If Both Options Are Bad, At Least Choose the Profitable One

The messenger's report had come only moments ago.

Amid the chaos, they escorted the envoy from the Empire to the reception room.

The messenger had said "nearby," but they had practically been on the doorstep.

Normally, there would be no way for another nation's envoy to cross the border without any prior notice.

Yet this time, they hadn't known until the delegation had already reached the capital.

Lady Anatia and Princess Tianis would handle the Empire's envoy.

Ideally, they would have had a minister or the Foreign Secretary appear before bringing out royalty, the nation's highest authority, but those officials were apparently too overwhelmed dealing with this crisis to be available.

"Well, well… I must say, I was surprised. We came to the kingdom only to find no army guarding the border and no soldiers protecting the capital. How very careless. There was no way to make contact, so we had no choice but to come to the royal castle uninvited like this. I hope you'll forgive us?"

"Yes. This was our oversight, so please think nothing of it, this once."

"I'm relieved to hear you say that."

The envoy smiled without the slightest hint of remorse.

Despite the emphasis on "this once," it was a blunder by national standards.

The man calling himself an envoy, accompanied by Imperial knights, was a slender, bespectacled individual with an intellectual air.

"Forgive my late introduction. My name is Ideri. I have come to convey the words of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Kelves."

"I see. Sir Ideri. The Empire and Kingdom are neighbors, partners who join hands in cooperation. What brings you here today?"

The delegation wasn't particularly large.

Perhaps six people, counting the knight escorts.

Ideri's guards were waiting outside the room with Azu and the others.

For some reason, Yohane had been told to attend and was seated beside Lady Anatia.

"That light that struck the Royal Capital some time ago. His Imperial Majesty Emperor Kelves was deeply concerned about the damage it caused. The internal situation of the Empire has finally stabilized, and we now have the luxury of looking outward. We wondered if our potential friend the kingdom might be in trouble, and so we have come to offer assistance. Having seen with my own eyes, I can confirm the devastation is… quite severe."

A murmur of "so they've seen it" was heard.

Having arrived at the capital without an escort, they would have had ample opportunity to survey the damage firsthand.

From the kingdom's perspective, they had shown their weakness for free.

"Support, you say? Please convey our gratitude for the offer to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Kelves. Along with the assurance that we can rebuild on our own."

"You're refusing? With our cooperation, reconstruction would proceed much faster. Our construction techniques are quite formidable, if I may say so."

"Those who cannot stand on their own during hardship will never be able to stand on their own at all. Precisely because we face difficulties, we must refrain from accepting assistance."

"A fine sentiment. However, Archduchess Anatia… oh, my apologies. Should I say Acting Archduchess?"

"I have assumed full authority in place of my father, who is at war. So the distinction does not matter."

"Very well. Then let me continue. It pains me to say this, but I surmise the kingdom is in a state of chaos. At a level that hampers national functions… While I cannot discern the cause, if we had come as an invading force, the Empire's banner could very well be flying over this castle right now."

Because there had been no soldiers at the border or fortresses, they couldn't even detect a large army.

Had that been the case, there would have been no fight at all.

The kingdom's very name might have been erased.

Princess Tianis looked as if she had bitten into something sour.

Lady Anatia nudged her with an elbow, signaling her to compose herself.

Facts were facts. No amount of argument could change them.

"We trust that an Empire led by Emperor Kelves would not commit such lawlessness."

"Oh my, we're quite trusted, aren't we? In that case, I wish you would accept our support as well."

Surprisingly persistent.

They clearly had no intention of leaving with a simple refusal.

Under normal circumstances, finding excuses to turn them away wouldn't have been difficult, but in this state, there was no shortage of pretexts they could seize upon.

"We are indeed struggling. But it is all within controllable bounds. If you wish, Sir Ideri, I would invite you to observe our reconstruction efforts and, once satisfied, return home."

"Hmm. I have no objection to staying, but…"

If they couldn't be sent away immediately, there was no choice but to convince them.

What a time to have to entertain an envoy on top of everything else.

Ideri turned his gaze toward Yohane.

"And might you be Lord Yohane?"

"Yes, that's me."

"His Majesty asked me to deliver this to you."

He accepted the letter.

"May I check it?"

"Of course."

He broke the seal and read the contents.

Summarized, it said: Thank you for the help before. It wouldn't do to keep piling up debts. Let me return at least one favor.

That was the sort of thing written inside.

So the offer had been arranged as support for Yohane.

That explained why they wouldn't back down easily.

Emperor Kelves's face was on the line.

If there were truly no problems, that would be one thing, but they couldn't just leave after seeing the kingdom was obviously struggling.

He showed the letter to Lady Anatia.

"… I see. So the word 'friend' was directed at him."

"Indeed. This is an offer of goodwill from His Majesty. I would very much like you to accept."

Of course, that wasn't all.

Using this opportunity to probe the kingdom's internal situation was surely among their objectives.

The fact that something had happened was already exposed.

They couldn't afford to let the details leak as well, but now it had become difficult to send them away by force.

A deterioration of relations would be worse.

"… Very well. Reconstruction of the capital is an urgent priority, so we will accept the support. However, aside from your guards, we cannot permit the stationing of military forces. I want that clearly understood."

"Wonderful. I shall summon the craftsmen at once. This should make for excellent technical exchange."

Ideri pushed his spectacles up and delivered the words with an unwavering smile.