Special Chapter 7
Prologue to a New World — The Concluded Secret Pact
Translator : PolterGlast
The year 513 of the Kyle Calendar
marked a major historical turning point for the Kyle Kingdom and the
surrounding nations.
And today, the curtain rises on the first act as two people
who could be called the top leaders of both the Kyle Kingdom and Griffonia
Empire factions meet face-to-face to discuss post-war settlements.
The meeting between King Kyle and Third Prince Grat
was held in the center of the Southern Gate Plain, around the old battlefield
where Margrave Goth and Margrave
Hastburg once fought a decisive battle.
There was a hill where each defensive camp had taken
position, and strangely enough, the top of the hill where Baron Solis
had set up camp at that time was chosen as the meeting venue.
Seats for the meeting were arranged in a luxurious tent set
up at the top of the hill, but it was decided in advance that each side would
be accompanied by 30 attendants including personal aides and guards, while the
rest of the troops would be stationed over one kilometer away.
Then, as if timed perfectly, 30 mounted figures advanced
simultaneously from both sides, which had been encamped at a distance, and were
swallowed into the tent.
Inside the tent, seated on chairs arranged on the north side
were King Kyle, Duke Klein, Count Gouras (Knight Commander
of the Royal Capital), and one other person. Seated on the south side were
Third Prince Grat, Count Astray, Viscount Kampfer, and
Viscount Durul.
"Now, I thank King Kyle for accepting our offer
and taking the trouble to come here. As you can see, although I am royalty, I
am a warrior; frank talk is easier for me than flowery words. Therefore, I
would like to make this meeting a place where King Kyle and his
attendants can speak freely without adhering to formalities; would that be
acceptable?"
Grat bowed his
head with a smile and said so casually. Seeing this, the Kingdom side's
attendants unintentionally raised voices of surprise, but he was a person
unrelated to such vanity and appearances.
"No, no, although our two countries have fought for
many years, nothing could be better if we can solve it by discussion between
the highest-ranking people. It is fortunate to meet Lord Grat, the hero
of the Empire and next successor to the throne. I thank you for the invitation
this time. I have no objection either, so I hope we can have a frank discussion
without leaving any grudges behind."
King Kyle said so returning the greeting while observing
the two sitting opposite him.
Oh, I had heard rumors, but he has a fearless look amidst
nobility. The Third Prince is not a man of the court, but one who sleeps and
eats with soldiers and conquers battlefields; I can understand why he is
evaluated so.
The Third Prince was still in his late 20s or just around
30, overflowing with youth and vitality from his appearance. His attire,
although following minimum etiquette, disliked extravagance; he wore rugged but
functional armor decorated with modest but elaborate black and silver
ornaments.
Hmm, and this one is likewise, is it? He is called the
Empire's Wisdom, but he is young. Not much different from the Demon
Territory Count, is he? Although he has well-featured looks, in terms of
beauty he is slightly above average; looking at this man with an inconspicuous
appearance among nobles, one cannot imagine from his looks that he is the
possessor of intellect feared even by that Demon Territory Count.
Indeed, many people's eyes are clouded by Sieghart's appearance
and words, losing sight of his true worth. Although wearing military attire,
one feels absolutely no fierceness, rather a gentle feeling. To put it badly,
it even felt like a civil official forced to wear armor.
But the muscles and scars on those arms, and the hands are
different. Those are the arms of one who wields a sword and conquers
battlefields. Moreover, they tell the story of one who has undergone
considerable sword training. Even if a strategist, these are the arms of one
who wields martial might on the front lines if necessary.
There was someone who noticed King Kyle's gaze
staring with surprise at Sieghart's arms placed on the table.
"Ah! My apologies. I am
hopeless with the sword, but His Highness forces me to accompany him daily...
so I end up full of scratches like this every time."
Toward Sieghart who hurriedly hid his hands in
embarrassment, the Kingdom side's attendants sneered at his attitude and
air-headed remark, while the Empire side's attendants sighed.
"Ahem, by the way, I would like to ask everyone from
the Kingdom. Is our 'beloved elder brother' in good health?"
Grat
intentionally emphasized a certain part. Contrary to his own heart.
"This is the first time I have the honor of meeting
Your Highness. I am Klein, holding the title of Duke in the Kyle
Kingdom. Allow me to answer in his stead. Prince Glorious, whom you
all 'revere from the bottom of your hearts,' is doing well. Although I cannot
state details, I hear he smacks his lips at famous local cuisine in the Demon
Territory Count's domain and requests the same dish daily."
"Is that! A thing called Curry Rice? I would also like
to try it once..."
"Ahem!"
The man sitting to his left restrained Sieghart, who
leaned forward to ask out of sheer interest. Again, laughter erupts on the Kyle
Kingdom side.
I see... so everyone misjudges his true worth like this.
Duke Klein was watching it calmly. If he and King Kyle
hadn't been thoroughly briefed by the Demon Territory Count, they would
have felt the same as the attendants lined up behind them.
Time to shake things up a bit, perhaps? Thinking
so, Duke Klein began to show his true colors.
"Now then, Prince Glorious
has enjoyed his stay in the Demon Territory Count's domain to his
heart's content, so we would like to start adjusting for his return home soon..."
"Hmm... seeing as my brother is enjoying his stay, it
would be cruel to force him back. Would it be possible to arrange for him to
enjoy a long-term stay there? Of course, we intend to compensate for the burden
related to my brother's stay with a sum befitting
royalty..."
"No, no, we intend to have him return in ample time for Your
Highness's accession ceremony, which will likely be held in the Imperial
Capital at a later date. He is an important person you all revere; surely you
think you would want his attendance by all means. Since it's a rare occasion,
we intend to arrange for as many attendants as possible to accompany him.
Regarding this matter, we intend to touch upon it so that the Kyle Kingdom's
policy is not misunderstood by foreign countries."
Hmph, this old raccoon. His plan is to spread word to
foreign nations that while the Kingdom intends to return him, we are finding
excuses to refuse it should negotiations fail.
Watching the Old Raccoon speak with such a nonchalant expression,
Grat glanced at the man sitting next to him. As if to say, Hurry up and get serious, confront the raccoon!...
Tch. Truth be told, this exchange was supposed to be between
Lord Takuhir and myself, proceeding
exactly as we planned. Back then,
the Fearalt Principality's movement was unexpected... dealing with this old man seems troublesome.
Sieghart recalled
the secret agreement made with him in the land of Teigoon in the past, and
the circumstances surrounding it. Of visiting him under the guise of trade,
foreseeing the future that lay ahead, and the words they shared...
◇◇◇ Kyle Calendar Year 510 — Autumn,
Takuhir Age 17
Sieghart, visiting
Teigoon, obtained the opportunity to hold the long-awaited secret talk
alone with Takuhir.
"First, as a major premise, no matter what war results
we obtain ahead, the Empire will undoubtedly fracture. Because neither side
intends to yield to the other. Therefore, unless one side disappears—either
physically or politically—this situation will not be resolved."
"How will that affect us?"
"As part of that struggle, the Empire will inevitably
plot an invasion of the Kingdom. Against our will..."
"That is extremely troublesome. I wish you'd do such
fighting within the Empire. So, Lord Sieghart, are
you suggesting that you want your political enemy, the First Prince, to disappear in
that war?"
"Certainly, as the simplest solution, Prince Glorious
dying in battle during the invasion, or being captured and executed on the
Kingdom side; either of these is the quickest. That way, His Highness Grat doesn't dirty his hands, the Empire
doesn't lose territory or ransom, and the political nuisance disappears."
"But if that happens... won't you be unable to suppress
the voices in the Empire for a war of revenge against the Kyle Kingdom?"
"Yes, as you astutely observe. Even if not desired,
even after His Highness Grat's accession, we will be dragged into a
quagmire of war until the Kingdom is destroyed, and both countries will be
exhausted until one perishes."
"Hahaha, that is... not a pleasant vision of the
future. So for us, whether we win or lose, both paths lead to hell. Is that it?"
"It is the same for us. As long as Lord Takuhir exists, we will never win easily. If it becomes a quagmire, we
will also be exhausted, and the Sura Principality's armies will surge in
from the southern border."
"Then you say there is a chance of victory for us
too?"
"In my opinion, the point is how to win. I know
I am asking an unreasonable demand, but even if you do not achieve a total
victory, I want you to capture His Highness Glorious alive. If you do that, all paths will open up."
"Haha, indeed an unreasonable demand. That sounds more
difficult than simply winning, right?"
"There are two points where we can cooperate. First, we
will guide Prince Glorious's forces to the Left Wing, to attack this Teigoon.
Second, our forces will stop our northward advance midway and idle before
reaching Burg without marching
further. However, there are conditions for this."
"Time and the tide of battle—these two things?"
"Fufufu, talking to someone who understands is so easy
and pleasant. Exactly. We will prepare ample provisions and will absolutely not
requisition supplies within the Kingdom. However... it is a fact that as time
passes, the need for local procurement will press upon us. We will idle as long
as Lord Takuhir is putting up a good
fight, but if by some chance your territory is breached by the Left Wing Army,
we will be forced to begin moving north."
"Hmm... that's quite a difficult proposition. Defeat a
large army with meager forces within a limited time and capture the ringleader?
In Kylar, there is an Old Raccoon who always makes unreasonable demands
and works me to the bone, but this goes even beyond that."
"Ah... is that so! Actually, there is a Great Raccoon
on His Highness Glorious's side who
torments us as well. I am always made to deal with him, and His Highness Grat doesn't hesitate to call me a
fox..."
"Hahaha! So we are both made to suffer by Raccoons.
Lord Sieghart,
I have always thought you a
terrifying man, but I feel a slight sense of kinship now."
"I am the one who is surprised. To think there is
someone who works the terrifyingly brilliant Demon Territory Count to the bone... I cannot even imagine it."
"Haha... getting back to the topic, is capturing him
all we need to do? What happens after that? "
I could only smile wryly and change the topic. Apparently,
only my virtues are exaggerated and conveyed to Lord Sieghart's ears.
According to the Old Raccoon, I am careless, easy to read, and a clumsy fellow
who leaks information like a sieve. Ah... come to think of it, it's not just
the Old Raccoon; I feel like quite a few people close to me say the same thing.
"We will withdraw our army. I promise, on my life, that
we will return the occupied territories in pristine condition. Furthermore,
please understand that I am speaking with the informal consent of His Highness Grat."
Sieghart's eyes as
he said that had changed to a look harboring a grim resolve completely
different from before. It seemed to show the determination to keep the promise
even in exchange for his life.
"After taking him prisoner, there are two possibilities.
First, for some reason, there is no prisoner return, and the Prince is kept in
the Kyle Kingdom forever as a prisoner. Second, the Empire pays an
appropriate price to take back the Prince. The former is a bad move. To take
back a royal family member, the Empire will be dragged into an uncontrollable current
of war. Therefore, we proceed with the latter, and through the exchange between
the two of us, we raise the conditions as high
as possible. To the extent that the Empire suffers considerable damage."
"Raise? The return conditions? Is that alright?"
"Yes. Because the ideal development is for Prince Glorious
to receive the bad reputation of a fool who lost a war invited by his own
greed, brought massive damage to the Empire, and returned in disgrace,
resulting in a situation where no one supports his succession to the throne. In
contrast, Your Highness Grat will strengthen his standing as a
compassionate person who made a decisive decision to cut his own flesh to save
his elder brother, a political rival."
"I see, willing to cut one's own flesh for that purpose; Lord Sieghart is terrifying after
all..."
"No, no, what I am thinking is just shallow wisdom to
avoid a quagmire of war. However, short-sighted fellows just cannot understand.
After this, I will talk about the worst-case assumption and minimum assumption
regarding specific compensation, but as a major premise, please limit this agreement
to when we two face each other as negotiators. If the party
involved is different, there is a
possibility the other side won't understand the nuance and press for forceful
negotiations, forcing us to negotiate with full power as well. And as for
specific compensation..."
"..."
Takuhir was
astonished by the magnitude exceeding expectations regarding the compensation Sieghart
presented and lost his words.
"Hahaha, if this goes even slightly wrong, it’s a
secret pact that could cost us both our positions, isn't it? Depending on who
hears it, we could be pointed at as traitors who sold out our countries... no,
it wouldn't end with just that, would it?"
"Exactly as you say. However, I believe you understand
that this is the only remaining means to save both our countries from the
destruction of the Kyle Kingdom or
an endless war between both sides. It involves dragging Lord Takuhir in,
but I cannot carelessly share this plan except with a trustworthy enemy,
someone I believe has appropriate ability."
Upon hearing those words, Takuhir closed his eyes.
Ruminating on the details once more, considering not only potential flaws or
omissions but even the possibility that this was a trap set by Sieghart...
"Please allow me one final condition. Except for the final compensation part, please let me
share a part of this discussion with a select few I deem trustworthy. My
position is not one commanding the entire army, and especially, the one
confronting the Empire's Right Wing Army is not me..."
"Understood. However, one never knows what will happen
on a battlefield. Please convey to them not to swallow the secret agreement
whole and refrain from rash actions, and depending on the situation, follow the
customs of the battlefield and not forget that we are enemies."
"Then, for each other's future."
"Yes, for a future where we can spend time
napping."
Thus, unbeknownst to anyone, the two secretly shook hands.
◇◇◇ Return to the Present
Sieghart had
closed his eyes and crossed his arms as if meditating, letting his mind fly to
the past. Then, as if steeling his resolve, his eyes snapped open, and he
focused his consciousness on the current negotiations.
Now then, this is the Old Raccoon that even Lord Takuhir admitted he struggled to
handle. He is certainly not lacking as an opponent...
Muttering so in his heart, he began to speak. Negotiations carrying the weight of both nations' futures—a battle fought with words—was about to begin.
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