Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: The Royal Order for Subjugation
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"...Your Highness, you're planning to officially order me to subjugate the Punish Archipelago, aren't you?"
"Hahaha! Isn't this far better than all the whispering and backbiting about checking the Sword Family? It's a solid justification, so the royal family can provide full support. Don't you think?"
He had a point. What better pretext could there be for granting titles and territories? But that very justification was a double-edged sword.
Choosing to subjugate the archipelago on my own was entirely different from being ordered to do so.
Once the royal family issued an official 'subjugation' command, it became an inescapable 'duty', regardless of the outcome.
'Hmm...'
I didn't dwell on it long. The order from Julius wouldn't change the fact that subjugating the archipelago was already set in stone for me.
That said, the archipelago was no pushover. Some folks in the private sector even called the Punish Archipelago a maritime kingdom. Originally, the plan had been to develop our territories using the byproduct ores from the mines in the Mirage region—jointly managed by the Sapan, Mano, and Jackson domains—and build up enough strength to take them down.
But with the capital's full backing guaranteed, the time needed to muster the forces to fight the archipelago would shrink dramatically.
"Very well, Your Highness. If I'm wearing the hat anyway, I'll make sure it's worth it."
"That's why I like you. You're so straightforward!"
Sheesh!
It was a win-win for Prince Julius too. With the royal family providing massive aid to the southern domains, the loyalty of the southern folk wouldn't easily sway to the Sword Family.
In short, it was a strategy that benefited us both.
"Then how about cracking open a bottle of Sapphire Dragon for old times' sake? You're not planning to put me to work on an empty promise, are you?"
"What? Hahaha! Yes, let's! We'll drink every fine bottle in the palace tonight!"
Maybe because he was with people he could finally relax around after so long, Prince Julius's face lit up as he brought out the liquor.
Two days after Jerome arrived in Edirne, the Spring Festival kicked off at Audra Palace, where nobles from across the kingdom gathered.
Participating after such a long time, I spotted familiar faces everywhere in the banquet hall.
From the heirs of the northern domains to the eastern nobles I'd exchanged greetings with in the past.
"Young Master Jerome!"
Among them, a few spotted me and greeted me especially warmly—the heirs from the southern Sapan, Mano, and Jackson domains.
Kain of Sapan, Gunter of Jackson, and Sharlro of Mano, Saladin's younger brother.
"It's been ages! I hope you've been well!"
"Kain, Gunter. Long time no see. Sharlro, you look healthy too. Glad to hear it."
Their faces, after several years, looked far brighter than when we'd first met at a previous Spring Festival.
Seeing those bright expressions stirred a mix of joy and awkward guilt in me, impossible to hide.
"I'm sorry for boldly promising to help and then going radio silent for years. You must have had it rough."
Sharlro had asked me at that Spring Festival years ago to keep the Sword Family in check over the Mirage region.
But after that, events like exchanges with the elves, quelling the rebellion in Philador Kingdom, wyvern hunts, and more had kept me from giving the southern trio a second thought.
It was one thing if I'd never spoken up, but boasting I'd help and then ghosting them? Even for me, it was embarrassing.
Yet the three young nobles shook their heads as if it were nonsense.
"What are you talking about? We keep our ears to the ground. We heard all the rumors about you sweeping the kingdom. Don't give it a second thought."
Sharlro glanced around the banquet hall and whispered quietly.
"...Besides, with the archipelago pirates showing up more frequently lately, development in Mirage has been put on indefinite hold. No point drawing attention in this chaotic atmosphere."
In a world crawling with thieves, anyone visibly holding a gold nugget becomes the prime target. Common sense.
Kain chimed in, agreeing with Sharlro.
"Once we paused Mirage development, the Sword Family seemed to prioritize pushing back the pirates too. The pressure wasn't as bad as we feared, so really, no need to worry."
The Sword Family saw Mirage as a gold nugget in a child's hand. The archipelago? Another shady adult eyeing that nugget. So first things first: chase off the other adult.
Once the nugget's in the wrong hands, prying it loose gets way harder.
Of course, from the kid's perspective, both adults were a pain in the ass.
Even prioritizing pirate subjugation, the Sword Family's pressure on Mirage couldn't have been light, yet they'd endured it steadfastly.
'Now it's time for me to keep my promise.'
To free the south from the Sword Family's influence and get help subjugating the pirates, the three domains' support was essential.
And above all, a quarter of the ores from Mirage's mines belonged to my Olivia domain.
'All that money the Sword Family used to grow? I'll put it to good use.'
Heh heh heh.
Y-young Master? Your expression looks a bit scary..."
Kiiiiiiik!
As the three heirs broke into a sweat, sensing my true feelings leaking out, the banquet hall's grand doors swung open. Prince Julius and Princess Seira made their entrance.
Thud, thud!
Each step brimmed with power, and their more composed faces radiated imperial dignity and grace.
Who, seeing Prince Julius now, could imagine the twisted tyrant from his past life—the dark ruler who eventually knelt to Empress Ibarella of his own accord?
'May this life keep him from becoming that tyrant to the end.'
As I reflected on the generations' difference watching him, Saladin slyly hid behind me.
Princess Seira, standing beside the prince in the distance, had her gaze fixed our way.
'No matter how I look at it, this guy's got something going on with the princess.'
Guess I'll have to grill him properly later.
"Thank you all for coming such a long way! To honor your efforts for the kingdom and your domains, I hope you set aside your heavy burdens for this banquet and enjoy yourselves!"
With the prince's brief welcome address, the banquet truly began.
Banquets don't change much year to year, but there was a subtle difference in this one compared to the past.
The Sword Family was as expected. Defos, Victor's brother standing in for him, was chatting with nobles from the west and the seven southern domains.
I figured as much. The real change was with the northern and eastern nobles.
"Hahaha, Lady Marone! You're as beautiful as ever!"
"Oh my, such flattery. You're still as tall and handsome as ever, young master."
Nobles from different factions conversed without a hint of awkwardness.
I'd vaguely hoped for this, but seeing it firsthand felt strange.
"Isn't it something?"
Prince Julius approached me as I watched the nobles' chatter.
"I expected it after they saw us getting along, Your Highness, but... it's more than I imagined."
"Hahaha."
The prince let out a hearty laugh and lifted a wine glass from the table.
"Care for a drink?"
No fool would refuse the prince's invitation in this mood.
"With pleasure."
Clink!
The brief chime of glass on glass was followed by the smooth, pleasing flow of the ruby-red wine.
"Ahh! Guess I overdid it last night; it's not hitting the same today."
Of course, the prince's condition wasn't great, thanks to yesterday's excess.
"Th-thanks to you."
Julius rubbed his aching stomach, grabbed a snack, and muttered.
"I know."
"I've known since you sucked Millford dry with those bets, but you're shameless sometimes."
"Isn't it the truth?"
"Ugh, you lucky bastard."
Grumbling, the prince popped another fruit slice into his mouth. His gaze shifted to Defos and the southern nobles.
"Still not enough, though. If things stay like this, the kingdom will split in two."
True. The tighter the bond between the royal family and Shield Family grew, the more threatened the Sword Family and their allies would feel, banding together even more.
Julius's eyes turned back to me.
"When you head south, think you can embrace all the southern domains? I know it's tough."
Right now, Julius was asking a favor. He wanted me to fold in even the Sword Family and the seven southern domains that had defied the crown.
Julius knew it too.
To keep leading the kingdom's power, they couldn't cast out the Sword Family.
And I agreed. No matter how much we developed with Mirage and rallied the three southern domains...
Expelling pirates from kingdom waters was the limit of what we could achieve alone.
The archipelago mainland was practically its own massive nation.
We needed not just other kingdoms' cooperation, but the Sword Family's strength too.
Especially with the empire looming, uniting the kingdom was the righteous path—and something I'd considered anyway.
'Sigh.'
...The problem was enduring that hardship 'alone'.
'Gotta squeeze every last bit out of them.'
A merchant's shrewdness overlaid my face as I eyed the prince's earnest expression.
"Hmm, to handle it as Your Highness suggests... it'll complicate things far beyond my original plan..."
"I know. That's why I'm asking you. Who else could I turn to?"
Feigning hesitation, urgency crept into Julius's face.
As expected. He knew this favor wasn't easy.
'That makes it simple.'
"Hmm, then I'd need more than just financial aid—personnel support too..."
Leaving room, I dangled the bait. Julius bit hard.
"What is it? I'll provide anything! Just say the word!"
"Oh? Anything at all?"
Missing the glint in my eye, Julius nodded vigorously. Why would he notice now?
"In the royal family's name, I promise! If you grant my request, I'll support you with whatever it takes!"
Bingo.
Assaulting the archipelago required naval combat expertise. And there was one indispensable talent.
Her position made it hard to ask outright, but with Julius offering first, I was grateful.
"Then, first, dispatch the Third Royal Knight Order. And 2,000 workers to build anti-pirate defenses in Olivia..."
As I listed my demands bit by bit, the smile that had filled Julius's face faded incrementally.
"A-alright. Your task isn't ordinary. Y-yes! Of course it's needed. I'll... make it happen."
He pitifully tried to play it cool. I hadn't even mentioned the kicker yet.
"...And finally, please dispatch Princess Seira, Your Highness."
That vanishing smile? Gone without a trace at my last request.
"...Ha, haha! I've been stressing over all sorts of things lately. Must be my ears going at this spry age. Can't have that!"
Forcing up stiff lips into a laugh was heartbreaking. But of course he'd react like that.
Unlike the Sword or Shield Families representing military might, the royal family symbolized wisdom.
In other words, they weren't warriors.
Sending royalty to the battlefield was utterly alien.
Especially not the prince himself, but the royal family's precious princess. No wonder he panicked.
"I heard you right, Your Highness, unfortunately. The princess is the key personnel. In a naval-heavy fight against the archipelago, her lightning magic would be invaluable..."
"Enough. Stop."
Julius shook his head fiercely, cutting me off.
"You're right. Her magic zaps even Drake. But rascal or not, she's still a woman. I'd approve monster subjugation, but pirates? It just doesn't sit right. Can't you understand?"
I'd anticipated opposition, but it was fiercer than expected.
'...Tch. No dice, huh.'
I'd asked anyway, knowing the odds.
Pirates included beasts worse than animals, and if she were captured—god forbid—the horrors didn't bear thinking.
I'd never let it happen, but family worries don't bend to logic.
"I'll send more royal magic tower mages instead. Please understand that much."
...Disappointing, but unavoidable. Pushing further risked souring things with Julius—more loss than gain.
As I hid my bitterness and prepared to reply...
"What nonsense is this, brother? Why are you deciding that on your own?"
...The person in question entered the conversation.