Chapter 22: Discussion - Part 2
My response seemed to catch Funsleroya off guard, leaving him dumbfounded.
"...Huh? Did you just refuse now?"
"Yes. I decline."
Not only Funsleroya, but Alektem was also surprised by my firm rejection.
"Are you implying that the compensation amount is insufficient?"
"Milimoss-sama, what are you saying? Didn't you just say that acquiring that land is the royal family's longstanding desire?"
As the two became agitated, I tried to calm them down with a gesture.
"I have my reasons for refusing. The Mendashium region is much larger than the Nonette Kingdom. Even if we were to cede half of it, there would still be twice as much remaining."
"And what of it?"
Interestingly, Alektem's strategic insight seemed clouded. Well, it's no wonder, considering I said that I don't want the land they have longed for.
"How do you plan to govern such a vast land? Besides, while we are familiar with living in the mountains, we know nothing about managing land on the plains. Even if we receive the land, it will be nothing more than a waste. It would be more sincere to refuse something that would rot the land where people live."
"That's not true! It should be possible to govern it properly!"
"Then let me ask you this. In the plains, how do you cultivate wheat that cannot be grown in the mountains? How much should be collected as taxes? Who should be responsible for it?"
"It would suffice to leave such matters to the farmers, letting them continue as they have been."
"Since you seem to have forgotten, let me tell you. The majority of the Mendashium country's forces we repelled were peasant soldiers. To them, we are the despicable enemy who killed their parents, siblings, and children. Do you think they will cooperate willingly? It's clear that they will try to deceive with taxes and harbor dissatisfaction against Nonette's rule, leading to rebellion."
I don't say it out loud, but there are still more problems.
If we hypothetically divide the Mendashium region exactly in half, it would mean that the region governed by Nonette would be adjacent to the region governed by the Empire.
One side would be the governance of a small country that can be blown away with a gust of wind, while the other side is the governance of a major power competing for world hegemony.
It's not a matter of seeking shelter under the shadow of a big tree, but it's unlikely that there would be any debate about which governance the people living in the Mendashium region would prefer. They would probably see the lush green grass of the Empire as golden compared to the Mendashium region under Nonette's rule.
If that were to happen, there would be residents who would want to live as part of the empire in the areas governed by the Nonette Kingdom, and it would likely lead to an outflow of residents.
Places where it seems certain that people will disappear, as well as the loss of tax revenue, are inevitable even if they exist.
Speaking personally, I would like some wheat flour. I want to eat bread and udon.
But that's just my personal desire.
And the desire for the land in the Mendashium region belongs to the Nonette royal family.
However, for the citizens of the Nonette Kingdom, they love and eat beans that grow in the mountainous land and they have no complaints about the lack of wheat. They don't even want the plains in the first place. Even if they were given the plains, they would probably respond with something like, "Oh, is that so? By the way, I just harvested some good beans. Please have some!"
So, there is no need for land that seems to be both troublesome and useless.
Now, turning my face from the speechless Allectem to Huntseloya, let's tidy up the appearance.
"As for me, there's something I want more than land."
"Oh, really? Is that something worth as much as half of the Mendashium region's land?"
Funtseloya's tone wavered as if my response was unexpected.
Nevertheless, to think that what I want is worth the same as the land in the Mendashium region?
If you only consider raw materials, it would undoubtedly be quite cheap.
"What I want is paper from the empire."
"Paper? You want paper made by the empire?"
Funtseloya's expression clearly showed that he considered it foolish of me to desire paper so much that I would give up the vast land I was supposed to receive.
For me, that paper is worth much more than the land in the Mendashium region. After all...
"Yes. I would like to receive a paper with the signature of the person at the pinnacle of the empire, stating that the empire and the Nonette Kingdom are equals."
The air in the room froze at my smiling words.
Allectem had a look of surprise on his face, Funtseloya's expression became tense, and Famiris emitted an atmosphere of anticipation, thinking that something interesting was about to happen.
Funtseloya was the first to recover.
"Is that paper sufficient for compensation? Are you really okay with it?"
"Sure. Well, if it's difficult for you to prepare what I requested, then I suggest you visit the royal palace of Nonette Kingdom and have a discussion with my father, King Cholex. He should agree to compensate for the land. After all, it seems to be the long-cherished desire of the royal family. If you have any other matters to discuss, feel free to do so at that location."
I expressed my attitude, saying, "If you're not willing to guarantee that you'll provide the paper, I have no intention to continue this conversation."
Or rather, it's strange in the first place for me to be discussing the future of the country. Even though I'm a prince, I am the youngest and have already accepted that I won't become the king. It would be more appropriate to leave it to my father, the current king, or my older siblings who are likely to become the next king.
As I calmly considered such things, Funselloire glared at me with hatred.
"The brat from a small country, instead of quietly accepting the land, dares to make demands. Even though we have knights from a knightly nation, we can't intimidate and force them to accept our demands."
That's the kind of look that implies such thoughts.
Even if he glares at me, I have nothing more to say.
Funselloire and I remained silent, while only time passed.
It wasn't us who broke this silence, it was Famiris.
"So, is the Empire heading to the royal palace of Nonette? If you are, I must accompany you. Ah, you said you didn't have time earlier. Then, there's no choice but to respond right here. The Empire, capable of simply handing over half of the conquered land, should have no trouble preparing a piece of paper."
"You boar. You have no consideration for our side..."
Funselloire frowned, pondered for a moment, and then relaxed his shoulders.
"Prince Millimos said he would consider the proposal if he were the king of Nonette, but it won't be that easy. There's a high possibility that we'll end up repeating the same situation of going to the castle. It can't be helped. We'll accept the request. I will bring you a signed agreement from the Emperor at a later date."
After making that promise, Funselloire continued with a complaint-like tone.
"I underestimated you due to your young age. However, I must admit that it's sufficient to acknowledge that the future king of the neighboring country is truly remarkable."
"I appreciate your kind words, but unfortunately, I'm not the next king."
When I retorted with a jest, Funselloire seemed even more surprised than when I asked for the paper with the Emperor's signature.
"Yes? Prince Milimos holds the rank of Field Marshal, right?"
"That's precisely why. The next king wouldn't become a soldier whose death is uncertain, would he?"
"In the Empire, it's common for the emperor's child to achieve military exploits as a soldier, you know?"
"The same goes for the Knight Kingdom. The child of the Knight King must serve in the military as a knight and participate in battles."
As representatives of the two major powers spoke, it seemed that our small country had no standing.
"Hahaha. Let's just attribute that to the difference in national character."
After laughing it off and making an unexpected request as a representative of a small country, I decided to provide some follow-up.
"The reason I said I don't need the land in the Mendashium region is actually another one."
"Oh, really? What could that be?"
"The Empire is struggling to gather enough iron ore, to the point of desiring the low-yielding iron ore from the Nonette country."
"...I'd prefer you not say that in front of someone from the Knight Kingdom."
Well, I think the Knight Kingdom is aware that the Empire is hungry for iron ore anyway.
Well, it might have been unnecessary information to mention deliberately.
What I mean is that by discussing it here, the problem would be resolved.
"Are you saying that the Nonette country is prepared to produce a large amount of iron ore?"
"No, it's not us. It's produced in the Mendashium region."
"The Mendashium region is mostly plains and hills, there shouldn't be any mines, right?"
That's a misunderstanding. The vast mountainous area surrounding the Nonette country is a series of valuable mines. It should be the same on the side of the Mendashium region that borders it. If we put pressure on the former officials of the old Mendashium country, we might get information about one or two hidden mines."
Mountains are the same mountains on both sides. There shouldn't be a difference in the type of ore that can be extracted.
This information seemed useful to the Empire as well, as vitality returned to Funceloria's expression.
"That's good to hear. Actually, the second thing I wanted to discuss is also related to iron ore. If it's confirmed that a large amount can be extracted in the Mendashium region, this negotiation won't end in failure."
"There's also the possibility of it being a brilliant move not to hand over valuable mines on the spur of the moment."
After exchanging jokes, we both laughed together.
It seemed that the conversation had settled quite nicely. That's a relief.