Published: July 3, 2025
"Do you know, Nils? It seems that any country the delegation passes through inevitably experiences government collapse. They call it the 'Hell's Delegation' in the public eye."
"...Well, if you only look at the results, that's entirely true."
Nils replied with a small shake of his head.
Indeed, the delegation from the Central Nations had passed through 'Aiteke Bo' and 'Schultz', resulting in the collapse of their governments.
Of course, the delegation did not act with intent nor were they truly involved... no, they could argue they were hardly involved at all.
((So, Abel, the lesson this time is not to carelessly expand the front lines. Please remember that.))
((Um, why did you suddenly direct that at me?))
Ryo was advising his majesty the king as the first duke of the kingdom, thinking of the nation.
Despite appearances, Ryo was also considering various matters.
Like alchemy.
And curry.
And crepes.
((It's mostly about alchemy and food...))
((Please don't lump curry and crepes together as merely food! Curry is a drink, crepes are a drink... wait?))
((Yeah, the curry I know is probably different from what I'm referring to, given that I'm saying it's a drink.))
Ryo and Abel's opinions were once again going off in different directions.
However, Abel questioned a part that caught his interest.
((Did you mention something about expanding the front lines earlier?))
((Right. I'm talking about the situation in the Schultz Kingdom. With this incident, the king of the horseback people...))
((King Ahn, right?))
((Yes, that person, King Ahn, has turned the three major nations of the Central Nations into enemies, hasn't he?))
((Well, that would be the case. They ambushed the delegation.))
((Of course, I understand they had compelling circumstances, but that doesn't concern us who were attacked...))
((Hmmm.))
Those who were dragged into the situation were indeed quite inconvenienced.
((Many people tend to become convinced that what they are doing is absolutely right when attempting to achieve something significant. Setting aside whether it is truly right or not... But just because one thinks that way doesn't mean anything goes. If one uses the wrong methods, they might turn potential allies into enemies. Please be careful, Abel.))
((In this case, it would be a method like burning down the audience chamber without a second thought.))
((Yes. Without that, or if they had not been embroiled in it, the horseback people who were about to be ethnically cleansed might have risen up, and even if they didn’t ally with us, the Central Nations would have at least been favorably neutral. But even that is no longer possible. The root cause was the Schultz Kingdom’s child hunting of the horseback people. It’s important to adopt appropriate methods.))
Ryo shook his head slightly in his mind.
((...If it were Ryo, what do you think the appropriate method would be?))
((If I were a member of the horseback people? That's obvious. Assassination of the king of Schultz!))
((Huh...?))
The king of the Naitorei Kingdom was left speechless by Ryo's shocking suggestion.
((If he were to be assassinated and the new king continued the ethnic cleansing, I would assassinate that king too. If the next king continued, I would assassinate him as well. If we do this much, surely the core of Schultz would think this is dangerous. Even if it were not the king himself leading the ethnic cleansing, but those around him, they would still want to withdraw when they realize they might be assassinated in place of the king. This would solve everything!))
((No... assassination is a bit...))
((With just three sacrifices, a massive evil would be stopped. It is undoubtedly the correct method!))
This was completely the mindset and approach of a terrorist...
((I think some might share that opinion, you know. It is efficient.))
((...Ryo does have a different opinion.))
Abel felt a bit relieved.
((Of course! What do you take me for...?))
((A dangerous person.))
((What a thing to say! But in practical terms, I feel there isn’t a smart way out.))