Chapter 284
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Achievements Too Great
Translator : PolterGlast
Receiving the express message from Takuhir and his
group, there were those in Kylar, the Royal Capital of the Kyle
Kingdom, wracking their brains over its content.
Having concluded the ceasefire negotiations with the Griffonia
Empire and negotiations for the return of prisoners (including the First
Prince), they had left the defense for the time being to Knight Commander Gouras
and returned to the Royal Capital.
There, a messenger from Fairy sent by the Demon
Territory Count announcing 'The end of the Principality's civil war and
securing the safety of the border,' and simultaneously, a messenger sent by
King Fearalt announcing 'Apology regarding this war disturbance,
gratitude for reinforcements, acknowledgment of the Demon Territory Count's
military exploits as the greatest regarding the end of the civil war, and
sending a formal envoy including reparations at a later date' had visited.
King Kyle, astonished by the content announced by the
messengers, was forced to keep Duke Klein, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, at the Royal Palace to discuss remedial measures in order to
reconsider future plans.
"Even so, Old Man,
I doubted my eyes at this report from the Demon Territory Count and the
letter of commendation sent by the King of the Principality."
"As you say. This is a bit..."
"It's not just a bit. Winning the border battle,
suppressing the Principality-side border gate and
solidifying the surrounding area, capturing the major city Salaam near
the border; that alone is sufficient military results... Yet it says he
defeated an enemy army of 30,000 with a force of only 4,000 in the Royal
Capital decisive battle and was acknowledged as having the greatest military
exploits in ending the civil war."
"Hohoho, at this rate, it seems we won't know which
country's subject he is. I sympathize with Your Majesty's feelings. However,
the other party is also a person of reason, saying he wants to send rewards for
suppressing the civil war through Your Majesty as well."
"Even with just the domestic battles, he has achieved
results difficult to reward, and on top of this... At this late stage, the
situation has completely transcended talking about balance with those around
him. Furthermore, the problem is that there is no way to reward him
commensurate with the results so far. What do you think I should do?"
"As Your Majesty says, at this late stage, there is
nothing to be done. Even if we raise gold coins and territory to the limit
respectively, all that remains is 'people'."
"But will that stubborn one
consent?"
"In this old man's view, Her Highness does not seem
averse to it either. To take an
impregnable castle, start from the rear gate; there is such a metaphor too.
This old man will work on that person's wives. To create a 'vessel' to welcome
Her Highness."
"Will she be
convinced by that?"
"Royalty is destined to sacrifice for the national
interest. The peace of the Kingdom is, by extension, the peace of the Demon
Territory Count. To reward the Demon Territory
Count's merits, and to protect the Demon Territory Count and prevent
needless chaos within the country, let us persuade her
by explaining this point logically. She cannot be
so foolish as not to understand that. Also, no matter whether she is a Princess, the sin of ignoring orders and going to
the Principality arbitrarily is great. As part of the punishment, no objection
shall be allowed—I would ask Your Majesty for such a resolute response."
"Peace of the Kingdom? I see! With the dowry
accompanying the marriage, becoming a person connected to royalty albeit by
marriage, and being the husband of the person second in line to the throne,
even extraordinary rewards can be shielded from surrounding jealousy, envy, and
negative emotions! As expected of you, Old Man.
Clarice voluntarily shouldered the debt, after all."
"That is precisely why I believe there is reason for
Your Majesty's secret plan to pass."
"Hahaha, delightful, delightful. With this, just as we
intended, the situation will be resolved at once."
At this point, the expectations of these two have already
collapsed decisively, but they do not know that fact yet. Because the report
they received was strictly from the time the audience in Fairy was
held...
"Now, since the major worry has been resolved, we must
determine policies for East, North, and West as well. What are your
thoughts?"
"First, as a major premise, in the East, Margrave Hamish
has occupied and is tentatively governing the vast great plains spreading
beyond the border. To the Imperial Kingdom, cession of land under
effective control as wartime reparations, payment of reparations, and payment
of ransom for those among the surrendered enemy soldiers who wish to return
home—something like that, perhaps?"
"So, how will we govern that new territory? It's the
same problem for the North."
"Indeed. Originally, Margraves were tasked with the duty of defending the four borders, but until now, the
soldiers they commanded fell short of the invading armies, causing them
hardship."
"Shall we expand the Margrave territories? To the same
scale as the Empire."
"Hohoho, that is also fine, but it might leave seeds of
future calamity. Not all Margraves are guaranteed to be loyal subjects like Hastburg
and Hamish. Besides, there is another problem."
"What problem?"
"Territory and power—they would exceed the hierarchy
within the Kingdom. Status-wise, they would be treated as Marquises, but in
terms of power and territory, they would exceed Marquises and even surpass
Dukes. Your Majesty would leave these two sparks for the future."
"Then what should we
do?"
"The position of Margrave is hereditary, but we can establish a 'Frontier Duke' (Henkyō-kō) above it. The
Frontier Duke will have a status similar to a Minister, and rank-wise be
equivalent to a Duke. The Frontier Duke will be situated
on the frontier, with a vast domain centered on the new territory, and serve as
the cornerstone of the Kingdom's defense."
"Hmm, I don't think that solves the fundamental issue?"
"Therefore, I said 'like a Minister.' Current Margraves
are hereditary, and the position continues to descendants, but Frontier Duke
will be limited to one generation and appointed by the King. Even if the
current head is capable, the child's generation may not necessarily be so. And
allowing a Margrave to concurrently hold the position of Frontier Duke will be
permitted according to military merit and achievements. We will attach such
conditions."
"I see, that is a brilliant idea. So future concerns
can be avoided that way. But unlike borders protected by border gates, for a Frontier Duke, most of the territory is enemy
land with weak defenses; how about this issue?"
"Yes, for that too, we adopt something called the Tondenhei (soldier-settler) system used
in the Demon Territory Count's domain for Empire and Imperial Kingdom soldiers. In peacetime, we give vast farmland and have them engage in agriculture,
but in wartime, they rush to serve as soldiers protecting their own farmland.
In exchange, the lord provides subsidies every year or reduces/exempts taxes. In
other words, they can become lords of small territories."
"Oh, an interesting way of thinking."
"No, no, this is also borrowed wisdom from the Demon
Territory Count's domain."
"Then, we shall entrust the border to the Frontier
Duke, and in the distribution of rewards, there will be monetary rewards and
additional territory, and separately, the position of Frontier Duke limited to
one generation and the territory accompanying it—something like that?"
"As you will. At this point, there is only one
surviving Margrave, and one person inheriting the position; others are families
unable to fulfill that duty or families to be abolished. Especially in the case
of new appointments, there should be no problem."
"So, about the crucial reparations with the Imperial
Kingdom..."
"Margrave Hamish is proceeding with that area.
The other side lost much of its military power, and now maintaining borders in
other directions is also in jeopardy. I hear the
new Imperial King is trembling in fear.
They will have no choice but to accept our unreasonable demands. It is better
than the country perishing."
Saying so, Duke Klein presented the draft demands.
< Istoria Imperial Kingdom Reparation Plan >
- Reparations
shall be equivalent to 1 million Kingdom gold coins.
- Cede
the land effectively controlled by the Margrave.
- Enter
negotiations for prisoner return after these wartime reparations.
- Prisoners
shall be returned for a predetermined price.
- Families
of prisoners wishing to migrate shall be sent to the Kingdom.
If they want the prisoners returned, first complete the war
reparations—this was set as a major premise. It was a bullish stance stating
that until that was settled, they wouldn't even sit at the negotiation table.
"Hmm, regarding prisoners, we follow the previous
example—something like that?"
"The prisoners obtained in the Eastern battle are not a
significant number, but in the North, we have obtained over 9,000 prisoners
just from Imperial Kingdom soldiers. Of those, 4,000 are due to the
achievements of the Demon Territory Count's subordinates..."
"Hmm, the Demon Territory Count again... it's a
headache."
"According to reports, these 4,000 are those who
surrendered in response to persuasion conducted by the Demon Territory Count
during the battle, including 11 Mages. At least half of them, especially
8 of the Mages, will likely not wish to return home. Such reports have
also arrived."
"Hmm... then we must give priority to the Demon
Territory Count for those people too. Since there is a precedent, and that
person will also need subjects and soldiers for the new territory, right?"
"Yes, if it's that land, the potential enemy is the
Empire, so they won't be drawing bows against their former motherland
either."
"Then I leave the details to you. So... what about the
North?"
"The army led by the Minister of Military Affairs has
reached the Royal Capital of the Uros Kingdom. Since that country
surrendered unconditionally early on. Where does Your Majesty's will lie?"
"Hmm, considering the Piette Merchant Confederation,
annexation won't do. There is our country's policy so far too. From the two
countries of the Merchant Confederation having exchanges with our country,
pleas for sparing the royal family's lives and requests for the Kingdom's
continued existence have also arrived."
"Indeed. But almost no soldiers of the Uros Kingdom
remain, except for the 500 taken prisoner. With this, maintaining the country
won't be possible. This is the draft we discussed considering Your Majesty's
feelings while saving the face of surrounding countries."
King Kyle looked over the letter respectfully
presented, titled 'Uros Kingdom Partition Rule Plan.'
< Uros Kingdom Partition Rule Plan >
- Admit
responsibility as the aggressor nation this time and pay reparations.
- Recognize
the continued existence of the royal family upon payment of reparations.
- Reparations
shall be equivalent to 1 million Kingdom gold coins.
However, substituting reparations with cession of territory
based on the Uros Kingdom's own choice is also allowed. In that case...
- Cession
shall be two-thirds of the entire Uros Kingdom territory.
- The
territory ceded this time shall be the West and Central sides.
- Cede
the Western part of the ceded land to the Kyle Kingdom.
- The
Central part shall be under the mandate rule of the Merchant Confederation.
Assuming prisoners currently detained in the Kyle Kingdom
will be returned after either is fulfilled, no new compensation for return will
be established.
This focused on making them choose between paying
reparations or ceding territory, rather than the Kyle Kingdom side
snatching territory.
Creating the appearance that it was not snatched but
voluntarily chosen, and shrewdly giving territory to the Merchant Confederation
as well. Moreover, the point of placing the mandate territory between the
remaining territory of the Uros Kingdom and the territory ceded to the Kyle
Kingdom to serve as a buffer zone is also shrewd.
"Hahaha, as expected of the Raccoon! While saying
you'll hear my thoughts, you've already prepared the path. Moreover, the Uros
Kingdom is a small country; there is no way they can pay 1 million gold
coins alone, right? Therefore, the script becomes cession of territory. With
this, face is saved for the two neighboring countries, and we finally obtain
the sea."
"Yes, and we can also obtain a wall by friendly
nations. Whether the Imperial Kingdom or Uros Kingdom, even if
they plan re-invasion, they must pass through the territory under the mandate
rule of the Piette Merchant Confederation
before entering our territory."
"Then if they oppose us, they will also fight the Merchant
Confederation countries. That's what it means."
"As you will."
"Hahaha, splendid raccoon work. Making the Merchant
Confederation countries, which should always be neutral, allies and using them
as a defense wall. So, next is our country's issue..."
"The Northern Margrave had some problems until now, but
fulfilled the role of northern defense with his life. It is necessary to reward
this. But... it is practically impossible for them to bear that responsibility
with existing military strength and personnel."
"Hmm, we must consider that area. Then, give the
remaining family Marquis treatment, treat them preferentially while releasing
them from frontier defense. Something like that? By the way... what about the
Frontier Duke you mentioned?"
"There is one who has achieved achievements
corresponding to that. I would like to assign him to that role and entrust our
country's 'sea' to him; what do you think?"
"Very well. It is fine to conclude that the Ice Territory
in the North is also vacant. Including these, there will be ways to
manage."
"Yes, although the Marquis is said to have died in
battle, trampled by horse hooves, his body has not been recovered along with
Archbishop Castro."
"Hmm... no wonder. Now, the remaining personnel concern
is the West, but... what do you think, Old Man?"
"Indeed, for this, we must consider bold measures. A
person suitable for Frontier Duke, and two Marquis territories that became
vacant, plus Margrave territory, Count, Viscount, and Baron territories; it has
become truly a harvesting ground..."
Their discussion continued until near dawn after this. And
early the next morning, messengers ran to Margrave Hamish in the East
and Count Model in the North.
These
results would be reflected in the distribution of rewards held a few weeks
later.
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