“So, national power can be largely classified into hard power and soft power.”
“Please continue.”
Mr. Penguin began to take notes in his notebook.
“Hard power refers to the ability to conduct warfare. Soft power pertains to academia, art, and information.”
Pastel received a piece of memo paper. The fountain pen Ellie gifted her started to swirl.
“To express it differently, hard power is physical military strength while soft power is mental diplomatic strength. You could also understand hard power as physical diplomacy and soft power as mental military strength without major issues. Furthermore, you could say that hard power represents short-term national strength and soft power represents long-term national strength, but it’s not really necessary to know that right now.”
“Soft power feels like the power of culture.”
Mr. Penguin twirled the fountain pen.
“You mentioned that information is included; what specifically are you referring to?”
“Espionage. If soft power is simplified to mean national appeal, it makes it easier to entice people. Therefore, it is very strong in espionage.”
An example came to mind of a Soviet spy approaching a bureaucrat from an enemy country, who had no connections to the Soviet Union, and saying, “I know you secretly admire communism. If there is an opportunity to serve the oppressed proletariat, would you join me?” Almost like a hypnotic suggestion, such efforts often have high success rates.
The same goes for the American democratic version.
“The achievement of unifying the world and maintaining stable governance for a long time is an irreplaceable absolute soft power. While it may not convert directly into diplomatic power, all that power can translate into patriotism.”
The world isn’t easy enough to allow a mere internal traitor or a malevolent external force to bring about the empire’s downfall.
If one dreams of treason, they should first hope not to perish at the hands of those around them. A chef who was chatting happily until yesterday could ignite a passion for patriotism and poison today’s dish. At the very least, even if such incidents are rare, there are plenty of people ready to betray the imperial family.
Moreover, if it’s not the internal traitor but rather a wicked demon lord, it would be even more difficult. They would need to struggle to achieve the forced unification achievement against the united Earth Alliance standing against an alien invasion.
“Elang Vital, or rather, the proactive participation of transformed nobles and citizens will exceed the military prowess of the current empire.”
Mr. Penguin scribbled something in his notebook.
“Are you saying that the voluntary participation of the loyal subjects who admire His Majesty the Emperor will be strong enough to not worry about betrayal?”
Phew.
That simplification is so unidimensional and pre-modern in a royalist way.
With the advent of firearms reducing the minimum time required for military training, the spread of education allowing a steady supply of writing officers, the development of transportation making it easier for citizens from all territories to participate, and the existence of a media encouraging participation across the nation… the explosive involvement of citizens can be immediately translated into military strength…
Ah, it’s too complicated to explain.
Considering the development of the empire, I think it could be roughly feasible. The bureaucracy is still insufficient for mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops within months, but that’s not a major issue since it’s on similar terms to the demon lord or a traitor.
Additionally, at least the Sky Island, which is on the front lines of the empire, can manage to mobilize an army of up to a hundred thousand thanks to the great Governor Pastel having implemented a modern bureaucracy long ago. Once the ongoing railway construction on Sky Island is completed, immediate mobilization could indeed be possible.
It becomes possible to promptly respond to the wicked demon lord’s invasion by dispatching troops!
Wow.
Loyal subject Pastel is capable!
I’m working hard like this, Your Majesty!
Loyal subject Pastel felt proud.
“That’s right! The brilliant accomplishments of His Majesty, including those of past fervent emperors, cannot be rivaled by any insignificant noble! Every loyal subject who admires His Majesty will fight to the death!”
“I completely agree.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“I didn’t understand what the governor was saying, but now I do. The demon lord uses the ideology of republicanism to blind the subjects and to split the empire, ultimately leading to its downfall.”
“Exactly! Exactly! The only force capable of dividing the empire against the soft power of the unified empire is currently republicanism!”
Pastel’s expression grew serious.
“The real issue isn’t the internal traitor, it’s that the United Kingdom that has preempted the soft power of republicanism is the real adversary! We can’t simply rely on visible physical military strength and feel at ease—it’s not all that matters!”
Pastel wore a loyal subject’s expression.
“I understand very well that Your Majesty is worried about the betrayal of the nobility, but we cannot become fixated on that. As a loyal subject, I would advise that the main issue will ultimately stem from the United Kingdom. We should not expend the empire’s resources on holding back the great nobles but rather on countering the United Kingdom.”
The pink-eyed girl became serious.
“If it weren’t for the prophecy of the great shrine, the empire likely would have been doomed just as the prophecy foretold. But is it really due to mundane issues like betrayal by the nobility that this situation occurred? Perhaps it’s rather because of an unexpected cause that the empire faces ruin?”
The girl’s hand waved.
“Think about it. Even without the prophecy, His Majesty would have prepared for the betrayal of the nobility. Surely, they would have prepared for the appearance of the demon lord, just as past fervent emperors did.”
Her finger pointed towards the sky beyond the ceiling.
“Then why did the divine being deem it necessary to deliver this prophecy? Isn’t it because things cannot be prevented through conventional methods and thoughts?”
Mr. Penguin’s mouth slightly opened.
“That is indeed the case. The emergence of the betrayal by the nobility or the demon lord would have been issues that His Majesty would have continually monitored even without foreknowledge.”
“But the main cause is, without a doubt, the United Kingdom, which was militarily inferior to the empire. They are the ones who have seized the republican ideology to confront the unified empire.”
“I see now.”
Mr. Penguin’s expression showed realization.
“I was curious about why the governor met with Duke Redgrave and examined the republicans.”
Huh?
Huh?!
Pastel’s eyes widened.
What?! What is it?!
How do you know?!
I only visited Duke Nastasha’s residence once, secretly!
“I was already aware that Duke Redgrave harbored negative sentiments towards the royal family. However, the republicans have concentrated on political activities and haven’t invested much in military training, so His Majesty hadn’t paid them much mind. Yet from the perspective of soft power you just mentioned, the story changes.”
Mr. Penguin put away his notebook. A smile spread across the man’s face.
“The republicans are traitors.”
Eh.
“I will ensure that the governor’s warning that one must not judge solely by visible military strength reaches His Majesty.”
Mr. Penguin placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head.
Eh.
The republicans, who had been quietly cautious about the prophecy, are suddenly to face concentrated scrutiny.
The militarily renforced Northern Bellamont and Southern Camarot, both under strict control from entering central politics and exiling heirs to the border Sky Island Academy, had been quietly restrained due to direct intuition of the concentrated scrutiny, but now they will suddenly be under heavy focus.
Cause: That pink-haired girl.
In the first place, I shouldn’t have trusted that pink-haired girl…!
Huh.
Craft has gone and done something it shouldn’t have!
A move that should not have been made as a republican!
Oh wait.
Thinking about it, I’m not a republican.
The Craft family is originally royalist.
Oh wait.
The pink-eyed girl rolled around.
I feel a bit sorry, but isn’t it a problem that Duke Nastasha should resolve on her own?
After all, it’s likely that someone had already thought through such basic reasoning at some point. So wouldn’t it ultimately be something that had to happen eventually?
In the first place, isn’t it a problem to create a group called republicans that have such an insidious name?
Isn’t it more justified to concentrate scrutiny on the openly disloyal republicans than on gentle and innocent Melissa or Althier, who have no interest in the throne or the prophecy?
Huh, that seems to make sense.
“It will take some time for a fast scoff to be in operation, so until His Majesty gives a new command, perhaps the governor can proceed with deception as planned.”
“Ah! Yes!”
Oh yeah.
Although His Majesty has a sword, His Majesty’s orders remain ambiguous.
“But what brings you to the contact point of the hawks? Did you come to see the house of that Presley clan leader? Do you enjoy gambling on a regular basis?”
“It seems the radicals conspired with the bad cult to raid me, but I can’t find the evidence. So I’m going to disguise myself and look into it directly.”
Mr. Penguin nodded.
“In that case, there’s no need to do that. If what the governor says is true, we need to strengthen our scrutiny on the United Kingdom. I will assist you.”
Ah.
I didn’t want to owe anything to the fearsome Mr. Penguin and was planning to do it alone, but it has come to this.
Pastel discussed with Mr. Penguin how to handle the radical elements of the United Kingdom.
The clock ticked.
A little while later, Pastel left the secret room.
“Phew.”
He wiped his forehead, which had no sweat, for no particular reason.
I’m tired, tired.
But proud, proud!
I feel like I worked really hard today!
The corners of my mouth turned upward.
Today’s diary~!
Today, I met the fearsome Mr. Penguin.
There was something lacking, so I explained it to him, and he understood right away!
So rational and intelligent!
And also.
I conveyed my advice to His Majesty.
I thwarted the treacherous plot of the republicans and blocked the realization of the prophecy!
Huh, what an incredible achievement.
Loyal subject Pastel Lovecraft.
Today too, I devoted myself to Your Majesty.
Wow.
