Chapter 415
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Aligned Conditions
Translator : PolterGlast
After the general sharing meeting, we proceeded to the
audience with the prisoners. Incidentally, we limited the participants in the
audience to those who currently held a peerage equivalent to Viscount or
higher. Therefore, in the audience venue, centered around me, Marquis Gorman,
Marquis Solis, Count Falmus, and Viscount Bold sat in
order on the left side, and Legion Commander Schultz (Viscount
equivalent treatment), Commander Weiss (Viscount), and Viscount Solis
(Alexis) sat on the right side.
「Then shall we begin the audience?」
At my words, the two surrendered generals were first guided
into the venue by escorting soldiers. Although they were prisoners, they were
men who had surrendered of their own will, generals whose honor should be
respected and dealt with accordingly, and their treatment and guidance were
also in accordance with courtesy. Then, Alexis stood up and introduced
them.
「I report to Archduke-heika: the ones guided in first are Denka Crajyu, the First
Prince of the Lute Kingdom, and General Golpa of the Vile
Kingdom.」
The two who were introduced bowed deeply with composed
demeanors. I see... They are not servile but dignified, and moreover, their
countenances show they have already prepared their resolve. Both of them exuded
an atmosphere that made one think they were distinguished figures just by their
behavior. The First Prince of the Lute Kingdom drifted an
atmosphere of a warrior endowed with a dignified and majestic presence rather
than royalty, and somehow his atmosphere had something in common with Krugel-heika of the Principality of Fearalt.
On the other hand, General Golpa of the Vile Kingdom, despite
being at an age entering old age from his prime, had a straight back and felt
exactly like a battle-hardened old general maintaining a splendid physique
showing no decline yet, making one feel even a sense of majesty.
「First of all, I wish to express my
gratitude to the two of you. I too am grateful that due to your courageous
decisions, the officers and soldiers of your countries and mine, and many lives
that would have been lost, were saved.」
Saying so, I bowed my head. Honestly speaking, surrendering
while still retaining fighting strength out of consideration for the lives of
one's soldiers is not something easily done.
「What!」 「No, we are...」
Of course, the two who were originally in the position of
apologizing were at a loss for words, looking uniformly surprised. Well... they
would be surprised, wouldn't they? The king on the victor's side suddenly bowed
his head right at the beginning, after all. Of course, even though I'm a king,
you could say I'm nothing more than a 『pseudo-king』, and I'm indifferent to and don't care about appearances or
formalities. Besides, just looking at them, there was an atmosphere that made
me think I should deal with them with courtesy.
「Forgive my loss of composure. It is
we who entrust our defeated selves to Archduke-heika. Punish us as you please, but please, a lenient disposition
for the soldiers.」
I had heard from Alexis beforehand, but the First
Prince who said so also had an 『uncharacteristic』 feel for royalty, so to speak. In a good way, of course. I
somehow feel a sense of affinity.
「It is I who should express my thanks
anew. Being bestowed with excessive consideration towards us, we were able to
make good parting gifts (stories) for our comrades who passed on earlier. I
believe this head is insufficient, but please, a lenient disposition for the
soldiers so they may stand on their own feet.」
General Golpa, smiling refreshingly, also seemed to
have prepared his resolve. Both of them were capable adversaries one could
respect as warriors; although the direction was different from what I once felt
towards Sieghart, they were people who made me feel something despite
being enemies.
『If Krugel-heika had not participated in the war,
we would likely have been defeated by the tactics the two of them constructed
in the final phase.』
Alexis had
declared so in the preliminary meeting, and I felt I could understand that as
well. Excellent generals exist in any country. Whether they are given a place
to exhibit their 『possessed
power』 is
another story, though.
「Hahaha, I believe you have already
been asked by our home defense commander-in-chief (Alexis), but such
concern is unnecessary. We will deal with the two of you with the honor
befitting your positions. We will have the officers and soldiers cooperate in
the reconstruction, but we have no intention of oppressing them. Eventually,
let us also explore paths for them to return to their home countries through
prisoner repatriation and the like.」
When I said so, the two of them bowed their heads deeply
once more. And when they raised their faces, for the first time, they showed
refreshing smiles with no hint of flattery.
「We are endlessly grateful for Archduke-heika's compassion. Rumors of 『Matsuyama』 had reached the Lute Kingdom as well, but we too are
now experiencing it firsthand with daily surprise.」
「Gratitude, I express my heartfelt
gratitude. By relying on Archduke-heika's
benevolence, we are prolonging our lives, but I express my thanks anew on
behalf of the soldiers.」
「Then, since the greetings are over,
I would like to move on to the main topic. Could you prepare seats for the two
of them as well?」
「「???」」
The two of them looked surprised once again, but for me,
this is where the main topic begins. How they react to the words I am about to
speak will impact the 『preceding
conditions』, after
all. I stared anew at the two who sat in the offered seats while still
bewildered.
「From here on, I must speak of
something harsh to the two of you. Therefore, I want you to listen with
resolve. A report has come in that the unruly army (Istoria) that
incited the various countries and became the root cause of the war has now
trampled the home countries of you two, and the Royal Capitals of both
countries have fallen.」
「Ku...」 「To think...」
Both of them floated expressions of anguish and looked down.
It seems they are desperately enduring it even if they have things they want to
say.
「Regarding this, I'm sure the two of
you have many thoughts as well. I could have hidden this fact, but thinking of
the days to come, I dared to inform you. If you have anything you wish to speak
of, please say so without reserve.」
「It is a matter too late to speak of
now... but both General Golpa and I were in a position opposed to this
troop dispatch that would cause turmoil in a time of peace. However, as a
result, we too have invaded and trampled another country. This too must be
karmic retribution.」
「It is truly a regrettable matter,
but just as Denka Crajyu
said, we cannot criticize them for it. However... it is a harsh matter for the
soldiers, but this too must be the karma the two of us should bear going
forward.」
「It's an ill-natured question, but
didn't you think, 『If
only we hadn't surrendered that time』?」
「To speak honestly, even if we forced
a retreat, we would have suffered damages close to total annihilation, and even
if we managed to retreat, no fighting strength sufficient to resist an enemy of
twenty thousand would have remained; as a result, our homelands would have been
trampled.」
「It is exactly as Denka Craju says. However,
we, as a responsibility of those who are generals, believe we must apologize to
the soldiers anew. With the heads of the two of us that Archduke-heika has kept for now...」
This is a satisfactory, no... an answer beyond what I
imagined. I decided to step into the next stage with confidence.
「I believe that is splendid insight
and resolve. To the two of you who spoke thus, I too wish to speak from my true
feelings. Originally, events in other countries, much less enemy nations we are
engaged in war with, the outcome of this time is none of our concern either.
Seizing this opportunity to turn the tables, provoke a war of revenge, and
invade is also contrary to the style of our country.」
This is a fact, and not a fact. Originally, it would be a
matter of reaping what one sows, or a fire on the opposite shore, but when the 『Apostles of Darkness』 are involved in this, matters are
not simple. We also bear a part of the responsibility, and we have a motive to
sweep them away.
「However, looking ahead to the
post-war period, I believe it is possible to support countries that will newly
become sworn allies. To dare use disrespectful expression, it would not be a
hindrance to say that the royal families of the two countries that should bear
war responsibility have perished. While we are doing this, the Cain Kingdom
is also probably...」
The worst-case story for us is the three countries being
annexed by the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy. The only thing I absolutely
want to avoid is the birth of a new, mighty enemy nation. The Empire's
intentions are unclear, but the Third Prince's thoughts were clear on
the southern front as well, and it is safe to assume there is no intention for
the Imperial Army to counter-invade and completely annex them for the
sake of punishment. Both I and the Third Prince, even if we newly annex
devastated countries at this point, would be short on the surplus strength,
human resources, and military force to support them.
「There are also the Empire's
intentions, so it is a story on the premise of being nothing more than a verbal
promise right now, but do the two of you have the intention to liberate your
homelands? If you desire that, we believe it is possible for us to support you.」
「That is! Of course, but...」
「It is a story we could not even wish
for, but...」
The two of them were unable to hide their bewilderment,
floating expressions of disbelief because my words were too unexpected. Well...
I think that's only natural, though.
「However, I must say that too is a
path of thorns. First, as a premise, it is necessary that an official request
for 『assistance
to liberate the national territory』 be made by someone representing the country. Second, even
if the national territory is successfully liberated, it will be impossible for
each country to maintain their former territories due to cessions of territory
and the like. Third, after the country is liberated, you will bear post-war
reparations and payments for the price of the national territory's liberation.」
Yes, even to repatriate prisoners, it would become a pipe
dream if a country to pay the 『price』 did not exist. Because a country liberated by our
assistance would subsequently bear debts as a defeated nation.
「Even if we extend a hand, it will
never be based solely on goodwill. We will support you so that you fulfill your
responsibilities as a nation. It will likely take that form. But even so...」
「I understand your story well. But
even so... we can save our homelands from the tyrannical rule of the Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy. I believe that will happen. If you look at their
methods in occupied territories, it is clearer than looking at a fire what kind
of treatment the people of our homelands will receive.」
Yeah, with these words of the First Prince, it seems
we've cleared the first hurdle. Then shall we move on to the topic of the
second hurdle next?
「Then Denka Crajyu, as one born into royalty, do you have the
resolve to bear that karma? General Golpa, do you have the resolve to
continue supporting Denka as a
general until the very end?」
「Archduke-heika, if such a
request is permitted, could you entrust us with the temporarily captured officers
and soldiers? Of course, after sweeping those bastards away, we will return as
prisoners once more and make amends for our crimes.」
「I am one who has already prepared
for death. With this life that does not have long left, if it is fulfilled, I
wish to support Denka Crajyu
and bear the karma together.」
Receiving those words, I looked out over the lined-up
generals. It seemed everyone agreed with my opinion, and all of them nodded
silently.
「Then the discussion is decided! We
will send troops to support the two of you, and scatter the Istoria Orthodox
Theocracy from the three countries! Through this, we will liberate the
people suffering under them!」
「「「「「Yeah!」」」」」
At the situation developing with unexpected resoluteness and
prompt decisions, the two of them looked dumbfounded, but upon returning to
themselves, they knelt and continued to bow their heads deeply.
「This debt of gratitude, I will
engrave upon my body for the rest of my life...」
「Gratitude, I express my deepest
gratitude...」
「Then the two of you shall join the
line on my right side as you are. Now then, we hold an audience with the
prisoners anew! Drag him out!」
Here, I used the word prisoner for the first time. I had received a report from Alexis beforehand, but it seems the next one will be an unpleasant meeting. In order to solidify that resolve as well, I had flipped a switch within myself. Of course, the two surrendered generals floated slightly surprised expressions at the change in my words and attitude, though. We've fulfilled the necessary preconditions for ourselves, and what comes after this is nothing more than an extra for me. With my legs crossed while seated, I puffed out my chest grandly and looked down at the one being led in.
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