“Of all the things to say…” Wein sensed the resolve in his friend’s every movement, and his mind raced as he spoke. “Join Manfred now? Not possible.”
Wein flat-out rejected Strang’s proposal, and no one would’ve found his refusal unreasonable. The crown prince and the Kingdom of Natra had, after a long series of events, formed a close alliance with Lowellmina. Conversely, he and Manfred made no secret of their animosity. Such history between the two dashed any chances of a partnership.
“You think so, too, right, Ninym?” Wein asked, bringing her into the conversation.
She nodded with a contemplative look from her spot beside the prince.
“Wein and Lowa’s relationship is firm in the public eye. Natra’s reputation will suffer if we cut ties. Besides, Lowa’s faction currently stands on top. I see no reason to switch sides.”
Ten out of ten people would have agreed with Ninym’s statement.
However…
“On the contrary, there is a reason.”
Strang’s smile revealed an unwavering confidence.
“The people aren’t rising to action as fast as we hoped?”
“Correct. My apologies, Princess Lowellmina.”
Lowellmina let out a small groan at Fyshe’s report.
“I thought this would impede my brothers, but they dealt with the issue quickly.”
If Lowellmina could incite the citizens’ wrath and convince them of the need to raise an army, it would be a threat to the two remaining princes and undoubtedly cause trouble for them. However, thanks to her accomplishments thus far, the princess had expected a more delayed response.
“…Unfortunately, the princes’ interference may not suffice.”
“What do you mean?”
“The cause has not yet been determined, but it seems that anxiety over the stability and future of the Empire outpaces anger toward your rivals. According to the spies I have planted in each region, such concerns grow by the day.”
“Anxiety…”
Lowellmina didn’t find this the least bit odd. After all, Lowellmina’s continued success guaranteed a battle with the princes. Worries over that outcome were entirely natural.
Nonetheless, she suspected there was more to it. After all, her scheme had accounted for those fears. This was beyond what Lowellmina intended. She must have overlooked some factor.
“Ah.”
A thought struck Lowellmina like a bolt of lightning.
Yes, that had to be it. However, if so…
“That must mean…I’ve miscalculated.”
Panic twisted her expression.
“First of all, nobody asked for an Empress,” Strang began. “The citizens of the Empire would have preferred one of the three princes on the throne. Still, the fact remains that Lowa came in and took center stage at a time when their three-way factional war offered no resolution. However—”
“The people initially hoped Lowa would represent their desire for a quick end to the civil war, right?” Wein concluded.
Strang nodded. “They wanted her to knock some sense into the three princes but never desired her as their ruler. Of course, Lowa knew this, acted accordingly, and earned the populace’s trust. Meanwhile, the princes continued to fight and lost their cohesive power.”
“And once First Prince Demetrio fell, Lowa announced her bid for the throne, just as she’d always hoped,” Ninym added as she recalled the events leading to that moment. She and Wein had been instrumental in Demetrio’s defeat.
“Exactly. The citizens accepted her because of their disappointment in the princes, and Lowa immediately continued down a path that led to her current position, one closer to the throne. But…” Strang paused. “Process of elimination has made Lowa the only option to the public.”
“…”
Wein and Ninym both fell silent. Once the pair understood Strang’s words couldn’t be denied or dismissed, he continued.
“Most people resist change. No, perhaps I should say it’s the inconvenience of change that they truly detest. Behind the outward excitement of fresh ventures and a new era lurk inevitable growing pains. I’m sure more than a few citizens feel that the current system is fine so long as there’s food on the table.”
Casting such feelings aside as mere complacency was too irresponsible. A heart that desired stability and a predictable way of life wasn’t weak in the slightest.
“If the Empire did crown an Empress, it would certainly be a groundbreaking moment lauded as momentous by future historians. Yet to those of us living in the present, the idea is nothing but a bother. So long as the princes act with decency, everyone would prefer to continue the tradition of a male Emperor.”
“…However, that’s not how things turned out,” Wein said in a slow, deliberate tone. “Even if it’s just because Lowellmina is their only option, there’s a good chance Earthworld will know its first Empress. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, until recently. The failed assassination attempt has cast a shadow, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“The incident won Lowa sympathy, and the princes’ perceived cowardice stirred public outrage. But one belief looms even larger. This event proves to many that a woman can never be a leader.”
“Hold on,” Ninym cut in irritably. “That’s just an irrational opinion.”
“I completely agree,” Strang replied with a smile. “Nonetheless, it is how the people feel. Lowa tried to rouse their ire by acting the innocent victim, but the weakness she displayed sowed a seed of doubt in their hearts. They’re uncertain if someone so weak is fit to rule the Empire. It might sound harsh, but Lowa should have portrayed herself as a beautiful, strong, invincible, and flawless leader who would guide the Empire to victory in the new era.”
Ninym groaned in frustration, but she understood Strang’s point. Throughout its history, the Earthworld Empire had always been ruled by a man. There had never been an Empress. In the public eye, an Emperor was a safe, natural choice. Earthworld required enormous enthusiasm to discard such a tradition, and as Strang had pointed out, the passion for change was rapidly dimming.
“I get what you’re saying,” Wein said. “In other words, you want us to switch sides once Lowa loses because of the growing doubt?”
“Not at all. There is currently a seventy percent chance she will win,” Strang answered flatly.
Wein and Ninym threw him a look that asked what kind of game he was playing.
“Prince Bardloche and Prince Manfred have both made numerous mistakes. Despite concerns over a possible female ruler, Lowa is still a far better option.”
“In that case, what reason does Natra have to switch sides?” Ninym questioned.
“That will come into play after Lowa wins,” Strang replied.
Wein’s expression immediately twisted into a faint grimace. Strang noticed this and pressed on.
“Lowa is a woman. That alone gave people enough reason to underestimate her, yet she chose to appear weak all the same. So what do you think will happen once she becomes the Empire’s leader?”
“…It’ll be the provinces’ chance to seek independence, and the West will prepare to attack,” Wein answered.
“Exactly. New, young rulers are typically looked down upon. Prince Miroslav of the Falcasso Kingdom had to deal with the same issue. However…” Strang took a moment. “Lowa is both a woman and a leader who will carry the weight of the Empire. Our power is mighty but still vulnerable to collapse. With all of this in mind, Lowa must make her political prowess known domestically and abroad the moment she takes the throne, regardless of her territorial ambitions.”
“…And that’s where Natra comes in?”
“I would expect so.”
Wein groaned.
“What do you mean?” Ninym asked with a puzzled head tilt.
Strang faced her. “Defeating the Kingdom of Falcasso is Lowa’s best chance to make a statement. She recently defeated her brothers, and striking down the now-illustrious Prince Miroslav would produce optimal results. Lowa would outshine the princes and vastly improve her military reputation by doing so.”
“But she’s out of luck,” Wein said with a displeased look on his face. “If the Empire defeated Falcasso, the West would view it as a major threat. Plus, the West would put its full support behind Falcasso in its fight against the Empire. It’d be tough for the Empire after it’s been exhausted from civil war.”
“Breaking into the West via Mealtars would also be difficult. The merchant city sits literally in the middle of everything, after all. The moment the Empire sets foot in the West, the neighboring nations will gang up on us,” Strang explained.
Ninym finally understood what Wein and Strang were getting at.
Falcasso was out of the question, and entering the West through central Mealtars was risky. Which meant the sole remaining target was…