Chapter 292
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Awards Ceremony ② Main Act
Translator : PolterGlast
The atmosphere at
the awards ceremony grew increasingly heated, and everyone present watched with
bated breath as the recognitions of merit and rewards were announced.
However, the very
people expected by everyone to receive high evaluations were relaxed and
exchanging lighthearted banter, as if it were someone else's business.
"Takuhir—ah, no, my apologies. I hear that Your
Excellency the Demon Territory Count recommended a very large number of
people in this awards ceremony... but frankly, about how many did you
recommend?"
"Lord Darek,
the end of your sentence is..."
"Hmph, you sure
are nitpicky. For me, starting
with this stiff Erol here, I
recommended three people from each unit commander..."
"Eh! Lord Darek...
t-to think you would..."
"Gross. Don't tear up over
every little thing. Your unit perfectly fulfilled the seemingly unglamorous
role of acting as a lid. That's exactly why it was a complete victory, and why
more people willingly became prisoners, right?"
Certainly, in this Ishtar
battle, one's eyes tend to go to the military exploits of Alexis and my
brother, but Erol's contribution was very significant.
Upon securing the
entire mountainous area bordering the Demon Territory, Erol
deployed units disguised as Imperial soldiers at key points along the invasion
routes. Because of this, not a single soldier of the invading detached force
escaped, and conversely, he captured all soldiers who intruded as messengers,
completely blockading information.
This was largely
because it was originally his own birthplace, and he was familiar with the
detailed terrain.
Due to that, the
First Prince in the Aegis direction remained unaware of the defeat on
the Ishtar side until the very end.
Furthermore, touched
by the compassionate response of Erol and his unit toward the prisoners,
and their care and nursing for the enemy wounded, the Imperial soldiers shed
tears of gratitude, and they subsequently cooperated proactively in calling out
to the fleeing soldiers.
As a result,
soldiers surrendering one after another appeared without shedding much blood.
I myself think this
military exploit is extremely significant.
" I am of the
same opinion. By the way, Brother, though it is not what we desired, you have
now inherited the name of Margrave Hastburg.
The formal appointment will happen later, but practically you and I are of
equal rank."
"I suppose
so... it's not a promotion to rejoice about, but I finally caught up to you.
Well, I'll probably be left behind again today, though."
"Brother, weren't you going to be
raised one rank to Frontier Duke? That's probably certain. As for me, even if I
go up, there's a limit, after all."
"Hahaha, right.
Above Duke, you have no choice but to become royalty, right?"
"I ALMOST DID,
THOUGH..."
At the end of that
commotion when Her Highness Clarice was summoned, I learned of the scheme of His Majesty and the
Old Raccoon. Needless to say, I was astonished by the story proceeding without
my knowledge.
"From here on,
we will conduct the awards ceremony for battles in each area!"
This voice echoed,
interrupting my chat with my brother. The venue fell completely silent at once.
"Note that
since there is a wide variety of subjects this time, we will call all subjects
before the throne and then announce the merit recognition. Please understand in
advance that His Majesty's words are also directed to everyone. Then first, the
Eastern Front! Those called, step before the throne. Margrave Hamish,
..., Baron Bawner."
Right, doing it one by one would take
endlessly long.
"..., and
finally, Demon Territory Count Solis!"
"Heh?"
I unintentionally
let out a strange voice, drawing sneers from the surrounding nobles. My brother
is desperately holding his stomach, trying not to laugh.
I hurriedly stepped
forward and knelt before the throne, but even at that point, the question 'Why
was I called?' didn't disappear.
"Eastern Front, first in merit, Margrave
Hamish; due to achievements, the Margrave shall become a Frontier Duke
and be given the new eastern territory. Note that for the newly acquired land, it is also
possible to entrust a part to subordinate nobles. Reward: 500,000 gold
coins!"
"Oooh!"
A loud stir
occurred.
"Next, second
place, ..."
But I'm out of place
after all, right? I didn't do anything in the East this time. If I had to say,
I just conducted Mage training in Ishtar.
"Third place, Demon
Territory Count Solis!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem, this time,
Margrave Hamish strongly recommended the Demon Territory Count as
being appropriate for first in merit. Saying that the water attack tactics and
tactics utilizing Mages you left behind reversed the situation and led
to victory. Regarding your peerage, as there is another matter, we will
announce it later, but as the third place in merit, you are granted 100,000
gold coins."
That... was just a
mechanism imitating the barrier gate of Teigoon, right? But. That's all
I did, you know?
While I was thinking
so, the announcements ended, and His Majesty began to speak.
"Everyone did
very well this time. It can be said that because the Eastern Front won first
and stabilized, the Royal Capital Knights could rush to various areas.
This achievement is significant. Good work."
"Next, Northern
Front! Count Model, Count Clay, Corps Commander Hoffman,
..."
Somehow, I'm not
fully convinced... but I'll make sure to thank Frontier Duke Hamish
later. It was when I was about to return to my original position.
"..., Viscount Solis,
and... Demon Territory Count Solis!"
"Hah?"
I did it again...
Pulled by my brother who was laughing loudly, I stepped before the throne
again. Even His Majesty looked like he was trying to hold back his laughter.
"Northern Front, first in merit, Count Model;
due to achievements, the Count shall yield the duty of Minister of Military
Affairs to his successor, become a Frontier Duke as the northern keystone of
the Kingdom, and be given the new territory of the former Uros Kingdom.
Note that for the newly acquired
land, it is also possible to entrust a part to subordinate nobles. Reward:
500,000 gold coins!"
"My word!"
Another loud stir
occurred. Count Model received Duke treatment, meaning a two-step
promotion. Accurately speaking, since he holds the Minister position of
Minister of Military Affairs, it's about a 1.5-step jump.
"Next, second
place, Count Clay, ..."
But I'm out of place
after all, right? I didn't do anything in the North this time. If I had to say,
I just conducted Mage training in Ishtar.
"Third place,
Viscount Solis! The deployment of cavalry that settled the stalemated
battle line at once was truly splendid. Showing an example for each Frontier
Knight order from now on is a matter to be highly evaluated. Regarding your
peerage, as there is another matter, we will announce it later, but as the
third place in merit, you are granted 100,000 gold coins."
"Next, fourth
place, Corps Commander Hoffman, ..."
As expected of my
brother. As Christoph also said, cavalry tactics and troop handling that
rival the Commander's are naturally deserved to be evaluated. But still... why am I
here?
"Fifth in
merit, Demon Territory Count Solis!"
"..."
"In the final
phase, the tactic that caused the enemy forces to lose their fighting spirit
and led 4,000 to surrender without fighting was truly splendid. Therefore,
fifth in merit, granted 40,000 gold coins, but regarding your peerage, as there
is another matter, we will announce it later."
The words of the
Internal Affairs Bureau are a fact, but not the truth.
Honestly speaking,
it wasn't an operation carried out with the expectation of these results, and
the fact that we achieved these results was purely due to coincidence and the
sincere appeals of Aura and the
former people of the Imperial Kingdom.
"Though hastily
assembled, the Northern Front was well-led, fought hard, and held out
tenaciously. Amidst Kingdom soldiers fighting each other, the tactic that
endured until the final phase was splendid. I am counting on you to continue
protecting the Kingdom's first-ever access to the sea."
His Majesty's last
words made my heart dance too.
If there's a sea, we
can get seafood! Let alone another country, if Count Model—no, the
Frontier Duke—whom I know well governs
it, casually visiting to play or the coming and going of caravans will become
remarkably convenient.
"Next is… the Western Front. Her Highness Clarice,
Corps Commander Schultz, Demon Territory Count Solis, ..."
Well, I figured I'd
be called this time. Since I just lent a hand a little at the end, following
Her Highness and Corps Commander Schultz who fought solitary battles,
maybe around third place?
"Western Front, first in merit, Demon
Territory Count Solis! The achievement of saving them from a desperate
predicament and saving Her Highness and the people of the Kingdom should be
highly evaluated. Also, the skill of constructing defense bases and tactics in
advance, and perfectly preparing for interception, is truly splendid and
commendable. Regarding your peerage, as there is another matter, we will announce
it later, but as the first place in merit, you are granted 500,000 gold coins."
Huh? Not third
place? By the way, who is the Frontier Duke?
"On the Western
Front, as many nobles had their houses severed, we will reorganize the
territories including rewards. Regarding the new Frontier Duke, in addition to
the former Margrave's territory, the Marquis Aquarato territory and
Earldom territory will be added, and portions of Viscounty and Barony
territories, an appropriate domain will be prepared."
"That is..."
A stir that couldn't
be taken as either admiration or anxiety occurred throughout the venue.
Certainly, as a territory, it becomes quite large, about twice the size of the
current Margrave Hastburg territory, but looking at it from the premise of the previous Kyle Kingdom land not
including new territories, this territory alone would become an outstandingly
massive domain.
Moreover, what's the
point of deliberately not announcing who will serve in this place?
"Next, second
in merit, Her Highness Clarice! ... Third in merit, Corps Commander Schultz,
..., fourth in merit, ..., that is all!"
I was so lost in
thought that I didn't really hear the rest. I think it continued up to the
eleventh place in merit, but I feel like the last eight people were crying
while praising Her Highness...
"Those who
fought the Western Front. Against the Principality's Mage Corps, you
fought through truly well. I am proud of you who defended the Kingdom with an
indomitable resolve. And Demon Territory Count, I thank you once again."
"Then finally,
Southern Front, Margrave Hastburg's representative Flora, Demon
Territory Count Solis, Count Gorman, Count Solis, Viscount Solis,
Viscount Cornell, Baron Bold, Baron Herald, Baron Kreitz. Step
forward!"
As we lined up
before the throne, silence fell
for a moment. Then, His Majesty slowly opened his mouth.
"Everyone, my
feelings are the same as everyone's. I lost the one who originally had to be at
the forefront here, my sworn friend. This sadness is immeasurable. However... we must move
forward. In order to answer the Margrave's feelings as well."
To His Majesty's
words spoken with a grief-stricken expression, everyone looked down and
listened quietly. I myself had my vision blurred by welling tears. My brother,
father, and Count Gorman especially were leaking groans and crying manly
tears.
Like me and my
brother, it was the Margrave who heavily employed my father and Count Gorman
and raised them as subordinates.
"To express
respect to the late Margrave Hastburg, and with heartbreaking sorrow, I
shall convey this reward myself."
Saying so, His
Majesty purposely stood up and began to speak quietly and solemnly.
"First in
merit, Demon Territory Count Solis. This country was saved precisely
because of your exploits. Come to think of it, seven years ago, when you first
met me, your solitary battle had already begun, hadn't it? Expressing respect for your untiring
efforts and strategic vision focusing on the future, as the first place in
merit, I grant you 1 million gold coins, and entrust you with the management of
all the ceded Imperial territory. To be precise, everything will be granted to you once, and you are
permitted to distribute it to your subordinates under your authority. From here on out, talk with the
Frontier Dukes of each region as well, and become the keystone supporting the
peace of the Kingdom."
"Wh-What!"
"That is too
much..." "No... that is"
The venue buzzed at
once. Well, it's no wonder. I myself had been secretly informed of a part, so I
wasn't that agitated, but...
"There may be
voices of surprise or dissatisfaction at the overly prominent reward, but the rewards
entrusted to each Frontier Duke are given in anticipation of the development of
the new territories and the construction of defense lines. Probably even then, they will
experience hardships feeling it's not enough. Much less the new southern
territory, where everything surrounding it are enemies,
will be the most dangerous and harshest forefront."
Saying so, His
Majesty's eyes looked as if gazing far into the distance. As if he were looking
at those very lands...
There, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Klein also added words.
"Let me add one
more point to the lords. This personnel decision is also reflected in the peace
treaty conditions. The
Empire, in exchange for agreeing to unprecedented wartime reparations,
designated giving the new territory to the Demon Territory Count and
using half of the wartime reparations for the development of the new territory.
Probably what the Empire is thinking are three points...
·
Dragging the undefeated Demon Territory Count
out of his impregnable fortress.
·
Inducing discord with excessive rewards and
isolating the Demon Territory Count.
·
Entrusting the citizens to the Demon Territory Count,
who has a track record in good governance and development. It is something
anyone can understand. We dared to ride along with their intentions. Believing in the Demon Territory Count, and in everyone gathered here."
At the words of His
Majesty and the Old Raccoon, the assembly fell silent. It's as dangerous as
walking naked into enemy territory; no matter what reasons you attach to it,
it's nothing less than the Imperial side luring the most dangerous man into the
position where he is easiest to strike down.
"Now then, shall we continue.
Second in merit, Viscount Solis! Your achievements in this victory are
also indispensable. Your activity in Ishtar was truly splendid. As the
second place in merit, I grant you 300,000 gold coins. Also, from here on out,
inherit the name of Margrave Hastburg,
and you may call yourself Frontier
Duke Hastburg. Your honor is also my friend's honor. Together with your
wife, as the new Frontier Duke, support the Kingdom."
"Yes, Your
Majesty! Certainly." "Yes, your words are more
than I deserve."
Hmm? Strange. It
might be my imagination, but don't my brother and I make two Frontier Dukes?
However, His Majesty
clearly conveyed 'Frontier Duke' to my brother, but to me only 'talk with the
Frontier Dukes of each region,' and didn't explicitly state my personal status.
What does this mean?
"Third in merit
shall be given to the three
people of equal rank. Count Gorman, Count Solis, Viscount Cornell,
as third in merit, and each shall be granted 100,000 gold coins. Strangely enough, all of you are in
the position of father, father-in-law, and uncle to the Demon Territory
Count; please assist the Count as he struggles in the new territory. Those
of Count rank shall be promoted to Marquis, and those of Viscount rank to
Count."
"Yes, Your
Majesty!"
The three replied
with loud voices simultaneously as if synchronized, and bowed their heads
deeply.
"Fourth in
merit, the three Barons who inherited the honor of the former Count Falmus.
Losing a revered general, I made you taste regret twice. I also wish to
apologize again. And from here
on, I want you to proceed on a new path. Fourth in merit, granted a total of
100,000 gold coins to the three. You may decide the distribution among
yourselves according to your new roles. All three shall become Viscounts from
now on, and I expect you to strive even further."
"I wish to
convey Your Majesty's words to my late lord as well." "I cannot
express my gratitude for your words enough." "Inheriting the will of
the late Count Falmus, I shall push forward."
It was three
different answers. Hmm? By the way, what was it? New roles?
"Now, from here
on is the greatest award I shall bestow. I have already spoken personally with
the relevant parties and obtained their consent,
but... First, regarding the Frontier
Duke of the western
border, which was left
vacant in the previous announcement... I entrust this to you, the new Frontier Duke Hastburg. I wish to entrust the western
defense of the Kingdom to you."
"Yes, Your
Majesty!"
"And, I wish to
make a grave announcement to everyone from here."
What's with those
words that scream, 'I
laid the groundwork' feeling? I haven't heard anything, though? Including the
matter just now, why is my brother acting so calm? Don't tell me he knew in
advance?
Somehow I feel like I'm the only one left out of the loop...
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