Just a few hours before Kael arrived from the Church State.
Isabel was in the middle of exchanging several opinions with Her Highness Crown Princess through a communication device.
“…Sis.”
Until just a moment ago, Isabel had been addressing the Crown Princess as “Crown Princess.” But the more the conversation went on, the more she couldn’t shake off a sense of frustration.
In the end, Isabel decided to lay all her thoughts bare.
“Seriously, seriously, is this right? Why does our Empire have to back down?”
The frustration burst out. The Empire was clearly the strongest nation on the continent, wasn’t it?
Half of the Southern Kingdoms were receiving “friend fees” from the Empire.
To the Kingdom’s people, that was proof of securing both practical benefits and maintaining their pride.
But from the rulers’ perspective, it meant bowing their heads to the Empire.
What about the Church State? They tried to attach themselves to the Empire’s influence but were immediately stopped.
Still, without showing even a single trace of displeasure, they simply smiled and withdrew.
They were even showing a positive response to the presence of the Imperial Legion.
This was the situation. No one dared to challenge the Empire’s order on the continent.
Now, they were just one step away from judging Benito for all the ridiculous things they had done.
[Of course, Bell. It’s because Dedolant is stationed in Benito.]
“But Benito isn’t a vassal state of Dedolant.”
[Instead, they are allies. An alliance that naturally gives a reason to join in if either side is attacked.]
“So that’s why it makes even less sense. Bringing up the alliance while stationing troops in Benito and then lowering their stance towards us? It doesn’t add up.”
After several days since the Empire’s great victory and Benito’s devastating defeat, Dedolant’s prince came rushing to the Empire and delivered a personal letter from the King.
In it was content that was embarrassingly humble, even bordering on begging.
[Dedolant, having formed an alliance with Benito, stationed their army to establish some authority. But they have absolutely no intention of fighting the Empire. If the Empire moves forward to occupy Benito, they will pretend to fight and then retreat.]
“Should we really believe they’ll do that?”
[If our Empire truly decides, they too will act accordingly. Their calculations must have led them to realize that opposing the Empire directly would be suicidal.]
The Empire had just annexed Artria. It needed at least a few months to absorb them.
They also had to replenish the military strength spent on attacking Dugal.
Simultaneously, to cut off the remaining breath of Dugal, they had to absolutely avoid a two-front war.
Dedolant genuinely bowing to the Empire right now? Yes, “right now,” indeed.
[That prince of Dedolant is truly clever. By preserving the faces of both the Empire and Dedolant, and simultaneously believing that our Empire won’t truly occupy Benito, he’s playing his move.]
“…Should we really just let this happen? They were the ones who declared war. We were almost winning against Benito. If we continued our advance and occupied them, it wouldn’t be a problem, would it?”
Isabel’s grumbles made the Crown Princess smile wryly.
[Bell, Benito itself isn’t the issue.]
“Then what is?”
[The real issue is that it’s too early to change the Empire’s proclaimed order on the continent.]
“I don’t quite understand,” Isabel said.
In response, the Crown Princess smiled and explained.
Throughout the years, the Empire forcibly absorbed many regions and demolished countless kingdoms. Much bl**d was spilled, and much anger and hatred were directed toward the Empire. Eventually, at a certain point, they stopped, defining today’s border of the Empire.
Simultaneously, the Empire proclaimed that it would no longer expand its territory.
[Do you think why the previous Emperors made that decision? For the peace of the continent? No. Because in your view, the Empire at that time could handle only up to there. Through various internal aspects of the Empire and many external factors.]
[Nobogorod and the three Eastern Kingdoms recognize the Empire’s imposed order on this continent because, in the end, we keep our promise not to expand.]
Even a mighty Empire like ours would find it challenging if hostile behaviors continued from all sides. Force alone cannot ensure supremacy; governance must inevitably follow conquest. Otherwise, it will only lead to a situation where we end up regurgitating everything we swallowed.
“Now that Nobogorod is under the control of moderates, and the East is in a position where it’s hard to oppose the Empire, can’t we fight Dedolant, having already suppressed half of the South?”
[Bell, do you know why wars happen?]
“Because of the conflicts between nations?”
[No. It’s simple. For the sake of their own interests. Regardless of the pretexts of righteousness or excuses added in between, unless it brings benefits, war doesn’t happen.]
And conversely, wars that only incur losses are ones not worth winning.
With that, Isabel, for the first time, heaved a sigh, as if finally understanding what the Crown Princess was saying.
[Though the moderates have taken over Nobogorod’s council, we need to watch the situation. The Eastern kingdoms still have a fine balance of power and cannot yet be considered completely pro-Empire. It’s impossible to concentrate our strength when there are uncertainties at the rear.]
Even though the Empire had seized the advantage but acknowledged the authority of Nobogorod. Even though in the Eastern front, it showed an overwhelming superiority but did not dismantle any Kingdoms.
By seeing these actions, people who proclaim “Look. The Empire keeps its promises. Therefore, standing with the Empire ensures immediate survival and long-term, promised prosperity” will surely come forth.
But what if the Empire suddenly occupies Benito, consumes the South?
No one knows what kind of fire could ignite in the North and East. If anti-Empire factions gain dominance and confusion increases, everything we’ve done so far may be reverted to the beginning.
And the pretexts for war? That applies to the East too.
From the Empire’s perspective, it wouldn’t ruin the start of cultivating the pro-Empire forces in the East, would it? Harvesting those efforts could yield a very profitable return. It’s quite regrettable, isn’t it.
[That prince of Dedolant knows this. The Empire should take a breather.]
“Even if the Empire takes a breather, isn’t it unlikely that they stand much of a chance?”
[So, they must attack Dugal and try to suppress Ross Tannika.]
At the Crown Princess’s words, Isabel momentarily made a perplexed face as if not fully understanding. Right now, even the Empire is having a tough time, but Dedolant is clearly having a tough phase too. Shouldn’t attacking Dedolant now be a better option?
[As I mentioned before. Stability in the North and East is more necessary. That includes the South too. And… Dedolant has already taken care of the convenient excuse themselves.]
“…That embarrassing level of submission they displayed.”
[A picture is not good when trying to suppress someone who is bending their neck, professing they dislike conflicts with the Empire.]
The larger a nation is, the greater its power and authority. However, the larger a nation becomes, the more proportionally wary surrounding countries become. The Empire is indeed formidable, but if all sides rise, the situation will become precarious.
[Take a breather. Perfectly stabilize other areas before focusing on Dedolant. By that point, they too will have to make a choice. Clutching that kind of power, either declare themselves as the continent’s second power and bow to the Empire or challenge this position to become another Empire.]
And a few days later.
Isabel, who heard similar opinions from Kael upon his arrival, was there.
“Her Highness Crown Princess said as much.”
“Yes, Kael.”
“…I too agree with Her Highness’ words. Although Dedolant in the future may become a significant burden, what concerns me more are the still unstable regions.”
“Even with all the strategies you personally employed in the East?”
Kael shook his head.
“More time is needed. The East is probably tearing itself apart right now. In that process, their national strength will be exhausted, but their resentment towards the Empire will keep burning.”
“Can that be extinguished?”
“I’ll snuff it out. It feels like the high-ranking officials in the Empire are already preparing the next move.”
“How do you know that?”
“Her Highness Crown Princess is not someone who would discuss them without any plan or method.”
After saying that, Kael looked at the hand Isabel had caught. Then he gently moved it and softly touched Isabel’s hand.
“There’s no need to be anxious. It’s just a breather. If we continue with the same momentum right before, mistakes and injuries are bound to happen when trying to run faster and longer.”
“Ah…”
“Didn’t Her Highness mention ‘the Empire’s promise’? As I understand it, promises aren’t forever. Once everything is prepared for the next leap, we will move beyond that.”
Once the East is completely in control, once the position of moderates in the North is fortified, when the pro-Empire forces led by the Church State in the South are firmly established, who then could dare to oppose the Empire when it creates its new territory?
*
“Scary.”
Unknowingly, my body shivered. I could feel the burning flames reaching here.
Even though our Princess might not know yet, she’ll find out soon after returning.
The extent of our Emperor’s and Crown Princess’s anger and the Empire’s higher-ups right now is unimaginable.
While we’re letting them have one move now because Dedolant’s reasoning is justified, how wouldn’t they be angry at such prank-playing with the Empire?
“Soon, it’ll be the destruction front.”
Dedolant is trying to survive and to become the true Empire of the West.
The Empire is aiming to suppress potential future rivals who try to subtly challenge the Empire’s authority.
Whoever solidifies their internal structure first. That’s when the real Great War will begin.
Dedolant will have the annexed regions of Artria and the remaining parts of Dugal. If possible, Ross Tannika too.
For the Empire, it’ll be Nobogorod, which still has some lingering unease, and the three Eastern kingdoms.
‘Or perhaps they’re aiming to destabilize that area too.’
The unease rises. Dedolant has one immediate move it could take right now.
Why am I so sure? It’s simple. A highly logical reason.
If I were in Dedolant’s shoes, I’d definitely provoke the Demon Race.
