Chapter 222
(Kyle Calendar Year 512: Age 19)
Reunion with a Rival
Translator : PolterGlast
After being guided inside the fortress, we were led to the Third
Prince's Deputy Governor-General's office, located in the innermost
area. On the way here, I saw the commercial district and post town established
within the fortress, which were bustling in a way that hinted at their
prosperity.
Does this mean it is fully equipped to function as a rear
base?
Starting from the border, the distance is roughly equal to
that of the Southern Gate Fort, but in terms of functioning as a city,
this place is significantly superior. Honestly, I couldn't help but think that.
"Demon Territory Count, Your Excellency. It has
been a while. Thank you for coming all this way to the Empire as
an envoy of friendship and goodwill."
Sieghart welcomed
me in front of the Deputy Governor-General's office.
"The pleasure is mine. Thank you for arranging the
welcome and the guide. We will be relying on Viscount Kampfer for
various things during our stay, so I look forward to your cooperation."
After the formal greetings, I was invited into a room
inside.
"The last time I met Sieghart-dono was exactly
two years ago, wasn't it? This time we've swapped locations for our reunion.
Still, I'm glad I made the visit just in time before the armistice
expires."
"Is this visit related to that?"
"No, no, officially I have not been entrusted with any
duties by the Kingdom. Ostensibly, this is an extension of the previous
trade matter. Due to various circumstances, I haven't been able to send much of
the requested honey since then."
"Ahahaha, ostensibly, is it? You truly are an
interesting person, Takuhir-dono. I heard you went to the Principality
of Fearalt last year as a special envoy representing the Kingdom. It
is good to hear you seem to have solidified your footing within the Kingdom.
I actually wanted to hear various stories about the Principality. I
heard you were active over there as well."
"If you're fine with my boring stories, I'd be happy to
share. This is a personal souvenir, so please accept this first. Without
exception, I conduct no transactions through merchants—that is the official
stance—so ostensibly, this is an apology for any inconvenience caused."
Saying that, I handed him a container filled to the brim
with honey. In terms of volume, it was about 10 kilos (approx. kg).
"The real reason is to thank you for the advice you
gave me last time. As for the amount needed for trade, we are prepared to sell
it separately if there is a request."
"Is that so? Then, I shall accept this without
reservation as a gift to offer to His Highness Grat. As a return gift
from me..."
Here, Sieghart's expression changed.
"It will become known eventually, so let me speak in my
official capacity. The war with the Principality of Sura has been settled. Discussions
regarding territory cession and such will likely be concluded within the year.
As a result, please forgive me in advance, but the armistice
will lose its validity at the end of this year. Since it was an agreement
limited to five years beforehand, as a tacit understanding, there will likely
be no official envoy. Where the Empire is headed, our faction's policy,
and our expectations of you remain as we discussed before."
"I see, as expected. Whether I can meet your
expectations remains to be seen once things start, but let's say I'll do my
best. I have certainly received the reply for my King."
Sieghart, as the
plenipotentiary agent for the conclusion of the armistice, was more thorough
than necessary. There is no longer any room for discussion on that point.
It is the established route of history, but I felt once
again that it had become definitive. I also understood that I had been assigned
the role of conveying this as an unofficial envoy.
But there are still things I need to discuss with him. I
dared to change the subject.
"By the way, the reconstruction around here is
eye-opening. Honestly, I was surprised by Sieghart-dono's administrative
skills. To think that a small town in ruined remains has been transformed into
such a magnificent fortress in just five years. I never would have imagined
it."
"Oh? How do you know about that? You really are scary.
Indeed, until a little while ago, there were only ruined
remains and a town called Gault that barely survived within them. Hundreds
of years ago, it was apparently a prosperous city named Gote...
After destroying the bandit group that used this place as a
base, we renovated it anew. Fortunately, there was plenty of stone from the
ruins, so the construction of the fortress to create jobs progressed well...
This place will likely gain a new role as a rear base for the war that will
eventually occur."
"Ruins, you say! We don't see such things in my
country, so that piques my interest."
Yeah, I didn't mean to steer the conversation that way, but Sieghart
took it like that? I dared to follow his lead and
pretend to be dense.
It's true that I've been interested in history and historic
sites since my time as Nishida. Did the now-extinct Margrave Goth also have some connection to this town of ruins?
"Indeed, the Kingdom of Kyle was originally a vast Demon Territory. The rise and fall of
nations is the way of the world, but in terms of human history, there are many
points where it falls short of surrounding countries. Actually, the Kampfer
family itself seems to have had a connection with the Demon Territory in
ancient times."
"Is that so?"
"Not directly, but dozens of generations ago, it seems
someone from the Kampfer family crossed over to the northern Demon
Territory—the current Kingdom of Kyle—before
it was established as a kingdom. When I learned of the warnings regarding the
taboos of the Demon Territory left by that person, my ancestor, I became
interested in the Demon Territory. If I recall correctly, the letter mentioned
the name of the one who left the taboos as Gouras William?"
Gouras? William?
I know someone with that name...
"Hahaha, I have an acquaintance with the exact same
name. Since the name order is reversed in the Empire, strictly speaking,
it might not be the exact same name. perhaps he is someone related to that
person."
Yes, that was the name of the Royal Capital Knight
Commander.
And I felt I understood why Sieghart, an Imperial
citizen, was able to maneuver so strangely well when crossing through the Demon
Territory during battles and his previous visit.
"Ahahahaha, perhaps he is a distant relative."
It was an interesting story, but I haven't finished all the
objectives of my dialogue with him yet. I straightened my expression and
decided to bring up the next topic.
"Based on the premise of our previous conversation, Sieghart-dono,
I have something to convey privately. Some disgruntled elements within the Kingdom
of Kyle may still be colluding with the First Prince's faction.
They are likely being pulled by the strings of the Clan
of Darkness, one of the 12 clans of the Demon People that have existed
since ancient times. They will likely be a common enemy for us as well. Sieghart-dono,
I recommend you also pay attention to the safety of the Third Prince."
I told Sieghart as much information as I could share.
Including the likelihood that they were behind the ringleaders of the rebellion
that occurred last year.
"I see. Indeed, three years ago, there were signs that
the Big Raccoon of the Imperial Capital and the First Prince were moving
based on some kind of definite information. So there was that connection. I
will alert His Highness Grat about that as well. Now then, I wouldn't
call it a thank you, but does the Kingdom grasp the movements of the Imperial
Kingdom?"
"No, not particularly... I thought the Imperial
Kingdom's military power was effectively destroyed in the previous
war."
"That recognition is likely correct. However, although
some of this is information obtained from merchants and hasn't been verified
yet, an uncertain element has been born.
"It seems the Pope—no, the Emperor-King—has
changed. And not through legitimate succession; there are rumors that the
previous Emperor-King was assassinated.
The one currently seizing real power in the Imperial
Kingdom is Cardinal Castro, who led the Imperial Kingdom's
army in the previous war and turned his blade against the Kingdom of Kyle.
He was confined, bearing responsibility for the defeat, but somehow—I don't
know how—he has come out into the world again. The Imperial Kingdom side
is concealing this information and there are no overt movements, but...
We have absolutely no intention of joining hands with a
usurper. However, this may affect my proposal that we discussed before to no
small extent. This is as much as I can say within my official capacity right
now."
"!!!"
I haven't heard anything about that. Was I careless again?
I was desperately thinking about the fear of a two-front
operation in next year's calamity and countermeasures for it. But does this
mean there is a possibility of a plot surpassing even that being spun?
Does this mean there was an approach for a joint struggle to
the Empire, receiving the will of Cardinal Castro who seized real
power in the Imperial Kingdom? Does this mean that due to the previous disastrous
defeat, he holds strong hostility toward the Kingdom of Kyle and is
looking for an opportunity for revenge?
I was lost for words at my own naivety. Most likely, if it
were alone, there would be no problem even if the Imperial Kingdom of Istria
attempted an invasion.
Yes, if alone... But what if we receive an invasion from the
eastern border while being attacked in a two-front operation? We would need to
divide our already meager forces in three directions. This is a huge problem.
I intended to return a favor to Sieghart, but I feel
I received a return favor I cannot repay. I must discuss this at the regular
meeting in the Royal Capital immediately.
After this meeting, we immediately set out on our return
journey. Only the merchant unit is scheduled to return after conducting
intelligence activities and purchasing a large amount of grain, which is
cheaper than in the Kingdom of Kyle.
I didn't intend to, but perhaps I must never underestimate
the counterattack of history. Facing the battle that should occur ahead, I
renewed my resolve.
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