Chapter: 697
The phrase “Winter Trio” refers to the Lucen Kingdom, the Stynia Kingdom, and the Nosgor Kingdom.
As the name suggests, these kingdoms are mostly submerged in a perpetual winter, enduring an endless blanket of snow and cold for most of the year.
To the west of the Winter Trio lies the illustrious Ainter Kingdom, the second most powerful on the continent. Still, it looks like these three have been drinking all Ainter’s power, stumbling around as pathetic little nations at rock-bottom.
That’s the Winter Trio for you. They’re so marginal they hardly make a dent in the world, with such low national power that they barely do any external activities, and their lands are so desolate that they’re not even attractive enough for foreign invasions. It’s like being the nerdy kid in school who no one bothers to pick on.
“An alliance, you say?”
“Yes, indeed.”
It was a statement I definitely didn’t expect to hear. I mean, I was just worried about whether the Crown Princess would make it back safely to the Imperial Palace in this weather, and here I am hearing about some alliance as soon as we step inside. If I had known this was coming, I would have happily let her sleep over at my mansion instead.
The idea of forming an alliance is no light matter. We’re not just talking about some friendly neighborhood pact; this is a full-blown alliance—serious business!
“An alliance is something only Yuben has adopted.”
The Yuben United Kingdom is the third most powerful nation and a magical powerhouse. If they’re using an alliance, it must be a progressive concept, but there’s surely a good reason why no one else is jumping on that bandwagon.
Alliances come with way more downsides than upsides, and they collapse under the weight of their own flaws before anyone can enjoy the benefits. Honestly, if Yuben could just announce itself as a single kingdom, they would have done it ages ago. They’re only sticking with the alliance because there are no alternatives!
Even then, the Yuben United Kingdom stabilizes that alliance because it stands tall as the top-tier nation. But the Winter Trio?
“There are two weak and one weakling among them.”
There’s no solid nation to hold the alliance together. In fact, it’s a big leaking bucket!
“The weakest of the weak might take offense at being called that. Best not say it out loud, especially not in front of the Lucen Kingdom.”
“I never said Lucen!”
“Still, as the Minister mentioned, the Winter Trio lacks a nation strong enough to hold the alliance together. Stynia and Nosgor are similarly matched in strength, and don’t even get me started on Lucen.”
I briefly opened my mouth but then nodded slowly. Well, at least I confirmed that the Emperor and I were on the same wavelength.
“So, this is a real brain-buster. It’s bizarre enough that these nations, previously clueless about each other, are now shouting for an alliance. What kind of benefits could possibly be enticing enough to drive this?”
“Wouldn’t it be fortunate that they at least sought permission from the Empire first? If they had formed an alliance first and sent a delegation afterward, we’d be in a real pickle.”
“Well, from where I stand, there’s a clear determination to gain that permission.”
And that statement wasn’t entirely wrong.
If a kingdom tries to seek the Empire’s approval through official diplomatic channels, it implies that it considers the matter a state project. If they were wishing on a star with a half-baked idea, they wouldn’t dare broach the subject in the first place.
“Did they mention what kind of alliance they’re looking to form?”
“They’re aiming for a looser version than Yuben’s. Instead of one king representing the alliance as Yuben does, the Winter Trio plans to have three kings leading at the same time.”
Now that just adds to the chaos. You’re coming together to form an alliance but want three chiefs? Then what’s the point?
“That’s complicated.”
“It is complicated.”
With that, the Emperor took a swig from the vodka he placed on the table.
“Well, for now, I plan to hold off until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gathers more detailed information. Trying to set a game while missing a few key cards will only mess up the whole plot.”
“A truly wise decision.”
I nodded along with the Emperor’s reasoning. No need to rush headlong into something that doesn’t require immediate attention. Diplomacy between nations often demands considerable negotiation and compromise. The Winter Trio is likely aware of how much back-and-forth they’ll need to endure with the Empire.
“However, Your Majesty.”
“Speak.”
“If the Winter Trio forms a single alliance… wouldn’t it make them more appealing to Ainter?”
“Not at all.”
The Emperor’s firm response took me by surprise.
“A united Winter Trio may be a faithful friend of the Empire, but they sadly don’t possess the capacity to draw Ainter’s attention.”
That’s still better than nothing, I guess.
The Emperor shrugged before downing the rest of his vodka.
‘So, it really is as pathetic as I thought.’
For the Emperor to make such a bold assertion implies the Winter Trio’s power must be dismal. It tugged at my heartstrings a bit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was surprisingly quick in gathering intel. Who would have thought they’d have a report ready before I returned to my mansion?
“Wow, they’re speedy!”
The Emperor must have shared my surprise, chuckling softly as he reviewed the piles of documents brought in by his aides.
What a sad twist of fate. Right when I was about to leave, the paperwork shows up. How can I say, “Well, I guess I’ll be off now”? It’d be awkward.
“…Ah, indeed.”
Watching the Emperor’s reaction, my curiosity sparked even more.
Had I not previously known about the Winter Trio’s plans to form an alliance, I would have been none the wiser. Alas, I had learned the intent, and now if I went home, I’d be jolted awake wondering, “Why on earth are those guys trying to unite?”
What a nightmare! Truly, humanity’s greatest enemy is curiosity.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Take a look too. It’s even more painfully tragic than I expected.”
My curiosity heightened further.
*
Watching the Minister swiftly check the papers, I uncapped a new bottle of vodka.
I should have felt suspicious why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was moving at such an unusual speed. Turns out they hadn’t truly gathered information; instead, the Winter Trio had reported their circumstances to the Empire themselves.
And the report the Winter Trio submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—a.k.a., their petition—was heart-wrenching.
“It’s clear we’ll perish if we go our separate ways, so let’s stick together and tough it out.”
Their lands are barren. Their resources are limited. Their borders have stagnated and can’t expand any further. Trade is difficult since the sea frequently freezes over.
The Winter Trio’s dilemma meant the very preservation of their nations hung by a thread. They had managed to survive until now, but if things continue, they’ll undoubtedly plunge into ruin.
So, embracing the alliance option was their only recourse. They weren’t seeking to enhance their influence, nor were they looking to unite forces to migrate south to warmer lands. They were simply trying to survive as they shed borders and customs!
In this cold world, dying all alone is far worse than huddling together for warmth.
‘I thought even the harshest lands were still homes for people.’
That thought made me bitterly chuckle. Even if it’s a land of eternal snow, I’d assumed the existence of a nation would mean the people had somehow adapted. But here I realized they were merely withering away.
I felt sorry for the Winter Trio, especially toward Lucen, the worst off of them all. I even felt grateful that they managed to create such vodka under their dire conditions.
“This is a grave situation.”
The Minister muttered with a bittersweet tone after reading the documents.
“Could they survive just by forming an alliance?”
And he touched on a painful truth I had been actively ignoring: three stragglers still amount to stragglers. Pooling their debts wouldn’t magically reduce it; it’d be triple the trouble.
“Yet, turning them down is not an option. This is a matter of their national survival. If the Empire shows reluctance, the blame would surely come our way.”
“True, but…,”
In the end, when facing death, wouldn’t making one last desperate gamble be better for the Winter Trio?
The Empire really had no choice but to accept. If there was a malicious agenda behind the alliance, maybe we could have refused or demanded concessions, but with survival at stake, we should be urging them on.
‘If the Winter Trio really collapses, that would be troublesome in itself.’
Historically, the northeastern continent was a mess. Rugged lands, hostile climates, limited resources, and ferocious tribes. As a result, countries adjacent to this region have always faced the threat of invasions and plunders from barbaric hordes.
The relative calm in the region was thanks to the Winter Trio, which provided a civilized diplomatic force. However, if they were to collapse, the northeast would revert to its barbaric era. The chaos that arises from that would be less than desirable.
‘…How do I save them now?’
But distinguishing the necessary from the feasible is another story. The Winter Trio is crucial for maintaining peace on the continent, but their inherent limitations surpass even that necessity.
If only they were neighbors, we could give them a chance through substantial trade. If supplies flowed in, national preservation might actually be feasible.
“It’s a shame. If we could set up convenient trade, survival would be possible.”
Truly a pity…
“Ah.”
The Minister suddenly gasped as if struck by inspiration, catching my attention.
What’s going on? Surely there’s no miraculous solution to the predicament, or has he maybe thought of something that I overlooked?
*
When the topic of trade was mentioned, one specific creature instinctively popped into my mind.
‘Jeez.’
Those speedy, massive creatures that boast immense strength and wingspan.
As evidenced by their habitat in the northern regions, they have a pretty decent resistance to cold as well.
‘What if I send those to the Winter Trio?’
We could send a Jeez loaded with supplies they desperately need, or even stuffed in boxes for the Jeez to carry with its legs. Each round trip could deliver enough goods to equal several ships’ worth.
Of course, that wouldn’t compare with regular maritime trade in terms of volume. Still, it’s enough to supply lifeblood to a dying nation.
‘Let’s collect the dues after we save the customers first.’
This is the Empire’s mercy just before they sink into catastrophe. If the Jeez rescue mission succeeds, the Winter Trio would inevitably become the Empire’s eternal loyal subjects.
Though it’s fact that international relations never yield eternal allies or enemies, betraying someone who saved your nation goes beyond a simple breach of trust. How could you negotiate with a country that doesn’t uphold even the bare minimum of conventions? Merchants may love money, but they do business with people, not beasts.
Thus, I casually mentioned this strategy to the Emperor.
“Oh.”
He responded positively as if intrigued.
“Indeed. If we can legally send the Jeez to the Winter Trio, the Empire’s influence could extend to northern Yuben and behind Ainter.”
The response was far more than I had imagined, but I thought, why not?
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