Chapter 117
"You must have heard that the area around Jutenbach has been turbulent recently."
Louise began by mentioning the southeastern front region.
"The Labria Republic in the far south has been at war with the Ecrini Kingdom. We tried to mediate their conflict, but those barbaric elves..."
She received a scroll from another attendant beside her, unrolled it, and held it out in her right hand.
"...finally declared war on us as well."
The letter contained an official declaration of war from Raimondo Accorsi, the current Duce of the Labria Republic, written in elegant imperial script.
It was a method not used by orcs who lack the level of education to write such things, nor by elves who don't feel the need to be cultured when dealing with humans, so there was a high probability that Caligo's hand had touched that letter.
No, there was a high possibility that Caligo had directly written it, borrowing only the name.
"This is an act that completely ignores our goodwill and underestimates the power of the Dragonian Empire."
Louise took the letter, a rather precious item as it was an elven-style formal letter, in both hands, and,
-Rip.
She tore it in half right there.
"...!"
"We cannot stand idly by."
Many nobles flinched at the sudden aggressive performance, but no one opened their mouth.
There were even nobles who restrained those who looked around in surprise.
In these turbulent times, Louise's authority seems to be clearly controlling them.
"...Grand Marshal Gerhart Weissilt has gone down to respond personally, but no matter how capable he is, he can't control everything with just two arms and two legs. He requested support, and,"
Louise, who seemed to be enjoying the silence while quietly scanning the audience,
"He mentioned Viktor, who leads my Red Dragon Corps that defeated the Esperian Kingdom which dared to attack us, first. Corps Commander Viktor. Step forward."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She called me to the front with a faint smile.
Glancing at Theodor, who was watching me while biting his lips, I knelt in front of the throne.
"Corps Commander Viktor has achieved brilliant military exploits against the Brotan Kingdom and the Esperian Kingdom, which were troubles for the empire, and has effectively carried out my orders, such as strengthening friendships with the Anchester Kingdom."
As I kept my head bowed, I heard the sound of her shoe heels, and her voice gradually grew closer.
"It's only natural to commend him for excellently carrying out his duties, but Corps Commander Viktor declined rewards, wanting to move to the south as quickly as possible."
She approached close enough for her shoes to be visible in my lowered gaze.
"Considering his loyalty, his merits so far, and the recommendation of Grand Marshal Gerhart Weissilt, I have prepared an appropriate reward for Corps Commander Viktor. Attendant."
"Yes."
An attendant approached her side and then retreated, after which.
"Raise your head."
When I raised my head, she was holding the sword of office I had seen earlier in its scabbard with both hands.
With a slight smile at the corners of her mouth, she,
"You have proven your loyalty, bravery, and wisdom, and have become a model for all imperial citizens. As the Empress of the Dragonian Empire, I bestow upon you the title of Count, and,"
She declared that she would grant me the rank of Count.
That alone was surprising, but,
"Also, I elevate Steilberg to a county and grant you the right to rule it. From now on, you will be known as Viktor Steilberg, and your house will be responsible for the prosperity and stability of Steilberg."
"...!"
The countship bestowed upon me was none other than the Countship of Steilberg.
Although it's small in actual territory due to being surrounded by mountains and quite far from the center,
The fact that she was granting me her official birthplace and direct territory, even implying that it could be hereditary, was not insignificant in meaning.
Moreover, the sword I thought was for ceremonial use hadn't even been drawn yet, but,
"Do you swear eternal loyalty to the Dragonian Empire, to me, Louise Zainburg?"
The appearance of the sword seen up close was somehow familiar.
"...I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's trust. I will continue to serve the empire as Your Majesty's faithful subject."
As I hid my bewilderment and answered with my hand on my left chest,
"Good. Count Viktor Steilberg. I wish to give you a mission personally, so rise and receive the order."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She nodded her head slightly once, and,
"I bestow this sword upon Count Viktor Steilberg, and you shall advance towards Jutenbach as my proxy, showing the overwhelming power of the empire to the insolent Labria Republic."
She held out the sword of office to me as I stood up according to her instructions.
Only after hearing the word 'proxy' did I recall that this sword looked very similar to the one Gerhart had received.
"Proxy..."
"With the Grand Marshal already there..."
There was a murmur from both sides as the 'proxy' authority Louise mentioned overlapped with Gerhart's authority, which had been delegated full military powers, but.
"Are you questioning my decision?"
At Louise's words, the audience chamber that had been noisy suddenly fell silent.
"Count Steilberg will exercise full authority regarding this declaration of war, and this is also at the request of Grand Marshal Gerhart Weissilt. If there are any objections, step forward."
"..."
With the addition of the mention that it was Gerhart's request, not a single noble stepped forward.
"...Count Viktor Steilberg."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The honor of the Dragonian Empire and myself rests on the decisions you make. Prove to everyone that my decision was right."
As her prepared reward was bigger and more certain than I had expected, it would be proper for me to bring greater results than she anticipated.
She looked at me with eyes full of interest, and,
"I will firmly engrave Your Majesty's will in their minds."
I received the sword with both hands and bowed my head.
Familiar responsibility and pressure weighed on me, but as they were literally familiar things,
I no longer needed to pretend to look confident.
"As time is of the essence, depart immediately. I authorize the use of Phlegethon."
"Understood."
As I turned around after receiving the sword, the nobles' gazes were fixed on me.
Some revealed expressions and gazes of goodwill, envy, and acquiescence, but there were also those who didn't hide their jealousy and irritation towards me.
Especially Theodor, who could be considered the representative of the latter, avoiding Louise's gaze, made an expression almost like that of an evil spirit, but.
"..."
Thinking that his end wasn't far off, seeing that face didn't particularly anger me.
I smiled at him again and left the audience chamber.
"...Count Steilberg, Your Excellency?"
"That's too long."
"I knew you'd say that, General."
"..."
There was no need to hesitate anymore.
I joined Anna who was waiting outside, and,
"Corps Commander Viktor!"
"Call me Count Steilberg, Your Excellency."
"Uh, huh? What?"
"...I'm joking."
I called Erika, who had been waiting for news, and headed towards Phlegethon.
---
"It's raining!"
"Rain? Of all times..."
Military operations have many variables, and,
"Weren't we supposed to move together?"
"We moved at the agreed time. You were just late."
"Hah..."
Joint military operations have even more variables, and,
"...Didn't you say you'd target the rear?"
"The enemy noticed our movement... Ah. You couldn't hear."
Joint military operations with various races that don't get along well are at a level where it's strange to predict success.
"How rude."
"What? Would you like to climb up on the table and speak? When you talk from the ground, I can't hear you up here."
"You dog...!"
"..."
Gerhart, who had been feeling this fact with his whole body recently, quietly sighed as he watched the dwarf from the Ecrini Kingdom and the elf from the Este Kingdom argue.
With a knife at their throats, the Este Kingdom and the Ecrini Kingdom had expressed their willingness to cooperate, but.
It was inevitable that those who had been growling at each other for hundreds of years across a river would bare their teeth at each other even in the face of a great enemy.
"...Stop it. The enemy is still marching even now. Isn't stopping them the priority?"
"Ahem. There won't be a next time. If you spout such nonsense again..."
"No, I'm saying at least stand up to speak. Ah, you were already standing? I'm sorry."
"Lord Hugo Rizzo. If you continue like this, we won't be able to cooperate with you either."
"Tsk. Fine."
It was Gerhart's role to mediate between them, and,
"You're not going to come out till the end?"
"Haven't you thought that rampaging around like hooligans might be the problem?"
Even on the battlefield, conflicts didn't disappear.
The dwarves' firepower was powerful, but their tactics were seriously defensive.
The elves were quick to grasp the battlefield and strong in improvisation, but terribly difficult to communicate with.
The tactics of the two races didn't mix like oil and water, so Gerhart couldn't trust them and entrust his back to them.
"Grand Marshal. It would be better to abandon them. Keeping them as allies is more of a loss."
"...No. We can't do that. The enemy is too strong for us to face alone."
"..."
In the end, as they were almost being dragged along in carrying out operations, even within the imperial army, voices of discontent were rising.
"...Hah."
-Scratch, scratch. Thud!
Gerhart sat in his tent, nervously making and discarding strategies repeatedly.
Contrary to what he had said, Gerhart thought that the empire's military strength was by no means inferior.
He felt the need for someone who wouldn't be swayed by allies, but rather could make good use of them.
And, as he knew one talented individual who always found paths he hadn't thought of,
He harbored hope even in this uncomfortable situation and waited for his arrival.
"...Grand Marshal."
"What is it?"
"A letter from the capital has arrived."
Before him, a letter sent by the empress arrived.
After quickly skimming the letter, he,
"...Hah. Hahaha. Good."
"...Your Excellency?"
"Hahaha! Finally, things will start to work out!"
He put it down carefully on the desk, then clenched his fist and laughed loudly.
"May I ask what the contents are?"
"Of course!"
To his aide who was confused by the unexpected reaction,
"Viktor. He's coming."
Gerhart showed the letter and answered in a joyful voice.