21 [1-21] Civilize with strategic resources




 Hilbert finally returned to the Oval Office that ...... day, or more accurately the next ...... day, after the date had changed.
 He was accompanied by a middle-aged male secretary. This secretary, who had also served the previous king, had been selected by Hilbert for his neutral attitude toward politics, his honest willingness to assist the king, and his knowledge of the king's duties.

So, what they're saying is that they want all the rights to the Gracelum Mine, right?
"Yes. Although the form of 'give' varies from country to country.
I don't know which is better, selling it cheaply from the state mines to the Federation.

 Hilbert spoke up to clear his head. The secretary responded.

 Diplomatic and commercial negotiations with the four major powers had already begun.
 After entertaining the diplomats at the soiree, Hilbert held a meeting with the high-ranking officials to receive a report on the negotiations and to plan the future strategy.
 The four powers were, of course, demanding concessions of the most valuable mines.

 The strategic importance of the Kingdom of Ciel-Teira was its mineral resources.
 Orichalcone and adamantite are certainly valuable, but they are not something that the four major powers ......, especially the geographically somewhat distant Caenis Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Diretta, and the Republic of Falaiya, would want to acquire by promising the support of their royal brothers.
 The focus is on Gracelum, a rare metal used to make certain magic items and circuits for higher golems.

 The Gilesh'Hathar Federation has a powerful golem army that advocates itself as a "bastion of humanity" and is active in the fight against demons and demonkind, and is a potential threat to other human nations.
 The Federation itself has a rich vein of glacelm ore, which is not only used for military purposes, but is also greatly profitable as an export product. 20% of the glacelm consumed within the Federation (at a much lower price than when the Federation exports it elsewhere) is purchased from the bordering kingdom of Ciel-Teira.

 If we could get our hands on Ciel-Teira's glacelum deposits, we could at least imitate the Golem Corps, couldn't we?
 The powers that rivaled the Federation had a dream.
 That is why they begged Hilbert for mineral rights, especially glacelms, in exchange for his backing.

I think the best way to sell high to the four major powers is to make them think that there is a way to get back together with the Federation.
Just a hint of that and the country will explode.
I know.

 Hilbert swallowed a sigh.

 The Federation had made Ciel-Teira diplomatically and commercially dependent on the Federation to limit the sale of Gracelms to the Federation and buy them cheaply. There was no competition in the purchase price.
 The mere change of dependency does not mean anything. It would be great if we could make them raise the price by balancing the two.

 But... It's the rabid anti-federalists who are celebrating Hilbert now.
 There's a self-addicted radicalization going on, and even the formerly slightly disgruntled are starting to shout "Cut the Feds' heads off".
 If we don't continue to live up to their expectations, the fervor may even turn on Hilbert. There is no getting back together with the Union.

The only thing to do is to let the four powers fight each other like children fighting over how to cut the meat. Let us hope that this will lead to a better outcome.
 I would like to protect the independence of the Gracelm mine at any cost. ......

 Hilbert thinks it will be difficult.
 What else is there to sell?
 Aside from mineral resources, Ciel-Teira's only other selling point is its specialty, the snow rose, for ornamental use and preparation.

 Hilbert couldn't help but think that he had been a little naive.
 He had thought it would be a matter of the price of selling Glacelm at most, but the four powers had roots inside Ciel-Teira and were ready to devour it.

 Considering the national interest, there was no choice but to refuse, but would it really be possible? We can't afford to overstep our debt to the Four Powers.

At the very least, we want to protect the national revenue and the economic effects of the surrounding industries. The only other thing we can do is to arrange a treaty so that they can't overstep on their taxes.

 Hilbert's expression was almost one of self-mockery.

 From now on, the glacelm ore will be held by foreign countries.
 It's not a matter of more or less income in the end (in fact, in the short term, the income will increase somewhat), but the control of the Kingdom of Ciel-Teira over Glacelm will be weakened.
 Hilbert was getting a bad feeling about this.

 He looked next to him and saw his secretary standing next to him like a statue.

"Do you think I sold out my country?
"That's not for me to judge, sir.

 "That's not for me to judge.
 Hilbert almost laughed at the seriousness of the secretary's answer.
 This was not the kind of question that the king should be asking his secretary. He must have become feeble due to exhaustion.

By the way, the Kingdom of Noa Curio has approached you about dispatching a security force.
Refuse. Once they're in the country, they'll stay for a hundred years for any reason they can think of.

 Hilbert shook his head even before he saw the paper that the secretary was about to present to him.
 Bringing in reinforcements from Noah's Curio would be effective as a threat to potential opposition, but it would also bring with it more troublesome problems.

The other day's offer of armor forging technology is suspicious as well. Noa Curio is probably planning to use Ciel-Teira as a fortress against the Federation.
 An army armed with minerals from Ciel-Teira will stare down the Federation and trample the Field of Shiro Roses if anything goes wrong.

 The secretary said nothing. He listened intently to Hilbert's thoughts.

 The land of Ciel-Teira, which is slightly long in shape from east to west, is bordered by two of the five major powers, the Gilesh Hattar Federation on the west side and the Noahcurio Kingdom on the southeast end.
 If we let the Noah's Curio Kingdom's army into the country now, there is a possibility that both countries will say, 'Okay, let's do this.

It may be necessary at some point, but now is not the right time. If we provoke the Federation too much, we could have an 'eventuality'.
 If we provoke the Federation too much, there could be a 'surge'. ...... Noa Curio may rather want to fight. If Ciel-Teira becomes a battleground now, then Koenis, Diretta, and Faraiya will all be enemies of the Federation.

 Ciel-Teira is a small country with only a few resources. Hilbert was well aware of that.
 Not only in war, but if it were to be involved in a conflict between the major powers, it would be ground down like wheat on a millstone.
 If that happens, there is no point in ...... making a coup d'etat to become king.

What do you want me to do about the land reform?
"What do you want to do about the trade? This will not go well unless you do it with or without permission while there is still enthusiasm in the country. I'll make an announcement by the end of this month. I'll crush any seeds of anxiety.


"Oh, and I have a strong protest from the Marquess of Arwen. "Oh, and the Marquess of Arrawen has made a strong protest regarding the system of allowing the families of the Lords to reside in King's Landing.
...... I'm sure they'll complain.

 I'm sure you've heard of it. Hilbert had issued a notice that the families of the lords would be allowed to live there for the time being.

 Gather the families of the lords to King's Landing and hold them hostage: ......
 I was referring to the method used by the Tycoons of the Far East, as told to me by a bard.
 The royal palace was supposed to provide money to help them protect their families from the turmoil in the country, but no one on their side or the enemy had the brains to believe that they were protecting their families.

Do you want to tell the newspapers about the protest from the prince? Behind the scenes.
They're already working on it.
Excellent. It's good that you're working so quickly.

 The Marquess of Arawen may be in rebellion against the Crown for protesting this. ......
 It's easy to see how the citizens would react to this story.
 It's an absurd theory, but it's the Ciel-Teira of today. Even though there are very few people who support Hilbert with such fervor, there are many who are reluctant to support him, and there are those who are afraid of Hilbert's momentum and keep their mouths shut. ...... The vortex of fervor will become a torrent and push away those who are against Hilbert.

We can do anything now. "We can do anything now, we just have to be a little forceful to get a foothold.
"Ha!
 And what about the search for the undead?

 I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

...... Keep working on the temple.
"The sabotage continues, sir.

 This time Hilbert sighed.

 The temple forces are full of corrupt moneyed families at the top, but the clergy and temple knights on the ground are good, simple people who value God's love, justice, and salvation after death.
 In addition to their dislike for the coup d'etat, the subsequent execution of the royal family and the ongoing violence in the country (although the regime was not involved, just the radicalized supporters of the current king) have made them detest Hilbert like a scorpion.
 Even if the opponent is an undead enemy of the gods, he does not seem to be willing to do as he is ordered by the state.

You can't blame them. ...... Send in a couple of radicals from the Knights and put them in charge. I don't expect immediate results, but we can't afford to be licked by the temple. Let's scare the cocky priests. We'll punish and dispose of them as soon as their bad reputation spreads.
"As you wish.

 "As you wish.

 Meanwhile...

"Aaaaah!

 In the castle of Count Keeley in the city of El Talev, Iris (Rene), who was having a nightmare, woke up. She then ripped off the blanket that had been draped over her and looked under it in despair.

"I knew it ......!