Published: July 4, 2025
A garden party, when translated into English, is called a "Garden Party."
It is a party held in a garden.
It is not an indoor party where you sit in chairs.
When there are assigned seats, you cannot move around freely and fulfill the attendees' objectives.
In a garden, you can walk around freely.
The purpose of the attendees?
It is the exchange of information.
Or perhaps, to disseminate convenient information...
It is not purely a place to enjoy a party.
Of course, there is no expectation for dancing...
Although it is a "party," the guests invited are not ordinary people.
Since it is a garden party hosted by the embassy, people related to "diplomacy" are invited.
Those invited to this garden party at the Sujay Kingdom Embassy are mostly ambassadors from other countries or officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Free Cities, primarily those involved with Sujay Kingdom's diplomacy.
Probably excluding the two swordsmen and mages.
"Welcome. I am Ambassador Randassa of the Sujay Kingdom."
"Thank you for the invitation. I am Abel from the Naitorei Kingdom."
"And I'm Ryo."
Receiving Ambassador Randassa's greeting, Abel responds adeptly.
Ryo answers neutrally.
"What is the reason for inviting you two...?"
"Yes. I just heard from Lieutenant Rena in the carriage earlier."
"Ah, that's good. Of course, this is a garden party hosted by the Sujay Kingdom Embassy, and Duke Helb will also be here as the ambassador of the Grand Duchy, so I don't think there will be any problems..."
"Actually, there is something I would like to confirm regarding that..."
Abel straightforwardly asks.
"I would like to know how the Sujay Kingdom intends to respond to the movements of the Grand Duchy this time. Our actions will change depending on that."
"I see."
Ambassador Randassa nodded at Abel's inquiry.
He clearly states.
"In other words, if the Grand Duchy takes military action against the Free Cities, what does the Sujay Kingdom plan to do in response?"
Hearing that, Abel nodded once.
He frowned in his mind while thinking.
(This ambassador is stating things so clearly, which means he believes that the Grand Duchy's annexation of the Free Cities will happen soon.)
Of course, what happens to the Free Cities has nothing to do with Abel.
Well, it might affect his journey north across the continent, ultimately returning to the Central Nations... but that is just to that extent.
However, he thinks.
(No matter which country it is, I don't want to see any country trampled by another.)
Once, Naitorei Kingdom faced such a fate.
That is why he feels this way.
Returning his focus to Ambassador Randassa's words.
"If a military clash occurs between the Grand Duchy and the Free Cities, the Sujay Kingdom will not intervene."
"Well, that seems about right."
"To be honest, we did not anticipate such a rapid development of the situation, both back home and among us. However, even if we had considered it... we would still judge that we should not intervene. The main reason is the great distance from our homeland. Indeed, the Sujay Kingdom has strong ties with the Free City of Kubevasa. However, it is not realistic to send troops for intervention."
Ambassador Randassa's words were met with Abel's nodding.
It takes over forty days by ship from the royal capital to Kubevasa.
"The order from the homeland is to close the embassy and for Sujay Kingdom personnel to withdraw promptly. However, if there are any citizens of the Free City who wish to immigrate to the Sujay Kingdom, permission certificates should be issued."
"That is practical. But there are assets owned by the kingdom within the Free City. What will happen to them?"
"Well... anything that cannot be recovered will have to be abandoned."
At that point, Ryo, who had been quietly listening, interjected.
"What about the Inn of Free Winds?"
"No, while it does have investment from the kingdom, it is managed by the citizens of the Free City. While recovering capital is impossible, the decision to continue operations can be made independently of the kingdom."
"I see."
Receiving Ambassador Randassa's response, Ryo nodded.