Episode 317: Interlude (Piata Empire 2)
“So, what circumstances led you to come here…?”
The tent she was led into was well-furnished with rugs and fittings, even a desk and chairs prepared for receiving guests.
First, to moisten her throat, she was offered fragrant tea and sweets. Both were in excellent condition, considering the circumstances.
“Well, well. There’s no need to rush, Your Highness. You must have endured much hardship until now. Why not relax, at least for today, in this place?”
“Is that so…”
The Imperial Sister, Niata Piata, had retreated to this fortress, protecting the young Second Prince and the Imperial Brother’s daughter, to preserve the Imperial bloodline.
The Emperor had remained in the Imperial Capital until the very end of the defense, and was presumed to have died in battle there.
The First Prince had gone missing after deploying to the initial border defense lines. He, too, was considered dead by the Imperial Family.
And so, the Imperial Sister, leading the Imperial Guard, had taken up position in this fortress, making it the foremost resistance base within the Piata Empire.
They were in a situation where they could not retreat any further due to material constraints.
Initially, this unit had consisted of several hundred Imperial Guards, but repeated retreat battles had gradually reduced their numbers, leaving only a little over a hundred.
Just as they had resigned themselves to a suicidal last stand, this reinforcement had arrived.
“However, the speed of the Prava Theocracy’s monk soldiers is beyond our imagination. They may assault this fortress as early as tomorrow…”
“Please be assured, Princess Niata. The Prava Theocracy completely halted their advance a month ago. They have set up camp approximately 40 Tarfa… about 13 Ri from here. They show no signs of moving from there. The Repuitari Kingdom’s reconnaissance units have confirmed this.”
“What…!”
Niata’s eyes widened at the information.
“But just recently, a messenger reported that the Trayua Fortress to the west had fallen…”
“Ah…”
At those words, the man opposite her lowered his gaze.
“Unfortunately, the Trayua Fortress fell to the hands of brigands.”
It was the young female soldier, who had been silently eating sweets next to the man, who answered the Imperial Sister’s question.
No.
Being present at this meeting meant she likely held a rank.
Although they were complete strangers, Niata was capable of that much deduction.
“Presumably, an attack by deserters or stragglers. It’s safe to assume that order within the Empire has collapsed. That includes the need for you to unite the domestic forces and restore order.”
“The Repuitari Kingdom will supply the materials for that purpose. Well, those difficult discussions can wait until tomorrow. So, please rest today. You can’t think straight unless you rest your body first.”
Niata bore a great deal of responsibility as the eldest member of the Imperial Family present. She couldn’t possibly burden the young Prince with such a heavy task. Nor could she entrust it to her niece, who had been raised like a delicate flower and had only just come of age.
She hadn’t been able to sleep properly at night, and her forces were dwindling. The country was in chaos, and procuring supplies was difficult.
It was only because the Imperial Guards were well-educated elite soldiers that they had made it this far without rebellion.
“At the very least, you can leave the maintenance of order in this area to us. You may have many thoughts, but first, please rest. Let the Guards relax tonight as well. We have managed to calm the town below the castle with the supplies we brought. Yes, there will be many decisions to make from now on, but at least, there will be no price to pay for the support until tomorrow. Please be assured.”
This declaration implied that there would be a price to pay for any support beyond that, but.
Even so, it was far more reassuring than being told they would be helped for free.
Finally, the Piata Imperial forces remaining within the Empire were able to settle down.
Currently, the First in line to the throne was the Prince.
Here, the forces of the legitimate heir, who had remained within the Empire until the end and continued to steadfastly demonstrate the authority of the Imperial Family, would formally declare the recapture of the homeland.
◇◇◇◇
“What? Survivors of the Imperial Family… and the Second Prince has been found?”
The urgent report arrived just before the declaration of the Homeland Reclamation Army’s advance.
The Berelforesti Kingdom, which was about to advance its army under the pretext of a request from the government-in-exile, was thrown into turmoil.
“I heard the Imperial Family was annihilated! Then, the legitimacy of our army will be compromised!”
“We are urgently proceeding with confirmation! However, this report was formally conveyed by the ambassador of the Repuitari Kingdom! If we advance the army without confirming the facts, it could become a problem later!”
“I know that! Damn it, if only it had been one day later…!”
It was the worst possible timing. The declaration of Homeland Reclamation was scheduled to be officially issued in a few hours.
Now, information that could cast doubt on its legitimacy had come to light.
Naturally, the Repuitari Kingdom would accurately record the date and time of the report.
There would be no excuse for saying they hadn’t heard it.
The Berelforesti Kingdom was among the top-ranked countries in the surrounding area, but it simply didn’t have the power to openly defy the great southern power, the Repuitari Kingdom.
Moreover, the Reclamation Army was being formed with the expectation of supplies from the Repuitari Kingdom.
If support were cut off, the damage to the domestic economy would be immeasurable.
“… Halt the issuance of the declaration. We need to hold talks with the Repuitari Kingdom immediately…!”
Afterwards, the Repuitari Kingdom’s ambassador announced the termination of support for the Piata Empire’s government-in-exile.
They demanded that the government-in-exile merge with the Imperial Family within the country.
Naturally, they also requested that the basic command authority of the formed Reclamation Army be handed over to the Piata Empire’s Imperial Family. They simply couldn’t allow an army without command authority to cross the border and move around the country as it pleased.
They sought a joint operation as an allied force as a compromise, but the Repuitari Kingdom refused to accept it.
Naturally, the Repuitari Kingdom was well aware of the Berelforesti Kingdom’s intentions.
However.
The Piata Empire’s territory was vast.
Re-establishing control over a place that had become a lawless zone was quite a difficult task.
The Repuitari Kingdom was also looking for a compromise, with the intention of using the Berelforesti Kingdom’s troops, who would be under some degree of control.
“…Maintaining security in the liberated areas?”
“Yes, yes. The Piata Empire’s intention is that they cannot hand over the rights of governance. But in the first place, there is a shortage of personnel for maintaining security. Someone has to take on that role. The Piata Empire seems to be considering appeasing the local influential figures, but well, it probably won’t go very well.”
The affairs within the Empire should be settled by the Imperial citizens. That was necessary for the legitimacy of future rule. But in reality, it was extremely difficult to achieve in the current situation.
Many residents had scattered, become bandits, and refugees who had been driven from their homes were living everywhere.
Naturally, it was impossible to know who was living where now.
In such a situation, there was no way they could operate a security maintenance organization with a consolidated fighting force.
The Repuitari Kingdom was declaring that it would turn a blind eye to the act of the Berelforesti Kingdom’s army taking on that role and gaining vested interests as a stepping stone.
“Of course, if you do anything unlawful, the eyes of other countries will be severe. But if you focus on maintaining security, sufficiently help the residents, and gain their trust. If that happens, isn’t it obvious where the residents’ feelings will turn?”
“I see… There is room for consideration. I will take this proposal back and consider it.”
“The sooner the conclusion, the better. The more time passes, the smaller the reason to invite you in will become.”
Human desires are endless, and nations compete with each other. The seeds of war never run out, and resentment accumulates without limit.
The desires of the Transcendent Intelligence are also growing… they are already doing whatever they want.
Deterrent? Eve-chan? They are watching with a smile.
★Please check Twitter (@Kaku_TenTenko) and the recent status notes.
★The first draft of Volume 3 is complete! E-books (Amazon, BOOK☆WALKER, etc.) are also available.
*KADOKAWA Official Page
Volume 1 https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322212000471/
Volume 2 https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322306000178/