Side Story 102: The Two Strategists (9)

Because it's Lurlia's homeland.

After hearing my answer, Ozald froze. He stared intently at my face as though unable to believe what he had heard.

"Are you really going to bring the flames of war to the Southern Continent for such a trifling reason...?"

It was Bittegald, not me, who answered Ozald.

"Ozald, earlier you said that we aren't familiar with the situation on the Southern Continent, but couldn't the same be said of you? You don't understand the situation on the Northern Continent."

"...What is it that you claim I do not know?"

"My sister-in-law was one of the key figures behind the alliance between our country and Rudek. And now she enjoys the Emperor's full confidence and oversees Greedle's trade. In short, she is an enormously important person to Greedle. Do you really think we would trade amicably with the countries that destroyed her homeland?"

"What!? Wasn't she married to the Fourth Prince?"

"She is."

Even from the sidelines, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. Lurlia's background, I mean. Still, I suppose I should back him up...