「Currently, I don’t understand what the meaning of establishing the transportation network is. Of course, I understand that it is necessary to establish roads for the supply line. However, currently the Empire doesn’t recognize Van’s ownership, so if we construct roads and bridges, won’t it just be a worthless endeavor when it gets handed back over?」(Ludwin)
「He’s right…… The Empire, of course, would demand Van’s return. It will also be annoying if Julius uses the bridges that we constructed.」(Liscia)
Liscia also made a pensive expression. However,
「Perhaps that won’t happen.」(Hakuya)
「Yes. Not happening.」(Juna)
Hakuya and Juna-san denied it together.
「With all due respect, the Ducal Prince Julius is not someone who has that kind of personality.」(Hakuya)
「I heard that he has high pride, so he wouldn’t do something like using a bridge that had been constructed by his enemies.」(Juna)
「Hummm…… If it’s me, even if it’s Amidonia’s, as long as it can be used, I will use it.」(Souma)
For example, that husky voiced female general. Ever since that day, Margarita Wanda had done her best as the singing contest’s host. In this country, where a woman is looked down upon by men, a woman who can speak frankly to the male participants is precious. She is also powerful, so the half-hearted men wouldn’t oppose her. Well, leaving that aside.
「If he had such a high pride, then shall we try to do something to harass him?」(Souma)
「Harass him?」(Liscia)
「We shall bestow names to the bridges. There are eight, right? Then Souma Bridge, Liscia Bridge, Albert Bridge, Hakuya Bridge, Ludwin Bridge, Poncho-Ishidzuka Bridge, Aisha Bridge and Juna Bridge. Engrave each of these names on the respective bridges’ guardrails. Even if they change hands, we could still emphasize the Elfrieden Kingdom’s contribution. In this case, wouldn’t Julius want to destroy them instead?」(Souma)
「Souma…… You really take to such dirty measures so easily…」(Liscia)
Liscia answered in half admiring half amazed tone, but since there were no objections, this plan would be accepted. Incidentally, I requested that the bridge were only sufficiently strong, as it will be alright if the bridges are destroyed. I also confirmed that they didn’t ornament the bridges. After seeing Hakuya and Ludwin going off to carry out the plan that we had decided on just now, Liscia sighed.
「As expected, it is hard since the Empire maintains their demand for Van’s return?」(Liscia)
「Yeah……They have no intentions to change their basic policy, but if that Sister Princess[13] is our enemy, it will be impossible to push things our way. Even if it ended successfully for us, the Empire would lose its face. If that’s the result, it will incur the Empire’s hostility, and it will be a diplomatic failure.」(Souma)
「I heard that Souma met with Jeanne Euphoria. Is it true? About how the Hero Summoning was their consideration for our country?」(Liscia)
Did she heard that from Juna-san? I only nodded in response.
「Yeah.」(Souma)
「Since when did Souma realize this?」(Liscia)
「Ever since I heard that the Empire is led by someone referred to as the 『Holy Maiden』, I have had a vague hint. I believed that a person who was touted as a figurehead called the 『Holy Maiden』 wouldn’t do such a relatively unreasonable action.」(Souma)
「Isn’t that position was just their public face?」(Liscia)
「It is because it is their public face, that it is convenient to be touted.」(Souma)
For the Empire that has a humongous territory and is composed of many races and tribes, a figurehead called the 『Holy Maiden』 is convenient to act as the unifying force. It was all the more important, since the Empire wanted to create a system to manage an united Humanity front to counter the Demon Lord Army. Then, so that they wouldn’t lose this convenience, Maria Euphoria would be someone who will act just how a Holy Maiden would do.
「Because of this, you could interpret the Empire’s request in a favorable light, or something like that.」(Souma)
Well, until my discussion with Jeanne, I didn’t have any positive proof of this. But I had finaly confirmed it in the discussion with Jeanne. Although, the Grand Chaos Empire appears to be something like an『Evil Empire』 in a story, it is not a haughty superpower nation. They are only “a normal strong nation” that endeavors to frantically preserve their country.