Chapter 112 : Not Convinced? Then Hit Me!
Chapter 112: Not Convinced? Then Hit Me!
The car drove away from there and entered another street.
It was not much different from the previous one—just as bustling and filled with a dazzling variety of goods.
“The two streets we just passed are the commercial pedestrian zones of the Federal Capital. There’s also a larger central business plaza in another direction—it’s much... hmm, much grander in scale,” Coy introduced to Bratt as they moved along.
“It’s unbelievable... I’m actually standing on the subcontinent right now. This completely overturns all my impressions of it. I’m not exaggerating—this place is more prosperous than most regions of ours! It could even rival our Royal Capital!”
Bratt didn’t hold back his praise.
He had seen many places of splendor and luxury—even ones more extravagant than this—but the thriving, upward energy here was something he hadn’t seen in many other nations.
However, the closer they got to the center, the thinner the crowds became.
This was already near the government district, where few people lingered.
Coy selectively introduced the surrounding buildings to Bratt one by one—the Federal Court, the Federal Assembly, the Pentagon-shaped Ministry of National Defense, and the Holy Light Cathedral.
When Bratt saw the Holy Light Cathedral, he raised an eyebrow.
His eyes lingered on the blood-red cross atop the structure.
If he remembered correctly, the emblem at the center of the Dmitria Church also happened to be cross-shaped...
He didn’t ask further, though.
Some things, he thought, might be better investigated privately.
Mitia stood by the window, watching the convoy slowly drive into the Imperial Palace.
Beside her, Anna quietly reported the results of her investigation.
“The United Kingdom of Suria was formerly part of the Saregass Empire’s territory. After the Saregass Empire split apart, three nations were formed—them, the Kingdom of Pue Lent, and the Kingdom of Ixia.”
“The Three Houses fought one another to claim Saregass’s orthodoxy. Only five years ago did they sign a treaty to maintain a superficial peace among them. Their national strength ranks roughly mid-tier on the main continent, and their government is controlled jointly by several Chambers of Commerce.”
Mitia rubbed her smooth chin thoughtfully.
“So their surrounding environment is quite harsh.”
Anna smiled faintly at that.
“That’s putting it too mildly, Your Majesty. It’s more like they’re surrounded by strong enemies—especially since the Dmitria Church is eyeing them greedily.”
“Oh? And why is that?” Mitia asked curiously.
“...The common faith of the Surian people is very fragmented. The leading Chambers of Commerce each worship different deities—but none of them follow the Goddess of Light~”
Hearing this, Mitia couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Pfft... The Goddess of Light is that unpopular on the main continent?”
“Not exactly.”
Anna’s expression turned odd.
“From our investigation, the merchants of the Surian Kingdom are highly pragmatic... I suspect their faiths are rather utilitarian~”
“Because the pantheons they each follow happen to correspond with the mainstream religions of the surrounding empires. Each Chamber of Commerce that controls the kingdom believes in a different one...”
Mitia: “...... I think I now understand why the Dmitria Church dislikes them~”
Ah, so that’s how they play the faith game, huh!
Bratt had been placed in a small conference room, but he didn’t mind.
His visit to the Seris Federation had been on a whim, not as an official envoy.
Therefore, the Federation naturally wouldn’t greet him with a full diplomatic reception ceremony.
In fact, the fact that Empress Mitia of Seris was even willing to meet him under such circumstances was already enough to make Bratt feel deeply honored.
Not because of this nation itself—but because of the race that stood behind her.
Magic had long been the main continent’s greatest source of pride and self-confidence, yet before a Witch, that confidence became nothing more than a joke.
Thus, no matter what opinions he held of the Seris Federation, he would never project them onto its ruler—Empress Mitia.
While waiting, Bratt idly flipped through a copy of the Federal Declaration booklet placed on the small table beside his chair.
The founding principles of the Federation and the slogans written there—along with the quotations attributed to Mitia—left Bratt deeply astonished.
He thought this Empress he had never met sounded extremely naive and laughable.
Nobles and magicians were the privileged class—if they wanted to persecute the commoners, they could.
He even agreed with Mitia’s claims that the true social and labor value was created by the oppressed—the serfs and slaves.
But the problem was this: nobles and magicians ruled and exploited through strength.
To them, the truth was simple—might makes right.
Not convinced? Then hit me!
If you can beat me, fine—it’s yours! And yet...
Bratt subconsciously looked outside.
The golden afternoon sunlight streamed through the window into the small conference room, making the furnishings glimmer.
This country... actually did win~
Bratt suddenly grew intrigued.
The founding and governing principles of this Seris Federation completely opposed those of the rest of the continent—and yet they had risen to prominence with remarkable speed.
That could only mean that in the future, intense friction and conflict between them and the main continent was inevitable.
And in that case—could the United Kingdom of Suria perhaps play a role in it?
Their kingdom’s geopolitical position was awkward, surrounded by unfriendly neighbors—none of them easy to deal with.
In truth, their situation was even more precarious than that of the Seris Federation.
After all, Seris’s slogans might be revolutionary, but there were several countries—or at least a strait and the Suppressing Fog—separating them from the main continent.
To cross the sea and wage war against the Federation would be no easy task—the long supply line alone would be a nightmare.
In other words, the Seris Federation had the confidence to “play their own game.” But Suria...
didn’t.
One step back, and they’d fall into the sea.
Moreover, after his brief two-day observation, Bratt realized this country did not prohibit magic—it only targeted the nobility.
Meaning they could still enlist the help of magicians.
When that was combined with their distinctive steam-based system, their potential for future growth was indeed impressive.
After a short wait, Bratt finally met the person whose name he had seen constantly appearing in every report and conversation.
When he looked up, she was nothing like the middle-aged woman he had imagined.
Standing before him was a woman—or rather, a girl—whose beauty exceeded all expectations.
Suddenly, those “naive” quotes he’d read before seemed far more reasonable—and even charming.
Seeing Bratt’s dazed look, Mitia stood there with amused interest, allowing him to observe.
Anna quietly glared at him and coughed sharply: “Ahem...”
Bratt snapped back to his senses instantly and bowed hurriedly.
“Ah! Forgive me! My deepest apologies, Your Majesty—I’ve been terribly rude!”
His face flushed crimson.
It was the first time in his life he’d ever been so impolite.
He had utterly shamed the Surian royal family.
If his mother and father, the King, ever found out, he’d be confined for at least half a year—and become the laughingstock of the noble circle.
“It’s fine. Rise.” Mitia’s voice was calm.