The city situation of Yuritania, the capital of the Yuri Empire, is constantly monitored by maintaining [Spatial Grasp].

So when a passenger from a foreign country enters the city, Yuri is immediately aware of it. Since the city was in a state of war, Yuri was especially sensitive to passengers coming from the Principality these days.

This is when it happened. On the morning of the 10th day of the month of autumn, Yuri noticed that a slightly unexpected passenger from the Principality had entered the city of Yuritania.

In the past, the messenger from the duchy was a pair of knights who came riding in with a letter. According to the information from [Spatial Grasp], this time it was a visit in a carriage, and visitors were entitled ‘Duchess’.

(I wonder if they know that I like the same sex....)

That was the first thing that Yuri thought about the duchy that had appointed a woman as its emissary.

Yuri does not hide her sexuality, and her love for the same sex is rather well known to the citizens of Yuritania and Farrata who watch the broadcast.

It’s also possible that some of the passengers who came from other cities to Yuritania were able to watch the broadcast during their stay, so it’s possible that the story leaked to the principality.

“Imnus. I think a messenger from the duchy is coming, so please be prepared.”

However, Yuri would be more than happy to talk to a woman face to face.

While wondering if she’s falling for her opponent’s schemes, Yuri instructs Imnus, the <Nadeshiko>, who is today “love duty”, to get ready.

“If it’s the usual messenger, I’ll take the letter myself.”

“It seems that this time they have sent a proper messenger. It seems to be the ‘duchess’.”

“Oh? Is master’s taste known?”

“To be honest, I’m not so sure....”

Yuri laughs bitterly when Imnus says so.

I sometimes think that if the Duchy wanted to win Yuri’s favor and sent a female messenger, the plan might succeed.

“Since they are the head of the country, please take a firm stand against the envoys of the enemy, okay?”

“I’ll deal with it positively.”

“Isn’t that a line from a bad person?”

Imnus also chuckled at Yuri’s words.

A messenger from the duchy visited the lord’s mansion in the early afternoon and requested to see the lord, which she did immediately.

I heard that the messenger was quite surprised at my immediate response to her request for a meeting.

According to what I had heard from Ados before, it often takes a few days to get a meeting with a nobleman, let alone the head of state. It must have been completely unexpected from the other side to be able to meet on the same day.

We moved to the audience hall and Yuri sat down on the throne.

On either side of her, the twelve captains of the various units of the Yuri Empire lined up.

A few moments later, the emissaries of the duchy appeared, accompanied by Imnus.

According to the information I can see from [Appraisal], the one leading the way is a duchess named Sofia Theodore. She is said to be 26 years old, but from Yuri’s point of view, she looks like an 11-12-year-old girl who is still innocent.

And it seems that six knights are accompanying the escort. I’m not kidding when I say that Yuri’s taste in women’s knights seems to be obvious.

I wonder if it’s Duke Theodore’s daughter.

Judging from the name, it seems highly likely that the young lady is the daughter of Cadine Theodore, who had a brief conversation with Yuri at the night’s party.

At the evening party, Duke Theodore seemed to be the most intelligent of the three Dukes of Selsia, but what about Sofia?

“I am Sofia, daughter of Cadain Theodore, Duke of Selsia. Your Majesty, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for agreeing to meet with me today.”

“It’s a lot of trouble for you to come all the way from the principality. I wonder???????what is the value of meeting with this stupid barbarian woman?”

“Well, that’s―――”

Sofia, the duchy’s emissary, was rendered speechless by Yuri’s words.

I haven’t forgotten that you once insulted me as a ‘stupid barbarian woman’ in a letter of intent.

The messenger fell silent as if Yuri’s words had unexpectedly affected her. “I’m sure you’ll be able to make some excuses”, Yuri said, urging her on.

“.... If there’s nothing else, I’d like to go back to my office. I didn’t think you come to see me for any reason.”

“Ah―――. I am truly sorry that we have declared war on your country at the sole discretion of Duke Drapon.”

“Hmm, let’s accept his apology. And?”

“An unnecessary continuation of war makes the people of both countries uneasy. I am convinced that restoring peace as soon as possible will lead to greater prosperity for both countries, as it may also affect trade between merchants.

As for the war, it was originally started by a mistake. I hope that you will pretend that all of this never happened and that we can put our mutual resentment behind us.”

“So you’re saying that the Duchy of Selsia wants to make peace with the Yuri Empire on a ‘pain-sharing’ basis?”

“Yes!”

In response to Yuri’s words, Sofia happily affirmed.

Hearing Sofia’s cheerful voice, Hera, the captain of the <Shirayuri>, who was standing right next to Yuri, bit her teeth hard.

(I thought you were going to negotiate, but....)

What Sofia proposed was not a negotiation by any means.

It’s just a matter of saying what the principality hopes to Yuri.

I’m not sure if they think we’re going to agree to their foolish proposal.

(I’ve been underestimated.)

―――The truth is that we have no choice but to judge it that way.

The reason why they sent an insulting letter of intent, clearly expressed their hostility and harm towards the Yuri Empire, and plunged into a state of war were all the result of the initiative taken by the Principality.

If you think you can put that behind you with a single apology, “I’m sorry that Duke Drapon declared war on his own accord”, you’re being arrogant.

In the first place, it would have been fine for us to continue the [Heavy Snow] until it dried up.

We could have just watched as the crops were wiped out by the cold, food was hard to procure, diplomatic relations with other countries were all cut off due to the heavy snowfall, and the principality was slowly dying.

The only reason why I stopped it was because Lydina requested me to do so.

And yet, it is foolish to think that you can make a peace with the Yuri Empire on a ‘pain-sharing’ basis, that is to say, peace of mutual consent.

“It seems that my meeting with you was a waste of time.”

“What....?”

“Who would be the captain of the knights in the guard?”

In response to Yuri’s words, there was a small murmur among the escort knights.

The female knight who had been waiting for a little behind Sophia answered Yuri’s question with a bowed head.

“I am the captain of the guard.”

“Then tell Duke Cadain Theodore that I have a message for him.

―――I had hoped that Duke Theodore was a bit more intelligent than that, but it was a vain hope when he sent a foolish messenger to our country.”

“Yes, I understand. I will certainly inform him.”

“No, thank you. Our guest is done here. Imnus, take her home.”

“Yes, master.”

With two claps of her hands, Yuri asked the messengers to leave the room.

Only Sophia, who was in a state of shock, seemed to be left behind. The female knight guarding her took her by the hand and she soon left the room.

“....Hera. If you have something to say, say it.”

“Our country has been made a fool of by the Principality. Wouldn’t it be nice to show ‘some dignity’?”.

In the audience room, where there were no more guests, Hera said with a look of blatant discontent on her face.

In this case, ‘showing dignity’ means that we should invade the duchy. I’m sure you can understand why she would want to suggest that.

“If the other side invaded, of course, we would respond, but..... I don’t want to add too much trouble, because I have other priorities than war right now.”

I don’t think it’s impossible to win against a principality.

Just because it seems like a relatively easy win―――The hassle that comes with having more territory seems not worth it.

Yuri’s honest intention was to focus on building resort cities and [Labyrinth Dungeon] for the time being.

There are reports that the kingdom has collapsed, and I don’t want to cause more trouble than I already have.

“Hotaru, since there is a possibility that the duchy will invade, could you please split up the children of <Red Plum> and set up a barrier around the villages that don’t have one yet?”

“I understand. Do you want to put up [Temperature Control Ward] as well?”

“Yes, please. Especially since Colt is close to the duchy, please put up stronger [Barrier Ward].”

Colt is a new village that was recently built by <Kikyou> 20 km south of Yuritania.

It is a village where 1,000 men and women from the Transportation Corps, captured in the war with the previous kingdom, are living, and it has already become a village that is a little too large to be called a village.

Colt is close to the border with the Principality and is responsible for the breeding and rearing of 5,000 horses, so if it were to be attacked, it could cause tremendous damage. We need to make sure that we are well protected.

“Master. If it’s all right, I can infiltrate the principality and provide intelligence.”

Imnus, who was supposed to be sending off a guest, had returned to the audience room.

“Hmm, that’s not a bad idea....”

Yuri pondered a bit about Imnus’ proposal.

The <Nadeshiko> is a professional in espionage, so we send Imnus, she will be able to extract a great deal of information about the Principality.

“Yes, I think I’ll ask you. However, you should not leave until tomorrow.”

“Of course, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to win your favor.”

Imnus responded to Yuri’s words with a cheerful smile.

Yuri thinks in her heart that she should give a lot of service to Imnus, who is today’s “love duty”. The thought of not seeing her for a while made her feel like it was going to be an even hotter night.