Reincarnated with a Country Creation System

Hans cleared his throat. "Your Highness, we were granted an audience with the leader of Valoria."

"Describe him," the prince interrupted.

Hans hesitated for a brief moment, choosing his words carefully. "He was imposing, Your Highness. Wore a mask that hid his features. His demeanor was... calculating."

Dieter nodded in agreement. "He knew of Triesenberg\'s support for the Matalebe tribes, and he did not hide his disdain. He made it clear they view us as aggressors."

The prince\'s expression darkened. "And what terms did he offer?"

Hans took a deep breath. "He stated that if Triesenberg wishes to pursue diplomacy, the next envoy must adhere strictly to Valoria\'s conditions. Any future diplomat we send will be operating on their terms, not ours."

Silence filled the chamber as Prince Theodore processed this information. His gaze shifted between the two men. "He must have revealed something about Valoria\'s intentions or their capabilities. What else did you observe?"

Dieter spoke this time. "Their military base was sophisticated, Your Highness. They provided us with fuel for our return. Their resources seem advanced, perhaps even rivaling our own."

The prince leaned back, absorbing their words. "And their stance? Did they seem open to diplomacy, or was it merely a formality?"

Hans\'s jaw tightened. "It was hard to read. The leader gave nothing away. He was aware of our intentions but kept his own hidden."

Prince Theodore turned his gaze toward the window, deep in thought. "We are dealing with an enigma. One that has managed to appear out of nowhere, wielding both power and secrecy."

"And conveniently, Your Highness, they speak the same language as ours," Hans revealed.

Prince Theodore\'s eyes narrowed. "The same language?" His voice was laced with suspicion. "How is that possible? A nation that emerges out of nowhere, speaking our tongue as if they were always a part of our world?"

Dieter shook his head. "We don\'t know, Your Highness. It\'s one of the many things that don\'t add up. Their technology, their military infrastructure, and now this. It all suggests a familiarity with our world, yet they remain shrouded in mystery."

The prince turned back to face them, his expression hardening. "They appear to know more about us than we do about them. This is no ordinary diplomatic encounter. Valoria is playing a different game, one that we have yet to understand. But still, since they are open for diplomacy, I\'ll send a diplomat to their country."

He paused for the moment as he glanced at Lord Reginald. "That would be you. I\'m sure you can handle the delicate nuances of this situation," Prince Theodore finished, his gaze unwavering as it rested on Lord Reginald.

Lord Reginald inclined his head slightly. "I am at your command, Your Highness. I will do whatever is necessary to understand their intentions and, if possible, find common ground."

"Good," the prince replied. "Now that is all I need to know. Arrange it immediately so we can figure out Valoria\'s true intentions," Prince Theodore continued. His eyes bore into Lord Reginald, leaving no room for misinterpretation. "This is not just a diplomatic mission. It\'s a fact-finding operation.

Understand what makes them tick, how they view the world, and, more importantly, how they see us."

"I will leave no stone unturned, Your Highness."

The prince\'s gaze then shifted back to Hans and Dieter. "You two have done well. You brought back crucial information. For that, you deserved to be compensated."

"Oh no…Your Highness…that won\'t be necessary," Hans stammered, caught off guard by the prince\'s offer. "We only did our duty to the Empire."

Prince Theodore raised a hand to silence him. "Nonsense. You\'ve faced an unknown threat and brought back vital intelligence. The realm owes you for your service. You\'ll receive recognition fitting of your efforts."

Hans and Dieter exchanged a quick glance, both grateful and uneasy. They had been trained for missions of high risk, but encountering Valoria had been beyond anything they had expected.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Dieter finally said. "We are honored to serve."

The prince gave a nod, acknowledging their dedication. "Rest for now. You may be called upon again soon for another mission. Valoria\'s shadow looms large, and we need every resource ready."

Hans and Dieter bowed before turning to leave the chamber. As the door closed behind them, the tension they had been holding on to began to ease.

***

One hour later, Lord Reginald began to work.

Lord Reginald wasted no time. In the confines of his study, he reviewed the intelligence gathered on Valoria. Maps, reports, and diplomatic correspondences were spread across his desk, forming a jigsaw puzzle of what little they knew about this enigmatic nation. Every detail mattered, every scrap of information had to be considered.

He summoned his aides, instructing them to contact Valoria\'s envoy with a formal request for an official diplomatic mission. The message had to be meticulously crafted, neither too assertive nor too passive. It had to convey Triesenberg\'s intent to engage in a serious dialogue while respecting Valoria\'s boundaries.

"Ensure the language is precise," Reginald instructed, his voice cold and focused. "We are entering their domain, but we cannot appear weak. Our approach must be firm, yet respectful. Make it clear that we seek a mutually beneficial relationship."

The aides nodded, scribbling notes as he spoke.

Reginald turned back to his desk, eyes scanning the reports once more. The mask, the military base, their apparent knowledge of Triesenberg\'s actions in Zambesi—all pieces that hinted at a calculated strategy. Valoria was testing them, probing to see how they would respond.

A day later.

***

"My Lord, the letter for Valoria is ready," the aide announced, handing the neatly folded letter to Lord Reginald. He took it with a nod, unfolding it slowly.

Reginald\'s eyes skimmed over the first few lines, taking in the carefully chosen phrases. The letter opened with formalities, acknowledging Valoria\'s sovereignty and their leader\'s stance. It then moved into the heart of the matter: Triesenberg\'s desire for a diplomatic dialogue under the conditions Valoria had outlined.

"To the Esteemed Leader of Valoria," it began, "Triesenberg seeks to approach this opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to understand Valoria\'s position. We recognize the terms you have set forth and wish to adhere to them in the spirit of mutual respect and potential cooperation."

Reginald\'s eyes narrowed slightly. The wording was exact, avoiding any hint of condescension or weakness.

The letter continued, laying out Triesenberg\'s willingness to send a diplomatic envoy—Lord Reginald himself—under Valoria\'s conditions. It acknowledged the mistakes of the past, particularly the support for the Matalebe tribes, without conceding any fault.

"In acknowledging past events, we do not seek to excuse them but rather to understand the foundation upon which we might build a future. We extend this olive branch with genuine intent, hoping to foster dialogue that transcends our current impasse."

Reginald paused, his gaze fixed on the next section. Here, the letter subtly shifted the narrative, indicating Triesenberg\'s interest in understanding Valoria\'s sudden emergence on the global stage.

"Valoria\'s presence has become an undeniable force, one that intrigues and, indeed, compels us to seek a deeper understanding. We hope that through open dialogue, we can demystify the unknown and perhaps find that our paths, though different, need not be at odds."

The closing remarks were formal yet firm, a reminder that while Triesenberg sought dialogue, it was not from a position of desperation.

"We await your response and stand ready to send our envoy at your earliest convenience. May this mark the beginning of a discourse that benefits both our nations."

Reginald read the letter twice, scrutinizing every line for hidden meanings or unintentional implications. Finally, he nodded in approval.

"This will suffice. Send it through the secure channel. Make sure it reaches their hands without interception."

The aide took the letter back, bowing slightly before hurrying out of the room to see it delivered. Reginald leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing ahead. Valoria\'s response would determine their next steps. Would they be welcomed into the lion\'s den, or would this be the first of many refusals?

His eyes drifted to the map of the known world pinned on the wall, the vast stretches of land that had been so meticulously charted—except for Valoria. It was a blank spot on the map, a void surrounded by rumors and half-truths.

Reginald knew the risks. If Valoria perceived this letter as a weakness or an intrusion, their next move could be severe. But this was the game of diplomacy—a constant gamble with ever-changing rules.

He rose from his chair, his gaze still on the map. "What are you hiding?" he muttered to himself, as if Valoria itself could hear his question. He would find out soon enough.

***

In Valoria.

Julieanne entered Alexander\'s office and handed a letter to him.

"Your Excellency a letter just came from the Triesenberg Empire," Julieanne reported.

"Did you read it?" Alexander asked.

"Yes Your Excellency, I hope you don\'t mind…"

"I don\'t mind at all," Alexander said. "In fact, it would save us a lot of time…What did it say?"

"They ask for permission to send a diplomat," Julieanne stated.

Alexander hummed in satisfaction. "That was fast. Okay…approve it."