Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Triumphal Entry into the Capital
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Even from outside the castle walls, you could feel it.
"Waaaaah!"
"The Empire's heroes have returned!"
"General Gerhard!"
"His Majesty is with them too!"
The inside of the castle was a complete cauldron of cheers.
The main street was packed with people, their roars so intense they prickled the skin.
Flags of the Empire and the expeditionary force fluttered everywhere, along with banners bearing the Weisilt family crest, their fabric billowing in the wind. Soldiers brushed flower petals off their armor—scattered from all sides—and grinned broadly.
"...Is that...?"
"...That's..."
-Whoosh!
"General! Over here too!"
"Eek!"
"His Majesty looked this way!"
"What? Look over here too!"
"Son! Over here, over here!"
With Luise and Gerhard at the front waving back at the cheers, the deafening roars from the capital made it impossible to hear even their conversation just a few steps ahead.
"Amazing. I've never seen a sight like this."
"Who would be used to it? It's a good thing, so just enjoy it."
"...Even if you say you're not used to it with that look on your face, do you know how hard that is to believe?"
At least Friedrich's voice right beside me was barely audible, so we half-shouted as we walked and talked.
"Isn't it fun? I love this energy."
Even though I wasn't the star of this triumphal parade, it genuinely lifted my spirits.
"Energy, huh..."
Friedrich's face had still been a bit stiff,
-Plop.
"Oof. ...Ha, haha. First time getting hit in the face with petals and feeling good about it."
until a petal flew in from somewhere and hit him, loosening his expression naturally.
This unity of soldiers, nobles, and commoners all sharing in the joy was something unimaginable in the Ruth Kingdom.
The Northern War had fizzled out without even attempting the long-prepared counterattack, and even otherwise, a parade like this was unlikely.
The nobles had always been wary of the military's influence, so rewards and commendations were usually handled quietly within the palace.
And Ruth's boy king was far too young to take proactive steps like Luise was doing now.
Not to mention how the Ruth Kingdom nobles treated the common folk...
"Good, you say?"
"Victor Legion Commander, try getting hit once and you'll see."
"Hmm..."
-Splat!
"Hm."
"Came flying right away, didn't hesitate. How is it?"
"...Good. Yeah, good."
It was inevitable to compare it to the Empire.
Not everyone was like this, but at least the superiors I'd met weren't authoritarian, and the officers weren't steeped in noble elitism.
Plus, most soldiers here were professionals, so their morale and combat prowess were on another level.
Unfamiliar, but a pleasant unfamiliarity.
"Glad I came."
"Hm? Were you thinking of refusing His Majesty's prepared parade?"
"No."
"...?"
I'd made the right call switching sides.
Even accounting for the two years I'd spent in Ruth Kingdom since the campaign started, throwing myself fully into the Empire from here on seemed like the fastest path to overcoming the 'crisis' and conquering the world.
As we marched on without deeper thoughts,
"...?"
Luise, who had been talking with Gerhard ahead, suddenly turned back toward me.
It was such a brief moment I almost thought it was my imagination, but our eyes met, and I saw her smile.
"Did His Majesty just turn around?"
"...Seems like it."
Friedrich confirmed it wasn't a mistake.
"Ooh, Your Majesty Luise!"
"What an honor!"
"General Gerhard!"
She resumed waving to the crowd as if nothing had happened.
"..."
She'd promised her full support for my path forward and was still smiling steadily, so there was no need to worry.
Still, I couldn't help but feel concerned.
The triumphal march ended upon reaching the plaza before the imperial palace.
Luise strode ahead first and took her place on the prepared dais.
The unrelenting cheers quieted at a single gesture from her atop the platform.
"People of the Dragonia Empire, and proud soldiers! Today, we stand here to celebrate our great victory!"
Her majestic voice, amplified by the magical amplification device, echoed across the plaza.
Her tone was powerful, her expression noble with a light smile,
"The long war with the Brotan Kingdom has finally ended in our Empire's triumph! Thus, I decree to honor the Empire's glory and all your merits!"
She spoke without notes, stepping forward naturally, her gestures lending weight to her words.
In the game, she'd always made it obvious she was just going through the motions, but nothing like that showed in Luise now.
"From today, for the next three days, the festival of Rainesberg shall commence, so that all may share in this joy! Soldiers! Lay down your heavy armor for a time and join the festivities!"
She raised the scepter in her hand high.
"We have grown even stronger, and the united Dragonia Empire fears no enemy! Let our eternal name resound across the world henceforth! Long live the Dragonia Empire!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Long live! Long live the Dragonia Empire!"
"Long live Emperor Luise Zeinburg!"
Perhaps held back earlier, the cheers now were even louder than during the march, shaking the plaza.
Luise entered the palace first, and after we officers ensured the soldiers were set for the festival,
"In a short while, the medal and reward ceremony will be held in the audience chamber. Allow me to guide you generals to the waiting room."
"Mm."
Gerald, Friedrich, and I entered the palace.
"Did you perhaps come straight from the battlefield in those clothes?"
"Hm? My uniform's right here."
"Hm... The fit seems off. ...Good heavens. Aren't you a legion commander? Why bring standard-issue officer garb?"
"I'm originally..."
"That's why His Majesty said to prepare! General Victor, this way please!"
"..."
The moment we entered the palace, I faced an assault from the maids.
Under the pretext of preparations for the ceremony, they dragged me around busily.
My entire body was washed, and somehow they measured me perfectly, dressing me in a uniform tailored exactly to my size.
"You're first."
"Mm. Oh, new uniform?"
"Yes."
Once all preparations were done, I finally reached the waiting room where Friedrich and Gerhard waited.
Unlike Gerhard leisurely enjoying tea and snacks, Friedrich was leaning halfway onto the sofa in a way that didn't seem rude.
Just looking at his somewhat pale face told me what he'd been through.
"...Legion Commander Friedrich can't even stand."
"Legion Commander Friedrich, was it that rough?"
"Haha... Been on the battlefield too long, I guess. Not used to others touching me. How about you, General Gerhard?"
"I sometimes think I could handle bathing myself. But for an important occasion, no choice."
"...I think the same."
"Agreed."
After a brief chat,
"Uh, General Gerhard."
"Mm?"
"During the march earlier, may I ask what you discussed with His Majesty?"
I asked Gerhard what had been nagging at me.
"Ho ho."
He flashed a very obvious smile.
"Got a particular reason for asking?"
"Ah, I think I know. Earlier, His Majesty suddenly looked back mid-conversation, and I believe she was looking at Legion Commander Victor."
"...That's right."
"Hm, hm. So that's how it was."
Gerald nodded at Friedrich's elaboration.
"Curious about His Majesty's intentions, right?"
"Yes."
"Truth be told, I was surprised too. Might sound irreverent, but His Majesty has never been this proactive."
"...Yes."
He stroked his chin and continued.
"Well, my answer is refusal for now."
"...I see."
"Not because it's some state secret or anything. If it were, we wouldn't have talked during the march."
"..."
"Might make you worry saying it like this. No need at all. Just attend the upcoming ceremony, and you'll understand why I'm saying this."
"Right. If His Majesty read the reports, she'd know how great Legion Commander Victor's contributions were. Didn't you discuss it with her, General?"
"Something like that. Our intentions aligned, you could say."
It was more curiosity than worry, but Gerhard didn't seem inclined to elaborate now.
"Understood. I'll wait patiently."
"Hm."
As I sat and picked at the snacks on the table, Gerhard looked at me and said,
"You can look forward to it, Vice Commander Victor."
with a meaningful tone.
"...What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. Legion Commander Friedrich will get fine rewards too, of course, but yours especially—you can expect big things."
"...?"
Gerald said no more about his talk with the emperor.
"This way to the audience chamber."
"Mm."
We left the waiting room at the attendant's guidance and headed to the chamber.
Gerald remained utterly relaxed, while Friedrich occasionally cracked tense smiles.
Soon, we arrived before the massive audience chamber doors.
"The triumphant general, 10th Legion Commander Gerhard Weisilt, 1st Provisional Legion Commander Victor, and 8th Legion Commander Friedrich Günter, entering!"
With the attendant's booming announcement, the huge doors began to move.
I took a short breath.