Chapter 306
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Unwanted Meeting
Translator : PolterGlast
In the tents pitched around the barrier gate established at
the old border, the treaty between the Empire and the Kingdom had
been concluded, and the respective officials were swamped with practical tasks.
As one part of this process, the Third Prince had to conduct a meeting he
himself had described as, 'The most unpleasant thing, which I would prefer not
to do if possible.'
And finally, that time came.
「Glorious, that was a massive blunder this time. However, this is
also the war you desired. Reward and punishment are a matter of course for
those of us who live by the sword.」
The Third Prince spoke with grand composure, looking down at
the First Prince from a raised dais in the hall set up within the large tent.
The First Prince, enduring the humiliation, stood trembling with a pale face.
「……Grat. Until you formally
inherit the throne, our positions should be equal. But for now, I shall dare to
accept this disgrace.」
Seeing this, Grat sneered.
『Hmph, "equal" is merely a
matter of formality. Does he not realize that in terms of military, politics,
and popular support, the difference is already like heaven and earth? As arrogant
as ever. Was I a fool to harbor even a faint hope that he might have changed
his nature a little?』
Despite these thoughts, he had to show the composure and
magnanimity of a victor. After all, the neutral and opportunistic factions were
also present at this assembly.
「You must have had quite a restricted
life. Just like those who returned with you today. From now on, you would do
well to spread your wings slowly in the Imperial Capital, heal your
wounded wings, and mourn the spirits of the soldiers who fell in battle.」
In response to those words, eleven high-ranking nobles of
the First Prince's faction who had been prisoners, starting with Duke Harry,
were invited into the hall.
「First, we must thank you for the
trouble you took to ensure we could return safely to the Empire. Though
it seems we were made to pay quite a painful price. And all of you, you would
do well to offer your thanks in this place as well.」
Saying so, he prompted his sympathizers lined up behind
him—those who had similarly been prisoners of the Kyle Kingdom. During
his time as a prisoner, Glorious himself had not even been permitted to
meet them, having only been told that they were safe.
「We have tarnished the honor of the Empire.
We sincerely apologize for exposing such shame and for causing immense trouble
to the Empire. And, clinging to the clemency of Your Highness Grat,
I dare to say: Please, give us an opportunity for a rematch! Grant us, by any
means, a chance to restore our honor!」
「Stop! This is unsightly!」
The one who scolded and restrained them was not Grat,
but Glorious. And Grat watched that scene with cold eyes.
「We have already lost the military
and financial power required to desire a rematch! Grat himself has lost territories
this time, while we have not lost our own territories. Do you not understand
the meaning of that!」
(Though, what he lost were also territories originally belonging to our
camp; in reality, he has lost no power at all.)
「H-Ha! M-My deepest apologies.」
Saying so, they all knelt on the floor, prostrating
themselves to apologize for their discourtesy.
『How transparent...』
Grat muttered
so quietly it was barely audible. He had been given a warning by Sieghart
in advance.
『In the unlikely event that His
Highness Glorious simply fails to understand the situation and unseemly
shouts for a rematch and the recovery of his lost ground, he will likely not be
a hindrance in the future even if left alone. That act itself will serve to
degrade him... and no one will support him from there on.』
The man himself had not behaved that way. His subordinates
had, but...
『However, if he behaves especially
submissively or acts with seeming discretion, this is a precursor to him
beginning to struggle regardless of appearances from here on. It can be said to
be proof that he understands he cannot win through legitimate means. That
gentleman is absolutely not one to take such actions from the bottom of his
heart...』
His current behavior was exactly that!
Glorious has not
yet given up on the throne. Harry, realizing this instantly, is
cunningly trying to hide that intention by behaving unsightlily himself. Or
something like that? The man himself hasn't quite managed to become an actor
due to his high pride, but...
「Very well. I too am busy. First, you must be reuniting after half a
year. Even if it is enemy land, the inside of this tent is Empire territory. Feel free to celebrate each other's safety and
renew your old friendship.」 (Though it will surely become a meeting to weave
conspiracies. That fox will likely handle that part.)
「Again, I offer you my heartfelt
thanks. In the future, I... intend to devote myself to the new Empire.」
Bowing deeply, the First Prince and his party left the
audience hall and set out for the Imperial Capital and their respective
fiefs—which for them were now like sitting on a bed of nails. They themselves
did not yet know at this point the number of prisoners returned, nor the
magnitude of the vast wealth they had lost, including themselves.
It would be some time before they learned the details and
truly turned pale.
Third Prince Grat let out a long sigh after finishing
the most unpleasant meeting. After this, in a different location, was the
meeting he actually desired.
An unofficial meeting with the man he had been interested in
for some time—a man whom even his subordinate "fox" had shown
extraordinary interest and concern for. His heart was already filled with
curiosity for that.
※
While the two heirs to the Imperial throne were confirming
each other's safety and enmity, Takuhir was visiting Claire and Yoltia,
who were busy receiving and verifying the families of the prisoners, to confirm
on the pending matters.
「Claire, Yoltia, good work. Things have settled down on my
end (with the merchants), but how are things here?」
「Well, we’ve brought about a hundred
of our reliable girls this time. We’re prioritizing the summoned families who
seem to be certain, and things are proceeding smoothly.」
「Hmm? How can you judge that there
are no mistakes?」
「Because the lists handed over by the
Empire had marks placed on each of them...」
Saying so, Claire smiled wryly. Looking at the list
actually handed over, there were circles (〇) and triangles (▲) marked respectively.
「Hahaha, Lord Sieghart must
have learned his lesson after being seen through every single time before. He
might have grown tired of mixing in fakes against his own nature this time.
Well, there’s always the possibility that the marks themselves are a trap to
lower our guard, though.」
「Yes, we are operating under that
assumption as well.」
「By the way, as we proceed, what
should we do with the families that 'happened to be a mistake'?」
Saying so, Yoltia showed me the list with the ▲
marks.
「What’s the total number?」
「About 500 families... Well, they
might not all be mistakes, but should we return those who are clearly not
families of the prisoners?」
「Hmm... only if they don't match or
have any possibility when cross-referenced with the names of the prisoners
being returned this time, let's ask them for their intent. If they are families
of fallen soldiers who have no relatives on the Empire side and are struggling
to live, we will gladly accept them. However, for a certain period, their
registration cards should be Group D, the same as temporary residents,
unlike the legitimate summoned families.」
Yes, we had prepared several new types of registration cards
for those living in the territories on the Empire side.
- [Group
A]
- Those from the Westlights Dukedom who are
registered in the Demon Territory Count's domain.
- Those from the Westlights Dukedom registered
other than the above.
- [Group B]
- Those from the Kyle Kingdom other than the
Dukedom.
- Imperial (Empire) Army prisoners who desired migration and their
families.
- [Group
C]
- Residents of the ceded territory who were originally Empire
territory residents.
- [Group
D]
- Imperial (Empire) citizens newly desiring migration to the new territory
on the Empire side.
- Imperial (Empire) citizens who are temporary residents newly engaged in
construction or business.
Through these classifications, we established differences
for things like passing the barrier gate at the old border or travel within
each city, under the premise of 'tentative temporary measures.' For the time
being, the response would be distinguished at checkpoints like the barrier gate
or reception offices in the former Demon Territory Count's domain.
Of course, there is no disparity within their respective
areas of origin, but checks are conducted for travel across the old border
within the Dukedom, or travel from Empire territory to the Dukedom.
Here, they were moving forward all at once, not just with
family verification, but registering everyone’s information and handing over
individual registration metal plates.
Given the numbers, even for these experienced girls, it
would likely be a half-day job, and the busyness would continue for some time.
「Understood. We will handle it that
way then. Should we do the same for the 'families that even the Empire side
cannot verify' who will be sent later?」
「Yeah, please. Also, I'm really sorry
to borrow your help while you're so busy...」
「Ah. We’re fine. Because it's more
important than anything else.」
「Sorry, Claire.」
Saying so, I left their battlefield where they were moving
about restlessly.
After this, an unwanted meeting awaited me. To that end, I
was already performing some minor tricks.
「Now then... it's a bit early, but I
suppose I'll call out to them and head over...」
Muttering this, I moved my heavy feet forward.
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