Chapter 124: Armistice Mediation
Since then, that room has felt like a gate to the underworld, and I haven’t been able to bring myself to open it. I asked a maid-san to show me to Ignat’s room and then returned to my own.
Yuri-san also seemed tired; apparently, she’s going back to her family home to sleep today.
And so, after a night passed, I left my room, stretching and trying to refresh my mind. I knocked on the room where Ignat was likely staying, but there was no reply.
I peeked inside stealthily, but no one was there.
Thinking, “Could it be…?” I went to open the “gate to the underworld,” and sure enough, he was there.
Only the princess’s attendant maid-san was awake.
“Your Highness, they’ve finally gone to sleep,” said Ignat, looking a little tired.
“Oh, good work. You can go get some sleep, you know?”
“No, a single night is no problem. More importantly, today’s Armistice Mediation will be a tense affair. Your Highness, you’re the one who needs to be in perfect condition.”
“No, no, I’m just listening from the side, you know? I’m not smart like you guys.”
“There you go again, being modest. Your Highness simply lacks experience. You’d probably be better than anyone once you gain some.”
No, that’s definitely not happening.
Anyway, what should we do about these girls who’ve cried themselves to sleep?
“Men can’t very well carry women to their bedchambers, you see. We’ll have to ask the servants.”
That’s true. Then, it seems fine to ask them and leave it at that.
So, I asked the maid-san waiting in front of the door to consult with the other maid-san over there and carry the girls.
“So, are you really okay not sleeping?”
I told him again that he could go sleep, but he shook his head, saying it was no problem.
“Well then, just in case, could you stand at the mediation venue as my Knight, with your face hidden by armor? If possible, I’d like you to advise me if anything happens.”
“I don’t mind, but it’s a public setting. How should I convey it to you?”
To Ignat, who asked this, I explained that since I have Enhanced Hearing, if he spoke at a volume no one else could hear, those on our side would understand.
He nodded at my words and agreed.
And so, the venue for the Armistice Mediation with the Empire was finally set to open.
In a place that felt like a small, unused meeting room, we waited for the Empire’s envoys to enter.
Our side’s members were the usual people.
Pops, Gramps, Marquis Arbein, and me—the four of us.
Of course, there were scribes and various other people, but these four would be sitting face-to-face with the other side.
By the way, Yuri-chan is still at her family home. As expected, she can’t attend this meeting, so I’ve told her I’ll go see her after this is over.
After waiting for a while, the door was finally knocked on and opened.
Led by Shen, two portly, elderly men followed him in.
After that, they introduced themselves to each other, were shown to their seats, and the discussion began.
“Now then, first, there is something Belfast must state. In this recent war, Lestall was the main party, and we were reinforcements. Therefore, most issues are ones we cannot decide without consulting them. If you still wish to talk on that understanding, we will listen.”
“That is quite reasonable. Naturally, we have also sent mediators to Lestall at the same time, so I believe we will have to take matters back for discussion and then meet again, but I believe it is crucial to exchange words beforehand.”
At Shen’s words, Pops nodded. “In that case, we have no objection. Let us exchange words thoroughly this time.”
“Thank you very much. Then, first, we would like to present what we can offer at this point. First, the Empire is prepared to offer five thousand Large Gold Coins as Reparations. The other is… the conclusion of a non-aggression pact.”
Shen seemed to have difficulty saying the second one.
Well, of course.
The side that invaded is saying that stopping their invasion is the reward.
Even Pops’s eyebrow twitched at that.
“In short, you’re saying we should forgive you for attacking us and trying to destroy us for a mere five thousand Large Gold Coins?”
At Pops’s words, Shen looked down with a bitter expression, saying, “No…” when one of the cardinals held up a hand to stop him.
“Hold on. That was a war between Mildrad and yourselves, was it not? The Empire was merely dragged into it, forced to dispatch troops due to a treaty. Is it not improper to use that as a reason?”
The old man, leaning back arrogantly, started saying things like the Empire was not at fault, and Pops’s expression clearly changed.
“Cardinal Yakov, was it? That was a war led by the Empire, which roped in Daltone. We have proof. If you know nothing, then be silent. It’s a waste of time.”
“Wha-! King of Belfast! What is that tone towards a messenger of God? It is disrespectful!”
“The Northern Church, messengers of God? Spare me the jokes. You’re more like an incarnation of evil that has forgotten the Divine Teachings, aren’t you?”
Huh… This is seriously a hostile response, but is this okay?
When I glanced at Duke Fastall, he gave me a slight smile and a nod.
Apparently, this response was as planned.
“Allow me to enlighten your ignorant self. It was the Belfast royal family that was granted the Divine Teachings by God. We merely allowed the Northern Church to copy the original text. We will never recognize those like you, who rewrite that original for profit, as messengers of God.”
“Hoho. The King of Belfast seems to be quite a resolute man. Do you intend to make an enemy of all people?”
The other old man smiled with an obviously feigned look of benevolence.
Um, was his name Jeyman?
“Hahaha, all people, you say? I believe that has nothing to do with us and Lestall, does it?”
“How deplorable. To think the King would claim the Divine Teachings no longer exist.”
“Are you not listening? That so-called holy scripture of yours is just a fantasy book you lot wrote. That cannot be called the Divine Teachings. As of now, the only genuine article is the one buried beneath the Belfast Grand Library.”
Perhaps past anger, Pops’s gaze turned to exasperation, and he stated the facts calmly. However, upon hearing this, Cardinal Jeyman began to laugh cheerfully as if they were having a pleasant chat.
Despite the huge difference in atmosphere, he didn’t lose his composure. In a way, it was a frightening sight.
“Hohoho. I see, I see. So this misunderstanding arose from such a misconception. You may not know this, but God did not go into hiding. He abandoned Belfast and moved His residence to Berkhoud. We have properly received the teachings from God and recorded them. Well, it is true that throughout history, there were fools who tried to rewrite them for personal gain, were there not?”
“If you didn’t know that, it can’t be helped that Belfast misunderstood,” he laughed.
“If that isn’t some tall tale you just made up, then such an exchange should be recorded in both our history books, shouldn’t it?”
“That is because God forbade it to be told. He would not permit it to be revealed for trivial matters. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that this is a critical juncture in human history. Therefore, it was revealed. That is all.”
“I can hardly believe that. What is written in the original text and your holy scripture is too different. Are you trying to say that the almighty God went back on His words?”
“Fuhaha, one would naturally think so, wouldn’t they? That is why we are human. The correct answer changes with the times. Therefore, God stated that corrections necessary for that era were needed.”
At that point, Pops cut off the seemingly endless talk, saying, “This is a pointless exchange. We cannot accept it without clear proof.”
“If you will not listen even when we speak sincerely, then it cannot be helped. Shall we declare the King of Belfast a heretic?”
“Ah, I don’t mind. I’ve already resolved myself. To declare the Northern Church, which overturns and misuses the Divine Teachings, as heretics.”
“Wha…t…? Did you say you would fight us, the Northern Church?”
“Well, if necessary. You guys do it too, don’t you? Subjugating those who act contrary to your holy scriptures. The original text is with us. In that case, it’s clear which one our people will believe. If you want to claim yours is genuine, then first bring clear proof.”
The two of them froze, their faces showing utter astonishment.
I felt something was very off about that.
It was a reaction as if they truly believed they were receiving God’s teachings.
“In that case, there is nothing more to discuss. We cannot make deals with those who defy God.”
“Indeed. This is a grave matter. To think such a villain was on the throne. What a tragedy.”
The two stood up, stunned, and left the room without permission.
“Pops, I haven’t heard about this, but are you serious?”
“Yeah, we’ve come to the conclusion that a clash is unavoidable. They’ve always been a thorn in our side. Now that we can seal the northern border, it’s also an opportunity.”
Apparently, until now, Mildrad had taken measures to keep the Northern Church out, and it seems they were worried there was a high chance the Church would take this opportunity to enter.
Pops frowned, saying that if we carelessly tried to be friendly and they ended up conducting missionary work here, there would even be a possibility of conflict with our own people.
“But he never did ask for Light Magic in the end, did he…” Pops muttered, and a voice replied from an unexpected place.
“Ha, hahaha, I was surprised as well. He was quite insistent about it on the way here, you know. Well then… now that things have calmed down, allow me to apologize once more for their rudeness.”
And with that, Shen-kun, who had been all but forgotten, bowed his head, making his presence known.
“No, the rudeness was on our part. I didn’t want the Church fellows to state too many of their demands. Hmm. But Marquis Ignat seems to be a reasonable man, just as I’d heard.”
“Hearing you say that brings me profound relief. Now, to continue from where we left off… Naturally, I don’t expect you to be satisfied with just this. I would like to hear your conditions.”
I can’t very well return without hearing them, he added with a bitter smile.
“Let’s see… This is assuming things are settled with Lestall as I mentioned earlier, but first, reparations will be ten times the amount offered. Not a ceasefire, but an end to the war. A complete closure of the border. And the signing of a non-aggression pact, I suppose.”
“I see. And, um, for how long would these terms apply…?”
“Well now… The money, of course, is to be paid immediately. For the other terms, I’d want around thirty years. Enough time for things to change to some extent.”
“Well? Think that’ll fly?” Pops shot a challenging look at Shen-kun.
“Ten times might be difficult. Around thirty thousand would be a condition I could at least take back for consideration.”
“Hmm. Very well. The previous head of your house was an enemy, yet a fine Knight. I’ll make an exception in his honor.”
“Thank you very much. My brother will be pleased as well,” he said, his face showing relief as he visibly relaxed.
It’s still a bit too soon for that, I thought, my own lips curving into a smile, but in the end, no more words were exchanged, and the meeting concluded.
The moment he left the room, everyone started chattering at once.
“Your Majesty! You provoked them too much! They are indeed infuriating, but that was like us declaring war on them!”
“No, but think about it. What if their target had shifted to Rui? They would have started throwing out trick questions, trying every means to get a verbal commitment out of him!”
“Please wait. That matter is already concluded. What comes next is important. Besides, their reaction when Your Majesty decided to be hostile, wasn’t it a bit strange?”
Didn’t want them to talk to me, huh? Then I didn’t need to be here from the start…
But I also wondered about the point Marquis Arbane raised.
Well? I looked at Gramps as if to ask what he thought.
“Mmm. I also felt something was off there, but it might be because they truly believed we couldn’t defy them. Still, it did feel a little strange.”
“Well, it’s no use dwelling on it. We can just keep it in the back of our minds when we review the intelligence we’ve gathered, right? In any case, from now on, we won’t let them set foot in this land. If they show hostility, we’ll resist thoroughly. If that’s decided, it’s simple.”
“It’s true that completely sealing the border would make things simple, but we should fundamentally consider any ceasefire to be temporary, Your Majesty.”
Waiting for a lull in Pops and the others’ conversation, I asked.
Were you really that worried about me making a verbal slip that you acted that way?
“Haha, of course that’s not the only reason. That was the plan from the start. If we exchanged too many words, they would undoubtedly accuse us of using Light Magic without permission. There’s also the plan to revive our own church to improve the civility of Mildrad’s people. But well, the biggest reason was that I wanted to make a clean break because them trying to establish roots here would be the most troublesome.”
Ah, I see.
So, one of the objectives was to become hostile so we could shut them out.
“So, if Marquis Ignat takes this back and they agree, does that mean the war is over?”
“No, I doubt it’ll be settled just yet.”
“Indeed. If they were serious, a figure like five thousand wouldn’t have come up.”
Pops and Marquis Arbane said with frustrated expressions that this current deal would likely fall through.
“Well, for the Empire, an amount like thirty thousand gold coins is something they can produce without much effort. It depends on how desperate they are, but it’s almost certain the agreement will be fulfilled,” Duke Fastall remarked.
According to Duke Fastall, the current Emperor is the type of person to start wars that lightly.
It’s true. They’re already fighting a war on another front, yet they’ve meddled with every country on this side too.
“But why would the Empire want something like world conquest…?”
Even a foolish nation has its foolish reasons for going that far.
Whether we can understand them is another matter.
“Who knows. What do you think, O Knight who makes women weep?”
Ignat, to whom Pops had directed the question, bowed once without removing his helmet and began to speak.
“I do not know the precise details myself. However, are you aware of the incident at the time of the current Emperor’s ascension?”
“I know the gist of it. That the prince became Emperor by killing his father, who was the Crown Prince at the time…”
He nodded once at Pops’ words and continued.
“It’s considered almost certain because he himself had the investigation terminated after the incident, but it’s believed the Church was likely behind it. From that point on, the Empire changed drastically––––––––”
The Emperor, who hadn’t been particularly rumored to be exceptional, implemented various systemic reforms immediately after his ascension.
And as a result, not only did the Empire grow significantly, but he also managed to control the populace, who had become too powerful.
Since the Emperor, then in his mid-teens, accomplished this, his fame skyrocketed, and his position became unshakeable.
Immediately after that, he supposedly resumed the war with the North, which had been under a ceasefire, and began sending operatives everywhere.
“Huh? What about the Church?”
“Yes. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he forcibly gave the position of Prime Minister to Hyde, the Pope’s son. It is likely that Hyde has been primarily steering the Empire since that day.”
Apparently, it was the Northern Church that supported the initially powerless Emperor.
They supposedly used Temple Knights to secretly purge those who wouldn’t obey.
“Therefore, it’s possible the Church is involved in the expansion of this war. This is merely my conjecture, however…”
Ignat apparently came to this conclusion because he had frequent dealings with the Church regarding Natalia-san’s treatment and had been investigating them.
Pops and the others clutched their heads at this story, but then let out a breath, saying, “Breaking off with them was all the more the right decision.”