「Even that is said, the things we could do are limited. It is whether gather it from nobles, gather it from merchants, or collect it from people. It is one of those」
「Which one is the best?」
I did not know so I asked straightforwardly.
「From the people」
「From the people? Why is that? Even though exploiting the commoners will be a cause of the destruction of the nation?」
It was a typical story that happened in the history that I started to study recently.
It was very usual for countries that have tyranny, exploiting the people, to ruin.
That is why, from the three choices that Statis brought up, I thought that it would be not from the people.
「Even if it is from the nobles, or from the merchants, they would only suck up the amount that they lost from the people to regain it. They would not let it end with them only having a loss」
「Ah!……」
「And when that happens, they would do it with extra, at the same time, plucking it from the people as if it was snitch food. The nobles will raise their taxes, and the merchants will raise the prices of their products. If they would give 100 to the country, they are the kind of people, who would think it would be a loss not taking at least 120 from the people.
「……if we are only giving them that 20 in the end, are you saying, that it would be better for the country to take the 100 directly from the people even if they would have a grudge?」
Somehow, I understood what Statis was trying to say.
In reality, he quietly nodded.
And, he looked at me.
With eyes of “Well then, what will you do”.
I got troubled, hesitant.
I got troubled, but it is the same as having no other choices.
「Let us collect directly」
This one, would have the result that the people would have fewer burdens.
And the result of that, they would have a grudge to the Royal House……it is a bitter decision.
「As you wish」
「As expected of the Queen Her Majesty, I am moved by the wise judgment」
Acheron said.
「Enough of the flattery, rather than that, make the war end as quickly as possible」
「Of course. But, however, General Oshif is also a seasoned warrior, good news will comeーー」
In the middle of Acheron’s words, *Pan*, the room’s door was opened.
One man entered, he ran to Acheron’s side with a pale face, and whispered to him.
Acheron’s complexion changed, it became blue in an instant.
「What happened?」
「……」
「Acheron」
I called his name with a strong tone.
「General Oshif……had died in action」
「……eh?」
「When he found that the enemy commander in chief was trying to escape from Saria, and pursued with soldiers, an ambushーー」
「Such a thing……」
「From this, the front lines fell unto confusion, seemingly in a disastrous state」
「You fool, losing sight of the objective, you should’ve just let the enemy general go, this war was only for until regaining Saria」
Statis said as if to spit out.
「……achievements, he probably wanted more achievements」
Acheron said that, and held his head.
I also wanted to do that.
I even had the resolution of being hated by the people, but with this……
What should I do, what should I need to do?
「Your Majesty」
Acheron said.
「It is already not the situation saying things like recapturing Sarira. We should immediately send a messenger to Comotoria, and propose armistice」
「Armistice in this timing?」
「Offering reasonable compensation, and cession of territory」
I want to cry now.
The “reasonable” he’s saying, it would absolutely not be reasonable.
Something that is given away while losing, there was no way that “reasonable” would be enough.
I looked at Acheron, I looked at Status.
Both of them, they have eyes pressing me to a decision.
“That is only the way, if it is right now, the wound would be at the least”, it was those kinds of eyes.
Compensation, and cession of territory.
Iーー.
「What, you were here huh」
He entered from the door that was opened.
Relaxed, and with ease. He entered with two Demon Sword his waist.
「Kakeru!」
If it is Kakeru……I am sure, if it is Kakeruーー.