Chapter 139: Policy

Emma had learned through a separate route that the leak originated inside the Orline Empire.

“I understand their reasoning,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I can accept it.”

“I agree.”

We met privately that night and compared what we had learned.

“This isn’t merely a question of money,” Emma continued. “We lost sailors. The increased payment may be intended to account for that, but it’s nowhere near enough.”

“Even so, the Lunoa Kingdom has little choice but to accept the offer.”

“I know.”

Rejecting the proposal would turn a possible ally into another enemy. Accepting it would mean cooperating with the country whose neutral faction had betrayed us.

The payment was compensation, but it was also the price of our silence.

“We need terms we can genuinely accept,” Emma said.

“What do you have in mind?”

“We shed blood. The Orline Empire will shed blood as well. And the neutral faction will lose its influence.”

She had already obtained a list of the faction’s important members and opened discussions with members of the imperial family who favored entering the war.

“While it’s still winter, we’ll make the Orline Empire begin an offensive.”

“A direct attack on the Rosha border would be suicide.”

“Then they’ll attack through the African front. The Rosha Empire will have to respond, and the Friez Kingdom may be forced to divert naval forces there. That will also make our eventual voyage to Wa safer.”

Emma intended to assign members of the neutral faction to positions where failure would remove them from power. Their vacant posts could then be offered to ambitious officers who supported the war.

“The replacements should also be people willing to work with the Lunoa Kingdom,” she said. “Your trading company knows the influential figures here. Prepare the relationships and personnel.”

“Understood.”

“You’ll handle the naval side. I’ll deal with the army and the negotiations.”

Her terms were clear: the Orline Empire would enter the war under conditions favorable to Lunoa, and the faction responsible for the betrayal would pay the political price.

“Don’t push so hard that the agreement collapses,” I warned.

“I know.”

She glanced toward the harbor.

“The remaining question is how long the battleship repairs will take.”

“With my magic assisting the shipyard, about one week.”

“…What?”

For once, Emma’s careful expression vanished completely.