I was truly surprised by King Gumnos’s statement.
King Gumnos, who should have intended to abolish the peerage system and grant new titles to the current peers, never would have imagined that he would propose restoring the entire Valientia to Amister.
“P-please wait a moment! Isn’t that His Majesty Gumnos’s arbitrary decision?”
“It is not an arbitrary decision. I have secured the support of the northern and western peers. Some nobles seem to be opposed, but they are followers of Streihait and the like, so they have no right to speak.”
Furthermore, if Baron Neige and the others also agree, it would mean it is truly the consensus of Valientia.
The nobles who oppose are Streihait’s followers, so they probably intend to punish them by using this opportunity.
“Your Majesty Gumnos, you mentioned unifying the Philia Continent, but does that include Solemne and Libertà as well?”
“It should be so. It will be a great burden for Amister, but it is an undeniable fact that Abaricia has unified the Gradia Continent. Therefore, should not the Philia Continent also be unified by a great power?”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Hilde and Grand Duke Liar agree with King Gumnos.
But Hilde was decided long ago to be the representative to govern Solemne.
If this is overturned now, won’t it cause diplomatic problems with Torencia?
No, it will be a problem here first.
“W-wait! Your Majesty Reinhardt! You promised His Majesty Gumnos that you would not interfere with matters concerning Solemne! Then why do you permit such nonsense!”
The one who loudly interjected was, as expected, Gustav.
“King Gumnos merely answered Queen Hildegard’s question. Moreover, Councilman Gustav, I told you that you have no right to interfere with Solemne, and regarding Valientia, it is a complete diplomatic issue. Did you interfere knowing this?”
“As the Grand Duke family responsible for Libertà’s diplomacy, we cannot overlook this.”
Grand Duke Liar also gives Gustav a cold look.
King Gumnos only answered Hilde’s question, and for such a simple exchange to be considered interference is just quibbling over nothing.
If such a trivial quibble were to escalate into a diplomatic issue, it would be natural for Grand Duke Liar to not be able to ignore it.
“Hmph…”
Gustav is a profit-driven trader, aiming to secure benefits in Solemne while also trying to gain influence in Amister and Torencia.
Therefore, if Hilde accepts King Gumnos’s opinion and withdraws from Solemne, the profit he would gain would decrease.
It’s a truly money-grubbing way of thinking, but I can’t help but question if there was any need to invite such a person.
“I see. It’s true that this isn’t a matter my brother alone can decide.”
“Indeed. However, what His Majesty Gumnos says is not wrong. It will also serve as a check on Retisencia, so I also agree.”
“Liar!”
Grand Duke Liar also agrees?
Gustav is glaring at him as if he could shoot him, but Grand Duke Liar completely brushes it off like a willow bending in the wind.
“I do not intend to force my proposal upon you. Especially since Libertà, despite suffering near-total casualties in the council, is still active.”
Well, that’s probably honest, but Grand Duke Liar has shown his support, and Councilman Urs and Councilwoman Katarina, who governs Vagenbach, the bridge city to the north of Lichtenfels, in the east of Estrella, also seem to agree.
I don’t know about the other bridge cities, but from what I’ve heard, Gustav’s survival was a miracle, so I have a feeling they’ll be in favor.
“Councilman Gustav, you are welcome to oppose, but in that case, Formalhaut will become an independent nation. Since you are rejecting our proposal and choosing independence, please understand that you will not receive any support.”
“Th-that’s tyrannical!”
Is it tyrannical?
If Valientia and Libertà are annexed by Amister, they will also be placed under the protection of the nation of Amister.
Amister will also focus on rebuilding its own country, so it will put in effort and give priority.
However, if Formalhaut becomes an independent nation, it will be a matter of support from one country to another.
Formalhaut also suffered damage from Solemne, but it’s said that not many cannons were fired, and they didn’t contribute significantly to the war, so it’s unlikely they’ll receive no support at all, but I doubt they’ll be prioritized over their own country’s reconstruction.
Yeah, it’s not tyrannical at all.
“Then I ask you, did Formalhaut make even one contribution in this war?”
“Th-that is…”
“Moreover, we have this as well, Councilman Gustav.”
Saying so, Grand Duke Liar took out a letter from his pocket.
“This is an investigation report on the damage to Formalhaut and a report on your background check. Not just from the past few days, but over several years.”
“W-what!?”
Given Gustav’s nature, a background check report is understandable, but why is a damage investigation report for Formalhaut involved here?
“It’s true that Formalhaut suffered damage, but the targets were only facilities and key figures that oppose Councilman Gustav. Your own faction was barely unharmed. Such a thing is impossible unless you are colluding with Solemne.”
Hearing Mako’s explanation, I understood.
“As Lady Mako states. The other bridge cities were attacked along with traitorous councilors, but it seems the commander of Solemne who attacked Formalhaut was somewhat honorable.”
I see, so that’s the secret behind the miraculous coincidence.
In fact, Estrella’s council hall, the Trader’s Guild headquarters, and even councilors’ residences were hit relentlessly and concentratedly with artillery fire.
With the Grand Mayor also dead, “indiscriminate attack” is a fitting description.
In contrast, Formalhaut’s councilors’ residences and the Trader’s Guild were largely unharmed, and the targets were apparently mostly civilian homes.
Furthermore, after the shelling, Solemne soldiers disembarked from their warships and massacred councilors from factions opposing Gustav.
While civilians who couldn’t escape in time also became victims, the fact that the shelters were not attacked suggests that a secret agreement with Solemne is undeniable.
“Furthermore, you offered a large bribe to the Grand Mayor during this emergency. We have also confirmed that you have secretly contacted influential councilors in each city, though you did not offer bribes to the surviving representatives of the bridge cities.”
It all amounts to this.
In short, Gustav was trying to get his hands on more benefits by taking control of the country of Libertà.
“Let me say this as well: those who accepted your bribes have already been dealt with. During this emergency, you dared to bother us with such trivial matters?”
“Vagenbach is the same. Ah, before coming here, I heard from other bridge cities, and they have all dealt with similar issues. In other words, you are completely isolated.”
Not only Denebulate and Vagenbach, but the other bridge cities have also taken action.
Either they are quick to act, or Gustav’s thinking was too shallow.
“Then, Grand Duke Liar, Councilman Urs, Councilwoman Katarina, what will happen now?”
“We have received letters from each city stating that they are unsuitable as representatives of the bridge cities. Therefore, we will strip you of your councilor qualifications here and conduct an investigation. Since you colluded with Solemne, there is no escaping a severe punishment.”
Of course.
“W-wait! What right do you have to do that!”
“It is true that both the Grand Mayor and Representative Estrella are dead. However, Libertà’s laws state that even the Grand Mayor can be impeached with the consent of two-thirds or more of the bridge city representatives. And here are letters of consent from all surviving bridge city representatives.”
“It is a fitting end for a traitor who betrayed his country. Take him away.”
“W-wait! You! Remember this! Do you think you can get away with this after doing this to me, the next Grand Mayor!”
Gustav was spouting nonsense, but Emperor Reinhardt’s final words struck him.
“Rest assured. If by any chance you were to become Grand Mayor, I promise that Amister will immediately raze it. If you are alright with that, then by all means, freely distribute your money to become Grand Mayor.”
Gustav turned pale and was dumbfounded.
He probably imagined all twenty or more Ancient Class individuals in Amister coming after his head.
Held by the arms by Libertà soldiers, Gustav was led out of the grand assembly hall with a despairing expression.
“I apologize for making you all go through this charade.”
“It could not be helped to ensure the smooth progression of the meeting.”
“Rather, we were able to remove the obstruction quickly, so the subsequent discussion should be fruitful.”
Ah, the representatives from each country had already heard about this.
Well, it’s a disgrace to Libertà, and considering it’s a matter that occurred in front of three kings, it’s natural they would have coordinated beforehand.
“Now, to return to the matter at hand, are Lichtenfels, Denebulate, and Vagenbach in agreement with King Gumnos’s proposal?”
“We agree. Not only for reconstruction, but because it will be for the good of the people.”
“I concur. Vagenbach, in particular, is close to the border with Retisencia, so this proposal is the best for keeping them in check.”
“Denebulate is similar. Some of the defeated Solemne Army have turned into bandits and are appearing near Denebulate. We’ve eliminated quite a few, but their numbers aren’t decreasing, and honestly, we’re tired of it.”
So, for the representatives of the three bridge cities, it’s a welcome proposal.
They don’t know the opinions of the other bridge cities, which will be confirmed later, but they don’t expect any opposition.
“Perhaps I should have invited the Dragon King and the Duke too. Well then, Queen Hildegard, regarding Solemne, for the time being, according to the initial agreement, Amister will dispatch Order, and Torencia will dispatch Saber, with Queen Hildegard to govern.”
“Yes, that is acceptable. However, once the situation stabilizes, I would like Solemne to be annexed by Amister. Is that alright, Hilde?”
“Of course. Ideally, I would like Torencia to be annexed by Amister as well.”
Hilde and His Highness Brynhild say such things.
To think of annexing Torencia as well, even Emperor Reinhardt probably can’t accept that.
“I expected you to say so. That is precisely why I wish to borrow the wisdom of our guests.”
Saying so, Emperor Reinhardt looks at me and Mako, but is it really my turn to act now!?
“Is that so? In that case, forming a federation would be the best option, wouldn’t it?”
“A federation? Like Libertà?”
“It’s a little different from Libertà. Libertà seems to be more like a union of multiple bridge cities, and I’ve heard that the laws vary slightly between the bridge cities.”
“Indeed. There are differences in tax rates, treatment of High Class individuals, and conscription systems depending on the city.”
Libertà, the only federal state in the Helios Orb, apparently has different roles for each bridge city.
So, “Union of Bridge Cities” might be more accurate.
“In my world, a federal state is a form of government that integrates two or more countries under a single sovereignty. As I mentioned, the laws are unified, so they cannot be arbitrarily decided or revised. However, it’s becoming somewhat of a formality, so perhaps it would be better to establish a clear monarch, a ruler above the kings, such as an emperor.”
Ideas are flowing so smoothly from Mako’s mouth!
I mean, it’s true that I’m not bad at history, but why are they coming out so quickly?
“So, you mean for me to be enthroned as emperor, and the others to be kings?”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it? Amister’s original territory is fine as is, but for the others, there are also issues of distance, so it might be best to divide Libertà into several parts by bridge city, and have representatives, Lord Beast King, peers, and dukes govern them.”
“Leaving Solemne aside for now, you are saying that an emperor like myself should be placed above the rulers of these regions?”
“That is the fundamental premise.”
Indeed, an emperor is a higher rank than a king, and it seems to be the case for Demi-human Catastrophe Species and Demise Species as well.
Ah, but the word “emperor” might bring to mind Retisencia’s Imperial King, so perhaps the wording should be changed slightly.
“Also, since ‘Emperor’ sounds similar to ‘Imperial King,’ how about taking inspiration from Amister’s symbol, the Celestial Tree, and calling him ‘Celestial Emperor’?”
“Emperor of the nation bearing the Celestial Tree. So, Celestial Emperor. That is indeed better.”
It’s not that the word “Imperial” is bad, but Retisencia has given it a negative connotation.
Besides, Abaricia has a Divine Emperor, so having a Celestial Emperor on the Philia Continent provides a good contrast.
There is still much to discuss, but with King Gumnos’s proposal, it has been broadly decided to unify the Philia Continent into one great nation, with Emperor Reinhardt becoming the Celestial Emperor.
Now, all that remains is to iron out the details.
It’s troublesome, but I also need to rack my brains to finish this quickly.
