“If Caldmellia’s hand wasn’t worth squat to those in charge within Levetia, I figure they would have dumped us already. But perhaps they feel we’d make a good ally if that same hand involves considerable bloodshed.” Wein suddenly looked troubled. “Knowing that woman, she’ll probably make a weird deal just for the fun of it…”
“Sadly, stakes and calculations don’t work with a menace like her…” Ninym agreed.
Caldmellia was a key figure in the Levetia order, but she also had a destructive personality. Even Wein couldn’t predict what she’d say upon her arrival in Natra.
“What will you do if it’s obvious she intends to cut ties with Natra?” Ninym questioned.
“That would pretty much guarantee a war with the West, so I’d drag out negotiations while laying the groundwork for Imperial reinforcements behind the scenes. At the same time, I’d also try to split the Western opposition, if possible.”
“And if she truly wants to win over Natra?”
“Then I’ll join the West.” A slight grimace flitted across Ninym’s face, but Wein gave her a smile. “Then I’d conspire with the Empire and look for the right moment to sell out.”
“…You’d remain loyal to the alliance?”
Wein nodded. “I trust the Empire’s strength on principle. Even if every country in the West joins forces, they won’t stand a chance.”
The Empire’s power went beyond its military. Between a meritocratic nature, a tendency to adopt the people and cultures of conquered nations, and a tolerant distribution of new techniques and concepts even at the cost of existing ideas and methods, Earthworld would continue to evolve as a superpower. Wein had realized the bigoted West couldn’t keep up forever.
“It’d be a different story if the Empire’s ruler were a numbskull, but—”
“Earthworld has a bright future ahead, especially with Lowa as Empress,” Ninym finished.
“Exactly.”
These two knew Lowellmina’s nature and talent intimately, so they were in perfect agreement.
“However, even if the Empire wins, a lot could happen. Natra might be destroyed, so obviously, we’ll have to fumble for a way out of this alive. That’s why I’d only pretend to side with the West.”
A wave of relief washed over Ninym as she listened to Wein’s explanation. As his aide, she understood she must remain neutral in every circumstance. However, it was almost impossible to keep her composure where the Flahm were involved, especially given the current trouble among her people. If something big upset things now…
“…!” Ninym was beset by an indescribably terrible sensation. “Wein, are you sure you haven’t overlooked anything?”
“Have I?” Wein mulled this over for a few seconds but ultimately shook his head. “I don’t think so. For now, at least. Are you worried about something?”
“Not really, but…” Ninym winced as the words caught awkwardly in her throat, while Wein pondered again. “Sorry, I realize that was vague,” she added.
“No problem. We’ve still got some time before the meeting. I’m sure we’ll find out more, so let’s keep up our investigation,” Wein replied.
The Flahm woman gave a slight nod.
Preparations proceeded without incident. With an agenda decided and the entertainment ready, the only thing left to do was await Caldmellia’s arrival.
“Hahhh…” Ninym breathed a sigh of relief after single-handedly overseeing the arrangements. The outcome of this meeting was vital, and an ineffective host could bring it to a screeching halt.
“I still don’t even know…”
Amid her hectic schedule, Ninym had sought the reason for her anxiousness, yet she still came up empty. Maybe it really was all in her mind. She hoped so.
Levan arrived to pull her from her mind. “Ninym, we’re prepared to meet with the backer we discussed earlier.”
“…At a time like this?”
The backer. The mysterious figure supporting Flahm independence.
To the youth who dreamed of freedom, the benefactor was hailed as an ally, but those like Ninym and Levan saw the backer as a foe who aimed to sow dissension. Ninym would have to probe their true identity in person eventually. For now, she wondered why the decision to meet with the backer had been made right before Caldmellia’s arrival.
“To be more specific, we’ll meet once the negotiations with Caldmellia are over… Does that work for you?” Levan asked.
“I don’t really have much choice. All right, I’ll be there,” Ninym said before lowering her voice. “More importantly, how is the council, Master Levan?”
“I’m loath to admit my own incompetence…but it’s been an uphill battle.”
Levan was working to stifle the push for Flahm autonomy, but the outcome looked bleak. Thanks to Ninym’s status as a living symbol and the Flahm’s cherished desire for their ancient kingdom to be reborn, the long-awaited movement could only pick up speed. As Levan had said, the flames were spreading fast.
“Perhaps I should actively oppose the movement after all,” Ninym offered.
“…I agree that we may need to review our options,” Levan concurred, his frustration evident. “Let’s discuss this again once we’ve discerned who the benefactor is.”
“Understood. It’s a relief to know we feel the same way, Master Levan.”
“Certainly…”
The Flahm people would settle if Levan and Ninym chose to confront them directly as the leader and the symbolic successor. That, at least, was a small comfort.
I need to find out Caldmellia’s objective, uncover the backer’s identity, and figure out a way to help Natra survive the tensions between the East and the West…
Ninym felt more than a little troubled as her lengthy to-do list grew longer yet and the important meeting loomed.
Director Caldmellia of Levetia’s Gospel Bureau was over fifty, according to official records, yet easily appeared to be in her twenties or thirties. Whether she’d inherited the name from someone else or secretly cast a spell of youth remained unclear.
Despite the Gospel Bureau’s discrimination against women, Caldmellia had become a top leader in the religious organization and was renowned for her political finesse. She handled administrative affairs in the elderly Holy King’s stead, and it was said Levetia’s influence had expanded by leaps and bounds since she took over.
And now that very same person was on her way to Natra.
Word quickly spread through the kingdom, and the public’s response was generally favorable. Natra’s heritage was rooted in an ancient nation to the West, but historically it had maintained closer ties with the East. Once Wein became regent, Natra—after several wars—found greater opportunity to visit its various Western neighbors and negotiate. Tensions had eased in the public’s mind, and Wein’s rare position as host to Caldmellia and the West further validated this point.
Of course, outward appearances failed to reflect the true state of affairs.
“It’s been quite some time, Prince Wein.”
“Natra welcomes you, Lady Caldmellia.”
Wein, who represented Natra.
Caldmellia, who represented Levetia.
The pair’s discussion began amicably enough, and Ninym and the other attendants watched expectantly.