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How much longer?

Patience please, Mr. Bellingham.

As you know, the Duke has been very busy lately, having to receive several guests each day.

You should remember, sir, the last time I came here...

*sigh*——

So, I'd like to ask... How has she been lately?

Fairly pleasant for the most part. After all, the negotiations with the Kazimierzians have been nearing completion over the past few days.

As soon as he finishes speaking, a dejected gentleman strides past the Trilby Asher.

The Trilby Asher recognizes him as Derek, head of the press office. Perhaps due to the recent wave of bad publicity, he wipes the sweat off his brow with trembling hands.

...I suspect today is not one such day.

Is that Bellingham outside? Let him in first. Don't keep him waiting.

The butler nods, and the Trilby Asher hesitates for a moment before stepping into the room.

Seated in the middle is the Duke of Caster, with a young noble standing at her side.

...I have another question. What kind of person is this Kazimierzian representative you met?

He is a merchant, Your Grace.

Hmm, Kazimierz...

Tell him that should he agree to my terms, I am willing to lift some of the embargos on industrial equipment.

For them, there are many ways to obtain cheap minerals, and Kjerag is hardly irreplaceable.

I will let him know that only Victoria can satisfy his technological and equipment needs, especially when it comes to Originium—

No.

You are a member of House Caster. These minutiae are best left for servants to convey, whereas we should always leave ourselves room to maneuver.

The Kazimierzians know little about the resources we command, so why not let them exercise their imagination? Do you understand?

No worries. I guarantee that he will side with us.

'Forever honor your commitments.' If you cannot, don't make them in the first place.

That is true of the Kazimierzian representative, and even moreso for me.

You may leave.

Yes... My apologies, Your Grace.

Once again, you have to see me disciplining these good-for-nothing whelps.

Belli.

I thank Your Grace for the trust you have placed in me.

Let's not waste time on small talk. I trust you saw the gentleman who left earlier, yes?

If I'm not mistaken, that was a certain Derek, the man in charge of news and public opinion.

He should have reported to me that the negative press, be it about Kjerag or Victoria, was under control.

He was instead quite profuse with his complaints, going on and on about how he couldn't do it, that it would take too long to communicate with the film crew, that he wanted to trouble me to watch the footage they sent back.

If he feels like he hasn't been given enough time, he should've known that my patience has its limits too.

So, do you have any good news for me, Belli?

...Yes, Your Grace.

Our informant at the Rhine observatory provided very accurate intel—indeed, there is something highly suspicious about the mining site in which Kjerag is working with Kazimierz.

Following the clues she provided, my men successfully infiltrated the site and obtained these data tables.

Just point out the highlights.

Please look at this section, and the subsequent section on the next page...

The former represents the mine's daily output, whereas the latter represents the purchase volume, or export volume. Finally, the last page is the mine's financial report; pay particular attention to the net profitability figure. For example, in the last two months—

The difference is massive... This mining site has been operating at a loss, and the greater the extraction, the greater the losses.

Exactly. We even found this mine import record. Please take a look...

Hmm? A large mining site needs to separately import the very same minerals...?

Therefore, I believe this confirms the earlier theory.

This so-called joint mining project is actually Karlan Trade's arsenal in disguise.

And this is the trump card that has been flipped over? Sitting right there in a mining site shared jointly with a foreign company?

Which is why our agents, including myself, initially overlooked this area. It is hard to imagine that anyone could stomach such a risk.

Placing a piece in what normally would be a blind spot. It's very much his style.

However, you're still one move behind, Belli.

As difficult as it is to admit, when Wellington made his move, it became imperative for us to strengthen ourselves.

Given these circumstances, Kjerag is a valuable asset.

I will not accept a lose-lose scenario; we must ensure that Enciodes's military preparations do not catch us flat-footed.

Only by knowing what his trump card exactly is can we properly plan against Kjerag in advance.

Your Grace, if you wish to confront the Duke of Wellington...

Bringing Kjerag under the control of House Caster, as well as seizing their manpower and resources, is of utmost priority. I personally believe that we should conduct a comprehensive survey of this mining site.

I believe the Kazimierzians will accept your term, and it's only a matter of time until they withdraw from Kjerag.

As soon as we take control of this mining area, I will send our envoys there immediately.

Why not act before the paperwork is officially signed? We cannot give Karlan Trade the time to cover their tracks.

So, under the buyer's name... look for another excuse through the Vine-Bead Court?

Even if they suspect that something is amiss with the Kazimierzians, a hasty retreat would inevitably leave traces behind.

The Vine-Bead Court is ultimately an expendable asset. Due to your previous botch job, there is no way Enciodes would not have his eye on them.

Then, we'll squeeze every last drop of value from the Vine-Bead Court before Enciodes makes his move.

Is that truly the missing step, Belli? Be more economical, and think it through some more.

The current Great Elder has consistently turned down my goodwill, and given the inability to mobilize the full strength of the Vine-Bead Court, we must be more careful when accessing the feasibility of this plan.

Yet, Your Grace, he did not stop us from infiltrating the lower and middle ranks either.

Perhaps this is the Vine-Bead Court's persistent arrogance, ripe for us to take advantage.

Perhaps the allure of overthrowing Enciodes will prove to be a gift too irresistible for Kjerag's religious figures.

So, do you intend to—

You are free to move the pawns inside the Vine-Bead Court as you please, but you must find out exactly what is going on within the mining site.

Let us wait to see how Enciodes reacts. He might just give us another reason to get involved in Kjerag.

Yes, Your Grace.

Right, I'd like you to do me a favor.

Derek left some odds-and-ends behind. Go ahead and take them with you.

When it comes to our dealings with foreign nations, we always have some journalist friends who make too much noise.

Can I set the camera up right here?

Thank you... Let's get started if you're ready.

Venerable Great Elder Adso, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. I sincerely hope you are willing to answer a few of my questions, as well as those of the countless others who want to know more about Kjerag.

First, I'd like to ask about something that many around Kjerag have been curious about recently.

The people of Kjerag broadly believe that Kjeragandr protects this land. In your opinion, how would you explain this Catastrophe? Does this mean that Kjerag has lost its divine protection?

That is correct. Kjeragandr indeed watches over this land.

However, She is not a tyrant who imposes harsh decrees, but rather a patient mentor and a guiding hand. Her protection of Kjerag is not as straightforward as many would imagine.

Her knowledge of the true way of life runs deep, and so She taught the people of Kjerag how to live in this land filled with calamity and devoid of thought.

Thus, the people of Kjerag came to have a soul, and the many calamities no longer disturbed them.

Even so, I am still very curious as to how a god who neither reveals its true form nor has performed any 'miracles' as proof of its divinity can earn a people's faith.

This belief seems to lack any grounding in evidence.

Hahaha... Guest from afar, I can see that you hide your arrogance behind polite words.

You try to reduce Kjerag's beliefs into a most basic form of logic, which you then criticize in an attempt to extol your own correctness and wisdom...

Please believe me... that was not my intent.

It's fine. Don't worry...

Then, may I ask you a question first? In your opinion, what kind of principles do the Victorians, who observe no religion, follow in their lives?

That's a simple answer— Victoria has her own laws.

Who drafted these laws? And who granted them the authority to do so?

If you're asking about the legitimacy of the Victorian regime, we need only look back at history to answer that question.

The land was originally occupied by Dracos until about three hundred years ago, when Aslans from Sargon launched a rebellion in Victoria, ultimately seizing control of the country.

Then, I take it that in your view, might makes right?

Aslans are strong, and therefore righteous. Dracos are weak, and therefore unjust. This so-called justice shifts just as easily as the balance of power in war.

By the same logic, the devils of Kazdel should feel no shame or remorse about invading the lands of other nations, their only sin being that they fell one step short of ultimate victory.

...That is a patently absurd conclusion.