"Your Majesty the Emperor, the delegation from Novgorod has arrived and awaits an audience."
"Oh, Goodness! Bring them in at once."
The Emperor's demeanor today is markedly different from usual.
His exaggerated gestures and the distinct fluctuations in his voice were noticeable not only within the hall but also to those outside.
An ordinary person might have tilted their head at this change.
But those gathered here are far from ordinary.
They already know that everything their Emperor is doing is calculated.
Those proud demons, Novgorod sent a delegation first.
If the Empire were to act arrogantly, it would needlessly strain relations.
It could become an excuse to shake the position of the moderates in Novgorod, who have just been given a boost.
Moreover, this is also a show for the outside world.
Showing that anyone who wishes to ally with the Empire will be welcomed.
Showing the magnanimity to treat even those they fought with recently as guests.
Who could call the Iron Emperor a liar when he is so welcoming?
"Greetings to Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire!"
Guided into the audience hall, the Novgorod delegation respectfully bows.
In the past, when the Empire and Novgorod were at odds, they had a history of showing only their own customs.
In contrast, they are now thoroughly conforming to the Empire's etiquette, lowering themselves.
As a result, even those who initially viewed them with suspicion have somewhat lowered their guard.
The meeting with the delegation continued in a reasonably pleasant atmosphere.
Novgorod brought many gifts, congratulating the Empire's victory.
The Emperor burst into hearty laughter, seemingly very pleased with their gifts.
He even exchanged light jokes with the delegation.
To anyone watching, he was the image of a monarch greatly pleased with the delegation's visit.
Once the official schedule concluded and the delegation withdrew from the audience hall.
"Hmm."
The Emperor returned to his cold expression as if he had never laughed.
His eyes were even more chilling than usual.
"So. What do you think, ministers?"
"Your Majesty, we did not expect Novgorod to take such a humble stance."
"Is that so."
"Yes, Your Majesty. We expected them to simply offer congratulations for the victory, but today's events show that they are subtly acknowledging the Empire's superiority."
Novgorod, as befitting its alias of the Demon Alliance, has quite an extensive territory.
It is not comparable to the Empire, but they also possess a formidable military force.
Above all, as demons, their individual combat capabilities are exceptionally high.
Based on this, Novgorod has long contested the Empire for dominance in the north.
Sometimes through heavy military action. Other times through minor diplomatic conflicts.
Although they acknowledged their inferiority to the Empire, they always emphasized that they were not to be taken lightly.
They reminded us that even if they fell, the Empire would also suffer significant losses.
But now, Novgorod seems to have completely changed its course.
One might think it is due to the peace treaty signed previously, but that alone seems too much to be the only reason.
"What do you think, Minister?"
The Emperor's direct question was addressed to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Special Affairs.
They exchanged glances for a moment before presenting their pre-discussed opinions to the Emperor.
"It seems they felt a sense of crisis due to the swift conclusion of the Eastern campaign."
"A sense of crisis."
"The Eastern campaign was not simply concluded early, but the level of threat has almost disappeared. As a result, the Empire can project at least two, and up to four legions to other borders. Novgorod must be aware of this fact."
A legion, composed of 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers, is the essence of the Empire's national military power.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, they are composed of enlisted soldiers, not conscripts, resulting in high training and morale.
Didn't the 7th Legion alone stop Burkheim's army of over 30,000? (Of course, the 17th Legion supported them from behind.)
The Empire, possessing 20 such powerful legions, deserves to be called a superpower.
But the Empire's territory is vast. It faces different kingdoms on all its borders.
Therefore, to prepare for contingencies, legions should be deployed throughout the Empire.
This was the reason the Empire and other countries maintained a delicate balance.
"...From Novgorod's perspective, it was a place of recent conflict with our country. Although moderates control the council, we cannot rule out future changes."
"In that situation, the legions stationed in the east were freed, effectively suppressing them. Even they cannot simultaneously face seven legions."
The Emperor nodded at the two ministers' statements yet remained silent.
Then, he pointed to the Minister of War on the opposite side.
"Minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"How much did it cost to deploy the Imperial legions in this Eastern campaign?"
"...More than four times the deployment cost of the two legions the Empire normally operates."
Four times. At that word, the ministers' expressions momentarily darkened.
It had only been just over two months, yet that much had been consumed.
At this rate, they might have to tighten their belts for a while.
"Minister of Finance. In this situation, if seven legions were to be deployed towards Novgorod for a total of four months, how much additional tax would be required?"
"Lacking necessary data, a detailed answer is difficult, but in my estimation, it would be equivalent to pouring out about three years' worth of the Empire's total military budget at once."
The military is an organization that only consumes without producing anything.
Money is spent even when idle, but when they move, an incomparably larger amount of funds flows out.
If the cost of moving one legion is 1, is the cost of moving seven legions 7?
No. The cost increases exponentially. It becomes an enormous burden.
"As expected. Novgorod did not come simply to congratulate our country."
Finally grasping their true intentions, the Emperor wore a cold smile.
They came to investigate more closely the results of the five Imperial legions' movements.
To find out what the Empire is trying to hide or keep secret.
Delegations are the best way to improve diplomatic relations.
At the same time, it is also a way to collect information under a legitimate identity.
Accessing core information would be impossible, but others would do that.
Ultimately, they need to find out the general atmosphere and situation of the Empire.
"What will you do, Your Majesty?"
The Minister of Foreign Affairs cautiously inquired about the Emperor's intentions.
Everyone expected another reason, but prediction and certainty are distinct.
―Tap tap
The Emperor paused for a moment, then leaned back in his chair and spoke.
"Novgorod will expect us to realize their intentions soon anyway. Therefore, there's no reason to get angry. Above all, our Empire has indeed achieved a great victory."
"Your Majesty's words are correct."
"For the time being, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should focus on the three kingdoms beyond the eastern border. The East must definitively move according to the Empire's will so our future actions are unhindered."
The coup d'état beyond the western border and Thedorant's rapid rise were results.
In the south, large-scale conflicts are focused on the Holy Church and the Benito Kingdom.
With chaos on all sides, it is crucial that at least one place be stabilized.
That is why Novgorod's transparent actions are being overlooked.
The Empire is also secretly gathering information on Novgorod.
Such things between countries have always happened.
It is preferable for them to openly express their intentions by sending a delegation.
"Speaking of which, I heard that the only daughter of the chairman of the Novgorod council accompanied the delegation this time. What happened to that?"
"Sharlua is being managed with special escorts."
"Good. Although officially she is just one member of the delegation, she is technically a VIP, so we must not be negligent."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep that in mind."
It was intended to guarantee a certain degree of freedom of action as long as it did not harm the Empire.
Upon hearing the news, Sharlua declared it was perfect timing and made a request.
And upon hearing it, the Emperor could only sigh, 'Hoo?'.
*
"It's an honor to meet you like this. Young Master Kael Clausewitz. I'm Sharlua Estania."
A pure white hand is suddenly extended forward.
At that sight, I unconsciously had a racist, or rather, a species-ist thought?
Anyway, I came to reflect on my past self who had such thoughts.
Why, when you say demons, isn't it standard for them to have dark or bluish skin?
With tails and goat horns, that's how I remember demons from a past life.
I was thinking demons might look like this.
But the demon I see now looked just like a human.
Ah. Still, as a demon, she did have triangular pupils.
"...Kael Clausewitz. Ms. Sharlua."
I introduced myself briefly and clasped the offered hand.
It was a sudden meeting, said to be at the demon woman's request.
She specifically pointed me out and requested to meet me.
At first, I wondered if it was okay for a member of the delegation to move so personally.
But soon, I had no choice but to nod when I learned the woman's identity.
"I heard she's the only daughter of the chairman of the Novgorod council. Please take care of her. Young Master Kael."
The person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whispered and asked me to do so.
She is clearly a VIP. So I must not make any mistakes.
"I heard you requested to meet me specifically."
"Yes. I wanted to meet you. Ever since the border the other day."
"The border... what do you mean?"
Then, a very playful smile spreads across the demon woman's lips.
"The Novgorod army that was completely swept away by Young Master's strategy. I was there."
"...Ah."
That must be the incident where I launched the kite and tried to imitate General Kim Yu-sin.[TL]Many legends exist about Kim Yu-sin. One legend states that Kim was once ordered to subdue a rebel army, but his troops refused to fight as they had seen a large star fall from the sky and took this to be a bad omen. To regain the confidence of his troops, the General used a large kite to carry a fire ball into the sky. The soldiers, seeing the star return to heaven, rallied and defeated the rebels.[/TL]
As I nodded my head, recalling embarrassing memories, Sharlua's reaction was strange.
"As expected. Is that level of strategy not impressive at all?"
"...Pardon?"
"I guess so. Considering your Eastern campaign exploits, you probably don't even consider that a strategy."