697 – The Arctic Needs Your Attention – 2
Winter Three Kingdoms. A word encompassing the Kingdom of Lucerne, the Kingdom of Stiniye, and the Kingdom of Nosgor.
As you can see from the word winter, they are pure white and harshly cold kingdoms that spend most of the territory and most of the year in winter.
To the west of the Three Kingdoms of Winter, there clearly exists the Kingdom of Armaine, the second-largest kingdom on the continent, but all three are pitifully weak countries whose national power is on the decline, as if they were trying to boost their national power to Armain.
That is the Winter Three Kingdoms. These are countries that lack presence because they are on the outskirts, have little external activity due to low national power, and are not invaded by foreign powers because their territory is small.
“Union, do you mean?”
“That’s right.”
However, it is said that the three kingdoms will form a union that winter.
It was unexpected, so my mind froze for a moment. Because the weather was bad, she was worried that the princess would make it back to the palace. She said that as soon as she entered the palace, if she had known she would hear these words, she would have just let him sleep in her mansion for the night.
That is why the system of union is not something that can be easily put into words. Simply, ‘We get along well.’ A union that is neither the same friendly relationship nor a further alliance?
‘Union is a system adopted only by Juven.’
The United Kingdom of Yuven, the 3rd largest country on the continent and a magic powerhouse. I think the Union would be an advanced system if such a country were using it, but there is a good reason why others do not use it.
The union system has more disadvantages than advantages, and it is a system that is destined to fail by being buried in its disadvantages before it can capitalize on its advantages. Honestly, if Juven had been able to use a single kingdom system instead of a union system, he would have used it a long time ago. There is no answer other than union, so I am forcing myself to hold on.
Even so, the United Kingdom of Yuven is maintained by the No. 1 country that is firmly at the center, so the union is maintained through various means, but the Winter Three Kingdoms…
“Isn’t the Winter Three Kingdoms 2 weakest and 1 weakest?”
There is no country that can stand firmly as the center of the union. Rather, it tends to have solid holes.
“1. It’s the weakest. Don’t say something like that anywhere as the Kingdom of Lucene might be disappointed to hear it.”
“I never said that Soshin was Lucene─”
“However, as the Minister said, there is no country in the Winter Three Kingdoms that can form an alliance. The national power of Stinye and Nosgor are similar, not to mention Lucerne.”
He pursed his lips for a moment and then nodded obediently. Anyway, I have confirmed that my will and that of the emperor are identical.
“That’s why it’s so confusing. It’s strange that countries that have been walking independently are forming a union, but the parties who know their national power best are calling for a union? I wonder what the benefit is of doing this.”＜ Br﹥
“Isn’t it a good thing that we sought the empire’s permission first? It would have been more troublesome if we had formed an alliance first and sent an envoy.”
“Well, I can see in Jim’s eyes that he will definitely get permission.”
That is also not wrong.
If a kingdom seeks permission from the empire through official diplomatic channels, it means that the agenda is already a national project. If he had the mindset to give up just because the empire was against it, he wouldn’t have said anything in the first place.
“Was there any talk of forming some type of union or something like that?”
“They are planning a looser form than Yuven. Unlike Juven, which presents one king externally, the Winter Three Kingdoms Alliance is said to have three kings at the same time.”
This is even more confusing. At most, it takes three heads to form a union? So is there any need to form a union?
“It’s complicated.”
“It’s complicated.”
After saying that, the emperor took a sip of the vodka that had been placed on his table.
“Well, for now, I’m thinking of holding off until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs secures more detailed information. Trying to plan things in a situation where there are not enough cards will only make things worse.”
“This is indeed a wise decision.”
He nodded at the emperor’s words.
This is not an issue that requires a decision right away. Diplomacy between countries inherently requires considerable consultation and concessions. Perhaps the Winter Three Kingdoms, the parties involved, are also prepared to engage in a long-term quarrel with the empire.
“But Your Majesty.”
“Speak.”
“If the Three Kingdoms of Winter form a union… Wouldn’t it be possible to make them a close friend who will attract Armain’s attention?”
“Not at all.”
I was a little surprised because it was a firm answer without any hesitation.
“The Three Kingdoms of Winter may be faithful friends of the Empire, but unfortunately, they do not have the power to attract Armain’s attention.”
Of course, it’s better than nothing.
After saying that, the emperor shrugged his shoulders and drank the remaining vodka in one go.
‘It seems to be more shit than I imagined.’
The emperor, who must consider all possibilities, even made an affirmation. Just how miserable is the national power of the Winter Three Kingdoms?
My heart aches for no reason.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs secured information faster than expected. Who would have known that I would post a report before returning to the mansion.
“Wow, that’s really fast.”
The speed was unexpected even for the emperor, so he smiled and checked the pile of documents brought by the servants.
A little sad. Now, just as I was about to leave, the documents arrived. If you say, ‘Then I’ll just leave.’ It’s difficult to run away.
“…Oh, indeed.”
Seeing the emperor’s reaction even aroused my personal curiosity.
If I hadn’t known from the beginning that the Three Kingdoms of Winter were uniting, I would have kept it as if I didn’t know, but unfortunately, I had already heard about it. If I go home in this state, even in my sleep, I’ll think, ‘So why do those b*stards want to unite?’ It is obvious that the future will suddenly happen.
It’s terrible. After all, the biggest enemy of humans is curiosity.
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The Minister should also read it. It was a sadder reason than I thought.”
My curiosity grew even more.
***
While watching the minister quickly check the documents, I opened a new bottle of vodka.
For some reason, I thought the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was posting a report strangely quickly, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not secure information, but rather reported their situation to the Empire in the Winter Three Kingdoms.
And the report that the three kingdoms submitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the winter—no, the petition—was so sad that it broke the hearts of those who saw it.
‘If we live separately, we will probably die, so we will stick together and endure.’
Barren territory. Limited resources. A border that has become so entrenched that external expansion is no longer possible. Foreign trade is not smooth due to frequent freezing of the sea.
With all of this combined, the preservation of the national body of the Three Kingdoms in Winter reached its limit. We have managed to endure so far, and it seems that we will be able to endure to some extent in the future, but if this situation continues, we have reached a situation where the country will inevitably be ruined.
That is why the Three Kingdoms of Winter chose union. It is not specifically to increase their influence or join forces to move south to a warmer place. At least they can see a way to survive if they get rid of borders, customs, and other obstacles and come together. If you’re going to freeze to death alone in the extreme cold, it’s better to stick together.
‘No matter how harsh it was, I thought it was a place where people lived.’
A bitter smile came out. I thought that people were creatures of adaptation because a country existed no matter how much it was a land of perpetual snow or anything. It was not adaptation to the harsh cold, but death.
I felt sorry for the Three Kingdoms of Winter for no reason. In particular, I felt grateful to Lucerne, who was the poorest among the three winter kingdoms. They made this vodka even in those harsh conditions.
“This is a serious situation.”
The minister who happened to read the document muttered in a somewhat bitter voice.
“Can we survive if we unite?”
And I mentioned the truth that I had tried so hard to ignore.
Even if the three of them get together, they are just a bunch of scavenger hunts. Even if the debt accumulates, the debt will only triple. The minister ended up telling the cruel truth.
“But isn’t it difficult to refuse it? It’s a decision that literally puts the fate of the nation on the line, and if the empire shows reluctance, the resentment will be directed at the empire.”
“That’s true, but…”
However, if one dies one way or another, it is the same, wouldn’t it be better for the Three Kingdoms of Winter to make the final struggle and die?
So the empire has no choice but to accept it. If it were an alliance with a bad plan, they would have rejected it or accepted it in exchange for something, but if it was an alliance purely for survival, they would have to pressure them to do it right away.
‘If the Three Kingdoms of Winter really collapse, that’s just going to be a problem.’
In fact, the northeastern part of the continent has been a chaotic region since ancient times. A combination of barren territory, harsh climate, limited resources and fierce barbarians. Thanks to this, countries bordering the northeastern part of the continent had to suffer from invasions and plunder by barbarians.
The reason the uproar calmed down was thanks to the creation of a rational and civilized diplomatic entity called the Winter Three Kingdoms. However, if the Winter Three Kingdoms collapse, the northeastern part of the continent and its surrounding areas will return to the era of barbarism. The resulting continental chaos is never welcome.
‘…How can I save this?’
But what is necessary and what is possible are two different things. The existence of the Winter Three Kingdoms is absolutely necessary for peace on the continent, but the inherent limitations of the Winter Three Kingdoms exceed even their necessity.
If the Three Kingdoms of Winter were neighboring countries, large-scale trade would at least breathe life into them. If there is an influx of supplies to live on, the preservation of the country itself is possible.
“It’s a shame. If trade were easy, it would have been possible to survive.”
It’s truly a pity—
“Ah.”
I slowly raised my head at the minister’s exclamation as if something occurred to me.
What? No matter how much I look at it, there is no answer. Did you come up with a method that I don’t know about?
***
As soon as I heard the word trade, there was a creature that instinctively came to mind.
‘Jizz.’
A flying creature that boasts high speed, the size of a battleship, and tremendous strength proportional to its size.
As can be seen from the fact that it has settled in the northern region of the North, this eagle has a fairly good tolerance for cold.
‘Why not send him to the Three Kingdoms of Winter?’
All you have to do is load the supplies that the Three Kingdoms of Winter desperately want on your back, or load them into a box and have Ziz hold the box with his feet his. Then, each time Ziz makes a round trip, several battleships’ worth of supplies can flow in.
Of course, the quantity would be insufficient compared to normal maritime trade. Still, it is enough to supply life-giving water to a dying country.
‘The reward should be received after saving the customer.’
Mercy bestowed by the empire just before its fall. If Ziz’s emergency relief is successful, the Winter Three Kingdoms will become eternal loyal subjects of the empire.
No matter how much we say that there are no permanent allies or enemies in international relations, isn’t betrayal after saving the country a matter that goes beyond good faith? How can we engage in diplomacy with a country that does not even adhere to the minimum standards? Just as a merchant who loves money He does business with people, not with animals.
Therefore, I secretly told the emperor how to use jiz,
“Hoo.”
A fairly positive response came back.
“I see. If we can legally send Ziz to the Three Kingdoms of Winter, the scope of the empire’s activities will also reach the rear of Armain and the northern part of Juven.”
It was a reaction that added more than I expected, but I guess it’s okay.