Chapter 432
(Kyle Calendar Year
515: Age 22)
Abnormality in the
Imperial Capital
~
The timeline goes back a little ~
Around
the time Takuhir and the others were still on their return journey from
the southern expedition, there was someone who had returned in triumph a step
ahead and begun a new governance and post-war processing. In Griffin,
the Imperial Capital of the Griffonia Empire, when the declaration of
victory by the triumphant Third Prince was made, everyone living in the
Imperial Capital came to know the details of this rebellion. Voices of anger
rose from all over the Empire against the First Prince and his
pro-faction, who had planned a rebellion even selling out the country despite
the imperial succession already being settled; and those who were of the
neutral faction or, while not actively supporting him, preferred the First
Prince, also completely came to acknowledge the Third Prince's
imperial succession. Slightly delayed from the Third Prince's arrival,
the key figures who participated in the rebellion starting with the First
Prince and were captured were also escorted to the Imperial Capital by
Count Astray. As those awaiting the execution of their sentences...
Simultaneously with their arrival, the Third Prince announced as
post-war processing that he would subject them to severe punishment, and push
forward with new reforms. Due to this, the nobles of the pro-faction of the First
Prince (Glorious) fell into a state of panic and began running
around in confusion.
「Grat-denka, today again nobles wishing to
intercede with Denka are swarming and requesting meetings...」
「Again...」
At
Count Astray's words, Grat let out a large sigh and shook his
head. Up until now, he had permitted meetings with the thought of 『refusing none who come』, wondering if there were any hidden
talents or promising individuals, but the results were nothing but situations
betraying his expectations. Grat had already given up on the meeting
requesters, who were no different from the ones who exposed their unsightly,
disgraceful behavior at the prisoner audience.
「Unfortunately, I have understood
well that meeting with those who belonged to his faction is a waste of time.
I'm sorry, but please filter future meetings through you, Count. Could
you mediate to me only those who have promise?」
「Understood. Then you will proceed
according to the proclamation from here on out?」
The
proclamation the Count mentioned was one issued by Grat the day before
yesterday, designed to sever the power struggles up to now in two with a single
stroke.
『Regarding this rebellion: those who
participated in the rebellion, those who cooperated secretly, those considered
to have sided with the rebellion, and those who supported the rebels, shall be
held accountable for their crimes established in four tiers, and subjected to
severe punishment.』
(Crime
of Rebellion)
・
Nobles who participated in the rebellion or provided
subordinate soldiers shall uniformly have the crime of rebellion applied, their
family lines extinguished, and the head of the family shall face the death
penalty.
・ The dependents of the aforementioned
nobles shall be stripped of their noble status and imprisoned under the premise
of the death penalty, but execution of the sentence will not be carried out for
the time being.
(Crime
of Quasi-Rebellion)
・
Noble family heads who participated in the rebellion without
knowing the circumstances shall, excluding those granted special treatment,
face punishment equivalent to the crime of rebellion.
・ The dependents of the aforementioned
nobles shall be stripped of their noble status and imprisoned, but special
measures may be granted in some cases.
(Crime
of Aiding and Abetting Rebellion)
・
Nobles considered to have cooperated with the rebellion even
without providing soldiers shall have their family names extinguished,
territories confiscated, and the family head imprisoned.
・ Nobles who cooperated with the
rebellion without knowing the circumstances are also subject to the above,
excluding those granted some special treatment.
・ Dependents of family heads or clans
to which the crime of aiding and abetting rebellion is applied shall also be
subjected to equivalent crimes, but special measures may be granted in some
cases.
(Guilt
by Association)
・
Those who belonged to the faction of the rebel Glorious
shall be held guilty by association, and subjected to demotion in peerage,
expulsion from public office, or substitution of territory, but special
measures may be granted in some cases.
・ Dependents of those held guilty by
association are also subject to the above, but special measures may be granted
in some cases.
(Special
Measures)
・
Among those who participated in the rebellion without
knowing the circumstances of the rebellion, those who submitted and pledged
loyalty during the battle shall not be questioned for their crimes and shall be
subject to rewards.
・ Even among dependents whose family
heads or clans are accused of the crime of rebellion, quasi-rebellion, aiding
and abetting rebellion, or guilt by association, those who submit and pledge
loyalty may be exempted from their crimes as a special measure.
・ Dependents clearly granted special
measures may be given the opportunity to restore their honor and family name at
a later date.
Before
this proclamation was issued, soldiers had already been dispatched to all the
noble territories falling under the crime of rebellion, and many of the noble
territories falling under the crime of quasi-rebellion, and suppression was
almost complete. At the current point in time, the ones panicking were their
dependents, and those falling under the crime of aiding and abetting rebellion
or guilt by association. Because they, knowing they could not escape
punishment, uniformly asserted that they were subjects of the special measures,
or asserted that they were unrelated to the First Prince's rebellion,
and petitioned for the survival of themselves, their territories, and their
family names.
「To think that instead of gracefully
bearing the crimes themselves, not a single one appears praying for the safety
of their family and territory... it is truly pathetic. Moreover, those guys
seem to have completely forgotten that they were loudly criticizing me until a
little while ago.」
Indeed,
it is what it is. Within the Empire, the color-coding of the factions
they belong to is already done to the point of being easy to understand, and
the listing of promising individuals by Sieghart is also complete, after
all... To such regrettable individuals, messengers stating they would be
treated with special measures had already been dispatched from Grat, and
those hurriedly requesting meetings now were the families and individuals who
were not selected (= should be punished).
「If we proceed like this, about half
of the great nobles will have their territories confiscated, and two-fifths of
the vast Empire Territory will become blank, will it not?」
「That can't be helped either. For
generations, the aftermath of the imperial succession disputes has reached each
family that backed the respective candidates. It's just that this time, it's
being reproduced on a slightly larger scale.」
「That is certainly true. There is
also the precedent from the previous imperial succession.」
Saying
so, Count Astray himself also had no choice but to look back on the past
and mock himself. Because the Astray family, which was formerly just a
branch family of the Baron Kampfer family, rode the trend of the times
during the fall of the Roland Kingdom and became a Count family before
they knew it, not only ensuring the survival of the main Baron family but
swapping the positions of the branch and main families... When the imperial
throne is succeeded, the power map within the Empire always changes
drastically. That is exactly why each family is desperate.
「The scale is somewhat larger, and
there will likely be temporary confusion, but that point will eventually settle
down. However... it's not that there are no other concerns.」
「The matter of ceding the northern
territories?」
It
is still an unofficial policy, but the Third Prince had already not only
suppressed the civil war and repelled foreign enemies, but also instructed and
had them consider a large-scale cession of territory to the 『benefactors』 of his own life.
「Exactly. The achievements in the
battle are unparalleled, and even though we are in a position of having
received a favor, there will probably be many within the Empire who do
not approve of the Demon Territory Dukedom's power expanding.」
「I suppose. But there will be those
who show understanding towards the Archduke's achievements. Like the
ones in the reports.」
Around
this time, express messengers with war situation reports were sent to the
Imperial Capital numerous times from Viscount Durul, Viscount Kamin,
and others of the Imperial Army who had achieved victory on the northern
front. In that sense, the Third Prince who entered the Imperial Capital
knew of the victory on the northern front earlier than Takuhir and the
others who were hurrying on their return journey. Initially upon receiving the
reports, Grat himself was at a loss for words at the Demon Territory
Dukedom's immense contribution and astonishing great battle results, not
only in the south but also on the northern battlefield.
「From here on, I have to tackle the
domestic affairs of the Empire which have been greatly reshuffled. There
will likely be those who pretend to obey but secretly betray among them. For
that purpose as well, I want to entrust the northern part of the Empire
to trustworthy friends, and keep the new southern territories secure by having
you guys keep a watchful eye. Of course, entrusting you guys with corresponding
territories as well.」
「Hahaha, my nephew (Sieghart)
will probably complain again saying he wants to take it easy.」
「Around the territory ceded to the Archduke,
we will promote and place those with understanding. With this, the north is
secure. The four countries of Istoria, Lute, Vile, and Cain
will be punished by the Archduke, and at the same time serve as a
deterrent.」
Newly
ceding territory, but not simply handing it over. As the Empire, it also
served the meaning of 『handing over』
the national borders harboring sources of conflict, including those risks.
「However... according to the reports,
the invading armies from those three countries have all suffered damages close
to total annihilation. With that, maintaining the countries will not be
possible either. I believe it will be unrestrained taking of territory, though?」
Receiving
those words, Grat closed one eye, smiled, and nodded. With that, the
Count understood everything.
「I see... there are limits to ceding Empire Territory, but if it's the territories of
other countries, there's no problem, is that what you mean?」
「Including that, I intend to leave
everything in the north to the Archduke's discretion. Originally, it was
the Archduke's army that protected the north. The Imperial Army
merely assisted a portion, after all. The battle results entirely belong to the
Archduke. Besides... through this battle, I felt I must learn anew
regarding the treatment of prisoners and magnanimity.」
「So the special measures... is that
it?」
In
the Empire, which had conducted militaristic governance since ancient
times, one could say that this time's special measures were the true exception.
Therefore, many anticipated it as their final hope, and some clung to it to an
unsightly degree.
「Hahaha, as a result, exactly because
of that they too gave up on thorough resistance and expected compassion, after
all. Ultimately I intend to put the punishments on hold, and leave the rest to
be managed by the cunning fox (Sieghart).」
Saying
so, Grat laughed greatly. Since he entered the Imperial Capital backed
by a military force of fifteen thousand cavalry, the consolidation of his
ground was proceeding steadily.
※
While
the post-war processing by the Third Prince Grat proceeded, there
were also shadows maneuvering in the Imperial Capital Griffin. First,
that began within the Inner Palace. To begin with, Griffin, the Imperial
Capital of the Griffonia Empire which boasts a vast territory,
repeatedly expanded along with the expansion of the territory, and now boasts a
majestic appearance as the capital of a giant empire. City walls indicating the
history of territorial expansion are stretched in multiple layers, and in the
initial Imperial Capital enclosed at the innermost part, magnificent palaces
line up, and all of those had become the Inner Palace, a domain where only the
Emperor, his Empress, concubines, and children live. The current Emperor, who
is the master of that Inner Palace and is supposed to govern the entire Empire,
tired of state affairs at some point, secluded himself in the Inner Palace, and
has spent a life drowning in alcohol and women for a long time. Therefore, only
the princes who are candidates for succession and those bearing heavy
responsibilities in state administration, who are specifically permitted to
enter and exit the Inner Palace, occasionally visit the Inner Palace, and other
than seeking necessary decisions, the current Emperor lived cutting off ties
with the outside world. And late one night... there was a single shadow
sneaking into the Inner Palace.
「Who goes there!」
In
an exceptionally luxurious private room set up within the magnificent palace,
the master of the room, sensing an unusual presence, raised her voice. She was
originally already in her mid-forties in age, but her voice was youthful and
her appearance was full of a suspicious charm, as if she hadn't yet passed her
prime.
「Fufufu, Empress-heika... it's been a while. To still
maintain unchanged beauty even now is a splendid thing.」
「!!!」
Seeing
the man who revealed his figure in a corner illuminated by the candelabra from
the dark shadows, the woman called 『Empress』
froze once. And then... as if gaining some sort of conviction, she nodded and
knelt on one knee.
「T-This is... is it you, My Lord?
Your appearance had changed so much, I was terribly rude.」
Saying
so, she bowed her head deeply. Despite being in a position where, normally, she
needed to serve no one other than the Emperor...
「You are my daughter drawing the
bloodline of the Clan Head of Darkness; there is no need to show courtesy.」
「But... even though he is my son, for
this failure, I have no way to apologize to you, Father...」
「Not everything has ended yet, you
know. Apologies are unnecessary. I too am in the position of having unnecessary
interference enter and failing on the final move. So... how did the matter I
requested of you turn out?」
「Yes, exactly as the initial plan, I
have been administering drugs with the intention of having the imperial throne
succeeded after the battle ends, so... If I do not give him the medicine
suppressing the effects now, his life thread will be cut in a few days.」
「Fufufu, the Emperor of the Empire
who reached the zenith of glory also drowned in alcohol and women, and has now
ended up like a cripple? It was unfortunate, even though the Empire was
about to become ours in just a little more.」
Yes,
the current Emperor of the Empire tiring of state affairs and drowning
in alcohol and women, losing interest in governance and secluding himself in
the Inner Palace, in truth, was none other than her maneuvering behind the
scenes to make it so. Under the original plan, the First Prince would
strike down his political enemies, and at that point the Emperor would pass
away and he would succeed the imperial throne. Their plan was proceeding under
such arrangements.
「But rest assured. We lost our
foundation in the Empire, but the seeds of treason and dissatisfaction
have been sown. We can have them plot a comeback in a civil war dividing the
country, or temporarily partake in the meal prepared by my unworthy disciples,
move our stronghold, and wait for the right time.」
「What! There is such a place?」
「Fufufu, haven't I always said it?
Schemes are things laid in multiple layers.」
「Yes, anew... I am in awe.」
Of
course, at this point, he had no way of knowing the future where the Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy falls, nor that the three countries his unworthy
disciples snatched away would later be liberated by Takuhir and others.
「Then what about us?」
「Let's see, in order to have him plot
a comeback, my poorly-made grandson will have to live a little longer. For that
purpose, we have already prepared body doubles and rescued your younger sister
and her child.」
Her
(the Empress's) younger sister was the one who was swapped with the Fourth
Princess of the former Roland Kingdom, and who had become the wife of
Duke Harley. And... that child had become the wife of Glorious,
who was now merely waiting for execution.
「From here on, as the mother of the First
Prince who caused the rebellion, it would be good for you to request
confinement while the Emperor is still alive.」
「Yes, I will gloss things over so it
takes that form.」
Even
though she said she would actually request confinement, she didn't need to
obtain permission. It was merely a matter of making the Emperor consent.
「If you leave the Inner Palace,
arrangements have been made so you can leave the Imperial Capital following our
guidance. If you are gone, the Emperor will pass away in the near future, but
if you move while he is alive, the Third Prince cannot lay a hand on you
either, right?」
「Yes... I thank you for your
consideration.」
「And a disturbance will occur in the
Inner Palace where you are absent. Indeed, at that time, who will end up
bearing the responsibility for that disturbance? The eyes of suspicion will
turn towards those arrogant from a temporary victory, and the soil for us to
bloom again will likely be cultivated.」
Saying so, the man smiled fearlessly, and disappeared into the darkness once again. The next day, the Empress, who was officially said to have been granted leave by the Emperor, left the Imperial Capital under the pretext of confining herself, dodged the surveillance of the Third Prince and others, and disappeared to who knows where. And then... two incidents that would astonish the Imperial Capital broke out.
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