Chapter 6 - A Signing Ceremony
Objectively, Ninym was treated with great civility. After leaving with the men, she was led to a carriage, blindfolded, and taken to a mansion in the middle of nowhere.
Although the Flahm woman was locked in a guarded, windowless chamber, it was spacious and well furnished. Ninym could enjoy hot baths and food at her leisure. The place was actually quite comfortable.
Is this a leader’s vacation villa?
Ninym wondered if that very leader had staged this abduction, but Ulbeth was a foreign country. She didn’t have enough information to guess her captor’s identity.
I’d like to escape at least long enough to get a sense of where I am, but…
Fleeing the mansion only to get caught again to map out the surrounding area was a comical notion. Nonetheless, for someone all alone in an unfamiliar place, it wasn’t a futile effort.
I wonder how Wein is doing…
Was he okay? Was he worried? How was the enemy using her abduction against him? Ninym was alive, which meant that she still had value as a hostage and that Wein had accepted her captor’s demands.
Given the situation, the culprits must be from the western or the southern cities.
Undoubtedly, they were requesting that Wein betray Agata. The prince wasn’t the type to meekly concede, however. He’d look for the route to the greatest profit.
Wein is out there doing his best. I have to escape somehow.
Ninym was determined, but security was tight, and there was no chance for her to investigate her surroundings. Just as she was wondering what to do, a knock came at the door.
“Pardon me, Lady Ninym.”
A female servant assigned to Ninym entered the room. Her tone was formal, and she gave off the air of one who diligently went about her work. Ninym would have invited her to join Natra’s palace staff in any other circumstance.
“What is it? It’s too early for a meal.”
The servant responded with a polite bow. “My master has returned. He wishes to meet you, Lady Ninym.”
“…!”
Master.
Several days had passed since Ninym was taken to the mansion, and she hadn’t seen him once. Based on her interactions with her captors and this female servant, he was a capable person with talented and loyal staff. There was no better opportunity to learn more about what was transpiring.
“I’ll go now. Lead the way.”
The servant led the Flahm woman out of the room with two guards following directly behind. They didn’t want to give her a single chance to run off, but such concerns were unwarranted. Ninym had no intention of leaving until she met their master. Nonetheless, she did her best to memorize the building’s layout.
“Here we are.”
They at last reached their destination, and the servant knocked on the door.
“I have brought Lady Ninym.”
There was no response. The servant opened the door regardless and ushered Ninym inside. She stepped forward, and…
“…Ah, I understand.”
Her surprise lasted for only a second. Now things were coming together. Ninym smiled with comprehension.
“So, you’re the master—”
The Signing Ceremony.
It was both a legal and a cultural function held once a decade to discuss the future of the Ulbeth Alliance. Although the subject matter varied each time slightly, the crux of the event remained the same. They would begin with individual economic situations and issues, work up to city solidarity and international affairs, and conclude with a vote on whether to maintain the Alliance or not.
Most discussion points were settled beforehand, however, leaving the preservation of the union as the central topic. Each city had the right to withdraw, but none ever did.
Of course, that was only the case of previous Signing Ceremonies. The widening cracks between the four cities grew more visible every day.
“I wonder how this Signing Ceremony will go.”
“So do I. After all, the West and the South Representatives eloped just when it seemed like their cities were allies.”
“There are rumors that Altie is acting strange, too.”
“What can they do? Altie doesn’t even have a representative. Anyway, Muldu’s responsible for all these crazy weddings, right? I hear they’re gathering a ton of people.”
“Even if Roynock and Facrita lose their representatives, that won’t be enough to take them down.”
Talk of the future swirled among Ulbeth’s citizens. As they waited with bated breath, the ceremony to decide their fates commenced.
This Signing Ceremony was held in Muldu’s Parliament building. It was large enough to accommodate roughly one hundred people comfortably but was currently packed shoulder to shoulder with eager crowds.
When the Ulbeth Alliance was first formed, the Signing Ceremony involved only the representatives and several of their associates. However, as the event grew in significance, the representatives started competing against each other to see who could invite the most notables. The result was that each city was forced to erect a large venue.
And now, the Muldu site was jammed with dignitaries from each city.
“What a thrilling view,” Wein remarked quietly. He sat in the front row of the eastern sector and looked out over the riled crowd. There were four seats on a raised platform at the innermost part of the venue, one for each representative. Agata was already in place, but the remaining three spots were still empty.
“I get why the Altie chair is vacant, but are the western and the southern cities still quarreling?”
Wein looked at each camp and found them in an uproar. Although this was entirely his fault, he’d been ignoring them since Ninym’s abduction. Still, Roynock and Facrita had hardly calmed down, even without the prince’s eye on them.
“I hear the groups were nearly unified, but word spread that the two strongest candidates, Rauve and Huanshe, have captured Sir Oleom and Lady Lejoutte,” Kamil explained from his spot beside Wein. “Supporters of the former representatives are naturally opposed, and adversaries of the top two candidates are taking advantage of the situation as well. In all the chaos, there have been no new representatives chosen.”
“The people involved are dead serious, but I’m sure it must seem absurd to those watching from the sidelines,” Wein replied tiredly. “At this rate, Agata will have center stage.”
“The other cities are aware of this as well. Soon enough, they’ll—”
Kamil’s sentence was cut off. Two men, one from Facrita and the other from Roynock, pushed through any who tried to hold them back and stepped forward.
“It seems the strongest candidates have made their way to the forefront.”
“Then I suppose it’s time to begin.”
Wein and the others looked on as the meeting commenced.
“No need to rush,” Agata remarked as the two who had shoved their way forward took their respective seats. A cold smile spread across the East Representative’s face.
“Shut it, Agata. Do you have any idea how much your stunts screwed up Roynock?”
“Rauve is right. We’ll be discussing your antics.”
Agata couldn’t hide his derision. “What an odd threat. Isn’t that chaos the reason the seats that are far beyond your capabilities remain unoccupied?”
“Damn you…!”
Rauve raged with indignation, but Huanshe stepped in as if to keep him in check.
“Your words implicate you. Isn’t that paramount to a confession, Sir Agata?”
“Yes, I admit it,” Agata admitted passively. “However, who can criticize me? After all, I’m the only representative here.”
“What…?!”
“Do you not understand? The representatives of our great Ulbeth Alliance are elected after long and careful discussion. Can someone chosen on the spot honestly be considered a true one?”
Rauve and Huanshe were humiliated. They had struggled to make it this far, yet Agata refused to acknowledge them as his equals.
“Well, so what?! The Signing Ceremony is held once a decade. Are you saying you get to run the show?!”
“That does appear to be the case.” Agata did not falter, despite the intense atmosphere. “If anything, you are at fault for failing to elect proper representatives. I have done nothing wrong.”
“Absurd!” Rauve howled. “Did everyone hear that?! Will you allow such tyranny?!”
Those gathered people from Roynock and Facrita shouted in protest. Even Rauve and Huanshe’s critics had to agree with them on this point. Muldu’s citizens naturally sided with Agata, but the clamor from the other groups made it plain they were outnumbered.
“…Sir Agata, I admit our failure to select a representative in a timely manner. However, the Signing Ceremony cannot function properly with only the East Representative. I would like you to make an exception and accept us.”
“Hmph.” Agata sniffed haughtily as he considered Huanshe’s proposal. “An exception, you say. Yes, considering Roynock and Facrita’s many years of contribution, I suppose I can allow that.”
“Precisely. Our noble ancestors will be greatly pleased to know the Signing Ceremony is proceeding as intended,” Huanshe agreed.
Agata snickered. “Ah, yes, our ancestors. Well, if you’re going to go that far, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll accept you as representatives.”
Rauve clicked his tongue. “Tsk, you better!”
“In that case, let us begin,” Huanshe proposed.
While Agata had been caught off guard, he clearly knew when something was unreasonable. The throngs of people from the southern and the western cities were relieved by his swift compliance.
However, the surprising upsets didn’t end there.
“—In that case, I wish to be accepted at well.”
A dignified voice rose from Agata’s camp. It had come from the man standing by Wein. All present looked over as a figure advanced to the platform.
“You…? What’s going on?”
“What do you mean, ‘accepted’?”
Unsure what this upstart was thinking, Rauve and Huanshe eyed the man with caution and confusion while Agata stared in silence.
“I am Kamil Croon, the son of former North Representative Croon. I am here to declare myself his successor.”
“So you’re the master, Kamil,” Ninym said.
Kamil smiled as she stepped into the room. “Indeed, I am. Are you surprised?”
“Truthfully, I suspected you might be pulling the strings. Only someone close to His Highness and me would realize the slaves’ value as hostages. You spoke to me on my way home so you could buy time to position your men, right?”
“Yes,” Kamil stated, bowing his head deeply. “I do apologize for resorting to such violent methods as abduction. However, I had to put a stop to Prince Wein. Left alone, he was going to help Agata win.”
“So you’re saying that Agata didn’t condone this.”
“That’s correct. But I am not a spy for Roynock or Facrita either,” Kamil clarified. “In truth, I am the son of the executed North Representative.”
“…!”
Ninym couldn’t hide her surprise. The look in Kamil’s eyes made it apparent that he wasn’t joking, and he had no reason to lie. And so her mind skipped ahead and wondered what the descendant of the North Representative could be after.
“…Do you want revenge on Ulbeth?”
“Yes,” Kamil confirmed lightly. “Lady Ninym, I’m certain this nation must have proved shocking to you on multiple occasions. I’m also confident you’ve thought it a sinister and suffocating place, one that isn’t fun at all.”
“…I can’t deny that.”
“I was too young to understand at the time, but I heard Ulbeth was the same way while my parents were alive. They did their best to make things better—and were killed for it.” Kamil sighed emptily. “I hate this place. It’s nothing but hopeless people who lack innovation and celebrate the status quo. Before returning here, I’d hoped that things had improved since my parents’ demise, but such a thing was foolhardy to wish for.”
Ninym’s frown was sympathetic. Kamil spoke of revenge, but his voice rang hollow. It sounded more like he’d accepted that there was no going back for him.
“…How exactly will you take your retribution?”
“I can’t share the details. But I intend to destroy the Ulbeth Alliance.”
He’s serious, Ninym thought. If there was any chance of stopping him, the time was now.
“…I agree the Ulbeth Alliance hasn’t left the greatest impression on me,” Ninym began carefully. “Still, not everyone here is corrupt. There are plenty who weren’t involved with what happened to your parents, and there are innocent children who don’t know what happened. Will you punish them, too?”
“Hmph…”
After listening to Ninym, Kamil suddenly took off his jacket. The Flahm woman warily assumed a fighting stance as her opponent exposed his upper body. The deep, wide scars he bore made her want to look away.
“My pursuers gave me these parting gifts when I escaped Ulbeth.” Kamil smiled. “As you say, Lady Ninym, the sins of a parent are not the sins of a child. That is logical. I will release you once everything is over. After that, return to your country and tell everyone. Tell them the foolish, illogical people of a senseless land were destroyed by their own folly—”
“…‘Their own folly,’” Ninym whispered to herself as she recalled Kamil’s words.
After their meeting, she was led back to the room that was her prison. She had tried to say something to Kamil, but the words refused to come when she saw the man’s expression.
“I wonder how everything is going…”
Ninym had no information about the outside world, but she sensed that the Signing Ceremony was about to begin. Kamil would undoubtedly use that opportunity to reveal his relation to the North Representative. She had no idea how he would bring about Ulbeth’s destruction, but there was no question that a huge commotion awaited and that her master would be caught up in it.
“Wein…”
There was no way of knowing what he was thinking or if he was even at the ceremony. The prince being who he was, he’d likely cooked up some incomprehensible scheme. Nonetheless, Ninym cared for his safety above all else. She prayed even though she knew no smiling god would hear her.
“That’s ridiculous…Croon’s son…?!” Rauve exclaimed, his eyes large.
“But the whole family was wiped out…!” Huanshe chimed in, unable to mask his worry.
“I have proof. Here is a Croon family heirloom and a document signed by my parents confirming my bloodline. They were given to me when I escaped Ulbeth. Only one family per city may become its representative. As a legitimate descendent, I meet every qualification.”
Kamil produced an exquisite black short sword engraved with the emblem of Altie. Such a fine article wasn’t easy to come by. However—
“You think that proves anything?!”
“Rauve is right. If this is all you have…”
Accepting Kamil as the North Representative would be a considerable nuisance. Thus, all other representatives had to reject him, or so one might think.
“No, I recognize his claim as legitimate.” Unlike the other two, Agata advocated for Kamil. “He is indeed Croon’s child.”
“Agata! Do you realize what you’re saying?!”
“If there’s a North Representative, you’ll be at a disadvantage, too…!”
“‘Disadvantage’?” Agata repeated, flatly rejecting the stubborn arguments. “It’s more unusual to leave the seat unoccupied. With his participation, the Signing Ceremony can function as intended. Our ancestors will be quite pleased.”
It was sound logic, and the audience went silent. Rauve, however, only grew more infuriated.
“You’ve been plotting this all along, haven’t you?! I’ll never accept this!”
“Indeed. I cannot readily welcome such abnormal circumstances.”
“Didn’t you want me to make an exception for yourselves?”
“This is totally different!” Rauve bellowed, dismissing Agata’s sarcasm. “Kamil! You don’t belong here! Agata might condone this, but we sure as hell don’t! If you understand, then leave now!”
Kamil took a step forward. “No, you will be the ones to leave. I have no intention of recognizing you as representatives either.”
“What…?!”
“There are others more suited to the position, after all.”
A stir ran through the crowd. Everyone knew whom Kamil was referring to.
“Hey, calm down! This brat doesn’t know what he’s talkin’ about—” Rauve surveyed the crowd as he shouted. Then he spotted something, and his eyes shot open.
The reaction drew Haunshe’s attention. He looked to where Rauve was staring and realized Kamil’s words hadn’t been the only source of commotion.
“It—it can’t be…”
Two figures among the quiet Altie group of attendees removed their hoods. There was no mistaking their identities.
“Oleom…and Lejoutte…?!”
The East and the West Representatives, who had officially eloped, were standing right there.
“Listen well!” Oleom addressed the confused crowd in a strong and gallant voice. “Representative Lejoutte and I did not elope! Two people spread baseless rumors, tarnished our dignity, and held us against our will… Rauve and Huanshe!”
“We’ve already subdued the other candidates. You won’t talk your way out of this,” Lejoutte added.
Rauve and Huanshe trembled. As Oleom and Lejoutte claimed, they had conspired to seize power by spreading rumors of an elopement while the representatives were dealing with the marriage campaign.
“A certain person wondered if, instead of running away together, Oleom and Lejoutte were being held captive somewhere,” Kamil stated. “I sent my own search party and discovered that hunch was correct. You should have killed them when you had the chance.”
“Ngh…!”
Rauve and Huanshe gritted their teeth. The crowd now viewed them not as suspects but as criminals.
“…Guards, what are you waiting for?” Agata asked after keeping silent thus far. “They are culprits who tried to steal honorable positions through unjust means. Take them away.”
“W-wait, Agata! This is a mistake!”
“Hey, quit it! Get offa me!”
Rauve and Huanshe resisted arrest, but several guards quickly removed them from the building. No one tried to stop them. A hush fell on the assembly after the pair left kicking and screaming.
“—Well then.”
As if to break the heavy silence, Oleom and Lejoutte stepped on the platform with noticeably loud footsteps.
“We will resume our positions from this point forward. Seeing as the one who aided us was none other than Sir Kamil, we shall accept him as the North Representative,” Oleom announced.
“If there are any objections, speak now,” Lejoutte declared.
None said a word.
Agata had already accepted Kamil, and he now had the approval of the two other proper representatives. There was no room for objection.
“In that case, Sir Kamil shall be instated as the North Representative,” Oleom said.
Clapping and cheers erupted from the Altie camp, who had been containing themselves. The other groups offered a smattering of applause, too.
Showered by accolades, Agata’s young aide stood on the platform as the new North Representative.
“I wish to thank the three of you for allowing me this position.” Kamil bowed deeply. “Next, please forgive my brevity, but I’d like to make a declaration as the North Representative. We, the northern city of Altie, are withdrawing from the Ulbeth Alliance.”
Altie was withdrawing from the Ulbeth Alliance.
Unrest rippled through the throngs when they heard Kamil’s announcement.
“Is he serious?! Withdrawal?!”
“What are you talking about, North Representative?!”
“What will happen to us?!”
The people grew louder. To them, the Ulbeth Alliance had always been a nation of four city-states and the bedrock of their value system. They’d never allow someone to destroy that foundation. Citizens from Altie were the only ones to applaud.
Kamil pressed on despite the audience’s confusion.
“Sir Oleom and Lady Lejoutte have already consented.”
No one had expected this. They couldn’t imagine their own leaders approving of such a reckless proposal.
“Is that true, Sir Oleom?!”
“Lady Lejoutte! Why would you do such a thing?!”
Criticism arose from the crowd, but the two maintained their silence. Their silence was taken as consent, and the confusion rapidly turned to rage.
“It would be insane to withdraw!”
“That’s right! You must reconsider!”
The four representatives sat and watched as furious voices sounded from every direction in the hall.
“Does the north plan to betray us?!”
Kamil’s face twisted at this question, and as he answered, his voice rose to a roar. “You dare speak of betrayal. ‘Betrayal’ implies an equal relationship! Being cut down by those who one-sidedly exploited and subjugated you is not ‘betrayal’! That is ‘abandonment’!”
Once again, the audience went quiet. Altie’s ostracization and victimization were indisputable.
“B-but, North Representative. You’ll be on your own if you leave the Alliance. There will be nothing stopping us from overtaking you.”
Kamil’s expression soured further as he listened.
“How pathetic. Rather than reflect on your own actions, you grow defensive and hurl threats. Do you still not understand that attitude is the very reason you’ve been abandoned? You should worry about yourselves first.” Kamil mercilessly dismissed their complaints and continued to drive his point home. “Or are you claiming we have no right to withdraw? In that case, state so plainly! Say the Signing Ceremony and our value system are nothing but a sham! Our Ulbeth customs you killed my parents to protect! Our traditions! Our framework! It’s all a convenient illusion! Come on, out with it!”
The hatred was thick in Kamil’s voice. Yet at the same time, several people surely noticed the tinge of hope behind it. Despite rallying against the Ulbeth Alliance, he still hoped. He wanted someone to stop him, even if it meant he’d be killed. Kamil prayed that someone would decry the Signing Ceremony, the symbol of the Ulbeth.
If that happened…
Ulbeth’s authority would be tarnished, and people might realize the nation was not invincible. It could spark change and bring them a step closer to the fresh possibilities his parents had longed for.
However…
“…”
No one moved. The people only looked at each other and exchanged fervent whispers.
“…Pft.”
Kamil wasn’t even disappointed. He already knew what needed to be done. He would conclude the Signing Ceremony without incident and sign the secession papers. The young man’s heart felt dry and cold, but he turned to the task at hand.
“May I say something?” Agata spoke up out of nowhere.
“…Sir Agata, don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind?”
Kamil glared at the East Representative. The emotion in his eyes differed from his hatred of Ulbeth.
“No, that’s not it. Even if I were opposed, I wouldn’t say so.”
“Well then, what is it?” Kamil pressed.
Agata took a breath.
“As of this moment, I resign as Muldu’s East Representative.”
His statement was simple, but it took Kamil and the audience several moments to process.
“…W-wait! What are you talking about?!” Once he’d processed the unexpected turn of events, Kamil asked a panicked question, but Agata remained unbothered.
“Moreover, I wish to recommend a successor.”
One figure rose from the eastern camp. Everyone present stared in shock when they realized who it was.
“Wein Salema Arbalest. He shall be the next East Representative,” Agata announced.
The prince of Natra smiled.
A bolt from the blue.
No other words could describe the scene.
Wein made his way through the crowd and leisurely stepped onto the platform. Many were still in denial, but there could be no refuting that Agata had called the prince’s name.
“Y-you must be joking!” Kamil exclaimed, speaking for the crowd. “Why is Prince Wein here?! Him, a representative? That’s ridiculous… Besides, he doesn’t even have the qualifications!”
Representatives could come only from specific families. Agata fulfilled this condition, but Wein obviously wasn’t a relative.
“He is my adopted son.”
The audience was dumbstruck once again.
Childless couples often took in orphaned children, and the nobility openly accepted the kids of other aristocrats to preserve their own family lines.
Be that as it may…
“H-have you gone mad?! Adopting a foreign prince?! That’s not even possi—”
“It is. After all, we have no system that forbids it,” Agata insisted.
Kamil was unable to reply.
It was a reasonable reaction. No one could have ever guessed at such a turn of events. It was the first of its kind in Ulbeth’s history. As no one had considered such a thing before, there was no legislation forbidding it.
“N-Natra will never permit such an outrage.”
“Ha-ha-ha. You’re so funny, Sir Kamil,” Wein said on the platform. “I’m a prince. I make the rules.”
Everyone thought the whole thing was absurd, but they were powerless to argue. Wein was a royal, and it was common knowledge he essentially ran Natra.
“Ngh… But…!” Kamil looked at the other two representatives. “Sir Oleom! Lady Lejoutte! Are you fine with this?!”
When Kamil had saved them, they’d promised to recognize him as the North Representative and approve of his withdrawal from the Alliance. Wein, on the other hand, had ruined both of their lives. Surely, they’d do anything to stop him from becoming an official of their nation.
“I accept him as East Representative.”
“I accept Prince Wein as well.”
Kamil shot up from his chair. “What—why?! How could you agree?!”
What were they thinking? Why would they allow this despite the obvious disadvantages?
Oleom shook his head heavily. “It’s just a matter of sequence, Sir Kamil.”
“Honestly… To think everything would turn out like he said,” appended Lejoutte.
“‘A matter of sequence’…?” Kamil feverishly ruminated over these words. Then, it struck him. “No, it can’t be. You must be joking!”
The newly appointed North Representative turned to face Wein.
“You found them first…?!”
“What strange fate for the three of us to reunite like this.”
Shortly before the Signing Ceremony, Wein met with Oleom and Lejoutte in a certain mansion.
“…How did you know where we were being held?”
Rauve and Huanshe had trapped the two in a house, but they were abruptly rescued by mysterious men and brought to Muldu.
“You can thank Agata. He has a private army even his closest aide doesn’t know about, plus a detailed map of each city’s hidden alleys and niches. Goodness, he’s still sharp as a tack,” Wein explained with an air of admiration.
“So what will you do with us?” Lejoutte questioned.
“I want you to recognize me as the next East Representative at the Signing Ceremony.”
“Huh?”
Lejoutte blinked, and Oleom answered with confusion.
“…I have no idea what your intentions are, but it’s pointless. You don’t have the qualifications to become a representative.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll figure something out. You just have to accept me once I meet those conditions.”
Oleom and Lejoutte looked at each other for a moment and nodded.
“…All right. Whatever will get us out of here.”
“Oh, one more thing.”
“What?!” Lejoutte stared at him. “Aren’t you being a bit greedy?”
“I saved both of you, so one request for each.”
“…All right, what is it?”
“Let Kamil think he saved you.”
Oleom’s and Lejoutte’s furrowed brows suggested they didn’t understand, but Wein soon clarified.
“Kamil launched his own search team. I’ll provide a safe hideout, so pretend to be locked up there. After that, I’ll point him in your direction so he can locate you. Kamil will probably ask for a reward like my first request. Keep our meeting a secret and do what he says.”
“I—I really don’t get it…” Lejoutte admitted hopelessly.
Oleom’s expression indicated he was struggling to comprehend as well.
“So…you want us to trick Kamil? But why in such a roundabout manner?”
“That’s easy,” Wein said with a smile. “Because he laid a hand on my Heart.”
“Well, there’s not much to think about. I’m Natra’s prince, and I joined the family of East Representative. That’s it,” Wein stated breezily.
It was a massive understatement, but Kamil’s mind was occupied by another matter.
I had no idea Wein met Oleom and Lejoutte! Or that Agata chose a new East Representative! I thought they only knew I’d become North Representative!
Oleom and Lejoutte had kept this information from him. Their intention, of course, was to impede his plans. If Kamil wanted to destroy the Alliance, he would have to stop Wein at any cost.
“…Citizens of Muldu! Will you stand for this?!” With no other recourse, Kamil tried to provoke the bewildered populace of the eastern city. “Although he has Sir Agata’s approval, he is still a foreign prince! Do you honestly think you will benefit?!”
A predecessor’s endorsement improved a representative candidate’s chances, but there was no guarantee since political dealings within a faction often determined a successor. Furthermore, while Agata had no children of his own, he possessed many relatives. Muldu had been on the decline until recently, but most people still coveted the position. If Kamil could stir them to action—
“Hey, everyone,” Wein addressed the crowd. “Shut up and watch. I’ll lead you to victory.”
A chill ran through Kamil.
This is Wein Salema Arbalest…!
He had thought he understood the prince’s might. Despite Wein’s cheery and easygoing demeanor, his alarmingly devious schemes had shocked Kamil more than once.
But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Kamil felt Wein’s overwhelming political presence in his very bones as the two squared off.
“I’d like your cooperation, Kamil.”
Wein looked over at the other man and grinned. The Muldu camp had fallen obediently silent. No, it wasn’t just them; everyone was waiting with bated breath. All it had taken was a few words.
“Very impressive.”
“It’s just business as usual to me.”
After this brief exchange, Agata stood and Wein took his place.
None objected to the birth of the new East Representative.
“Well, then. Sorry for cutting to the chase, but let’s pick up where we left off. Altie wants to withdraw from the Alliance, right?” Wein asked. “Allow me to make a suggestion. I believe Ulbeth should remain, northern city and all.”
Kamil grimaced. However, this wasn’t because Wein disagreed with his opinion.
I thought that Muldu wanted to unite the Alliance…?
If that was Agata’s goal, as an ally, it should have been Wein’s as well. Perhaps he’d felt unprepared to handle the situation and had elected to maintain things instead.
It’s useless. I have no clue what he’s thinking.
Both Agata and Wein had far more education and experience as statesmen than Kamil. He couldn’t hope to understand the inner workings of their minds.
There’s no point overthinking it. Just press forward!
Kamil spoke with resolve. “As I’ve said before, Ulbeth exploited Altie. Remaining in this system will do us no good!”
“That was true up until now, right? With you as their representative, I’m sure the northern city won’t suffer the same abuse.”
Wein had a point, and Kamil mentally clicked his tongue. Yes, emotional turmoil aside, he could easily lead Altie and revitalize it while remaining in the Alliance.
“Also, since you so elegantly dodged the subject earlier, what are your plans after independence? Altie depends on the rest of Ulbeth for farming, foreign diplomacy, and trade. You’d have a hard enough time scratching out a living even without the possibility of invaders. And we can’t discount the notion that the other three cities and just about everyone else nearby will be looking for their chances to strike. I find this hard to believe, but maybe…you just want to secede and couldn’t care less if you’re destroyed?”
He was right. Kamil didn’t care. It was his greatest wish to see the Ulbeth Alliance swallowed by some foreign power after Altie withdrew.
Of course, not many knew this. Kamil needed another explanation for most of the northerners in the crowd. And that was—
“You’ve been negotiating with the Casskard Kingdom to the north, right?”
“…”
Kamil scowled as Wein hit the nail on the head.
He would sell the untethered city of Altie to Casskard to ensure its protection. Casskard would then serve as a bridgehead against the other three cities. It had been a plausible strategy…until last year anyway.
Wein pressed on.
“The West is in the midst of a major food shortage, and Casskard is no exception. It’d be one thing if they were prosperous like Facrita, but Casskard has already said that they don’t want to upset the other three cities by taking the northern one, right?”
H-how does he…?!
Wein couldn’t have known. It was impossible. Yet he spoke as if he’d seen everything himself and shone a light on the truth.
“Tsk-tsk, Kamil. You shouldn’t conceal such important details from your friends.”
This man…!
Kamil clenched his teeth and looked over at the assembled Altie people. Sure enough, worry was spreading. He couldn’t afford to lose support here.
“Spare me your reckless lies!” Kamil shouted, hoping to cut this topic short. “I agree that Altie would flourish in the Alliance if I were representative. However, we cannot simply clear away the disgrace thrust upon us! Or are you shamelessly suggesting we overlook the past and form an equal relationship?!”
By this point, Kamil’s only option was an emotional appeal. Even Wein couldn’t overturn the northern city’s dislike of the rest of Ulbeth. He would needle at those feelings to gain secession.
And yet…
“Well, I thought you might say that,” Wein replied with a light nod. “So let me offer some reparations.”
The prince of Natra presented a document.
“Wh-what’s this?”
“The answer key to the Ulbeth Alliance. I wrote it myself.”
Every representative immediately understood what he meant. Kamil’s hands shook as he received the document.
“It’ll unravel the Alliance’s tangled relationships. If you have it… Well, need I explain further?”
Kamil had watched Wein ruin Roynock and Facrita’s authority firsthand. If the prince spoke the truth, he could re-create that success.
“I’m giving this to you,” Wein said. “With it, you’ll have a huge advantage over the others. Think about it. Nothing would feel better than controlling those thorns in your side, right? However, the information is only good if the four cities stay together. If even one leaves the union, the significant shift in relationships will reduce that sheet to a worthless scrap of paper.”
“…!”
Something cold like fear gripped Kamil.
I gave the Alliance-hating north a new alternative, but Prince Wein is trying to dissuade them! Rather than forget our hatred, he wants us to stay and clear it…!
It was an unusual concept. How had Wein used the prospect of strength to captivate Altie instead of giving them the hope for escape?
Altie’s citizens were inspired. Reigning as victors in a familiar situation was more captivating than an unknown future of independence.
“…Sir Kamil, I also wish for the Alliance to continue,” Oleom stated, breaking his silence. “I agree that we were foolish. Ulbeth should have been more honest with Altie—no, with one another as a whole. The past cannot be erased, but we should take this as a lesson and move forward.”
“Keep your pretty, meaningless words…! Aren’t you worried Altie will stay only to seek revenge?!”
“Yes. I’m nervous, but overcoming those challenges will make Ulbeth even stronger.”
“It will probably sink without overcoming anything!”
“That is why we’re here. To ensure that it doesn’t.”
Both Oleom and Lejoutte remained in staunch favor of the Alliance, and the same sentiment was spreading through the audience. Kamil had to say something to stop them, but he could manage only to express frustration and resentment.
“…Why, Prince Wein? Why are you getting in my way?!”
“Because you touched my Heart,” Wein replied. “Well, that’s half the reason anyway. I also saw something pretty good.”
“What…?”
Several days earlier, Wein was bidding good-bye to the rescued Oleom and Lejoutte.
“You know, I was wondering, what will you do when everything is over?” the prince asked.
“What will we do?”
The pair of representatives tilted their heads.
“I figured you’d be mad your factions betrayed you after all that hard work.”
“Wasn’t that your fault?” Oleom pointed out.
“Well, yeah,” Wein admitted casually. “It’s not much, but I can help you escape if you want.”
Oleom and Lejoutte considered the idea for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“The thought is enough. We’ve both decided to stay in Ulbeth,” Lejoutte stated.
“Why? With your skills, you’d be fine in any other country.”
“Prince Wein, do you know about North Representative Croon and his wife? The ones who were executed twenty years ago?” asked Lejoutte. Wein nodded, and so she continued. “They hoped to change Ulbeth for the better and never tried to run despite many opportunities.”
“The Alliance is twisted; the rejection of the North Representative is the worst example of this. However, we’d never live up to the Croons’ legacy if we fled.”
“We will correct Ulbeth our way. That’s what we’ve decided after learning how they lived.”
Oleom’s and Lejoutte’s eyes sparkled with strength.
“Kamil, you abandoned the Alliance a long time ago…but it has more potential than you think,” Wein mused with a smile.
During the Signing Ceremony, the two supposedly eloped representatives returned, and new North and East Representatives were chosen. The day saw many ups and downs, but the Ulbeth Alliance was still whole at the end.
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