Chapter 416
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Qualification to be King
Translator : PolterGlast
A new figure was brought to the prisoner audience venue.
Unlike the previous two, both his arms were bound with ropes, and not even a
seat was prepared for him.
「W-What is the meaning of this! Even
if you are a newly risen country, do you not even know the etiquette to treat
royalty!」
The man, forced to kneel by the soldiers, raised his voice
in protest while twisting his body. He looked to be in his thirties, but
perhaps due to a luxurious lifestyle being ingrained in him, his body was obese
and flabby.
「Unsightly... Former King of Vile,
do you not understand that this is due to your own actions? Well fine, if you
have something to say, I'll listen.」
「I am not a suddenly appearing newly
risen country, I am a king who rules a kingdom with three hundred years of
tradition and status! Therefore, even in wartime, you should treat me with
courteous disposition befitting my status!」
「No matter how much of a king of a
traditional country you are, there is no need to treat with courtesy someone
who invaded another country without a justifiable reason, abandoned the
fighting soldiers and fled when the situation worsened, and moreover exposed
the disgraceful behavior of being captured. Do you not have any feeling of
shame for your own actions?」
Yes, compared to the previous two, his attitude was
completely different. Reaching this point, I don't have the slightest intention
of treating with courtesy a man who asserts he is a king and only thinks about
his own treatment.
「As long as I am safe, the kingdom
will survive. The soldiers have a duty to protect me, the King, with their
lives, so isn't (my escape) a matter of course!」
Yes, yes, thank you for my most hated words. He probably
doesn't realize that with these words alone, I have decided to deal with him
without any restraint or consideration. Perhaps misunderstanding me falling
silent out of displeasure, he got carried away and continued his words further.
「To begin with, this war was undertaken
upon receiving a request from the First Prince, the Next Emperor
of the Empire, to suppress rebel forces within the Empire. To
call that an invasion is extreme paranoia! Responding to the request from the Empire,
we merely advanced into Imperial Territory with a just cause.」
「Are you trying to say that is your
justifiable reason?」
(To put on the shelf that you were trying to invade not only
within the Empire but even our country, and say that.)
「That's right! This is a matter
between us and the Empire, it is not a place for a newcomer who doesn't
even know courtesy to step in! If you too do not wish to buy the ridicule of
various countries and the displeasure of the Empire in the future, you
should release me immediately!」
Not knowing the facts... no, being unable to understand the
times is a pitiful and sinful thing. Does this mean he too is nothing more than
a clown made to dance... Since we're at it, shall I teach him the facts?
「I dare ask, who is this First
Prince you were talking about?」
「W-What are you saying! Obviously it
is the imperial successor, Glorious-denka!」
I mean, to begin with, he isn't even the imperial successor.
He was a candidate, but the successor had been confirmed as the Third Prince
since a few years ago. And now...
「Unfortunately, there is no one
called the First Prince in the current Empire. If it's the fool
who planned a rebellion against the Third Prince, the Next Emperor
of the Empire, was suppressed as a result, stripped of even his status
as a prince, and is scheduled to be executed, I happen to know of one, though.」
「W-Whaaaaaaaaat! S-Such a ridiculous
story...」
「Therefore, right now you are nothing
more than an invader who sympathized with a rebel faction and unjustly invaded Imperial
Territory, and a war criminal captured in the process.」
The moment I said these words his complexion changed, but
this time he turned to face me with a servile smile that seemed to flatter.
「T-Then I wish to demand this as a
matter between the Vile Kingdom and your country. If you release my
person, the King, I will pay a corresponding price, so won't you change your
treatment immediately and release me?」
「Hahaha, did you miss the part where
I called you 『Former
King』 at the
very beginning? The Vile Kingdom you said boasts three hundred years of
history earlier, unfortunately, has already been destroyed, you know?」
「W... What are you saying!」
「It's no wonder you don't know, but
the story is that the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy, which had already
turned its army, attacked, the Royal Capital fell effortlessly, and all royalty
were executed after being captured. Therefore, the country called the Vile
Kingdom no longer exists now. And you are the former king of an already
destroyed country, and currently a mere war criminal with no backing or
authority whatsoever.」
「T... That's...」
Perhaps the shock was too great; he crumbled to the floor
and began to tremble violently. Then after a while, this time with an
expression full of anger, he raised his face again.
「T-Those traitors! This grudge... I
will... never forgive them!」
「Even at this point, you don't worry
about the citizens or those left behind, you don't reflect on your foolish
self, you just scatter your anger? Those who lost their lives on the
battlefield following a lord lured by immediate greed, those who became
captives, those who remained in the country and lost their lives thanks to your
foolish act won't be able to rest in peace.」
Saying so, when I fixed my gaze on General Golpa, he
seemed to finally notice. That two people who originally shouldn't be sitting
in this place were sitting there as if they were my staff.
「Y-You bastards, what is the meaning
of this! D-Don't tell me you sold out the country? Y-You cowardly, shameless
people!」
「Silence, you madman, what does trash
like you understand! First, they fought us by lord's order, but were equal
adversaries. No matter how foolish the order was, they silently tried to
fulfill their duties. Second, they fought, doing their best until the very end,
and merely surrendered in response to the recommendation despite having surplus
fighting strength. Third, when they surrendered, they requested that the lives
of their officers and soldiers be spared and leniently treated, in exchange for
offering their own heads. Can a fool like you not even understand that
difference!」
「Guh...」
「A country does not exist because
there is a king. A country is formed only when there are people and soldiers
who look up to and support the one who has the qualification to be king. To
show that qualification, a king has the duty to put his own life on the line to
protect them. I do not recognize someone who cannot even understand that as a
king. This is the primary reason why I am not treating you as a king.」
「With all due respect, Archduke-heika...」
I stopped General Golpa with my hand; he had slowly
stood up from his seat, knelt upon hearing my words, and was trying to say
something. He has lived bound by obligations for many years. Shaking that off
probably won't be easy either. He surely intended to beg for the former king's
life to be spared in exchange for offering his own life, but I must not let him
say those words.
「General Golpa, I understand
your feelings, having served for many years as a heavyweight of a nation. No
matter how much of a fool he is, to you a king is a king. However, there is
another place to use your life. To save the people suffering from the invasion,
to put your life on the line for that. Do not forget that this is the
punishment I gave you.」
Here, I deliberately called it a 『punishment』. To save his heart as well... Perhaps understanding the
meaning behind my words, General Golpa broke down in tears on the spot.
「Former King of Vile, you will
never understand the meaning of General Golpa's tears, why he is in such
agony that he twists his body. That is why you lack the qualification to be a
king.」
「Ku... what do you intend to do with
me?」
「I cannot punish you on my own, after
all. Through consultation with the Empire, I will have you bear
corresponding crimes. I will have you take responsibility in exactly the form 『fitting for a king of a nation』 that you were talking about
earlier. Until then, I will keep you as a captive with courteous treatment
fitting for a king, but that is strictly as a prisoner. With this, the audience
with the prisoners concludes; take him away!」
Unlike when he entered, the King of Vile, looking
dejected, was led out. With this, all appearances have been arranged. And then
I stood up and stared at the two who were newly given seats.
「Then, again,
as the only royalty (.....) representing the new country that unites the three
countries of Lute, Vile, and Cain, I wish to ask Denka Crajyu. What do you
seek from us?」
Upon confirming that, the First Prince stood up,
advanced before me, and knelt. Then he bowed his head deeply and began to speak
with his eyes cast down.
「Ha, in order to save our homelands
that have suffered an unjust invasion, I request the assistance of the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom. To save the people, with the lives of the two of
us as the price, please, somehow...」
「Understood. I shall dare to issue an
order to the two of you. Recruit up to ten thousand elites from among the
prisoners, and prepare soldiers to recapture your homelands. However, because
it is a situation where every moment counts, I will limit it strictly to those
who can ride horseback. We will supply the cavalry horses and weapons here.
Departure is three days from now!」
「Ha! First of all, gratitude for your
assistance, I express my heartfelt gratitude. Heika's compassion towards us who committed lawless acts as
invaders, even if we replace it with our lives...」
The voice of the First Prince who answered so was
slightly cracking, and his splendid physique was trembling.
「It would be troublesome if you
replace it with your lives. You have to live, liberate your homelands, and take
『responsibility』, after all.」
「Understood. We will certainly return
to make amends for our crimes. From here on, upon consultation with General Golpa,
we will immediately proceed with preparations.」
Receiving that reply, I turned back to the Commander.
I feel sorry for the soldiers who have finally been freed from battle, but we
cannot send only them. Besides, we are thoroughly familiar with their (Imperial Kingdom's)
tactics.
「Commander, I think our army of ten thousand cavalry is appropriate as
reinforcements to support them, but what do you say?」
「Let me see, with three days, the Demon
Territory Knights should be fine. Additionally, regarding the one thousand
cavalry we brought back from the Empire, if there are volunteers, I
would like to give them the opportunity. However, regarding the Special Fire
Corps...」
I understand why the Commander hesitated with his
words. The Special Fire Corps is entirely composed of soldiers
originally from the Istoria Imperial Kingdom. If so, they would end up
striking down their own compatriots.
「Excuse me for interrupting. May I
submit an opinion?」
Because Alexis, who had commanded the home defense
unit as the commander-in-chief and commanded the remaining two thousand Special
Fire Corps, said so, I nodded silently.
「This time, the one with the highest
morale along with Commander Gale's unit was the Special Fire Corps.
I believe these two units strongly desire to follow the army on this expedition
as well. At least regarding the Special Fire Corps that was holding the
fort, your concern is unnecessary.」
「Which means?」
「They strongly desire to settle the
matter of the misconduct of their former relatives with their own hands. And to
clear Commander Gale's regrets, they have no hesitation in striking down
the enemy army.」
I see... so that's how it is. Then is there no problem
putting them in the expeditionary force?
「In that case... it would be at most
twelve thousand cavalry in scale. We will probably need to leave a
corresponding number of soldiers for reconstruction and the management of the
remaining prisoners as well.」
That is certainly true. Originally I wanted to lead more
soldiers, but exactly as the Commander pointed out, I thought about that
too and made it ten thousand cavalry, you see. Originally the total number of
prisoners from the northern front was 24,000; at least 14,000 prisoners will
remain. Just with this, the number of prisoners will be greater than the
remaining military force. We gathered soldiers from various places because it
was wartime, but we cannot maintain that forever. We also need to return a portion
to the territory on the former Kyle Kingdom side...
「Originally we would also like to
participate in the war, but for the time being, it is possible for us to remain
in Kusanagi. Because protecting the Demon Territory Dukedom is an
order given to us by King-heika
from the very beginning.」
I'm grateful! If the remaining unit of the Royal Capital
Knights led by Legion Commander Schultz, those five thousand
cavalry, will support the home defense, the situation changes greatly. Even if
they want to participate in the war, their affiliation is with the soldiers of
the Kyle Kingdom. Missions other than the defense of the Demon
Territory Dukedom would cause political hindrances.
「Legion Commander Schultz, I
thank you for your offer. Regarding continuing stationing expenses and future
rewards, I would like to handle it including this point.」
When I said so and let out a sigh of relief, Alexis
timidly raised his hand.
「Um... by the way, Archduke-heika, surely you are not going to
say... that you will personally lead this expedition, right?」
Hm? What is Alexis talking about? Isn't that a given?
「Of course I'm going. Is there a
reason for me to remain here while sending everyone off to the battlefield?」
「「「「「There is!」」」」」
No... you all didn't have to harmonize... Look, the First
Prince and General Golpa are also taken aback, you see. Of course, I
have a reason why I must do so.
「Because this expedition is also
politically delicate, you see. It would be pointless if there wasn't a person
who could take responsibility on site, right? If it's me, I can talk things
through with Grat-denka, and
in the unlikely event we run into the Imperial Army, if I am there,
right?」
Yes, of course we will send an express messenger to report
this matter to the Empire as well. However, it's possible that the Empire
side might also grasp the information and move to handle it. Well, that
possibility is low, though. If that were to happen, it is also necessary to
prevent disputes on site.
「However... for Archduke-heika to personally take the field is
too dangerous!」
「Alexis, I have made the decision regarding this matter as a King.
Then it is also necessary for me to take responsibility as a King. Even more
so, haven't I just now questioned the qualification to be king of a misguided
person (King of Vile), and pressed one whom I decided to trust (First
Prince of the Lute Kingdom) to take responsibility in place of a
king? If such a me runs away from responsibility, what then?」
I understand what Alexis wants to say.
Hypothetically, what if a military force of ten thousand were to betray us in
enemy territory? We would be forced into total annihilation. Even more so since
it's not a time of national survival right now.
「It might be a story I've said
before, but I want to explicitly state it here once more. One who is called Archduke
in the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom always stands on the front
lines and exposes themselves to danger together with the soldiers. One who
cannot do this will not have the qualification to succeed the throne as Archduke
for all eternity!」
Saying so, I stood up and looked around at everyone. When I
did so, the ones who reacted first were the First Prince of the Lute
Kingdom and General Golpa of the Vile Kingdom.
「We shall work staking our lives in
response to Archduke-heika's
benevolence and trust, and intend to protect Heika's person.」
「I too feel I have just now
understood why Heika's army is
so strong. Even in exchange for my life!」
Saying so, they knelt and bowed their heads deeply.
Following that, Marquis Gorman, who had remained silent all this time,
opened his mouth.
「De
aruna, it is fine for Heika to proceed on Heika's path. We shall protect the
home front. Everyone, is that acceptable?」
「「「「「Yeah!」」」」」
On this day, even though they had just returned in triumph
from the southern front, the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom decided
on a new troop dispatch. In order to put an end to the destined battle.
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