Chapter 10
Amid the circular debate, Nelfia spoke up.
This was the first time Nelfia had spoken in three nights. Father Zeuracia, Roa-dono, and I, Zelando, all turned toward Nelfia.
"If we keep discussing this, we'll just go around in circles, won't we? How about bringing in a third party?"
"Who would that third party be? Someone from the Knight Order?"
When Father asked, Nelfia shook their head.
"Someone from the Knight Order wouldn't be much use. Their answer is already decided: 'If the casualties are limited to our own side, we'll go to war.'"
I thought Nelfia was right. If we explained the circumstances to the proud Knight Order, they would probably give us the same rubber-stamped answer.
"Then whom should we call?"
Father asked again.
"If you grant me permission, I would like to call two people. In that case, perhaps we should move somewhere else as well."
Nelfia probably wasn't trying to be coy, but I nearly shouted, "Who exactly are we calling?"
"The first is Saifa-sama. Saifa-sama has only just returned today from negotiations with the Empire. I feel terrible summoning someone who is exhausted, but this is no time to worry about that. I doubt there is anyone else in our country with as much knowledge and insight as Saifa-sama."
I nodded deeply at Nelfia's proposal. As Nelfia said, Saifa-dono had long supported Rudek's diplomacy. Saifa-dono's opinion seemed likely to prove useful in such a difficult situation.
"...Saifa... Hmm. That isn't a bad idea. Call Saifa at once. You there, someone!"
In response to Father's call, a guard quickly entered the room, received orders to summon Saifa-dono, and hurried away.
"...And who is the other?"
After waiting for the soldier to leave, Roa-dono asked Nelfia.
"...Endaland-sama."
Even I was surprised by this. Elder Endaland had been sent here from the Empire. I couldn't think of anyone less suitable to summon to a place like this, where Rudek's fate hung in the balance.
"...I'm not sure that's a good idea."
Father was clearly showing his reservations as well. Yet Roa-dono's reaction was the exact opposite.
"Ah, I see... That could be interesting," Roa-dono remarked. Father reacted with displeasure. "Would you entrust Rudek's fate to an envoy from another country?"
But Roa-dono...
"King Zeuracia must have heard this as well. The old man is favorably disposed toward Rudek."
"...I have heard that, yes, but..."
Father nodded reluctantly, and Nelfia said:
"Endaland-sama was one of the men who supported the Empire in its early days. From diplomacy to covert operations, Endaland-sama supported the Empire's expansion from behind the scenes. Someone like that is in the royal capital right now. We would be fools not to make use of him."
"...Hmm..."
I could understand Nelfia's point. But I understood even better why Father could not make a decision. Endaland-dono was, after all, a foreign national. I saw no reason to give Endaland-dono priority over our own country's senior ministers at such an important meeting.
Yet while Father agonized, Roa-dono came to Nelfia's aid.
"The Empire is unquestionably the one we must be most careful not to provoke right now. If we were to let Lifrea starve as things stand, I think it might be wise to let the Empire see the anguish we are suffering."
Faced with the words of Nelfia, an expert in information warfare, and Roa-dono, Father finally relented.
"...Very well. Then summon Endaland as well. But this is a dangerous choice. He is not a man to be taken lightly."
Father said this, and Roa-dono replied with a serious expression.
"We are talking about destroying an entire nation. If the old man spits poison, I am prepared to swallow it all."
Thus, two more people were added to the discussion that would determine the fate of the nation.
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The reactions of the two people summoned were polar opposites.
"I hesitate to say this in the king's presence, but was this really serious enough to summon me from my sleep after I returned from the Empire today?"
Saifa-dono had obviously just woken up and, understandably, seemed displeased. Or rather, Saifa-dono looked terribly sleepy.
"Well now, summoning an exhausted Saifa-dono and an Imperial subject such as myself at this hour... Has something happened concerning your relations with the Empire?"
Elder Endaland was a little flushed. The smell of alcohol wafted from him.
"I summoned you both for a reason. The truth is..."
After hearing Father's explanation, the two once again reacted in completely opposite ways.
"Good heavens, that is..."
Saifa-dono was rendered speechless, and the displeasure vanished from that expression.
"Well, well..."
Elder Endaland raised the corners of his mouth and looked at Roa-dono and Nelfia as if asking, "Which one of you proposed this?"
Thus began the night of decisions, one that would never be recorded in official history.