He Died and Receive an Overpowered Tyrant System

Is Diplomacy Possible?

"Be that as it may, we're getting quite the warm welcome here that we are. When soldiers and civilians alike are impoverished from the battle against Gustave, is it truly all right that they pamper us in such grand a fashion?" Jasper asked.

"It's because they're hurting that they wanna avoid picking a fight with the United National Socialist Party," explained Louis. "They don't wanna make enemies out of us, especially not after we claimed two domains in a single week. Not to mention that after defeating them we literally got ourselves control over the vast land of the western region."

"Minister of Propaganda, Lex, reported that all cities in the south swore allegiance to the Reich." said Littoria, "And he is planning with the organizer, Wayne, to get through the South Region of the Kingdom of Crentis," Littoria said.

"Still, it would be optimal if things could be worked out diplomatically. Like it or not, more fighting inevitably leads to more dead and injured. What are your thoughts on the matter, Ernest? Can we make allies with the people of the Red Brigade?" Littoria added. Upon hearing that question, Ernest shot a glance at Jasper and Mike.

"Uhm...gimme us a sec." They responded. Kneeling down, the two pressed their ears against the wet floor. They were using sound to search the area around them. After a little while, Jasper lifted his torso while Mike's ear still pressed on the ground.

"We're good, Volksfuhrer. No one can eavesdrop on us. There's nothing to worry about being overheard."

"Much obliged."

After the two elites in espionage confirmed that there weren't any unwanted parties listening in, Ernest thanked them, then finally answered Littoria's question.

"To put it simply…that won't be possible."

…

A few hours earlier, some key members of the United National Socialist Party had come to Fiord Villa's lounge as representatives of the party to meet with Marquis Conrad, the scrawny old man serving as the Red Brigade's leader.

"Well, well, well! I must thank you all for coming such a distance for this meeting. I am Radcliff von Conrad. The Red Brigade's former leader, Winton del Grebel, met an unfortunate end in battle, so I will be governing the Gustave domain in his place."

"I am Volksfuhrer Ernest Gonzales, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak with you."

After exchanging a handshake with Ernest, Conrad bowed in an overly excessive show of respect.

"Oh, not at all. Our victory over Gustave would hardly have been possible if not for your help."

"Well, now that we've acknowledged our mutual gratitude, perhaps it's time to get to the matter at hand." Ernest offered.

"...You wish to know if we accept the terms of your People's Revolution, which seeks equality for all, is that right?"

Ernest replied with a nod.

"The teachings of the United National Socialist Party would see inequality stamped out. Suppose the Red Brigade is amenable to such ideas. In that case, we see no reason to take military action as we did against Leonhard and Brachride. On the contrary, we would welcome your cooperation in enacting our reforms. That would, of course, include standing against a swine who is sitting confidently in his throne, which no doubt opposes our ideals."

"The Red Brigade began as a group of nobles seeking to help the suffering commoners before and after the war. So naturally, we applaud your concern toward reform. However…" Conrad let his words trail off somewhat ominously.

"Is there a problem?" Ernest asked.

"...I'm afraid so. A great number of people are wary of founding a nation without a noble ruling class. It's a simple fact that not every member of the Red Brigade is on the same page."

"In other words, you're concerned that the masses' low levels of education will give rise to unstable governance?"

"...Y-yes. Personally, even I have my doubts that...the common people can handle the burden of law...Such things are difficult to judge, so I'm afraid I cannot give you an answer at present."

"Do you mean to say that you won't cooperate with us?"

Conrad shook his head so frantically his neck seemed liable to break.

"Oh...heavens no! I'm not saying anything of the sort! The Red Brigade is in full favor of equality for all! We have every desire to cooperate with you to the fullest, I swear!... Making that choice requires greater conviction, however. After all, this is no feudal lord we'd be going to war with; this is the king himself. And we're not even fully certain your ways would be for the good of the people yet. We of the Red Brigade have a duty to the populace of the Gustave domain to deliberate carefully…For the sake of their future...So I might request...we have some more time to see how the situation will evolve?"

The old man wanted to defer his decision.

"Hmm…"

Ernest went quiet for a bit, then nodded in the affirmative. "...Very well. As the supreme leader of the United National Socialist Republic, I respect how uneasy you feel at the prospect of abolishing the noble ruling class you're so accustomed to. It's like crossing a suspension bridge over a valley with fog so thick you can't see an inch in front of your face. How can you tell that the bridge is sturdy? As a leader of others, your desire to do your due diligence is commendable."

In any given village, the number of fully literate people was often low enough to count on one hand. Conrad's concerns were perfectly legitimate. If his domains were to be introduced to new sets of statutes and reforms, there was a good chance it would turn into chaos, at least in his governance. Ever since the start of the UNSP, Ernest started absorbing the cities with his eloquent speech and promise that he is the messiah of the people. This matter with Conrad is different, he can't just forcefully take his territory as it might spark another conflict, so he diverted to another tactic by dealing with the matter diplomatically.

What's important to him is that he garners support from the nobles, slowly introduces them to a new political system, which is still in the middle of drafting, and strips them off of their rights. After all, Ernest believed that feudalism is an outdated system. To get the support of the people, abolishing it is a surefire tactic.

Pressing for a hasty answer was an unwise tactic, but Ernest did not relent merely after demonstrating that he understood Conrad's position.

"At the same time, however, I believe your fears can be quelled by observing the state of the Leonhard, Brachride, Eighbury, and other domains in the south. So take that time and use it to remove whatever doubts you have." Ernest's tone was amicable, but he was unmistakable laying on the pressure.

"Th-Thank you for your c-consideration in this matter...!" Conrad praised with a stiff smile. Being allowed to defer his position was probably as he'd hoped for.

As for the United National Socialist Party, that was they had decided to cede beforehand. In short, the first topic on the agenda had resolved in largely the way both parties had expected.

However…

"Regretfully, there's one issue that cannot wait."

With the opening bits of business out of the way, Ernest moved right on to the day's second, and most important, topic.

"Wh-what might that be?"

"It should go without saying that we must restore living standards for the Gustave domain's citizens."

Ernest had heard stories from Jasper and Mike, his spies, and he'd seen the domain's state of affairs on their journey to Fiord Villa. Those alone had been more than enough to let him know just how dire things were. The people's quality of life had deteriorated to the point where they couldn't recover on their own, and Ernest believed it was essential that the local governing body intervene as quickly as possible.

To that end…

"I understand that Duke Gustave imposed ludicrously high taxes on the poor masses in order to fund a gold statue for King Philip II. It seems to me that the reasonable course of action would be to break it down for gold bullion, sell it on the marketplace, and use that money to buy food and provisions from other domains. To facilitate this, the United National Socialist Party is prepared to dispatch one of its new ministers with matters of commerce. How does that sound? We wouldn't expect any compensation for the service naturally."

Ernest was offering the unconditional aid of the United National Socialist Party. There shouldn't have been any reason for the Red Brigade to turn them down.

Ernest also wanted the populace of Gustav's domain to be well-fed so that they can work in the new factories he will summon in the future.

But…

"...W-well, you see, about that." Conrad's gaze darted from corner to corner. When he eventually found his words again, his voice was pained. "I'm afraid there's a bit of a problem. It would appear that, before we made our move in Dulhella, the gold statue in question was sent to Fontaine, the capital, and we haven't been able to locate it."

'What?' Ernest inwardly reacted.

"That's quite concerning. How do you propose to offer economic relief to the people, then?"

After hearing Conrad's confession, Ernest narrowed his gaze on him probingly and asked for his backup plan. The older man's brow furrowed in discomfort. Soon enough, however, Conrad opened his eyes wide with renewed determination.

"To be perfectly honest...helping the populace recover simply isn't possible without the funds from that statue! We of the Red Brigade lack the power to rescue the people in their time of need. So thought it is shameful of me to beg, could I ask that the United National Socialist Party help to save the people from starvation?!" As he wrung the voice out of his throat to make his desperate plea to the UNSP, Conrad bowed low enough that his forehead was touching the table.

A noble bowing to Ernest for the sake of the common folk was an act of overflowing courtliness. Given that Conrad was beating around the bush when it came to enacting reforms, yet asking loud and clear when he needed help, it came off as profoundly brazen, however.

The Gustave domain was a dukedom entrusted with managing all the cities in the western region. More land meant more population. Having to prop up the massive Gustave domain's economy would place an immense burden on its remote neighbors. It wasn't a task that even the UNSP could've agreed to easily.

"I understand. The UNSP offers you all its full cooperation." Despite any such difficulties, Ernest accepted without so much as hesitating.

"Re-really?!" Conrad had never imagined that he'd secure the assistance of the UNSP so effortlessly. With a shocked expression, he double-checked to make sure he'd heard correctly.

Ernest's second answer was the same as his first.

"Yes. The UNSP was formed to save the people of Crentis from their suffering and misery. It would make no sense for us to abandon them now. We'll start by providing food and medicine from Eighbury, Brachride, and Leonhard to supplant Gustave's shortages. That should help to build up the health of the populace."

For the first time in discussion, Ernest offered the other man a smile.

"Given the size of the Gustave domain, however, surpluses from the three other domains may prove insufficient. We'll need to go through Gustave to conduct trade with the Kingdom's central and northern regions, as well as its capital, to secure stores of food. However, that will necessitate that we have free travel across Gustave's borders to conduct business. There's no other way about it. Is that acceptable?"

"Y-yes! Of course! I have no reason to refuse that request! You fine people can come and go as you please without tariffs, and the trade routes and ports are yours to use freely!"

"I appreciate the generosity."

"N-nonsense! It is I who should be thanking you! The people of the Gustav region will live to see another year thanks to you!" His voice trembling with joy, Conrad gave Ernest another desk-scrapping bow.

As Ernest looked down at Conrad's head, though, the smile quickly faded from his face.