“So essentially, national power can be categorized into hard power and soft power.”
“Please continue.”
Mr. Penguin began jotting down notes in his notepad.
“Hard power refers to military capabilities, while soft power refers to cultural, academic, and informational influences.”
Pastel received a note page. The fountain pen gifted by Elly swirled around.
“In other words, hard power is physical military strength, and soft power is mental diplomatic strength. You could swap the terms and say that hard power is physical diplomatic strength and soft power is mental military strength, and it wouldn’t be a huge issue. Alternatively, you could describe hard power as short-term national power and soft power as long-term national power, but we don’t really need to go into that here.”
“Soft power feels like the strength of culture.”
Mr. Penguin twiddled the fountain pen.
“You mentioned that information is included. Specifically, what do you mean by that?”
“Espionage. Simplified, soft power is like national charm, making it easier to woo people. Hence, it’s very strong in espionage.”
Imagine a Soviet spy suddenly approaching an official from a country with no ties to the USSR, saying, “I know you secretly admire communism. Would you join us to serve the persecuted proletariat if the opportunity arises?” It sounds like some sort of hypnosis with high success rates.
The American democratic version is quite similar.
“The achievement of unifying an empire that has maintained stability for an extended period is an irreplaceable absolute soft power. While the unified empire does not directly translate to diplomatic power, conversely, all that power can be converted into patriotism.”
The world is not so lenient that a mere internal traitor or an external force like the Demon King could bring the empire down.
If one dreams of betrayal, they should pray that those around them don’t kill them first. The chef who was joking around until yesterday might get carried away with patriotism and poison today’s meal. Even if that’s a rare occurrence, there are definitely plenty of people who would report to the royal family.
If a traitor isn’t the issue, facing an evil Demon King might be even tougher. One would have to endure enough hardship to achieve forced unification against the united Earth Alliance standing against an alien invasion.
Wow.
“Elang Vital, or rather, the active participation of nobles and subjects who have voluntarily transformed will surpass the current visible military strength of the empire. The idea that the empire will collapse due to betrayal by a mere internal noble is just nonsense.”
Mr. Penguin scribbled something in his notebook.
“So you’re saying that the voluntary participation of subjects who admire the Emperor will be strong enough that there’s no need to worry about betrayal?”
Phew.
This really oversimplifies things in a monarchist, pre-modern way.
With the advent of firearms reducing the minimum training time for military training, the spread of education allowing for a smooth supply of literate officers, and improved transportation facilitating the participation of citizens across all territories, if there exists media to inform and encourage participation, the explosive involvement of citizens can immediately be converted into military power…
Ah, it’s too complicated to explain.
Considering the empire’s advancements, I think it’s roughly feasible. The bureaucracy is still lacking enough that mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops in a matter of months isn’t possible yet, but that’s not a huge problem compared to the Demon King or traitors since it puts them on equal footing.
Moreover, at the very least, the empire’s frontline, the Sky Island, can manage to mobilize up to a hundred thousand troops thanks to the great Governor Pastel having introduced a modern bureaucratic system early on. If the ongoing railroad construction on Sky Island is completed, it will indeed be almost immediately possible to mobilize forces.
They’ll be able to respond instantly to the evil Demon King’s invasion, sending out troops!
Wow!
Loyal servant Pastel is so capable!
“I’m working hard for you, Your Majesty the Emperor!”
Loyal servant Pastel felt proud.
“That’s right! The brilliant achievements of Your Majesty and past dedicated emperors are incomparable and cannot be matched by any trifling noble! All subjects who admire the Emperor will fight with their lives!”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“I didn’t understand what the governor meant earlier, but now I do. The Demon King uses the notion of republicanism to blind the subjects’ eyes and split the empire until it finally collapses.”
“Exactly! Exactly! The only force that can split the empire in the face of this soft power of the unified empire is republicanism!”
Pastel put on a serious expression.
“The problem now isn’t internal traitors, but the United Kingdom, who have seized the soft power of republicanism, is the real adversary! We should not rely solely on the visible physical military power! That’s not everything!”
Pastel had a loyal servant’s demeanor.
“I completely understand Your Majesty’s concerns about the betrayal of the great nobles, but we must not get bogged down by that. As a loyal servant, my advice is that the main cause will ultimately be the United Kingdom. We should not waste the empire’s resources on controlling the great nobles but instead direct them against the United Kingdom.”
Her pink eyes grew serious.
“If it weren’t for the prophecy of the Temple, the empire’s collapse would have likely happened according to the prophecy. But is it truly due to the common causes like the treachery of great nobles? Isn’t it more likely that the empire will perish due to unexpected factors?”
The girl’s hand waved about.
“Think about it. Even without the prophecy, His Majesty would have prepared for the betrayal of the great nobles. He would undoubtedly have prepared for the appearance of the Demon King as well, just like past dedicated emperors.”
Her finger pointed up towards the ceiling.
“But why would the God give a prophecy? Could it be because the usual methods and thoughts couldn’t stop it?”
Mr. Penguin’s mouth slightly dropped open.
“That’s true. The betrayal of the great nobles or the emergence of the Demon King are issues His Majesty would have continuously monitored even without prophecy.”
“But the primary cause is clearly that the United Kingdom lacked military strength compared to the empire. They have seized the republican ideology to confront the united empire.”
“So it was that way.”
Mr. Penguin’s expression revealed his realization.
“I was curious about why the governor met with the Duke of Redgrave and observed the republican faction.”
Huh?
Huh?!
Pastel’s eyes widened.
What?! What?!
How do you know?!
I’ve only secretly visited the Duchess Nastasha’s residence once!
“I was already aware that the Duke of Redgrave harbors ill feelings towards the imperial family. However, the republican faction itself focuses on political activities and does not significantly invest in training soldiers, so His Majesty hasn’t been too concerned. But from the perspective of soft power you just mentioned, the conversation changes.”
Mr. Penguin put away his notepad. A smile emerged on the man’s face.
“The republican faction is the group of traitors.”
Huh.
“The governor’s counsel that we must not judge simply by visible troop strength will be conveyed to His Majesty in my name.”
Mr. Penguin placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head.
Huh.
The seemingly harmless republican faction, which had been quietly monitoring the prophecy, is suddenly set to be intensely scrutinized.
The militarily strong northern Bellamont and southern Camarot have been keenly controlled through prohibiting their entry into central politics and exiling their heirs to the remote Sky Island Academy, but now the republican faction, which was quietly staying low, will face immediate scrutiny from today onward.
Cause: That pink-haired girl.
I shouldn’t have trusted the pink-haired girl in the first place…
Ugh.
You really pulled a Craft-like stunt!
You really messed up as a republican!
Oh wait.
Now that I think about it, I’m not a republican.
The Craft family has traditionally been royalists.
What a twist.
The pink-eyed girl rolled around.
I feel a little sorry, but isn’t this something Duchess Nastasha should deal with herself?
After all, someone probably thought this out long ago. Wouldn’t it have been a situation that would have happened eventually?
After all, wasn’t it a mistake to form a shady group with a name like ‘republican faction’?
Isn’t it more justifiable for the open disloyal republican faction to be rightly scrutinized than innocent Melissa or Elshire, who are disinterested in the throne and have nothing to do with the prophecy?
Ugh, that sounds right.
“It’ll take some time for swift air ships to travel, so until His Majesty gives a new command, please proceed with your stratagems as per your judgment, Governor.”
“Ah! Yes!”
Yay.
While the Emperor’s will is confirmed, the Emperor’s order remains ambiguous~.
“By the way, what brings you to the messenger’s contact point? With Lord Presley here, have you been enjoying gambling lately?”
“It seems the radical faction worked with a wicked cult to raid me, but I can’t find any evidence. I’m trying to investigate it myself in disguise.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“In that case, there’s no need for you to do it alone, Governor. As you said, it’s crucial to strengthen the constraints on the United Kingdom. I’d be glad to help.”
Ugh.
I didn’t want to owe the frightening Mr. Penguin, so I was trying to handle it alone, but here I am.
Pastel discussed with Mr. Penguin how to deal with the radical faction of the United Kingdom.
The clock ticked away.
A while later, Pastel emerged from the secret chamber.
“Phew.”
He wiped his forehead, which was free of sweat, for no reason.
So tired, so tired!
But feeling fulfilled!
I feel like I worked really hard today!
My lips twisted up in a grin.
Today’s diary~!
Today, I met the scary Mr. Penguin.
There seemed to be something lacking when I explained it, but he understood immediately!
He’s super rational and smart!
And also…
I conveyed counsel to His Majesty.
I exposed the republican faction’s sinister schemes, blocking the realization of the prophecy!
Phew, a monumental achievement.
Loyal servant Pastel Love Craft.
Today, I dedicated my loyalty to His Majesty as well.
Wow.
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