CH 354

Hmmm… I wonder why this is happening…?

Guillaume and Engelbert, a staff officer of the enemy army, are tied up and kneeling in front of me. Harold, who should be sitting in my place, instead kneels before the throne and completely throws the responsibility at me.

Of course, I know why this is happening. Before the battle, there was already a discussion with Harold’s Army, and it was already confirmed that I would take the lead in post-war negotiations.

If you think about it normally, Harold, King of Wessek, should be the representative here, and I argued for it. But Harold didn’t approve of it, insisting that I should be the lead. All my subordinates took it for granted at its face.

I and Harold’s subordinates say that Harold should be the lead, and Harold and my subordinates say that I should be the lead. And in the end, Harold listened to my subordinates, and that’s how I ended up on the throne and leading things.

I don’t think Harold’s subordinates were convinced either, but since the king they serve said so, they had no choice but to obey. Besides, in this battle, we were almost the only ones fighting. I was the one who captured the enemy general. So it became impossible to disagree in this situation. I have no choice but to talk to Guillaume and settle things.

“First, identify yourself,” I said.

I have no choice but to proceed as was proper. The discussion won’t progress if you just keep kneeling. I want to talk about the end of the war.

“How can a little girl be so proud!? I am Guillaume Norn, King of Wessek, and Duke of Noln!”

Guillaume’s expression or gaze is a bit strange. This guy might be crazy. He started talking and shouting things that I didn’t even ask, but at least he’s not normal right now. I don’t know if he’ll return to normal, but I don’t think he’s someone I can talk reasonably to right now.

“I’m Engelbert von Marc, General Staff Head of the Noln Dukedom.”

“- Hou. What you just said… you are Count Marc?”

“Do you know me?” Engelbert said.

“Not you… rather, I know a lot about Marc County.”

Marc County is one of the regions that was ceded from the Kingdom of Ploiss to the Kingdom of Frasia. It is located in the basin of the great river that flows through the Kingdom of Hollant, and is also a very important base. Unlike the area facing the sea, it is completely inland, and if you look at it from the territories of Houses Caan and Carruthers as reference points, it will be about southwest from there.

Who is the current owner? I don’t know what position Engelbert holds within House Marc. However, it is certain that the Marc Country was once a land robbed by Frasia, and that it is a place that I intend to reclaim.

In order to fulfill my goals, it is very useful to have this man, Engelbert, as an ally. Even if Engelbert himself is useless, just having someone with a connection to House Marc has enough utility value.

“I am of Carru…”

“This is the Legendary King of Heroes! It’s King Karruzer! Heads high!”

When I tried to introduce myself, Harold stood up and said something like that. This is why no matter how many times I say I’m not King Karruzer…

“”K-King Karruzer?! He-hee~?!”

“””””…”””””

For some reason, only Guillaume was prostrating himself and bowing his head. I don’t know if this old man is no good anymore… Well, there is no way to save him anyway, but…

Unfortunately, Guillaume’s execution has already been decided. I’m not particularly against it either, but it was Harold and his subordinates who strongly insisted. According to Harold’s Faction, if Guillaume and his blood relatives are kept alive, there is a possibility that they will claim the right of succession at some point in the future. That’s why it seems that the root of the problem should be eradicated now.

Besides, it’s nothing new. In fact, Guillaume was also trying to kill Harold and his blood relatives, and it seems that many people were already killed. This civil war also happened because the former king passed away without having children, and those who were maternal relatives claimed the right of succession one after another.

This kind of thing is a daily occurrence in this world, and if you can’t properly pave the way for succession, it’s not uncommon for self-proclaimed relatives to come up from somewhere and try to take over.

It’s enough to say that the former King of Wessek was incompetent. The previous king was a so-called monk, and although he had a formal marriage, he protected it by prohibiting child-bearing. So it’s also a problem that he didn’t have a biological child. I’d say that it’s impossible to do that, but… 1

In any case, it can be said that this uproar happened because the previous king did not leave any direct descendants. Both Harold and Guillaume are relatives of the previous king, and since they don’t have direct lineage, they certainly have no choice but to bring in an heir from such a place.

Harold was the heir recognized within the Kingdom of Wessek, but it was the Kingdom of Frasia that took the lead. Using Guillaume being a relative, he interfered in the succession issue of the Kingdom of Wessek, intervened, and sent soldiers to try to take over. In order to complete the takeover, all of Harold’s kin must be disposed of.

It’s strange that they’re trying to exterminate you, and you’re being criticized for trying to do the same. Since it has developed into such a succession problem, it is necessary to cut off the root of the problem in order to prevent future problems.

I don’t know why Guillaume, who was supposed to have been raised in Frasia, would prostrate himself so much to King Karruzer of the Blish Isles’ Legends…

“King Harold… that’s wrong, isn’t it…? I’m Flora Charlotte von Carruthers,” I said.

“Carruthers!?”

Hearing my name, Engelbert raised his face. His expression looks quite surprised. But he gradually calmed down.

“I see… reinforcements came from the east… Is that what you meant by this…?”

Engelbert seemed to be convinced of something, said that, and nodded. It’s only natural that the Marc County, former Plossian aristocrats, should know about the Carruthers Margraviate. Besides, even now, for the Kingdom of Frasia, there is no way they don’t know the name of House Carruthers who protects the border between Ploiss and Frasia.

I can’t keep talking like this forever. Anyway, let’s hand over these guys. It’s an unpleasant role that I have to declare the treatment decided by Harold’s Faction… Something’s wrong since I wasn’t the one who made the decision, but I’m the one who’s being despised for enacting it…

“Duke Guillaume Norn, you have invaded the Kingdom of Wesek. Your crime is grave and unforgivable. I will only stay your execution if you declare that neither you nor any of your future descendants will have the right to succeed the Throne of Wessek. If you can’t do that… then I will end the lives of you, your family members, and all of your relatives, to cut off all the roots of evil before they spread.”

“If this war can end with just one head… then there’s no way I’ll give it away! Why must I be executed!? Don’t be ridiculous! I’m the Duke of Noln! I’m the King of Wessek! I AM THE KINGGGGGG~~~!!”

It’s useless…. he is completely confused. It would be nice if he calmed down after a while, but this may have completely broken his spirit. I’m not going to execute him right now anyway, so I’ll throw him in jail and wait and see what happens for a while…

Well, Guillaume’s execution was what Harold and the others had brought up. Harold and the others will take care of him and his faction. In addition, Guillaume is to be executed in the Wessek Royal Capital after regaining the southern part and making a triumphant return. Until then, I’ll leave all that trouble to Harold and the others.

“Count Engelbert von Mark, you will be tasked to organize the remaining Frasian army,” I said.

“… Huh? What of my execution…?” Engelbert asked.

Perhaps he thought he, too, would be sentenced to execution, so Engelbert looked up at me with a blank face. Rather, I have no intention of killing Engelbert. In order to recapture Marc County, I plan to secure Engelbert’s custody and use it to claim legitimacy.

“If the remnants of the Frasian Army continue to rampage, more blood will spill,” I said. “What you should do first is not to hand over your head, but to gather the remnants of your forces to cease the bloodshed and end this war, can’t you make them agree to this?”

“-!? Sire, hahaa…!”

In response to my words, Engelbert lowered his head while shedding tears. It’s because he survived without being executed himself… or I don’t think it is. Engelbert might be of some use. If Engelbert is capable, I want him here with me.

The disposal of Guillaume and Engelbert has also been decided, and I will step back and release the tension. The short-term plan after this is… First, we’ll go back to our camp and have a meeting. We have to discuss and consider the summary of this battle and the points to reflect on.

In this battle, we tried many new things. We have to check the results and effects and improve the areas that need improvement. After that, and with this battle’s end, I had to talk with Harold and others. If we are put together, will it be a triumphant return and the recapture of the southern part, withdrawing from this castle and position?

Long-term plans include the recapture of the remaining Wessek territory in the south and the conquest of the northern and western powers of the Blish Isles. Once that’s done, we’ll have to go on an expedition to the western island of Ehrland.

Someday, Harold will abdicate as king and I will become king…

I know that, but I’m honestly worried. Even now, Harold is saying that he will hand over the throne to me, so I should just accept it obediently. But will the vassals and the people accept it so easily? I don’t want to be accused of being a usurper. Though in reality, I am a usurper trying to usurp the throne, but…

What I really want is not the Throne of Wesek, I’m just trying to build a new unified nation on the Blish Isles. That’s why it doesn’t have to be as King of Wessek… In that case, there is no need to take the throne from Harold. Well, it also means that the Wessek Kingdom will perish, so in the end Harold won’t be the king either way…

From the beginning, we had intended to build our own power. In that case, instead of taking over the Throne of Wessek from Harold, it would be better if I found a new country.

Well, it’s also a matter of whether the nobles and citizens of Wessek in other regions will agree. If the country collapsed due to military subjugation and was ruled by a new country, they would probably accept that reality even if they didn’t like it. But even though the current state remains and the king is still alive, will they be convinced that I’ll build a new state moving forward and be willing to put themselves under its control…?

I wonder if there’s a better way… Or, unexpectedly, I wonder if people will accept it even if I tell them that they have changed to a new country and a new king from today.

Is it okay for me to continue working with the Kingdom of Wessek and Harold and the others? I can’t help but feel like I’m going to be a seed of trouble. If Harold makes a triumphant return, King Harold’s fame will rise, and won’t that cause even more conflict between us and the Kingdom of Wessek…?

I don’t know……. The human heart is not easily swayed. It doesn’t matter if you’re losing or winning, and even if you know what you’re going to lose or die, there are many times when you choose to be hostile. I want to wrap things up as calmly as possible, but…

“Pardon us. Lady Flora, we are coming to pick you up. Let’s return to the camp.”

“Armand…, indeed… Shall we go back then?”

Even if I worry about it alone, it won’t be solved. And from the beginning, you were planning to take over the Blish Isles, even if it meant creating our new power, right? So what am I still worried about?

The feeling of wanting to minimize sacrifices and conflicts remains the same. But there’s nothing good about worrying too much about immediate sacrifices and overlooking and postponing bigger disasters.

What I need to do is to minimize the sacrifices, but still act with an eye on the future without fear of immediate losses. Even if I get a little criticized there, even if I get a bad reputation, I won’t be allowed to stop.

At least Harold will obey me if I take over the country or build a new country. Or rather, he should think that I am not an opponent who he can fight against and win. In that case, Harold had no choice but to persuade the other Wessekian nobles. And those who still don’t obey… will have no choice but to do so.

“Ah! Flora! Welcome back!”

“I’m glad to be home. Did you behave yourself, Mikoto?” I asked.

“Hold! What do you mean by that?!”

“I meant what it said on its face?” I said.

“Hold, Flora!”

“”””Ahaha!”””””

I returned to the camp and laughed with my wives. Even if my destination is a blood-stained road… I’ve decided to go, so I’ll make up my mind and move along.