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“Let me introduce ourselves once again, Lord Equus. I am Julia Rosyth who humbly comes as King Rosyth’s representative. This is Lord Almis Ars, lord of the Ars Territory.” (Julia)
“I am Almis Ars. I come as Lady Julia’s humble guard and aide.” (Almis)
Julia and I bow to Lord Equus.
This is the first time I’ve come into contact with another sovereign other than King Rosyth.
“Thank you for coming here. I am the patriarch of the Equus Clan. If we go by your kingdom’s customs, then I would be King Equus.  First, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my wife.” (Lord Equus)
Lord Equus gives thanks to Julia.
It’s quite a good start for the negotiations.
“Now then, regarding the alliance proposal with your honorable kingdom
I just don’t see it as quite appealing. We are a poor clan. Therefore, the wheat from the Rosyth Kingdom has really saved us. However, risking our lives for that as compensation is too much. Furthermore, we will also risk making enemies of the De Morgal Kingdom. We already have the Lupus Clan as our longtime enemy. They’ve repeatedly invaded our territory after they had succeeded in subjugating the Aries Tribe. We would be a very huge threat if they were to ally with the De Morgal Kingdom.” (Equus)
It seems Muzio’s spot on as to why Lord Equus is against this, huh.
“It’s as you’ve said. As for that


what do you say about a mutual alliance? When the De Morgal comes to invade, the Equus tribe shall fight with us. In exchange, when the Lupus tribe goes to invade your Equus tribe, we shall fight together with you.” (Julia)
Julia proposes to Lord Equus.
It’s not a bad proposition. Even if you say our Rosyth Army mainly uses infantry, we nevertheless outnumber the Lupus tribe in total military force.
If I recall correctly, I hear the Equus tribe’s population is around 30,000 people. Meanwhile, the Aries tribe and the Lupus tribe has around 10,000 people and 30,000 people respectively.
Since the Aries tribe was already subjugated by the Lupus tribe, that would mean that we would potentially have 40,000 enemy citizens.
Nomads have bigger percentage of soldiers among their citizens
.around 70% which would amount to 28,000 enemy soldiers.
The Equus tribe can mobilize about 21,000.
We’d be 7,000 men short.
However, I can reckon the Rosyth Kingdom would be able to gather more than 8,000 soldiers.
Even if we don’t participate directly in the possible war, the mere existence of our 8,000 soldiers can be a huge deterrent.
Lord Equus shows a slightly troubled expression at Julia’s proposal.
However
..
“That’s certainly a very tempting proposition. However, with that, our gains would only match our losses. We have no reason to accept an alliance that would not give us a net profit.” (Equus)
That’s true.
However, we’ve anticipated this response. Julia and I have already discussed it.
“Lord Equus. May I humbly ask you a question?” (Almis)
“What would that be?”
Lord Equus looks at me doubtfully.
“The next lord of the Equus tribe would be Sir Methyl, yes?” (Almis)
I ask just to break the ice. It’s not like I didn’t really knew.
Lord Equus has already designated Methyl as successor.
In a word, I’m setting up the premise.
“That would be correct
and why do you ask?” (Equus)
“How about we carve Prince Methyl’s name into this treaty? How does that sound to you?” (Almis)
In other words, the treaty would make it appear that the Rosyth Kingdom recognizes the succession of Prince Methyl.
Naturally, the Rosyth Kingdom neither has authority nor duty to poke its head into the Equus tribe succession matters.
However, this would become a huge check.
“Apart from Sir Methyl, I’m thinking you would also want to include the second prince, Sir Muzio, and the third prince, Sir Ledus’ names.”
Naturally, in their capacity as Princes.
In other words, we would make it appear that the two princes recognize Prince Methyl’s succession.
Naturally, they won’t be able to veto. In Equus common law, the patriarch’s orders are absolute, after all.
There’s a huge merit in decreasing the possibility of internal strife even if just by a little, right?
Besides, though this depends on whether or not the third consort was consulted
..we’d be sending a message to King Equus that our country knows his country’s weak point – the succession crisis putting him in a check.
“Yes
..Not bad. However, there’s one problem. King Rosyth is on the verge of death. If the next king were to disregard the alliance then our country would have shed blood for nothing.” (Equus)
“That won’t be a problem. The next Rosyth King, too, has already given his consent to the alliance. I won’t be able to specifically name him though.” (Julia)
Julia answers.
However, Lord Equus shakes his head.
“Word of mouth won’t do. I want written proof. Lord Almis Ars, I want your honorable signature.” (Equus)
“Yes yes, I understand. Everything would be fine if I just sign her

wha!?
Hey, how did we get found out!!” (Almis)
“It would seem my assumptions were correct, huh. I’ll give you a piece of advice, nothing, such as kissing, is beyond the sight of my mice. Also, it would be best if you practice hiding your facial expression before you become king. You too, Lady Julia.” (Equus)
Damn
.
If I hid my expressions, wouldn’t we end up just like having an affair?
Alright, from here on out, we should only kiss in definitely safe places.
“Uhm
.That’s
..”
“Please be at ease. I’m not going to return good with bad. Lady Julia has shown great thought in the matter regarding my three wives. I’ll keep my mouth shut.” (Equus)
In other words, “if you want me to keep silent, then you should also keep silent about the curse.” Something like that.
We got countered badly, huh.
“As for the treaty, I want you to sign, not as the next king nor as the lord of the Ars Territory, but as Sir Almis Ars, the individual. Would that be fine?” (Equus)
He’s making sure I won’t renege on the treaty since I could argue I signed it not as king but as leader of the Ars Territory, huh.
Well, that’s fine. I dpn’t intend to do that from the very start.
“I understand. Then I shall sign.” (Almis)
“Then let us have a feast this evening. We shall hold the signing after that.” (Equus)
“A feast huh. I wonder what kind of food they’ll serve. I’m looking forward to it. Older Brother. (Roswald)
“Let’s see
.Well, it’ll probably be lamb meat, kumis and something along those lines. Also, some cheese.” (Almis) (TLN: Kumis is fermented horse milk alcoholic drink.)
I’m not really looking forward to it.
The food will be several times poorer than the Rosyth Kingdom’s after all.
However, as the banquet was about to start, we received a message via a falcon.
“The De Morgal Army is assembling. More than 10,000 men. Hurry up with the negotiations. Should you still fail to reach a conclusion by tomorrow, return home immediately. We’ll just need to revise the plan. King Rosyth.” (Message)
I guess we’d be skipping the banquet, huh.
“We deeply apologize, Lord Equus. Even though you’ve prepared all of this for us.” (Julia)
“Please raise your head. It can’t be helped if your fatherland is in danger. Let’s call off the banquet and proceed with the selection of soldiers that would be accompanying you. How many would you need?” (Equus)
“About 300 soldiers. May we ask for Sir Muzio as the commander? Furthermore, can you also lend us horses? We will need them for wagons we’d be using to carry plunder.” (Almis)
I answer in Julia’s place.
Lord Equus replies in good humor.
“To be worrying about plunder even before you’ve won. You seem to be very confident. No, I’m not being cynical – I’m praising you. You can take as much horses as you need. For free, if you’re just borrowing although we presume you’d be returning them alive, yes? Now, Muzio!! I order you to head for the Rosyth Kingdom! You shall leave tomorrow morning!”
Muzio kneels.
“Understood! I shall spread the name of the Equus tribe amongst the De Morgal and Rosyth Kingdoms!” (Almis)
Thus, we hurriedly conducted war preparations.
“King Rosyth, we have returned!” (Almis)
“Good work. That said, you’re a day earlier than I expected, huh. Is this the power of horses’ maneuverability?
.” (Rosyth)
King Rosyth shows a surprised expression and voices his admiration.
Muzio, who’s sitting beside me, lowers his head to King Rosyth.
“I am Muzio Equus Medias, second son of the chief of the Equus Tribe. I have come here to lead the 300 cavalrymen from our tribe.” (Muzio)
“Commander, I give you my thanks. I’ll have you, Sir Muzio, fight under the command of Sir Almis. Then let us proceed immediately to the war council

No, let’s have the confirmation. After that, let’s have Almis return immediately to his territory so he can organize his troops.” (Rosyth)
All the powerful clansmen, with the exception of Almis Ars, have assembled.
Then, it was announced immediately that Almis Ars is to be made supreme commander of the Rosyth Army.
Those from the Ars Faction, who knew beforehand, shouted in joy, trying very hard not to laugh ((for having one upped their enemy)).
Those from the Neutral Faction were confused and raised voices of bewilderment.
Finally, those from the DeBell Faction were fuming angry.
The Royal Family too is participating in this Clan Council.
Thus, those who vote “agree” exceeded the requirement just a little bit and Almis Ars’ appointment was safely approved.
Regal DeBell protested not being made the supreme commander.
King Rosyth ignored him completely.
Regal ended up ordering three of his subordinates to each allow 100 soldiers for a total of 300 soldiers to be under the command of Almis Ars.
Then, under the pretense of personally fortifying the borders with the De Morgal Kingdom so that the combined army would not get flanked, he declared that he would be secluding himself in his territory with his 500 soldiers.
Almis Ars approved with a smile on his face. He extended his hand for a handshake to signify working together.
Regal DeBell brushed off his hand and leaves without a word.
The people who were always seen by his side was nowhere to be found
.