Chapter 59
Although Gerhart was given full authority over diplomacy with the Brotan Kingdom by the Empress' order, turning a country into a puppet state is a burdensome matter.
To conclude a treaty that maximizes the empire's benefits,
Gerhart spent a long time deliberating its contents with imperial army officers and staff, including Viktor.
After sending the treaty contents to the Empress for confirmation to ensure they were appropriate, Gerhart sent a messenger to the kingdom expressing the intention to negotiate an agreement.
Some of the nobles remaining in the kingdom visited Saint-Toire, and Guillaume, who had been a prisoner, along with the nobles and those who arrived later, all gathered in the main hall of the castle where the agreement would proceed.
On the opposite side, imperial army officers were seated together.
Although Antoine, who could be the only variable, was still confined to a guest room,
'Antoine, what about that Antoine?'
'Is there anything specific you want?'
'...'
This included Guillaume's wishes, who was concerned about Antoine, whose responsibility for the defeat was less than his own, and the other nobles didn't dare to raise this issue to Gerhart, who was accompanied by troops.
"Representing the will of Her Majesty Louise Zainburg, the great Empress of the Dragonian Empire, I, Gerhart Weissilt, current Commander-in-Chief of the Dragonian Empire's expeditionary force in the Brotan direction, will announce the demands of the Dragonian Empire."
"..."
After preparations were complete, Gerhart's majestic voice echoed through the hall.
Guillaume looked around the hall, and after confirming Antoine's absence, quietly sighed.
"This is to resolve the long-standing hatred between the Dragonian Empire and the Brotan Kingdom, and this agreement will become a symbol of peace and cooperation between the two countries."
With enemy flags planted in places that were once their territory and surrounded by enemies,
The kingdom's nobles deeply felt their defeat and tried to hide their dismay with expressionless faces.
"Article 1. The Brotan Kingdom maintains its status as an autonomous country and operates through close cooperative relations with the Dragonian Empire."
Gerhart, with a pleasant tension, read out the contents of the treaty that he had pondered with the officers.
"Article 2. Imperial troops will be stationed at major strongholds within the Brotan Kingdom, including the capital, Levoie, to support defense and security. The costs incurred by this stationing will be shared according to consultation between the two countries. The size and equipment of the Brotan Kingdom's army will be determined through consultation with the Dragonian Empire, and their deployment and activities will also be carried out in cooperation with the empire."
Although it looks like a negotiation, only imperial troops are guarding the surroundings.
The kingdom's nobles felt the empire's blatant intention to control everything under the name of cooperation, but they had long since lost the will to resist.
"Article 3. The Brotan Kingdom's foreign policy will be established in cooperation with the Dragonian Empire. All negotiations, treaty conclusions, and communication of external intentions must go through prior consultation with the Dragonian Empire."
"..."
"Article 4. The King of the Brotan Kingdom will govern by seeking advice from advisors dispatched by the Empress of the Dragonian Empire, and will refer to the advisors' counsel when making major policy decisions."
According to the contents of the articles, the empire will be involved in all of the kingdom's diplomacy, military, and politics.
This is content that cannot but be resisted, but,
"...The King of the Brotan Kingdom will be elected in the traditional manner of the kingdom, and the Dragonian Empire will not interfere in this process."
Knowing this, the empire recognized the authority of the king elected in the kingdom's way, and,
"Major nobles must swear an oath of cooperation with the Dragonian Empire, and if refused, their status will be reconsidered. However, the existing territories and authorities of nobles who agree to the cooperation oath are guaranteed."
Declared that it would guarantee the nobles' authority as much as possible.
"Hah..."
"..."
They felt a strange sense of relief amidst their complex emotions, and their resistance gradually diluted.
"Article 5. The major resources and products of the Brotan Kingdom will be managed in cooperation with the Dragonian Empire, and the Dragonian Empire has the right to prioritize demands for the Brotan Kingdom's resources as needed."
Gerhart confidently continued reading.
"...The Brotan Kingdom will provide 10% of its total annual revenue to the Dragonian Empire and cooperate closely economically with the Dragonian Empire. Merchants from both countries can operate freely without restrictions, and the Brotan Kingdom and Dragonian Empire guarantee the rights of merchants."
"...10%?"
"10% is certainly little. What are they thinking..."
"Market exchange. ...Is this an opportunity?"
Compared to other common puppet state treaties that often demand 30%, or in severe cases up to 50% of revenue, the 10% proposed by the empire is close to symbolic.
Moreover, the empire is not giving advantages to its own merchants for economic exploitation, but is talking about exchanging without restrictions, at least nominally.
"Still, this is..."
"We have no way to resist. It might be better to conclude quickly while the content is somewhat favorable to us."
"But..."
The opinions of the kingdom's nobles wavered between resistance and conclusion, unable to converge on one.
'...Isn't this too generous? There's much more we could squeeze out of this country.'
'It only appears generous. If this treaty is implemented, the kingdom will never escape from the empire's embrace. It's more economical to disguise it as generosity like this than to suppress the resistance resulting from a harsh treaty.'
'...I see.'
'We can gradually demand more and more while watching their resistance.'
"...Article 8. The Brotan Kingdom maintains its own national flag and symbols, but uses them together with the flag and symbols of the Dragonian Empire to symbolize the cooperative relationship between the two countries..."
Seeing this, Gerhart smiled, recalling his conversation with Viktor, and continued reading the treaty text.
"Article 10. The Brotan Kingdom recognizes the territory up to Saint-Toire, Montfieu, and Anyac occupied by the Dragonian Empire, and returns the plains around the Ar River seized in the war with the Caen Kingdom to the Caen Kingdom."
"That...!"
At the part deciding territories, some nobles even stood up from their seats, but,
"The area around the Ar River is territory we fought for! To return this..."
"Are you saying you're rejecting this agreement now?"
Gerhart stared at the standing noble with a threatening gaze contrasting his calm voice.
"Should I interpret this as you being prepared to continue the war with the empire?"
"Th-That's not what I..."
"The empire desires peace, but is not afraid of war. Our strength is intact, and the kingdom's doesn't seem to be. I recommend judging coldly."
"...I apologize."
As the kingdom's army had completely collapsed to the point where they weren't confident in withstanding even the Caen Kingdom's counterattack.
The nobles, pushed back by Gerhart's stern response, sat down without much gain.
"...Article 16. This agreement can be amended through consultation between the two countries, and in case of violation of the agreement by the Brotan Kingdom, the Dragonian Empire can impose strong sanctions on the Brotan Kingdom."
In the end, until Gerhart finished reading, no significant resistance was shown from the kingdom's side.
"The empire's demands end here, and detailed clauses for the implementation and maintenance of the treaty are recorded in the treaty text."
"...Hmm."
Guillaume, who had read through the long treaty text,
"I, Guillaume Chatillon, the legitimate ruler of the Brotan Kingdom, agree to the agreement with the Dragonian Empire on behalf of the Brotan Kingdom."
Wearing a faded crown that had been temporarily repaired on his head, he signed the agreement with trembling hands.
"...Is this unavoidable?"
"Although we can't resist..."
"...It might not be all bad. A huge market called the Dragonian Empire has opened up."
"Market? Thinking about money even in this situation, that's amazing."
"Ha. Are you so full of patriotism? Who was it that sat down without properly arguing earlier?"
"I'm planning for the future, the future."
After listening to the kingdom nobles' conversation for a moment, Gerhart also signed and,
"The peace agreement has been concluded."
He showed everyone the treaty document stamped with signatures and seals from both sides.
The imperial army officers nodded, clenching their fists, and the kingdom's nobles looked at each other with subtle expressions.
Unlike the expressions full of joy on the empire's side, the faces of the kingdom's nobles showed a mixture of slight relief and resignation.
Guillaume bowed his head deeply.
The crown he had protected by relying on the empire's mercy was too light, but the weight of the treaty text pressed down on him.
"Now the empire and the kingdom will move forward towards one goal. Your Majesty Guillaume. Let's wash away the past resentments and open a new era together."
Gerhart approached Guillaume, bowing his head slightly, and politely extended his right hand.
"I hope this handshake becomes a symbol of our trust, cooperation, and shared future."
His tone was very polite, but it's not in accordance with etiquette for Gerhart, who is merely a duke despite being the Empress' representative, to offer a handshake first to Guillaume, who is a king.
"..."
However, Guillaume, looking at the right hand he extended, realized his and the kingdom's future.
"...I suppose we must. For the future of the empire and the kingdom."
He had no choice but to grasp Gerhart's hand.
"Let's move forward together."
Gerhart smiled meaningfully and shook that hand firmly, while Guillaume's hand shook weakly in response.
Thus, the fate of the Brotan Kingdom was decided.
---
After the agreement was completed, Gerhart expressed his intention to hold a small banquet before the 8th Corps departed to the kingdom for stationing.
"The soldiers have enjoyed themselves a lot for several days, so the banquet will be held on a small scale."
"Is this considering the resistance of the kingdom's nobles?"
"Hmm. We'll provide meals separately, and since it's an informal occasion, they probably won't mind much."
"That's right."
I nodded and agreed.
"Deputy Commander."
"Yes."
"You absolutely must not miss this. Make sure to come on time."
"Yes."
"It's an order."
"...Understood. I will definitely not be late."
"Hmm. Good."
Since Gerhart emphasized this to me several times, I won't be late or not go, but.
There's something I need to do before that.
"Deputy Commander? What brings you here?"
"I've come to see that Antoine."
"Understood!"
Before enjoying the victory, I went to see Antoine, who was still accommodated separately in a guest room.
"...What is it?"
"Nice to meet you."
For my personal pleasure and.
For a bit of venting.