Chapter 460
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
Further Changes in the
Situation
Completely changing from the beginning, the atmosphere of the
conversation in the reception room shifted from a tense probing of each other's
intentions to a slightly more amicable one.
「Now then, just as we expected, a path forward for the two issues has
been made visible thanks to the Archduke's wisdom, and I express my gratitude
anew. From here on out is a private matter; may I consult with you as the
Margrave of the Southern Frontier of the Kyle Kingdom?」
I had no objections to begin with. I had already made my point, and
there's no need to be stubborn at this stage.
「Fufufu, please go easy on me. Besides, I am currently unfamiliar with
the Kingdom's circumstances. It would be helpful if you could take that into
consideration as well.」
However, the moment we entered this topic, the old raccoon's eyes
changed. Towards a sharper look, of course... Could it be that the upcoming
talk is the main issue?
「Regarding national defense, it involves an opponent, you see. Actually,
in the east, something somewhat unexpected is happening.」
In the east? Does that mean the conflict between the Istoria Orthodox
Theocracy and the Istoria Imperial Kingdom? I heard that both had
destroyed each other through infighting and were already virtually dead?
「First, I must explain by going back in time. Around late autumn last
year, an envoy from the Istoria Imperial Kingdom came to Margrave Hamish.」
「Oh, is that a request for reinforcements?」
At that point, the Imperial Kingdom should have lost the four central
counties, including Isra, to the Orthodox Theocracy and retreated to the
three northern counties. Moreover, one of the three northern counties had
become a ceded territory and buffer zone to the Kyle Kingdom, so
practically speaking, they would have been forced to huddle in just two
counties. On the other hand, the Orthodox Theocracy, which had been expanding
its territory with irresistible force, repeatedly suffered defeats in the
respective countries of Lute-Vile-Cain, ultimately lost all four southern
counties including Traia, and reportedly fled into the four central
counties in a sorry state. I received reports that both sides lack proper
military strength, have exhausted themselves through repeated infighting, and
are no longer a threat.
「That is right. However, we refused. After making the other party agree
to the condition that we would dispatch troops to only one of the three
northern counties and guarantee its safety as a neutral zone, that is.」
Hahaha, this is a smooth land grab taking advantage of the other
party's weakness. In truth, it means taking over an entire county, including
the buffer zone. The Imperial Kingdom might have thought of this nasty proposal
as akin to looting at a fire, but they probably wanted to secure a final safe
zone. So they reluctantly agreed?
「On the other hand, the Orthodox Theocracy side also agreed to our
declaration of a neutral zone.」
They probably have their own ulterior motives for this as well. When
invading the two northern counties, if they expand their controlled territory
northwards to surround the neutral zone, they can ultimately push the Imperial
Kingdom into the northernmost county.
「The situation developed as we expected, and when full-fledged winter
arrived, the Imperial Kingdom was pushed into the northernmost county and
collapsed from within. Short on food, the starving soldiers and citizens
rebelled. However... here, something unexpected happened.」
「Unexpected?」
「Yes, the Orthodox Theocracy was also destroyed.」
Huh? What does that mean? Are you saying the winning side, the Orthodox
Theocracy, was destroyed just like the Imperial Kingdom?
「That is the first I've heard of it. To think such a major event was
progressing secretly...」
「To be precise, although the vessel and form changed, the contents did
not. In the newly risen Ist-Harias Holy State, the state religion
remains the same, but the Holy King system was abolished. It has become a
nation with a dual monarchy system, looking up to Archbishop Castro, who
oversees the church and possesses independent authority, and a King named Harias,
who governs military affairs.」
「Harias... is it? That is a name of a person I
have never heard of.」
「It is a name we do not know either. Moreover, the Holy State also said
this to us: 『We have completely destroyed both past
aggressive nations that caused trouble for your country. From now on, we wish
to conclude a non-aggression pact and form a friendship as a neighboring
country.』」
That's quite a convenient story for them. However, since that
four-country encircling net, the Kyle Kingdom realistically has not
directly engaged in combat with them. They participated in the war as
reinforcements for us, but since they are not the primary party concerned, did
they also try to shake them up? If so, they are shrewd folks.
「You think they can be trusted?」
「We do not trust them either. Therefore, to the neutral zone including
the new eastern territory, we have dispatched the Third Army of the Royal
Capital Knights in addition to the Eastern Nobles Allied Army. Just to be safe,
of course. However... there was a point of concern in the letter they sent us
at a later date.」
What does that mean? The development is too fast to keep up with, and I
haven't heard about this area from my brother either.
「According to their words, 『We have completely
destroyed the Clan of Darkness that has been writhing in the Kyle Kingdom
for many years, its Clan Head, and their surviving forces. At the same time, we
have also struck down the First Prince Glorious, who plotted a rebellion
in the Empire and continued to flee.』」
No, this is quite a big story! It's a story premised on "if it is
true," and not the sort to be believed immediately, but still.
「To me, it's a somewhat unbelievable story. It's surprising that the
fleeing First Prince was with them, but it's also strange that they know about
the Clan of Darkness. Isn't this a story known only to the leadership even
among the allied nations with us?」
Besides, we let Lugner and Azel—those two—escape on the
battlefield. Are they saying they had returned to the Orthodox Theocracy before
anyone knew it? Are those guys included in the 『surviving forces』 they struck down?
「We also find it suspicious. Therefore, although we have hurriedly
agreed to a ceasefire, the current situation is that we are hesitant to decide
whether to report it to the Empire side.」
「Has Brother... no, Margrave Hastburg and Princess Consort Clarisse
heard this story?」
If they knew, there should have been some sort of sharing of
information in the Principality. Because keeping it hidden from me holds no
merit, and the demerits are greater.
「We have not informed them. Until the truth is somewhat known, it is
being kept hidden within the Kingdom as a story known only to the Eastern and
Northern Margraves, who are the parties concerned.」
I suppose so. Regarding both the First Prince and the Clan of Darkness,
the next party concerned after those fighting on the front lines would be me.
Because it's a story that was kept hidden even from me.
「I wanted to consult with the Archduke privately, but it is also this
busy period. It is not a story I can easily entrust to a messenger to consult
about. Therefore, I absolutely needed an opportunity to speak directly.」
I see. The contents of the consultation are about their ulterior
motives and the credibility of the information, and how to respond to the
Empire side, huh? The Kingdom and the Empire are not yet in a relationship
where they can speak openly, either. Somehow, I felt I could see the intention
behind this summons.
「Based on that preamble, the story shifts to the north...」
Geh, that was just the preamble! What on earth has been happening in
this short period?
「The Holy State, which destroyed the Imperial Kingdom and took over the Orthodox
Theocracy, invaded north while observing a ceasefire with us. At the time I
sent the letter to the Archduke, it was just disturbing movements, but
according to an express messenger that recently arrived from the Northern
Margrave, it seems the two adjacent countries of the Piette Merchant
Federation have been annexed.」
「What!」
「Requests to dispatch reinforcements have come from two other countries
that also belong to the Piette Merchant Federation. This was yesterday.」
To begin with, the Piette Merchant Federation, true to its name,
is a patchwork nation where six small countries united. The two countries
annexed among them are probably the Uros Kingdom and the Immortal
Kingdom, which is furthest east, as they share a border with the Holy
State. The two countries that requested reinforcements are likely the Eterna
Kingdom and the Letonas Kingdom, which share a border with the Kyle
Kingdom and have been in friendly relations for many years.
「Will you... accept that?」
「Although these two countries are friendly nations, they are not allied
nations.」
Yeah, these words from the old raccoon say it all. Even when the Kyle
Kingdom was previously besieged on all sides, the Trade Union, starting
with these two countries, declared neutrality and did not send reinforcements.
Furthermore, from within the Trade Union, the Uros Kingdom is the enemy
side that invaded the Kingdom as the vanguard of the Istoria Imperial
Kingdom. We have no obligation to help such opponents.
「We have declared exclusively defensive defense. I commanded Army
Commander Hoffman to send the Second Army of the Royal Capital Knights
to Margrave Model, but that is strictly for the defense of the new
northern territory. I have conveyed that crossing the national border is not
permitted.」
Hahaha, this is a severe retaliation. To the Trade Union as a whole, it
has the meaning of being discarded, but at least the Eterna Kingdom and
the Letonas Kingdom will be protected as the new territory stands as a
wall blocking the way. The central part of the former Uros Kingdom,
jointly owned land of the Trade Union which the Kyle Kingdom ceded in
post-war negotiations, will become bait for the Holy State, though.
「The Trade Union is not a monolith either.」
Just as the old raccoon said, even before that great war, the Trade
Union was divided into three factions. Because each prioritized adjacent
countries for geopolitical reasons.
·
The Uros Kingdom and the Immortal
Kingdom, which stayed close to the enemy side (Istoria) while declaring
neutrality.
·
The Eterna Kingdom and the Letonas
Kingdom, which had close commercial relations and were friendly, even if
they didn't send reinforcements.
·
The Infini Kingdom and the Perfect
Kingdom, which colluded with the rebel army of the Fearalt Principality and
publicly criticized the Kingdom side in diplomacy.
「Reading this situation perfectly and suppressing the two eastern
countries... this person named Harias is also a shrewd man.」
Probably, the Holy State will not lay hands on the Kyle Kingdom's
new territory, the region ceded by the Uros Kingdom, at this point. In
the form of maintaining the non-aggression pact concluded at the eastern
border. If so, the Kyle Kingdom side cannot interfere, and the Holy
State can solidify the two newly acquired countries.
「Indeed. Just when I thought the surroundings of the Kingdom had
stabilized and we could take a breath, we cannot just sit back and watch it as
a fire on the opposite bank either. That is exactly why we must build a close
relationship with the Lute-Vile-Cain Kingdom.」
Hahaha, so we return to the original topic here. If the Lute-Vile-Cain
Kingdom, which shares a southern border with the Holy State, and the Kyle
Kingdom are in a close relationship, the Holy State will not be able to
oppose the Kyle Kingdom from now on either.
「Then, putting future talks aside, for the time being, you will be
fighting the Trade Union and the Holy State on the diplomatic front. I will
look forward to the Minister of Foreign Affairs' skill.」
「Hohoho, I also wish to look forward to the skill of the rare hero whose
name was raised as a mediator for neighboring countries?」
Who is that! That's praising to death, alright. I have no intention of
dispatching soldiers to an unnecessary conflict, after all. Of course, I'll
make threats along the lines of 『If you lay a hand on
us, we'll hit back,』 though.
「That's right, the duties of a Margrave are the same as a Margrave,
despite the difference in territory. Even from my position as a vassal of the
Kingdom, my responsibility is only to maintain relationships with the southern
border and neighboring countries. As long as the Kingdom is not invaded, all I
can do is offer words of support from behind.」
For problems prior to that, please handle diplomatic matters within the
Kingdom. I have absolutely no intention of making such easy promises.
「Fufufu, I suppose so. We must maintain our public stance as well. So,
from here on is the main topic...」
Huh? This is also just a preamble? What on earth is his true intention for summoning me? I was shaken that my read was off, but the old raccoon is floating a full smile. What does this mean?