Chapter 111
(Kyle
Calendar Year 507: Age 14)
Sudden
Visitors ②
Translator : PolterGlast
The hectic day finally
drew to a close. After dinner, I received a summons to a salon set up in a room
at the guesthouse.
"Baron, I've been
waiting for you. Today's hospitality was exceedingly satisfying. There's
something I particularly want to share with you."
Present were His
Majesty the King, who spoke first, along with Margrave Hastburg and Count
Gouras, Commander of the Royal Capital Knights. All attendants and those
serving food had been dismissed. I had a bad feeling. Even if I got involved in
political discussions beyond my station, there was nothing I could do.
"Are you sure,
Your Majesty?"
"Yes, it's fine.
It concerns the Baron as well, after all."
Even at this point, the
Knight Commander was still pressing His Majesty.
"The truth is, an
envoy from the Gryphonia Empire recently came to the Royal Capital proposing a
truce. They propose to conclude a treaty of truce, promising no further
invasions across the border for the time being. Furthermore, they are
requesting the repatriation of the prisoners you hold, offering compensation in
return. What do you think about this matter? Speak your thoughts freely."
The Margrave spoke
with an unusually grave demeanor.
"My thoughts...
are you sure I may speak freely?"
"His Majesty
desires it, it is fine."
"I believe a
truce would be beneficial for us as well. Has the Empire set a deadline for the
truce?"
"I hear that
hasn't been set yet..."
"If so, it would
be necessary to set a certain period. Likely, their sole purpose is to cut off
any worries from behind, by not allowing the Kingdom to intervene in the
succession struggle between the First and Third Imperial Princes. Once the tide
turns, I believe they intend to make full preparations and invade again. If
it's going to be broken anyway, it's safer to have a truce within the Empire's
tolerable limits for a certain period."
"And what would
that limit be?"
"Five to six
years at most, I think. Once one of the Imperial Princes falls and they settle
their war with the Principality of Sura to the south, they will turn their
attention to us."
"I assume there's
also the option of not accepting the truce?"
"Frankly, if the
Imperial army were to attack en masse, it would be impossible for us to hold
out with our current strength. Receiving a five-year reprieve to thoroughly
prepare our defenses would be more beneficial, I believe. For the truce, I
suggest setting a five-year term and establishing an option for renegotiation
after five years. If their circumstances haven't stabilized after five years,
there could be an extension. Wouldn't that be acceptable to them?"
"Oh, so on the
fundamental point of accepting the truce, your opinion aligns with theirs. And
will you agree to the repatriation of prisoners?"
At this, His Majesty
directly joined the conversation.
"We currently
hold 400 prisoners in Teigun alone, and I wish to repatriate those who desire
to return. If they vocally proclaim our impregnable defenses there, the Empire
will take time to prepare. However, I propose adding a condition for their
repatriation: that those who wish to call their families from the Empire and
relocate here have their wishes granted."
"Will the Empire
agree to such a proposal?" the Margrave asked.
"Likely... the
Empire will send spies mixed in with the relocating families. For when they
eventually invade. And if this truce is the Empire's proposal, it's only
natural for us to take a strong stance. They are also in a difficult position;
that's precisely why they propose a truce."
"Do you have a
countermeasure against spies?"
"I cannot say for
certain that we can completely prevent it, but to some extent..."
"Hmm, an
interesting proposal, unlike anything the other Lords have come up with. I
think it's worth considering, but what do you say?"
"As Your Majesty
commands."
"As you
wish."
"Then, Baron,
what will you do during that time?"
"We in the
frontier will make full use of that period. I myself wish to undertake the task
of constructing robust defensive facilities against invading forces... Even if
we cannot win, I want to establish calculations to ensure we do not lose.
During that time, I would like to ask those in the central government to... if
possible, carry out a major clean-up within the country."
"Hahaha! 'major
clean-up,' you say! How delightful. Gouras, it seems you've been assigned a
very significant role."
"Yes, Your
Majesty!" The Knight Commander briefly looked at me with a stern
expression.
"This recent
enemy invasion, it feels as if they had insider knowledge of our nation's
internal affairs. Furthermore, regarding the First Apprentice Knights, there
are too many inexplicable points from their formation to their subsequent
actions. As for the eastern border, I have heard some things, but during the
recent national crisis, were there various reasons why the Royal Capital
Knights could not move as desired? I cannot help but think so. As I lack
definitive proof, I cannot make baseless accusations, but..."
Yes, I had wondered
about that. The Royal Capital Knights had dispatched some forces to the eastern
border, but their main force remained in the Royal Capital. I believe there
must have been circumstances that compelled them to stay.
"So, those with
sharp eyes, even in the frontier, can see things clearly..." His Majesty
the King murmured, and the Knight Commander nodded apologetically.
"Regarding the
defensive facilities, I have received private consultations from the Margrave.
Including those the Baron is constructing. I look forward to seeing them in
person tomorrow."
Huh? He's going? It's
a dangerous area, and you can't go by carriage!
And the Knight
Commander and Margrave are both holding their heads...
It looked like
tomorrow would be another difficult day.
※
As the night deepened
and the discussion ended, I excused myself from His Majesty and returned to the
lord's manor. However, the two individuals who had been by the King's side
continued their private conversation with him in the salon.
"Even so, Your
Majesty, considering the recent grants, this visit, and the matter just
discussed, isn't your treatment of that individual a bit excessive...?"
"Gouras, I, too,
sometimes think so. However, I feel something... special about that individual.
I can't quite explain it in words."
"Is that to say
he is a promising young man, perhaps?"
"That is part of
it. But what I feel is somewhat different from the Margrave's thoughts. Among
hundreds of noble families, for some reason, only with that individual do I
feel a nostalgia, a familiarity that doesn't feel like a stranger. It's vague,
and I can't put it into words clearly, but I feel such a thing."
"Then... is the
Viscount family's ancestor a lost scion of the royal family?"
"That cannot be.
If it were about the royal family's lineage, Margrave, you would be the same.
Since the first King Kyle pioneered this land, those descended from his blood
have supported this country as nobles today. If you trace your ancestors, or
rather, almost all nobles, they connect back to the first King Kyle. It is only
we, who inherit the purest blood, who maintain that lineage as royalty."
"Indeed... you
are right."
"Furthermore, I
don't feel such a thing from that individual's father or brother. It's only
that individual. This time, I deliberately interacted with him closely and
became convinced anew."
"That's why you
called him into your carriage, and just now summoned him to your side,
then?" The Knight Commander followed up, seemingly having understood what
he had wondered about.
"Then, will you
continue to favor that individual?" The Margrave also confirmed, looking
convinced.
"Do you know the
term 【Hakuraku】1?"
"We do not, Your
Majesty. What is this 【Hakuraku】?"
"According to our
royal family's legends, the first King Kyle referred to himself as 【Hakuraku】. He possessed the ability to discern Mage aptitude among the common people,
gathered numerous Mages, and provided them with opportunities to utilize their
power. This feat was called 【Hakuraku】, and ultimately, he
led them to establish this Kingdom. We do not even know what foreign language 【Hakuraku】 comes from. But don't you think that individual's actions resemble
it?"
"Indeed... the
number of Mages he commands is simply abnormal."
"If the path that
individual takes aligns with our intentions, then we shall assist him as much
as possible. It seems Gouras also understands."
"Then, for
tomorrow's Demon Realm inspection as well?"
"Yes, the border
fort construction you requested is something I believe should be rapidly
advanced, utilizing this offer from the Empire. Our nation, having enjoyed a
long period of peace, has lost its capacity to fight, especially its ability to
utilize Mages. Against the Empire, the only forces that can truly fight are the
30,000 Royal Capital Knights led by Gouras, and the Margrave's less than
10,000... If we were invaded simultaneously from both south and east, as
happened this time, we would face a similar crisis."
"You are right.
If the Empire attacked with their full might, it would likely be over 50,000
troops. Even if 30,000 were to face them head-on, that leaves 20,000 for us.
And they will surely have devised countermeasures after their crushing defeat
last time."
"I wish to see
with my own eyes if this land can withstand 20,000 enemy troops. If I misjudge,
it could impact the very survival of this Kingdom, but unfortunately, many in
the central government have clouded judgment... Many fools are more preoccupied
with their own power struggles than with the greater good. But it is precisely
such individuals whose voices are loud, and whose roots run deep within the
Kingdom."
"We are
inadequate... there are no words to express our apologies."
"It's fine.
Gouras, we too must earnestly undertake this. The 'major clean-up' that
individual spoke of."
"As you
command."
"Understood."
"This Kingdom
enjoyed peace until my father's generation. But now, that has become a curse.
The central nobles, accustomed to peace, prioritize their own ambitions over
national interest. Even precious Mages have been reduced to mere spectacles in
this peaceful world, their value debased to a symbol of higher noble authority.
They have devalued Mages, mistakenly believing that only noble bloodline magic
is a valuable power. And because they are nobles who do not go to the front
lines themselves, they have not undergone harsh training or honed their skills,
so such dull blades (magic) would surely be useless in war."
At this point, the
King chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"The objective of
diligently securing and maintaining Mages from generation to generation,
following the words left by the first King Kyle, has already been forgotten.
Twenty years ago, when the southern Kingdom was destroyed by the Empire's
current Emperor, the First Imperial Prince at the time, we should have realized
the crisis that would befall us in the future. But my father, the former King,
poisoned by long peace, and the then-senior retainers, postponed the problem.
Now, we are forced to pay the price."
The three men, each
contemplating the future of the Kingdom, envisioned what needed to be done.
1 伯楽 (Hakuraku) is a Japanese term that refers to a person
who is an expert in discerning talent or ability, especially in others.
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