Changes Over Two Years (2): After the Kingdom's Fall
After the kingdom fell, the princess of the ruined nation had poured every effort into reviving it. But in the end, it amounted to little more than a handful because scarcely anyone joined her knights or cooperated with her.
'Most of the people sided with the Empire.'
Being a second-class imperial citizen was better than being a Nostrum subject. There were various reasons for this, and if broken down into statistics, many factors would compete closely—but as one of the three biggest, I'd point to 'the convenience of daily life brought by magitech.'
'Compared to the Empire, the kingdom might as well have been the countryside.'
The Empire had proper plumbing, hot water flowing from a household tap with a simple turn, and lights flickering on in mana stone lamps with the click of a button. What about the kingdom? 'Only those in power enjoyed a quality of life comparable to the Empire's.'
The kingdom could solve these issues with magic too. A mage could warm a room with fire magic or heat water without consuming mana stones. That's right. While the Empire's magitech and technological advances let 80% of its citizens enjoy such conveniences...
'Unless you hired a mage or installed magic in a mansion, you'd be out gathering firewood.'
Only 0.8% of the kingdom's people enjoyed that convenience. Cases like the historic Gibraltar mansion, where a mage was employed to install semi-permanent magic. Or those with immense power like Morgania, able to bring mages everywhere. Or wealthy merchants who could afford to hire mages or buy scrolls and mana stones infused with magic. Even 0.8% might be generous—the gap in quality of life between nobles and commoners was vast.
'Once the conveniences nobles enjoyed seep into everyday life, no one wants to live as a kingdom citizen anymore.'
Instead of chopping wood, earn a bit more and install a boiler for easy hot water. 'Once they taste it, they'll pay premium prices to keep it—and even that was provided at near-public utility costs.'
A bit pricey, but pay about a fifth of your monthly wage for a magitech refrigerator, swap in mana stones, and store food cool. Once commoners tasted the Empire's superior magitech, they could never go back to their old lives!
Even the people of Gibraltar Margrave Territory openly said as much to my face—the Empire's comforts were that alluring. 'I was the same.'
So everyone feared it. 'If Nostrum revives, they'll burn all imperial culture, and we'll have to live like primitives again.'
They worried the kingdom's revival would strip away these comforts. It took less than ten years for kingdom folk to fully see themselves as imperial citizens. What about now?
Unlike before, when the kingdom fell in a month of war and became entirely imperial—imagine if it started with Seirene and gates opened slowly. 'It'll seep in gradually.'
Imperial culture would slowly permeate Nostrum's soil. 'Convenience is addictive.'
Now that Seirene's port was open... 'And the Empire's pouring in capital like it's free.'
With Crown Prince Hapsburg actively promoting exchange between the two nations... 'They'll accept advanced imperial culture and abandon the kingdom.'
The kingdom's imperialization. The gradual improvement of kingdom living standards was an inevitable fate as long as humans sought comfort. 'The Empire never dreamed Gibraltar would absorb their culture faster than Seirene.'
Right now, Gibraltar was absorbing imperial culture faster than port-open Seirene. The prime example: this place.
"Whoa."
The new Gibraltar mansion, completed after about a year of construction.
"Talk about..."
Official completion was still two weeks away, but a helpless laugh escaped me at the sight of the chalk-white mansion sprawling over the blue meadows.
"Money well spent, huh."
* * *
Morning. I had to come not to the old Gibraltar Castle, proud of its long history and tradition, but to the new mansion, where furniture had just been moved in and living quarters set up.
"Here you are, Father."
"Charlotte's here."
"...Is this the study?"
"No. The office."
"Even Nostrum's royal palace might not be this big."
"It has to be bigger than Nostrum's."
Father spread his arms wide in the reception hall spacious enough for a party.
"I made the reception room larger than the palace's. Doesn't that alone challenge the king's authority?"
"Of course."
Just as humans divide high and low by physique, between lord and vassal, it's height or size of castles that marks the hierarchy.
"With construction mages from Morgania, no major issues, but..."
"So what if rumors spread early? Gibraltar built a villa with its own funds."
"The kingdom's largest, most luxurious villa. If we call it a resort..."
How much to charge? Beyond the canyon was foreign soil now—minimum a million per night? No, a million per person to make staying viable.
"Someone's monthly salary could cover one night here."
"Just that?"
"...Sorry. Yearly salary?"
"Naturally. After pouring in so much wealth."
This was probably Father's biggest expense ever. 'No.'
...Obviously. Even for the incorruptible, the funds sunk into this mansion were a lifetime's worth.
"Finished, it looks no different from the fortress islands bought secretly by corrupt high imperial officials splashed across Empire papers, Father."
"But you look thrilled, son."
"Yes."
Frankly speaking.
"It's stunning."
Too good. "The exterior alone is breathtaking."
"The construction mages groaned at the rough design sketches."
"But it turned out great, right?"
"Yes. Never knew you had talent for this."
"A beautiful house is a good house to live in."
Design-wise, it outshone imperial luxury villas by a decade. "If not for the orphanage lab's breakthroughs, I'd want to move in immediately."
"You're sneakily materialistic."
"Preferring big rooms to small ones is natural, no?"
"True. Even nobles can't resist a new house, new room."
A colossal mansion like the imperial family might use for summer by the southern sea—indoor pool, horseback riding. They called these 'resorts' in the Empire.
"How much did it cost?"
"A thousand."
Father beamed proudly.
"Ten million talers?"
"Tsk. A hundred billion gold."
My neck stiffened briefly.
"...Figures, looking at it."
"Actually more, but truncating the last digits felt right."
Officially the second Gibraltar mansion, but no less luxurious.
"First new house in 500 years—had to spend this much."
"Fair point."
New villa after 500 years. Mages hired en masse for speed meant buying time with money. 'A hundred billion for a new house in 500 years—cheap?'
Debatable. 'How much did I spend on my annex?'
After five intense years, memories faded unless triggered by silver dust trance. 'Just stamped approval back then.'
Not like Naria memorizing every figure—I'd lived too much to recall years-old details.
"Why? Something wrong? We even commissioned Iferia for the blueprints."
"No, just..."
Even as margrave, I hadn't built this lavishly—'I did.'
Spent plenty on Astasia's annex for her long stay in Gibraltar.
"Father, are you bequeathing this to me?"
"Then you'd have to be margrave."
"Suddenly want to boot Noir and show master potential."
"Ho."
"...Kidding. That's how appealing it is. Can't even joke anymore."
Pre-approval, maybe—but budget executed, no complaints.
"Then, Father—the most important part."
For me, if this was right, even a haunted ruin would do.
"How's Mother's room?"
"Follow me. Good sight for you too."
Father led, pointing through the interior. I followed, marveling at the opulent corridors; he looked satisfied too.
"Father."
"Yes."
"Did you sleep here?"
"......"
"It's Mother's annex. The margrave sleeps in the castle."
"Charlotte's bed is where I sleep."
Father brazenly lifted his chin, pointing ahead.
"See? Impenetrable."
End of a wide corridor: Gibraltar knights in uniform slashed at the wall.
"Hah!"
Led by Sir Carlos, knights took turns swinging at the sealed iron door.
"How's that?"
"Even Advanced Knights can't budge it."
But not mere iron.
"Anti-assassination defense barrier. Burned 30 billion ordering from the mage guild—has to work."
"Only on the bedroom? All directions?"
"Yes. Room embedded in a hexahedral barrier."
Gray iron-like, but a massive defense spell hovered over the door.
"Master verification would be ideal, but..."
"We have one Master-level here."
"Tsk."
Father glared seriously.
"Master is master—no 'quasi.' Insult to Lady Mente too."
"I see."
I apologized to the green-haired girl staring up from below my waist—
"Sorry, Master."
"...Got it."
Lady Mente (43).
"Lady Mente, how'd you breach Mother's bedroom barrier?"
"Couldn't. Margrave poured so many mana stones. Tougher than Gibraltar Canyon maybe?"
"Not just my wish, milady."
Father shrugged lightly, patting my shoulder.
"With this, Grey ventures out reassured, and those ventures build the base for you to surpass the wall."
"Hmph..."
"Don't rush. One step forward—but wrong, and no climbing back."
Mente nodded curtly at Father's earnest advice.
"Grey, departing immediately?"
"No. Here for once—must say hello."
"Good."
Father stepped forward, knights parting from barrier practice.
"Loyalty!"
To whom? Long Gibraltar motto, but no longer to Nostrum—at least minimally.
"Yes. For the kingdom."
Few knew. "Inspection enough. Open the door."
Knock, knock.
"Charlotte."
Mana over the iron door faded slowly.
Rumble.
Doors slid left and right into walls—10cm thick. Beyond, in the vast room, Mother.
"I-is this really safe?"
"Of course."
A red necklace gleamed at Mother's neck.
"You in the safest place lets us act freely."
"Father should stay in Gibraltar."
"Can't always be at your side. Family to protect beyond you—how many now?"
Father pointed to the cradle beside her.
"Father. And Mother."
Simply put.
"Planning yearly births from now on?"
"......."
The couple's love still ongoing—two more born. Twins.
One Marin, one Shafi.
'Need more Iferia Outlet goods.'
Empire sold somewhat pricey but healthy contraceptives to curb reckless breeding like the kingdom. After six kids, Mother healthier than ever—doubt my words sway them on prevention.
"...Then I'll depart once ready."
"Good. Um, Lady Mente? Take care of Grey."
"My best, ma'am."
Mente grinned, rubbing fingertips lightly.
"For your passionate love too."
"......."
Silver dust—unexpected effect. Even 'berserk' via mucosal absorption, Masters control it; mere blood accelerator. Side effect, but helpful for some.
'Great for men, but how to explain?'
At 15, I just smiled.
"Indeed. For your love."
I flicked the sword at my waist.
"Off to hunt vampires in the pollution zone—with the Shadow Knights. Back quick."