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Vol 04 Chapter 125: Peace Talks?

「Almus-dono, I would like to talk with you about the peace talks…」

「Did Carlo-dono also receive the Rozel Kingdom’s offer for peace?」

When I said that, Carlo nodded.

While I am the real leader of our combined forces, Carlo is formally the alliance leader. The purpose of this war is to make Prince Carlo into King Domorgal. Therefore, it’s not strange for both Carlo and me to receive the same document.

Actually, it’s odd that it came to me.

「May we discuss this matter now, if that’s alright?」

At my question, Carlo nodded in response.

「It’s fine. It’s not urgent, but it’s also not something we should delay.」

◇

Inside a large tent, seven people had gathered.

From King Rosais’ Country, there was me, Raymond, and Bartolo. From King Domorgal’s Country, there was Carlo Domorgal, General Tonino, and the patrician Lettis Blouse. From the Equus Tribe, there was Mutzio.

Alexios and his reinforcements from Lezado are participating in this war as mercenaries hired by me, so he did not participate in the meeting.

Mutzio was the first to speak.

「We, the Equus tribe, have come this far to repay the favor we owe to King Almus. Therefore, we will not demand any privileges. However…」

Mutzio’s voice grew louder.

「It’s clear that the Rozel Kingdom was involved in the rebellion in our country!! I cannot face my late father, brother, and fallen comrades in the afterlife if the Rozel Kingdom does not pay reparations!!」

Mutzio slammed his fist down on the table, visibly enraged.

「The problem is the evidence… That magician hasn’t confessed yet, has he?」

「There is no magician in our country capable of breaking the curse inflicted on her.」

Rozel Kingdom’s magicians are under a curse to prevent information leakage. If they attempt to disclose any information, their hearts will explode.

We can’t interrogate her until this curse is lifted.

「Actually, I have ordered her to be transferred here. She should arrive in three days. At that time…」

「I shall ask Julia to break the curse.」

As I said this, Mutzio quietly expressed his gratitude.

There is no magician superior to Julia in the Adernian Peninsula. If Julia can’t do it, it’s probably impossible for anyone.

「The Equus Tribe demands an apology and reparations; King Domorgal’s Country demands the handover of Prince Aldo; and King Rosais’ Country demands reparations. Lastly, a truce between the four countries for the next three years. What do you think of these proposals?」

Raymond presented the specific peace proposal we would present to the Rozel Kingdom. The demands of the Equus Tribe and King Domorgal’s Country are mandatory, and the truce and the reparations to us are negotiable.

It’s dubious whether the Rozel Kingdom will pay us any money. After all, their power still far exceeds ours.

Carlo and I agreed with Raymond’s statement. However, Bartolo disagreed.

「Hmm, I see we’re moving towards accepting a peace… but do we need to? Let’s continue our pursuit instead. Discussing peace is a waste of time.」

Indeed, that’s a valid point. However, I don’t want to fight with the Rozel Kingdom anymore.

War is nerve-wracking and costly. Continuing it would cause serious damage to our domestic industries.

However, this is our only chance to stop the Rozel Kingdom.

「But General Bartolo, what if we are defeated? It might be better to settle this now…」

「o talk of defeat before the battle has even begun is a cowardly attitude I would not expect from you, Raymond-sama. Are you feeling well? Perhaps age has caught up with you…」

「!! I am merely considering all possibilities…」

Raymond and Bartolo glared at each other fiercely.

It’s the first time I’ve seen these two argue like this. It’s somewhat refreshing.

「Were you not defeated once in this war already?」

「That was in the past. I won the last battle. I will win the next one too. The enemy’s morale is greatly weakened. We cannot miss this opportunity. Rozel Kingdom’s strength is more than ten times that of our country. We must strike now they are weak.」

「That’s exactly why. What if the Rozel kingdom seriously retaliates and strikes us with full force? It would turn into a quagmire. The soldiers will want to return home, becoming useless. The enemy is offering peace talks now; this is the time to stop the war. We won’t get another chance like this.」

Hmm, both sides make valid points. It’s a tough decision to make. I, too, want to weaken Rozel if possible. But the risk involved…

High risk, high reward or low risk, low return? Which should we choose?

「General Tonino, Bartolo-dono says so, but… can we win?」

Carlo asked Tonino. Tonino nodded firmly.

「We can win. It’s just a matter of continuing our pursuit. Now is the opportunity.」

So, both generals believe we can win.

Next… All eyes naturally turned to Lettis Blouse asking for the opinion of the head of the Blouse family.

「We would like to get an alternative territory to replace the lands ceded to King Rosais’ Country… Ideally, we would want to annex territory from the Rozel Kingdom.」

Three in favor of continuing the war, one in favor of peace talks. The pro-war faction has the upper hand.

「What do you think, Carlo-dono?」

I asked, and Carlo responded with a wry smile.

「Hmm… As long as I can succeed to the throne, I don’t need anything else. Our country is in shambles from the civil war, and we need to rebuild quickly. We cannot afford to prolong the war… However, considering the possibility of the Rozel Kingdom becoming even stronger in the future, the option to weaken them now is appealing…」

Unable to decide, huh? I can’t decide either.

「My king, Carlo-dono!! Now is the time to decisively strike the Rozel Kingdom!!」

「Peace should be our priority now!! Continuing the war will only lead to further demoralization and devastation of our lands!!」

Bartolo and Raymond pressed us for a decision.

I can feel an intense energy emanating from both of them. It’s better to make a decision sooner rather than later. But…

I can’t tell which option is right with my meager brain!!

Just as I seriously began to consider saying ‘The die is cast’1 and literally throwing dice…

「My king!! A hawk has arrived with a message from Iarl-sama!!」

「A message!! Bring it quickly!!」

Perfect timing!

I took the letter from the guard, broke the seal, and opened it.

…

…

…

I couldn’t help but smile. The other six looked at me curiously.

After carefully folding the letter, I announced to them.

「King Gilbed’s Country and King Faldam’s Country have invaded the border with the Rozel Kingdom.」

◇

Iarl’s role was to incite King Zoldias’ Country and King Evile’s Country against each other. He succeeded, and both countries were now at war. With that, Iarl’s role was complete.

But it would be a waste to just let him idle. So, I sent Iarl to King Gilbed’s Country and King Faldam’s Country.

There was a chance of success. Both countries have suffered under the Rozel Kingdom’s actions. The chance for revenge is now or never. I thought they would definitely join the fray.

「Ah!! As expected from Almus-dono!!」

Carlo looked at me with respect.

Stop it, you’re making me blush.

On the other hand, Tonino and Lettis gave Carlo a look of disbelief. Such significant diplomacy had unfolded without King Domorgal’s Country’s involvement. Carlo should be angry. At the very least, he should have expressed some complaint or sarcasm.

Well, I have an excuse prepared; I only have to say that I didn’t want to get their hopes up in case it didn’t work out.

I excluded King Domorgal’s Country because I plan to make it a vassal state. I want it to serve as a convenient buffer zone. Ultimately, I want to strip it of its diplomatic autonomy.

As a preliminary step, I kept Carlo out of the loop. This was to demonstrate the importance of King Rosais’ Country and the downfall of King Domorgal’s Country to King Gilbed’s Country and King Faldam’s Country.

Is it mean-spirited? That’s the highest compliment for a politician.

I’ve also been spreading news of the Rozel Kingdom’s defeat to the tribes in the Germanis region and the northeastern part of Gallia. This was done through Ainz and Abraham.

The Kirisians trade with countries and tribes around the world. Using this trade network, something like this is easy to accomplish.

Abraham was particularly enthusiastic.

Maybe it was because I promised to visit him to show him his great-grandson.

The tribes in northeastern Gallia want independence from Rozel, and the Germanis people are eagerly eyeing Gallia’s lands. Knowing that the Rozel Kingdom is in a tight spot, they will surely make their move.

「So, I think we should continue to press the Rozel Kingdom. What do you think, Carlo-dono?」

「I agree. Now is the time to unite the power of the Adernians! Let’s drive them out of the peninsula!」

…Honestly, I think that’s a bit unrealistic.

Thus, the allied forces rejected the peace envoy and began their pursuit of the Rozel army. Simultaneously, King Gilbed’s Country and King Faldam’s Country armies poured into the Rozel Kingdom.

At the same time, the tribes in northeastern Gallia and the Germanis tribes began to show unsettling movements. King Rozel, in a panic, ordered General Kuryuu to return.

General Kuryuu made a forced march back to the Rozel Kingdom. The allied forces fiercely pursued them.

This pursuit further depleted the Rozel army’s military strength. It is said that less than ten thousand soldiers managed to return to the Rozel Kingdom.

TN1: ‘The die is cast’ in Latin ‘Alea iacta est’ is a famous phrase attributed to Julius Caesar, he uttered it as he led his army across the Rubicon River, signaling the start of the civil war between Caesar and the Roman Senate.