Vol 03 Chapter 78-1: Diplomacy I
The first thing I needed to start with was the pacification of the country.
Due to a somewhat flashy purge, some resentment remains.
I thought that I needed to ease the tension of the patricians.
However, the patricians of the Aris Family and the Rosais Family are the main forces in the country right now so they are pretty happy, and the scared former members of the Dibel faction are rushing to show their loyalty towards me; some have even sent hostages.
It doesn’t seem like I have much to do here, time will probably solve the rest.
What I needed to address at the moment was diplomacy with other countries.
Our country is bordered by King Belvedire’s Country to the south, King Evile’s Country to the west, King Equus’s country (the Equus Tribe) to the east, and King Domorgal’s Country to the north. We are surrounded on all four sides.
Currently, we have friendly relations with King Equus’s country, and we are hostile toward King Domorgal’s Country. Our relationships with King Evile’s Country and King Belvedire’s Country are a bit strained.
Just as King Domorgal’s Country was a threat to us, King Rosais’ Country is a significant threat to both King Evile’s Country and King Belvedire’s Country.
Originally (before I took the throne), King Rosais’ Country had a population of about 170,000, while the countries of King Evile and King Belvedire each had around 100,000. There was a considerable difference in national power. However, until now, King Rosais’ Country was plagued by internal and external troubles and couldn’t fully utilize its national power.
But then, a young, new king — myself — emerged. The population of King Rosais’ Country is about 230,000 now, although I don’t know the exact number since we haven’t conducted a census yet. Just as I only have a rough idea of the population of other countries, they probably don’t know our exact population either, but it’s easy to imagine that our national power has significantly increased after the battle with King Domorgal’s Country.
Moreover, national power cannot be represented by population and agricultural income alone.
King Evile’s Country had early access to iron smelting technology and surpassed King Rosais’ Country in the quality of its armaments. King Belvedire’s Country, being close to the Kirisian colonies, excelled in architectural technology and bureaucracy over our country.
But their advantages are beginning to wane. Our country has also started to produce iron products, and we have begun to employ Kirisians as bureaucrats.
And above all, there is the centralization of the power.
King Rosais’ Country made significant progress in this area during the recent civil war. We can assemble our armies much faster than other countries.
Moreover, since I have risen to power so quickly, my background and character are still largely unknown to them. Both countries are likely quite wary of me.
Having set the goal of unifying the Adernian peninsula, I plan to either annex these two countries, reduce them to vassal states, or give them minimal autonomy.
However, it’s still too early for that. For now, I want to focus on domestic affairs and avoid war.
What truly terrifies me is the possibility of all our surrounding countries allying to siege us. In multiplayer strategy games, it’s common to be ganged up on by neighboring countries if you win too much. In history, famous examples include the encirclement of Nobunaga1 and the alliance strategy.
In short, good relations with neighboring countries are extremely important.
◇
The first country I decided to visit was King Equus.
It’s an important ally, but my primary reason for coming is because I received an invitation from Mutzio for his wedding. Yes, that guy is finally getting married.
The first time I met King Equus, I was the one who visited him. The second time was during my coronation ceremony, so King Equus was the one who visited me. Now it’s my turn to visit him again.
Accompanying me are Julia, Raymond, Roswald, and several guards. The rest will stay behind.
The first person I greeted was King Equus, and then I greeted the crown prince, Methil. Or rather, he greeted me.
Since I am of higher status, it is customary for him to come to me.
「It’s been a while, King Rosais. I’m glad you seem to be in good health.」
「Thank you, Methil-dono, you seem well too. By the way, how is your mother’s health?」
I deliberately spoke loudly enough for the third son, Redus, to hear. It was a bit of malice and a warning.
Frankly speaking, now that I’ve become king, any weaknesses King Equus had over me are irrelevant. Now, the power dynamics have shifted in my favor.
「Thanks to Julia-sama, she has recovered well. I’m truly grateful.」
Methil smiled genuinely. He doesn’t excel in martial arts and has a calm temperament, but he’s a kind and gentle crown prince… just as the rumors say.
It’s convenient for me. If he becomes King of Equus, he will continue to be a good ally, someone I can stand shoulder to shoulder with. It would be problematic if he were too capable.
Next, I greeted the man of the hour, Mutzio.
「I’m glad you could come, King Rosais.」
「Well, it’s only natural to attend a friend’s wedding.」
Mutzio and I shook hands.
As expected, he can read the room enough to not use informal language with the king of an allied country, although his tone remains somewhat rough.
「This is Rakela, the woman who will become my wife.」
Mutzio gestures to the woman standing behind him.
「Nice to meet you, King Rosais. I was ill and bedridden last time… I apologize for not being able to greet you.」
「No, no, please don’t worry about it.」
Rakela bowed politely.
Her long black hair and the gentle look in her drooping eyes are noticeable. Moreover, her breasts are large, perhaps the largest I’ve ever seen
If Tetra’s are light cruiser class, and Julia’s are heavy cruiser class, this woman’s are dreadnought battleship class. Big guns on large ships are a favorite of men.
Well, I like breasts, but I’m not particularly obsessed with their size, so my reaction is more one of surprise than anything else.
I whispered to Mutzio,
「By the way, what happened to the reverse scale?」
「I’m going to give it to her at the wedding. Make sure you don’t tell anyone.」
I see, so it’s a surprise.
「The wedding will last for three days. Please enjoy it,」
Mutzio said, while offering an uncharacteristic bow.
Now, it’s time to meet the third prince, Redus.
「…It’s been a while, King of Rosais.」
「…Yes, Redus-dono. You seem well…」
What’s with this guy… Why is he so gloomy? His eyes look dead; he’s exuding an extremely unapproachable aura.
I considered saying something, but Redus had already bowed and left.
What’s with him?
◇
The wedding lasted for three days. The first day featured a banquet, aimed at deepening the friendships among the clans of the Equus Tribe. Our country was also invited, and we mingled with them.
The second day was the ‘mock’ wedding ceremony.
It involved the couple making vows to their families, citizens, and vassals.
The vows to the gods are made separately; that’s why it’s called a ‘mock ceremony’.
Of all the events celebrated during these three days, the most lavish one was this mock wedding. During this ceremony, gifts were presented to the bride and groom, and blessings were offered.
Interestingly, the gifts comprised 60% sheep, 30% slaves, and 10% fine horses.
The gifts truly fit their culture.
Our country offered wine and olive oil as gifts. The Equus Tribe doesn’t grow much wine or olives, so these were well received.
We also gifted a garnet necklace to the bride, and a Dragon Damascus steel sword to the groom, which I had requested from Ainz.
However, the garnet necklace might have been a mistake. It ended up being overshadowed by the accessory made from the reverse scale that Mutzio gave to Rakela.
Perhaps that’s okay in its own way.
On the third day, the real wedding ceremony took place. This ceremony primarily involved making vows to the gods. It wasn’t particularly interesting. A sheep was sacrificed, numerous magicians offered prayers, and phrases like,
「Thank you, gods and ancestors. We are getting married. We will work hard for the Equus Tribe from now on,」 are recited.
Honestly, I found it boring. I’m from King Rosais’ Country and am not familiar with the Equus Tribe’s ancestors or gods. However, Julia seemed to enjoy it, and if she’s happy, that’s good enough for me.
1TN: The encirclement of Nobunaga (Nobunaga Hōi-mō) refers to a historical happening in the Sengoku period when several Japanese daimyos (warlords) allied together to counter Oda Nobunaga’s growing power.
I don’t know what the alliance strategy refers to, sorry.
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