novelzi Chapter 169 : Chapter 169
Chapter 169 : Chapter 169
As I thought of ‘diplomacy’ or a ‘Griffon Aircraft Carrier’ to prepare for the war with the Jerpan Archipelago, the contents of the
…….
In October of the year the war with the monster army ended.
I sent a delegation of envoys to the Jerpan Archipelago.
The delegation was composed of Ronak and his pirate crew. Since it took about two months to travel from the kingdom to the Jerpan Archipelago by sea, those familiar with the sea were suitable.
Olivia opposed sending a former pirate as the ‘envoy’ representing the kingdom, but I persuaded her.
In return, I ended up granting one of her requests.
And just like that, Ronak went to the Jerpan Archipelago.
…….
This was the content of the first page of the newly written
There was no particularly crucial information, but I could grasp the timeline of future events.
I decided to continue reading the next part.
…….
Roughly four months had passed since Ronak departed for the Jerpan Archipelago.
During that time, quite a few changes had occurred in the kingdom.
First, Jereuth got married and retired as the Commander of the Knight Order. Hagen was appointed as the interim commander, and Yoanna became the vice commander.
There was no controversy over Hagen becoming the interim commander. His fame, skill, and character were acknowledged by everyone.
However, there was some noise about Yoanna becoming the vice commander.
But strangely, that noise came not from within the military, but from the officials.
No matter how much Yoanna had distinguished herself in the war against the monster army and was a member of the Griffon Knight Order—
It was not right for Yoanna, who had a shorter career and was only a mid-level knight compared to other knights, to assume the position of vice commander.
‘I would have understood if the knights had said that, but it was strange that the officials were saying it.’
Anyway.
If there were such changes on the military side, there were also changes on the officials’ side.
Olivia had evaluated the performance of the past three years and organized the officials’ ranks.
Without me even ordering it, Olivia had completed a ranking system for the officials. It was a ranking system similar to a bureaucracy.
There were changes on the servants’ side as well—.
…Omitted.
Shwarak—!
Changes in the military, officials, and servant organizations.
Of course, it was important information. But what I was curious about right now was not this.
What I wanted to know were the results of the diplomacy with the Jerpan Archipelago.
So I quickly skimmed through this content and turned to the next page.
…….
Roughly five months had passed since Ronak departed for the Jerpan Archipelago.
And finally, Ronak and the delegation returned.
However, they were not the only ones who returned. Along with Ronak, a delegation from the Jerpan Archipelago also came to see me.
“I-it is an honor to meet you, King Leonardo. I am Loa of the Hideon Family, representative of the Jerpan Archipelago’s territorial alliance.”
The woman who identified herself as ‘Loa’ was wearing a dress with an appropriate combination of red and white.
Her long, black, straight hair that cascaded down to her waist was impressive.
She appeared to be a little under twenty years old.
‘Somehow… she has an Eastern feel.’
To be precise, she felt like a mix of Eastern and Western.
It was nice to see an Eastern appearance after a long time, but it was just that, nice.
I did not let my guard down in the slightest.
Because the Jerpan Archipelago were people who could invade my kingdom at any time.
‘Still, she is an envoy, so I should show some courtesy. It might be awkward since this is my first time doing diplomacy.’
Nevertheless, before meeting Loa, I had read a lot of books on diplomacy in the library.
Before coming to this world, I had also learned about ‘What is Diplomacy’ at university.
So I knew the theory of diplomacy. I did not know if that theory would work, though.
“You’ve had a long journey. What brings you here?”
“Ah, yes! Th, that is….”
“Speak without trembling. You have come representing your kingdom, and if you tremble like that, you will disgrace your kingdom’s honor. Think of yourself as my equal.”
“Ah….”
At my words, Loa stared at me blankly, then quickly averted her gaze.
She barely managed to compose her voice and speak.
“My, my father’s purpose in sending me here is for espionage. To see the extent of your military power before invading the Plank Kingdom.”
As Loa spoke.
—…….
—…….
—…….
—…….
—…….
The knights standing on my right all glared at Loa coldly and frighteningly. It was palpable even to me on the dais, so Loa, the person in question, must have truly felt her life was in danger.
Especially, the killing intent emanating from Jereuth, who had retired as the Commander of the Knight Order, was enormous.
Shiver, shiver, shiver—.
As expected. Loa’s body trembled from the knights’ killing intent.
Thinking she would not be able to speak properly in that state, I raised my hand and spoke to the knights.
“Knights, restrain yourselves.”
Shuk—.
At my single command, the knights turned their gazes forward again. Though the knights’ killing intent still lingered in the Crimson Banquet Hall.
“The fact that you are telling me your father told you to spy, does that mean you do not wish to do so?”
“Y, yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then what is your purpose? You must have a purpose for saying such things to me and coming to see me, right?”
“That is….”
Loa swallowed dryly, barely managing to look up at me sitting on the throne on the dais, and said.
“I have come to ask you to save the Jerpan Archipelago… no, the people of my homeland.”
“Save the people of your kingdom?”
“Ye, yes. My father is planning to attack the Plank Kingdom to resolve the lords’ complaints. He says he will give the lands of the Plank Kingdom as a reward to the lords who were victorious in the civil war. Also, he intends to pass the embers of discord that remain after the civil war onto the Plank Kingdom.”
“……”
“But… that is something that must absolutely not be done. The civil war that has lasted for over a decade, in our kingdom, it is called the ‘Era of the Broken Crown.’ The people who have suffered through that civil war can no longer endure another war. Even now, as we prepare to invade the Plank Kingdom, the people are crying out in agony. And….”
Loa carefully continued her words.
“Coming here from the south of the kingdom, I saw how the people of this kingdom live. Everyone had hope and praised the King. The children were joyful, and the elderly looked happy. I believe there should be no war in such a kingdom.”
As she spoke, Loa looked at the knights. Her gaze, in particular, was on Ronak, who had a relatively composed expression.
“And above all… I heard that there are countless knights stronger than that strong knight over there, and that the King is stronger than all those knights. The soldiers’ training is sharp, and I felt that the people would come to protect the kingdom at a moment’s notice if the King called. I think it is a foolish act to attack such a powerful kingdom.”
“……”
“Also… on my way here, I saw knights riding monsters that fly in the sky. A military power our kingdom could never imagine… I, I must stop this war. This war that we cannot win.”
Loa finished speaking. Then, taking a deep breath, she placed a hand on her chest to hold her slipping dress and bowed her head deeply to me.
“I have heard that King Leonardo is a wise and merciful king. And I have also heard that you are a frightening… person. Therefore, please lend me your wise and merciful, yet frightening, wisdom. On how I can stop my father and the greedy lords, and protect the good people of the kingdom.”
“……”
“In return, I will give you anything I can. It is not much, but if you desire my wealth, I will give it all. Other than that… if you even desire my worthless pride, I will gladly bow my head at your feet. So please… bestow your mercy and wisdom and save my people.”
This was the content of the newly written ‘nearest future to the present.’
It was content that made me think a lot. And it was important.
‘So, to summarize… Ronak brought an envoy from the Jerpan Archipelago? And she is the daughter of the King of the Jerpan Archipelago.’
And that daughter seems to want to stop the war. She wants to stop her father and the lords from invading my kingdom.
Hmm…….
‘But I can’t just believe that.’
Diplomacy is like a hostage situation.
That is what I learned when I majored in public administration at university.
Two countries, or several countries, lie to each other.
Then one of them gets caught in a lie, bows its head to apologize, and gets its throat slit.
In diplomacy, there are no ‘unconditional enemies’ and no ‘unconditional allies.’ Yesterday’s enemy can become today’s friend, and today’s friend can become tomorrow’s enemy.
Therefore, to win in diplomacy, you must never trust anyone.
—This is what I learned about ‘diplomacy.’
‘Thinking about it… it’s possible that the woman named ‘Loa’ is lying. Her purpose could be to make me let my guard down and gain an advantage in the war.’
If so, what should I do?
Actually, I already knew the answer.
‘The way to absolutely win in diplomacy that I learned at university. It was for the country to be strong. Whatever it was, no one could mess with absolute power.’
To borrow the professor’s words, 「“If the country is just fucking strong, everything is solved.
If you’re fucking strong, even if you’re deceived in diplomacy, you can crush them with power. In the first place, there would be no foolish country that would lie to a fucking strong country. Heo-heo, heo-heo!”」
I even remember the professor’s unique laughter, ‘heo-heo.’
That is how impressive the professor’s words were.
‘It’s a very simple and obvious thing to say… but it’s true.’
To apply that teaching to reality.
‘I need to further develop the power of my kingdom, its military strength. I need to quickly complete the Griffon Aircraft Carrier and train the griffon knights to be able to hit ships with madans from the sky over the sea.’
That seemed to be the top priority. Ultimately, the power to protect my kingdom would come from the navy.
‘The Plank Kingdom has the sea to the south, and the natural fortresses of the Wasteland of Ruin and the Foothill's Rest to the north. So historically, when foreign countries invaded, they always used the sea route.’
Therefore, the most effective way to block foreign invasion is the navy.
If I were to be greedy, I would like to have airplanes as well.
‘Well… it would be difficult to develop airplanes within a few years. But the Griffon Aircraft Carrier should be quite possible.’
I came to that conclusion.
‘I can discuss the details by holding a general meeting.’
—As I was thinking that.
‘Still, since I just returned from the battlefield today, let’s give everyone about three days to rest. The knights will need to see their families. I also need time to organize what I’ll say at the meeting.’
I now had the composure to think about such things.
Even in the face of a troublesome future, I had gained the ‘King’s composure.’
‘I’ve grown. Me too.’
Just then.
Sasa-sasa-sak—.
A short piece of content began to be written in the
It was a brief summary of the ‘general meeting’ to be held in three days.
On the morning of the third day after King Leonardo’s return to the castle, in the Crimson Banquet Hall.
All the mid-to-high-ranking knights and officials of the kingdom had gathered to attend the previously announced general meeting.
-Caw! Caw!
-Caaaw! Caaaaaw!
The sunlight coming through the windows was clear and pleasant. Even Seria’s crows, which had once felt a bit eerie, were now familiar.
However, there was still something that was not familiar.
That was the ‘general meeting’ convened by the King.
The knights were relatively less tense. It was thanks to having endured life and death together with the King on the battlefield.
But the officials had not forgotten their fear of King Leonardo.
What’s more, the King had become a war hero called the ‘Devil of the Battlefield,’ so how could they not be tense?
‘The rumor is that within the military, he is more popular than the great Commander Jereuth.’
One of the officials thought as he cautiously scanned the knights.
‘If this continues, we officials might have to live our whole lives walking on eggshells around the military. To reverse this situation… there is only one way. One of the officials’ daughters must receive His Majesty’s affection.’
Right now, all the power of the military came from the King.
So, if the King’s wife were to come from the officials’ side, the officials’ power would surely grow, and the balance of power would be restored.
‘This kind of talk is already circulating among the other officials. So we must strategize well… and get someone into His Majesty’s bedchamber. It would be easy if His Majesty drank, but His Majesty doesn’t even touch alcohol.’
As the official was thinking, Olivia came into his view.
‘Head Official Olivia… what if she were to seduce His Majesty? Her looks are excellent, and among the officials, she has the closest relationship with His Majesty, so the possibility seems high.’
The problem was that Olivia seemed to have no romantic feelings for the King whatsoever.
Her ice-like expression made it impossible to read her inner thoughts, but at any rate, from the outside, Olivia seemed to have no interest in men at all.
After some time passed.
The doors of the Crimson Banquet Hall were thrown open forcefully, and the gatekeeper knight shouted.
—The King is entering!
At those words, everyone who had been waiting for the King in the banquet hall straightened their backs. To avoid being faulted in any way by the absolute ruler, everyone stood as still as statues.
Step, step—.
The King entered the banquet hall. He was holding a few sheets of paper in his hand.
Head Maid Elly, who followed behind him, also went up to the dais.
As soon as the King sat on the throne on the dais, he spoke.
“I know you are all tired from gathering so early in the morning, so I will be brief. There are two main reasons I have gathered you here. The first is to reward you for your hard work in the recent war.”
At the word ‘reward,’ the officials’ eyes sparkled.
Of course, they had not personally fought in the battle, but they had worked day and night to prepare for the war.
Perhaps they could receive land, a mansion, or even a private army.
—They had such thoughts, but.
“Regarding the rewards, Olivia will gather the opinions of the officials and report to me. However, anything that increases your own power, such as land, mansions, and private armies, is excluded.”
The officials, except for Olivia, felt their hearts sink.
It seemed their admirable and revered tyrant had no intention of loosening their leashes at all.
“And the second agenda of this meeting is to strengthen our military power.”
At the King’s words, the officials’ hearts sank once more. It was because the King intended to continue empowering the military.
Of course, it was understandable since the military’s support was crucial in King Leonardo’s rise to power… but for the officials, it was nothing short of despair.
“Elly, distribute these papers. If there aren’t enough, tell them to share.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Elly received the papers from Leonardo and distributed them to everyone in the meeting hall.
Everyone who received the papers, especially the knights, let out exclamations of surprise.
—…My word.
—Putting griffons on a ship…?
—Our King is thinking of something incredible again.
—With a ship like this, no one would dare attack our kingdom. For sure.
While everyone was marveling.
“Um… Your Majesty?”
Ronak, a man who had spent more than half of his life at sea, a former pirate, stepped forward and asked.
“The ship you have drawn, Your Majesty, has no sails and no oars are visible. I understand you have removed the sails for the griffons’ takeoff and landing… but may I know the reason for removing the oars as well? A ship needs at least one of them, sails or oars, to be operated.”
Everyone had been so captivated by the idea of a ‘ship for griffons’ that they had missed a very basic point.
The basic fact that a ship needs sails or oars to move.
To such a Ronak, Leonardo smiled lightly and said.
“This ship is not moved by sails or oars. It is moved by something called a ‘propeller’ at the tail of the ship.”
“A ‘propeller’ at the tail of the ship…? Do you mean this pinwheel-like thing?”
“Yes. That is what will move the ship. If you rotate that pinwheel-like thing, the ship will move forward.”
“……?”
“The elders of the Mage Tower have said they will somehow create a power source to rotate the propeller, so we just need to focus on building the propeller and the ship.”
At the King’s words, Ronak blinked blankly.
In his common sense, having lived half his life at sea, a ‘ship without sails or oars’ was nonsensical.
Moreover, the idea of a ship moving with something like a ‘pinwheel’ was very difficult to understand.
Even though the great King could not be wrong.
“This technology is definitely possible. A ship can move perfectly fine without sails or oars.”
“……”
“But with our current technology, it will take a long time to properly develop and operate this. Therefore—.”
Leonardo turned around and went back up to the dais.
Standing on the dais, he spoke to everyone who was looking at him.
“To the east of the kingdom. The race of craftsmen who live underground in a cave by the sea, beyond the Monster Mountains, the Dwarves.”
“……”
“I intend to go and ask them, my father’s former companions, for their help. I will go myself.”