How to Start a War (1.5)
At present, our Orcsen has no desire for war with Elfynd.
We are counting on your country’s efforts and on the other side’s willingness to improve diplomatic relations.
However, should the unfortunate situation of war with Elfynd come to pass, Orcsen will protect Camelot’s interests in Elfynd. We will also consider restoring them after the war.
Moreover, even if this war breaks out, Orcsen will not neglect its defenses against Growal and Lovarna.
Fighting Elfynd does not mean Orcsen has any interest in the territories of human nations, domestic or overseas. Just as Duke Morington and I once agreed.
On the basis of those conditions, should a war between Orcsen and Elfynd break out, we hope for Camelot’s favorable neutrality and for keeping Growal and Lovarna in check.
—
Maxwell caught his breath.
It was an incredible document.
There was, understandably, no signature—but still.
Indeed, this was a matter of concern not only for his homeland, himself, but also for all the neighboring countries. Everyone had been trying to probe the subtleties.
It could be interpreted as a request for Camelot to mediate between Orcsen and Elfynd.
In today’s world, acting as a diplomatic mediator is an arduous burden, but at the same time, it is an act that significantly raises a nation’s prestige.
Of course, the fact that Orcsen was being considerate toward Camelot as one of the conditions also tickled his pride and patriotism.
If he brought this back, his reputation within the Foreign Ministry back home would be unshakable——
“Well then, Your Majesty. Thank you for today.”
Maxwell, struggling to hide his extreme delight, took his leave.
Immediately after, an Orc entered from the adjacent room where he had been quietly waiting.
He wore a frock coat.
A massive frame, a sharp and imposing presence. One of Gustav’s capable retainers.
“How did it go, my king?”
“Yeah. It went well.”
Gustav replied with a wry smile.
“My apologies, Bülow. I should have let you take the spotlight originally.”
“What are you saying?”
Orcsen’s Foreign Minister, Clemens Bülow, smiled—a slightly rugged smile.
Gustav, for his part, thought, “Bülow is undoubtedly competent, but couldn’t he do something about that bandit-like grin?”
Meanwhile, Bülow, who could be called Gustav’s right hand, was admiring his king, wondering, “His Majesty’s performance has become more refined than ever. Has something happened recently?”
“It’s fastest when our King handles matters personally.”
“Don’t say that. Are you implying I’m just one of your diplomatic tools?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha. Quick answer. Now, who’s the afternoon meeting with? Ascania?”
“Yes, my King. The Ascanian envoy tends to be somewhat authoritarian. Given his temperament, I’ll attend the meeting as well. When he wavers from being outnumbered two-to-one, I’ll say something strict, and then Your Majesty will treat him with mercy. Then he’ll accept our demands. That sort of approach.”
“Indeed, diplomacy is truly interaction—reading the other’s personality. Oh, shall we have Advin lie in the room too? That would make it three-to-one.”
“Excellent idea.”
“But still. The Humans treat me like some ancient elder, so speaking in that tone makes me feel strange. As an Orc, I’m still quite young, though…”
“Hahahahaha.”
Lately, they had been constantly holding talks with envoys from various nations.
The same was true for Orcsen’s envoys stationed abroad.
Because war—
Is not something that can be started with military power alone.
Checks and pleas to surrounding nations, indirect tactics. Negotiations, compromises, settlements.
To safely wage war against Elfynd, Orcsen was pouring every kind of diplomatic and strategic skill into securing its diplomatic and military rear.
And they also wanted just a bit more of that vague concept the Humans called "just cause."
Indeed, historically, Orcsen had a long-standing grudge with Elfynd.
But a grudge alone could not justify starting a war.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t do it—but even if they won, they would lose the trust of surrounding nations.
Hoping for an opening, they had expected some sort of reaction after exposing the massacre in the Sylvan River basin, carried out under the guise of the Anfaughlia Brigade formation.
——But Elfynd remained silent.
As if refusing to show any reaction at all.
While one of Orcsen’s diplomatic policies—deepening Elfynd’s isolation from the Western Euro-Star nations—had succeeded in complicating the other countries’ perceptions of Elfynd, they still lacked a decisive blow.
That was why they told the Camelot envoy, “We are counting on the other side’s willingness to improve diplomatic relations.”
It was a clever and crafty move.
Camelot’s Foreign Ministry would no doubt deliver the message to Elfynd that Orcsen, at least formally, was requesting Elfynd’s official stance.
An indirect provocation.
While provoking Elfynd in this way, they made sure surrounding nations saw Orcsen as only considering war if provoked—knowing full well that Elfynd was incapable of compromise.
This was why Foreign Minister Bülow was repeatedly impressed with his sovereign.
It was something the old Gustav would never have attempted.
It was diplomacy at its most devious—Gustav even used his own international credibility as a bargaining chip. Just look at Minister Maxwell. Though he left brimming with joy——he was the one who had been used.
Well, Bülow thought, the Camelot Foreign Ministry bore some of the blame.
Sending a rookie envoy unable to detect such seasoned maneuvering, despite being amazed by it——
The relationships and capabilities that Gustav and his Foreign Ministry had cultivated over many years with the surrounding human nations were now fully mature.
And now, for the first time in Orcsen’s history, they were being used clearly, coldly—even cunningly.
To actually start the war would still require a bit more time and preparation——
That was their judgment.
What do you think about this chapter?
