Chapter 107: Harvest

“You seemed to be having quite an earnest conversation.”

The representatives of Wa had surely never dreamed that a discussion about an alliance involving their country would begin here.

There was no possibility of obtaining a formal commitment on the spot. We discussed a few more details, arranged a place to meet again, and parted.

“Yes.”

Second Princess Emma approached me.

“At present, we can hardly have too many allies. Wa can also hinder both Friez Kingdom and the Rosha Empire in Asia, far from here. It would be an ideal partner, would it not?”

“But will they be useful? They’re Asians, after all. I doubt they’ll contribute much.”

“…Your Highness, have you forgotten what happened when you discriminated against someone because of his attribute? What became of the man you mocked as a clod of dirt?”

“Ugh.”

Her expression twisted awkwardly at my words.

“…W-Well, even now, part of me still wants Noah to remain safely in the rear…”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“…I’m sorry. I was wrong. It would indeed be foolish to remain bound by such a worthless prejudice.”

“Your willingness to recognize your mistakes and change your thinking so quickly is one of your virtues, Your Highness.”

“Oh? Do you find that attractive?”

“That’s a separate question where the opposite sex is concerned. How are matters progressing on your side?”

“Hm? Ah, exactly as expected: nothing.”

My role was to quietly spread diplomatic roots behind the scenes. Hers was the opposite: she dealt with the great powers at the center of the splendid hall.

“I condemned Friez Kingdom as forcefully as I could, but they insist they did nothing wrong. The other countries are no better. None seems willing to support us. We gained nothing at all.”

“What about the soldier who attacked us?”

“They said only that he acted independently. They offered an apology and promised compensation to the establishment he damaged.”

“They didn’t try to recover him?”

“No. Executing him is about the only thing left for us to do.”

“…I see. One could say that Friez Kingdom achieved nothing and merely increased its losses, which sounds satisfying enough. Naturally, we would have preferred much greater gains.”

Lunoa Kingdom had lost an important city, and the grand western offensive on which the nation’s fate depended had suffered a setback.

It was doubtful whether what we gained here could compensate for those two losses.

“We must turn our relationship with Wa into victory in this war. That’s the only way to repay those who fell at Frankhalt.”

“Yes. But we did everything we could here. What matters now is how we use it.”

“…Indeed.”

Wa came first.

How we used the opportunity created by this meeting would be the key. We had to conclude the alliance.