After doing a survey of my territories from the air, I arrived in Tempest City.
I wonder who are the spies that Diablo caught.
Eh!? Isn't this Amnesia or something? Empress of Sarrion? What was her name again?
And Eren's father.
I see. I guess I know the reason for their arrival.
"Welcome, Apolloyon-sama. I have caught the spies."
Diablo appeared, and pointed at a group of around 50 or so spies, brutally beaten up and then tied together.
"Good job, Diablo!"
"No, I am not worthy of your praise."
Sheesh. You hype me up too much.
He is a good boi. I guess I will give him a dog.
And seeing Ranga, I decided to get myself a cat.
Because cats are better than dogs.
Amnesia stood from her seat and introduced herself.
"Apolloyon-sama, I am Elmesia El Ru Sarrion, the Empress of Sorcerer's Dynasty of Sarrion. I have come here to establish diplomatic relations with Great Jura Federation."
"By sending spies?"
"They were sent to the forest to search for my missing cousin. We bear no hostilities with Great Jura Federation, and neither did we want to interfere."
I turned to Diablo.
"It's true that the spies from Sarrion aren't hostile, and their only goal is to find the Elven princess."
I see.
"Diablo, spies are inherently hostile, no matter their goal. Is that understood?"
"Yes Apolloyon-sama!"
...Why are you so happy on being scolded?
Anyway, so there are spies other than Sarrion in the mix as well.
I can use that.
"You should already know me. I am the Chancellor of Great Jura Federation, Apolloyon Nava. With introductions out of the way, we ensure that we will do our best to find your lost princess. Share the details with my secretary and the Governor of Tempest, Diablo here.
But, merely developing diplomatic relations isn't enough to pay for you guys spying on us.
First, you pay for the hostilities, then only we can start with a clean slate and engage in diplomacy."
"We are ready to offer stellar—"
"I have no need for something puny like money."
"Umm—"
Rimuru tried to jump in between, but Diablo's glare scared him off.
"Apolloyon-sama, according to Sarrion spies, they suspect that this Rimuru is the one behind not only their princess, but Veldora's disappearance as well?"
"Really?"
I turned to Rimuru.
"No! I have no hand in it! She entered Veldora's cave, full of powerful monsters! What did she expect!?"
Rimuru started defending himself.
I nodded and said to Diablo with Thought Communication and Thought Acceleration.
Hmmm... Sarrion's information network is seriously crazy.
They even figured out about Rimuru's Elf fetish.
Getting access to it will be very beneficial, but possibly a landmine too. They can gain trust and then feed us false information, which can be quite dangerous.
It's like relying on CIA for information while being India. Trying to appear like an ally but doing many things against it as well, even assassination of the chief of Nuclear Divison.
And if they find out that I killed Eren, it will be like China or Russia relying on CIA for information, being clear enemies.
Ultimate Skill!?
Then she is dangerous.
...
Hmm...
Devouring a fake body will not give me her Ultimate Skill.
So, why not ask her herself?
Didn't Milim destroy some ancient kingdom in the past? Elmesia is pretty ancient, so she might know Milim's power firsthand.
And there is Diablo as well.
"Choose.
First, War with Great Jura Federation for disrespecting our sovereignty.
Or Second, give up your Ultimate Skill to me."
I didn't let out even a bit of my aura with Devourer. Sometimes, hiding strength from old individuals who are smart makes them more intidimated.
I am not speaking from experience. I just think so.
It's a gamble. A high paying one.
And I have an assurance that she can't touch me due to Milim. So at the very least, even if I don't win, I won't lose.
"Ara? Wouldn't you just wipe out my nation after getting my Ultimate Skill then?"
"I don't need your skill to do that."
Elmesia played with her hair, glancing at Diablo.
"Then, how will we be assured that you wouldn't wipe out my nation afterwards?"
"Sarrion is not allied with that cult, Western Holy Church, is it?"
"Sarrion isn't allied with anyone."
"Then you don't have to worry. We will sign a non-aggression and mutual defence treaty."
"Ah. So we will say that we are allied with monsters, and piss off Western Holy Church and the countries that follow that religion.
Then they will view us as enemy as well. And we will become your natural ally."
She is pretty smart, I will give her that.
Honestly, I am placing her entire country in danger due to my greed of getting an Ultimate Skill. Threatening her with Milim and Diablo.
She doesn't have much of a choice. In my previous world, even smaller and poorer countries could stand against USA post WW2, where US was at its peak.
Because they knew that USA will not drop a nuke on them, and even if threats were probably made, everyone knows that they are just empty threats.
But here, I can drop actual nukes non-stop. Fusion bombs which will not release much radiation. And even if it releases it, I can just eat the radiation.
And then there is Milim.
So, which choice will Elmesia make?
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