The Crown Princess surveyed the current situation with the various experts accompanying her.
"The three kingdoms of the East. Burkheim, Carden, and Fohrland. All of them have suffered extreme flood Damage. Among them, in terms of severity, Burkheim is indeed Overwhelming."
"Currently, the most important things are food supplies and medical supplies. Besides that, chaos is escalating, so peacekeeping personnel are also needed."
"...It would be best to prepare clean water first."
This is a point people surprisingly overlook when floods occur.
The most necessary things are not cozy homes or dry clothes, warm fires, or food to fill the stomach.
Clean water first. Securing water that is safe for people to drink is the right course of action.
When a flood hits, all water becomes muddy, causing illness if consumed.
Furthermore, it becomes filled with debris of unknown origin, making it even more so.
Water Sources usually encountered are completely ruined when faced with a flood.
"Before aiding Burkheim, let's reconfirm the Empire's situation. Is it truly unnecessary to provide further support to the Eastern Empire?"
This is an important point. If it rained so much in the East, the Eastern Empire couldn't possibly be clear.
One shouldn't be pouring water on a neighbor's house while their own is on fire.
At the Crown Princess's question, an official from the Ministry of the Interior bows his head and speaks.
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Princess. The Eastern Empire also suffered some flood Damage due to the torrential downpour, but measures were taken in advance, so there shouldn't be a major issue regarding support for the three kingdoms."
"It must absolutely be so. If we neglect our own country while helping another, much talk will arise. The Imperial Citizens will only harbor resentment and anger towards the people of those kingdoms."
"We will thoroughly prepare and keep this in mind to ensure such a thing never happens, Your Highness."
A short while later. The Crown Princess crossed the Border and entered Burkheim's Territory.
It was land where, merely half a year ago, they had clashed as Enemies.
But now, they had become the one asking for help and the one who responded.
That relationship would significantly influence the new Order of the future.
And the Crown Princess was convinced her Prediction was correct.
"We greet Her Highness the Crown Princess."
The Crown Prince of Burkheim, who had previously come to convey Surrender to the Empire.
This time, he revealed himself near the Border to welcome the Crown Princess.
"I am pleased to meet you like this, Crown Prince."
Normally, she might have shown courtesy, but the Crown Princess offered none.
At times like this, it is necessary to clearly establish who holds Superiority.
Mercy once is enough, and it was they who swallowed their Pride and asked for help.
Then endure it rightfully. Show that you can bend for the sake of your kingdom's people.
Otherwise, we have no choice but to come bearing Spears and Swords, not Gifts.
"First, I wish to express my gratitude for the boundless Mercy of His Majesty the Imperial Emperor. His Majesty the King also praises that Mercy."
"What is the King doing now?"
"He is touring the regions affected by the Great Flood to assess the situation."
If the King himself is doing so, it seems quite serious indeed.
Otherwise, there would have been no need for him to go out, and he could have avoided the meeting.
'He might have just delegated it to the Crown Prince rather than bow his head to me.'
Is he saying he won't bend his last shred of Pride?
An inward chuckle escaped her, but soon the Crown Princess smiled as if it didn't matter.
Because no matter how much they struggled, the current situation would not change.
"The first batch of relief Supplies is scheduled to cross the Border soon, Crown Prince."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess. It will truly be a great help."
"Furthermore. To prepare for any contingency, two Legions will set up temporary Military camps near the Imperial Border and beyond it. There is absolutely no Military Purpose. It is merely to ensure the relief Supplies can be distributed to the right places."
Not only deploying a Legion near the Border but also bringing it inside their Territory.
For Burkheim, which had its soul crushed by the Empire not long ago, it was enough to cause a seizure.
But given the circumstances, the Crown Prince had no choice but to accept it this time as well.
Burkheim's Military Force had already suffered great Losses in the Battle against the Empire.
On top of that, facing the worst flood, a significant number of the remaining men perished again.
Those who barely survived are fighting this chaos wielding shovels instead of Spears and Swords.
Even if the Empire brought its army, there was no possibility of stopping them in the first place.
Rather, the kingdom's people might even think of belonging to the Empire.
Because living under the Empire would be better than living under Burkheim.
"... ."
Of course, there's a difference between accepting it with Reason and accepting it with Emotion.
He Forcefully pretends to be unfazed, but how could that be easy for the Prince of a nation?
Especially for the Crown Prince who had to personally perform the Humiliating act of pleading for Surrender.
'I suppose I need to lighten the mood a bit here.'
The Crown Princess, who had been riding ahead, gently pulled the Reins to slow down.
Then, she rode side-by-side with the Crown Prince of Burkheim.
As if telling others, 'The positions of the Empire and Burkheim are Equal.'
"The Crown Prince's two younger siblings are doing well."
"...Ah. Is that so?"
"Are you very worried?"
"Not at all. I am well aware that the Empire makes no mistakes in treating its Guests. Rather, I only worry whether my two siblings are causing any Trouble. That is my sole concern."
At those words, the Crown Princess smiled and replied that they were getting along quite well.
In truth, she had met the Prince and Princess of Burkheim who came to the Empire as hostages.
In any case, since they were royalty, it was fitting for a member of the Imperial Family to comfort them.
It goes without saying, but the Prince and Princess are receiving quite good treatment in the Empire.
So that they can become the center of the Pro-Empire Faction when they return to Burkheim in the future.
Now that such a good opportunity has arrived, there will be even more crops to harvest.
The Crown Princess, having set up residence near Burkheim's Royal Capital, immediately took action.
Sometimes with Imperial Personnel, at other times together with the Crown Prince of Burkheim.
She toured the damaged areas, spreading the Empire's Mercy everywhere.
Of course, the Crown Princess did not personally come all this way merely to direct relief efforts.
She was also staying here to receive all the News from the East.
Among that news were many Nobles who newly wished to come under the Empire's shadow.
She conveys a message to everyone, that the Empire holds great interest in the East.
Therefore, as long as they do not oppose its will, they will enjoy certain Benefits.
That since they realized they couldn't win in any case, bowing down is also Wisdom.
"Your Highness. Do you intend to remain solely in Burkheim?"
One day, her Guard asked this, and she nodded without a second thought.
Carden and Fohrland suffered flood Damage as well, yet she only stayed in Burkheim.
Everyone wondered about the reason, but the Crown Princess didn't offer any specific words.
'That way, they will misunderstand on their own.'
Burkheim isn't the only one that suffered Damage. The other two eastern kingdoms did as well.
Yet the Empire's Crown Princess stayed only in Burkheim.
The two kingdoms that heard the news, especially Fohrland, will become quite anxious.
They had been pressuring Burkheim, trusting the Empire until now, but the atmosphere is strange.
Then they would probably assume Burkheim has completely Surrendered like them.
People don't care much when someone outstanding far away is better than them.
But when an acquaintance right next to them gets slightly ahead, they show intense Wariness.
Fohrland is like that. They know their Position narrows if Burkheim gets closer to the Empire.
But they can't just shake off the Empire's hand now and return to how things were.
So what decision will emerge? The conclusion to cooperate more Eagerly with the Empire.
With even Burkheim acting like that, they might lose their current place to them while trying to save Pride.
There's nothing more frustrating and anxious than having to vomit up everything you've eaten so far.
Therefore, Fohrland, whether they like it or not, will surely welcome and accept the Empire's Order even more.
'The same goes for Carden. If Burkheim and Fohrland enthusiastically praise the Empire and take the first and second positions respectively, they alone will be left floating.'
No one wants to be in last place.
He might be better than me, but I can't be the worst.
"Fufufu."
Taking a sip of tea, the Crown Princess recalled a conversation she had with someone when departing.
"Young Master Kael. Which side do you think should be pressured more?"
"Fohrland."
"Really? I thought you would answer Burkheim."
"Burkheim has already been pushed back significantly. If you try to push them to the edge of the cliff, they'll unconditionally charge since there's nowhere else to go."
A faint smile hung on Kael's lips as he said that.
To the Crown Princess, that smile seemed more eerie than anything else in the world.
"However, if someone stops the one constantly pushing them towards the cliff and extends a hand, I don't know about the very distant future, but they likely won't forget the Grace for quite a long time."
"What will you do if the one who pushed them to the cliff becomes sulky?"
"Present an appropriate line and just leave them be. Intervening just before one falls off the cliff is sufficient."
Truly consistent. It makes one wonder if he holds some grudge against the East.
Of course, the Crown Princess also knew well that doing so was the best strategy.
Still, she was incredibly curious, so she decided to ask the reason.
"You're putting more effort into the East than I expected, Young Master Kael. What is the reason?"
"Some very troublesome things are growing rapidly in the Western Empire. Isn't Your Highness the Crown Princess also wary of them, thus making this procession to the East yourself?"
At Kael's answer, the Crown Princess merely smiled silently.