Chapter 25: Seeds of Chaos
The victory celebration has ended, and the Kingdom of Nonette is in the midst of preparing for winter. I, too, have joined the soldiers to gather firewood in the mountains. Typically, we collect fallen branches, but if there are rotten or fallen trees, we use axes to break them down and make firewood.
During our exploration of the mountain forest, if we encounter beasts, we hunt them for food, and if we encounter monsters, we slaughter them as pests.
Monsters... although it sounds terrifying, they are simply animals capable of using magic.
Magic in this world isn't particularly powerful. Moreover, it's just animals with low intelligence that exercise it, so their power is something you need to experience firsthand.
Even so, it is an astonishing sight to ordinary farmers and travelers, so the soldiers have to equip themselves with weapons and go on expeditions to hunt them down. They are formidable opponents.
Well, the meat of monsters is delicious, so when soldiers come across them, they willingly go hunting. Therefore, there isn't much human casualty.
Oh, but I'm supposed to be a marshal, so I can't help but wonder why I'm doing the same work as the soldiers.
As I continue to live such a daily life, it becomes the season when snow flutters down from the sky.
In less than ten days from now, Nonette Kingdom, located in the highlands, will turn into a world of silver.
However, since it is a mountainous region surrounded by mountains, the amount of snow is not that great.
Thanks to that, we can grow winter beans in the fields.
"Ugh, it's getting cold..."
Wearing a fur coat over my clothes, I am doing office work at my desk.
There is a fireplace in the office, but I have to save firewood for the winter, so if the temperature allows it, I have to refrain from using it with layered clothing.
Rubbing my hands together to warm them, which are about to stiffen from the cold, I continue to move the quill pen.
Amidst that, I heard a knocking sound on the door.
I don't have any appointments with anyone today. If it's a soldier, they would knock on the door and state their name and purpose. However, the person standing in front of the door right now hasn't introduced themselves, so they're not a soldier.
I wonder who it could be as I look at Alektem next to me, but he shakes his head. Apparently, even Alektem doesn't know who is on the other side of the door.
Well, it's someone who politely knocked on the door and is waiting. There should be no problem with letting them in.
"The door is unlocked, so you can come in."
As I say this and resume my paperwork, the door opens immediately.
When I saw the person who entered, I was slightly surprised.
It was Futteiro, the second child of King Cholex and my elder brother.
"Futteero, why did you come back to the country? Weren't you supposed to travel abroad for diplomacy during the winter?"
As I unintentionally voiced my doubts, I received a gentle and delicate smile, befitting a prince.
"Milimos seems to have gotten the hang of being a marshal. And it seems he celebrated his first battle with a victory. I'm happy to see my admirable younger brother growing up."
"Please don't say things like Mother. So, what's the matter?"
Concerned that he might be aiming for the throne, questioning me, who achieved military success – that's not limited to Futteero.
He's similar in personality to Mogirena-ki and is quite indulgent towards his family, so he wouldn't suspect his younger brother.
However, it's still strange that his foreign reputation is that of a capable diplomat.
In that case, I can't really predict why he came to my office.
Futteero's expression changed to a wry smile, seemingly understanding my distress.
"Well, the thing is, I've run into a diplomatic problem. That's why I thought I should consult with Milimos."
"Is it unusual for the capable Futteero to fail in diplomacy? And not only that, but the situation must be quite dire if you have to consult with the marshal."
Surprised by the continuous unexpected circumstances, Futteero looks troubled.
"It's not a complete failure, but Milimos is partially responsible for the cause of the turmoil."
"What do you mean?"
"Milimos negotiated with the Empire and received a document with the emperor's signature. That document is becoming the cause of the commotion."
Confused by what he was saying, I tilted my head, and Futteero provided a more detailed explanation.
"Thanks to that document, Nonette has become something like a sibling country to the Empire, though not completely equal."
"We wanted to prevent Nonette's sovereignty from being encroached upon by the Empire, so it was a method to safeguard against that."
When I asked if it was a failure, Futteero returned a smile.
"Regarding that matter, Milimos did a great job. I would have handled the conversation the same way. However, I do have a slight desire for some land."
He said it like a joke, as it was our family's long-standing wish, and then Futteero continued speaking.
"The problem is that other countries know about the existence of that document and desire it."
"I understand why other countries would desire it, but that document is an agreement between Nonette and the Empire. Even if they buy or steal it from Nonette, I don't think it would apply to that country."
"However, it's not exactly like that. You see, Milimos, there are always loopholes. If you have control over the country of Nonette, which is limited to Nonette's jurisdiction, you naturally gain control over the documents' effectiveness."
"What do you mean?"
"It's simple. If the power is limited to the country of Nonette, then by gaining control over Nonette, you also obtain control over the effectiveness of the document."
"So, you're saying they will destroy Nonette and obtain the document?"
"No, because if the name of Nonette disappears, its power will also vanish. We merge with it. We decide who will prevail through diplomatic negotiations or war, and then we merge."
Just as the Empire incorporates Mendashium and remains the Empire, even if Nonette combines with another country, it can still retain the name Nonette. After securing the effectiveness of the documents, the other country can wield substantial power, while externally it remains Nonette but in reality, it becomes a different country.
"That's a cunning method."
"That's what diplomacy is about."
Futteiro casually says with a nonchalant attitude.
While feeling a sense of relief from his composure, I couldn't help but think that diplomacy and his demeanor don't quite match.
"So, by bringing up diplomatic discussions with us, does that mean it's going to turn into a war?"
"It's about half and half whether it will be resolved through words or escalate into a physical fight. So, I want you to be prepared."
"I understand. And who is the opponent?"
"It's the country to the east of Nonette, Rocha."
"They're a significant country even among the Empire's vassal states, known for their expertise in weapon manufacturing. They seem to be making a substantial profit by exporting weapons every time the Empire goes to war."
"They also had a border with Mendashium, so until the Empire expanded its territory to this extent, they were also exporting weapons to Mendashium."
If a place like that, where arms dealers turned into a country, found value in those documents, it would be troublesome--
"Because they continue to maintain a good relationship with the Empire, I think those documents are unnecessary for that country."
"However, that's not the case. The Empire's self-made weapons have reached a high standard. Rocha's weapons are becoming harder to sell."
Ah, I see. They are manufacturing magical weapons to compete against the knight countries.
The imperial sword at my waist is an excellent steel sword even in its normal state, but when infused with magic, it becomes an extraordinary weapon that can even cut through steel.
Well, no matter how good you are at weapon manufacturing, ordinary weapons won't sell anymore.
Moreover, the Empire is acquiring the Mendashium region and establishing a method to obtain a large amount of iron ore, so weapons will probably sell even less in the future.
"So, they want the document with the Emperor's signature that the Nonette Kingdom obtained because weapons are becoming less popular, right?"
"Currently, we are treated as a semi-vassal state, so they won't listen to us. We want to become equals so that we can negotiate more assertively. That's what the Rocha Kingdom is thinking."
"It's quite troublesome to be targeted like this."
"That's true. Fortunately, the snowfall in the mountainous areas surrounding the Nonette Kingdom interferes with them, so they can't send a large army during winter."
As I imagined a nearby map in my mind, I tilted my head.
"The southern mountain range is quite close to the Rocha Kingdom, right? Futteiro also uses that road when visiting the Rocha Kingdom. I think that road can be used even in winter."
"There is a pass road. But that road is not easy enough for a carriage to pass through. When I go abroad, I have to ride a horse myself and carry only the minimum amount of luggage."
"...This is unrelated to the conversation, but does Futteiro ride a white horse?"
"My beloved horse, Bian, is as white as a snowy field."
Futteiro is truly a prince on a white horse.
Riding such a white horse and traveling abroad, he must be adored by women from other countries.
While feeling a little envious, I decided to get back to the topic.
"For now, we don't need to consider an invasion from the Rocha Kingdom, right?"
"First, we'll have diplomatic negotiations. But the prospects don't look good, so I want the military to be cautious."
"Understood. I was just thinking of moving the personnel at the border fortress, so it's a good timing."
Now, I need to write the documents for personnel rearrangement.
As I took out the paper and held the pen, Futteiro threw a question at me.
"Why were you planning to move the personnel at the fortress on the former Mendashium country border?"
"It's a simple story. The Mendashium region is already the Empire's territory. With the Empire's magical weapons as opponents, that fortress won't even be a wall. We were planning to withdraw all personnel except for the minimum required for communication and inspections."
"So, we'll assign the surplus personnel to guard Rocha Country, right?"
"While there are no fortresses on that road, there are surveillance huts. We'll send more personnel and have them set up defensive positions."
"That's reassuring. It seems Milimos is effectively managing the military, so I'll put effort into diplomatic negotiations."
"Futtero, Rocha Country's military power surpasses that of Mendashium Country. Their iron equipment poses a formidable threat in battle. If it comes to that--"
Futtero seemed to understand as well and nodded firmly.
"I understand. Milimos can rest assured. Our opponent is Rocha Country, which can make sensible decisions, rather than Mendashium Country, which harbors animosity towards Nonette Country. War will be the last resort after exhausting diplomatic means."
After stating this with a smile, Futtero exchanged a few casual words with me and then left the office.
I watched his retreating figure and decided to immerse myself in the increased paperwork that needed to be done.