It would have been great if we could have just destroyed the enemies right there.
There are situations when it is difficult to kill someone.
However, if one looks at it from a different perspective, one can say that it is easy to kill.
On the other hand, what was difficult———– is to make them change their minds.
Especially the minds of people like Liese.
“I’d like you to gather the Seven Lights again.”
When I asked King Zect to do that————
What I wanted to find out was whether I could change the Prime Minister’s mind or not.
But after meeting her, I decided that changing her mind was impossible.
I didn’t have enough materials to do such a thing.
Perhaps, I might have been able to change her mind if I was given more time.
If I had six months or so, I think changing her mind could have been possible.
However, we were in a situation where we didn’t know when the Thirteen Cavalries would attack.
They might attack in a few days.
Moreover, even if I could persuade her after half a year, I wouldn’t bother staying that long in that place.
I don’t have the time to waste staying in that place.
If that was the case————- I don’t have the choice but to use a rough treatment.
I had decided that it was impossible to change Liese’s mind.
At that instant, I devised a plan that would serve as a foundation.
At the same time, I grasped the strength of the Four Warlights.
It was that “spar” Seras did before.
Worst case scenario, I wanted to assess their strongest, Gio’s battle capability.
But fortunately, everyone participated, and I was able to get more information than I had expected.
I was able to get some idea of their strengths, personalities, and the relationship between the Four Warlights.
I also wanted to find out who would vote for Liese’ proposal.
It was at that time that I was approached by Gio.
At night, I went to Gio’s home.
There, I learned about Liese’s usefulness for the Faraway Country.
I learned about Gio’s thoughts about things.
I also learned about “what Gio was thinking”.
If he lost in the votes, he planned to sneak out and crush the Thirteen Cavalries himself.
Bringing along his own army with him.
It seems like the reason he had invited me to his home was to ask me if I’d like to join him.
At this point, I began to formulate the plan further.
Joining them here isn’t a bad idea.
I’m sure Qir will also be on board with this……
However, the problem is Liese.
If I go with Gio’s plan, Liese would scream in indignation.
It’s because it would make it seem like the Faraway Country opened up with hostilities before she could even negotiate with the other party.
“We could have solved this problem through conversation.”
“Gio and the others have ruined it.”
If the Thirteen Cavalries were dealt with even before negotiation begins……
A huge lump will remain between Gio and the others, and Liese.
No, their relationship would definitely break down fatally.
“The Arachnes’ plan of abandoning and leaving the country” might possibly become something that they would seriously do.
However, Gio thinks that Liese’s existence is important for this country.
He disagrees with Liese, but he doesn’t see her as a hindrance.
Secretly disposing of Liese———— is certainly not impossible for me.
However, I also felt that it would be more beneficial to respect Gio’s thoughts.
Considering my own circumstances, I wanted to avoid weakening the Faraway Country.
After all, it would be the country where Nyaki would be living from now on.
If Liese and the other Arachnes are useful, I don’t want to eliminate them as much as possible.
Now then, what does all of this indicate?
It means that even if the majority votes decides “to fight”, Liese would still not be convinced.
Her way of thinking won’t change.
She will also be disappointed with the Four Warlights.
It is also possible that she would really lead the Arachnes out of the country.
Thus, even if the Faraway Country survives the threat of the Thirteen Cavalries, the Arachnes may still leave.
The Faraway Country will then lose valuable human resources.
“The Faraway Country must not lose Lieselotte Ornick or the Arachnes.”
It had now become necessary to fulfill this condition.
So, what do we do?
Thinking about this, we could only manipulate the outcome of the majority votes.
Instead of fighting, we will let Liese “settle this matter with peaceful resolution through discussion”.
The same day……
After I left Gio’s home……
I decided to make my move, heading straight towards Armia’s home.
I couldn’t feel the presence of Liese nearby.
However, there is an Arachne tailing me behind.
Aware that I’m being watched, I paid Armia a visit.
From what I heard from her, Liese had apparently come about an hour ago to persuade Armia.
Making sure not to let the Arachne outside hear what I was saying, I explained my thoughts to Armia.
Incidentally, at that time, I had Armia refuse me with a normal volume.
At first, she seemed to feel uncomfortable with changing volumes, but after a while, Armia soon got used to it.
△
[Fumu…… Then, I should just vote for Prime Minister-dono, right?]
[Yes, we’ll have Liese win the majority vote.]
[And what’s Gio’s take on this?]
[I’ve already explained the matter to him.]
[Hmmm…… In short, you’re trying to set up Prime Minister-dono in a big way huh……]
[You have the right to veto, you know?]
[……No, I was thinking of throwing my vote to the fighting side anyway.]
[I thought you’d vote for the negotiating side for the sake of the Lamia mothers though.]
[What, so you know about our situation too huh. No, no, but Belzegia-dono…… I’d like it if you don’t underestimate us, the Lynxes. If it’s to protect the children, all of us, including the mothers, would gladly take up our swords.]
[As Liese said, there’s no evidence that Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries are despicable beings. It is also true that I’m personally trying to rely on your country’s strength to fight them. Even if that’s so, will you still choose to fight?]
[It’s mostly because of your friends.]
[My friends?]
[Yes, your friends. Seras, Nyaki, Slei, Pigimaru……]
[Piii~~]
[No, I didn’t call you, Pigimaru.]
[Pii……]
[Fufufu. Anyway, watching your friends…… I feel like I could believe you. It is hard for someone who is adored by them like that would lie about such a thing. If you suddenly tell me that their adoration for you is but an act to deceive us, then I must be blind. That’s all there is to it, unnn.]
▽
Armia voted for Liese’s side.
King Zect and Gratora didn’t participate in the votes.
Thus, the majority vote has decided for the matter to be settled with peaceful resolution through discussion.
Incidentally, there was no problem with the Arachne that was tailing me.
After I left Armia’s home, I hid myself.
Then, I peeked at Armia’s home from the shadows.
The Arachne that had been tailing me didn’t look for me, and instead, went into Armia’s home.
“Belzegia came to persuade me, but I haven’t changed my mind”
“I just turned that fly away.”
I asked Armia to explain it that way.
In fact, as I left Armia’s home, I acted like I hadn’t gotten anywhere by persuading her.
It was possible for me to cover my tracks, making it so that the Arachne won’t be able to tail me.
However, I opted on having that Arachne tail me instead.
Why?
It was to convince Liese that I had failed to persuade her.
“If Armia’s on Liese’s side, they can win the vote tomorrow.”
Receiving such a report, Liese must have been convinced that that was the case.
And so, on the day of the meeting, the majority vote actually turned out to be just that.
Armia voted for Liese’s side, and the peaceful plan was to be held.
Meanwhile, I had asked Seras to gather more information.
Seras had gotten information on the various army corps from Gratora.
I, on the other hand, was getting the same information from Gio.
After we returned to our room in the castle, we went over the information that we haven’t gotten yet.
After the vote, Gio told Qir about my plan.
Sure enough, Qir was on board.
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