@Synthx the Sinner (Part 2) The Big Pig controls what used to be Nio's breadbasket, the loss of which has caused Nio's poverty and starvation. If war breaks out between Empire's A and B, the Big Pig would immediately be in danger of becoming a high-value hostage of Empire A to be used as an important hostage, located in a very important piece of land. The problem for Empire B is that they can't save the Big Pig because there's an Empire between them. However, Nio is in prime position to not just invade and re-take their bread basket, but also use the Big Pig as political leverage. In the even Empire A wins, Nio can then hand over the Heir to Empire B's throne in exchange for keeping their bread basket, a deal Empire A would absolutely accept. In the event Empire B wins, Nio can again return the Heir to Empire B's throne in exchange for their Bread basket, a deal Empire B would, again, happily accept. Both Empire's would be far more concerned about the newly gained territory than on territory they don't overly need, especially if it means entering another war before solidifying their land gains. Both Empires would take the deal and leave the 'Nio Issue' for the future, giving Nio precious time to consolidate and reinforce, or better yet, become a new vassal state of the victor Empire.