CH 46.1

In the Allied Commune’s capital, Clermont, not much time has passed since the ceasefire with the Weichsel Empire. Clermont’s city gates are still broken, and there’s no telling how long it’ll be until they’re fixed.

The emperor of Weichsel received a report from Alexia and immediately ordered a ceasefire. Then, the Weichsel Empire set up camp some distance away from Clermont and said that they wanted to hold a more formal meeting, which Roseline agreed to. And so, the emperor of Weichsel was invited to Clermont’s royal palace.

There are very few people in the room when the Weichsel emperor is welcomed to the royal palace. The room itself isn’t that big compared to the throne room. Since the meeting is limited to a few representatives, only the minimum number of people have gathered.

It must be an important, highly confidential meeting that can’t be revealed to the public. That just makes me even more nervous. I’m hesitant to make even the slightest movement, and nobody is making a sound.

I still have some doubts about whether it’s okay for me to be here, but Roseline asked me to, so there’s nothing I can do about it. She’s acting like a princess, with her expression calm and dignified, so it’s hard for me to talk to her. Unable to speak to her, I stand by her side.

“The emperor of Weichsel, His Majesty Wilhelm Viktor von Weichsel, has arrived!” one of Roseline’s vassals announces with a nervous look on their face. I can feel the mood becoming even more tense.

Shortly after, a young man with long, auburn hair follows Roseline’s vassal into the room. Behind him were Alexia and several large, burly men.

I met the young man once before when the ceasefire happened. He’s the emperor of Weichsel. His face was full of confidence and ambition which made him seem brave. Even now, the air about him makes him feel different from ordinary people. He has the power to draw attention and awe from those around him. I guess that’s what you’d call charisma.

“Thank you for coming here today, Your Majesty, Emperor Viktor. I give you my sincerest welcome,” Roseline says, welcoming the emperor with a polite tone unlike her usual manner of speaking.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness, Princess Roseline,” the emperor replies with a smile.

But the next moment, the emperor suddenly bows his head. His erratic behavior shocks not only Roseline’s vassals, but the emperor’s vassals as well.

“Your Majesty!” Roseline exclaims in astonishment.

“I apologize,” the emperor says. “I started this war under the assumption that your country had already been taken over by vampires, and thus did your country great harm. This happened due to my ignorance. I am truly sorry.”

His expression turns dark, as if he regrets it from the bottom of his heart. I could feel so much drive from him just a little while ago, but the difference in his current expression is intense. He’s letting those around him know just how strong his feelings of regret are.

Even if it was caused by the vampires’ scheming and various other factors, the capital of their country was attacked. Roseline’s vassals can’t help but be displeased with the Weichsel Empire. It could be that the tense atmosphere isn’t only nervousness due to another country’s leaders visiting, but is also caused by anger towards an enemy nation that recently invaded.

Apologizing before another nation’s royalty and her vassals may damage his dignity, but he didn’t show any hesitation. Although he appears arrogant, he might be a surprisingly considerate person.

“Your Majesty, please raise your head. Our war with your country was unfortunate, but it was caused by a misunderstanding between our two countries. It would be one thing if you were to blame the vampires who caused it, but I do not intend for you to take all of the responsibility and blame for it.”

“…Oh, thank you for your profound mercy, Your Highness. We would like to provide our full support to you in rebuilding your country.”

The bad blood between the two countries won’t disappear right away, especially for Commune, but I’m sure the news that they’ve now reconciled will be good for improving relations between the two countries. It seems that this is indeed the case, as I can feel the oppressively tense atmosphere ease up considerably.

“First, as part of our support, we would like to cooperate with you in defeating the vampires running rampant in your country. To be specific, I intend to dispatch part of our military to your country.”

“Part of your military, you say?”

“Indeed. As the vampires can create new underlings, it isn’t only your country’s problem, but one that will affect neighboring countries as well. The vampires must be swiftly eradicated. This problem must be dealt with not by Commune alone, but by close cooperation and sharing information with Weichsel. If we don’t, it may allow the vampires to manipulate us once more.”

‘I see,’ I think to myself.

Vampires can drink human blood to gain new underlings. Since they were once human, their appearance doesn’t change and they can blend in with humans. Because of this, people were too late to notice, and the vampires took control of the royal palace. Although this incident happened in Commune, there’s no guarantee that Commune is where it will end. It must be made widely known to the surrounding countries. Also, the Weichsel Empire not being informed that Clermont was retaken from vampire rule is what led to this war.

If they share information with the Weichsel Empire, it may prevent similar harm from occurring. Also, it would be reassuring to have the cooperation of the Weichsel army that fought and won a war against the vampires in the northwestern region of Commune.

“I understand. I would also like to focus our efforts on eradicating the vampires, so support from the Weichsel Empire would be more than welcome. I accept the support of the Weichsel Empire,” Roseline replies after pausing for a bit as if in careful consideration.

It doesn’t seem like a bad suggestion, so it seems strange that Roseline, who cares deeply for her people, would hesitate. Oh, I see. Since she’s the princess, she needs to pay attention not only to the immediate benefits, but the political concerns of becoming indebted to another country.

“Also, regarding Commune’s northwest territory…” the emperor says with a look of hesitation.

Come to think of it, I did hear that the Weichsel Empire occupied Commune’s northwest territory. Even if the land was temporarily under vampire rule, it was originally Commune’s territory. Now that Commune’s government has been restored, Commune would think that the Weichsel Empire intends to invade if they continue to stay there.

However, Weichsel risked their lives to take the territory back from the vampires. I doubt it’d be easy for them to give it up.

A territory dispute. Even when it occurs between countries in the real world, it’s a delicate issue, and I can easily guess that there would be trouble if they couldn’t find a solution. But they can’t just avoid bringing it up. Depending on how the Weichsel Empire handles it, it’s quite possible that things will go right back to how they were before after all it took for them to reconcile.

“I intend to return it to your country. However, when I return it, it will take some time for my soldiers to withdraw from the northwest region. I would like to postpone it for a bit.”

Surprisingly, the emperor said he would return it without hesitation. I thought for sure that he would negotiate some benefit for the Weichsel Empire, like dividing a part of the territory for Weichsel rule, but it seems that that’s not the case.

If so, then what was the emperor so worried about that made him hesitate like that?

“But before we decide this, Your Highness, there’s something I’d like you to hear. Do you know the condition of the northwest region?”

“Its condition? What do you mean?”

“I am referring to the damage the vampires caused in the northwest region.”

Roseline reacts by twitching.

“Princess Roseline, there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. Do you mind if I bring him here?”

Roseline silently nods her head. Her body looks unnaturally stiff.

Soon after, a middle-aged man enters the room. Roseline’s eyes widen, as if in recognition.

“It has been a long time, Princess Roseline.”

“You… you served Duke Mayenne.”

“You remembered me? I have served the Mayenne house as their butler for many years.”

Duke Mayenne. I remember that name. That was the noble who was killed by the Weichsel Empire.

“As I thought, Duke Mayene was…”

“The duke was made into the vampires’ underling. Then, he was defeated by the Weichsel Imperial Army. But this may be for the best. After all, the duke’s name will not be sullied any further,” the butler says, his face turning pale as if from the memory. “And the vampires oppressed the citizens. Not knowing of the vampires, the citizens requested aid from the neighboring nobles and from Clermont. However, it seems that their appeals were rejected and they were turned away.”

I look at Roseline. Her eyes are wide with shock, so judging by her reaction, she didn’t know about this at all.

“After returning with their hopes crushed, they received punishment. Because of this, the citizens began to resent not only Duke Mayenne, but the Commune government as well.”