Chapter 254: The International Conference (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 254: The International Conference (2)
The rumors started with the servants.
"I haven't seen Young Master Roman lately. Did something happen?"
"My goodness, haven't you heard? Ever since he returned to Dmitry, Young Master Roman hasn't taken a single step out of the treatment room. He insisted on tending to the wounded himself. His public duties have been suspended for the time being, and Mr. Hans waits outside the room every single day, terrified the young master might ruin his own health."
"Heavens. He's personally nursing the wounded?"
"Yes, indeed."
The first servant's eyes widened in shock.
In the aftermath of war, a treatment ward was nothing short of a screaming hell. Soldiers with severed limbs shrieked in unending agony, and their overwhelming despair choked the air, dragging everyone nearby into a pit of suffocating gloom. Because of this, it was incredibly rare for military commanders to personally care for the wounded. They might briefly show their faces to inspect the situation, but actual nursing was unheard of.
At first, people assumed it would only last a day or two. But when a week passed and Roman still hadn't emerged, the servants had no choice but to recognize his sincerity.
"Young Master Roman has always cherished his people. Just look at what he did for Mr. Hans. He threw a grand party for Hans's son just to repay the man for taking care of him. The young master is completely different from other nobles. This time is no different. We might wonder why a noble would lower himself to do such a thing, but he is simply doing what he believes is right."
The rumors spread like wildfire. What began as idle chatter among the servants soon swept through the entirety of Dmitry, causing a massive stir.
To an outsider, this act might not seem like much. But given everything Roman Dmitry had shown them so far, the people felt a deep swell of emotion. He was a profoundly symbolic figure here. The winds of reform he had set in motion had changed countless lives, transforming Dmitry into a truly wonderful place to live.
Recently, a massive shift had occurred throughout the northeast. Back when Roman received the request to break off his engagement with the Lawrence family, Dmitry had suffered from a negative reputation. Now, however, being from Dmitry was considered the ultimate badge of honor.
It wasn't just because of their financial abundance. It was because Dmitry was a place where people could live with dignity and warmth. Everyone wished to reside there.
At the center of this monumental change stood Roman Dmitry.
Because the people loved this land, and because they truly respected their liege, on the day the Kronos Empire launched its attack, ordinary commoners had actively fired the signal flares, fully prepared to die.
The moment the Shadows breached the gates, death followed. Normally, even if a military plan relied on the help of commoners, it was nearly impossible for mere civilians to execute it perfectly under pressure. Yet, the people of Dmitry risked their lives. Believing it was their only way to repay Roman Dmitry, they pulled the triggers of the signal flares even as they were being slaughtered by the Shadows.
Roman Dmitry was simply that special to this land.
The people looked toward the inner castle with worried eyes.
"...He shouldn't push himself so hard the moment he returns."
This sentiment echoed in every corner of Dmitry.
* * *
Outside the treatment room, Hans paced back and forth anxiously.
It wasn't the first time Roman Dmitry had locked himself away like this—he often did so during his closed-door training—but the problem was what the healer had said in a worried voice upon stepping outside this morning.
"...Young Master Roman's condition is not good. He has spent the entire week focusing solely on treatment, and his face has grown incredibly pale. At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if he collapsed at any moment. Furthermore, as you know, the chances of those two recovering are very slim. If this continues, the living might die trying to save the dying."
Hans's heart sank. From that moment on, he hovered outside the treatment room, unable to tear himself away.
Since Roman never allowed outsiders to enter when he was occupied like this, Hans couldn't bring himself to open the door. Two conflicting thoughts clashed in his mind. For Roman's sake, it was right to stop him now, but he dared not disobey his master's orders. Moreover, since Kevin was someone Hans had personally looked after in the beginning, he desperately hoped that both Kevin and Henderson would make a full recovery.
Just then, a familiar figure approached from down the hall.
"I must see my lord."
"That is impossible. He is currently focusing on treatment. He will not welcome any visitors."
It was Chris. He stared at the treatment room door and spoke in a firm voice.
"I know. I know that Kevin and Henderson's lives depend on this. But we can delay no longer. The kingdoms of the Salamander Continent have convened an International Conference regarding Dmitry. It is taking place today. I can no longer postpone reporting this to our lord."
It was a crucial event. Only by leveraging the power of the Kingdom Alliance at a forum of collective discussion could they hope to punish Kronos.
Hans showed a hint of hesitation. If it was an issue of such gravity, even he could not stand in the way. He quietly stepped aside, speaking in a cautious tone.
"...Since you are going in anyway, please make sure to tell the young master to take care of his health."
"I will."
* * *
Inside the treatment room, Roman Dmitry paused his work. At Chris's entrance, he looked up.
"What is it?"
"An International Conference has been convened. As this is a matter of grave importance, I had no choice but to seek you out, even knowing I would be interrupting."
"I see."
Roman turned his gaze back to the patients. Seeing him prepare to resume the treatment, Chris asked in dismay, "Are you perhaps not planning to attend the International Conference? We absolutely need the strength of the majority to punish the Kronos Empire. If you do not show yourself, my lord, the Kingdom Alliance might try to sweep this matter under the rug, thinking it is none of their business. Everyone knows how hard you are working for Kevin and Henderson. But this is enough. Sacrificing your own body to save those on the brink of death... even if I were in their shoes, I wouldn't want that."
It was a heartfelt plea. Chris desperately wished for Kevin and Henderson's safety as well, but in his hierarchy of priorities, Dmitry came first. Dmitry, and above all, Roman Dmitry's well-being, was his absolute priority. Speaking these words was incredibly difficult, but Chris willingly played the necessary villain.
Roman Dmitry spoke. "This International Conference is not what is important to us. Even if Dmitry attends and tries to persuade them, true revenge is impossible unless we can draw out the genuine commitment of the Kingdom Alliance. Therefore, the conference is a matter to be left to their consciences. I intend to handle what I deem important right now."
"But..."
"Chris." His voice was firm. Roman looked at him, leaving absolutely no room for compromise. "I know what you are worried about. Regarding that matter, I have already decided how to handle everything. So, trust me and wait. Just as they did their best for me, I will do my best for them now."
At those words, Chris could no longer try to stop him.
Roman resumed the treatment. As he channeled his mana, his face turned deathly pale. Only then did Chris truly see it. Roman's complexion was far worse than he had realized. His dry lips, rough skin, and the deep exhaustion carved into his features made it painfully clear what kind of ordeal he had been putting himself through.
A pang of sorrow struck Chris's heart. While he and the other subordinates had enjoyed comfort since arriving in Dmitry, their liege had chosen a path of solitary suffering. He swallowed a surge of emotion, struck by the realization that the person lying on that sickbed could very well have been him.
Chris finally turned and walked away.
* * *
It was exactly as Chris had anticipated. At the International Conference, which Dmitry did not attend, the King of Odelia voiced his opinion.
"This matter is highly complex. While it is only right to punish the Kronos Empire for its atrocious, unprovoked attack on Dmitry, the real issue lies in what happens if this escalates into a total war. The strength of the Kingdom Alliance alone is not enough to handle Kronos. In that case, we would have to bring in the Valhalla Empire to pressure them, but Valhalla is not innocent in this incident either."
"Indeed. Valhalla is currently in an uproar over Roman Dmitry. When the Kronos Empire mobilized the Shadows to attack him, the delayed response shown by the Valhalla Empire would have been impossible without some sort of prior agreement. If—just if—Valhalla and Kronos have formed a secret alliance, holding Kronos accountable might instead give them the perfect pretext for war."
The King of Frank added his support.
It was a truly vexing dilemma. Common sense dictated that Kronos should be punished, but the empire's attitude regarding the matter was far too brazen. As if they actively welcomed a total war, they made no effort to hide their intentions.
Through their war with Dmitry, the Kronos Empire revealed that they possess a method of movement that bypasses Warp Gates. The implications of this are profound. It is a warning that if they use this method, even the nations situated in the rear of the Kingdom Alliance will not be safe. A war with Kronos will only lead the continent to ruin.
The imperial forces that attacked Dmitry—just how much of Kronos's total military power did they represent?
Ten percent? Five percent?
No. The people gathered here knew all too well that it was not even one percent.
Just as the Kronos Empire had planted spies in each kingdom, the members of the Kingdom Alliance had planted their own agents to gauge the empire's strength. Kronos was a truly overwhelming entity. There were cases where a single imperial lord possessed enough military might to topple an entire kingdom, and the one who held absolute control over all of them was the Emperor.
If they united to attack the Kingdom Alliance, a disaster incomparable to any border skirmish would inevitably unfold.
Furthermore, the shocking military strength the Kingdom Alliance had uncovered was merely a fraction of Kronos's true power. The imperial forces led by Mystic had not been detected by their intelligence networks at all. Figures who displayed overwhelming martial prowess, like Mystic and Sven, were unknown entities who had remained completely hidden until now.
Like a bottomless abyss, there was no end to their depths. Whenever the kings imagined a war with them, terror preceded any desire for revenge.
The King of Odelia spoke again. "I admit we must address this issue clearly. However, I propose that we adopt a slightly softer stance in the process of resolving it. If we recklessly charge in with the intent of fighting to the bitter end, we will only accelerate the Kronos Empire's ambition for continental conquest. Isn't that something none of us want? Therefore, let us demand a firm assurance in the name of the Kingdom Alliance that such an incident will never happen again, but let us also leave room for compromise."
It was a realistic proposal.
Umberto, Redford, Frank, Odelia, Hector, Cairo, and Dmitry. Even if all seven nations joined forces, they had no way of matching the Kronos Empire in an all-out war.
Fortunately, Cairo and Roman Dmitry—who undoubtedly would have reacted with fury to this issue—were not present. Had they attended, the matter would have become incredibly complicated. The Kingdom Alliance secretly considered their absence a stroke of luck.
The history of the defeated only repeats itself.
Rather than trying to overturn the situation themselves, the Kingdom Alliance believed that a conflict between Kronos and Valhalla was their only viable solution.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"I am sorry, but I cannot agree with your opinions."
Instantly, everyone's eyes turned toward one person. The representative of Redford.
The man who, until recently, had been known as Count Rondon, raised his voice before the assembly in his new capacity as King.