Faced with Fang Zheng's question, Speaker McDowell remained silent for a long time. Ellie looked uneasily at her grandfather. Fang Zheng stood by the window, grinning as he watched the scenery outside, as though he did not care in the slightest.
At last, Speaker McDowell spoke.
"Why... why are you doing this?"
"Simple. I need a piece of land."
"...What?"
Perhaps Fang Zheng's answer had been too direct, because Speaker McDowell did not react for a moment.
"Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean..."
"I mean, I need a piece of land to carry out my next plan. But the spheres of influence across the Semurian Continent have already been decided. Even if I wanted to find some untamed wilderness, I couldn't. Then I suddenly realized, hey, there's still Crossbell... So I came here, investigated this land's history, communicated with its people, and found that this place was very suitable for carrying out my plan. That's why I wanted to help Crossbell gain independence."
"So what you mean is, you want this land?"
"That's right. More or less."
Fang Zheng nodded.
"I want this land and intend to turn it into an independent kingdom like Liberl. It really is interesting. Liberl's territory is not that much larger than Crossbell's, yet it has gained the Empire's and Republic's recognition and stands independently on this continent. Meanwhile, Crossbell is in this state. I imagine that's why you went to study in Liberl, Ellie."
"...Ah, yes..."
Hearing Fang Zheng's question, Ellie froze for a moment before nodding.
"Then did you find your answer?"
"I..."
Ellie lowered her head and clenched her teeth.
"I think... I know the answer. Liberl was also invaded by the Empire, but whenever Liberl's people speak of the Hundred Days War, they are filled with pride. They are