As Yahal Soumi had announced, an audience and discussion with the Duke of Mimaka were held that evening.

The location was the royal palace, about two minutes by golem car from the guest house.

I am Gaspar de Mimaka, Prince of Mimaka.

It is an honor to meet you.

Gaju Tuguah gave the address on behalf of the three.

"I am Gaju Tsuga, Ambassador of Friendship sent by the World Guard. Behind me are my two deputy ambassadors, Fiona Fiasse and Manon.

Fionn Fias and Manon bowed in turn after their names were called.

"I have heard that you have brought a large amount of Magi Stones. I thank you."

"Ha!"

"......"

Fiona Fierce was inwardly surprised.

The present king was a boy of eleven years old.

Standing beside him was the Prime Minister, an elderly man with a magnificent beard in contrast to his gray hair, which was beginning to thin.

His eyes were sharp, and I could imagine that he was practically running the country.

"And today, you wish to know the current situation of the four duchies in detail, is that correct?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What is the purpose of your visit?　I'd like to hear it once more from the mouth of the messenger.

"Yes."

Gaju Tugga then stated briefly that he wanted the fighting between the four principalities to stop, that the would like to help in this regard, and that he had come here to gather information.

"Hmmm. I have heard about the <>. ......Yes, you have made your point. Now you must talk to the <...... prime minister."

So saying, the prince rose from his seat and left the room, accompanied by a small secretary and lady's maid who was standing by.

"My name is Moiz Myas Lodi, the Prime Minister.

Fionn Fias felt that despite her sharp eyes, she was a soft-spoken person.

"Please feel free to speak freely from here.

Fionn Fias felt her shoulders relax a little.

"Now that I have heard what you have to say, let me tell you what is going on here.

"Please do."

His Majesty the Emperor just acceded to the throne last year. His parents ...... His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Queen have passed away due to illness. I was also His Majesty's tutor, so the old way of calling him 'Grandfather' comes up in passing."

"I see, I see."

Fionn Fierce thought that while it was good to have a country that didn't hide things from the public at times like this, it was also difficult to deal with because they couldn't move in a straightforward manner.

"It's true that the other three duchies underestimate us because of our low national power and the young age of the new king, isn't it?"

The Prime Minister confided honestly.

(If they are that open about it, we will have no choice but not to help them. ...... In a sense, it is difficult to do.)

) The inability to use such figures of speech as deception, post hoc, circumlocution, and ambiguity renders most of the negotiation techniques useless.

Fiona Fias has an inner reluctance.

"We believe this is due to our low resources and low development capacity."

Gaju Tugga offered his analysis.

"At the <>, we are willing to help the congress countries. However, there are some hurdles that must be overcome before they can become a member of the conference.

"I'm sure that's true."

The Prime Minister nodded.

"One of those hurdles is the peace of the four duchies,...... or, since that is too vague, the elimination of strife among the four duchies?"

Not much has changed," said the Prime Minister with a wry smile.

"Thank you for your frank opinion."

Gaju Tugga thanked the Prime Minister. Then he said,

"In the future, an official envoy from the World Conference will come to mediate between the four duchies. We have come to investigate the situation for that purpose.

He went a little further.

We are now aware that the Principality of Jagus is the most belligerent and aggressive toward the three Principalities. We would like to know the current situation.

I understand. I understand your offer.

Prime Minister Mojts Myas Lodi nodded his head in understanding.

Then Gaju Tsuga spoke the last words.

"In short, I want to know what the principality of Jagusu is going to do and what preparations they have made.

"You've been very honest with me," the Prime Minister says.

The Prime Minister is satisfied.

"If we know that there is at least one honest person in the outside world, we have no objection to diplomatic relations."

"Oh!"

Fionn Fierce, who was listening at the side, was glad to know that at least the Principality of Mimaka was willing to participate in the , even if it was only a verbal statement.

"So, you asked for information about the Principality of Jagus."

"Yes.

I am ashamed to say that we do not know much about it.

With this preface, Prime Minister Moiz Myas Lodi told us everything he knew.

"I heard that the country became belligerent about 100 years ago.

It is said that the country's power began to increase rapidly at that time.

Specifically, it is said that it was during the reign of King Nyestor Almazov Jagus.

"I have heard of him. I believe he came from Mercana.

Yes. I don't know what brought them here, but there must have been some kind of feud. The evidence is that all of their families have a grudge against the Principality of Mercana.

Fiona Fierce imagined that one of the reasons why the Duchy of Jagus targeted the Duchy of Mercana at every turn might have been because of some sort of parent-child or sibling rivalry that had been passed down from generation to generation and had become perceived as the family's enemy.

"Now ...... that I've heard about it, it's a bit unusual."

What do you mean by unusual?

There's no opposition to your policies.

What ......?

Usually, no matter how good a ruler is, there are always a few who are dissatisfied and oppose his policies.

And yet, not a single one of them has come out against the government.

That is indeed unusual.

"That's certainly an anomaly," he said. ...... are they rounding up the opponents very well, or are they secretly disposing of them ......?"

Either way, the prime minister said, it would not be normal governance.

(Perhaps the opponents ...... no, perhaps it's because they've brainwashed everyone ......)

Fionn Fiasse was concerned about that.

I heard several more stories, all of which spoke of the anomalies of the Duchy of Jagus.

"However, they are just hearsay, so not all of them may be true.

"No, but it was a very useful story."

Gaju Tugga thanked the prime minister.

"So, where will you be going after this?"

"I am planning to go to the Principality of Dalat.

"Hmm, I see. In that case, let me help you a little.

The prime minister was writing something on a piece of leathery paper as he said this,

"If you show this to the Prime Minister of the other side, I think he will be more receptive than if there is nothing on it.

He handed me the leather paper saying, "Thank you.

"Thank you very much. It will be very helpful."

Gaju Tugga thanked him again.

"What...? I would like to hear a little bit about your country.

"I'd be glad to."

And so they exchanged small talk until it was time for bed.