I’ve made all the moves I need to win.
Then you have to think about what comes after that.
Dorius’ case is a very special case.
In addition, Prytanis came here.
Naturally, I should decide what to do with him.
Prytanis, who was summoned by me, arrived accompanied by two of his bodyguards.
As soon as they were seated, he leaned forward.
“Lord Alfred, you called me here because you want to talk about what happens after you win, right?”
He’s really fast to talk to.
“Yes, I want to talk about what to do with the humans we’re holding captive. First of all, I’d like to hear what Prytanis has to say about this.”
After we hit it off, he asked me to call without honorifics…
I told him he could call me that too, but he refused, saying it was unreasonable since he was younger and the others didn’t call me that.
That’s true… the only ones who call me that are Mil and Escorter Silvana.
“In other words, you’re thinking of doing something other than killing them. I’m grateful for that, but I’m sure there are only a few that can be subjugated at this point. If we win the next battle… there will be a few more. But it’s hard to subdue the many.”
“Prytanis has come here to avoid annihilation, after all. Whenever possible, I will respect your wishes. As for me, if I can avoid killing them, so much the better. It is my policy to avoid unnecessary killing. Even if they are on Dorius’ side, I will spare the lives of those who are not affected by being kept alive.”
Prytanis seemed to be unable to suppress a chuckle.
“It’s relatively easy to subjugate them. Our greatest virtue is obedience. Thinking for oneself, like the citizens of Ravenna, has been avoided. I think it’s hard to abandon a virtue so suddenly.”
Virtue and conflict… I folded my arms.
“We’ll just have to change it over time. That’s a sophomoric way of saying that we should obey instructions to think and act for ourselves.”
Prytanis started laughing happily.
“Hahaha, that might be a good idea. It’s a terrible quibble, though. It’s only logical if you’re talking about the people who have beaten you.”
“In any case, it’s probably not a good idea to suddenly throw them into the civilian population.”
Prytanis stopped laughing and kept a straight face.
“If we don’t, it won’t change. If we leave them as they are, they’ll be stuck with other humans for a long time. So, would you mind leaving me in charge of monitoring the captives? Currently, they’re only in complete contact with humans. I will gradually increase my contact with the beastmen from now on. If I am in contact with beastmen, they will be open to change, unless they are stubborn prophetist.”
You call a stubborn human supremacist a prophetist, huh.
I don’t have a good idea.
Prytanis’ idea is the only one that seems to work.
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”
Prytanis seemed surprised that I agreed so easily.
“Are you sure?”
I know what you mean.
Do you not suspect the possibility of internal disturbance or escape in collusion with the prisoners?
He must have wondered about the fact that I had readily agreed without questioning that point.
All the questions and answers he had prepared beforehand had come to nothing.
“Yes, I’m not worried about Prytanis betraying me. Thanks to Dorius’ social system, we can trust you instead.”
It’s a society that doesn’t even want to have contact with beastmen.
Infiltrating a society like Ravenna from there would be highly disadvantageous.
They’ll take advantage of you, but when you’re done, they’ll say you’re unclean and exclude you.
Maybe there are other factors I don’t know about, but…
If I’m afraid of even that risk, I can’t do anything.
“It’s just that you’re rumored to be a demon emperor. You won’t leave it to me without thinking about it. After calculating the various risks… I honestly admire your boldness.”
Hey, aren’t I changing from a king to an emperor?
Mil and Kiara are desperately trying to hold back their laughter.
I don’t understand…but I have better things to do.
I cleared my throat and told him in a whisper.
“Those stubborn Prophetists… may suddenly disappear.”
Prytanis furrowed his brow for a moment.
“You’re asking me to show my loyalty to Ravenna? Equality of the races… will you choose any means to that end?”
He interpreted it as to kill, huh.
Such a simple thing is unprofitable.
You are right that I will choose any means to achieve our ends.
But… the end is not just achieved.
The end is to maintain it.
Machiavelli’s words are often used as an excuse for choosing to do something foolish.
I don’t think that’s what Machiavelli really meant.
But because of this misunderstanding, he’s been portrayed as a cruel man.
In reality, though, he seems to be a passionate and joyful man.
He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
That much is true.
However, it is meaningless if you steal or commit other crimes to get what you want, but end up ruining yourself.
Even if you achieve your goal, it is not effective to use means that will cause ruin and confusion afterwards.
A prophetist who can’t even be persuaded by Prytanis is just too much for me to handle.
But…what is the point of having Prytanis kill the former Lords, if he can’t influence them?
That would reduce the number of people who would surrender in the future and increase unnecessary sacrifices.
If Prytanis were to be used for such a purpose, he would think of protecting himself.
It would be an unnecessary risk to take internally.
It’s not the same as having the turned people spearhead an attack on their original tribe.
It’s not my idea of an effective strategy.
“What benefit is there in doing so?”
Prytanis folded his arms at my words.
He seemed to be using his brain at full speed, trying to figure out what I was talking about.
""
He seemed to have come to a conclusion.
Prytanis opened his mouth cautiously.
“I feel sorry for the people who lost them. Even if they return, they won’t have a place back home.”
As expected… he read my intentions correctly.
“Yes, if Dorius’ colors turn bad, he could use them as human sacrifices.”
Prytanis nodded.
His cheeks were red, indicating that he was excited.
“It seems that I am still inexperienced. I think I can learn a lot from you, Lord Alfred. But on one point……it is not always possible for a person who has disappeared to return safely…. Isn’t that right?”
“Yeah, for some strange reason, the patrols are sometimes closed that day.”
Prytanis burst out laughing.
“I’m going to come and have a little chat with you before something strange happens.”
With that, Prytanis looked outside.
It’s the height of summer now.
It would be over forty degrees during the day…
But the road is forested and there is water.
If the soldiers are well-trained, they will be able to return safely.
“Yes, by all means, please do.”
Prytanis opened his mouth with a wry smile.
“I’m sure this trick will give you more nicknames. You might as well call yourself the Man with a Thousand Names, you know?”
I don’t want that! And it’s none of your business!
I’ve made all the moves I need to win.
Then you have to think about what comes after that.
Dorius’ case is a very special case.
In addition, Prytanis came here.
Naturally, I should decide what to do with him.
Prytanis, who was summoned by me, arrived accompanied by two of his bodyguards.
As soon as they were seated, he leaned forward.
“Lord Alfred, you called me here because you want to talk about what happens after you win, right?”
He’s really fast to talk to.
“Yes, I want to talk about what to do with the humans we’re holding captive. First of all, I’d like to hear what Prytanis has to say about this.”
After we hit it off, he asked me to call without honorifics…
I told him he could call me that too, but he refused, saying it was unreasonable since he was younger and the others didn’t call me that.
That’s true… the only ones who call me that are Mil and Escorter Silvana.
“In other words, you’re thinking of doing something other than killing them. I’m grateful for that, but I’m sure there are only a few that can be subjugated at this point. If we win the next battle… there will be a few more. But it’s hard to subdue the many.”
“Prytanis has come here to avoid annihilation, after all. Whenever possible, I will respect your wishes. As for me, if I can avoid killing them, so much the better. It is my policy to avoid unnecessary killing. Even if they are on Dorius’ side, I will spare the lives of those who are not affected by being kept alive.”
Prytanis seemed to be unable to suppress a chuckle.
“It’s relatively easy to subjugate them. Our greatest virtue is obedience. Thinking for oneself, like the citizens of Ravenna, has been avoided. I think it’s hard to abandon a virtue so suddenly.”
Virtue and conflict… I folded my arms.
“We’ll just have to change it over time. That’s a sophomoric way of saying that we should obey instructions to think and act for ourselves.”
Prytanis started laughing happily.
“Hahaha, that might be a good idea. It’s a terrible quibble, though. It’s only logical if you’re talking about the people who have beaten you.”
“In any case, it’s probably not a good idea to suddenly throw them into the civilian population.”
Prytanis stopped laughing and kept a straight face.
“If we don’t, it won’t change. If we leave them as they are, they’ll be stuck with other humans for a long time. So, would you mind leaving me in charge of monitoring the captives? Currently, they’re only in complete contact with humans. I will gradually increase my contact with the beastmen from now on. If I am in contact with beastmen, they will be open to change, unless they are stubborn prophetist.”
You call a stubborn human supremacist a prophetist, huh.
I don’t have a good idea.
Prytanis’ idea is the only one that seems to work.
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”
Prytanis seemed surprised that I agreed so easily.
“Are you sure?”
I know what you mean.
Do you not suspect the possibility of internal disturbance or escape in collusion with the prisoners?
He must have wondered about the fact that I had readily agreed without questioning that point.
All the questions and answers he had prepared beforehand had come to nothing.
“Yes, I’m not worried about Prytanis betraying me. Thanks to Dorius’ social system, we can trust you instead.”
It’s a society that doesn’t even want to have contact with beastmen.
Infiltrating a society like Ravenna from there would be highly disadvantageous.
They’ll take advantage of you, but when you’re done, they’ll say you’re unclean and exclude you.
Maybe there are other factors I don’t know about, but…
If I’m afraid of even that risk, I can’t do anything.
“It’s just that you’re rumored to be a demon emperor. You won’t leave it to me without thinking about it. After calculating the various risks… I honestly admire your boldness.”
Hey, aren’t I changing from a king to an emperor?
Mil and Kiara are desperately trying to hold back their laughter.
I don’t understand…but I have better things to do.
I cleared my throat and told him in a whisper.
“Those stubborn Prophetists… may suddenly disappear.”
Prytanis furrowed his brow for a moment.
“You’re asking me to show my loyalty to Ravenna? Equality of the races… will you choose any means to that end?”
He interpreted it as to kill, huh.
Such a simple thing is unprofitable.
You are right that I will choose any means to achieve our ends.
But… the end is not just achieved.
The end is to maintain it.
Machiavelli’s words are often used as an excuse for choosing to do something foolish.
I don’t think that’s what Machiavelli really meant.
But because of this misunderstanding, he’s been portrayed as a cruel man.
In reality, though, he seems to be a passionate and joyful man.
He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
That much is true.
However, it is meaningless if you steal or commit other crimes to get what you want, but end up ruining yourself.
Even if you achieve your goal, it is not effective to use means that will cause ruin and confusion afterwards.
A prophetist who can’t even be persuaded by Prytanis is just too much for me to handle.
But…what is the point of having Prytanis kill the former Lords, if he can’t influence them?
That would reduce the number of people who would surrender in the future and increase unnecessary sacrifices.
If Prytanis were to be used for such a purpose, he would think of protecting himself.
It would be an unnecessary risk to take internally.
It’s not the same as having the turned people spearhead an attack on their original tribe.
It’s not my idea of an effective strategy.
“What benefit is there in doing so?”
Prytanis folded his arms at my words.
He seemed to be using his brain at full speed, trying to figure out what I was talking about.
""
He seemed to have come to a conclusion.
Prytanis opened his mouth cautiously.
“I feel sorry for the people who lost them. Even if they return, they won’t have a place back home.”
As expected… he read my intentions correctly.
“Yes, if Dorius’ colors turn bad, he could use them as human sacrifices.”
Prytanis nodded.
His cheeks were red, indicating that he was excited.
“It seems that I am still inexperienced. I think I can learn a lot from you, Lord Alfred. But on one point……it is not always possible for a person who has disappeared to return safely…. Isn’t that right?”
“Yeah, for some strange reason, the patrols are sometimes closed that day.”
Prytanis burst out laughing.
“I’m going to come and have a little chat with you before something strange happens.”
With that, Prytanis looked outside.
It’s the height of summer now.
It would be over forty degrees during the day…
But the road is forested and there is water.
If the soldiers are well-trained, they will be able to return safely.
“Yes, by all means, please do.”
Prytanis opened his mouth with a wry smile.
“I’m sure this trick will give you more nicknames. You might as well call yourself the Man with a Thousand Names, you know?”
I don’t want that! And it’s none of your business!
