Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Declaration of War
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Imperial Calendar Year 178. A sudden piece of news reached the capital.
⚙ Official Proclamation ⚙ […Burkhai, Kaden, and Porland. We, the three kingdoms above, swear before the omniscient god that we will overcome all difficulties together under the name of alliance.] The Eastern Three Kingdoms, who had been bickering endlessly among themselves, had joined hands.
It was obvious what they meant by their "difficulties" without even needing to look.
The Empire. Yes, their so-called difficulties clearly referred to none other than the Empire.
Some predicted that they would scatter on their own before long despite such declarations.
If those three kingdoms could truly unite, they should have done so from the start.
But even those loudmouths soon realized something was off.
⚙ Official Proclamation ⚙ [The Tripartite Alliance will take any action necessary for the alliance. If our foundations are shaken, we will treat everything but the gods as enemies.] This was different from before. Things were starting to take a serious turn.
The word "hostility," which diplomatic statements typically avoided, was right there in plain sight.
First came word that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was buzzing with activity.
Soon after, the War Ministry's atmosphere had turned into thin ice.
Day after day, the Tripartite Alliance hurled fierce denunciations at the Empire from the east.
With the momentum building like this, everyone naturally reached one conclusion.
'War.'
'This is war.'
The east, quiet for nearly a decade, was about to be engulfed in flames once more.
With that conviction settling in, all eyes turned to who would fire the first declaration of war.
Most figured the Empire would do it.
No way this colossal nation would let them take that honor, right?
But the Empire stayed silent, merely expressing regret over the alliance's statements.
Those unfamiliar with politics tilted their heads at the situation.
On the other hand, those with a rough grasp could guess why.
'It means they have no intention of purging the Dove Faction within the Empire.'
'Whew. Dodged a bullet there. I was worried we'd get branded traitors.'
'Can't let the Hawk Faction run too wild, so they're setting up some minimal checks.'
Those who got the picture quietly shelved their demands for a declaration of war.
Instead, they daily lambasted the Tripartite Alliance, shouting that they were the ones shattering the peace.
In the end, the side that couldn't hold back any longer wasn't the Empire—it was the Tripartite Alliance.
It was only natural. Their situation wasn't great either.
'We did this partly to crush the pro-Empire factions...'
'The Empire needs to declare war quick so we have justification. If domestic momentum cools, the pro-Empire side will rear its head again!'
'If we go to war, we can hold our positions. But if we bend without fighting, this alliance we've barely formed goes down the drain.'
The most desperate were the anti-Empire factions within each kingdom.
To keep this momentum going, war was an essential element.
The opponent's declaration would be the perfect justification, but the Empire wasn't about to hand it over nicely.
In the end, they fired the first shot in the alliance's name.
⚙ Declaration of War ⚙ [The Tripartite Alliance expresses profound regret over the current situation… …For the peace of the east, we have now resolved to make our decision…] It was a long-winded statement, but boiled down, it amounted to this.
"Empire, you fucking bastards. Let's throw down! The east will be ours!"
It wasn't baseless confidence. The Empire's vast territory meant it shared borders with countless nations.
Thus, concentrating full force in one place was nearly impossible.
The Tripartite Alliance, on the other hand, only had to face the Empire's limited deployments there—worth a shot.
After the alliance's declaration, the Empire issued its official stance through the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
We sought peace, but they did this and that.
Stripping away the formalities, their message simplified to:
"Get ready to die."
And so, war broke out between the Empire and the three Eastern Kingdoms.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Haa."
Isabel sat in her private garden within the imperial palace, lost in thought.
Conversations she'd overheard just recently floated around in her mind.
"No, Crown Princess. On the contrary, precisely because it's this time, we must not push out the Dove Faction."
"The Dove Faction within the Empire hasn't completely failed."
"We need to keep them in place for the future as well."
The Kael that Isabel knew was undoubtedly part of the Hawk Faction.
If not, there'd be no reason to antagonize the Doves at the banquet.
So when she heard the Eastern Three Kingdoms had formed an alliance.
When she learned they'd chosen war over dialogue against the Empire.
She was terribly curious how Kael would pressure the Doves.
But Kael said they shouldn't. He gave his opinion coolly and concisely.
This very situation—the Eastern Three Kingdoms allying to antagonize the Empire—was a sign they could pressure the opponent through means other than force.
He'd seen through aspects she hadn't even imagined.
Especially those words of his—they hit her right in the chest with a thud.
"Those who hold power cannot tolerate losing the source of their power more than losing the nation itself. Even when the future is clear, they have no choice but to fear immediate loss of popular support."
This referred to the anti-Empire factions in the Tripartite Alliance.
But Isabel felt it included her as well.
At some point, without realizing it, she'd unconsciously believed only the Hawks were right.
She'd viewed Doves not as those with differing opinions, but as "enemies."
In truth, both factions were striving for the Empire in their own ways.
She'd just been anxious that if their arguments prevailed, her side would be sidelined.
—Tap tap
"Eek?!"
"...You're easily startled."
Isabel jumped in surprise and flailed about, startling the one who'd approached her as well.
It was none other than the 1st Prince, Gnaeus.
"Y-You scared me! When did you get here?!"
"Just now. But seriously, what were you thinking? I called you three times and not a peep. I thought you were done talking to me altogether."
Three times? She hadn't heard a thing.
Isabel narrowed her eyes at Gnaeus.
As if questioning whether he'd really called three times. As if doubting he'd called at all.
But she soon shook her head with a 'No' and relaxed her expression.
That reaction even made Gnaeus pop a vein on his forehead.
"That's unexpected."
"What is?"
"I figured you'd tell me to get lost the second you saw me."
"Why would I?"
"You went around preaching diplomacy and dialogue, and those Eastern kingdoms properly smacked you on the back of the head for it."
Ah, that. Isabel just nodded vaguely.
That response seemed to shock Gnaeus quite a bit.
"Bell?"
"Yeah."
"...What's with that reaction? It's so calm, it's throwing me off."
"Calm? What are you talking about?"
"I thought you'd say your views were wrong, that the Doves were mistaken. I figured you'd say that, and I wouldn't even have a good comeback."
At her brother's words, Isabel smiled and replied.
That she'd gained great insight from a conversation between two people recently.
That they'd long known things she'd never even considered.
"...Hmm."
Gnaeus stood quietly after hearing his little sister's words.
Then he suddenly sat beside Isabel and spoke up.
"Two people—one's probably big sis. And seeing your reaction now, the other must be that Kael fellow."
"...Bro, have you been investigating me or something?"
"What would an imperial prince want with spying on a princess?"
Gnaeus burst out laughing and explained to Isabel.
Isn't it obvious? He knew she'd gone to meet big sis recently. He also knew young Lord Kael had been there.
A meeting between someone whose blood ties you couldn't believe came from the same parents, and a noble scion just starting out—hard to imagine.
She must have received some massive shock from it. He would have too.
"...You're right."
Isabel readily confirmed her brother's words.
"It feels like I've grown a step. That's why they say to keep even better people around you—you can learn something from anything."
"Good news, then."
"So, you know Kael told big sis they should leave the Dove Faction be?"
"That's news to me."
Like she was bragging, Isabel eagerly spilled about Kael.
"Hmm."
The more Gnaeus heard from his sister, the more impressed he became.
Just how far ahead was Kael seeing?
How could someone his age act like he'd lived decades longer?
"This time, big sis ordered Kael to join the army."
"Sounds like sis wants to test him herself."
"She laughed. First time I've seen her smile so brightly."
"...Hmm."
Bell. That's not necessarily good. Especially not for Kael.
Gnaeus couldn't quite bring himself to say it and just shrugged.