"Very well, Karen. Proceed with your report."

 

"Yes, then let me begin with their arrival at the fortified city."

 

Karen remained alone in the audience chamber after Kazuya and the others had concluded their audience with Queen Isabella. She proceeded to report to Queen Isabella and her courtiers the events that had transpired thus far.

 

"That concludes my report."

 

As Karen meticulously recounted the events, a solemn silence fell over the audience chamber.

 

"...Your account has provided us with clarity. We must reassess our perception of them."

 

Our previous judgement, where we looked down upon them, was a grave mistake indeed.

 

Although Maria had informed Queen Isabella and the nobility of the overwhelming strength of the Parabellum army in the battles at the fortified city, Queen Isabella and her courtiers, who had not witnessed the power of the modern weapons possessed by Parabellum, found it difficult to believe Maria's accounts. Moreover, due to the abstract and ambiguous nature of Maria's descriptions, Queen Isabella and her courtiers had assumed that Maria was overestimating the Parabellum army. Upon viewing the simple documents detailing Parabellum's territory and military strength that Maria had brought to the capital, Queen Isabella and her courtiers had hastily concluded that the Kingdom of Canaria held a superior position.

 

Of course, there were nobles who, considering the fact that the Parabellum army had repelled the Imperial forces from the Kingdom of Canaria, argued that it was dangerous to underestimate Parabellum without detailed information. However, Queen Isabella and her courtiers, believing that the victory of a small nation with a small territory and only tens of thousands of citizens and troops over the Imperial forces was merely a result of multiple strokes of luck, turned pale upon hearing Karen's firsthand account of Parabellum's experiences and the fearsome power of modern weapons. The audience chamber buzzed with unease.

 

"If they are indeed as powerful a nation as His Grace suggests, then was our previous attitude not unwise?"

 

"Yes, indeed. However, considering that we had to make judgments based solely on that scant information until we heard His Grace's account, it was unavoidable."

 

As two nobles murmured amidst the unrest in the audience chamber, a corpulent noble nearby suddenly interjected loudly into the conversation.

 

"Such matters are irrelevant! If anything, we could simply kill that man while his guards are few, and be done with it!"

 

As the corpulent noble uttered these radical words, other nobles around hurriedly disavowed his statement.

 

"Do you dare to try it? We would be slaughtered by the soldiers he has brought with him!"

 

"What nonsense! Haven't you heard His Grace's account? They are nothing more than wandering adventurers, without any special powers other than their leader's magic! There's no need to fear such incompetent fools! Moreover, can we allow these barbarians from a small nation from another world, who possess only a tiny territory that doesn't even reach half of our own, to swagger before us?"

 

The corpulent noble, whose pride was inflated and steeped in magical supremacy, addressed the surrounding nobles with his question.

 

"Have you truly listened to His Grace's account? It is true that they possess no special powers and only Nagato alone can wield magic, but they utilize powerful weapons and armaments created through the science! That is why the Empire, with its legions of powerful mages and soldiers, lost to them. If we couldn't even defeat the Empire, how could we hope to triumph over them?"

 

"The conclusion must be that their victory over the Empire was simply a result of fortunate circumstances. If we were to kill that man and launch a sudden attack on Parabellum, we would surely emerge victorious."

 

"And how can you be so optimistic? Furthermore, even though we only know that Parabellum lies somewhere beyond the vast sea, where would we launch our attack? Would we examine each of the numerous islands floating in the sea to locate their country? Moreover, haven't you understood from His Grace's account that the Parabellum army's victory over the Imperial forces was not due to luck?"

 

"Well..."

 

The audience chamber was filled with the nobles' heated arguments as they each unfolded their own theories and opinions.

 

"Silence."

 

Queen Isabella's voice rang out, instantly quelling the room into silence.

 

"Karen, I have a question for you, as someone who has witnessed the lands of Parabellum."

 

"Yes, Your Majesty."

 

"If by some chance we were to engage in a conflict with Parabellum, do you believe we could emerge victorious?"

 

"Regrettably, Your Majesty, I must assert that victory over Parabellum would be impossible."

 

As murmurs erupted among the nobles upon hearing Karen's words, she continued undeterred, producing something from her belongings.

 

"As for the reasons, the military and national strength of Parabellum is incomparable to ours. Other nobles who have seen Parabellum within the fortified city will attest to the same. Furthermore, please take a look at this."

"What is this...?"

"This is... a gift from President Kazunaga."

Queen Isabella's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at the two white objects handed to her by Karen.

"Is this... salt? No, it can't be... salt this pure—without impurities mixed in. And what is this smooth wrapping?"

"As Your Majesty surmises, that is indeed salt. The other item is sugar. The wrapping is apparently called vinyl."

"I can hardly believe it..."

As Karen signaled to the guards, a large quantity of salt and sugar wrapped in vinyl was brought into the audience chamber, causing murmurs of surprise among the nobles who beheld it.

"These are part of the items sent as a token of goodwill from President Kazunaga. It is said to include ten tons of salt, ten tons of sugar, and approximately twenty tons of spices such as pepper and chili."

"So much..."

Queen Isabella, who had finally realized the stark difference in power between the Kingdom of Canaria and Parabellum, as evidenced by the lavish gift of salt and sugar, contemplated forming an alliance with Kazuya. Other nobles, already engrossed in conversation, were now fixated on the salt and sugar piled before them.

"It is imperative that we form an alliance with President Kazunaga and Parabellum at all costs..."

As Queen Isabella quietly murmured her decision to ally with Kazuya, a dissenting voice arose.

"Your Majesty, that would not be advisable."

"Prime Minister Leven..."

The one who voiced dissent against Queen Isabella, rumored to wield even greater power than her and considered the shadow ruler of the country, was the elderly Prime Minister Leven.

"If they possess a formidable military, they will undoubtedly seek territorial expansion and—"

"Prime Minister Leven, there is no need for such concerns."

It was Karen who interrupted Prime Minister Leven's objection to Queen Isabella's decision.

"...What do you mean by 'there is no need for such concerns'?"

"Exactly as it sounds. If they intended to subjugate our country, they wouldn't bother exterminating abnormal monster breeding grounds or driving away the Imperial Army to aid us."

"Wait a moment, Karen. Is it true that President Kazunaga exterminated the abnormal monster breeding grounds!?"

As the audience chamber buzzed with the revelation Karen had just made, Queen Isabella interjected.

"It is true."

"So... we've been aided by President Kazunaga three times already."

"Yes. Furthermore, their ideology is reflected in their country's name. It means 'Prepare for battle if you desire peace.' Given their formidable military driven by the desire for peace, it seems unlikely they would incite new conflicts themselves."

"..."

Upon hearing Karen's words, Prime Minister Leven fell into pensive silence.

As the nobles and knights all withdrew, leaving Queen Isabella and Karen alone in the audience chamber, the atmosphere shifted from the previous presence of the nobility to a higher level of confidentiality. Here, detailed reports were exchanged, accompanied by information of utmost secrecy.

"―― I've confirmed with President Nagato himself that Parabellum is willing to lend a hand to the Kingdom of Canaria," Karen reported. "However, regarding any potential war with the Imperial Army, they intend to focus solely on defensive actions and providing support from the rear. The exception being if migratory forces come into play."

"So then... if the Imperial Army were to invade our kingdom again, Parabellum would fight alongside us. But if we were to advance into Imperial territory, they would only offer rear support unless migratory forces intervene. Is that correct?" Queen Isabella sought clarification.

"Yes, precisely so. President Nagato harbors no desire for territorial expansion and abhors the idea of wasting soldiers needlessly," Karen affirmed.

"I see... Well done, Karen. Let us proceed with negotiations based on the information you've provided," Queen Isabella swiftly formulated her strategy for the upcoming meeting with Kazuya.

"And what about you, Karen?"

Having solidified her plan, Queen Isabella's serious expression melted away, replaced by a gleeful smile as she addressed Karen.

"Um... what about me, Your Majesty?"

"I can see right through you, you know? You're too obvious in your feelings towards the President. It was evident from the moment I laid eyes on you," Queen Isabella remarked.

"Ah...!"

Caught off guard by Queen Isabella's astuteness, Karen blushed furiously, pondering whether she had been so transparent.

"Well, what is it, Karen?" Queen Isabella inquired, her gaze akin to that of a predator toying with its prey.

"Your Majesty, that's rather unfair..." Karen shot Queen Isabella a reproachful look before relenting. "...I'm... in love."

"Oh my!" Even though she had elicited Karen's confession herself, Queen Isabella feigned surprise, teasing Karen as if she had just learned of it.

"Oh, Your Majesty! That's going too far!"

"My apologies if I overstepped, dear. I didn't mean to tease you," Queen Isabella apologized sincerely. Then, with a fond look, she continued, "Well, there's no issue then, is there? After the meeting, I'll propose a match... no, a marriage between you and the President."

"W-What?! Your Majesty, what are you suggesting?"

"Normally, Iris would take on the role of strengthening the ties between our nations. However, you've assisted me in various ways, Karen, and I believe it's time for you to find happiness..."

It's imperative to solidify our alliance with Parabellum as firmly as possible now, and it seems President Nagato is already aware of Karen's significance, so it's quite fitting, isn't it?

"...I appreciate your consideration, Your Majesty."

Unaware of Queen Isabella's true intentions, Karen stared at her with a flushed face for a moment, then finally expressed her gratitude with a voice filled with joy.

The negotiations for the alliance between Parabellum and the Kingdom of Canaria did not proceed as smoothly as expected.

Ultimately, while an alliance was formed, the specifics of the treaty and agreements were left loosely defined, subject to modification or addition as deemed necessary.

Entering into a military alliance under the guise of a non-aggression pact... It seems that those old fogeys are particularly wary of us. Well, we must acknowledge our own fault in recklessly establishing a base within the territory of the Kingdom of Canaria, even if it was within the unreturnable forest, once infested by monsters... Those old fogeys.

The reason the alliance negotiations didn't go smoothly was solely due to Prime Minister Reiben. Despite Queen Isabella's post facto authorization of the base construction at the beginning of the negotiations regarding whether Parabellum and the Kingdom of Canaria would form an alliance, Prime Minister Reiben, without Canaria's consent, proceeded to construct a base within their territory, using this as leverage to demand concessions from Kazuya and his companions, insisting on their sincerity and adding several treaties advantageous to themselves.

Consequently, everyone on the Parabellum side was visibly agitated. Especially Chitose, who, at the audience chamber and during this negotiation, was on the verge of exploding with anger, shaking with rage at the attitude of the Kingdom of Canaria towards them (Kazuya).

"Hmm... Well, now that the alliance is established, I shall take my leave," Prime Minister Reiben said, disrupting the atmosphere, and despite the meeting not being over yet, he left the room with his sycophants. The soldiers of Parabellum watched him leave with eyes that could have pierced him like arrows.

"I apologize, President Nagato."

Queen Isabella, unable to intervene in Prime Minister Reiben's arrogant behavior due to his overwhelming power, apologized to Kazuya immediately after Reiben left the room.

"It's not your fault, Queen Isabella, please don't worry."

Understanding to some extent the power struggles within the Kingdom of Canaria, Kazuya accepted Queen Isabella's apology.

In the tense atmosphere of the room, Queen Isabella was pondering how to broach the topic of marriage with Karen later.

At that moment, Iris suddenly entered the room. Behind her, the guards who had been standing in front of the room were pale and flustered.

"I-Iris? Why are you here?"

"....? Wasn't it over yet, Mother?"

Queen Isabella expressed her surprise at Iris's sudden entrance, and her guards immediately erected a magical barrier. However, disregarding this, Iris went straight to Kazuya as if claiming her exclusive place and settled herself on his lap, snuggling up to him.

As Queen Isabella and the nobles in the room watched in shock, Chitose clenched her fists, trembling with anger and jealousy. In the midst of this, Iris dropped a bombshell.

"That's right, Mother. I'm marrying my big brother!!"

"........"

"No... Iris, that conversation was supposed to be over earlier..."

Iris's bombshell announcement froze the room, and needless to say, the negotiations were abruptly interrupted.