There were many members of the Senate.
　If he discussed major political issues with them, it was inevitable that the information would leak out.

　The most important meetings were therefore held deep in the castle by a small number of chief ministers and the king.

　Later historians have called this particular type of government seen in the days of the Almus empire "castle politics".

　Later historians have called it "the politics of the castle".







　After the ostensible meeting in the Senate was over, I called Raimondo, Bartolo and Ial into the back room of the castle.
　The purpose was to have a secret meeting.

　'Good to see you all here. All three of you.
　Um... would you mind if I had one?

　Ial quietly raised his hand.

　''Well no matter how secret the meeting is, how can you say it's dark without a single candle on?''
　It's a vibe. It's a vibe.

　This small room, built in a corner of the royal castle, is exactly what was made for secret meetings.
　Therefore, there are no windows and the door is thick with no gaps for light to enter.

　''Your Majesty. I would like to unfold the map, may I light a candle?
　That's good.

　He doesn't know what the mood is.
　That said, it's not something I can do without a map.

　I turn on the lamp.
　The light from the lamp slices through the darkness and illuminates the area.

　'Now, give me a status report. 'Ial,'
　Yes, sir. We have managed to conclude an alliance with all the western countries. We have established embassies in each country, and one has been established in our capital. The transfer of the children of the most powerful men in the world to Lossies, the capital, is on its way, but it should be over by the end of next week.
　Thank you, Ial. Thank you, Ial. Already, the Western States are part of my Romali Federation, am I correct in assuming that?

　When I asked Ial, he nodded quietly.

　Since we weren't able to directly overrun the territory, and were only in a position where we were offered an alliance, we couldn't get any territory other than King Karunu's country.
　Nevertheless, King Karunu's country alone was a major achievement.

　Above all, the benefits of saving time and preserving our troops were great.

　With the establishment of an embassy, there would be no back-and-forth between the two sides, and if they could send their children to study in Romalia as hostages, they would hesitate to revolt.

　Forget the incorporation of the western countries into the kingdom's territories, we just need to take our time.

　Eating is the top priority now.
　You'll be able to digest it later.

　What about our other allies?
　The Kingdom of Alva still enjoys friendly relations. King Belvedil's kingdom will not have the strength or inclination to defy our country. The only country we should be concerned about is King Evil's country, but King Evil is not a fool. Foolishness in defiance of our country will not invade it. The cities of Cilicia in the south show no signs of turning on us. I think it's safe to say that we've already slipped their fangs.

　In other words, the Commonwealth of Romalia remains tightly knit.
　That's what it means.
　As long as the mother kingdom of Romalia doesn't stumble, the Commonwealth will be able to keep it together.

　'Raimondo, what's the situation at home?
　'Yes, sir. First of all, the former Zordias territory is getting settled. I thought that from next year we could collect taxes without any problems. There are no signs of rebellion. The western part of the country west of the Adelunian Mountains has already become accustomed to our laws and is able to collect taxes without problems. But the turmoil in the former Carne Territory is not yet over. It will take another two years or so before we can collect taxes in these areas.

　In some respects, King Karunu's country is inevitable.
　After all, the capital, the largest city, has collapsed.

　Nevertheless, the prospects for reconstruction are good.
　You don't need to worry about it too much.

　Well.....
　I turned to Bartolo.

　"Let me know what you think of our future defense policy and the conquest of the North.
　'We must first fortify the south. We can't turn our troops to the north as long as the threat of Pofenia is in the south. We must make peace with Pophenia and then prepare with a certain amount of naval forces. As for the navy, I think it is better to leave that to Alexios Cornelius.

　With the occupation of King Carnu's country, Pofenia and our country have become the only neighboring countries.
　Although they are separated by the island of Trisichellia, they are good neighbors in terms of both sides' spheres of influence touching each other.

　'Currently, the mainstream of Pofenia is the pro-Romalia Azul Hanno. We'll figure it out.

　I turned to Ial.
　Ial nodded quietly.

　'If we draw a line on both sides of the line regarding the concessions on Trisichellia, I don't think it will be too difficult to secure the security of the south.

　It is non-negotiable with regard to the Strait of Mersina, but with regard to the other concessions in Trisichellia, we can give them full recognition.
　We have no ambitions for Trisichelia at the moment.

　''The next issue is the Kingdom of Roselle. If the great kingdom of Roselle stands on the side of the three northern nations, our victory will be in jeopardy. We must eliminate the Kingdom of Roselle from the northern conquest. This is an absolute requirement.

　The three northern countries - Domorgal, Fardham and Gilbed - would be enough to fight it out.
　However, if the Kingdom of Roselle intervenes, it will be a different story.

　If the Kingdom of Roselle stands in our country, it will lose much of its territory.
　If it stands in the north, we will have to fight hard.

　"Getting rid of the Lozell Kingdom, huh? It's difficult to say...

　Currently, our country and the Kingdom of Roselle are ostensibly enemies, but behind the scenes they are getting along reasonably well.
　However, they are enemies in the same respect.

　''Raimondo, Ial. Do you have an opinion?

　When I asked, Raimondo quietly opened his mouth.

　''How about we ask the Persis Empire to put pressure on the Roselle Kingdom, how about that?''
　I'll have to ask for this much to find out. In the meantime, my tacit approval of my conquest of the Adelnian countries and my invasion of the Roselle Kingdom has been granted, but there's no promise to pressure the Roselle Kingdom.

　Emperor Xerxes promised three things.

　Favorable neutrality of the Persis Empire during the war with the Third World.
　His tacit approval of the invasion of Adelunia.
　Arbitration in the event of conflict with Roselle and Pofenia.

　Yes, it's all very favorable to our country, but not a word from Emperor Xerxes about seizing the kingdom of Roselle.

　''What about Ial?''
　''Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that we are allied with the Kingdom of Roselle?　They make a promise of non-intervention on the condition of part of the territory of the three northern countries. Right now, the Roselle Kingdom is very cautious about military action. Therefore, I thought they would come on board if they could gain territory without any risk.

　Well......
　It's true that since Marilyn disappeared, there's been no sense of supremacy in the Roselle Kingdom.
　Where is the rabid dog-like figure that comes to war whenever there is an opening?

　I'm sure the rebellion in Gaul is already under control, and I've heard from the Suwevi that the Germanic invasion has calmed down.

　After all, they must have been traumatized by being beaten so badly by our country a few years ago.

　........Ial, Raimondo.
　It's a weak strategy on both sides but the two together could work.

　Well, Bartolo. Now, Bartolo, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the military campaign after the successful elimination of the Kingdom of Roselle and the Pofenia Republic.
　'The strategy is simple. After striking a heavy blow with a surprise attack, we will destroy each enemy by repeated bypasses and sieges. Specifically......

　The northern conquest would then take place two years later in March.
　It was decided that this was the case.





　''I understand, Your Majesty. What shall we do?

　Imperial Palace of Persis.
　Behrouz took the request from the Kingdom of Romalia back to Emperor Xerxes.

　Emperor Xerxes smiles with amusement.

　''As expected of our country, we'd like to avoid putting pressure on them openly. Return it to them and tell them that we will tell them.

　Emperor Xerxes said and looked at the glass of Romalian wine with amusement.
　It is a beautiful, crimson wine of the highest quality.

　Now, will the Adelian peninsula turn red?　Or will the young man successfully invade?　Well, well.....

　This war will determine the Kingdom of Romalia and Almus.
　Emperor Xerxes made up his mind.





　'Geho, Geho, is that true?'
　'Yes, sir. The Kingdom of Romalia is concerned about the deterioration of relations with the three northern countries. That's why they've been secretly communicating this to us.

　The Pudding diplomat in the example told the sick King Roselle of the Kingdom of Romalia of Almus's intentions.
　What Almus told the pudding diplomat was

　The influence of the conquest of the western countries has caused a rift with the three northern countries. It is doubtful that we will be able to win if war breaks out with the three northern countries at the same time. Therefore, I would like you to maintain a favorable neutrality if possible.

　This was the case.

　As expected, they couldn't propose to cede territory that they hadn't yet gained and had no chance of gaining, so this was the content of the proposal.

　There is a possibility that the plans for the conquest of the three northern countries could be leaked via the Roselle Kingdom.
　That was another reason.

　Almus thought that the proposal to cede territory was the last resort.

　''........What's the advantage to our country?''
　'If you promise me that you will not participate in such nonsense as the Adelian Liberation War in the future,'
　Tell the Romalian king that I understand.

　Quietly, King Roselle ordered his diplomats to do the same.
　The sick-bed King Roselle does not have the energy to move south to the Adelunian peninsula.

　He would be grateful if the alliance against Gaul would be shaken.
　That was the decision.




　How do you feel about that?
　Yes, of course. Mister Ial. This has been a very productive day. I will return home and take a vote on the House of Representatives as soon as possible.

　Azul Hanno smiled and shook hands with Ial.

　They met in a city on the island of Trisichellia to discuss the extent of Pofenia's influence with the Kingdom of Romalia.

　As a result, Pofenia stayed out of the northernmost part of Trisichellia.
　The Kingdom of Romalia does not touch Trisichelia.
　The Strait of Mersina was to be administered jointly by the three countries with the Persians.

　It was decided that this was the case.
　Some of the unequal treaties were also relaxed, which was very beneficial to the Kingdom of Romalia.

　It is better to be on good terms with the Kingdom of Romalia, which is emerging as a military power.

　It was dependent on Azul Hanno's decision to understand the characteristics of his country, which is an economic power and not a military power.

　

　Thus, the Kingdom of Roselle and the Pofenia Republic were completely excluded from the South Adelian Peninsula.
　The stage was set.