Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Count Victor Stilberg
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"You've heard the recent reports of unrest around Jutenbach, I presume."
Luise broached the subject by mentioning the region on the southeastern front.
"The Lavria Republic at the southernmost tip has gone to war with the Eckni Kingdom. We attempted to mediate their conflict, but those insolent elves..."
She took a scroll from one of her attendants at her side, unfurled it, and held it out in her right hand.
"...have ultimately declared war on us as well."
The letter contained an official declaration of war from Lavria Republic's current leader, Raimondo Acorsi, written in elegant imperial script.
It was a style neither the uncultured orcs, who lacked the refinement to compose such a document, nor the elves, who saw no need for decorum against humans, would employ. Kalligo's hand was almost certainly behind it.
No, it was highly likely that Kalligo had penned it himself, merely borrowing the name.
"This is an outright dismissal of our goodwill and an underestimation of the Dragonia Empire's might."
Luise took the formally crafted elven missive—what could be considered a rare artifact—in both hands,
-Rip.
and tore it clean in half.
"...!"
"I cannot stand idly by."
Many nobles flinched at the sudden hardline display, but none dared speak up.
Some even restrained those who looked around in shock.
With the outside world in chaos, Luise's authority was clearly keeping them in check.
"...Grand Marshal Gerhard Weisssilt has gone to handle it personally, but no matter how capable he is, one man can't control everything with just two arms and two legs. He has requested reinforcements, and..."
Luise scanned the room silently, as if savoring the quiet,
"he specifically mentioned first the Victor who led my Red Dragon Legion to crush the Esperia Kingdom that dared attack us. Legion Commander Victor. Step forward."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She called me to her with a faint smile.
I shot a glance at Theodore, who was watching me with bitten lips, then knelt before the throne.
"Legion Commander Victor has achieved brilliant victories against the Brotan Kingdom and Esperia Kingdom, which were thorns in the Empire's side, and has fostered ties with the Anchester Kingdom, carrying out my orders with utmost effectiveness."
I kept my head bowed, and soon heard the click of her shoe heels approaching, her voice drawing nearer.
"It is only natural to commend him for his exemplary fulfillment of duty, yet Legion Commander Victor has declined rewards in his haste to move south as swiftly as possible."
She came so close that her shoes entered my lowered field of vision.
"Considering his loyalty, his past achievements, and the endorsement of Grand Marshal Gerhard Weisssilt, I have prepared an appropriate reward for Legion Commander Victor. Attendant."
"Yes."
An attendant approached her side, then withdrew.
"Raise your head."
When I looked up, she held a sheathed sword—the same one I'd seen earlier—in both hands.
With a subtle lift of her lips,
"You have proven your loyalty, valor, and wisdom, becoming an example to all imperial citizens. As Emperor of the Dragonia Empire, I grant you the title of Count, and..."
She declared she would bestow upon me the rank of count.
That alone was astonishing, but
"furthermore, I elevate Stilberg to a county and grant you the right to govern it. Henceforth, you shall be known as Victor Stilberg, and your house shall bear the responsibility for Stilberg's prosperity and security."
"...!"
The countship bestowed upon me was none other than that of Stilberg.
Its actual territory was small, hemmed in by mountains, and quite remote from the capital.
But for her to grant me this land—her official birthplace and direct domain—with implications of heritability carried profound weight.
And the sword I'd assumed was ceremonial hadn't even been drawn yet,
"Do you swear eternal loyalty to the Dragonia Empire, to me, Luise Zeinburg?"
Up close, the sword looked strangely familiar.
"...I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's trust. I shall continue to serve faithfully as Your Majesty's subject and devote myself to the Empire."
Hiding my bewilderment, I placed my hand over my left chest and replied.
"Very well. Count Victor Stilberg. I shall give you a mission personally. Rise and receive your orders."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She gave a small nod,
"I bestow this sword upon Count Victor Stilberg. As my proxy, proceed to the Jutenbach sector and demonstrate the Empire's overwhelming power to the insolent Lavria Republic."
She extended the sword to me as I stood per her command.
Only after hearing "proxy" did I recall that this sword closely resembled the one Gerhard had received.
"Proxy..."
"But the Grand Marshal is already there..."
The "proxy" authority Luise mentioned overlapped with the broad military powers delegated to Gerhard, sparking murmurs from both sides.
"Do you question my decision?"
One word from Luise silenced the noisy audience chamber in an instant.
"Count Stilberg shall exercise full authority regarding this declaration of war, at the request of Grand Marshal Gerhard Weisssilt himself. If there are objections, step forward."
"..."
With the added mention of Gerhard's request, not a single noble came forward.
"...Count Victor Stilberg."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The honor of the Dragonia Empire and myself rests on your decisions. Prove to all that my judgment is correct."
Her prepared reward was grander and more concrete than I'd anticipated, so it was only right I deliver results exceeding her expectations.
She gazed at me with eyes brimming with interest,
"I shall etch Your Majesty's will indelibly into their minds."
I accepted the sword with both hands and bowed my head.
A familiar weight of responsibility and pressure bore down on me, but being so accustomed to it now,
I no longer needed to feign unflinching poise.
"Time is of the essence, so depart at once. I authorize use of the Phegethon."
"Understood."
As I turned with the sword in hand, the nobles' gazes pierced me.
Some showed goodwill, envy, or acceptance through their expressions and eyes, while others made no effort to hide their jealousy or irritation.
Theodore, the prime example of the latter, wore a demonic scowl while avoiding Luise's gaze.
"..."
Seeing his face didn't anger me anymore; I sensed his end was near.
I flashed him another grin and exited the audience chamber.
"...Count Stilberg, Your Excellency?"
"Too long."
"I figured you'd say that, General."
"..."
No need to hesitate further.
I rendezvoused with Anna waiting outside,
"Legion Commander Victor!"
"Call me Count Stilberg, Your Excellency."
"Uh, wh-what? Yes?"
"...Just kidding."
and called Erika, who had been awaiting news, before heading to the Phegethon.
"It's raining!"
"Rain? Of all times..."
Military operations are full of variables,
"Didn't we agree to move together?"
"We moved at the appointed time. You're the ones who were late."
"Ugh..."
and joint operations even more so,
"...Didn't you say you'd target the rear?"
"The enemy caught on to our movements... Oh. Right, you couldn't hear."
while joint ops with ill-tempered races from different species border on the miraculous for success.
"How rude."
"What was that? Wanna climb on the desk and say it louder? I can't hear you from down there."
"You dog...!"
"..."
Gerhard, who had recently experienced this firsthand, watched the Eckni Kingdom dwarves and Este elves bicker, letting out a quiet sigh.
With a knife to their throats, Este and Eckni had expressed willingness to cooperate.
But races that had snarled across a river for centuries wouldn't suddenly sheath their fangs just because a bigger enemy loomed.
"...Enough. The enemy is advancing even now. Stopping them comes first, doesn't it?"
"Hmph. No next time. If you spout that nonsense again..."
"No, I meant stand up and say it properly. Oh, you already are? My apologies."
"Lord Ugo Rizzo. If you keep this up, we cannot cooperate with you either."
"Tch. Fine."
Mediating between them fell to Gerhard,
"You gonna keep hiding back here?"
"Ever think your reckless rampaging might be the problem?"
and conflicts persisted even on the battlefield.
The dwarves' firepower was formidable, but their tactics were defensively rigid to a fault.
The elves excelled at grasping the battlefield and adapting on the fly, but communication with them was nightmarishly poor.
With tactics as incompatible as water and oil, Gerhard couldn't trust them enough to watch his back.
"Your Excellency, it's better to cut them loose. They're more liability than ally."
"...No. We can't. The enemy is too strong for us alone."
"..."
In the end, they were dragged along into operations, breeding discontent within the imperial ranks.
"...Hah."
-Scribble, scribble. Thunk!
Gerhard sat in his tent, irritably drafting and discarding strategies repeatedly.
Despite his words, he believed the Empire's forces were no slouch,
yet he needed someone who wouldn't be swayed by allies—someone who could exploit them instead.
And he knew one such talent who always found paths he himself overlooked.
Even in this uncomfortable situation, he held onto hope and awaited his arrival.
"...Your Excellency."
"What is it."
"A letter from the capital."
Just then, the letter from the Emperor arrived before him.
He skimmed it quickly,
"...Ha. Hahaha. Perfect."
"...Sir?"
"Hahaha! Things are finally looking up!"
He set it down carefully on the desk and laughed heartily, clenching his fist.
"May I ask what it says?"
"Of course!"
To his flustered adjutant,
"Victor. He's coming."
Gerhard held up the letter, replying in a delighted tone.