Chapter 42
"Now then, let's put aside the talk about my daughter and move on to other matters. How long do you intend to stop the War?"
"Well, do you have a timeframe in mind?"
The original purpose of my visit to the Empire had been more or less achieved. We now shifted the topic of conversation to the official reason for my visit, the truce agreement.
Although I had brought several aides to discuss the specifics and draft the document, they were ultimately bound by my orders.
In any case, the final decision rested with me and His Majesty the Emperor before me.
If we didn't discuss and decide on the general terms, our subordinates wouldn't be able to do their work.
"Leclerc proposed three years, didn't he? I'd like to suggest five years, starting from the day the agreement is signed."
"Five years...seems like too long a rest. Isn't that enough time to completely overhaul a nation's defense System?"
"We've been fighting nonstop for 10 years, suffering like dogs. We need that much time to rebuild our country."
Louis XVI wanted five years. Now that the Front Line had been pushed back outside the Kingdom's territory, he seemed to want to take the opportunity to reorganize the Army and manage the country's Internal Affairs.
The total war fought under a pre-modern System must have put a considerable strain on their resources. He must have felt that a year or two wouldn't be enough to heal and recover.
"I can't concede more than two years. This is about taking a breather, not preparing for the next War."
On the other hand, I proposed just two years. Unless it was a ceasefire like the Korean War, which was effectively the end of the War, I didn't see the need for a long break.
I couldn't accept such ambiguity, and neither could my subordinates and soldiers who had suffered so much.
And besides, the terms of this agreement wouldn't matter much. It could be drafted haphazardly.
Why? Because I intended to end the War for good.
"Please cooperate with my proposal. I will end the War before the ceasefire period is over."
"....Oh? How so?"
"I will strip the King of everything. His authority, his power, his honor, everything. He will be reduced to a state worse than a commoner."
When I first proposed a Constitutional Monarchy to the Young Lady of Arshakh, I hadn't intended to be this thorough in my suppression.
No matter how much I disliked him and wanted to beat him up, the Monarch was still the Monarch. I was afraid of the repercussions of persecuting him too harshly.
My goal was to simply seize his power, secure our faction's position, and turn him into a Figurehead.
I intended to limit his power to the extent of reigning but not ruling, like the European royal families of England or Denmark.
But not anymore.
'These damn bastards don't deserve any mercy.'
Reign? Don't make me laugh. These bastards didn't deserve any respect.
I had to sacrifice 10 years of my life for these vermin. The thought made me sick to my stomach.
No reigning, no ruling. I would leave them only the minimum human rights. They would be Royalty in name only, no different from commoners.
'And I have the perfect Justification.'
The King, who caused the War and concealed the truth for 10 years. It was a perfect card to play politically.
Not only the abandonment of the Northern Front, but the entire cause of the War was their fault? This would be enough to persuade even the commoners, whose minds were ingrained with loyalty to the Royal Family, through anger.
Frankly, we could even aim for a change of dynasty. It would go down in history as a rare revolution with the support of the entire population.
....Well, I wasn't planning on creating a new royal family with a different surname just yet. Anyway.
At best, they would be like the 21st-century Japanese Imperial Family on Earth. Or worse. Living on government stipends and constantly walking on eggshells.
The Emperor of Japan was at least treated as a symbol, but they wouldn't even enjoy that respect.
It was a fitting Disposition for those who had been steeped in privilege.
"If we blame everything on the King, ending the War will be easy. Because he will bear the consequences, not us."
"You mean use him as a scapegoat."
"Think of it as making the one who caused the trouble clean it up."
And if I turned the Royal Family into vegetables?
I could conclude a Peace Treaty with the Empire without any burden, having purged the royalists and consolidated my power base. Freely, without any criticism or political maneuvering.
No matter how much the warmongers, war profiteers, and those who wanted to continue fighting protested, no matter how many complaints arose due to the Kingdom's losses or disadvantages from the Peace Treaty, all the blame could be shifted to the Royal Family.
It was a common phenomenon even in democratic societies when a regime changed. The successor blaming the predecessor to avoid responsibility.
"What do you say?"
"Alright. I'll do as you wish."
"A wise choice."
Thus, we reached an agreement on the spot regarding the Kingdom's future.
* * * * *
The rest was simple.
We fleshed out the treaty articles based on the general terms we had agreed upon. We edited and revised the text with diplomatic rhetoric and language.
Oh, and we also engaged in minor power struggles over the terms used to address each other and the order of words.
After appropriate work by the experts and further consultations, a few pages of a plausible-looking document were completed in a few days.
"Then, by signing here, we hereby ratify the truce agreement between the Holy Alliance Empire and the Ulranor Kingdom."
With representatives from both countries watching, Louis XVI and I signed and sealed the treaty.
With this, both countries were prohibited from any military activity near the border for the next two years. Except for stationing a small number of security forces, military training and forward deployment of troops were all forbidden.
We would return to the pre-war state, at least temporarily.
"I look forward to it, Deputy Speaker Roytel."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will soon repay you with good news."
The public signing ceremony concluded in this manner. All official events in the Empire were now complete.
So, what was next?
Naturally, a celebratory banquet.
"I've prepared food and music in the Banquet Hall. Let's all relax and enjoy ourselves today, regardless of nationality."
"Oh, a ball? I'm not very good at dancing."
"Then just sit back and have a drink. Let's enjoy this rare occasion."
We cheerfully entered the banquet prepared by the Emperor. We had a mountain of tasks ahead of us, but we had accomplished something significant, so we decided to celebrate.
....I didn't know at the time.
What kind of threat would soon befall me.
* * * * *
"Let's all raise our glasses! A toast to the peace between the Kingdom and the Empire!"
"""Cheers!"""
Glasses and dishes were exchanged in a friendly atmosphere. A sip of wine and a bite of meat went down my throat, and soft bread and dumplings filled my empty stomach.
Amidst the lively music, attendees held the hands of their female partners and swayed to the rhythm, or whispered sweet nothings. Others gathered in small groups, sharing jokes and laughter.
It was a harmonious scene, hard to believe that these were countries that had been at war just a few hours ago.
It was probably thanks to the sense of relief that peace had returned, even if only temporarily.
"Your Excellency, wouldn't you like to dance? There are ladies lining up to dance with you."
"No, thanks. I'm too old to be hanging out with young ladies."
"You're not even 30 yet...."
"And those girls are not even 20."
Well, unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy myself that much.
Having spent most of my adult life in the Army and on the Battlefield, I didn't know much about social gatherings.
I just stood in a corner, drinking and walking around with my adjutant. And occasionally chatting with His Majesty the Emperor.
"Come to think of it, are you married? I already had three children when I was your age."
"Not yet. I haven't had the time."
"Oh dear. I can only offer my pity."
.....He wasn't just being polite, he seemed genuinely sympathetic, leaving me speechless.
Come to think of it, my situation was quite pitiful. All I wanted was to settle down and live a peaceful life. But here I was, struggling to survive, engaging in politics I never wanted to be a part of.
It was all because of those damn Royalty.
"....Let's not talk about depressing things on such a good day. It'll only make us sadder."
"You're right. Let's have another toast."
The Emperor took a glass from a passing servant and handed it to me. White wine with a pale yellow tint.
We lightly clinked glasses and brought them to our lips. But just as I was about to take a sip, I noticed something strange.
"Wait! Don't drink!!"
"Huh?"
--Clang!
I hurriedly knocked the glass out of the Emperor's hand and threw mine on the floor. I rinsed my mouth with the water from my canteen, just in case.
Damn it, which idiot brought this?
"What's wrong?"
"It's poison. Pufferfish poison. If you had drunk it, both you and I would have been paralyzed and died."
I knew because I had experienced it before, when a spy snuck into the barracks and poisoned the drinks.
There was a very faint sensation of numbness when it touched the skin. My superior officer at the time died because of it.
"....Who would do such a thing?"
"I don't know. Stop the Banquet immediately. We need to examine all the alcohol and drinks served today. Perhaps a mage--"
"Die, Roytel!!"
As I was trying to take action, I suddenly heard a voice from behind. A chilling sensation ran down my spine. An assassin?
I calmly ducked. And as I turned around, I swung my arm.
"Go!!"
--Crack!
A heavy sensation in my hand.
And the sound of something breaking.
Trying to attack me from behind? You're 10 years too early, kid.