Chapter 338: Everything is a Mess (1)
Chapter 338: Everything is a Mess (1)
The war was over.
Justice had triumphed, and evil had been defeated.
As it always went.
Was it justice because it won? Or was it able to win because it was justice?
Regardless of such philosophical dilemmas, the soldiers of the Allied Forces were simply overjoyed.
"It’s finally over."
"I can finally go home."
"I was sick of it. Dammit..."
The leadership of the Allied Forces released an unlimited supply of alcohol and meat for the exhausted soldiers. Thanks to this, the soldiers could finally soak in a long-awaited peace, drinking and laughing.
However, there were those for whom the war had not yet ended.
"I’m telling you, the eastern provinces of the former Caesar Kingdom alone aren't enough to compensate for our country's losses!"
"Even so, demanding the capital of the Flame Kingdom is excessive greed."
"I believe it is fairer to evaluate merits based on the number of troops committed rather than the scale of damage sustained."
"Hmph, what nonsense is this? Do you intend to pay nothing for the blood of our noble martyrs?"
These were the leaders and chiefs of staff of each nation.
For them, the war was far from over.
In fact, the real battle was just beginning.
War is a process that drains a nation's stamina to a disgusting degree.
Money, weapons, food, manpower, and so on...
To restore that massively depleted national strength—and perhaps even achieve greater prosperity than before—one had to aggressively exercise the rights of the victor.
This was why the contrast between the winner and the loser in a war between nations was usually so stark.
The problem in this case, however, was that the victor was not a single entity, but an alliance.
Of course, the Yuzef Kingdom was a sufficiently large prize.
Having bloated its size by integrating four countries, the Yuzef Kingdom had developed stably under the Overlord's reign.
But was it enough for all seven powers in the Allied Forces to share?
The answer was no.
Absolutely not.
And so...
"Our Harbor Duchy will never back down. At least half of the former Caesar Kingdom's territory must be ours."
"No, with what nerve do you say that when you contributed the fewest troops?"
"Is there any country that participated more actively and sacrificed more than ours in this war?"
"You made a total mess of things, yet you certainly know how to spin a tale."
"What did you say?"
It was a complete madhouse.
Amidst the chaos, Grand Duke Schneider let out a sigh and thought to himself.
Everyone is blinded by greed.
A sigh escaped him involuntarily.
In truth, the person who could speak with the loudest voice in this room was none other than Grand Duke Schneider himself.
The reason the Allied Forces had managed to hold on despite repeated defeats against the Yuzef Kingdom was thanks to the Alliance of Otherworldly Races—allies of the Schneider Duchy—and the Tower of Truth.
And, decisively, it was thanks to his daughter-in-law, April.
Furthermore, it was his son who had brought a massive number of Kalaron’s subordinates to the final battle and struck down the Overlord.
Therefore, if he chose to speak up, he could easily claim at least half of the Yuzef Kingdom's territory. However...
That would only make the situation worse.
If he claimed his share, the others would fight even more violently over what remained. And even if they somehow reached an agreement, it was obvious they would exploit the occupied territories to squeeze out as much as possible.
Grand Duke Schneider was not the type of man to claim his share while knowing such a result was inevitable.
He simply remained silent, keeping his seat, while the others pointedly ignored him and argued for their own interests.
"By the way, where did that boy go?"
Grand Duke Schneider asked Sanson, who was standing guard behind him.
Sanson replied.
"He said he was going to take care of some loose ends."
"What loose ends?"
"I'm not quite sure myself..."
Looking at Sanson’s face, which seemed to say, 'How would I know what that man is up to?' the Grand Duke sighed again.
Right. Honestly, if he, the father, didn't know what his son was doing, how could Sanson?
I have so many things to ask him, but where is he... Just wait until he shows his face. I'll give him such a lecture...
"Hey, move it!"
It happened then.
A commotion broke out outside the meeting room.
At that moment, Grand Duke Schneider bolted upright.
This was a place where the leaders of the Allied Forces were gathered for an important meeting. There were only two kinds of people who would cause a scene in such a place.
A madman, or...
"Get lost!"
Baaaaang!
His son.
* * *
A soldier in armor came flying into the meeting room and crashed into the floor, but no one so much as flinched.
Anyone with half a brain knew who was about to walk through that door.
"I told them I was coming in, so why the hell are they blocking the way? I almost kicked their teeth in."
"Master. Shouldn't you say that before you kick them?"
"It's fine, it's fine. The order isn't that important."
"I see."
The person who entered was, as everyone expected, the Double Dragon, Petrick Schneider.
Following behind him was a tall, slender beauty with black hair.
She was as beautiful as the Grand Duke's daughters-in-law and was calling Petrick "Master."
That monster took a disciple?
And such a young woman at that...?
What did he see in her to choose her as a disciple? Her looks?
Everyone's attention was focused on Petrick and the mysterious woman behind him.
Upon entering the room, Petrick first spotted his father and...
"Father, your son is here," he greeted with a bright, innocent smile.
Right. To an outsider, he looked like a son returning home on leave from the military.
Grand Duke Schneider pressed his hand to his throbbing forehead and spoke.
"I'm glad you're back. I have much to ask, but first..."
The Grand Duke continued, looking around at the others.
"We are in the middle of an important meeting. Let's save the family talk for later."
"Huh? The war is over, so what kind of meeting are you having? The atmosphere looks like a total disaster zone."
A few people bristled at Petrick's words, but no one dared to step forward.
Dammit... of all people, the Double Dragon...
It’s troublesome to clash with that man right now.
Endure it. I must endure.
Petrick Schneider.
That name carried too much weight.
The title of 'Youngest Arcana Winner' had already lost its significance.
The strongest man on the continent.
The great hero of humanity who struck down the Overlord and crushed the ambitions of the Dark Mages.
Challenging Petrick's lack of manners was as reckless as trying to pull a dragon's teeth. No, even if one were to do it, they had to make sure they weren't the first one to speak up.
Anyone without that much tact wouldn't have even been invited to this meeting.
"Hmm..."
Petrick glanced around the room.
He scratched his head and said, "First off, let me ask: what is this meeting even about?"
One of the leaders of the Allied nations stood up and bowed politely.
"Greetings to the great hero of the continent. I am Marquis Anton Veraton of the Magellan Kingdom."
"Petrick Sky Shnaiderrrr."
"..."
He’s such a thug.
Marquis Veraton flinched for a moment but brushed it off, maintaining his polite tone.
"This meeting was convened to discuss how to govern the fallen Yuzef Kingdom."
"Huh? Why are you guys doing that?"
"Well, we cannot leave the Yuzef Kingdom in a vacuum after the Overlord's death. It must be divided and governed in a reasonable manner by everyone, mustn't it? That way, the people living on this land can feel at ease..."
"Ah, forget it. In short, you were worrying about how to carve it up and eat it."
"Ah... well..."
"Right?"
He wasn't wrong.
He was right, but who would admit to it when asked so bluntly?
Petrick stared intently at the leaders in the room.
He recognized a few of them.
"First Sage. What are you doing here?"
"I have to keep my seat. Just like your father."
"And the Holy Knight over there? What was your name again?"
"It is Tatius Owen. Likewise, I am attending the meeting."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The world is ending. Even a man who supposedly serves God has joined this pathetic squabble over a rice bowl."
"I am ashamed."
Tatius Owen bowed his head calmly.
As a man of God, how could he have enjoyed being here? But before discussing his duties as a clergyman, he was here representing the Holy Kingdom.
He had to do what needed to be done.
After scanning the rest of the room, Petrick checked the map of the continent in the center of the hall.
It was covered in messy lines drawn all over the Yuzef Kingdom's territory.
"You've turned it into a total mess, a patchwork quilt."
"Ahem, Double Dragon. Perhaps you should mind your manners a bit more?"
"Haaaaah?"
Petrick turned his gaze toward the man who had uttered that nonsense.
Did you just bark at me?
As he stared with a look that clearly conveyed that sentiment, a noble who seemed to be the representative of the Benator Empire looked back with an uncomfortable expression.
"Everyone here is a great figure holding a key position in their respective countries. No matter how peerless your martial prowess or how great your achievements in this war, such rudeness is—Gah!"
The unnamed noble, who had been speaking, suddenly doubled over, groaning in pain.
Naturally, the one who made him that way was Petrick Schneider...
"Hahaha. It seems Marquis Zainderos of our empire is very tired. He's been overworking lately, so please understand, Double Dragon."
...Or so it should have been, but surprisingly, it wasn't this time.
It was Garcia, the grandson of the Sword Saint, who was dragging the man named Zainderos away while breaking out in a cold sweat.
The Marquis tried to say something as he was being dragged, but his mouth was muffled, and only "mmph mmph" sounds came out.
Petrick unclenched his slightly tightened fist and thought, I'll let it slide once for your grandfather's sake.
No one knew it, but on this day, Garcia had saved the Benator Empire.
"Back to the point..."
Petrick looked at the ruined map and said, "So, the point is how to divide the Yuzef Kingdom's territory, right? Correct?"
Everyone nodded.
Petrick gave a satisfied smile and said, "Then it's simple. I'll solve it for you."
For a moment, everyone tensed up.
Unlike Grand Duke Schneider, who was a good-natured pushover, this Double Dragon was not to be trifled with.
If this man, who possessed both legitimacy and power, claimed his share, he might take at least half of the Yuzef Kingdom's territory.
Dammit, how much is he going to take?
Half, starting from the south? He might even try to take more.
This is problematic.
While everyone was on edge, Petrick drew a line on the map with a pleasant smile.
Starting from Evergreen in the far north, following the territory of the former Caesar Kingdom all the way south, including the former Decatur Kingdom and even the territory of the former Flame Kingdom...
No, this was just...
"It's all mine!"
The thief was right here.
* * *
Petrick had dropped a bomb on the meeting.
He claimed that he would take all the occupied territories of the Yuzef Kingdom for himself.
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone rose up at once.
"No, what kind of nonsense is this?"
"There is no such law! Do you think such an unthinkable tyranny will be forgiven just because you are the Double Dragon?"
"We will lodge a formal international protest!"
"We also fought and bled! And yet you intend to take all the profit for yourselves? Is this the way of the Schneider Duchy?"
The leaders of each nation shouted, the veins in their necks bulging as they protested.
Among them were the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, who had been favorable toward Petrick.
The only ones remaining silent were those from the Tower of Truth, though the First Sage's face was quite stiff.
Regardless, Petrick was picking his ear with an expression that asked if a dog was barking somewhere.
"Young Lord Schneider."
Finally, it was the Paladin of the Holy Kingdom, Tatius Owen, who spoke with heavy gravity.
As he stepped forward, the others fell silent.
He looked Petrick straight in the eye and said, "Tell me. Why are you making such a demand?"
"A reason? If I wanted to give you reasons, I could give you more than ten, but if I were to give the biggest one..."
Petrick looked around at the assembly.
"If you guys take over the Yuzef Kingdom now, you're going to squeeze it for everything it's worth, aren't you? Am I wrong?"
"Uh... well..."
"No, what do you mean by..."
As they stammered, Petrick said, "Don't beat around the bush. Be honest. You're going to squeeze the occupied territories dry to make up for the resources and money spent on the war, aren't you?"
A few people turned red and argued.
"Collecting taxes from occupied territory is inevitable. We must replenish the budget wasted by the war..."
"That's right. And shouldn't we also restore the lands of the Yuzef Kingdom that have been devastated?"
"In the first place, this is the fault of the Overlord, who started the war by joining hands with Dark Mages."
Petrick looked at them and smirked.
They were talking in circles, but in the end, no one denied it.
Petrick said to them, "Well, honestly, I don't care. Even if you plunder and squeeze the occupied territories until children starve to death, women are forced to sell themselves, and the crime rate skyrockets until the lives of the people of the Yuzef Kingdom are as miserable as a living hell... I wouldn't care one liiiiittle bit."
No, we weren't planning to go that far.
Are we demons?
The flustered leaders tried to protest. But Petrick wasn't finished.
"But you see, there's one person in this room who absolutely cannot tolerate that."
Petrick's gaze landed on someone. That someone was...
"No matter if they are a defeated nation, we must not oppress and devastate the lives of those living there. What sin have they committed?"
Grand Duke Schneider abandoned his silent stance and spoke with a resolute expression.
"Before discussing the victors and the losers of war, please consider human dignity first."
Watching his father strike a hard line, Petrick thought to himself.
This is it. They say even dog shit... no, even a pushover can be useful for something.