Chapter 69
Philippe VII's eyebrows twitched at Jeanne's words.
The king's gaze fixed on her. It was a look all too familiar to her—an arrogant, cold stare that placed the entire world beneath his feet.
What if I don't acknowledge it?
The king seemed to be asking exactly that.
I believe adjustments are necessary on the list.
More importantly, many have entered the list without having performed any great deeds. Especially among the ministers present here, I feel that the majority do not require such an honor.
Since I am about to rule this country, it follows that supporting me is equivalent to supporting the nation.
What is the problem with appointing those who serve the nation as royal companions?
Philippe VII maintained his stance unwaveringly.
Jeanne continued to uphold her own opinion with quiet resolve.
We are not debating who performed greater deeds or superior ones.
But we must at least grant fitting recognition to those who have given their lives fighting for the nation, must we not? Otherwise, who will fight for this country?
The clash between Jeanne and the king continued. It was fiercer than any duel with swords or spears.
If the king had had aura in his voice as well, every soul in the room would have been cut to pieces.
So what exactly did they accomplish?
The king's voice remained low, yet its weight was heavy.
Did I hear that correctly?
Jeanne's mind went blank at the words she had never expected to hear from the king's lips.
This was a declaration that dismissed even the soldiers standing guard here and every fighter who had given their lives in the war.
We have not yet reclaimed Roire, nor driven the enemy from this land.
What does it mean to have died fighting on the battlefield? Why should their merits be recognized? Mathias was the only one to bring me even a minor victory announcement, yet now we must honor those people?
The king added.
Jeanne, seething once more, finally voiced the thoughts she had carried since the very beginning.
Then why was Liam specifically named as the first royal companion?
Gasps rose from the corners of the room.
Some recalled the day the war began and Jeanne had stepped into the conference hall. The scene was similar, yet her resolve was firmer than before.
The king sent a gaze sharper than ever.
Jeanne's blue eyes, which usually reminded one of ice, now burned like the fiercest flames.
Jeanne did not avert her gaze.
If the king was a flame, she was the vast ocean capable of extinguishing even a single spark.
A tense standoff continued, as if the slightest touch would snap it like a string. The very air seemed to shift, and the ministers felt the pressure tighten.
Gaspar, who had been silently observing, lowered his head and closed his eyes.
It has come to this again.
It was the lord chancellor's role to mediate in such moments.
Although Gaspar was not yet the chancellor, from the perspective of someone eyeing the next position, his appearance would serve him best.
Still, Gaspar debated the right time to intervene and which side to support.
If he only considered his own safety, he should naturally side with the king. In the past he would have done so without a second thought.
But now he had taken command in Ileon and fought the enemy on the front lines; agreeing that high command deserved respect was part of the problem.
Is His Highness truly considering fighting solely with Imperial soldiers?
If the soldiers at the front were not properly honored, the army's morale would plummet. And morale was a far greater weapon than any sword; such a thing must be prevented.
Gaspar's thoughts grew deeper.
Why do you not answer?
The moment hung in the air. Jeanne's words struck the king like a blade.
Philippe VII's lips trembled. The order seemed imminent.
Her Highness's intention is not that.
Simon, the one no one had anticipated, stepped between the king and Jeanne.
Simon possessed a gentle, somewhat timid nature. Usually he remained an observer, but something had changed. He now took the lead.
Simon calmly summarized his words before the king.
Properly bestowing the titles of royal companions will have to wait until after the war ends.
Your Highness mentioned it with the intention of encouraging those who will fight hard in the future, including the knights on the front lines. I believe that is what you meant.
After hurriedly offering this excuse to protect Jeanne, Simon asked if he could approach the king. Philippe VII waved his hand in permission.
Simon stepped carefully closer and lowered his voice so only those near him could hear.
Adding a few names to the list of the dead will not harm Your Highness.
This bestowal of titles was intended to solidify the king's position. Therefore, adding names that no one would have, even if it affected the world, could cause no harm to him.
Simon had offered the king a point of compromise with Jeanne.
Though most ministers in the hall did not catch Simon's soft words, Jeanne heard every syllable. Her knight's instincts were far sharper than ordinary ears.
Their eyes met.
Simon gave the slightest nod. Jeanne understood he had spoken this way to calm the king. Simon would never belittle the warriors.
If the argument continues like this, the disadvantage lies with me.
For now Jeanne was only one of the king's many children, while the one before her was the king holding absolute power.
Although Jeanne had gained some public support by roaming Bluisol and fighting fiercely, and although she had secured the soldiers' loyalty, in this very hall her allies were few indeed.
Everyone who had followed the king in his flight could be counted as his side.
Perhaps Gaspar would have raised a hand for her, but he remained silent for the moment.
After all, Gaspar was quick to calculate. If Jeanne had no real grounds, he would continue to remain neutral.
Jeanne surveyed the ministers gathered at the conference and decided first to retreat. Knowing when to withdraw from a losing battle was important. Otherwise the haughty king would never yield, and the situation would only grow worse with time.
For the moment, gaining even one small victory was a political success. Therefore, stepping back was not a loss but a step toward victory.
Simon Deputy is correct.
My foolishness in speaking too harshly has caused concern. Please forgive me.
Jeanne bowed deeply in apology. Even uttering the words of repentance was difficult, yet she could not show pride.
Since I have yielded, it is your turn now.
Philippe VII, being the most politically astute among those present, should know that it was time to compromise appropriately.
Otherwise he would become enemies with the greatest knight of the land, which could never be a good thing for him.
Even if the underlying rift remained, at least before the world he needed to appear to have resolved the conflict.
I understand the Second Knight Division Leader's intention.
His Majesty has also spoken of remembering those who sacrificed their lives. I will compile the list and add the names.
In the end the king accepted the compromise Simon had written on Jeanne's behalf. Yet the displeasure at the one who dared oppose his will remained heavy.
Philippe VII left the hall without a single word announcing the end of the meeting. While no one else dared move, the servants who always attended the king closely followed at a hurried pace.
The meeting was over.
The ministers dispersed.
Whew. I thought something big had happened.
Well, it ended all right.
Your Highness is truly something. Why did you push so hard to get that?
Some ministers swatted at the tense atmosphere in the conference hall, blaming the one who had spoiled the mood.
Raphael rushed to Simon the moment he could not be seen by the king and grabbed both his arms.
Hey, are you all right?
...I was terrified.
You never speak up normally. Why did you jump in here?
Raphael asked seriously, worried for his friend Simon.
Simon smiled with his handsome face.
Originally Divine would have stepped in at that point.
Hmm.
Raphael agreed.
If Divine had been there, he would have intervened at the perfect moment before things overheated. His timing and eloquence in steering situations were unmatched.
Simon explained why he had to speak.
The war is not over yet. The enemy is resting after taking a big fall while rushing here, and we must prepare to drive them out. If His Highness harms Your Highness here, this country may falter.
No way. Even if, we cannot punish Your Highness...
Not a severe punishment. House arrest alone would be a problem, right?
Without Jeanne the autonomous Second Knight Division would have issues listening, and the Rotinzel force hiding in fear might rise again. Simon wanted to prevent the worst for Bluisol.
I did nothing, yet my name is on the list. It feels slightly embarrassing.
Simon laughed awkwardly.
And one more thing.
Simon placed a hand on Raphael's shoulder and continued.
You, my friend, are running around diligently, yet I seem too comfortable. I feel uneasy. I must work harder too.
Raphael shuddered.
Raphael had almost been called upon like an interpreter for the Empire. He would flatter them and bring whatever they wanted.
Although he was little more than a servant, he had the king's command to serve them well so they would not be uncomfortable, so he grumbled while still working diligently.
Memories of the hardships surfaced, and he nearly wanted to cry.
I'll become Finance Minister. Will you become Foreign Minister?
I don't know Empire language.
That's right. Hah. I'm in trouble.
Raphael walked away with a gloomy face. The minister's meeting had ended; it was time to return to serving the Empire army.
Simon placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.