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Vol 05 Chapter 164: Eve of the War

An emissary from Lezado came with an ultimatum.

They demanded various things like reparations and the extradition of the criminals, but I refused them all. Diplomatic relations with Lezado are officially severed.

However, the impact is negligible.

Aside from Lezado, we still maintain friendly relations with the two other city-states, Gehenna and Nemes. By increasing trade with these two cities, we don’t need to trade with Lezado.

In fact, it’s Lezado that will suffer.

For now, we need to prepare for the impending war.

「Bartolo, when do you think would be a good time to start?」

「I think March, two months from now, would be ideal. By then, it should be quite warm in the south.」

While King Rosais’ Country is warm enough not to snow in winter, the south where Lezado is, is even warmer. By March, it will be warm enough for us to march.

「We need to deal with the cities in between us and Lezado…」

This should be handled through diplomacy. Conquering each city-state one by one would take too much time.

So…

「Iarl, proceed with the plans to incorporate each city-state. They should submit if we threaten them with force.」

「Understood. I’ll make the arrangements.」

Iarl nodded.

The city-states have already begun to abandon Lezado. It shouldn’t be too difficult.

「Additionally… while inviting the Equus Tribe to join us is a given… should we also invite King Belvedire’s Country? If possible, I would like to have King Domorgal’s Country and King Evile’s Country aid as well.」

「… It’s a winning battle. Isn’t it unnecessary?」

Raymond looked slightly dissatisfied. It’s probably because the share of the spoils of victory would decrease accordingly.

Well, I understand that too…

「Even though we have a just cause, it’s still an invasion. The more accomplices, the better.」

Although we are using the Rozel Kingdom as a scapegoat, invading Lezado will significantly boost our national power. I want to avoid increasing distrust toward our country from other countries.

If King Domorgal’s Country participates the distrust of the other countries would greatly reduce.

「Of course, it’s a given that our country will hold the command authority.」

I coronated Mutzio and Carlo. And our country has once defeated both King Evile’s Country and King Belvedire’s Country in war, and our national power is several times greater than theirs.

It’s only natural that our country stands in a dominant position.

「Additionally… this is just a thought I had…」

When I shared my idea…

Bartolo grinned.

「That sounds interesting. Let’s do it.」

◇

After finishing the discussion with Raymond and the others, I summoned Ainz. It was to discuss the treatment of Lezado after its occupation.

「Personally, I would be happy if Lezado could join our country as an autonomous city… However, do you have any attachment to Lezado?」

Ainz tilted his head at my question.

「…What do you mean by that?」

「Exactly as I said. You merchants are running the government of Lezado to protect your business, correct?」

Claris, the Kirisian city-state that had been the suzerain of Lezado until it was conquered by Persis, was apparently a monarchy long ago. Taking advantage of its location as a connecting point between the Thetis Sea and the Ash Sea, and between Occident and Orient, Claris had prospered through intermediary trade since ancient times.

However, the king of Claris imposed high commercial taxes. Dissatisfied with this, the merchants of Claris hired mercenaries, waged war against the king, and won.

Since then, Claris has continued to be self-governed by merchants, and its colonial city, Lezado, has established a similar political system.

In other words, Lezado keeps its independence to ensure that nothing hinders its merchants’ business…

「Politics costs money. Aren’t you losing a lot of money and time doing politics?」

「…Well, it’s certainly more profitable to focus on business.」

Ainz nodded.

「I suggest that you and your allies abandon Lezado.」

「…Are you saying that we should surrender ‘Lezado’ to you, Your Majesty?」

Well, that’s basically what I’m saying… But it’s too blunt to say it straight out.

「I’m not saying that. I’m merely suggesting you join our country. …If you decide to leave Lezado, I will welcome you as nobles of my country.」

When I said this, Ainz’s eyes widened. It was probably an unexpected proposal.

「Does that mean we will be able to participate in the politics of King Rosais’ Country?」

「What else could it mean?」

I stared at Ainz’s face.

「Of course, the position would be hereditary. Well, I can’t grant you land… but you don’t really need it, do you? If you become nobles of our country, you can get salt and distilled liquor at lower prices.」

I’m not entirely sure whether the salt production methods in this world are too primitive or if it’s difficult to produce salt from salt pans. However, it seems that salt is cheaper to obtain by mining rock salt than by producing it in salt pans.

The merchants of Lezado transport the salt from King Rosais’ Country to Kirisia and Persis, profiting from the trade. Even considering the transportation costs, there must be a significant demand for rock salt.

We sell salt to foreigners at slightly higher prices.

To sell it cheaply to our citizens and gain their favor, and to make money from foreigners.

That is our intention.

In other words, if they abandon Lezado and become nobles of our country, they can obtain salt significantly cheaper. I think this is quite a lucrative offer.

The same goes for distilled liquor.

「If we annex Lezado and the southern countries, our total population, including slaves, will exceed 600,000. That forms a reasonably large economic zone. …Isn’t maritime trade stagnating recently?」

As a result of the Persis-Kirisia war, the Kirisians lost control of the Thetis Sea. Now, the Thetis Sea is controlled by another naval power called Pofenia.

Due to their domination of the Tethys Sea, Lezado cannot conduct maritime trade as freely as they would like.

The economic zone of King Rosais’ Country might be significantly smaller compared to Kirisia or Persis, but it still has its own advantages.

Most importantly, it has growth potential.

「Our country will continue to expand its territory. …The economic zone will become increasingly larger. It’s not a bad proposition, is it? Well, I’m not asking you to make a decision immediately. Discuss it thoroughly with the other council members.」

It would be wise to accept. I have no intention of giving up the port of Lezado.

If you insist on holding onto Lezado… I will gradually strip away your autonomy, like tightening a noose. If I incite the second-class citizens, it won’t be too difficult.

Goods should be sold when their value is at its peak. Your value is at its peak right now. This is the business opportunity of a lifetime.

Two weeks later, the council members of Lezado accepted my demands.

I’m glad it was resolved peacefully.

◇

「Your Majesty, why did you want Lezado so much?」

Raymond asked me after the negotiations with Lezado’s councilors.

What’s so strange about it?

「Won’t annexing Lezado increase our troubles, like dealing with pirates? I thought you disliked such hassles.」

Well, it’s true that those aspects are troublesome…

「Lezado’s national power is too strong. Leaving it as an autonomous city is a threat. Besides, the benefits of annexing Lezado outweigh the troubles.」

From what I hear, the population of Lezado is about 100,000. Among them, 20,000 are wealthy.

It would be foolish not to annex them.

「Also, one of the reasons is that I wanted to make Lezado’s councilors nobles of our country.」

「Why is that?」

「So they start investing in our country willingly.」

The mainland of King Rosais’ Country still has vast undeveloped lands. If the wealthy merchants from Lezado buy up and cultivate this land, food production will increase.

Moreover…

I want to increase the number of nobles. I want to have nobles from different social classes, not just the former patricians.

That’s why I welcomed Ainz and his allies as nobles.

There’s also the purpose of reassuring the Kirisians within the country. King Rosais’ Country is a country of Adernians. However, the recently annexed territories have a large number of Kirisians, and in some places, they are the majority. To govern these areas effectively, we must include Kirisians as nobles. But it’s problematic if they continue to hold influence in their local regions indefinitely. Hence, it’s necessary to sever their ties with Lezado.

「Besides, the idea of determining the number of votes based on tax contributions is ridiculous. How can proper governance be achieved that way? From now on, I will govern directly.」

They claim it’s advantageous for business, but… I doubt it’s truly beneficial.

Take, for example, the second-class citizens. They don’t have proper wealth.

The reason is the low wages the first-class citizens pay them for their work.

In the short term, that might be profitable. But in the long term, it’s a loss.

If the second-class citizens are paid higher wages, they will be able to purchase more goods. As a result, merchants will profit more. Wages will increase further. Then profits will increase even more… creating a positive cycle.

In the past, Lezado’s business partners were the Kirisians and Persis across the sea, so they didn’t care about the second-class citizens. But if they continue with the same practices as before, I doubt they will survive.

Lezado’s methods will be swallowed by the tides of change.

Individual profit does not always equate to collective benefit. Lezado has prioritized individual profit too much.

Moreover, their customs duties, tax system, and other policies are likely full of unnecessary and redundant things.

I intend to change all of that.

「Besides, wouldn’t it be beneficial to have at least one port? If we’re going to acquire one, it should be a good port. Lezado is said to have the best port among the southern countries.」

「Really… Is a port that important?」

「It connects us to the world!」

「Is such a connection necessary?」

Hmm… Can’t you appreciate the romantic notion of being connected to the world through the sea?

◇

「In the creation of the state, Emperor Almus had two choices. One was to create an Adernian Empire, an empire predominantly for the Adernians, who would occupy most of the Adernian Peninsula. The other was to create a Romalian Empire, an empire that included all the people living on the Adernian Peninsula, including the Kirisians in the south and the Gallians in the north. By welcoming Kirisians as nobles, Emperor Almus chose the latter.

Romalians are those who hold Romalian subject rights. Birthplace, language, religion, skin color, and status are not indicators that distinguish Romalians from non-Romalians.

I hereby declare. From now on, all those who live in this country, all my subjects, are equally Romalians, and I will treat them equally as Romalians.」

Gaius Julius Caesar Westoria Germanicus Augustus Pater Patriae

Excerpt from ‘Memoirs of the Wise Emperor’.