The noble from the Empire seen by the spy from the Tria Kingdom in the Duchy of Tahiti was none other than Donati Fello, a former official of the royal household.
The few supremely powerful individuals he brought with him endowed Leon Tahiti, who had been nothing more than the brother of the Duke, with strength, and as a result, Leon Tahiti succeeded in a revolt.
According to King Ramon I’s words, the newly enthroned Duke of Tahiti, following the advice of Donati Fello, broke the coalition’s traditions and is enacting policies that create turmoil.
“What specific policies are we talking about?”
[Although part of the coalition, each nation is distinctly separate, yet they have eased border security and are lowering trade taxes between nations in stages, planning eventually to abolish them.]
Of all the seven kingdoms, and unique in the eastern continent, Tahiti – a maritime kingdom in the Eastern Sea consisting of archipelagos, and profit from transit trade connecting the mainland MacLaine or the Empire – would definitely benefit from this policy.
The policy was commendable.
[Moreover, the Duchy’s soldiers are now fully armed with the imported Yonsa crossbows from MacLaine and are concentrating on daily military training, instilling anxiety in the neighboring kingdoms.]
They were also strengthening their defense.
[Furthermore, they emphasize that their four kingdoms have been persistently marginalized within the alliance and now dominate the decision-making power, so if left unchecked, the alliance will continue to move at their whim.]Diplomacy was solid, too.
“Huh, sounds like a good ruler then…?”
[Eh?]
“Ah, no, my apologies. So, what is it exactly that you desire from us?”
Logan hastily shifted his tone as he saw King Ramon I’s face contort from an unplanned slip of truth.
Ramon I, who had cocked his head in confusion, quickly composed himself and got to the point.
[I believe this entire affair began with a conspiracy from the Empire. Therefore, our kingdom, already harmed by the Empire, desires to form a close alliance with MacLaine. We in Tria are prepared to meet any demand that MacLaine might request.]
“Really? Anything?”
His eyes grew wide with the honey-laden offer, suggesting they would grant anything in exchange for forming an alliance.
[Yes, anything that is a feasible condition, as MacLaine is, after all, the greater power.]
Behind the flattery to the powerful country, there obviously came conditions.
[But in exchange, we ask that you eliminate Donati Fello and dethrone Leon Tahiti from the Duchy.]
“Huh…?”
To request the assassination of a ruler of a country?
Logan’s mouth dropped open at King Ramon I’s outrageous proposal.
* * *
“What do you think?”
I’ll give it some thought.
After cutting off the communication with King Ramon I, Logan asked Damian for his opinion.
Considering the threat from the Empire, the proposal from Tria was a welcome opportunity.
However, there were some points that were unavoidably suspicious.
And Damian pinpointed those suspicions accurately.
“King Ramon I’s words are likely true to some extent, but not completely.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Empire wouldn’t use someone whose identity had already been exposed as a spy. Consider Cleo’s case. We’re still unable to find conclusive evidence that he was a spy for the Empire. Except for the fact that the second prince, suspected to be behind it all, brought us his head.”
“Right.”
“However, it is probably true that someone named Donati Fello is causing changes in the Duchy of Tahiti, which in turn is distorting the entire alliance of small kingdoms. There’s definitely a reasonable chance that the Empire is involved.”
“Indeed. The question is what the Empire gains by backing the Duchy of Tahiti, which is something we’ve yet to figure out. And setting aside King Ramon I’s biased statements, the new ruler of the Duchy is implementing policies that seem quite beneficial to their own nation.”
“That’s true. And the progress we’ve seen in the Duchy of Tahiti, in other words, signifies the advancement of the weakest member of the alliance. The rise of the once weakest Duchy now means the existing order is upset for the other kingdoms.”
“So everyone will check against it, like King Ramon I?”
“Yes. From their perspective, centuries of established order seem to be collapsing, which itself will lead to chaos.”
“Indeed… that does make sense. So they want to eliminate that variable and return everything ‘back to how it once was.’ That could be plausible. Though, I doubt that’s all King Ramon I wants.”
In matters between nations, where hundreds of millions of lives are at stake, there is never an absolute. There are always variables to consider.
Yet the fact that he was ready to offer something that should not be offered suggested clear intentions.
“…That means he doesn’t intend to keep his promises. This King Ramon I seems to have underestimated me.”
“Honestly, your feigned role as an ailing king deserved to be ignored.”
“What?”
“It’s a joke.”
Logan chuckled at Damian’s unexpected jest.
Did he also joke like this in his past life?
Feeling the difference against his previous life, Damian quickly changed the subject.
“King Ramon I is clearly trying to push the burden onto us. If successful or not, it seems they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
“And if it fails?”
“They would deny any involvement.”
“If it succeeds?”
“They’d paint us as the alliance’s enemy and grab control over it again.”
In unison, Logan and Damian’s opinions aligned perfectly.
“If it were me.”
“Exactly. That old fox did look pretty sly.”
“‘Too’ sly? Are you saying I’m a snake…?”
Oh, you.
You were like a venomous viper in your past life.
Unable to speak those words, Logan swiftly redirected the conversation.
“Ahem. I meant he seems cunning, no, smart, that’s all.”
“Well, I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“Right. So, what shall we do? After all, we’d be better off with more allies in a fight against the Empire.”
“Whether or not Donati Fello is truly associated with the Empire, it’s essentially a matter of toppling a Duchy. It’s worrying due to its potential repercussions rather than the difficulty… But, perhaps…”
Damian spoke with a chillingly subtle smile.
“If we manage it correctly, we can create a situation that will make it much easier to pursue your intentions.”
“Oh?”
“We follow King Tria’s request, eliminate Donati Fello and cause the downfall of Leon Tahiti. Then, we pin the blame on the Empire.”
“Didn’t you say that would turn the Kingdom of Tria against us?”
“That’s why we need to secure some leverage from the King of Tria first.”
“Hmm?”
“They wouldn’t expect us to act solely based on their word. They must have something prepared. But we must impose conditions so burdensome that they would be significant even for them, whatever that may be.”
“And if he refuses?”
“He won’t. More investigation is needed, but if the King himself is taking such drastic measures, the situation is likely far more critical than he admits. They’re in more urgent need than we are.”
“Fine. Let’s grasp the situation properly first.”
“Yes.”
Damian’s confidence was proved correct just three days later.
“The Kingdom of Tria is far more reliant on transit trade than we thought.”
Despite just three days of investigation, Damian spoke calmly while stacking a considerable amount of documents on one side.
“What does that mean?”
“Tria doesn’t really have special products worth mentioning. If we must find something, it would be that they have abundant agricultural produce compared to the other small kingdoms of the alliance. But even that has not prevented royal and noble extravagance.”
“Interesting.”
“They’ve amassed wealth by heavily taxing inter-kingdom trade due to their geographical advantage. And now, they’ve lost their main source of income.”
“A predicament indeed.”
“Yes. They’ll have to agree to almost any condition we set.”
A smile took over Logan’s face.
Before long, another secret communication was established with King Ramon I of Tria.
[Demand, you say?]
“Yes. As you surely understand, it is quite troublesome for MacLaine to stir things within the kingdoms of the alliance.”
[Indeed, it must be.]
“Since you promised to meet any demand, I presume you have some expectations. So, please share your conditions first.”
Spell it out for me.
King Ramon I looked distressed by Logan’s words.
However, after briefly coughing, Ramon cautiously began speaking and introduced a condition that was quite unexpected.
[I have a lovely sixteen-year-old daughter. As proof of our alliance, I would like to send her to you as a concubine.]
…How many daughters does this man have?
‘But before that…’
Logan barely suppressed a twitching sensation on his face.
“That’s unnecessary. Another condition, if you would. I am quite content with my current queen.”
[You would refuse a woman, at your young age of valor… Ahem, excuse me, that was improper of me.]
Surprised by Logan’s reply, Ramon I’s face was evidently shocked.
Watching this, Logan became convinced.
‘This man sees his daughters as nothing more than tools.’
Despite his seemingly kind persona, he was indeed a different kind of man internally.
And the follow-up was just as preposterous.
[Our kingdom’s circumstance is not the best at the moment, so it’s difficult to offer a significant advance. How about a written promise instead?]
“Another promise?”
[After the coalition is restored, our kingdom would prepare a document promising to ‘continually’ repay MacLaine every year.]
“Ah… A kind of tribute then?”
[To restore normalcy in the coalition, we would do anything.]
He was effectively suggesting a vassal state.
However, Logan casually shook his head.
“Mm. While your offer intrigues me…”
A magical contract between individuals can be forcibly ignored by a high-level knight. Much less, an interstate agreement without a special notary or a guarantee could readily become mere scraps of paper.
If, as expected, Ramon I intended to use MacLaine with just words and meaningless papers… The situation would be rather difficult.
‘With no guarantee of enforcement, just verbal commitments, and even offering his daughter… He surely intends to suffer no real loss. He’s underestimating me too much.’
Feeling the need to push harder, Logan continued.
“…I would prefer actual collateral over such documents.”
[Collateral? As I’ve mentioned, our kingdom doesn’t have the resources to spare right now. Oh, or do you mean one daughter is not enough? If so, then three…]
This madman…
Suppressing a shudder, Logan sharply interrupted the king’s attempt to use his daughter as a bargaining chip.
“I’m talking about entrusting a national treasure of Tria completely to me.”
[What?!]
Ramon I clearly didn’t expect that, as his eyes widened dramatically on the spot.
The leader of the seven heroes who broke free from the tyranny of the ancient Grandia Kingdom, Spear King Tria Cassel, left behind a six-class artifact known as the Radiant Lance ‘Ignis’ as a relic.
Afterward, the Spear King’s name became the royal surname of Tria, and his relic became the kingdom’s national treasure.
[Ignis is a six-class artifact and the national treasure of our kingdom. How could we…]
Ramon I did not even mention the royal seal, the symbol of kingship. The value of the national treasure was too great.
‘Which is why it’s valuable.’
Despite seeing the other’s dismayed expression, Logan spoke steadily.
“It would just be in my possession temporarily. Given the nature of the task we must undertake, such collateral would ensure the promises are taken seriously, don’t you agree?”
[But, that’s…]
“Do you think you can mobilize our kingdom with mere words and a worthless piece of paper, surely not?”
Faced with Logan’s cold smile, King Ramon I couldn’t utter a word through the transmission.
Following a prolonged silence, Ramon I hesitantly spoke.
[…I ask that this be kept confidential externally.]
A wordless concession, bowing low.
Logan accepted that declaration of surrender with a grin that spread across his face.
“Of course.”