After passing through the Backway Mountain Path, the road became relatively flat.
We entered an area surrounded by groves and rocky cliffs.
Eventually, the view opened up.
Beyond the cliff, I could see the capital of Farnetta.
It was a city built beside a lake.
In most fantasy worlds, houses typically have red gabled roofs.
But in the capital of Farnetta, rows of houses with light blue gabled roofs stretched across the city.
It looked like something out of a painting.
（What a beautiful capital）
I thought as I looked out the window.
Descending from the cliff, we approached the city gate.
The gate guards responded to us, and we entered the city.
The carriage rolled through the beautiful streets.
Eventually, we arrived at a guest residence built on a hill overlooking the lake.
The guest house was an elegant stone building. From the windows, one could see the entire lake.
「Welcome, Your Majesty Henry」
An attendant at the guest house bowed.
「The international conference will begin tomorrow. Please enjoy your stay with us tonight」
「I will. Thank you」
Nordura and I entered the room we were shown to.
It was as beautiful and tidy as a hotel suite.
We relaxed in the room.
As the sun began to set, the sky turned a stunning shade of orange, and the lake glittered in the warm light.
Dinner was brought to us.
We sat at the table by the window and enjoyed our meal.
「Mmm. This is delicious」
I murmured.
The main dish resembled an acqua pazza, made from fish caught in the lake.
It had a sweet flavor mixed with a subtle spiciness.
For cuisine in this world, it was quite high-level.
「The conference is tomorrow. Your goal is to eliminate the unfair treaty… do you think you have a chance?」
「Hard to say. I’d guess it’s fifty-fifty」
No, that might be overly optimistic.
In reality, the chance of getting the treaty revised was probably less than thirty percent.
「It seems the neighboring countries have formed military alliances with one another. Alliances that exclude Bernada」
「They’ve excluded Bernada… meaning」
「They’re alliances made with Bernada in mind. Probably not to crush us, but to suppress us if we push back」
That’s what I guessed.
According to intel from Vais and Rena, the military alliance among the neighboring nations was formed with Bernada in mind.
Not necessarily because they feared our military power, but more as a way to maintain the current order.
「In other words, a system has been put in place to exploit the Warrior Nation of Bernada. Breaking that system won’t be easy」
「…No, it won’t」
I agreed.
「Even so, I want to resolve this peacefully if possible. I hope the other kings will be open-minded」
Honestly, I want to avoid war.
Military force should be the last resort.
Ideally, I’d like to build international relationships through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.
But… that all depends on the others.
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