Reincarnated with a Country Creation System

Julieanne stepped through the wide, polished doors of the executive office wing, her footsteps light against the carpeted floor. The hallway was quiet, save for the occasional sound of distant voices from behind closed doors. As she approached Alexander's office, she nodded to the guards stationed outside. They stood at attention but offered her a slight nod in return.

Without hesitation, Julieanne reached for the handle, pushing open the door to the inner sanctum of Valoria's supreme leader. Inside, Alexander sat behind his large mahogany desk, the afternoon light filtering through the tall windows behind him, casting a soft glow across the dark wood.

Alexander looked up from the papers he had been reading as Julieanne entered. His face, calm as always, gave no hint of what he might be thinking. The mask that usually shielded his true thoughts was absent today, but his expression still remained unreadable.

"Julieanne," he greeted, his voice steady as ever. "I assume you've spoken with Emily?"

Julieanne closed the door behind her and made her way to the chair in front of his desk. She nodded as she took a seat in proper position.

"I have," she replied. "She handled Lord Reginald exactly as we expected. He tried to pry into our origins, of course, but she kept him focused on our goals—trade, cooperation, partnership. He didn't get much beyond that, though he certainly tried."

Alexander leaned back slightly, his fingers steepled as he listened. "And his reaction?"

"He was frustrated," Julieanne said, allowing herself a small smile. "But he managed to hide it well. Still, it's clear that Triesenberg is trying to size us up. They're wary of what we represent, but they haven't decided yet if we're a threat or an opportunity."

"Typical," Alexander said with a quiet sigh. "They'll keep pressing, won't they?"

"Yes, but Emily has set the tone. They won't get anything substantial unless we choose to give it. She made it clear that Valoria is ready to engage on our terms. Lord Reginald knows better than to push too hard."

There was a moment of silence as Alexander considered her words. His eyes drifted briefly to the documents spread across his desk, but Julieanne knew his mind was still on the report.

"They'll want more," he said after a beat. "It's only a matter of time before they ask for a face-to-face meeting."

"But you don't have to, Your Excellency. The Minister of Foreign Affairs can handle it," Julieanne said.

Alexander shook his head. "That won't work, at least for the Empire of Triesenberg. They view themselves so highly that whenever they were to establish ties with a foreign country, they would always prefer to meet the ruler of that country," Alexander continued. "They need to feel like they're dealing with an equal, someone they can gauge in person.

The Foreign Affairs Minister won't be enough for them."

Julieanne leaned forward slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "Then I think we have to change that for them. I believe they can do that simply because they think that they are powerful for that reason."

Julieanne continued. "But we don't need to play into their narrative. Valoria's strength is in its mystery, in keeping them guessing. If we show them that we control the pace of this relationship, they'll have no choice but to adjust their expectations."

Alexander's fingers tapped lightly on the desk as he considered her words. He stood up slowly, walking over to the large windows that overlooked the massive space of Volkshalle.

"They will push," he said, his voice contemplative. "Triesenberg doesn't take 'no' lightly. If they sense resistance, they'll dig deeper, try to find leverage. But you're right, Julieanne. We can't let them dictate the terms. We need to craft an encounter where they feel they're getting what they want, while we remain in control."

Julieanne rose from her chair, standing beside him at the window. "Perhaps we give them a semblance of what they're looking for. We could orchestrate a controlled setting—a meeting where they feel they're engaging with power but never truly see the full scope. Keep the mask on, metaphorically and literally."

Alexander turned to her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're suggesting we give them just enough to satisfy their curiosity without truly giving anything away."

"Exactly," Julieanne replied. "Let them think they're walking away with insight, but in reality, all they'll have are carefully crafted answers that lead nowhere. It'll keep them engaged, but still in the dark."

Alexander's gaze drifted back to the window. "That could work. We offer them a meeting—something formal, structured, and limited in scope. We'll control every aspect, from the location to the timing, ensuring that they leave with more questions than they came with. Triesenberg will think they're gaining ground, but we'll be the ones shaping the narrative."

"But that will only happen if they request to see the ruler of Valoria, which is you," Julieanne pointed out, her voice calm but firm. "If they insist on meeting you, we'll have to be ready. They'll expect to see the face of Valoria. And, as you said, they want to measure their equal. We can't afford to let them feel they're in control."

Alexander's smile widened slightly, though it didn't reach his eyes.

***

Back at Lord Reginald's estate in Valoria.

Lord Reginald documented his encounter with the Foreign Minister in his personal journal, carefully noting the intricacies of the conversation. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow over his study. He paused for a moment, rubbing his temple, feeling the weight of the day pressing on him.

Emily Harris had been sharper than he expected, deftly maneuvering around his questions. She had kept Valoria's secrets tightly locked, offering only glimpses of the nation's goals while revealing nothing of its origins or deeper intentions. Reginald couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Valoria than what had been shared in their formal talks.

He dipped his pen back into the inkwell, his brow furrowing. "Valoria remains a mystery," he wrote. "They present themselves as cooperative, but there is an underlying strategy that we have yet to uncover. Their reluctance to engage openly on matters of origin suggests a larger game at play."

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Reginald looked up, setting his pen aside.

"Enter," he called.

The door creaked open, revealing his aide, Adrian, who stepped inside with a stack of papers in hand.

"My lord," Adrian began, "I have the latest correspondence from Triesenberg. They've been following your reports closely and are eager for more updates on your interactions with Valoria's government."

Reginald sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Eager, but impatient, no doubt."

Adrian smiled slightly. "That seems to be the sentiment, my lord. They're particularly interested in whether you've managed to secure a meeting with their supreme leader."

"I haven't formally "I haven't formally requested a meeting yet," Reginald replied, his tone measured as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Pushing too soon might give them leverage, and I don't want to appear desperate for answers."

Adrian nodded, stepping closer to the desk and placing the stack of papers neatly in front of him. "Understood, my lord. But the higher-ups are getting restless. They want something tangible, even if it's just the prospect of a future engagement with Valoria's ruler."

Reginald let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing as he considered his options. "They don't understand the complexity of this situation. Valoria thrives on ambiguity, on keeping us guessing. If we rush, they'll close ranks even further. But if we take our time, show patience, we might eventually gain the upper hand."

Adrian shifted, concern briefly flashing across his face. "And if they never agree to a meeting? What if their strategy is to keep us at arm's length indefinitely?"

Reginald tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, considering the question. "Then we force their hand. If Valoria won't play by our rules, we create a situation where they have no choice but to engage more directly."

Adrian tilted his head slightly. "You mean apply pressure?"

"Precisely," Reginald said, his voice hardening. "Valoria may be mysterious, but they're not invincible. We can leverage diplomatic channels, stir up uncertainty in the global community. Make them realize that staying isolated isn't in their best interest."

Adrian's eyes brightened at the idea, and he began scribbling notes on a small notepad. "That could work, my lord. We could start by spreading doubts about their intentions, using our allies to question their motives."

Reginald stood up from his chair, walking over to the large window that overlooked his estate's well-kept grounds.

"We need to tread carefully, Adrian. Valoria has shown they are not easily manipulated, but they also cannot afford to be seen as unwilling to cooperate."

Adrian remained quiet for a moment, watching his lord with steady attention. "Shall I begin drafting the necessary communications to our allies?" Enjoy more content from m-v l'e|m,p| y- r

Reginald nodded slowly. "Do it. But keep it subtle. We don't want Valoria to catch wind of this too soon. Let's plant the seeds of doubt and watch how they react."

Adrian bowed slightly before leaving the room to carry out his orders. As the door clicked shut behind him, Reginald turned back to his desk, his eyes falling once more on the journal he had been writing in.