Translator
Corner
Minasan oideyasu. This is Yukkuri demasu!
NEXT CHAPTER!
Beta couple!
DISCLAIMER: There is no
guarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I was
wrong.
Author:
Dozeumaru(どぜう丸)
Translator:
Yukkuri Oniisan
Editor:
So-Chintzy
Enlightenment Arc
Interlude
The Man in Black Robed and the Sister General
On a certain day on the Second Month of 1547
CE (Continent Era)
On this day, The Famous 『Black
Robed Prime Minister』,[1]
Hakuya Kwonmin and the Sister Princess and General of the Gran Chaos Empire,
Jeanne Euphoria, held a negotiation through the quasi-receiver of the Royal
Voice Broadcast Orb. The negotiations between the Kingdom and the Empire were mostly
performed by these two, unless it was a case that needed King Souma and Empress
Maria personally to discuss it.
『Hakuya-dono.
First of all, please let me apologize for the Empire’s delay in appointing an Ambassador
to the Friedonia Kingdom.』
The meeting of the day began with
an apology from Jeanne.
『There
were no people suitable for this post. A person who is trustworthy enough to be
confided of our secret agreement and could see the kingdom as an equal ally is
rather…….』
「…… Our
country is not worthy as an equal?」
『I am
sorry if this displeases you. However, there are many people who think like
that. Of course, neither I nor Aneue have such thoughts. We have faith in
the kingdom, Souma-dono, and also Hakuya-dono.』
Jeanne smiled at him and so Hakuya
showed a wry smile.
「I
believe …… You are overestimating us.」
『Is
that so? …… Well, this is the side effect of a country that has expanded too
much. There are too many people who misunderstand that the size of the land is the
strength of the state and prestige.』
「……
They are not necessarily mistaken.」
The larger the country, the greater
population. The increase in land and population itself would lead to the increase
in productivity, which was directly related to military strength. But Jeanne
shook her head.
『That
is far from the correct answer. Do you think that Souma-dono would say such a remark?』
「…… Yes,
he wouldn’t. His Majesty would seek for "people" at the foremost.」
After thinking for a while,
Hakuya said his answer.
「【The
people are your castles, your ramparts, your moat】 …… I see, what a good saying.】
Jeanne hummed as if she was admiring
it. Hakuya said, 「Well, this is not an idiom that His Majesty had thought
up himself. These seem to be the words of a military commander from the world
His Majesty came from」. While he was spoilering it to Jeanne, he understood why Jeanne was impressed. Souma had also said
that:
『These
are the words of a Daimyo…… A strategist
who once lived in the country where I come from, but the outline is also nearly
the same as to what a political thinkers from a far western country had said. 「In the
times of peace, the fortress in the inner region should be destroyed」. The
time when a fortress is useful in peacetime would be when the people rebelled. 「If
you depend on the fortress to perform tyranny, the people will disobey you and
invite in foreign powers. Hence, you shouldn’t construct a fortress, but instead
win over the people as your allies, so that you can be secure as a Ruler.」
It’s amusing that in the same era, there were similar sayings from the far east
and far west.』
Souma was laughing, but Hakuya was
deeply impressed by that saying. It was a saying that was so Souma-ish, someone
who performs politics by learning from history. Perhaps it was because Souma
studied the words of his predecessors and put them into a practice, that he gathered
variously "talented" allies and even invited Hakuya. Jeanne nodded.
『My Aneue
had also said something similar, that people are the foundation of the country.』
「……It
seems that each of us are able to serve under a good ruler.」
『In
my case, she is my blood relative…… But I believe that she is a good ruler. Though
there are also a few unreliable points.』
When she mentioned this, Hakuya
remembered the sight of the ruler, who usually would put importance in the usefulness
of things, but he wouldn’t discard his affections towards his friends (more
particularly his family). Sometimes this felt inefficient and there were times
where this felt irritating, but strangely, he didn’t want that affection to be
discarded.
「I am
of the same opinion, but…… Isn’t that why we are supporting them?」
『That's
true. Well then, let's start the negotiations. 』
Thus, the negotiations between the
two began.
◇ ◇ ◇
『About
your request to trade wheat from the Gran Chaos Empire pr the Friedonia
Kingdom’s seasonings (soy sauce, miso etc.), I don’t have any objections towards
this. Aneue is also really fond of that "soy sauce" seasoning. It really
goes well with fish.』
「It also
goes well with meat, shall I tell you a simple recipe?」
『It
will be my pleasure…… However, hasn’t the food shortage in your country already
been resolved?』
「It
is just like you have said, but we still have anxiety about the reserves, so we
would like to import to prepare for a crop failure this year.」
『I see……
By the way, we would like to produce those seasonings in our country too, so is
it possible to arrange for the craftsmen?』
「In our
country, the monopoly is still being held by the Faewolf Tribe…… but, it
depends on the compensation.」
『I understand.
How about a formula for a special production-boosting fertilizer?』
「I
think that will suffice.」
――― A few minutes later.
『By
the way, we had tried to produce a program using the Kingdom’s Royal Voice
Broadcast as a reference ……』
「Hmm……
How was the response?」
『Although
song programs and the others were largely popular, we never imagined that the
most popular one would be a program that follows Aneue’s day-to-day movements.
But, I don’t really understand what is interesting about it……』
「As expected
from someone who is called the Holy Maiden. Maria-dono is really loved by the
people, just like the 『 Number One Song
Princess』 in our country.」
『My
Aneue is unexpectedly absentminded in her private life, only her face is nice.』
「Well,
I don’t know about that…… but indeed, her sister, Jeanne-donno is also
beautiful.」
『Uu……
I never imagine to hear such flattery came directly from Hakuya-dono’s mouth.』
「But,
I wouldn’t say a mere flattery at a negotiating table, you know?」
『Auuu……』
「?」
―――After tens of minutes
『About
Souma-dono. Did he already develop an interesting technology that is
unthinkable to us?』
「……
Hmm, did he?」
『Fufu, I
will give a suitable equivalent compensation, so can you disclose even just a
part of it?』
「Let’s
see…… What about first disclosing the breeding and training method for the Griffons
and perhaps you could lend us some breeding pairs?」
『Ah,
that is impossible (*smile*).』
「In
that case, please give up (*smile*).」
「『
Fufufufufu」』
◇ ◇ ◇
Afterwards, the negotiations
progressed smoothly in a friendly(?) mood. Actually, a negotiation was a tenacious
venture, where both sides tried to bring it as many advantages as possible to their
home country. However, since both Hakuya and Jeanne were sharp minded people, they
understood the negotiations’ common ground from the very beginning, so they
would just push each other ideas towards that common ground. Therefore, in just
half an hour after the negotiations began, most of the negotiated points were finished.
Jeanne then sighed.
『*sigh* Just like I thought, negotiating
with Hakuya-dono progressed smoothly. I would like those hard-headed people back
home to follow your example.』
「I agree……
But this will depend on the partner. It must be someone who you can rely to be honest
and have the ability to properly find a common ground.」
『What
you have said is correct…… Then, shall we have tea?』
「Shall
we……」
Both of them stood up, and began to
prepare their own share of tea. Since both of them were busy people, they
allocated about one hour for the negotiations. However, since the negotiations
between both of them proceeded so smoothly, it didn’t take that much time at
all. Then at some point in time, it became part of their routine to chat or to complain
about their rulers while having a cup of tea with the remaining unused allocated
time. Although it was just through a simple receiver, both of them really enjoyed
this time.
『Fuu……
Regarding the ambassador to Friedonia. I wish I could go, but』
When drinking the tea, Jeanne sighed
and made this remark.
『Then,
it will not be through the images, not a cup of tea, instead we can have a cup
of liquor together……』
「…… As
a non-drinker, liquor is kinda……」
Hakuya replied with a strained smile.
『Oh
my, this is surprising.』
「I
get drunk easily. And then I will fall sleep.」
『If
it comes to that, then I will look after you.』
「That
will be miserable for me as a man, so I'd like you not to do that.」
『Ahaha……
hahaha……』
Jeanne’s smile gradually became
smaller.
『Well,
even if I had said that, I can’t leave the Empire. There are my duties, and
also…… If I am gone, then Aneue will really become alone.』
「…… Become
alone? Shouldn’t the Empire’s human resources number as many as the stars?」
『It’s
not that kind of meaning. It’s about how vassals and family are different.』
Jeanne looked down with sad-looking
eyes.
『Aneue
desperately shoulders the Empire that she inherited. There are many vassals who
have sworn their allegiance to Aneue. However, there is no one that can grant
Anueu any peace of mind. Originally, that role should be the responsibility of our
family, but since I am busy with my duties and the young third daughter is an
eccentric…… So well, I can’t expect much from her. Although, I believe that it
will be better if she accepted a husband, but the existence of the throne is enormous,
and those who try to approach her were only ambitious people. Well …… Even if a
non-ambitious person tried to approach Aneue, he would be blocked by the
ambitious ones……』
「……」
The solitude of an Empress. After
hearing about this, the ruler he served came into Hakuya’s mind. It was the
scene of Souma, nonchalantly being surrounded by his four fiancés and his step-sister,
as they gathered around a single table outside of the political affairs’ schedule.
His face completely lacked the dignity of a King, and since this was unbecoming
of his stature, Hakuya had offered his honest opinion that 「Since
the vassals are watching, even if it’s in private, please be more dignified.」,
but…… Perhaps this was something that Souma needed.
So that he wouldn’t sink into
solitude. When he thought of this, Hakuya curved the tips of his mouth.
『?
What is it, Hakuya-dono?』
Hakuya shook his head while
replying to Jeanne’s inquiry.
「No……
I just thought that something that can stop that solitude, surprisingly, might
be a certain emotion.」
『???』
☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽
I think Hakuya will give you confidential information if you ramp up the honey trap Jeanne.
Anyway, Hakuya is a such smooth operator.
Also, just make Maria join Souma’s harem,
then she won’t feel solitude anymore. LoL.
[1] 黒衣の宰相 is a term to refer to numerous
Buddhist priests or abbots that had held important government position at various
points in Japanese history. The black clothes refer to the color of the robes
that these monks wore. But this also refers to the idiom: 黒衣 as someone who pulls the string from behind as these are also the
clothes for the stagehands in Japanese old live stage plays (the black clothes
represent that they are invisible). Some words just lost its cultural
significance when translated.
[2] This is
the sayings of Shingen Takeda. The full quote is: The people are your castle,
your ramparts, your moat. Protect them, and they shall protect you.
By the
way, the Machiavelli quotes if from Chapter 20 of Il Principe.
THE SHIP! THE SHIP IS SAILING!
ReplyDeleteThat peculiar third daughter would be interested to Souma... I bet it, wkwk
ReplyDeleteHe does have a taste for peculiar women.
DeleteThanks for the new chapter!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the treat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThe flag has been raised.
A new ship!? :-o
ReplyDeleteThanks 4 the translation!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about the eccentric sister.
Thx 4 the chapter
ReplyDeleteHehe, I wonder if they can appoint the eccentric third daughter as the ambassador to Fredonia. Souma does seem like the type to attract eccentric people lol, though I wouldn't ship her with him. Maybe with Hal? If their two countries ever joined with political marriages, Souma ought to get the Holy Maiden, Hakuya would be paired with the General, and the third sister can go to either Hal or Ludwin, or even Poncho, depending on her taste.
ReplyDelete