Chapter 75
Lately, there have been far too many waging wars without paying any mind to the Empire.
If they had a valid justification, even a sudden war would have a convincing enough reason, so I was willing to let it slide.
“Wars have been breaking out at the drop of a hat ever since the Confession Attack.”
Now, there were far too many movements trying to profit by starting wars over truly trivial matters.
In the case of the wars caused by the Confession Attack, it was the Empire’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering, so I intended to turn a blind eye.
Because the Empire wasn’t in such a desperate state that it needed to use that to take profits.
However, the sparks of war that started from the Confession Attack, beginning with the Maselin Kingdom’s bold attempt at a Conquest War…
…were showing signs of actively sparking Conquest Wars across the Continent.
Even a Kingdom Alliance, which hadn’t shown the slightest sign of forming before, was about to emerge.
And naturally, this kind of phenomenon…
“How incredibly arrogant.”
…was not something the Empire wanted.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been busy lately, so we kept quiet, but there are far too many crossing the line.”
“That is correct. To think that those who were bowing and scraping in the banquet hall just a few months ago are now paying no mind to the Empire.”
“Doesn’t that mean the profits of war are just that great? They are ignorant fools blinded by desire rather than loyalty. Judgment is necessary.”
The Officials were not at all pleased with the current Continental Affairs.
What were they planning to do by joining forces among themselves? What were they planning to do by expanding their territories through war?
War is ultimately a means. The only place that can make war an end in itself is the Empire.
“The very thought of trying to grow their size is impure and irreverent.”
“The Empire is growing stronger even at this very moment… To dare do this without knowing that.”
Despite the fact that there was a recent case where the Empire immediately intervened and stopped a war.
There were a few Kingdoms seen trying to wage a Conquest War, thinking it wouldn’t apply to them.
Did they think the Empire was docile just because it only mediated?
It was an incomprehensible move.
“I believe we must show them… why the Empire is the Empire.”
“I even think we should wipe a few Kingdoms off the map right now. Erase the Royalty who thought to start wars…”
“I’d love to do that right away, but if we did, the remaining subjects of the Kingdom would be too pitiful.”
Wiping out a single Kingdom wasn’t a big problem. Just sending a single Knight Order would completely exterminate the Royalty of a Minor Nation.
However, filling the void left by that extermination was the problem. The moment they took over a Kingdom, they would have to get involved in its internal affairs in earnest.
Currently, the Empire severely lacked the personnel to manage these internal affairs.
“How are things with the Holy Kingdom?”
“Perhaps because it’s a nation built on religion, there isn’t much resistance. However, it seems it will take a lot of time to change the Romper Church into the Romper of the Empire.”
“Starting from the symbols to overhauling things like evil customs… some issues can only be solved by time, so it can’t be helped.”
The Empire was already having a very hard time working on the Holy Kingdom right now.
Blowing away their High Command and quickly taking over the remaining positions to seize control of the internal affairs was fine, but…
…having the existing citizens of the Holy Kingdom accept it was a completely different matter.
Of course, whether they accepted it or not, the direction of the policies wouldn’t change.
But ultimately, unless the subjects followed along, even if the direction didn’t change, the speed would inevitably slow down significantly.
“It’s truly a shame that no matter how much talent we gather, we’re still lacking.”
“Still, His Excellency Gilbart recently sent golems to the Academy Construction site, so the completion speed has become incredibly fast.”
“What was originally scheduled to take about five years… they say it might be finished as early as this year… It’s simply astonishing.”
“Is the Imperial Basic Education going well? When we told those who only taught Nobles to teach commoners as well… there should naturally be backlash, yet it’s fascinating that there isn’t a single peep.”
“In an era where those precious Wizards are watering crops, how could they dare show any resistance? If they’re told to do it, they have to do it.”
The Imperial High Command, from Continental Affairs to internal matters.
They were fulfilling the duties and responsibilities they had to bear with all their heart and soul.
“It really feels worth working these days.”
“That’s right. I can see the National Treasury gradually filling up, and, well… thinking that the Empire is becoming even mightier makes me feel proud, I suppose.”
While the High Command was racking their brains so diligently.
Slide.
The Conference Room door opened.
“It’s true that the Kingdoms have been waging wars excessively lately, even with the Empire keeping a watchful eye on them.”
The Crown Prince naturally joined the meeting and took a seat.
“Y-Your Highness!”
“Loyalty!”
“We greet Your Highness!”
The High Command freaked out and tried to stand up to bow their heads, but…
“I didn’t come to receive formalities, so there’s no need to bow. In fact, I’ve already received enough of a greeting with that raw reaction just now.”
The Crown Prince, Bellon, sat the High Command back down and calmly continued speaking.
“Lately, there are far too many starting wars without paying any mind to the Empire, so I’d like to make an example out of them.”
“…!”
Seeing the High Command surprised by his words, Bellon smiled.
“I’m not talking about wiping a specific Kingdom off the map. It’s just… I was thinking, how about we dispatch our Knights to the places where wars break out frequently?”
“Did you say dispatch?”
“Yes, what do you think?”
As soon as Bellon finished speaking, the High Command immediately understood the meaning behind his words.
“But we can’t force it, so it would be best to kindly ask the Kingdoms that have suffered damage from recent large and small wars.”
And an additional comment that elevated their understanding even further.
The High Command stood up from their seats the moment they heard Bellon’s words.
“We will implement it immediately!”
“The kind Empire does not force anything, so no one will be able to harbor any complaints!”
It was time to work joyfully according to the orders of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
+++++
The Crown Prince, Bellon, was currently in an incredibly busy state.
He had to pay attention to the Academy, and the Magic Stone Train was almost ready for completion, so he had to confirm it with his own eyes.
Pavan was still unconscious, so he had to periodically Check on her condition.
There was also the Executioner’s Covenant, which he hadn’t even been able to properly discuss with Gilbart’s Covenant yet.
It was difficult to continuously monitor what was happening outside the Empire right now.
The problem was that he couldn’t be completely indifferent to matters outside the Empire just because of that.
With no way of knowing what Mirne might do, neglecting surveillance was out of the question.
So the conclusion he came to was…
“…So you’re saying… you intend to stay in our Kingdom, where wars are frequently breaking out?”
“You catch on fast. The Empire does not want Kingdoms waging war against each other. That’s why we’ve actually mediated a few times, did you know?”
“I am aware. However, that and having Imperial Knights stationed in our Kingdom… are completely different matters, aren’t they?”
“It’s the same matter. Rather than us dispatching Troops through Magic every day like that, wouldn’t it be better to reside here and respond immediately if a situation arises?”
An Imperial Garrison.
The justification was for the peace of the Continent.
The objective was to prevent Minor Kingdoms from being ruthlessly trampled, thereby preventing the subjects of the Continent from suffering.
“…So you’re saying you will stay in our Kingdom? By receiving land outright?”
“The place where the Empire stays will be treated as Imperial Territory, so isn’t it natural to receive land?”
“…”
The King of the Verdantia Kingdom, Chamdar Verdantia, instinctively pressed his fingers against his furrowed brow.
It had been ominous since the Imperial Knights suddenly showed up.
This was a more complex and serious problem than he had thought.
“It’s a proposal for peace, so I’d appreciate it if you thought about it comfortably and gave us an answer.”
The Imperial Knights were speaking down to King Chamdar incredibly naturally.
And no one present could point it out as disrespectful.
The Blue Flame Knight Order.
An insane armed group composed entirely of Sword Masters, as if it were only natural.
When they wore their swords and advocated for peace, who could possibly reject the peace they were advocating?
“For reference, if you accept the proposal, we plan to settle near the Great Forest.”
“…If it’s the Great Forest, that should be the Elves' Territory.”
“We’ll take care of that part ourselves. You just need to choose what to do with the proposal for peace that our Empire has extended… that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince mentioned.”
“…”
King Chamdar stared at the Blue Flame Knight Order before slowly nodding his head.
“I will do so.”
“It is very pleasing to see you accept the proposal for peace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also be satisfied with your attitude.”
The Blue Flame Knight Order began to clap as soon as King Chamdar accepted the proposal.
Looking around and blatantly shooting glares that demanded others clap as well.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.
As the loud sound of applause filled the Audience Chamber, contrasting with King Chamdar’s deeply bowed head.
“If the Great Forest remains even though the World Tree has been moved, Mirne will inevitably have to come to the Great Forest.”
Bellon briefly predicted what would happen next.
“…If Mirne comes to the Great Forest, I’ll have Mirne and Eiloren make contact then.”
To maintain Eiloren’s Male Lead status, there was no choice but to have him meet Mirne.
So first, he would turn the Great Forest into Imperial Territory, and then wait for Mirne there.
How would a Male Lead who had escaped Mirne’s brainwashing treat her?
It was time to find out.