Speculators in Wartime

Hobart had come to see Audrey today to discuss the precautions of diplomatic work with her.

He lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing, "Don't be fooled by the international relations reported in newspapers. The true forms of cooperation and exchanges of interest will not be published in the papers, and very few people even know about them.

"Take the negotiations with the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun this time. They appeared to be 'ice-breaking' talks, but they actually established the rules for future 'routine negotiations.'

"After conflicts arise between the two sides, they will no longer affect cooperation on the Northern Continent. However, there must be a practice of exchanging Extraordinary Characteristics, to prevent either side's Extraordinary Characteristics from leaking out."

Having grown up immersed in an aristocratic household, Audrey immediately understood. "If both sides want to reclaim their own Extraordinary Characteristics, they exchange them one for one.

"But in a war like this one, the South Baylam Duchy won and captured many Extraordinary Characteristics from the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun. Since the Church lost, they need to use twice as many Extraordinary Characteristics in exchange."

Hobart smiled and nodded. "That is roughly the idea."

"But..." Audrey still had doubts. "But I still find it hard to accept a model where the two sides fight and cooperate at the same time. Wouldn't that... wouldn't that feel terribly fragmented?"

"All relationships between organizations are, bluntly put, contests over and distributions of interests." Hobart explained further, "Negotiations, war, confrontation, and cooperation are all means of competing for or dividing up interests.

"For example, in the Intis Republic, the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun and Earl's Light share common interests, so they can cooperate.

"While in the Southern Continent, they fight because they have conflicts.

"But