[Vlad PoV]
After the graduation ceremony at Grunbelt Academy, I returned to my country because I held only the status of an exchange student and was not an official student of that academy.
Furthermore, Raul de Garcia...
"I will repay him for humiliating me during the tournament! I will torture him and will not stop until he begs to be killed!"
— Bam! Bam! Bam!
Currently, I am in the palace dungeon, beating criminals to vent the anger I have never channeled. This resentment will never fade until I kill that bastard with my own hands!
"Please, Prince! Forgive us!"
"We promise not to steal again!"
But I did not listen to their screams. Tentacles made of blood coiled around their bodies. Their faces turned blue as they began to choke; blood started to leak from their mouths and eyes, and not long after...
— Crack!
The sound of breaking bones echoed; their body parts were crushed and scattered across the floor. No, this is not enough! I must torture him; I must spill all of his blood until nothing remains in his body! I cannot stand it! I want revenge! I want to kill him!
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Prince Vlad, His Majesty summons you to appear in his study."
Reverting to my original form, I began to clean the blood clinging to my body. It seems... the envoys have arrived, considering the Republic of Venetia implemented that policy a few days ago. After changing my clothes, I walked toward Father's study.
Seeing me arrive, the guard watching the room opened the door for me. After entering the study, I saw a black-haired man reading a document.
"Has the envoy from the Empire arrived?" I asked him.
He then looked at me and set the document down. "Not only from the Empire, but an envoy from the Republic of Venetia has also come here. Both are waiting in the throne room."
"Have they requested specific conditions yet?" I asked again.
"Not yet; the two of us will meet them now."
Father and I then exited the room and headed to the throne room, escorted by eight men. Not long after, we arrived at the throne room; the guards of this place shouted both our names, alerting the two envoys standing before the throne. Father then sat upon the throne with me standing beside him.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," said one of the envoys with blonde hair—the characteristic hair color of the Empire. "I—Klaus de Cinnamon—have been tasked as the envoy from the Empire to discuss an alliance with the Kingdom of Draconia."
Father nodded and then looked at the envoy from the Republic of Venetia, who had brown hair.
"Your Majesty, I—Mancini di Matteo—have been sent by my country to offer a cooperation with your nation," the envoy said. "We offer a cooperation that will be more profitable than the cooperation your country frequently engages in with the Empire."
Hearing Mancini's words, Klaus appeared to glare at the Venetian with annoyance. It is a fact that our country has always been the least benefited when cooperating with the Empire. That is because they consider their nation more dominant and powerful than ours.
"Very well, let us hear the proposal from the Empire first," Father said, looking back at the Imperial envoy.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Klaus said as he stood. "The Empire offers a military Alliance with the Kingdom of Draconia in exchange for lowering taxes for merchants from the Kingdom of Draconia who conduct trade activities within our country. Additionally, we will also make large investments in your country in the fields of mining, textiles, and plantations."
Heee~ They are giving us quite a lot of profit, exceeding my expectations. It seems they truly want us on their side in the upcoming war.
"Furthermore, to strengthen the relationship between the two nations, the Emperor proposes that your son—Prince Vlad mel Dracus—become engaged to Princess Elena de Aragon!"
Hearing this, I had quite a bit of difficulty holding back my laughter. Elena de Aragon—the woman I am currently targeting to be my companion when I rule the Empire later. By marrying her, I have the chance to bring the strongest nation on the continent under my control.
However, I heard news from the Kingdom's spies that Elena has currently been given the position of Cavalry Squadron leader by the Emperor, meaning she will fight directly on the battlefield when the war occurs.
There is something strange here.
If we accept this Alliance with the Empire, then we must deploy troops to help them. However, what if Elena is killed in battle later? It is possible this is just a ruse to get us to agree to this deal. If looked at, the faction led by Elena is the weakest among the other Emperor candidates, and it has been confirmed as almost impossible for her to win this succession. They could simply fake Elena's death while she is in battle and cancel our marriage.
I must be careful.
"Alright, now let us hear the proposal from the Republic of Venetia," Father said, shifting his attention to the Republic's envoy.
"Your Majesty, if you agree to an alliance with us, the Republic of Venetia will open the Vetucini Trade Route for the Kingdom of Draconia without any fees, whether for finished goods, semi-finished goods, or raw materials," Mancini said.
Hmm... If it is like this, our expenses in exporting and importing will decrease. However, this is not enough if they want us to side with them in this war.
"Additionally, we will share the trade routes of the Gulf of Cosentia and the Middle Sea with your country as well," Mancini added.
This is quite surprising; the Republic of Venetia wants to share the trade routes they have monopolized all this time with another country. Are they so desperate to win the war against the Empire later?
"Finally, we offer an engagement between Prince Vlad mel Dracus and Siena di Reginossa—the daughter of the 32nd President of the Republic of Venetia."
Siena di Reginossa...
She is the only descendant of the Venetian people who can use magic. Furthermore, she is considered a miraculous woman by the people of that country because, besides being very strong in combat, she is also the one behind the massive reforms of the military structure in the Republic of Venetia. Additionally, she often makes unique inventions there. The beauty she possesses is also not inferior to Princess Elena de Aragon.
I would be lying if I said I was not interested in the daughter of the leader of the wealthiest nation on the continent. Father's gaze is now focused on me. It seems he wants me to make this decision. The gazes of the two envoys are also currently fixed on me.
"I will choose..."
***
[Siena PoV]
Almost one month after I returned from the intelligence mission in the Empire. Currently, I am at the Tigrenata Battalion Headquarters to train all the troops under my command to be more prepared for the war that might occur soon.
"Captain Siena."
Hearing my name called, I turned around. A handsome man with dark blue hair was visible.
"What is it, Valen?" I asked him.
"You are ordered to appear before the President," he answered. "They will hold a meeting about the war plan that is very likely to happen."
"Alright, let's leave now, Valen."
As my deputy and I were about to walk toward the main gate, we were suddenly approached by a green-haired man.
"Captain, Deputy Captain, where are the two of you going?" the man asked.
He is a new member of the Cavaliero Squad I created. His name is Ezio di Francesco. Although he is only 18 years old, his swordsmanship skills can almost rival the senior members of the Cavaliero Squad. He is our young talent.
"We are heading to the Presidential Palace, Ezio," I told him. "I think war is truly going to happen."
"Really!? This will be my first war! I am very impatient to look forward to it!" the youth exclaimed gleefully.
Seeing his innocent attitude like this, I only gave a wry smile. He still does not know the horror of a war. However, he will surely experience it directly later, which will make him more mature.
We then walked toward the main gate and then rode horses to go to the Presidential Palace. Seeing the roads were quite crowded, we decided to take the quieter coastal road. A beautiful sunset was visible on the horizon. I could see ships passing back and forth in the harbor, queuing to unload their cargo.
After 20 minutes of riding, we finally arrived at the central government area. Dismounting from our horses, Valen and I continued the journey on foot because no transportation is allowed to pass through this area.
"Captain Siena, will our plan succeed enough to win the war later?" Valen asked.
"There is no such thing as a 'Perfect Plan,' Valen," I answered him. "That is why we are trained to adapt to face unexpected things in the field if something does not go according to plan."
Just like when I was on duty in the Empire. Our plan was to stay there for half a year. However, the plan changed when a horde of Demons and monsters attacked that region. Now, it is certain that the territory we are targeting is unstable and its defenses are weak. We must take advantage of this opportunity to conquer that territory easily.
After several minutes of walking, we arrived at the main gate of the Presidential Palace. After surrendering our weapons to the guards, Valen and I entered the Presidential Palace. There was a servant there who escorted us toward my Father's study.
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
The servant then knocked on the door of Father's study.
"Come in."
After hearing permission, the servant opened the door. The two of us entered the room and saw Father talking with Zucini di Matteo—the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Venetia.
"President, did you call for me?" I asked him.
Realizing my presence, he then turned his head and looked at me.
"Ah Siena, sorry to have to call you at this evening hour," said Father, whose face looked quite tired. It seemed he had been working from morning until now without a break. Both of them then stood up to approach us.
"Siena, we will postpone the meeting regarding war preparations for a moment," Father said to me.
"Why? Did the President not make me come here to attend this meeting now?" I asked him.
"One hour ago, an envoy from the Empire arrived here. Currently, he is in the council room," Father answered with a serious expression. "We will discuss the meeting after meeting that envoy."
"Alright."
Valen and I then followed Father and the Foreign Minister from behind. The time has arrived; the fate of both nations will be determined in the meeting that is about to take place. Will the Empire declare war directly? Or do they have another approach in handling the problem we gave them?
"Lord Zucini, how is our diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of Weimar and the Kingdom of Draconia?" I asked the Foreign Minister.
"The Kingdom of Weimar said they would not make any agreements with us because they are currently discussing a marriage between the two Royal Families with the Kingdom of Francia," Lord Zucini answered, looking disappointed. "As for the Kingdom of Draconia, we have not yet received an answer from Lord Mancini. I think he will only be able to return to the capital tomorrow night."
If neither of those two countries is willing to form an alliance with us, then it will be very difficult to face the Empire if they declare war against us.
Not long after, we reached the council room, which had seats arranged in a circle. A man with short green hair was seen standing in the middle of this room. It seemed he was the envoy from the Aragon Empire. Valen and I sat in one of the chairs, while Father sat at the special desk for the President of the Republic of Venetia.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we have a guest from our neighboring country," said Father, beginning the opening remarks. "Please introduce yourself, Honorable Lord. What does the Empire wish to convey to us?"
"Thank you, Honorable President and Council of the Republic of Venetia, for giving me the opportunity to appear before you all," the envoy said to us all. "I—Lancel de Artagnan—come here as an envoy from the Aragon Empire to discuss important issues arising from your new policy toward our country's trade."
It was indeed true; his purpose for coming here was to discuss that policy. It was only natural for the Empire to protest against our country. That policy makes the Empire's trade to the countries in the western lands slower and more expensive. In fact, according to our observations, many businessmen in the Empire are shifting their foreign market targets to countries in the eastern lands, making the Republic of Venetia almost completely dominate trade in the western lands because our toughest competitors are beginning to leave this market.
"We wish to know first, what is the reason the Republic of Venetia forbids not only finished goods but also semi-finished goods from the Empire from passing through the Vetucini Route?" Lancel de Artagnan asked. "Gentlemen, you know yourselves that only the Vetucini Route has easy and safe road access for Caravans from the Southern Lands toward the Western Lands of this Continent. But you have made us use other routes that are more dangerous and cost more. Does the Republic of Venetia intend to bring down the Empire?"
Although our intentions were clear in creating this policy, the envoy from the Empire asked it directly first to obtain an aggressive answer from us so they could gain the legitimacy to declare war against us. Why must it be so? Because a nation that always declares war without clear justification tends to be hated by other nations, which would make it harder for them to establish cooperative relationships.
"Lord Lancel, we have no intention to bring down the Empire when implementing this new policy," Father said calmly. "The Empire has always dominated trade in the western lands with superior quality goods, making it difficult for merchants and businessmen in the western land countries to get maximum profit. The Kingdoms of Weimar, Francia, and the Republic of Greco asked us to implement this policy for the sake of their economic interests. So, it is not only our country that wanted the implementation of this policy."
Actually, what Father said was half true and half not. The countries in the western lands still need the Empire to fulfill the demands of the citizens in their countries. With the Empire's high production capacity, losing the supply of goods from the Empire will cause scarcity and rising prices of goods in those countries. However, the Republic of Venetia can at least cover this, though not for long.
On the other hand, the reason why countries from the western lands agreed to this policy was so that the Empire could be fairer and invest in building production sites in their countries so that the market is not dominated by merchants from the Empire. However, we know the Empire will not do this because it wants to continue controlling the trade market in the western lands.
"Lord President, why do they allow goods from the Republic to enter their country's market but not goods from our country? With our absence, is it not your country that replaces us in dominating the western lands?" asked the envoy.
"That is because, unlike your country, the Republic of Venetia has made agreements with countries in the western lands to invest in building production sites with a 20-80 profit sharing."
"Is this for real?" asked the envoy again, looking surprised.
In truth, doing this slightly drains the wealth of the Republic of Venetia. Lord Lancel was quite surprised, perhaps because he questioned how the Republic would gain profit from their investment if they were the ones making their competitors able to rival our production levels.
However, what Lord Lancel does not know is the secret of our products. It is true that the Empire is the nation with the highest production level on this continent and far surpasses our country's production power. However, we have better product quality than them. Even if countries from the western lands are later able to meet the demand for goods for the market there, we will still be the ones dominating product purchases because they lack the methods to improve the quality of goods and sufficient creativity to make consumers interested. Before they realize this, the agreement will have already been agreed upon by both parties. That investment is only a small sacrifice so that our only competitor leaves the market in the western land countries.
"Even so, this is still an action that will cause our economy to decline," said Lord Lancel, who changed his expression back to how it was before. "What can we do so that the Republic of Venetia can reopen the Vetucini route for our products?"
After hearing Lord Lancel's question, Father appeared to be whispering with the Minister of Defense, Antonio di Margarette.
"If you can surrender the territory of the Duchy of Hernant to us, then the Republic of Venetia will remove this policy for the Aragon Empire," Father answered Lord Lancel's question.
"No, no, Lord President. The Duchy of Hernant is a strategic territory connecting the Aragon Empire with the Kuwalid Nation and the Republic of Venetia. Furthermore, that place is the most fertile region in our country. How could we possibly surrender it to a foreign party," Lord Lancel said, looking a bit annoyed. "Does the Republic truly wish to bring down the Empire in this way!?"
"Of course we have no such intention, Lord Lancel," Father answered firmly. "The Empire must give this territory to us if it wants to reopen the Vetucini trade route."
A difficult choice because both the trade route and the strategic territory are equally important. It is as if we do not want to negotiate at all and still wish to weaken the Empire.
"Very well then," said Lord Lancel, who then observed everyone in the room. "You give us no choice at all. If this is the Republic of Venetia's attitude toward the Empire, then we will choose the path of blood to resolve this issue."
My heart pounded waiting for those words to come out of his mouth. Words that will change the lives of everyone in this country. There are only two possibilities that will happen: we become the strongest on this continent or fall back into the abyss just like when this country was first formed.
"In the name of Emperor Philip de Aragon—the Aragon Empire declares war on the Republic of Venetia!"