The sudden peace atmosphere ripened due to Valenshtein’s rebellion.
King Gustav, who was fully prepared to start a war at any moment, couldn’t help but feel awkward.
Originally, he intended to banish the Sacred Empire’s forces alongside the Heretic Alliance and expand the territory of the Kalmar United States within the Sacred Empire, but it seemed like the situation was wrapping up just before he even drew his sword.
However, King Gustav thought he might not have to be fully disappointed about this.
“Although I haven’t done anything myself… our lord, Chris IV, has once been involved in war. If we make good use of this, can’t we gain something ourselves?”
Chris IV’s actions were made unilaterally, but at least for now, he was officially acting under the banner of the victorious Heretic Forces.
After all, the justification was to assist King Friedrich, the figurehead of the Heretic Forces, so he certainly could speak up regarding the matter.
Of course, Chris IV had mostly lost his power and was supposed to stay quietly in his territory, but King Gustav, as his monarch, had the right to take the benefits he could gain.
“If things have come to this, whom should we send from our side to Westphalia?”
“Um…”
“That is…”
The nobles started to glance at each other subtly at King Gustav’s words.
It was an obvious matter; since this was a meeting meant to end a war that had lasted nearly ten years, it was destined to be quite lengthy, and given that it was a crucial moment tied to national interests, the pressure was undeniably immense.
It was, quite literally, a substantial burden to carry while being away for a long period.
If everything went well, they might even leave their names in history, but to be honest, everyone present knew that Kalmar United States’ position in these negotiations was not very favorable.
In a nutshell, it was a tough negotiation where they had to bear an enormous burden for a prolonged period.
As a result, the ministers were all looking at each other, afraid to step forward.
At that moment…
“Your Majesty, then allow me to go.”
“! No… no…”
“Are you really… okay with this?”
A woman’s voice unexpectedly chimed in.
At this, not only the ministers but also King Gustav’s face began to show a moment of astonishment.
A person who was willing to step forward in a negotiation where no one else dared.
Unlike the other ministers in formal attire, she was distinctly dressed in a maid outfit.
With long silver hair secured at the end and possessing striking purple eyes, she was a young, beautiful woman.
Everyone in the room knew who she was, and King Gustav cautiously asked her.
“…Will you really do that? If you step up, I could alleviate my worries…”
“Yes, if it is what you wish, I will gladly volunteer. As your subject and a citizen of the Kalmar United States, of course.”
“Hmm… if that’s the case…”
King Gustav glanced at the other ministers to gauge their reactions to her words.
However, despite looking around, there was no sign of anyone else willing to step forward, leading him to the conclusion that there were no alternative options at the moment.
Of course, if he forced someone else, he could send another, but under the circumstances of having someone volunteer, there was no need to go that far.
Moreover, as it was not just anyone but his ‘mentor’ who had taught him magic, he judged it appropriate to entrust the matter to her to maintain her dignity.
“Very well, then let your mentor step forward. I understand the situation is difficult, but I hope you can bring significant benefits to our Kalmar United States.”
“I will serve your command, Your Majesty. I am Athena Invisible. I will surely bring good news for the Kalmar United States.”
*
Chancellor Richelieu Kazinar of the Franz Kingdom.
He was feeling a great sense of regret over how swiftly the internal conflict of the Sacred Empire was being sorted out.
“If the war had lasted just a bit longer, we could have taken Alsace region… such a pity.”
Taking advantage of the chaos in the Sacred Empire, the Franz Kingdom was seeking territorial gains.
However, despite achieving some success, Richelieu had no choice but to halt the advance of the army at this stage.
Regardless of anything else, what had allowed Richelieu to act was the externally apparent justification of ‘helping the Heretic Alliance to save the suffering subjects of the Empire,’ thus he could not inflate that territorial gain any further.
Of course, the Franz Kingdom was technically under Church influence and was conducting rigorous suppression of heretics internally, but such contradictions could be overlooked for the sake of national interests.
Thanks to the Franz Kingdom crushing the heretic forces early on, hardly any noise had arisen about it.
Thus, Richelieu decided to halt the advance for the time being.
And at this moment, a letter had arrived notifying him about a negotiation requested by Valenshtein in Westphalia.
“Negotiation, huh… If we play our cards right, we can definitely secure the Lorend Region we have taken. And if luck is on our side, we might gain even more…”
The wars fought with swords could be said to have been somewhat suspended at this moment.
However, for Richelieu, chancellor of the Franz Kingdom and a politician, the true battle was about to begin.
Tasks he absolutely had to resolve for the leap of the Franz Kingdom.
To firmly embark on it, he needed to personally attend the negotiation.
“I will go to Westphalia. Prepare at once.”
“Yes! Chancellor!”
*
“Hahaha! So it really happened? That Emperor Sijip has lost all power and become a mere puppet?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, that is indeed the case.”
Friedrich, who was staying in the Roland Region.
He was genuinely overjoyed about the news of the emperor, whom he considered his enemy, falling into a pitiful state.
Of course, the news of Chris IV’s defeat, who had been supported by his wife, was a painful tale for Friedrich.
Fortunately, there was no major damage done because he completely obliterated General Spinola in Lorend, but it meant they were once again exchanging blows with the Empire in a tug-of-war situation.
Friedrich’s dream of quickly recovering his territory, the Palatinate Region, was slipping further away, but under these circumstances, the news of the emperor’s fall signified a new opportunity for him.
Though, honestly, the fact that the emperor, who had been troubling him, got smashed up was the source of his greater joy.
“In any case, General Valenshtein, who has taken real power, has requested a meeting in Westphalia. It’s expected that most of the key figures involved in this war will gather…”
“I must go, obviously! Of course, I will personally go. I have to bring back the Palatinate somehow!”
Despite everything, he was still maintaining his position as the face of the Heretic Alliance.
Moreover, although things hadn’t gone smoothly, he had shown enough efforts for the alliance, establishing that he had a share in this war.
Thus, Friedrich set off to Westphalia along with the delegation sent from Lorend.
Unaware of the upcoming storm that would unfold as all the continent’s prominent figures gathered in one place…
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