I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 143

The Devil’s Choice (3)

It was the traditional way of the United States to stall and gloss over matters disadvantageous to them, but this time, they couldn’t afford to.

Far away in the southwest, they were still at war with Mexico, and the black exodus [referring to the movement of African Americans seeking refuge and freedom] and riots in the South were yet to be suppressed.

With the British Empire poised to intervene, they had to put out the immediate fire first.

The Congress, deciding that the situation was a result of the White House’s unilateral action, quickly blamed President John Tyler and chose to lie low.

Thinking that Ambassador Everett alone wouldn’t carry enough weight, Secretary of State Webster himself came up to Kingston and bowed his head.

“The investigation revealed that this incident was a self-inflicted act by the President and the Governor of Virginia to mitigate their responsibilities. Congress has decided to hold them strictly accountable and promises to take follow-up measures that the British Empire can accept.”

“I’m curious what those acceptable follow-up measures are.”

“That… if your country has any requests, we will try our best to prioritize them.”

“Well, formal negotiations haven’t started yet, so there’s no need to discuss the details. But let’s just address the most urgent issue: we no longer want territorial disputes in the Oregon region. We effectively occupy most of the land, so we would like you to recognize our sovereignty. What do you think?”

“Isn’t the entire Oregon region too vast…?”

At that time, Oregon referred not only to the modern state of Oregon but also to a vast territory including almost all of Washington State, Idaho, British Columbia, and parts of Wyoming and Montana.

They couldn’t help but be astonished that I was trying to devour such a huge piece of land all by myself, but what could they do?

All they could do here was nod obediently.

“If we don’t clearly define the border, slave hunters might invade our territory again, just like last time. No, even with a clear border, they attacked our villages with guns. If the territory remains unclear like now, who knows what will happen? Even now, we are receiving reports of looting in the Oregon frontier under the pretext of war. If this drags on any longer, we will have no choice but to intervene in this war. Would you be okay with that?”

“Ah, no. I understand. We will recognize the British Empire’s occupation of the Oregon region.”

“And we will listen to the conditions the United States proposes and then decide. What conditions are you considering?”

“Well… first, all those involved in this matter will take responsibility and step down from their positions. And we will pay compensation to the affected areas and show due sincerity to Her Majesty…”

“Is that all? I don’t think the United States understands how serious this matter is.”

As Webster was giving a lengthy explanation, Disraeli, who was listening from the side, chuckled and joined the conversation.

“The Parliament of our country is seriously considering participating in the war. Frankly, we have already fought two wars with the United States, and we don’t want to repeat the same thing. But right now, domestic public opinion is that the United States has directly threatened our Queen, who is our pride. This is not a matter that can be simply dismissed as the President’s unilateral action.”

“That’s… true. I understand.”

“In the first place, even if it was the President’s unilateral action, what kind of position is the President? He is the representative and face of the United States, bearing the will of the American citizens. If someone in such a position caused this, isn’t it naturally the responsibility of the entire United States? Isn’t that what democracy, which your country values, is all about?”

Indeed, indeed.

Palmerston and I nodded simultaneously, adding strength to Disraeli’s words, and Secretary Webster’s forehead began to bead with sweat that was visible to the naked eye.

“Ah… um. Yes, that’s right. But in the current situation, there aren’t many concessions we can make…”

Now that I had applied this much pressure, it was time to harvest the seeds I had sown.

I signaled Disraeli, who was about to continue the offensive, with a wink and took back the baton.

“Even if there aren’t many, there are still some, right? I was originally going to refrain from speaking before formally signing a treaty, but since things have turned out this way, I’ll say a few things. First, you would agree that this should never happen again, Minister, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. To that end, we will more faithfully implement border controls in the future…”

“That’s good, but no matter how thoroughly you lock the doors, if there are thieves swarming outside, they will eventually break in. Isn’t the most important thing to reduce the number of thieves to the point where you don’t need to lock the doors?”

“Your Highness’s words are correct.”

“To do that, there shouldn’t be anyone crossing the border with ridiculous excuses. What would we need to achieve that?”

Webster’s face turned white in an instant.

As expected of a man who had spent his life in diplomacy, he immediately realized what I was trying to say.

“But, that would cause considerable backlash from the South.”

“Ah, is that so? So, you’re saying that because the South will obviously object, the British Empire should continue to be exposed to this danger in the future. If that’s the will of the United States…”

“Ah, no, no! I was just saying that there would be opposition, so it might take a few months. Hahaha… of course, that wasn’t my intention.”

“Good. Then, we must recognize that anyone who crosses the border into Canada, regardless of their status, will be protected by the laws of the British Empire, and it must be clearly stated in the treaty that taking such people back is kidnapping citizens of the British Empire.”

In other words, taking back a slave who escaped from the South is not returning a slave but is considered human trafficking, kidnapping a citizen of British Canada.

Slave owners in the South who lost their slaves would object, saying, ‘What nonsense is this?’ but what could they do?

If they were such precious possessions, they should have taken better care of them.

“If such facts are discovered, not only the kidnappers but also those who dared to buy citizens of a region belonging to the British Empire, even if it is just a colony, as slaves should be punished, right? If we firmly embed this in the law, the crazy people who cross the border with guns to catch runaway slaves will disappear.”

“…I understand. We will discuss it as quickly as possible.”

The South would foam at the mouth and oppose it, but the North, which wanted to abolish slavery, would actively support it, as if someone slapped them on the cheek when they wanted to cry.

To those who opposed it, they could simply say, ‘Then, are you saying we should go to war with the British Empire in the current situation?’

“And shouldn’t you gradually stop the war with Mexico? Continuing such a war without justification won’t get you anything more, even from your country’s perspective.”

“That’s true, but Mexico is strongly resisting…”

“Ah, don’t worry. We will take responsibility and mediate that. Even though it’s a distant region, this is the continent where our British Queen resides. The doctor is already emphasizing that she needs to rest her mind and body, but how can Her Majesty feel at ease when the South is so unstable?”

“…I understand for now. I will convey Your Highness’s and the British Empire’s demands to the Congress and get an answer as quickly as possible.”

Webster tried to avoid giving a definite answer as to when he would bring back the answer and tried to gloss over it until the end, but this time, Victoria, who was sitting on the throne and watching, did not allow it.

“So, is the United States saying that they will immediately accept the demands we are making?”

“Your Majesty, that’s not it. They also have their circumstances, so I need to go and get confirmation from the Congress…”

“Killian, and my loyal members of Parliament. Since I arrived on this continent, the United States has never told the truth even once. How can I trust their promises now?”

Disraeli and Palmerston’s expressions hardened rapidly at Victoria’s frightened voice, which clearly showed her anxiety.

“Your Majesty! We are sorry! We did not fully understand Your Majesty’s feelings!”

“It’s okay. I believe the members of Parliament made the best judgment considering the reality and circumstances of the country. And so did my beloved Killian. But no matter how positively I try to think, I can’t suppress the ominous feeling, perhaps because of my maternal instincts to protect my child. How can I trust the words of the United States, which has been consistently lying until now?”

As things took a strange turn, Webster’s face turned pale, but when the Queen even teared up, he suddenly became a great sinner who couldn’t even make excuses.

And I, of course, have a duty as a husband to protect my wife, who is trembling with anxiety.

“Your Majesty, do not worry. Our British Empire will protect Your Majesty’s safety above all else. Member of Parliament Disraeli, Member of Parliament Palmerston, I think my thoughts were too short-sighted. Although it is an honorary position, as someone in the position of Admiral of the Navy, I think the Royal Navy should be immediately dispatched to protect Her Majesty’s safety. Can I get the consent of the Parliament?”

“Of course! I will immediately send someone to the home country to convey the wishes of Her Majesty, Your Highness, and us. What do you think, Member of Parliament Palmerston?”

“I have the same thought. It seems we were only looking at things from the perspective of diplomats.”

“Wait, wait a minute! You’re going to dispatch the Royal Navy! Does that mean you’re declaring war on the home country [referring to the United States]?”

“It’s not a declaration of war. The home country’s navy will enter the ports of Canada for now. Because Her Majesty is so anxious right now. But if Her Majesty’s anxiety continues until the navy arrives, wouldn’t we have no choice but to eliminate the cause of the problem, even if we have to use somewhat coercive methods?”

It would take about fifteen days for news to reach the home country’s Parliament from Canada, and another fifteen days for the British Empire’s fleet to reach Canada again.

In total, it was a notice that if they did not bring a proper answer within a month’s grace period, they should be prepared for the coastline to be completely devastated.

Webster looked like he was about to protest that this was nothing short of a threat, but after seeing Victoria wiping away tears and hugging me, he sighed deeply and closed his mouth.

Staggering out of the conference room, he didn’t see me giving a thumbs up to Victoria, who was winking at me while being held in my arms, but it was better not to know.

Probably.

* * *

After sending Webster back, I immediately summoned the Mexican Ambassador Cuevas.

“I have heard that the Mexican side is fighting excellently. Now that the truth has come to light, our British Empire has decided not to stand idly by in the face of this outrage by the United States.”

“Is that true? Then, will you join us in attacking the United States…?”

“Ah, I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. We are currently prioritizing the mental and physical stability of Her Majesty, as she is in the early stages of pregnancy. Therefore, the Parliament of our country has agreed to immediately end this unjustified war.”

To be precise, a proposal to agree to do so was crossing the Atlantic, but the Parliament would not refuse, so my opinion was as good as the Parliament’s opinion, right?

I really wanted to help Mexico, but what could I do if the Parliament didn’t want to spend any more unnecessary money?

Anyway, our British Parliament hates unnecessary waste of budget.

“…You mean you will mediate the war. Of course, we would have nothing more to wish for if we could immediately end this tiresome war.”

“Thank you for understanding. In fact, as the commotion taking place on the American continent has been conveyed to the home country, the citizens are very angry. This is the first time Her Majesty has crossed the Atlantic to go to another continent, so how anxious would the citizens be that such a commotion has occurred?”

“We fully understand your country’s feelings.”

Strictly speaking, the United States is in a state of disrepair, but once the next government comes in and the South stabilizes, Mexico will never be a match for the United States.

Mexico, which has fought several battles, cannot be unaware of this, so they would want to end the war if they could.

And if they did not follow the British Empire’s mediation to end the war as quickly as possible, there would be some anxiety that our anger might turn towards Mexico.

As Cuevas gave off an atmosphere of readily accepting, I put on a benevolent smile and personally unfolded the map.

“Well then, since the Ambassador has also agreed, shall we discuss the schedule for transferring the Alta California region [a large, sparsely defined area of land that Mexico controlled] to our side, as we discussed last time?”

“…Yes?”

“Why are you surprised? Last time, we clearly said that if a war broke out between the two countries and we were to mediate, we would take over the Alta California region.”

There have been so many incidents lately that I must have had some confusion in my memory.

It must have been because I was so worried. I’m being so kind as to point it out in case you forgot.

“Ah, but the Alta California region is too large, so it seems difficult to transfer it all to your side. It would be good to discuss it a little more.”

The current Alta California region is an impossibly large area that includes not only California but also Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

It’s easy to get indigestion if you eat too quickly, so you have to understand the other party’s pocket situation a little bit.

Kind diplomacy that even considers the other party’s circumstances.

That is the motto of the British Empire that I lead.