Yoshio leaned back in his chair with a small nod, waiting for Miyako to continue. Miyako steeled herself, and let out the concern they had been having. The main purpose of coming here.

"We know that you are increasing the number of forces at the border." She gave him a serious look. "The increasing number of ships on the water, and infantry on the shores. They may be gradual, but we noticed."

"What of it?"

"We demand that you put a stop to it. The volume of forces on our side had not increased, as what was agreed between you and my father. Mister Yoshio, you're violating your agreement with Nishinoa."

Yoshio smiled. "You misunderstand, Miss Miyako. They are not for battle, but merely a military exercise."

Miyako resisted the urge to frown. "Military exercise?" She already knew that was bullshit. It was the easiest excuse one could make to slowly prepare their army to move in at any moment. The mere presence of a large army at the border alone warrants alert.

"Yes. They are not meant for war, nor were their numbers amounted to something dangerous."

"I beg to differ. Of all places, you scatter them on the shores that border my island."

"They are the most viable locations. We also train them in operating ships, after all."

Miyako glanced at the two who accompanied him. The man, whom Miyako remembered to be Katsuo, was wearing a blank face. He was hard to read, not showing any signs in the slightest. Meanwhile, Yuki was glancing down at his father with a straight face. Miyako was quite impressed with his control of his expressions. At any rate, it was hard to tell anything from their faces.

"At any rate, your recent actions have been concerning. Nishinoa demands that you withdraw your excess forces. Else we will be compelled to respond in kind." This was the only way to pressure Hokunoa.

"Respond in kind? You mean to also increase your forces? That is a slippery slope you're taking, Miss Miyako."

"It is only fair, isn't it?" If the enemy glares, glare back.

"Fair, but is it smart? Our intentions are not malicious."

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

"If you increase your forces, we will take that action as some sort of provocation."

This bastard. You're the one who started this.

The audacity of this man was unbelievable. But that only confirmed his intentions. He had been lying, his intentions were malicious. Miyako was certain of it. They were preparing and were only waiting for the right moment. It could take months, or years, but still, they were preparing for the right moment to attack. Even if it was training, it would be training to take over Nishinoa's shores.

"Nishinoa will take any necessary precautions in response to you."

"You can only go so far, Miss Miyako. Are you sure you'd like to increase the tension between our islands? Is that what your father truly wants?"

Miyako smirked. "We will do what is necessary to protect our interests and safety. Therefore, please take your military exercise somewhere else to avoid further conflict."

"... Hm." He narrowed his eyes. "If it is such an issue, I'll see what I can do."

Miyako frowned. "There's no certainty in that."

"I'll see what I can do."

Unbelievable.

"In that case, we will keep increasing our own forces until we see changes on your side."

This man might have no intention of withdrawing his forces. What was it he was intending to do? Did he plan to attack when Miyako's father was in bad health? Because it was a sign of weakness? But invasion would be too costly. Unless they were ready to suffer that cost.

"Miss Miyako, Hokunoa has no intention of any escalation. War of any kind would be our undoing."

"I have a hard time believing that." Miyako gave him a stern look. Nishinoa also didn't want any fight, it would only cause needless damage, suffering, and losses. However, to achieve that, it required cooperation. If there were none, then it would head in an undesirable direction.

It was then that, upon hearing that, Takehiro suddenly chuckled and chimed in. "Oh, come on, old man, you think we believe that bullshit?" He smirked at Yoshio. "I know a man with fiery ambition when I see one. You're like me."

Yoshio's face contorted, he seemed offended. "We are nothing alike. You who would murder his own family."

"My father was a fool. I did only what was right for my island." He casually shrugged.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"That was not for compassion, but for ambition. Yours are for selfish reasons."

Takehiro scoffed. "And so are you. You act not out of compassion, but for selfish endeavors." He casually turned towards Oboro. "Can you believe that guy? Hey Yoshio, if you want to see someone who doesn't actually want war, look at this hag. Well, I don't think she even has the slightest ambition."

"You are making baseless assumptions, Mister Takehiro." Yoshio dismissed him.

"Heh, Miyako, I suggest you don't take his words too seriously. Don't believe anything that he says. His words are only meant for his own benefit."

"Aren't you the same?" Miyako said.

He crossed his arms. "I am. But I'm not the problem your island is currently facing, right?"

He was right. At the moment, Yoshio was the instigator who was putting her island at risk. Aside from the part where she was ambushed.

"Mister Yoshio," she said. "We wish you to fulfill the agreement."

He was silent for a moment before leaning back in his chair, tapping his finger on the table. "... As I said, Hokunoa does not intend to instigate conflict whatsoever. But if it makes you feel better, I will fulfill my end of the agreement."

At least this time, his words suggested certainty and promise.

"Thank you. I will remember your words, and we will observe the changes. We will give you plenty of time before we respond on our side." Basically saying they would give them time to remove their forces. And if they still had not after a certain amount of time, then Nishinoa would deploy its own forces. Perhaps the excuse of military exercise might work as well.

Miyako felt a slight sense of relief, but she didn't let it show. She turned towards Oboro.

"Miss Oboro, I also have an important matter to speak with you."

"... Speak."

"We captured members of different criminal organizations involved in various criminal operations. Stealing supplies and kidnapping innocent civilians. We discovered that the people captured were to be sold off as slaves. As you might know, slaves are treated well on our island, and we have rules in that regard. We do not make slaves of just anyone. These people never lost a match, nor were in debt."

The old woman raised an eyebrow. "And what does that have to do with me?"

"Several of these organizations are from Minainoa."

Nishinoa takes ‌matters concerning unjust slavery seriously. Teams were formed to take care of such problems and destroy these criminal activities. They couldn't let their own people suffer, especially not in the hands of outsiders. They even discovered that a lot of their victims had already been transported to Minainoa.

"Is that so?"

"So you're not only doing it to us, huh?" Takehiro said to Oboro.

"Whoever these criminal organizations are, they have nothing to do with me or our government. They are rogues, they do what earns them the most benefits."

"In light of this," Miyako continued. "Nishinoa requests Minainoa to take care of the problem at the roots. As they are from your island, only you can clean them out."

"Hm…" She stared into Miyako's eyes. "Very well, but on one condition."

"What is it?" It was absurd that she would have a condition to solve a problem on their own domain. But Miyako decided to listen.

"I want to initiate a trade between us. To be specific, raw materials."

"... With us?" Miyako didn't quite expect that.

"Hey hey hey, why are you going to them?" Takehiro jerked forward. "What about our trade?"

"You're too costly to work with. Until you fix your issues, Minainoa will also work with Nishinoa."

"Are you serious? There's a reason ‌you want us in the first place. Only we can give you the supply that you demand. Nishinoa cannot."

He was right. In Nishinoa, slaves and workers had laws that protected them from abuse and from being forced to overwork in rough conditions. Therefore, even those working in the mines were protected. That also meant their output was just more than enough for the island's needs.

For Tobunoa, however, they had no such rule. They could just get as many slaves as they wanted, and work them as much as possible, even until death. They didn't care for the well-being of their workers, their slaves. That was why they produced a whole lot of resources, so much that they still had enough to trade with others. Even Tobunoa sells some materials to Hokunoa.

"We will balance it out," Oboro said. "What say you, Miss Miyako? I'm sure it will be a good monetary benefit for your island."

It would be indeed. However, Miyako wondered why Minainoa would need raw materials enough that they'd ask for trade with other islands. Every island's earth was rich in raw materials, waiting to be mined. Each could be self-sustaining in that regard if it wanted to. However, it would seem it was different for Minainoa.

Population problem? Lacking manpower? Still, is it really that bad that they become short of producing raw materials? Who's making such a large demand then? Could it be… the demon land?

Miyako had not realized it, but it could be the reason. She never realized that it was that bad for Minainoa, if that were even the case. From what Miyako knew, the demon land mostly kept to their own business. Even though the demons could easily conquer Shinoroa, they didn't. That was why, despite being close to their lands, the demons had never been much of a headache. And in the end, the people just left them alone.

Or, was that even completely the case? It could all just be on the surface.

"Very well. We'll trade materials with you. However, only after you started action against those criminal organizations."

"Agreed."

***

As they walked down the corridor, Miyako let out a tired sigh. The meeting was long, and there were a lot of discussions. They even had to continue the meeting the following day. From what Miyako knew from her father, it typically lasts three days. Sometimes more.

"You did great, milady."

Miyako wryly smiled. "You think so?"

She was also relieved that it was over, at least for today.

"Yes. You were very brave."

"... That's great."

At least she didn't embarrass herself and the island she represented.

It was then that they noticed someone rushing towards them. Miyako turned around to see it was Yuki, wearing a smile.

"Hey, Miyako."

"Yuki, what are you doing here?"

"Hm, didn't I say I have something to show you?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Anyway, the way you acted in that meeting‌ was impressive."

"Really?"

"Yes, you were brilliant."

"I-Is that so?" Miyako lowered her head with a small trembling smile, she was holding it back. She felt a slight thump in her heart. "Thanks…"

"I mean it. You did a pretty good job facing the big guys."

"... Yeah. But not everything went completely well. Especially with your father."

Yuki let out a long sigh. "My father is obstinate. I understand you're worried about your island. I'd been trying to talk to my father when I learned about it, but to no avail."

"We are at risk of being enemies, Yuki…"

"I know. But I don't want that."

"Is that so…?"

"Anyway, follow me. I want you to see something."

"Milady…" Satomi patted the side of her leg. They were without weapons.

"Firstly, Yuki, we must retrieve our weapons," Miyako said.

"Weapons? Sure, but you wouldn't need it, you know. I won't let anyone harm you."

"... T-That's great. But my bodyguard would be more at ease if we have them back. It's just in our room."

"Okay. Let's go get them then."

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