Chapter 106: Just Cause

“Phew.”

Remembering my past—my previous life—I exhaled once and steadied my breathing.

Showing obvious agitation in front of diplomats was undoubtedly a bad move, but I couldn’t help it.

“…So, what business do you have with us?”

A diplomat from Wa, openly wary of me, asked the question.

“I was hoping we could talk for a moment.”

“Talk?”

“Yes… though speaking here may draw a little attention.”

I answered while glancing around.

The central figures here weren’t the Austin Empire, but Lunoa Kingdom and Friez Kingdom. As someone with considerable influence in Lunoa, my actions were constantly watched.

The sight of me speaking the language of Wa—a country regarded as backward—and approaching its representatives was drawing strange looks.

“I don’t mind, but what about your country?”

“…That depends on what you wish to discuss.”

“To put it simply, I would like to propose an alliance.”

However, no one else here understood Japanese.

Whatever looks we received, we were free to discuss anything we wished.

“An alliance?”

“Yes. I don’t believe it would be a bad proposition for your country. In my view, Wa already stands alongside the developed nations. What it lacks are the achievements needed to make others acknowledge that. Am I mistaken?”

“…No. You’re correct. Our country has long struggled with the question of how to gain recognition as a developed nation.”

“If Wa enters the Great War now being fought in Europe and wins distinction, that should provide sufficient achievement for the world to recognize it as a developed nation. To your north lies the Rosha Empire, and to the south are the Southeast Asian islands controlled by Friez Kingdom. Territorial expansion would suit Wa as well, would it not?”

Conversely, Lunoa Kingdom had no territory near Wa.

There was no Anglo-Japanese Alliance in this world. Wa had no reason to oppose Lunoa Kingdom.

“We have wanted an opportunity to enter the war. But we aren’t an uncivilized country. Please don’t mistake us for barbarians who declare war without cause.”

“International law is, quite literally, international law.”

“…?”

“We aren’t the only ones obliged to uphold it. Your country is as well. You signed treaties to that effect when you opened your borders, did you not?”

“…Yes.”

The diplomat’s expression visibly twisted the moment I mentioned the treaties signed when Wa opened its borders.

“Friez Kingdom violated international law. You need only enter the war to punish that violation. It’s a simple, readily understood reason for declaring war, is it not?”

“…Oh! I see!”

“Yes. You see?”

I smiled at the diplomat as he raised his head in realization.

“Hmm. Indeed, that would provide us with a just cause.”

Exactly. It would provide a reason.

And Wa undoubtedly had reasons of its own for wanting to enter the war.

“Let us form an alliance. Our kingdom is prepared to abolish the unequal treaties concluded in the past and set out on a new path. Will you fight this war alongside us?”

…

…This was another step toward a world war. The war in Europe had spread into Asia.

There was no doubt that later generations would coin the term “World War”—though I didn’t yet know whether this conflict would be called the First World War or simply the World War.