I talked with Kerala about the Northern Question.


    "So, Kerala, what do you think?"


    "Oh, yes. ......"


    Thank you," said Kerala, averting her gaze in embarrassment.


    "That ...... you can switch to political affairs so soon after a night out, that''s very good of you. ......"


    It is embarrassing to hear that kind of response again.


    "You know, you''re the one who brought up ...... this agenda after the nightcap in the first place. You were the one who switched first. Don''t put the blame on me."


    Originally, we were going to talk about the north at a different time. Even I don''t put my love affair with my mistress in the middle of a political discussion. That is a serious deviation from the order of things.


    "No, ...... I was only going to talk about this next after we finished talking about the direct jurisdiction. Then the Regent asked for my body. ......"


    Kerala is blushing a lot. Apparently, Kerala has become more feminine than before, or at least more genuinely emotional.


    Could it be that she has fallen in love with me that much? I don''t feel bad for her as a man.


    "Okay. I''ve lost. So let me get back to the point."


    I laughed and said.


    "So, what do you think of this plan?　I want your honest opinion."


    When you are making a big move, it is enough to check the opinions of a few trusted people.


    Boring people are so afraid of moving things that they cannot make a proper decision. And those who have no discernment simply drift toward the majority.


    "I think it is not bad. Unless the other side is too stubborn.


    Kerala again has the look of a chief minister. After all, Kerala is the one who switches so quickly.


    "Yes. It''s all about the other side. But there is no better time to take full control of the North than now. It will greatly increase our options."


    No matter what the outcome of Hasse''s conquest of the West, if I control the North, I can build a country. Even the position of regent of the Kingdom of Thirlwil will no longer be necessary.


    "Thank you. I will call Tarsha and we will discuss the matter further. Now that I have your blessing, we can discuss our plans with her."


    At the mention of the name Tarsha, however, Kerala raised her eyebrows slightly.


    "I don''t suppose this is another nighttime party, is it ......?"


    "No!　I''ve had enough of that one. I''m not sure what Tarsha would think of ......, though. ......"


    I thought of Tarsha''s s*xuality.


    She was greedy and strong, just as the people of King''s Landing imagined her, a mold of a brave northerner.


    However, there is one thing different from what the people of King''s Landing think of the Northerners. Northerners are not savages. Rather, they value their pride far more than the people of King''s Landing.


    But if they had been able to make sense out of their pride in a city with so many changes in power, they would have perished somewhere along the line.


    Then Tarsha came into my room, and she immediately came at me.


    "I''m not going to be able to talk about political affairs if I don''t calm down. ....... Arsrod, please ......"


    This woman is unusually passionate. It''s right in the blood of the family.


    "Okay. I can''t help you if you don''t listen to me. Just do it until you''re satisfied."


    I made love to Tarsha for a long time.


    If this would make Tarsia have a child of my own, it would be a good strategy, but I didn''t care either way.


    "So what is your story to me?"


    In bed, nose to nose, Tarsha asks. Even if there is a secret agent in the room, he will not think that we are having a secret talk here.


    "Tarsha, I have sent word to your father, Sightred, Count of Machar, that he must give up the title of Count of the Frontier to you. Or rather, he has given it to you."


    I shook my head.


    "As far as the Kingdom of Thirlwil is concerned, I have already appointed you to the position of Machar Frontier Count. Tarsha Machar, you are the current Machar Frontier Count.


    "Again, this is very sudden, but good news is always good to hear," he said.


    Tarsha smiled with the dignity of a hero. This is definitely not the attitude of a lady of the capital. This woman is a soldier by nature.


    "But as I told you before, I don''t think your father will give up his position to me. He is a violent man, but he is proud to have defended the land with his own strength. Besides, there is a part of him that despises me as a woman.


    "I know. I know. So take it by your power. I''ll lend you my men as I promised before. No - I''m on my way.


    I smiled and took Tarsha into my arms.


    "Now that I''m back in Maust, I can take some time off. I can at least help out. Then I can get rid of my father in no time.


    "I see. You would do that much for me?


    Tarsia laughed and hugged me.


    "I will be the greatest, the most powerful, the most famous Count Machar on the frontier of all time!　I pledge it here and now!　For me, my father''s land is too small now!"


    "Yes. We need to expand more and more."


    The Tarsha has a profession called Shingen.


    It should not be the occupation of one who is busy protecting the land.


    "You will rule the whole of the north. And if you think I can be trusted, lend me your men. We''ll take the kingdom together. If you think I''m no good, then point your spear at me.


    I''m not going to fight you anymore. Don''t worry."


    Tarsia giggled in my chest. It was the softest thing I had heard from Tarsha that day.


    "I like you. It''s a funny thing to kill the man you love. Arsrod, I will stand by you even if you have only one man left!"


    "If I have any misfortune, it is that we will be separated for a while when you become the Machar frontier count."


    It''s hard to leave a woman who loves me so much.


    So let''s make more love while we still can!"