I headed to the conference room, clutching my empty stomach.
The [guest] turned out to be the Latarnia Ambassador.
It was a remote meeting with the man in question.
"I-I-I-Is it true that a Latarnian plotted to assassinate Your Excellency?"
The Ambassador was in a complete panic.
Well, of course he was. We were on the precipice of a [Maybe a war will start?] situation.
Personally, we wouldn't have minded a fight.
But for Latarnia, we were business partners they could actually talk to.
Our trade was still on a small scale for now, but there was no telling what the future held.
In fact, there weren't many people willing to do business with Latarnia at all.
We created jobs, paid promptly in cash with a smile, followed local customs, and made sure to ask if there was something we didn't understand.
As descendants of the Japanese, we were an easy crowd to do business with.
It was in Latarnia's best interest for our business to grow.
Staying on good terms was far more profitable than going to war.
Even regarding the weight of one's word, we were probably the easiest party they had to deal with.
If they were going to start a war, they’d want to do it on their own terms.
Probably after spending years squeezing us out of the economy first, right?
"No, I simply inquired because I don't know the facts yet."
"I-I see... And regarding a formal protest?"
"Since I don't know anything yet, I can't really say."
Compared to me, the Ambassador was losing his mind, whereas I was surprisingly calm.
I mean, usually in this galaxy, this sort of thing is an immediate declaration of war.
But from our perspective, we couldn't take action without knowing the enemy's intent.
It felt like someone was trying to pit Latarnia against us so they could swoop in and gobble up both sides once we were weakened.
Besides, I was the target, and I was keeping a cool head.
I wasn't about to let domestic public opinion dictate my response.
"U-um... Your Excellency is not angry?"
"It happens all the time."
Ever since Kevin shot me, I'd been targeted by assassins more times than I could count.
For some reason, people seemed to think I was easy to kill.
It wasn't even surprising anymore.
"I'm not angry. I just want to know who the mastermind is. Please, rest easy."
"I-I see..."
The Ambassador was already drenched in a cold sweat.
He hadn't stopped wiping his brow.
I imagine the hardline Hawkish Faction told him to 'get a statement we can use to start a war,' while the pacifist Dovish Faction told him to 'make sure this doesn't turn into a war at any cost!'
Being stuck in the middle must be rough.
"To be honest, I am a bit annoyed that someone thinks they can manipulate the Empire through cheap schemes, though."
"Does Your Excellency believe that we are not the culprits?"
"I see no reason for you to try and kill me right now."
The Ambassador wiped his sweat again.
For the time being, the 'peace route' policy seemed to have been solidified.
...Probably.
The Ambassador might be incredibly competent—a spy for the Hawkish Faction who would report back that we were [easy marks].
But that was fine too.
Even if they thought we were easy marks, Latarnia no longer saw us as some tiny backwater nation.
They viewed us as a distant power that required careful handling.
"I-Is the culprit the Pirate Guild?"
"I am currently inquiring with them as well."
I said that on purpose.
It was a way of saying, [I have my own diplomatic channels with the Pirate Guild].
It was a warning against them saying something like [We'll handle the mediation!].
As if I’d let myself be manipulated like that.
Even if the gesture was born of goodwill.
We are an independent nation, after all.
"O-Oh, I see."
He was practically dripping with sweat now.
We were likely a much more communicatively capable civilization than he had anticipated.
Since we shared the same ancestors as the Zork, that kind of evaluation was inevitable.
"At any rate, we would appreciate it if you could provide any information you have. Thank you."
I offered a small bow.
It wasn't like we had a formal treaty.
I wasn't demanding they hand over the culprit.
I was simply asking for information as a gesture of goodwill.
No favors owed, no debts incurred.
However, if they refused, it would put Latarnia in my debt.
"W-We will do our utmost."
Honestly, the man was sweating so much it was almost pitiful.
I had no intention of applying pressure and earning a personal grudge.
This was just one reasonable person making a request within the bounds of the law to another.
It was perfectly fine if he said no.
No matter which way it went, I wouldn't be troubled.
Since I was the victim, my word carried weight.
And with that, the meeting concluded.
"Leo-kun, how did it go?"
The Fairy appeared.
You were listening the whole time anyway, weren't you?
"I just asked for the obvious. I don't think there are any strings attached."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yeah. It would just be a headache if they framed someone else anyway."
Just as I thought I could finally get started on the Katsudon, another call came in.
It was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Big Sister.
"Your Excellency, we have a request for a meeting from Eyens."
"Yeah, yeah, put him through."
I was so hungry.
The connection was established, and Old Man Eyens appeared on the screen.
The old man performed a gongshou with trembling hands.
"On this occasion... truly..."
"I'm guessing you were framed."
I threw a straight ball at him.
If he was so stupid that we couldn't even have a conversation, then I'd know that was his weakness.
I had to show him that I had a handle on the situation.
He seemed surprised that the target of an assassination was so composed, though.
I wanted to project the image that we were people who could be reasoned with.
If they took that as a sign of weakness, I could just wipe them out later.
If they could talk and stay on their best behavior, I'd let them be.
In this galaxy, the only Imperial Territory we held was the land that formerly belonged to Proone.
And most of that had already been returned to countries like the turtles, rabbits, and wolves who had their land stolen.
Though the areas Proone completely ravaged were being terraformed under Imperial leadership.
When I returned the countries, some said they wanted to become Imperial citizens, but I'd put my answer on hold.
It was impossible, really.
The cultures and customs were just too different.
It would only sow seeds of resentment later.
Therefore, regarding the Pirate Guild, as long as they didn't cause trouble on Planet Proone or the surrounding Imperial Territory, I would basically leave them alone.
I’d still provide military support to friendly nations like the Ogre God Nation, of course.
But even that could be overturned at any moment.
If the Pirate Guild truly desired a total war.
He wasn't the kind of old man who wouldn't understand that.
"We shall conduct our own investigation here as well."
That was his response for now.
Behind that face, I’m sure he was weighing the pros and cons of an infinite number of people he could pin the crime on.
Honestly, I thought being straightforward was the best policy.
"Thank you. However, even if you find the culprit, please don't do anything like sending me their head. That isn't part of our culture."
That was a lie.
In the rural areas, Seppuku and Decapitation were very much a thing.
But as the Imperial Government Representative, I had to maintain the facade that we didn't have such barbaric customs.
I mean, seriously!
If I said a head was fine, they'd just try to send me the head of some random person who had nothing to do with it!
Then the amount of paperwork required to verify it would be... ga-ga-ga-ga-ga...
I didn't need my paperwork getting any more complicated!
"I shall engrave your words upon my heart."
The meeting ended.
My stomach was growling loudly now.
I couldn't take it anymore!
I hurried toward the Dining Hall.
I pulled a freezer bag with my name on it out of the kitchen's freezer.
Cutlets! Good!!!
Oil, check!
Rice, check!!!
Eggs, check!!!
Time to fry!!!
"Ca-ptain♪"
Melissa caught me.
"Give me some too♪"
I gave her a silent thumbs-up.
I was lucky to have such an understanding fiancée.
Then, the rest of the hungry pack arrived.
"I'm starving. I heard Leo was making Katsudon."
Eddy showed up.
"I'm making it right now."
Then, Kevin—wearing an apron—and Nina-san arrived as reinforcements.
"I'm so hungry. Leo, you make the sauce. Yours has that 'eating out' flavor."
Even Kevin was saying the same thing as Isono!
"I'll help out~."
Well, they'd been working straight through lunch, after all.
Claire and the others joined in, and we all started cooking together.
"Waaaaah! I'm hungry, sir!"
"Big Brother Leo~. I'm hungry~."
Tatiana and One-oh-one, the Hungry Duo, had arrived.
"It's almost fried, so just wait. Handle the plating for me. And pass out the Barley Tea."
"Yessir!"
"I'll do my best to help, sir!"
As I was making the food, even Wifey finally made an appearance.
"Lord Groom~. I am famished~."
"Coming right up."
Yeah, this was enough for me.
I just wanted to stop using my brain for a while!