Augustus and Herrieta continued to discuss their different approaches to achieving their goals, both realizing that they were like two sides of the same coin. Augustus's experiences with the rebellion in Teradosa Highland had made him harsh and unforgiving towards failure, while Herrieta's upbringing had taught her the value of kindness and learning from mistakes.

"I understand your point, Herrieta," Augustus said, his voice softening. "But sometimes, we need to be firm to maintain discipline and order."

Herrieta nodded, but her expression was still gentle. "I agree, Augustus, but we must also remember to be kind and understanding. Punishment should not be the only solution."

Augustus paused, reflecting on her words. "You are right, Herrieta," he said, a hint of a smile forming on his lips. "Perhaps a balance of both our approaches is what we need."

Herrieta smiled back, relieved that he was willing to listen to her perspective. "I couldn't agree more," she said. "Together, we can achieve great things for Hallgerd."

Augustus nodded, feeling a sense of unity with Herrieta that he had never experienced before. Despite their different approaches, he knew that they were both working towards the same goal, and that they needed each other to achieve it.

Augustus and Herrieta worked tirelessly, their dedication to their responsibilities as rulers of Hallgerd never wavering. As they worked, they began to understand each other on a deeper level. Augustus saw that Herrieta's approach to leadership was more compassionate, while Herrieta admired Augustus' firm hand and uncompromising attitude towards failure.

"Augustus," Herrieta said one evening as they reviewed the progress of a new agricultural initiative. "I never realized how much we have in common. We are both workaholics, but we also appreciate the peace that our rule has brought to Hallgerd."

Augustus nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yes, we are different in our approach, but we both want the same thing - a prosperous and secure future for our people."

Herrieta leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a newfound sense of respect for Augustus. "I used to think that your harsh punishments were unnecessary, but now I see that sometimes it is necessary to be firm in order to prevent future failures."

Augustus nodded in agreement. "And I used to think that your kind approach was too soft, but now I see that sometimes it is necessary to teach with patience and understanding."

As they continued to talk, they found that they had more in common than they had initially thought. They were both driven, determined, and deeply committed to their people. And despite their differences, they had a newfound respect for each other that went beyond their political alliance.

But suddenly the admiral burst into the room, his face beaming with joy. "Your Majesty, I bring great news!" he exclaimed. "The Emperor has decided to mend the bridge between our two nations. He offers Hallgerd twenty warships as reparations for making the Teradosa Highland its own county."

Augustus raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Why is the Emperor suddenly so eager to make amends?" he asked. "I don't trust this offer."

Herrieta smiled softly. "Perhaps we should look at the positive side," she said. "This could be a chance for our two nations to work together towards a common goal."

The admiral nodded in agreement. "And we desperately need those warships to deal with the pirates and privateers," he added.

The envoy of the Emperor arrived shortly after.

The envoy turned to Augustus, his expression stern. "Your Highness, I understand your mistrust of our offer. But the Emperor wishes to make amends for the past and forge a new alliance with Hallgerd. We offer these warships as a sign of good faith."

Augustus studied the envoy carefully, his eyes narrowing. "And what does the Emperor want in return for these warships? More resources? More land?"

The envoy held up his hands in a placating gesture. "No, Your Highness. The Emperor simply wishes to secure Hallgerd's loyalty and support in the fight against the Demon King. We hope that with these warships, Hallgerd can protect its own borders and contribute to the greater good of the empire."

Augustus remained skeptical, but he knew that Hallgerd needed those warships desperately. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded his agreement.

The envoy smiled in relief. "Excellent. We will arrange for the transfer of the warships as soon as possible. And may this be the start of a new chapter in the relationship between Hallgerd and the empire."

As the envoy left the room, Augustus turned to Herrieta, his expression troubled. "I still don't trust the Emperor, but we need those warships to deal with the pirates and privateers. We'll have to tread carefully and make sure we don't get drawn into any schemes or conflicts that don't serve our interests."

Herrieta nodded, but there was a note of hope in her voice. "Perhaps this is a chance for us to rebuild the relationship with the empire and secure a more peaceful future for Hallgerd. We must be open to change, even if it is uncomfortable at first."

The admiral chimed in, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Your Highness, this is a great opportunity for Hallgerd. With these warships, we can protect our coasts and expand our influence. We will make good use of them, I promise you!"

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Augustus sighed, but he knew that the admiral was right. They needed to be pragmatic and make the best of the situation, even if it wasn't ideal. As he looked out the window at the bustling port below, he couldn't help but feel a sense of both trepidation and excitement for the future of Hallgerd,

Augustus sat in his study, surrounded by books and maps, his brow furrowed in deep thought. The meeting with the envoy had been a success, but the mention of the naval act had left him with a sense of unease. He knew that Hallgerd was already pushing the limits of the number of ships it was allowed to have, and the 30 or so ships under construction would only exacerbate the situation.

As he traced his fingers along the maps, Augustus couldn't help but worry about the implications of exceeding the naval limit set by the Emperor. The consequences could be severe, not just for Hallgerd but for him personally. He had already faced criticism and scrutiny from the imperial court, and any misstep could lead to dire consequences.

Lost in thought, he didn't even notice when Ostrava, his faithful maid, brought in a tray of tea and set it on the table beside him. It was only when she spoke that he came back to reality.

"Your Highness, is everything alright?" Ostrava asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Augustus sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "No, Ostrava. We're pushing the limits of the naval act, and I fear the consequences if we exceed them."

Ostrava nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I understand, Your Highness. But perhaps there is a solution?"

Augustus raised an eyebrow. "Do tell, Ostrava."

The maid smiled faintly. "Well, it just so happens that Herrieta's family has a shipyard of their own. Perhaps they could purchase the ship that is currently under construction from the navy, thus staying within the limits imposed by the Emperor."

Augustus pondered Ostrava's suggestion for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. "You may be onto something," he said, feeling a glimmer of hope that they could avoid the consequences of exceeding the naval limit.

As he took another sip of his tea, Herrieta spoke up with a proposal that caught his attention. "Your Highness, I believe I may have a solution to that problem. As you know, my family has always been a staunch supporter of the Hallgerd navy. In fact, we have our own shipyard, and I suggest that we purchase the ship that is currently under construction from the navy. This way, we can ensure that Hallgerd remains within the ship limit imposed by the empire and strengthen our own navy in the process."

Augustus nodded slowly, impressed with Herrieta's quick thinking. "That is a viable solution. I will discuss the matter with my council and get back to you on that. Thank you, Herrieta , for your generous offer."

The admiral smiled, pleased with the progress they had made. "It seems like we have a plan, Your Highness. With the addition of these new ships, we will be able to deal with the pirates and privateers more effectively, and protect our trade routes."

Augustus smiled back, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Yes, Admiral. It seems we are finally making some headway."

As the meeting drew to a close, Augustus couldn't help but feel grateful for Herrieta's presence. She had brought a fresh perspective and a level of pragmatism that he had not seen before. With her by his side, he felt that they could face any challenge that came their way.

Augustus stood on the battlement overlooking the city and the bustling port below. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze on his face, and let out a sigh of contentment.

As he looked out over the city, memories of his past life as Hiro Natsumi flooded back to him. He remembered the peaceful and carefree days of high school, spending time with his friends and enjoying the simple things in life.

He smiled as he thought of Sakura, his kouhai, who always had a positive and cheerful attitude towards everything. He couldn't help but draw parallels between her and Herrieta, who also had a similar demeanor and outlook on life.

Despite the differences in their worlds and circumstances, Augustus realized that the human experience was universal. Whether in ancient Hallgerd or modern-day Tokyo, people faced similar struggles and joys.

Augustus stood atop the castle ramparts, taking in the breathtaking view of the city sprawled out before him. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget about the stresses and responsibilities of his position and simply appreciate the peaceful moment. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the city lights had begun to twinkle below him, casting a warm glow across the landscape.

As Augustus gazed out over the city, his attention was suddenly drawn to the horizon, where he noticed movement. A line of ships was approaching, and he could make out the distinctive shape of warships in the lead. They were large and imposing, with sharp lines and dark grey hulls that gleamed in the fading light.

As they drew closer, Augustus could see the intricate detailing on the ships' bows, with fierce beasts and mythical creatures carved into the wood. The sails were unfurled, catching the wind and propelling the ships forward, and Augustus could hear the creaking of ropes and the splashing of waves against the hulls.

As Augustus stood there, taking in the impressive Royal fleet and the bustling construction site below, he couldn't help but be awed by the power that these ships held. They were larger, more heavily armed, and had an array of magical spells unique to the Royal fleet, making them an imposing force to be reckoned with. Looking down at the port, he saw the thirty ships in different stages of construction, each designed for a specific purpose. The frigates were sleek and agile, the corvettes were robust and stable, and the line ships were massive behemoths, the backbone of any naval fleet. The Victory, the largest ship under construction, was already an imposing sight, even in its early stages.

Lost in his thoughts, Augustus was startled by the sound of footsteps approaching behind him. Turning, he saw Herrieta walking up to him, a look of amazement on her face.

"Are those really our ships?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

Augustus nodded, still taking in the awe-inspiring sight. "Yes, they are. But did you notice something strange about them?"

Herrieta furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"They're outfitted with Magnificat spell-cannons," Augustus said, his tone laced with concern. "That's something only the Royal fleet possesses. Why would they have given us access to such powerful weapons?"

Before Herrieta could respond, a messenger approached them, interrupting their conversation. "Your Highness, Captain Soren has arrived and is waiting to greet you."

Augustus nodded and turned to make his way down to the port. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach. Something was off about this situation, and he didn't know what it was.

As he approached the naval captain, Augustus couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited him in the future. Would these ships be a blessing or a curse for Hallgerd? Only time would tell.