Chapter 437
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Audience and Meeting
Translator : PolterGlast
On the afternoon of our second day in the Imperial Capital, the first of the two major events of this official visit—the face-to-face meeting with the new Emperor—was held.
In the first part, an audience ceremony was held. The flow of it apparently involved envoys from various countries offering their congratulations on the new Emperor's ascension, with the Emperor responding in turn. Included among them were envoys sent by the Sura Principality and the Turncoat Kingdom.
Then came the second part, where we, invited as state guests, were to make our appearance.
By the time we followed our guide and were invited onto the dais from the upper stage, the area where the throne originally stood had already been rearranged. The throne now sat on the lower stage, and on the upper stage were three equally luxurious seats, with two more seats prepared behind the one closest to the center.
To begin with, the Grifonia Empire, which had conquered neighboring countries and reigned as an absolute powerhouse, had never welcomed a ruler of equal standing as a guest of honor.
Therefore, this was an unprecedented meeting, full of exceptions completely absent from the Empire's history.
After being introduced with a grandiose declaration, we were led to our respective seats. I, Krügel-heika, and Clarice-denka sat in the seats prepared on the upper stage, while Miseri and Yoltia sat behind me.
「Words cannot express our gratitude that you have traveled all this way to Griffin. Furthermore, on behalf of the Empire, I would like to formally express my thanks to the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom and the other nations for their immense contributions in suppressing this recent rebellion.」
「Think nothing of it. We merely provided assistance in accordance with our agreement as sworn allies. Now that the rebellion has been suppressed and you are to be crowned as Emperor, it is only natural that we come to celebrate as friends.」
When I referred to him as a 『friend』 during my outward-facing greeting, a stir rippled through the imperial nobles lined up on the lower tier.
Well, I suppose that was to be expected? After all, from the Empire's perspective, the Kyle Kingdom and the newly emerging Demon Territory Dukedom were countries they had previously looked down upon as targets for conquest.
「As the Emperor of this Empire, I dare say this to everyone assembled here. Do not ever forget that the guests invited here today are the saviors of our Empire!」
After making that declaration, he raised his hand. Sieghart stepped forward from the lower tier, bowed respectfully, and after receiving a document resting on a tray, began to read it aloud.
「In gratitude for saving the Empire from its dire predicament, and by the name of Emperor-heika, we shall present the nations invited today with rewards befitting their great deeds, and we shall cede a portion of our territory to ensure the peace of the Empire. We humbly request that our esteemed guests from each nation graciously accept these offerings.」
Huh? Come to think of it, we had discussed the new borderlines, but I had only heard that the rewards would be "appropriate." If they were going to be issued directly from the Empire to the Kyle Kingdom and the Fearalt Principality as well, it would actually be quite convenient for me, saving me the extra effort.
「First, to the Fearalt Principality, whose King-heika personally led troops to assist us against the forces of the Lute, Villé, and Cain Kingdoms that invaded the northern imperial territory, we shall gift 100,000 Imperial Large Gold Coins as a token of our gratitude.」
Whoa! An Imperial Large Gold Coin is worth twice as much as a gold coin from the Kyle Kingdom. That meant this was a massive windfall equivalent to 200,000 gold coins.
「Similarly, in gratitude to the Royal Capital Knight Order of the Kyle Kingdom, who fought valiantly to protect the citizens of the Empire on the northern front, we shall gift 250,000 Imperial Large Gold Coins along with our deepest thanks.」
This was an exceptional sum, too. That was 500,000 gold coins in Kyle Kingdom currency. Since 15,000 soldiers had deployed, that was over 30 gold coins per soldier.
「And finally... to the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, whose Archduke-heika himself traveled all the way to the Empire's new territories, not only saving us from our plight but completely annihilating the invading enemy forces, and who achieved unparalleled success in protecting the imperial citizens and repelling the invasion army on the northern front, we shall gift 2,500,000 Imperial Gold Coins as a testament to our gratitude.」
「「「「「Ooooh!」」」」」
The venue erupted in a collective roar, but even I could tell it wasn't out of praise or positive surprise. Sieghart seemed to know this as well, and purposefully paused for a beat.
「Forgive my insolence, but I must speak. It is only natural to show our gratitude, however... with such an exorbitant sum, the Empire's treasury will be emptied!」
「Indeed! The Empire will not be able to sustain itself at this rate!」
「Please, consider the Empire's honor and dignity!」
A portion of the nobles raised their voices in dissatisfaction as if seizing their chance, but doing so in front of foreign guests was the height of a lack of common sense. Well, to those who spoke up, the Demon Territory Dukedom was a lesser entity; they likely thought there was no need to show any restraint. However... I had been told by Sieghart beforehand that this was part of a deliberate performance to flush out the rebellious factions. Since they took the bait so beautifully, the man himself (Sieghart) was wearing a faint smirk.
「It seems you are all laboring under a misunderstanding. When my foolish older brother became a prisoner of the Kyle Kingdom, the Empire paid 1,000,000 Large Gold Coins as the price for his safe return. How do you account for that fact? Is it your understanding that the life of the one who is to become Emperor is equal in value to someone who merely held a claim to the throne, and who was removed from candidacy after committing a blunder? Is that what you thought?」
「T-That is...」
「No, we would never...」
「We were merely speaking for the dignity of the Empire...」
「Do you not understand that deliberately exposing your shameful behavior in front of our guests damages the Empire's dignity?」
「「「......」」」
「Furthermore, the expeditionary force of the Demon Territory Dukedom saved the lives of 50,000 of our compatriots on the southern front and annihilated an enemy army 120,000 strong! And that is not all. They protected hundreds of thousands of imperial citizens on the northern front. Do you not think that 2,500,000 coins is insufficient for such achievements, let alone for my very life?」
In truth, this meeting ceremony was also apparently designed to humiliate those who harbored dissatisfaction with the new Emperor—effectively performing a public execution through words to strip them of their unifying power. As always, Sieghart came up with the most vicious schemes. Especially since the Empire had a tendency to look down on neighboring countries, I had heard that decisively cutting down that mindset was also part of his goal.
「It is exactly as Emperor-heika says. We intend to compensate for the shortfall through the cession of territory. We shall confiscate the domains and assets of those who participated in this rebellion, significantly reshuffling the noble territories within the Empire. To the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, we shall cede the former Roland Principality—which was a mandate territory of His Majesty—along with the adjacent noble domains, such as the territory of Count Jark, who aided the rebellion and turned a blind eye to the invading army.」
「W-What! That is simply too much—」
「Calm yourself, Minister of Finance. I dare ask: who protected the people of the regions we plan to cede from the invaders? Who is still providing for them now that they have become refugees?」
「T-That is...」
「Hundreds of thousands of people who suffered the invasion fled to the Demon Territory Dukedom and are still being sheltered today. The Demon Territory Dukedom is bearing the manpower and costs to reconstruct the war-torn lands. Can you not see just how grateful the citizens of the Empire are to the Demon Territory Dukedom and its Archduke?」
「It is as you say, but... even so, it is far too excessive...」
「It seems the core of the Empire is far too concerned with appearances and arrogant about past glories. You would do well to take a step back from your duties and observe reality from an unburdened perspective. I shall grant leave to all the others who voiced objections as well, so that you may travel the lands and witness how the people are living.」
Hahaha, so he just gained a legitimate pretext to dismiss them over this incident? Even so, no matter the country, there are always fools who ignore reality and obsess only over appearances.
「Earlier, the former Minister of Finance worried that the treasury would be emptied, but I dare say this to you all! Can we not allocate the equivalent value from the Sura Principality, the Turncoat Kingdom, and the assets and territories of the other crushed rebel nobles? The Empire's dignity is maintained by showing appropriate gratitude and sincerity for the favors we have received. Anyone who objects to this is welcome to bring me a counter-proposal that I can find acceptable.」
He was certainly right. Although it wasn't absolute, the high nobles who directly participated in or supported the rebellion had all been crushed, and I had heard their numbers accounted for as much as a fifth of all imperial nobles.
Additionally, while their territory wasn't massively reduced, the Sura Principality had ceded the mountain range where their fortress line was built, as well as the strongholds beyond it, essentially having a dagger thrust at their throat.
Although the income generated from their territory wouldn't change significantly, it seemed they were now required to pay an enormous annual tax to the Empire as a security fee, on top of the reparations.
On the other hand, the Turncoat Kingdom had ceded the parts bordering imperial territory—a prominent granary region making up a quarter of their country—and were obligated to pay substantial reparations alongside an annual security fee.
There was no doubt that the profits from these alone would amount to a considerable income. However... the two nations had no idea that even harsher treatment awaited them.
Is it about time for my cue?
「We are grateful for your tremendous consideration and for entrusting the Empire's citizens to us. In return, we would like to present a gift that will bring peace to your great nation going forward.」
「Oh? That is a welcome offer.」
After seeing the new Emperor nod as he said that, I raised my right hand. At that signal, the ones who walked onto the dais were, of course, the two people I had secretly brought along.
「The Lute, Villé, and Cain Kingdoms invaded the imperial territory alongside the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy, but they were defeated and subsequently destroyed by the very Theocracy army that was once their ally. We have captured the former King of the Villé Kingdom and sent him back to the Imperial Capital, but the Kings of the other two nations have also perished, along with the royalty who remained in their countries, as the price for their sins.」
As I said this, the two bowed their heads deeply, and simultaneously, a great commotion spread through the venue. One of the reasons for this was that information regarding the rise and fall of the three kingdoms was heavily convoluted within the Empire due to how rapidly events had unfolded.
「Acting upon my will, they subjugated the bandits that had invaded the three kingdoms, and as the sole surviving royalty, they liberated their homelands. They have now inherited their kingdoms and have come here to bear the sins of their predecessors before the new Emperor.」
With those words, they apologized once more to the new Emperor, their heads still bowed deeply.
「I am Courage, formerly the First Prince of the Lute Kingdom, and she is Alicia, formerly the Third Princess of the Cain Kingdom. The two of us have inherited the sins committed by our predecessors, and we offer our deepest apologies to the Empire once more.」
「Please, in exchange for offering both of our lives as an apology to the Empire for this incident, we beg for lenient treatment for our citizens and soldiers.」
At their words, the audience hall fell completely silent. They hadn't even imagined that the royalty who had inherited the kingdoms would personally appear to offer their lives as an apology and atonement for their sins. Receiving their apology, the new Emperor slowly rose from his seat.
「I see that both of you possess a magnificent resolve befitting royalty meant to lead their nations. However, have the Kings of your respective nations not already paid for their crimes—one imprisoned, and the other two executed by a rampaging army? Therefore, your sins have already been paid for! Furthermore, since the liberation of the three kingdoms was achieved with the assistance of the Archduke of the Demon Territory Dukedom, it stands to reason that the right to decide your life or death lies with the Archduke.」
The moment he said that, all eyes instantly focused on me. Including the less-than-friendly ones... Here, as if performing on a stage, I intentionally began to speak in a loud, expressive voice.
「These two also have the merit of contributing to the recapture of their lands and the stabilization of their governance. Therefore, what we demand is that they rebuild their ruined three kingdoms, forge friendly relations with us to contribute to the reconstruction of the areas they invaded, and serve as the vanguard against the still-scheming Istoria Orthodox Theocracy, thereby contributing to the peace of the Empire. Additionally, how about atoning for the sin of your invasion by ceding a portion of your territory and paying reparations...?」
「Hmm... the Empire has no objections to that.」
「Of course, the two of us gratefully accept these orders.」
This was purely a premeditated farce we had prepared in advance, but the Empire's side was left completely speechless by the sheer suddenness of the development and the situation that defied all common sense. It would be accurate to say that Sieghart had been aiming for exactly this, and it seemed his scheme was a brilliant success.
「Hahaha, with this, the entire northern region of the Empire will stabilize, and we will prosper even further through trade with our neighboring allied nations. We can now focus solely on managing our vast, newly acquired territories. We gratefully accept this 『celebratory gift』 from the Archduke! As a result, the Empire has expanded its territory, grown wealthier, and displayed its majesty. What say you to that?」
「「「「「As you command!」」」」」
Led by Sieghart, those acting on his intentions responded simultaneously in a booming voice. With this, the matter was settled without room for objection. The two were permitted to take a seat, and afterward, amiable conversations were exchanged. The face-to-face ceremony concluded without a hitch. And then... I faced a night filled with anxiety.
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