Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Intermission 1: The Black Robed One and the Little Sister General, Now Negotiating

One day in the 2nd month, 1547th year, Continental Calendar

On this day, the pride of the Kingdom of Friedonia, the Black-robed Prime Minister, AKA Hakuya Kwonmin, was holding a meeting with the Gran Chaos Empires Little Sister Princess and commander of the great armies, Jeanne Euphoria, over the Jewel Voice Broadcast using simple receivers. In negotiations between the Kingdom and Empire, any matters deemed not important enough for King Souma and Empress Maria to hold direct meetings over were generally handled by these two.

Today, the meeting began with an apology from Jeanne.

Sir Hakuya, first, allow me to apologize for the delay in selecting the Empires ambassador to Friedonia. She went on, There is no one who seems especially fit for the post, you see. If were looking for someone trustworthy enough that we can reveal our secret pact to them, yet able to see the Kingdom as an equal partner in the alliance, its just not easy...

The general opinion is that our country is not fit to be called your equal, youre saying? Hakuya asked.

If Ive offended you, I apologize.

Not at all. Its a matter of fact that there is a clear difference in strength between our country and the Empire, after all.

It goes without saying, both my sister and I are relying on the kingdom, Sir Souma, and yourself. Jeanne smiled.

Hakuya gave a forced laugh. I think that is clearly overestimating us.

Is it really? When it comes to our vassals... I think theyve been prejudiced by coming from a country thats swelled to be too large. Far too many of them have confused landmass with the power and dignity of a country.

Did you consider that they might not be entirely wrong? Hakuya asked.

The more land a country had, the greater its population. Increases in land and population could be tied directly to gains in production capacity. The countrys production capacity was directly linked to its military prowess.

But Jeanne shook her head. Its far from correct. Do you think Sir Souma would say such a thing?

...He wouldnt, no. The thing His Majesty seeks most is people. With a slightly pensive look on his face, Hakuya continued. Before, when I asked His Majesty, What led you to make gathering personnel your first priority? he told me this: The people are your moat, your stone walls, and your castle.

The people are your moat, your stone walls, and your castle... I see. Its a good saying. Jeanne gave an approving grunt.

Hakuya said, Well, its not something His Majesty came up with himself. They were apparently the words of a military strategist in the world he came from. He was spilling the beans about the source, but in his heart he could understand why Jeanne had grunted like she did.

For all that her personal life is a mess, she does have a pretty face, at least, Jeanne conceded. Ill give my sister that.

I dont know if its only her face... but her sister Madam Jeanne is beautiful, too, after all.

...I would never have expected such flattery to come from your mouth, Sir Hakuya.

Hm? I dont flatter people at the negotiating table, you know, Hakuya said.

Ohh...

Hm?

Ten minutes later.

Um, about Sir Souma. Is he, perhaps, already developing some interesting technology of the sort we would never imagine?

...Now, I wonder about that, Hakuya said.

From there on, the negotiations went smoothly, keeping that relaxed (?) atmosphere.

Normally, negotiations were carried out with stubborn haggling, each side digging in their heels to get the most beneficial deal for their own country. However, Hakuya and Jeanne were both sharp, and they both knew where the point of compromise lay from the beginning, so it was just a matter of trading ideas until they arrived at that point. Because of that, thirty minutes after negotiations began, the vast majority of matters were already settled.

With the negotiations finished...

Whew, Jeanne let out a sigh. When I negotiate with you, things always go so smoothly. Though it does mean I cant let my guard down for a moment... I wish the hardheaded folks around here could learn a thing or two from your example.

I agree, but... its really a matter of who Im talking to. If you didnt have the ability to spot points of compromise, and werent such a trustworthy and reliable partner, it wouldnt go like this.

Thats very true... Well, shall we put on some tea?

Sounds like a plan.

They each stood up, beginning to prepare tea for themselves.

For these two very busy people, their meetings were scheduled to be an hour long and no longer. However, because their negotiations went so smoothly, they almost never used up all of the time allotted. So, at some point, it had become their custom to enjoy tea together, talk about recent happenings, and gripe about their respective masters.

Though it was being done over a simple receiver, the two of them very much enjoyed this time together.

Jeanne had a sip of tea and took a moment to relax. Whew... About the ambassador thing, I wish I could have gone myself. If I had, I could have seen you in person without the screen between us, and we could have had wine instead of tea...

I dont hold my alcohol that well, Hakuya replied with a wry smile. Though its not like I cant drink at all...