Hizuru hadn't expected that among the people accompanying Roger, there would actually be a direct descendant of the General's line—someone they had been searching for over many years.
Through her outward features and certain habits, the President of Hizuru recognized at a glance that one of Roger's attendants was the child of their former General. And after further questioning—along with Roger's detailed introduction—they quickly judged that the person before them was fully qualified to become President.
Her bloodline was so pure that no family in the country could possibly compete with it.
"Is your name Mikasa Ackerman?" the President asked.
Not understanding the intent, Mikasa looked to Roger for help.
Roger signaled for Mikasa to show them the mark on the back of her right hand.
The moment they saw that symbol—familiar beyond familiarity—everyone in Hizuru was stunned. The royal members glanced at each other in disbelief. They never imagined that after so many years, they would still be able to find the General's descendant who had been left behind in Eldia.
But now, after changes of power and political reshuffling, even if Mikasa had the qualification to take over the entire nation, there was no way they would simply hand the country over.
"We truly apologize," the President said politely. "After so many years of upheaval, our country is no longer what it used to be. Even if you are of the General's bloodline, we have no way to hand our land over to you."
Mikasa didn't care about being any kind of king or ruler, so when they declined so tactfully, she didn't take it to heart.
If anything, after so many years, finally finding her people filled her with a quiet joy, and she stopped caring about the rest.
"If you don't mind, we can provide you with all kinds of privileges within our country to make your life easier going forward," the President said sincerely, speaking for Hizuru's leadership as a whole. "You can relocate here from Eldia at any time and settle down. We guarantee that as long as Hizuru still has the money to sustain the royal house in the future, your privileges will never be interrupted."
After thinking it over, Mikasa still shook her head.
"No need. I'm living comfortably over there," she said gently.
Finally finding family again—this sense of closeness warmed her deeply.
She looked at Roger with gratitude. If it weren't for him, she might still feel like she had no one.
Sensing her gaze, Roger stepped over and patted her shoulder.
"We'll always stand behind you. No matter what decision you make—even if you want to move here right now—we'll support you fully. We won't let you suffer any grievances."
Mikasa's eyes welled with tears.
"Thank you," she said.
After that, they discussed other matters.
Roger hadn't come here solely to help Mikasa find her people—he intended to remain here for a period of time, in order to deal with Dior.
Of course, he needed a reason. The reason was economic development: using his nation's resources to trade for certain technologies from around the world.
He didn't need to negotiate these details himself—he handed everything to Nelly.
Nelly was a business prodigy. Facing Hizuru, he showed not the slightest fear.
Even though Hizuru was a nation that had built its wealth through arms dealing, he didn't let them squeeze out even the tiniest sliver of extra profit.
When the President of Hizuru first saw the terms Nelly proposed, his face turned green.
He never expected that the newly founded Eldian nation would have such a genius in commerce.
Nelly precisely understood how much Iceburst Stone they wanted, and he knew exactly how to trade a controlled amount of that finite resource in exchange for things that were effectively "unlimited"—technology, support, and other strategic advantages.
If he demanded too much, Hizuru could have flipped the table and berated them.
But Nelly's demands were set at the exact threshold Hizuru could accept—just with virtually no profit left for them.
Even so, they didn't want to refuse. After all, Paradis Island's Iceburst Stone resources were incredibly abundant. If it fell into another nation's hands, it would become far more difficult to obtain in the future.
They held meetings in their own country, debated for three days and three nights, and finally made their decision: they would sign this agreement that offered almost no profit, in order to secure their long-term plan.
Paradis Island would provide a certain amount of Iceburst Stone as support, and in return Hizuru would repay them with technology and other mineral resources.
When the representatives of both nations finally shook hands, one side was laughing and the other was practically crying.
The President of Hizuru didn't even want to see Nelly's "ugly face" again.
They had never imagined that the phrase "stingy miser" would one day be used to describe someone from another country.
After finishing the resource negotiations with Hizuru, Nelly didn't relax. Using Hizuru's communication channels, he contacted other major powers and invited them to come to this neutral country to discuss the future.
Paradis Island's diplomatic policy was simple: they didn't want the world to point swords at them. But at the same time, if others continued to speak with contempt, then bringing war to their lands was not off the table.
With national strength behind him, Nelly spoke boldly and confidently. No matter how unreasonable or provocative the other side was, he didn't get angry.
As the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, he was upright and unyielding, passionate and eloquent—using his sharp tongue to argue foreign leaders and reporters into red-faced frustration.
In his words, Paradis Island sounded even more justified. The wrongs of their ancestors weren't worth mentioning anymore—already a past chapter turned over. And if anyone insisted on digging into it, he could list the sins and evils committed by their nations and peoples for three days and three nights without running out.
That made everyone from other countries wary.
Diplomacy was a sweeping success.
And when Nelly's name spread back home, the people celebrated him with widespread admiration and cheers.
"The Legendary Spokesman"—that title would follow him for life.
But it was also at that moment…
That Dior appeared.