Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Diplomatic Mandate
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Around the time news reached the royal court of the Kingdom of Brotan that the Empire had occupied Anyak, Saint-Touar, and Montfieu—
“A letter from General Gerhardt Weisschild has arrived.”
“...Hmm.”
Luise, who had been idly passing time in her office, also received Gerhardt’s report containing those details.
The previous report had only briefly listed the battle results, as it had been sent while preparations for a counterattack were underway.
Now that a detailed report describing the situation at the time and the merits achieved had arrived, she quickly read through it.
“Tomorrow, we shall convene a council! Summon the nobles!”
The moment she finished reviewing its contents, she ordered the nobles to be gathered.
The next day.
“...What is this about?”
“Judging by Her Majesty’s expression, it does not seem to be bad news.”
“Indeed.”
The nobles who entered the imperial audience chamber saw that, unlike usual, Luise was wearing a bright smile across her face.
“...”
The one most surprised by this was Theodore.
Recently, she had stopped recruiting talented individuals as before and had maintained a bored expression during meetings. Yet now she had summoned the nobles and sat upon the throne, smiling radiantly.
Staring blankly at her face from afar, Theodore thought he should summon the portrait painter once more before heading to his seat.
“Is everyone assembled?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then let us begin. Ahem.”
Clearing her throat, Luise spoke.
“You are aware that the 55,000-strong imperial army led by Corps Commander Gerhardt Weisschild, Corps Commander Victor, and Corps Commander Friedrich Günter achieved a great victory at Lake Apitello.”
She began by mentioning the imperial victory at what had come to be called the Battle of Lake Apitello, news of which had reached the capital about a week earlier.
“That is correct. A magnificent victory born of General Gerhardt’s brilliant strategy.”
“Mm, mm.”
“With General Gerhardt, such a feat is entirely possible.”
Theodore immediately stepped forward and attributed the battle’s merit to Gerhardt. The other nobles, who had only seen the earlier concise report, were already aware of Gerhardt’s competence and nodded in agreement.
“Hm, is that so.”
Murmuring meaningfully, Luise took the report from her sleeve.
“Just yesterday, a report arrived from Corps Commander Gerhardt detailing the progress of the battle and the current situation along the border. Lord Theodore.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The dispatch of reinforcements was also your suggestion. Would you read it aloud so that all may hear?”
“Understood.”
Feeling an inexplicable unease at Luise’s sudden instruction, Theodore bowed and approached to receive the report.
“...”
As he unfolded it and quickly scanned the contents, the corner of his eye twitched.
“Begin.”
“...I shall read. I, Gerhardt Weisschild, humbly report to the great Her Majesty Luise Zeinburg.”
At Luise’s command, he had no choice but to begin reading Gerhardt’s report aloud.
“In the name of the great Dragonia Empire and under the wise command of Your Majesty, the soldiers of the Empire, myself included, advance in accordance with Your Majesty’s will…”
After the ornate opening phrases—
“The battle near Lake Apitello against ninety thousand troops of the Kingdom of Brotan concluded in a great victory for the Dragonia Empire.”
“...Ninety thousand.”
“If it is General Gerhardt’s letter, it cannot be false…”
The nobles, who had only known of the Battle of Lake Apitello as a significant victory, were stirred upon hearing the detailed contents written in the report.
Already knowing everything written within, Luise smiled as she enjoyed their reactions. Theodore, suppressing the urge to throw the report aside, continued reading.
“...On the very day we arrived at Rochelle, we learned that ninety thousand troops had departed from various royal strongholds and were converging upon our position.”
“How did he handle it…”
“With General Gerhardt…”
The nobles had expected that most of the report would detail the strategies and tactics Gerhardt employed.
However—
“Our brave imperial army, though outnumbered, did not fear to face the royal forces. Corps Commander Victor, who had distinguished himself since the previous joint training exercise, proposed a plan to utterly shatter the enemy.”
From the very conception of strategy—
“...The royal army, deceived by the feigned maneuvers he planned, hesitated to advance despite having more than twice our numbers…”
To the detailed tactics proposed by Victor—
“...Under the command of Deputy Commander Victor, the imperial soldiers each became warriors capable of facing a hundred foes and pressed the royal army relentlessly…”
And even his extraordinary command ability—
Though everything described was factual, to the nobles Gerhardt’s report sounded like a heroic tale centered on the actions of Victor, commander of the 1st Provisional Corps.
Friedrich and Gerhardt himself were mentioned from time to time, but the name that appeared most frequently was Victor’s.
“Did he truly plan all of that?”
“...Remarkable. So the rumors were true.”
The nobles of the Emperor Faction, knowing that Gerhardt would never lie to the Emperor, accepted the contents without doubt and admired Victor’s abilities.
“...My stomach churns.”
“Ugh…”
The nobles of the Noble Faction, especially those who had once faced Victor, felt discomfort as they recalled his army as an enemy.
“...Under the command of Deputy Commander Victor and Corps Commander Friedrich, we were able to occupy the major strongholds of the Kingdom of Brotan—Anyak, Saint-Touar, and Montfieu. The Kingdom of Brotan has been driven beyond the Crezon Mountains…”
“The Kingdom of Brotan is finished.”
“With the Vildorne River and the Crezon Mountains taken, they have nothing left to rely on.”
“Impressive. To accomplish such a feat with fifty thousand…”
Upon hearing that the imperial army, which had originally gone to defend, had instead seized major strongholds of Brotan, most nobles rejoiced at the thought that the kingdom had effectively been crippled.
“...Corps Commander Friedrich excels at swiftly assessing and responding to situations, and Deputy Commander Victor is a capable man who possesses both the boldness of youth and the experience of a veteran. That such men pledge their loyalty to Your Majesty is a great blessing to the Empire…”
At the section praising Victor’s outstanding achievements, Theodore gritted his teeth and barely managed to continue reading while suppressing his anger.
The fact that he was reading lines praising Victor while Luise watched in satisfaction deeply provoked his jealousy.
“General Gerhardt is supporting him too strongly.”
“...This is not good.”
A general supported by both an ordinary commander and one who represented the Empire carried a different level of danger. Several nobles also grew wary of Victor, who appeared to be receiving strong backing from Gerhardt.
“...As the Kingdom of Brotan still retains strength and the movements of the Kingdom of Yildemar are suspicious, we have shifted to a defensive posture rather than advancing further. In this commander’s limited judgment, negotiation would be more strategically advantageous than continued advance. However, this commander and his soldiers stand ready to act at any time upon Your Majesty’s command, and humbly request your instructions. That concludes the report.”
Fortunately for Theodore, Gerhardt’s report ended before he could explode.
“The reason I convened this council today is to discuss our future policy toward the Kingdom of Brotan.”
Before the nobles’ murmurs could even begin, Luise proceeded in a dignified voice.
Though she usually left the conduct of meetings to Theodore and only voiced the final decision—
“General Gerhardt has sought my intent, but surely the general on the battlefield, hundreds of kilometers away from me, understands the situation better than I do. Is that not so, Lord Theodore?”
“Ah, yes, that is correct.”
“Moreover, it feels highly inefficient to report to me far away and await a reply every time an incident occurs.”
Having promised Victor that she would support him with full strength—
“He has long devoted himself to the Dragonia Empire, his competence is widely known, and he has experience leading diplomacy. I intend to temporarily entrust him with negotiations with the Kingdom of Brotan.”
In accordance with that promise, she took the initiative and led the council.
“What do you all think?”
Though she had not been assertive before, Luise—who had drawn the Sword of Bloodline and solidified the legitimacy and authority of the Emperor Faction—spoke with unmistakable resolve.
“...I fully agree with Your Majesty’s words.”
As head of state, she had clearly expressed her will. There was no noble who could oppose her opinion in an official meeting held in the audience chamber.
A few days after the frenzy of celebratory drinking had passed, leaving only the lingering afterglow of victory—
“...Hmm.”
Gerhardt sat quietly in his office, examining a document bearing the imperial seal.
“Delegation of diplomatic authority…”
Along with a letter praising the victory had come an order entrusting him with diplomacy with the Kingdom of Brotan.
Though he had cautiously mentioned negotiation, he had not expected it to return in this manner. Placing the order on his desk, Gerhardt leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
“Ha…”
Diplomacy with the Kingdom of Brotan, still the strongest power in eastern continent, was not something he could decide alone.
“Adjutant.”
“Yes, General.”
“Gather the officers—”
Gerhardt, about to convene a meeting with the other officers, suddenly stopped.
“...No.”
He recalled Victor’s outstanding command ability and judgment shown in battle and fell into brief contemplation.
Of course, diplomacy and warfare were different, but considering Victor’s near-perfect performance, he believed Victor might offer good counsel in diplomacy as well.
There was no harm in hearing his opinion first.
“Summon Deputy Commander Victor to my office.”
“Yes, sir.”
In the end, Gerhardt decided to summon Victor first.
It was also something of a test.
Victor had already proven his abilities as a commander and general. If he demonstrated competence in diplomacy as well—
“...Hm.”
There would be nothing more to ask for.
With anticipation, he organized the documents and waited for Victor to answer the summons.