Chapter 291
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Awards Ceremony ① Prelude
Translator : PolterGlast
One day in early winter, with only half a month left before
the end of Kyle Year 513, those in the noble class from all over the
Kingdom gathered in the Royal Capital Kylar, attending the awards ceremony to be held on this day.
Receiving invasions from four directions across the entire
Kingdom and becoming practically an all-out war, it resulted in a large number of people
eligible for commendation,
and making it a comparatively massive scale unlike those of
recent years. Therefore, the great hall where the audience took place was
filled with the heat of the gathered nobles, giving off a sweltering heat like
spring and a strange atmosphere.
And that heat reached its climax when King Kyle
finally entered.
"I believe the fact that everyone was able to gather
here today is the fruit of the cooperation between the Kingdom's nobles and its
citizens to overcome an unprecedented national crisis. Today is a day for me,
as King, to express my gratitude for that and to share our joy with everyone.
This day will be told for a long time in the history of the Kyle Kingdom."
The gathered nobles responded with loud cheers to His
Majesty's opening greeting.
"Everyone, don't let the atmosphere overwhelm you. Just
stand tall."
I called out to my companions who seemed about to be
swallowed by the atmosphere, those I brought as candidates for awards ceremony
this time: Gail, Gord, Christoph, Raphael, Elan...
and many other companions.
Besides them, Yuka, Anne, Claire, Miseri,
Yoltia, as well as Commander Weiss and Alexis are all of
Baronet rank or higher, so of course they are participating in this ceremony.
Well, Alexis is still a Baronet, but after the ceremony, he will likely
reach a position far beyond a Baron.
"Now then, Minister of Internal Affairs, prior to the
awards ceremony, explain the newly established systems."
"Yes, Your Majesty! I believe the lords gathered here
are already aware, but through our recent victories in war, our country has
come to acquire vast new territories. However, since those were enemy
territories until yesterday, they are difficult for us to defend and could
become a double-edged sword."
That's certainly true. Excluding the north, the borders so
far were protected by impassable mountain ranges surrounding the Kyle
Kingdom, and it was sufficient to defend the slight gaps in the mountain
ranges to the south, east, and west. But the new territories lie beyond them.
Therefore, they end up completely surrounded by enemy nations.
"Also, until now, Margraves led their subordinate
nobles to defend the borders, but they were inferior in numbers to invading
enemy armies, forced into difficult battles. Reaching this point, taking
advantage of that reflection, we intend to revise the system."
"Just as the Minister of Internal Affairs stated. Here,
as King, incorporating the Minister of Foreign Affairs' plan, I establish two
new systems. First: Frontier defense shall be borne by Frontier Dukes treated
as Dukes, replacing the current Margraves treated as Marquises. Second: As an immediate response force for frontier defense,
Frontier Knights shall be established
at each border, placed under the command of the Frontier Dukes."
"I will supplement His Majesty's words. The existing Margraves
will continue as hereditary titles,
but Frontier Dukes will be an appointment system limited to one generation,
similar to a Minister position. For the Frontier Knights in each region, each
lord noble across the Kingdom shall supply soldiers respectively and entrust
them to each Frontier Duke."
Whoa! This supply... the method is quite...
Certainly, it's natural for us defending the frontier, but
for other nobles, there was no burden of military service for border defense in
peacetime until now. That changes at this point.
They could remain complacent treating it as unrelated until
now, but that backfired, and when it came to war, their soldiers were often
weak and useless.
"The Old Raccoon is quite... daring to bear the brunt
of the criticism, huh..."
"Hahaha, supplied from each family, huh... the one training
them will have a somewhat hard time."
The Commander and I couldn't help but exchange wry smiles.
Because at this time, when 'rewards' are given out at the
awards ceremony, they are issuing a set of policies intended to impose a slight
'burden' even during peacetime...
However, with this system, a Frontier Duke can take command of
a substantial number of soldiers without straining themselves. The heaviest
burden in peacetime is the cost to maintain military power, mainly personnel
expenses. Therefore, there is a limit to the number of soldiers one can retain.
If this is adopted, there are a maximum of 250 lord noble
families in the Kingdom; even considering the number decreased due to this
campaign and the previous civil war, over 200 families will be subject to it.
Even if they supply 20 to 200 soldiers according to their peerage, won't it easily gather over
10,000 men?
Divided equally among North, South, East, and West, that's
2,500 men... Numerically, it might be a bit delicate, but as a
standing cavalry army, I think it's far better than nothing.
To introduce this system right at the timing when all the
nobles have overcome a national crisis and clearly awakened to the
consciousness of an 'external enemy'—I couldn't help but feel a certain
shrewdness in it.
"Note that the soldiers deployed to each region are not
equal. Please be aware of this point in
advance."
Hahaha, this is also the Minister of Internal Affairs’ way to keeping them in check. They
will change the number of personnel dispatched to places that
do not comply with the Kingdom's will. Even if that's not the case, it's to
make them understand that the command lies with the Kingdom...
"Now then, prior to the awards ceremony, we will first
convey to everyone the negotiation results regarding wartime reparations for
each front. Regarding the Eastern Front, Margrave Hamish, report the
details of wartime reparations concluded with the Istoria Imperial Kingdom."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Negotiations with the Imperial
Kingdom proceeded smoothly, and we have already completed receiving
reparations and signing the cession of territory. Regarding the return of
prisoners, there are points where the Imperial Kingdom shows some
reluctance, but I am confident it will eventually be settled in a form in line
with our King's will."
Margrave Hamish's report was as follows:
- Reparations: 1.2 million Imperial Kingdom gold coins
(equivalent to 1 million Kingdom gold coins)
- Cession: The great plains spreading beyond the eastern border
(area roughly twice the size of Margrave Hamish territory)
- Prisoners: After the above reparations, 2,000 already returned,
3,000 scheduled to be returned separately after detailed conditions are
finalized
"Additionally, approximately 4,000 prisoners of war not
included above desire to immigrate to the Kingdom, and we are currently in
negotiations with the Imperial Kingdom to summon their families."
Hearing the story about prisoners, I spoke to my companions
standing tensely and solemnly right behind me.
"Hahaha, this is the achievement of Christoph
and Aura."
"I... no, I didn't do anything. It's just that Lord Takuhir's
strategy was successful, and Aura simply called out to them."
He must be shrinking back in embarrassment as he says that.
He, called an earnest blockhead, answered with a stiff expression. Seeing that,
our comrades were stifling their laughter.
"Then, Northern Front, Minister of Military Affairs Model,
report on the wartime reparations with the Uros Kingdom."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Since the Uros Kingdom has
poor national power unlike the Imperial Kingdom, we proceeded with
negotiations focusing mainly on two points: territory and maritime interests.
This too has been signed in the presence of representatives from each country
of the Piette Merchant Confederation."
Count Model's report was as follows:
- Reparations: 250,000 Merchant
Confederation gold coins (equivalent to 300,000 Kingdom gold coins)
- Cession: One-third of the eastern national territory of the Uros
Kingdom (area roughly three times the size of Margrave Mesquino
territory)
- Prisoners: In accordance with the above reparations, all 500
prisoners returned immediately
- Other: 10 merchant ships owned by the Uros Kingdom
"Furthermore, although the Uros Kingdom will
survive along with its royal house and family, its territory will be divided
into three. The western one-third will go to our country, the central one-third
will be placed under the administration of the countries of the Piette
Merchant Confederation, and what practically remains is the eastern
one-third."
In exchange for acknowledging the continuation of the royal
house, all significant wealth is taken, and the national territory reduced to
one-third... This is also a heartless
story, but looking from another perspective, it is quite a compassionate
response.
Invading another country without a declaration of war and trampling
on its territory is a great sin; originally, they are in a position where they
couldn't complain even if destroyed.
In fact,
surrendering after their national territory was completely suppressed by the blitzkrieg operation of the army
directly under the Minister of Military Affairs and the Royal Capital
Knights Second Army led by Corps Commander Hoffman can only be said
to be too late.
"Hmm, next the West;
this is less wartime reparations and more about consolation money, apology
money, and reward money from the Fearalt Principality... The former was
compiled by the Demon Territory Count, the latter by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, but... Duke Klein, report it all together."
"Yes, Your
Majesty! Given the circumstances of the Fearalt Principality, there was
basically no cession of territory, and we handled everything with Principality
gold coins. Also, considering the future and the friendship between the two
countries..."
The consolation money, apology money, and reward money from
the Principality were as follows:
- Consolation
Money: 1.4 million Principality gold
coins (equivalent to 1.12 million Kingdom gold coins)
- Apology
Money: 600,000 Principality gold
coins (equivalent to 480,000 Kingdom gold coins)
- Reward
Money: 500,000 Principality gold
coins (equivalent to 400,000 Kingdom gold coins)
- Cession: No cession of territory
- Prisoners: Prisoners returned as criminals who participated in
the rebel army
- Other: Right to control the city of Salaam
"In addition, there were also payments of military
expenses to the Expeditionary Force, but since these are strictly military
expenses and were shouldered by the one who commanded, thinking
it should naturally be reimbursed to that person, it has been excluded."
Hmm? Is he talking about me? Even converted to Kingdom Gold
Coins, it's a total of 160,000 coins, though... Well, assuming 64,000 Kingdom
gold coins of that is distributed to the soldiers who served in the expedition,
the remaining is 96,000! I
think that's way too much for expenses...
Anyway, does it mean King Fearalt agreed to pay a
total of 2 million Kingdom gold coins? No, I think this is also quite a massive
splurge, but... Could it possibly include engagement money?
While pondering such thoughts, Alexis spoke to me in
a low voice.
"Lord Takuhir, isn't that wonderful? For the
time being, the feed for the Imperial (Empire) soldier
prisoners and captured warhorses is no small matter..."
Come to think of it, so many things happened I forgot!
The number of Imperial soldier prisoners had become an
unbelievable number... A total of 11,700 peopl. A number of prisoners approaching
the number of our own citizens—what kind of joke is that?
Also, the captured warhorses easily exceed 3,000 just in Aegis,
and over 2,000 in Ishtar; I hear there are still many horses fleeing
within the territory and they continue to be captured daily.
For now, I have already given 500 warhorses each to my
brother, Count Gorman, Count Solis, and Viscount Cornell
as temporary rewards, but even so, just food expenses for people and horses,
and other miscellaneous living expenses, the surplus funds of the Demon
Territory Count's domain will bottom out in the not-too-distant future.
With the awards ceremony delayed, the warehouses in Teigoon
were close to empty, and Miseri's face was apparently turning paler by
the day. The move for a miraculous recovery is the wartime reparations from the
Empire and the ransom accompanying the return of prisoners. Relying on that, we
are scraping by for now.
"Finally, Minister of Foreign Affairs, report the
results of negotiations with the Empire."
"Yes, Your Majesty! This is
what His Majesty himself discussed with the Third Prince of the Empire and
decided the general outline. The details were compiled and added here."
The results of the negotiations with the Empire were of a
content that surprised even me when I heard them. Because it was exactly what Sieghart had said in our secret
agreement was the worst-case scenario for the Empire.
- Return
of First Prince: 1 million Imperial large gold
coins (equivalent to 2 million Kingdom gold coins)
- Cession: Former Margrave Goth territory, former Marquis Bradley territory,
Former Marquis Mainz territory, one other former Earldom territory
- Prisoners: Common
Soldier: 25 Imperial large gold coins (50 Kingdom gold coins) Iron
Cavalry: 50 Imperial large gold coins (100 Kingdom gold coins)
"However, due to various circumstances, it seems the
return of prisoners of war will be about half for the time being."
"Oooh!"
The entire assembly gathered in the audience hall stirred
greatly. Not just the monetary amount, but the vastness of the territory to be
ceded is also exceptionally large. And the fact that it was obtained from that
Empire; many were surprised by that.
"Phew!"
Among the noble attendees, I alone sighed in relief. Looking
around, Miseri did the same.
Assuming half of the Imperial prisoners are returned...
Average unit price 75 coins × 6,000 people = 450,000 coins. Of course, even
distributing it among each family, we can sufficiently overcome the immediate
crisis.
"Therefore,
of the total reparations of 5.3 million gold coins, 4.3
million coins shall be allocated to the rewards for this awards ceremony."
"Ooooooh!"
The audience hall was enveloped in a loud cheer so great one
unintentionally covered their ears.
"Hahaha, 4.3 million gold coins... I can't even
imagine."
"Elan, that's the normal reaction. I've never
seen or heard of such an amount either."
Honestly, do that many Kingdom gold coins even exist? No,
absolutely not. It was a number that even made me worry about such things.
Well, since it's converted to Kingdom gold, most of it is
foreign gold coins, right? But does that mean... they're mostly unusable domestically?
If we ask merchants to exchange gold coins, won't the
exchange rate collapse all at once?
In that way, I was worrying about completely different
things from everyone else. While I was thinking about such things, the
announcements continued solemnly.
"Minister of Internal Affairs, clarify the other source
of funds for this awards ceremony as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty.Regarding the assets confiscated from each family that communicated secretly
with the enemy country during this national crisis, died in battle or were
subjected to punishment, or were severed; a portion of this shall
also be allocated to the following. Condolence money for all those who died in
battle, reward money for volunteer soldiers, reward money for the Magic Knights, funds for individual rewards—especially for those
individuals who were recommended—and furthermore, a portion shall be used as
the establishment funds for the Frontier Knights in each region announced
earlier."
"Heh... so this time, the country will pay condolence
money to those who died in battle, huh... The
attrition rate of the Margrave Hastburg Army, and
the noble armies that participated in the particularly fierce Western Front, is
extremely high. Individual rewards... I hope my recommendations were properly
accepted."
"Indeed. For the country to reward all those who died
in battle, I believe this is a good thing. Well, this time, there's also the
aspect that they have the financial resources for it, I suppose. If
it's Lord Takuhir's application, it'll surely be fine."
Miseri reacted
to my soliloquy.
Basically, anyone other than lord nobles is not subject to awards
ceremony. Because they are included in the military exploits of the lord they
belong to.
However, in that case, there is a possibility that those who
achieved remarkable military exploits or achievements will go
unrewarded. What scoops them up is this individual reward.
In the past, this individual reward became the trigger for
my brother and me, leading to our subsequent rapid progress. But we learned
later that these too were thanks to the strong recommendation of the
now-deceased Margrave Hastburg.
Renewing my feelings of gratitude toward the Margrave, I
have recommended a considerable number of people this time.
The lord nobles whose families were severed and had all
their assets and territories confiscated this time totaled 14 families.
< Marquis Families: Total Confiscated Amount 1.35 Million
Gold Coins >
- Marquis
Aquarato
- Marquis
Ignisult
- Marquis
Cocyust
< Margrave Family: Total Confiscated Amount 200,000 Gold
Coins >
< Other: Total Confiscated Amount 250,000 Gold Coins >
- Earldom
Families: 1 family
- Viscounty
Families: 3 families
- Barony
Families: 6 families
"Of these total 1.8 million gold coins, 1.3 million
shall be allocated to the aforementioned
items."
Here, I asked Yuka beside me about something I was
concerned about.
"Are they included in the announced Viscounty and
Barony families?"
"No, Her Highness Clarice has pardoned the noble
families that crossed the river and returned to our camp in the opening battle,
also taking into account their subsequent brave fighting. On the contrary, she
even recommended them for awards ceremony."
"I see... so the ones who got the short end of the
stick were the noble families who died in that opening battle..."
"Yes, because those people had no opportunity to
restore their honor in subsequent battles."
I feel a little sorry for them, but it's probably
unavoidable.
The reason I
sympathized with them is because—though it's an impossible scenario—if Margrave
Hastburg had ordered me, 'The
Imperial Army in front of us are reinforcements that have joined us through a
peace treaty, so let them pass,' there would be no room for me to object to it.
A Margrave possesses the right to negotiate with enemy
countries, the right to independently lead an army into battle, and has the
right to command subordinate nobles.
They died in battle due to a slight difference in fate, and
their families were severed.
"Gord, Raphael, sorry, but could you two
make a move later? Among the severed houses that were manipulated by Margrave Clantiff, if there are any outstanding
individuals, I want you to pick them up. I'll leave the judgment of their
character to you, so I'm counting on you, regardless of whether they are civil
officials or military officers."
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
"As soon as preparations are complete, we will announce
the awards. Everyone, wait where you are."
At the Minister of Internal Affairs' words, a momentarily
tense air dominated the place. The prelude to the awards ceremony has
concluded; the main event begins here!
◆ Summary
■ Awards Ceremony
Funding Source (1 million coins from reparations
go to the Royal Family) Equivalent to 4.3 million Kingdom Gold Coins
■ Other Reward Funding Source (500,000 coins from
confiscated funds go to the Royal Family) Equivalent to 1.3 million Kingdom
Gold Coins
- Condolence
money for the war
dead: 30 gold coins × 19,000 people = 570,000 coins
- Rewards
for volunteer soldiers: 40 gold coins × 5,000 people (including the war dead)
- Rewards
for Magic Knights: 100 gold coins × 300 people (including the war dead)
- Funds
for individual rewards: Equivalent to 100,000 gold coins
- Frontier
Knights funds: 100,000 gold coins × 4 locations
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