Vol 3 Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The second day of the Three Power Talks

August and Bishop Makina had finished their business at the lodgings of the Holy Country Ys’ delegation and went straight to the meeting place in the restaurant. 

Els’ diplomat Naval had already arrived at the private room. 

There were dark circles around his eyes, probably a result of thinking about the postwar profits August had mentioned yesterday. 

“…Good morning, Prince Augusto. Who is that?”(Naval)

“Oh, good morning. The delegation of Ys has changed from Archbishop Fuller to Bishop Makina.”(August)

“Nice to meet you, Els’ representative. I am Hamill Makina. I am a bishop of the Holy Country of Ys. Please take care of me.”(Makina)

“This one is polite, excuse me, I am Osama Naval. By the way, what happened to Archbishop Fuller? Is it okay for the representative to change?”(Naval)

“Well… He caused a problem and was forcibly deported back to Ys… I will act on his behalf instead.”(Makina)

“Can you tell me what he did…?”(Naval)

“I am sorry, however…”(Makina)

“Is that so… I guess there’s no use pursuing it then… shall we begin today’s meeting now?”(Naval)

“I’d like to do that… However, I have not eaten breakfast yet. Would you mind if we eat first?”(August)

“Huh, you too?”(Makina)

“Since early this morning, Bishop Makina and I were busy. What about diplomat Naval?”(August)

“It would be embarra.s.sing to be the only one left out, so I will join you.”(Naval)

Like yesterday, the meeting started with breakfast. 

What’s different from yesterday is that the Ys representative isn’t Fuller. 

Additionally, Makina’s portion was noticeably smaller than Fuller’s in the previous day.

“Bishop Makina was it…? Will that truly be enough?”(Naval)

“Yes. Our religion’s doctrine is that one must not take more than the necessary nutrition. The bare minimum of bread and soup. It also dictates that the surplus food is to be shared with the ones who are in need.”(Makina)

“That is very different from Archbishop Fuller yesterday… Even so… The doctrine in Ys is the exact opposite of our country. In my homeland, wealth is justice.”(Naval)

“I was thinking of telling Els’ merchants this someday: if you mindlessly pursue profits, you will make countless enemies which will eventually cause your demise. Wouldn’t it be better if you changed your behavior before that happens?”(Makina)

“…Really… All the followers of Ys say the same thing… Unfortunately, Els is a country of capital supremacy. If you’re careless, you will be harvested until not even a single hair around your a.n.u.s remains.”(Naval)

“a.n.u.s…”(Makina)

“That was a metaphor.”(Naval)

“I know, I know.”(Makina)

A follower of Ys tries to reprimand an Els merchant. The Els merchants reject the preaching. This scene that could be seen throughout the world was on full display here as well. 

“Well then, it seems like we’ve slowly opened up to each other so let’s get down to business.”(August)

“Yes.”(Naval)

“Agreed. By the way, what was the contents of your discussion yesterday? Because Fuller went straight to his room as soon as he returned, I haven’t received a report from him.”(Makina)

“That’s right, yesterday…&

rdquo;(August)

August explained the contents of yesterday’s meeting. 

Then… 

“What… What a disgrace…”(Makina)

“I was overwhelmed as well…”(Naval)

“So? Do you understand the postwar profits now?”(August)

“That is true… Why didn’t I notice yesterday… I am truly pathetic…”(Naval)

Naval finally noticed what kind of profit each country would reap after this disturbance. 

“Before that, I have a question… what is going on in the territory of the old Empire?”(Naval)

“We have confirmed that the Imperial Capital has fallen, and the Emperor was slain. We’ve also confirmed several cities that have been completely wiped out. However, we cannot confirm  every city…”(August)

“After this much time has pa.s.sed… I wonder if all of the other cities are in the same state…?”(Makina)

“Probably.”(August)

“That means… The hundreds of thousands of people living in the empire…”(Naval)

“…Sorry, however…”(August)

“Terrible… It’s unbelieveable…”(Naval)

“Oh, G.o.d… May they rest in peace…”(Makina)

As far as the investigations conducted by the reconnaissance teams, the cities have been annihilated… No, not just annihilated. 

If the same things found were done throughout the whole Imperial territory… it is antic.i.p.ated that there are no more humans left in the empire. 

With all the towns combined, the Empire’s population was around hundreds of thousands of citizens. To Naval, it was an outrageous number, while Makina prayed for those who lost their lives. 

“I do not know the intentions behind the devils’ actions.When I thought that they were going to rule the empire, they killed all the people they should be ruling over. I did not expect them to take such brutish actions. It was extremely painful to watch innocent Empire citizens get slaughtered…”(August)

“That… That cannot be helped? To be slaughtered instead of to be dominated… I can’t believe my ears.”(Makina)

“That’s right, although… It may imprudent for me to say this but… my country will profit because of it… I guess that is the end result?”(Naval)

August looked at Naval who seemed to have finally noticed. 

“Hmm, you seem to have noticed”(August)

“Yeah, how did I not realize what I was doing? It seems that this matter is so large that it exceeds the scope of my understanding.”(Naval)

“What do you mean, too large?”(August)

“…It may not be something suitable to talk about in front of the clergyman of the church of creation… What is in the territory of the old empire right now?”(Naval)

“Even if you ask… Isn’t it a group of devils? Also, those very demons are overflowing into neighboring countries…”(Makina)

It seems that Makina has also noticed. 

“Yes, so now the former Empire’s territory… It is now a ” Devil Territory”, populated by devils and demons… That’s it.”(Makina)

There are no citizens left who were originally settled there. 

“If we subjugate the devils and drive out the demons to a certain extent… what would be left behind?”(Makina)

“Everyone… Vast land that is not governed by anyone…”(Naval)

“That land is supposed to be evenly distributed amongst neighboring countries. Els and Ys will become enclaves. Please acknowledge that.”(Makina)

“Well… we don’t share a border with the empire, so we don’t mind.”(Naval)

“When it comes down to it… What are our benefits?”(Makina)

August, who heard Makina’s words, finally got to the main point. 

“It is not a matter of distributing the land. There is no point to unclaimed territory unless people live there and have a means of production.”(August)

Naval understands and Makina nodded as if he had been convinced. 

“To undertake production, humans require equipment and facilities for persons to live.”(August)

August started going into the details. 

Naval and Makina didn’t interrupt and listened carefully. 

“I do not know what the state of the old cities are, but a grand reconstruction will probably be necessary, and that reconstruction…”(August)

August looked at Naval. 

“With the approval of each country that task will be left to Els.”(August)

Listening to that, Naval got gooseb.u.mps all over his body. 

“We are planning to ask for procurement of materials for the reconstruction. Ordered from each country including Earlshyde. The supplier will be a trading company of Els.”(August)

“That… that’s an outrageously grand deal…”(Naval)

“How about it? We cannot distribute territory to you but won’t this agreement have enough benefits for Els? However, let the companies decide on a supplier by bidding.”(August)

“…To turn down such a huge deal… You’d have to be mad. I understand. For future profits, we’ll pay from our own pockets now.”(Naval)

“Is that so? Thank you.”(August)

“I should be the one saying that. Please treat us well.”(Naval)

“And now Ys.”(August)

Up to this point, we have only talked about Els, but Ys hasn’t been brought into the conversation yet. 

“What was the religion of the old empire?”(August)

To August’s words, an unpleasant color appeared on the face of Makina. 

“Frankly, they are not recognized as the followers of the same religious doctrine.”(Makina)

“I guess so. I heard about that as well.”(August)

The sole religion in this world is the doctrine of the G.o.d of Creation. But there are multiple interpretations of the doctrine. 

The widespread doctrine is that there are several commandments of the religion and it entails doing good deeds. By ama.s.sing good deeds, you will be brought closer to the Creator G.o.d. 

As a result, this world can distinguish between good and evil because of the commandments. The laws set in each country are based on that good and evil. 

However, in religion, denominations frequently appear depending on the region and the environment. 

In the headquarters, Son is an interpretation of “Child” regardless of whether it is a man or woman, so marriages and childbirth which increases G.o.d’s children are allowed. 

Of course, selfish acts like the actions Fuller took are forbidden by the commandments. 

On the other hand, depending on the region, the Son is a person who has dedicated himself to G.o.d and some sects forbid marriage and intercourse. 

So what was the doctrine within the old empire? 

“The church of the empire’s doctrine… We are the sons of G.o.d, so G.o.d is watching over us. Therefore, if you confess your behavior obediently and donate to the church, all your acts will be forgiven… They have been taught such terribly misguided things.”(Makina)

“Something like that… Any kind of sin would be forgiven if you just confess?”(August)

“It seems so. But it didn’t seem to spread amongst the poor people because a donation was necessary.”(Makina)

“Because of that, the n.o.bles misunderstood that their actions would be forgiven by G.o.d and started to think they could do anything to the commoners… Really… Terrible.”(August)

Confessing is not “Penance”. 

Because of that, the n.o.bility was not conscious of their sins and the church’s children, who could also be said to belong to the imperial faction, became increasingly greedier because they were able to decide the amount of donation money. 

“So the church of that imperialist group has also gone away.”(August)

“Yes… that would mean…”(Makina)

“Is a church necessary in a newly rebuilt town? The devils have unintentional purged the faulty doctrine.”(August)

“In other words, if we can build a church of a righteous doctrine in a newly built town…”(Makina)

“Well, that’s why. The princ.i.p.al doctrine of the religion is common so wouldn’t it be a good idea to think about increasing the number of churches in a country that has already had them?”(August)

“Well, it’s a pleasure to have more churches.”(Makina)

August presented the benefits to both countries. 

For the reconstruction, the materials will be left up to Els. 

For installation of new churches, the preaching and the righteous doctrine will be left to the church. 

To that end, it is essential to subjugate the demons and devils in the Devil Territory. 

“Well, compared to Els, there’s a less practical gain… Does Ys have any more demands?”

“…Well, it was our fault that Fuller was our representative. Consequently, this time, we are content with smaller benefits…”(Makina)

“So will you cooperate then?”(August)

“Turning our eyes away from the demon threat is contrary to our belief. Of course, we’ll cooperate.”(Makina)

“Well, the fine adjustments and the military strategy is not yet concrete but for the time being… I will be relying on you.”(August)

August put his right hand on the table. 

“Yes, I’m counting on you too.”(Naval)

“Thank you.”(Makina)

Naval and Makina shook hands with Augustus. Then they reluctantly shook hands with each other. 

Here, Earlshyde, Els, and Ys established a World Union of neighboring countries.

“Oh, you’re back. How did the meeting go?”(s.h.i.+n)

“Oh, Els and Ys were convinced. The formal signing will be the day after we decide the details.”(August)

Great! The world alliance has actually been established! 

“…What?”(August)

“No… So Gus is actually a nice guy…”(s.h.i.+n)

“You… Just how did you see me until now?” (August)

“Eh? A wicked prince that gets carried away by his plots.”(s.h.i.+n)

“Y-you…”(August)

Hey? Gus started trembling. However, I thought it was a fairly accurate description myself… 

“Only s.h.i.+n would say something like that to His Highness.”(Maria)

“Oh yeah, to the world, Prince August is a wise, handsome, talented, an excellent moral character, and has a highly popular view in the public eye.”(Tony)

“…Hey Freed… What was that?”(August)

“Ah, I’m sorry. But after I see your interactions with s.h.i.+n, I feel much more familiar with you.”(Tony)

“…After all, s.h.i.+n is the root of all evil, isn’t he?”(August)

“What are you talking about? It’s just Gus’ true character. That aside… Won’t Sicily get angry if you badmouth me?”(s.h.i.+n)

“Hm?”(August)

I looked at Sicily. 

“Ah… Hahaha…”(Sicily)

What? 

“Until I saw His Highness interactions with s.h.i.+n, I didn’t know what His Highness was like as a person… I think that’s thanks to s.h.i.+n.”(Sicily)

I smiled wryly. This character of hers is unknown to the citizens of Earlshyde… 

“Really? As soon as I came back, this… It ruined the serious atmosphere from a while ago.”(August)

“Serious?”(s.h.i.+n)

Gus was? 

“Ah… It was truly amazing. For both yesterday and today, I kept the initiative at all times, so I finally managed to convince the representatives of Els and Ys to partic.i.p.ate in the coalition.”(August)

“I hadn’t seen Your Highness’ dignified appearance in a long time.”(Julius)

“Julius… “(August)

“Oops, I misspoke.”(Julius)

Laughter rose up within the team. It truly was a jovial moment. 

“By the way, I told you to introduce us. What happened to that?”(s.h.i.+n)

“After this, we will attend a dinner party to celebrate the signing of the coalition, so I will introduce you then. That means it’s free time now, and we’ll gather again in the evening.”(August)

So it’s like that. Once the dinner is finished, will the Three Power Talks be finished? 

There were some terrible things along the way but all’s well that ends well. 

Because it was still early in the afternoon, I had lunch with our group and headed towards the restaurant where the meeting was going to be held in the evening. 

The meeting area seems to be a private room on the second floor, but the dinner party is held on the first floor. 

Els and Ys’ delegation will also be there. There will be a considerable number of people. 

“The Kingdom of Earlshyde has arrived.”(Doorman)

When we arrived at the restaurant, the waiter told of our arrival to the people who were already present.

When we entered… we were greeted with a grand applause. 

Oh… wow… After the meeting, I didn’t think there was going to be such a welcoming atmosphere. 

Gus is really amazing… 

“His Highness Prince Augusto has arrived. With the famous, rumored magicians of the Ultimate Magicians… Are you the Magic King and the Saint?”(Naval)

Is this the Els’ accent? You can immediately identify a person from Els by their accent. 

“This is the Magic King, s.h.i.+n Walford, and this is the Saint, Sicily von Claude.”(August)

“This is our first time meeting each other. I am Osama Naval of the Els Federation of Free Commerce. Please remember me.”(Naval)

“I am s.h.i.+n Walford. It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”(s.h.i.+n)

“I am Sicily von Claude. Thank you in advance.”(Sicily)

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“Hou… as rumored, you’re a very beautiful girl, I’m very envious of Mr. Magic King.”(Naval)

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