'Balance'
Riz never thought he would be so irritated by such a commonly used word.
Had it not been for the fact that multiple parties were involved in this continental balance, he would have scoffed and ignored it.
Riz inhaled deeply, suppressing his irritation, "I'm sorry once again, there's nothing we can do. No sane ruler would willingly ruin their own country's economy just to please another. We suggest you improve your port managent and services."
"Well, that's a sha. It seems like we can't reach a mutual understanding."
As Riz initially thought, this guy is a pain in the ass. What the hell with going to another sovereign country and telling them what to do?
Riz remained polite. "It's okay. Negotiation is like this. It can't be completed in just a day. Perhaps we can cooperate in another way."
"Oh?! And how do you propose we cooperate?"
"We simply divided the continent into our respective spheres of influence."
Riz took out the map, spread it open on the table, and drew a line.
"Duchy of Camble, Turtevekesia and Harkadia is yours. Blande, Inver and Cerdeauxia is ours. How about that? This way, both of us can freely expand without breaking the balance, right?"
Mr Paku looks at the map. For a second, there's a sign of approval in his expression. It was evident that he saw the rit in it.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "I'll have to think about it first."
This wasn't a proposal Paku could decide on his own. He would need to report back to his superiors.
"Take your ti. I'll be waiting."
As soon as Paku exited the room, Riz's composed expression collapsed.
The mont the door clicked shut behind the envoy, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Michael, who had been standing silently, asked, "Will they agree, Your Majesty?"
"Most likely. My plan is too tempting for them to reject it outright. When they agree, we can expand confidently while maintaining our dependency on their controlled strait."
The most important part is the strait. So long as Ryntum doesn't find another alternative trade route, Sidgean will feel secure in its position.
They'll feel like they have Ryntum's neck in their hand.
"And if we do find another route?"
"Then this entire agreent becos irrelevant. But that's for the future. For now, we'll play along."
Michael exhaled sharply, then lowered his gaze slightly.
His eyes reflected a mixture of emotions.
"Your Majesty," Michael said hesitantly. His voice carried the weight of an unspoken fear. "If one day we tear up our agreent with Sidgean..."
Riz finished the sentence for him. "A great war will then take place, a war of unprecedented scale."
A heavy silence filled the room. Michael swallowed his saliva, knowing that Riz was right.
Yet, Riz showed no sign of fear. "I'm aware of the risks, Michael. But by the ti that happens, we will be ready. Not just ready— we'll be several tis stronger than we are now."
Riz continue, "Relax, Michael. It's good to think ahead, but it's not good to worry too much about events far in the future. Sidgean hasn't even given us their response yet."
Michael sighed, nodding slowly. "You're right. There's no point in stressing over what hasn't happened."
"It'll take a while for them to respond. All we have to do is wait."
He glanced at the map once more. His fingers brushed against the borders he had drawn. "Though, if I had to place a bet, they'll accept it."
After a few seconds of lingering tension, Riz decided to end this topic of conversation.
There was no point in dwelling on uncertainties when the pieces were already set in motion.
He glanced at the window, noticing how the sky had darkened.
The sun had long set, casting its last golden light on the horizon.
"That's enough for today. The working hours have long ended. We should go ho."
Michael hesitated, looking at the docunts still scattered across the table. Occasionally, he felt pity for the king.
He sighed and gave a small nod.
....
While Riz and Michael happily left their offices, the sa could not be said for Mr. Paku.
While Riz has a smile on his face, thinking about teasing his children at ho, Mr. Paku's brain is working overti.
The mont Mr. Paku stepped inside his temporary residence, his composed facade crumbled.
He had none of the deanour he showed in front of Riz.
There was no ti to waste.
Pulling out a fresh scroll, he imdiately began writing every word of his discussion with King Riz today. Nothing was hidden.
The offer he had received was beyond anything he had expected when he first set foot in Ryntum.
Initially, he had co to pressure Ryntum to stop its interference with the Camble conflict.
Unexpectedly, he had truly walked away with sothing far more valuable.
His years of political career told him this was an opportunity the Sidgean Empire could not ignore.
If they agreed to this, Sidgean could use this so-called sphere of influence to justify their expansion without incurring too much infamy.
Even if there are countries that voice out their dissatisfaction, who dares to stand up against Sidgean?
With Ryntum doing the sa thing, it becos very unlikely.
Like Ryntum, expansion has always been one of their main policy. It's just that their situation is a bit embarrassing right now.
Paku's breath ca short as he finished sealing the scroll. He wasted no ti calling for his attendants, ordering them to deliver the scroll imdiately.
This had to reach the imperial court as soon as possible.
Silently, Paku made his estimation of ti.
With the average speed of their standard ssenger, the scroll should be in the imperial city in two days.
Because he used the most urgent scroll to write this issue, the scroll should be prioritised to be picked by the emperor first.
And the reply will co at the latest on the seventh day.
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