I’ve actually been pondering something for a while now.
The nation of other races, the Millenia Federation.
I’ve been thinking about when to officially declare its founding.
‘There’s no benefit in delaying it any further.’
Up until now, I had no choice.
To fend off interference from neighboring countries, we needed at least a minimal level of national strength.
Especially since we, being treated as monsters by humans, had to be even more cautious.
But that was only in the beginning.
Now, things are different.
We’ve secured a decent national defense.
Our domestic economy can sustain itself through internal consumption.
And the people of different races have united under a common language.
‘Though elves and dwarves are still at each other’s throats.’
There were, of course, races that couldn’t mix.
Regardless, the Millenia Federation no longer had any reason to feel inferior to its neighbors.
There was no reason to delay the declaration of its founding any longer.
“So, what do you think?”
‘A ruler should listen to their subordinates.’
That was the reasoning behind my question.
What did they think about announcing the nation’s founding?
Shar, the orc lord and Lucia’s aide, gasped in surprise. Â
“Gasp… Ahem. I believe this topic is far too weighty for someone like me to comment on. Wouldn’t Lucia be a more suitable discussion partner for such a matter?”
But only for a moment.
She soon knelt on one knee and lowered her head.
I could guess her intent, she wanted to pass this private audience to her superior, Lucia.
“…She’s not an option. Actually, none of the five senior members are.”
“They are noble figures of incomparable stature to someone like Shar…” Â
“They’re too loyal for their own good. If I ask them, they’ll just say, ‘Of course, it’s fine. We’ll do our best!'”
Talking to them would be completely useless.
‘Lord Teo, anything you decide will be perfect.’
I already knew that would be their answer.
Maybe because we’ve been together since the very beginning, but those five were completely blinded by loyalty.
“Ah… I see. You wish to hear a variety of opinions, Lord Teonar.”
“You’re quick to understand. I like that.”
“In that case, I shall give you my thoughts.”
Shar raised her head, having grasped my intent. Â
Her monocle was aimed at me, though more at my stomach than my face.
Regardless, her small lips slowly parted.
“I dare say there will be no problem in declaring the founding of the nation.”
“Oh?”
Confidence, huh? That’s quite a bold statement.
I thought she’d hesitate, given how carefully she was laying the groundwork.
“And why do you think so? Declaring our founding could immediately lead to war with our neighbors.”
“I judge that to be unlikely.”
“Explain.”
“As you wish. First, regarding the political landscape of each nation…”
As soon as I asked, she provided additional details.
Currently, the continent is embroiled in numerous conflicts, both large and small.
Even if we declare our founding, no country has the resources to divert troops toward us.
Unless we make the first move and provoke them, they have no reason to make an enemy of us—
or so she reasoned.
“However, this is purely a rational assessment. We cannot entirely rule out the possibility of human misjudgment…”
“But even if war does break out, we’ll win.”
“Yes. Unless the entire continent unites to form a coalition, we are guaranteed victory. Even without Lord Teonar’s direct involvement.”
Even if someone does declare war on us, we can easily handle one or two countries.
As long as we don’t turn the entire continent against us, there’s nothing to worry about.
That was her explanation.
‘So far, I agree with her, but…’
“The issue is diplomacy.”
Diplomacy was the one area I wasn’t confident about.
It was the reason I had been hesitating.
Even if we declare our founding, it would mean nothing if we couldn’t establish diplomatic relations.
“Will they even recognize us as a diplomatic entity? Will they even acknowledge us as a nation?”
“Hmm.”
For the first time, Shar, who had been answering instantly, fell silent. Â
She stroked her chin, deep in thought.
Then, she finally spoke…
“Pardon my impudence, Lord Teonar, but may I ask you something?
Do you, by any chance, have no interest in world conquest?”
“…Huh?”
“With our current federation’s military strength, it is a perfectly attainable goal.
Why choose the difficult and uncertain path of diplomacy when war is an easy and assured option?”
She suddenly spouted absolute madness.
That hit me like a punch, leaving me stunned.
‘Orcs being warlike is just in their nature, so I can’t really blame her, but… sigh. She’s the same as the rest, after all.’
“What I want is coexistence, not invasion.”
I immediately rejected the idea.
There was no need for us to stoop to their level.
Shar’s lips curled ever so slightly, seemingly pleased with my response. Â
“As you wish.”
“You’re not going to ask again? Like, ‘They killed us, so we should do the same’?”
“If Lord Teo desires peace, what more is there to ask? As your loyal subject, I simply follow.”
“……Hah.”
My tail swayed slightly.
That was a response I really liked.
She might be a war fanatic, but at least she’s a good one.
“Alright then. As the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, let me ask your opinion.
What do you think will happen if we declare our founding right now?”
“Many countries will likely ignore us.
Distant nations like the Kaiser Empire may even openly express hostility.”
“And the neighboring countries will just pretend we don’t exist, afraid of being targeted themselves?”
“Yes. And in that time, we must prove that coexistence with us is possible.”
“For example?”
“We export surplus food. The Kingdom of Arkenia recently suffered a poor harvest, so if we sell it at a reasonable price, they’ll welcome it.”
“Right. That’s why we focused on agriculture in the first place.”
The exchange was quick and smooth.
I had already considered this plan beforehand, naturally.
And as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shar answered without hesitation. Â
“What about after that? What if they invade us, aiming for our food supply?”
“Hmm… Apologies. I have no clear answer for that.”
But that didn’t last long.
Even she had reached a dead end.
Well, this was expected.
“It’s fine. You’ve already answered more than enough.”
“…I regret that I could not meet your expectations, Lord Teonar.”
“I said it’s fine. Even your superior wouldn’t have an answer to this one.”
I reassured her.
Her gaze drifted back toward my stomach again.
“Pardon my presumption, but… it seems like you already have a plan in mind, Lord Teonar.”
“Oh? Was it that obvious?”
“Not at all. I simply judged that a wise ruler such as yourself would not ask Shar a question you did not already know the answer to.” Â
“Hmm.”
Quick-witted, too.
Is this the kind of insight gained from serving as Lucia’s aide for ten years?
I gave a small nod.
“Yeah. I do have something in mind.”
“May I hear it? As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, I will listen closely.”
“Nope. I haven’t even told my mother yet.”
“…Pardon?”
[Objection. Leah is merely an artificial intelligence and not Teonar’s biological parent. This is the 19,273rd clarification.]
“Yeah, yeah, something like that.”
My conversation partner my so-called mother chimed in, as she had for the past twenty years.
It wasn’t anything worth dwelling on.
I continued speaking without concern.
“I’ll reveal it in a week. With all the senior officials present.”
“Everyone? Even Lord Mel, who is currently abroad, and the others?”
“Yep. I’m calling in everyone up to the vice-minister level. Obviously, that includes you, too.”
The plan I had devised for our survival.
A strategy for a group once considered nothing more than a hunting target to take root in this world.
It would be revealed in a week.
“We’ll also declare the founding of our nation then. Make the preparations.”
“…What?”
“Talking with you helped me make up my mind.”
I had decided to set the founding date for that day as well.
This whole conversation with Shar was, in a way, a cross-check of my own thoughts. Â
Since it worked out well, I made my decision.
“Uh, but surely my opinion isn’t worth—”
She stammered, worried she might have influenced me in the wrong direction.
“It’s fine. I was going to do it soon anyway.”
Would Teo be swayed by mere words from an orc?
There’s a limit to needless worries.
To reassure her, I flicked my tail.
Swish, swish.
My hair was pressed down by the transparent tail, swaying back and forth.
“But just a week? That seems rather rushed. Dispatching diplomats to each nation would take at least a month.”
“Would you send them just to get hunted down?”
“If we send someone strong enough, like Lady Lucia or Shar”
“You realize what you just said, don’t you?”
“Yes. If we send such powerful individuals, they’ll see it as a threat. I apologize for speaking without thinking, Shar.”
“No need to apologize. Just have the subordinates prepare the banquet.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and keep the founding plans a secret from Lucia too. If she finds out, she’ll cause an uproar, gathering all the citizens.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
A final tap on the crown of her head.
Shar’s lips twitched, as if she were trying not to smile.
My touch or rather, my tail’s touch seemed quite to her liking.
“Alright, you can go now. I’ll soothe Lucia myself tonight, so don’t worry.”
“Yes. Then, I’ll take my leave, Lord Teonar.”
“I’m counting on you.”
With that, Shar also exited.
Once again, I was left alone in the vast lair.
My gaze drifted to the empty air.
“It’s come to this, Mother.”
[Warning. Declaring the founding of a nation poses significant risks to Teo. Additionally, for the 19,274th time, Lea is not Teo’s mother.] Â
As always, she bombarded me with nagging.
…At this rate, she’d start harping on about completing the quest and taking human form again.
She really didn’t need to act this much like a real mom.
“I have a plan.”
[If you share it, I will listen….]Â Â
“Yeah. I’ll tell you first, Mom.”
[Really? I assumed Teo was unwilling to share information with Lea.]Â Â
“A child can’t win against their parent.”
Slowly, I opened my mouth.
Half of it was to reassure Lea.
The other half was to cross-check my own thoughts one last time.
“For us to survive…”
[……Affirmative. If all of Teo’s information is accurate, then this is a highly realistic no, the only viable strategy to reveal your true identity and coexist with humanity.] Â
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page, Mother.”
Only then did I feel at ease.
* * *
A week had passed since then.
“Teo, sir? What did you call us for today?”
“You summoned all of us… What’s going on…..”
“—Everyone, take your seats. A major announcement is about to be made.”
The day of the founding declaration had arrived.
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