Chapter 305
Chapter 305
The Iron Emperor — Chapter 305
"I have committed a grave discourtesy to the envoys of the two empires."
"N-not at all."
Was it because the mortal danger had passed?
Unlike the comportment they had displayed before Alsein, before Jin-cheon they showed themselves thoroughly cowed.
Yet even so, their eyes darted back and forth between the severed heads rolling on the floor and Jin-cheon. This was not the terror-stricken look from before, but the look of men deep in thought.
"Here are the letters sent by Their Imperial Majesties, the two emperors of the empires."
"Hm."
When the chamberlain handed over the letters, Jin-cheon, without so much as glancing at them, passed them to Gye Ung-sam at his side. At that, despite their earlier panic-stricken memories, the envoys' expressions clouded with displeasure. To ignore an emperor's letter before the envoy's very eyes and hand it to a subordinate was, to them, a gross insult.
"Though I speak the continental common tongue, I cannot read it; I ask your understanding."
As if sensing the envoys’ displeasure, Jin-cheon turned toward them and spoke. Their expressions changed at once, and they hurriedly bowed in reply.
"Not at all. We fully appreciate the circumstances. We are well aware that Gauri was cut off from the other nations of the continent for a long period."
"I am grateful you see it that way."
"Joui-du Daehyeong. Read it."
"Yes!"
Ung-sam, having received the letter, began to read it slowly.
To the Four-Nation Alliance, including His Majesty the King of Roselin, in the name of the Emperors of the two empires, we extend an opportunity to join this holy war. The Henesia Empire, by habitually waging war that disrupts the order of the continent and calls forth bloodshed... omitted... this is to grant you the chance to escape the oppression of the Henesia Holy Empire and dwell in peace beneath the two heavens of the continent.
Therefore, upon receiving this letter, we command you to become a dagger aimed at the heart of the Henesia Empire and advance.
"Hmm."
Having heard the letter's contents, Jin-cheon let out a deep breath.
The letter laid out every justification for the war, but its meaning was simple: draw the Holy Empire’s army toward yourselves so the empires can land more easily. In other words, attack the Holy Empire even if it ruins you; we will take care of the rest.
They were merely sacrificial lambs in a war between empires.
"Ahem."
"Mm-hm."
The envoys who had brought the letter were roughly aware of its contents, but the blatant wording was embarrassing even to them, and they could only clear their throats a couple of times.
As Jin-cheon sank into thought, stillness settled over the hall before anyone realized it.
The envoys, too, could not help but tread carefully around his mood.
At the very least, they knew full well that Gauri stood at the center of this war, which was precisely why they sent this troublesome letter urging them to join the empires' war.
"What are your names?"
"Ah, I am Count Deli Carson of the Federal Empire."
"I am Viscount Pin Cara of the Maritime Empire."
At Jin-cheon's question, they realized they had not introduced themselves yet.
That was, in itself, a great discourtesy—but it was Jin-cheon who had given them no opportunity to do so until now.
"I have understood the empires' will. In truth, for us to survive this war, we certainly need the power of the two empires. We must raise our forces at once and assist, even a little, the Empire Coalition's army in its landing."
"W-we are grateful for your bold decision."
"After the war, Their Imperial Majesties shall bestow great rewards."
At Jin-cheon's words, the two envoys exchanged smiles and began chatting, pleased that matters were unfolding exactly as they had hoped.
"However."
"......."
At the sight of Jin-cheon deliberately hardening his expression, the two envoys felt a sense of foreboding born of long experience. Whether they grew uneasy or not, Jin-cheon wore a plausibly troubled look and slowly parted his lips.
"The problem is the situation on each front. Since the Empire Coalition declared its entry into the war, the Holy Empire has kept provoking us across every front."
"Hmm."
"It is clear they, too, are worried that our Four-Nation Alliance will join hands with the Empire Coalition."
At Jin-cheon's words, the envoys found themselves nodding in agreement.
In truth, that very concern was no small part of why they had made unilateral contact and come through the magic circle in such haste. That was why they had no choice but to nod at what Jin-cheon was saying.
"If the enemy invaded from one direction, we could at least attempt to block it, but they are harassing us on multiple fronts at once, and it is no small trouble. Just the weapons being expended in the immediate response are a burden we can scarcely handle."
"In that case...."
"From the empires' perspective, the last war may have seemed a trivial squabble among small nations, but to us, it was every bit a massive war upon which our national survival hinged. That is why merely the materiel expended is enough to make me sigh when I consider how on earth we are to manage going forward."
As Jin-cheon slowly turned his head toward the window and let out a sigh, not only the envoys but even the leaders of the Four-Nation Alliance, including Alsein, fell into a somber mood.
Had the entire territory of Roselin not been practically destroyed?
"So what can we do? All we have the capacity for at present is to prepare our immediate defenses."
"Hm, in that case... what if the empires supply the materiel?"
"Oh! Truly!"
"W-well, if we contact the empires...."
Jin-cheon's sudden brightening countenance was enough to fluster Count Carson, who had broached the subject. In truth, a certain level of aid had been part of the empires' plans. If they intended to use them, they ought to use them properly, ought they not?
After all, though it was an alliance of small states, their military strength was not something to dismiss. Moreover, they were elite soldiers tempered by a long war, making them cards worth keeping.
"What wonderful news!"
Spreading both arms wide and wearing a beaming smile, Jin-cheon cried out loudly.
"Glory to the alliance with the empires!"
When he shouted, the leaders of the four nations, including Alsein, found themselves following suit in their bewilderment.
"Glory to the alliance with the empires!"
As their shouts grew louder, Hwi-garam quietly stepped forward and addressed the envoys.
"Then, before the evening meal, I should like to discuss the war materiel aid."
"We must first contact the empires before that...."
"Then let us go. Every moment is urgent. Chamberlain, escort the envoys with all courtesy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Pressed by Hwi-garam's manner, which treated the matter as already settled, the imperial envoys had no choice but to offer their respects toward Alsein and Jin-cheon and withdraw. Behind them, a voice cried out once more.
"For the glory of the alliance with the empires!"
Once the envoys had departed, Jin-cheon spoke again, quietly yet loudly enough for all the war council leaders present to hear.
"For the glory of the alliance with the Great Gauri Empire. Heh-heh."
"......."
"......."
Since he had unapologetically called it the Gauri Empire among themselves, it was not an inaccurate remark. As Jin-cheon slowly strode out among the still-dumbfounded leaders, he left a curt remark to Hwi-garam, who remained behind.
"Hwi, do not make me do such a thing again."
"It was a splendid performance."
Only then, as if Jin-cheon's every action now made sense, did the leaders each let out a wry chuckle.
Whether Go Jin-cheon's act had been effective or not, they secured a promise of materiel aid beyond what had been expected.
The circumstances reinforced the impression. By severing the heads of Holy Empire nobles and throwing them down before the envoys, the alliance had shown far more hostility toward the Holy Empire than the envoys had expected. And by deliberately mixing condescension with a measure of deference toward the envoys, Jin-cheon had subtly revealed the forcefulness of his character.
"If even a man like that says the situation is difficult, then just how bad must it be?"
Coupled with the devastated state of Roselin that the envoys had seen here and there, they found it sufficiently convincing.
And the decisive factor was....
"A special banquet for the envoys."
"Oh, this aroma!"
The special dishes were the decisive factor.
It was the first and last banquet that all the leaders, including Go Jin-cheon and King Alsein, would share with the envoys. On the whole, the food served clearly showed considerable care, but given that it was wartime and they had to forgo many local specialties, it could not be called particularly outstanding by ordinary standards.
There was only one reason.
It was the food brought in personally by the head chef. So little had they tired of it despite eating it for the past several days that they were salivating even before the lids were lifted.
At their fervent reaction, this time the leaders, including Jin-cheon and King Alsein, also grew curious. Only Eulji Uru wore a meaningful smile.
"But why is this rare dish being served only to us...?"
It was a question from Count Carson, the head of the envoy delegation, but it was also what Jin-cheon and Alsein wished to ask the head chef. The special(?) dishes were placed only before the envoys. At that moment, the head chef Delviron swiftly stepped forward and, wearing an expression of regret, opened his mouth.
"The ingredients are, you see, limited, and it was determined by policy that they be provided only to the honored members of the envoy delegation...."
No such policy existed at all. But in a situation where the envoys were enjoying themselves so much, was it not awkward to raise an issue over the food they were eating?
"I have been curious for some time—what exactly is the ingredient?"
As Count Carson placed a piece of the special dish into his mouth, he wore a curious expression. At that, Delviron instantly hesitated. Was it not only natural that it was difficult to answer?
At that moment, Eulji Uru spoke up.
"It is a type of wild boar that exists only in the Reganza Mountains. It is tricky to catch and the handling after the catch is rather laborious."
"Oh-ho!"
"So that was the secret behind this rare flavor!"
Amid the envoys' exclamations of delight, Jin-cheon, Alsein, and the other leaders realized that the culprit behind this affair was Uru.
"What exactly is that food?"
"Two-legged pig, heh-heh-heh."
Even amid the clamor, the exchange between sovereign and retainer reached the ears of Alsein and the others.
Of course, those who knew the true identity of the two-legged pig Uru spoke of were naturally only Duke Baikal and Alsein, who had lived in Gauri.
Because the ingredient was not ordinary, the chef Delviron had poured his soul into the effort, and in the process, fearing the odor might somehow be detected, he had applied a seasoning adapted from the recipe for maekjeok (a type of bulgogi), one of Gauri's specialties, producing this effect.
The ingredient was merely orc, but it was the greatest dish of Delviron's life.
"Well done."
"Heh-heh-heh."
At the quiet quiet exchange between sovereign and retainer, Alsein and Duke Baikal, their faces gone pale, merely suppressed the dry heaves rising in their throats as they watched the envoys wolf down orc bulgogi with gluttonous zeal.
Chapter 102 — If You Get Caught, It's a Foul; If You Don't, It's Skill
The war council reconvened after the Empire Coalition's envoys had departed.
"In the end, we have no choice but to act according to their intent."
When Alsein voiced this self-mocking remark, Duke Baikal offered words of consolation.
"Even so, the aid they provide will in itself be a great help. Is that not a better outcome than merely being used?"
"That is true."
Duke Ken of the Malin Kingdom stepped in to support Duke Baikal's words.
"But it is nonetheless true that it leaves one feeling somewhat deflated."
Perhaps because the Haian Kingdom had suffered the longest at the hands of the empires, Marquess Gaun's voice carried a bitter note.
"Why is everyone wearing such deathly expressions?"
When Go Jin-cheon, who had been silently listening, spoke curtly, every eye in the room turned to him.
"Then perhaps, if we only take the materiel...."
Alsein looked at Jin-cheon with eyes that said, surely you don't mean—. At the same moment, the others asked with appalled expressions.
"Do you truly mean to do that?"
"......."
To speak falsehoods before envoys cannot but be a grave matter. If the sovereign representing a nation speaks untruths in an official setting, does not its credibility become the issue?
A sudden thought flickered through Alsein's mind that, if it were this man, he was more than capable of doing just that. Under the astonished gazes fixed upon him, Jin-cheon spoke in a resolute voice.
"No such thing will ever happen."
"O-of course."
"Ha, ha-ha-ha, we were merely wondering if by chance...."