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天才王子の赤字国家再生術~そうだ、売国しよう~ (Light Novel) #5
The Genius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (Hey, How About Treason?), Vol. 5 (light novel)
IT AIN'T EASY BEING A DIPLOMAT!
After the debacle in Mealtars, all eyes are on the small kingdom of Natra.
The citizens are partying it up! Meanwhile, Prince Wein is busy fretting over Marden,
a newly acquired territory basking in good fortune, much to the envy of his
loyal subjects. To prevent the scales from tipping too much in Marden's favor, he's
starting to think it might be necessary to form some kind of alliance with King
Gruyere from Soljest. As if answering his prayers, an invitation lands in his
lap-from the great king himself!
After the debacle in Mealtars, all eyes are on the small kingdom of Natra.
The citizens are partying it up! Meanwhile, Prince Wein is busy fretting over Marden,
a newly acquired territory basking in good fortune, much to the envy of his
loyal subjects. To prevent the scales from tipping too much in Marden's favor, he's
starting to think it might be necessary to form some kind of alliance with King
Gruyere from Soljest. As if answering his prayers, an invitation lands in his
lap-from the great king himself!
184 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2019
47 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 18, 2020
Shorter than I wanted this volume
Great plays as always by the MC, but I didn't feel as much build-up as usual. Seemed like the volume was at least 25% shorter. Still a great story, but lacked some of the luster previous volumes did.
Great plays as always by the MC, but I didn't feel as much build-up as usual. Seemed like the volume was at least 25% shorter. Still a great story, but lacked some of the luster previous volumes did.
January 24, 2021
Prince Wein's Kingdom of Natra is looking reasonably stable for an entity that recently absorbed a nearby nation-state known for earning decent coin from traveling merchants. Too bad war follows Wein wherever he seeks diplomatic success. Just as it was during his placid attempt to contrive peace in Mealtars, in the Kingdom of Cavarin, so too shall it be across Natra's western border. GENIUS PRINCE . . . #5, quick on the heels of the previous volume, observes the scheming nation-states to the west and their quest to rankle, buckle, and trample the young genius and anyone who dares ally with him.
At this point, there are only three individuals who could outwit Wein in a pinch: the first, an ally, is Earthworld Empire Second Imperial Princess Her Royal Highness Lowellmina Earthworld. The second, a woman of the cloth with an insatiable lust for chaos, is Lady Caldmellia, Director of the Gospel Bureau of the Teachings of Levetia. The third is the focus of the current volume, King Gruyere Soljest, a glutton and a tactician, of the Kingdom of Soljest.
Wein busily travels through his recently acquired estates in the Principality of Marden, chats with Lady Zenovia, and soon finds himself guest of honor to the gourmand king of Soljest. But something's not quite right. Wein is treated kindly, but King Gruyere refuses to meet him. And then there's the constant interference from the idiot prime minister from Soljest's southern neighbor, the Kingdom of Delunio. In GENIUS PRINCE . . . #5, Wein must think on his feet, because allies make grave mistakes, enemies feign dutiful friendship, and bloodshed, inevitably, isn't far behind.
Readers will enjoy this volume if they're curious to see how the prince saves his neck (and his country) when left with zero option but to put his neck (and his country) on the line. Initially, Wein desires little more than camaraderie between he and Soljest, but that's easier said than done when the brutish ruler with a love of food and combat conspires to snare the young prince between a rock and a hard place. Indeed, King Soljest, at one point, confesses the only way for Wein to survive is to do precisely what he, "the king of beasts," cannot. Win with diplomacy, yes, in part, but not with the impetuousness of a learned aristocrat, only with the ferocity and hunger of a madman.
This is a solid volume. Wein's success depends a great deal on his auxiliary authorities at home and abroad, and it's a testament to the writer's skill in convincing readers Wein himself can convince so many people to do what is in favor of (or against) their best interests. Lady Zenovia, smitten with Wein as she is, acknowledges the young prince terrifies her. The young woman stumbles in her own quest for diplomatic supremacy, and the event nearly costs the newly established marquess her life. Further, and most tellingly, Gruyere, in the novel's closing pages, goads the prince into affirming his inner beast.
"Everyone has one. Call it 'desire' if you like. Yours is enormous, but I can't put my finger on it, which makes me very curious [..] Let it out. Say it. Show me the beast inside you. What is it after?" (Gruyere, p. 154)
Fans of the novel series, whom have read this work closely, can probably guess, with reasonable accuracy, what rested on Wein's lips in response. However, it's worth noting that the ever-insightful and impossibly dangerous Gruyere flashes disquiet and resigns himself to the sickening apprehension in his gut when Prince Wein stops screwing around and gets real.
"Believe me or not," Wein says. "It's up to you. I will say one thing: If you die here, you will never know the truth."
Wein's survival and success often come at a cost. On many occasions, the cost is purely economic. On other occasions, the cost is reputational. One wonders how much longer these two consequences will alternate before the young man hits a roadblock he can't quite sidestep with the speed and agility he so often requires.
At this point, there are only three individuals who could outwit Wein in a pinch: the first, an ally, is Earthworld Empire Second Imperial Princess Her Royal Highness Lowellmina Earthworld. The second, a woman of the cloth with an insatiable lust for chaos, is Lady Caldmellia, Director of the Gospel Bureau of the Teachings of Levetia. The third is the focus of the current volume, King Gruyere Soljest, a glutton and a tactician, of the Kingdom of Soljest.
Wein busily travels through his recently acquired estates in the Principality of Marden, chats with Lady Zenovia, and soon finds himself guest of honor to the gourmand king of Soljest. But something's not quite right. Wein is treated kindly, but King Gruyere refuses to meet him. And then there's the constant interference from the idiot prime minister from Soljest's southern neighbor, the Kingdom of Delunio. In GENIUS PRINCE . . . #5, Wein must think on his feet, because allies make grave mistakes, enemies feign dutiful friendship, and bloodshed, inevitably, isn't far behind.
Readers will enjoy this volume if they're curious to see how the prince saves his neck (and his country) when left with zero option but to put his neck (and his country) on the line. Initially, Wein desires little more than camaraderie between he and Soljest, but that's easier said than done when the brutish ruler with a love of food and combat conspires to snare the young prince between a rock and a hard place. Indeed, King Soljest, at one point, confesses the only way for Wein to survive is to do precisely what he, "the king of beasts," cannot. Win with diplomacy, yes, in part, but not with the impetuousness of a learned aristocrat, only with the ferocity and hunger of a madman.
This is a solid volume. Wein's success depends a great deal on his auxiliary authorities at home and abroad, and it's a testament to the writer's skill in convincing readers Wein himself can convince so many people to do what is in favor of (or against) their best interests. Lady Zenovia, smitten with Wein as she is, acknowledges the young prince terrifies her. The young woman stumbles in her own quest for diplomatic supremacy, and the event nearly costs the newly established marquess her life. Further, and most tellingly, Gruyere, in the novel's closing pages, goads the prince into affirming his inner beast.
"Everyone has one. Call it 'desire' if you like. Yours is enormous, but I can't put my finger on it, which makes me very curious [..] Let it out. Say it. Show me the beast inside you. What is it after?" (Gruyere, p. 154)
Fans of the novel series, whom have read this work closely, can probably guess, with reasonable accuracy, what rested on Wein's lips in response. However, it's worth noting that the ever-insightful and impossibly dangerous Gruyere flashes disquiet and resigns himself to the sickening apprehension in his gut when Prince Wein stops screwing around and gets real.
"Believe me or not," Wein says. "It's up to you. I will say one thing: If you die here, you will never know the truth."
Wein's survival and success often come at a cost. On many occasions, the cost is purely economic. On other occasions, the cost is reputational. One wonders how much longer these two consequences will alternate before the young man hits a roadblock he can't quite sidestep with the speed and agility he so often requires.
March 5, 2022
Both Marden and Natra are places that lack wealth, industry and development. Marden has a population of 300 thousand, Natra 500 thousand and none have cash crops, inventions or trades exclusive to their territories to develop their countries. I explained all this because it was a mistake to absorb Marden into the Natra Kngdom. Now Natra has to provide military and security and infrastructure to Marden. Author is trying to say that Marden has a bigger economic growth in comparison to Natra, but it is because it no longer needs to "waste" or "spend" most of its money on the military, security or defenses.
With all of the border Kingdoms Soljist, Delunio, Cavarin Antgrduel and the Earthworld Empire, trade is not really an option for Natra (because it has no developing industries or trade items yet). And Natra has to "defend" or "protect all of the border both of Natra and now Marden.
With a young king "genius" that has no ideas, no products, inventions, ideas, etc. to develop his territories, the improvement of these people and these lands is not possible.
If this story would be more about creating fisheries, ports and bridges, improving trade, health and education, then it would be about good governance and not the follies and errors of a reluctant heir to the throne of Natra Kingdom.
Even though it states 224 pages in length it feels like less than 100. The only positive thing I can see, is that this light novel is so bad that I won't read the rest of it. Too bad I downloaded until the 8 volume. 3 :'(
With all of the border Kingdoms Soljist, Delunio, Cavarin Antgrduel and the Earthworld Empire, trade is not really an option for Natra (because it has no developing industries or trade items yet). And Natra has to "defend" or "protect all of the border both of Natra and now Marden.
With a young king "genius" that has no ideas, no products, inventions, ideas, etc. to develop his territories, the improvement of these people and these lands is not possible.
If this story would be more about creating fisheries, ports and bridges, improving trade, health and education, then it would be about good governance and not the follies and errors of a reluctant heir to the throne of Natra Kingdom.
Even though it states 224 pages in length it feels like less than 100. The only positive thing I can see, is that this light novel is so bad that I won't read the rest of it. Too bad I downloaded until the 8 volume. 3 :'(
April 28, 2021
With the addition of Marden to the kingdom there is an imbalance between the old and new. In the hope to off-set this, Wein sets out for Soljest. A trade agreement would boost old Natra without strengthening Marden. Zenovia does not mind. The king of Soljest, Gruyerre, has other ideas and is not looking for easy solutions.
The book is mostly about manipulating people through diplomacy and lifting a bit more about Wein's elusive true goals with a bit of mass battle near the end. The book is about motivations of people, making the story a bit more grey then the earlier ones. There is no real villain here. Again, Wein is smart and manipulative, but he has trouble understanding people's deeper motivations which makes things a bit harder then they could be. I like the story, although I am getting a bit tired of Wein's paranoia about rulers and their advisors always having ulterior motives being right all the time (or even underestimating the insidiousness of their true goals). Otherwise it is much like the previous books, including the type of art.
All in all, looking forward to the next book and I am really curious about Wein's true goal... something Gruyerre admires greatly, but we as the reader only see as a thick line.
The book is mostly about manipulating people through diplomacy and lifting a bit more about Wein's elusive true goals with a bit of mass battle near the end. The book is about motivations of people, making the story a bit more grey then the earlier ones. There is no real villain here. Again, Wein is smart and manipulative, but he has trouble understanding people's deeper motivations which makes things a bit harder then they could be. I like the story, although I am getting a bit tired of Wein's paranoia about rulers and their advisors always having ulterior motives being right all the time (or even underestimating the insidiousness of their true goals). Otherwise it is much like the previous books, including the type of art.
All in all, looking forward to the next book and I am really curious about Wein's true goal... something Gruyerre admires greatly, but we as the reader only see as a thick line.
December 29, 2020
Ah, Wein is so freaking good at politics! I love watching him kick a** and take names. It's so much fun! As usual, this volume of the series had politics and warfare, with Wein's masterful planning at the helm. Humor abounds, and Zenovia is developed more as a character, as is Gruyere. A complaint: What are Wein's goals that he mentioned at the end, that were omitted? I want to know!! Sigh. I wish this had been longer - it was only 150 pages or so, shorter than the others. Still very enoyable though! 4.5 stars.
February 16, 2021
I really do enjoy this series. I am particularly invested in the two lead characters, though I'm beginning to enjoy some of the others as well.
Similar to "How the Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom".
Similar to "How the Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom".
April 12, 2022
The solution for this challenge was a bit too much to be believable, and the writing style is quite lazy compared to the other volumes.
January 6, 2023
Another great example of resolving a hopeless situation through out-of-the-box thinking. Enjoying this series very much so far.
January 2, 2021
It was ok, the storyline keeps going. There are new characters and places, but over all not much change to: the plot, the relationships between the characters, or development within the characters themselves. So it was fine, if you already like the series and want to add a little bit more to the world building, is was fun.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews