Episode 317: Interlude (Piata Empire 2)
“So, what circumstances led you to come here…?”
The tent she was invited into was well-furnished with rugs and fittings, and even a desk and chairs seemingly for welcoming guests had been prepared.
There, they were first offered fragrant tea and sweets to moisten their throats. Both were in excellent condition.
“Well, well. There’s no need to rush, Your Highness. You must have gone through a great deal of hardship until now. Why not relax, at least for today, in this place?”
“Is that so…”
The Imperial Sister, Neartha Piata, had retreated to this fort while protecting the young Second Imperial Prince and the Imperial Younger Brother’s daughter, in order to preserve the Imperial Family’s bloodline.
The Emperor had remained in the Imperial Capital until the very end of the defensive battle, and was presumed to have died in action there.
The First Imperial Prince had gone missing after departing for the initial border defense battle. He, too, was treated as deceased within the Imperial Family.
And so, the Imperial Guard led by the Imperial Sister was stationed at this fort, making it the foremost resistance base in the Piata Empire.
They were in a situation where they could not retreat any further due to material issues.
This unit, which initially consisted of several hundred Imperial Guards, had gradually dwindled due to repeated retreat battles, and now numbered only a little over a hundred.
Just as they had resigned themselves to a final stand, this reinforcement had arrived.
“However, the Warrior Monks of the Prawa Theocracy are faster than we imagined. They may attack this fort as early as tomorrow…”
“Please rest assured, Princess Neartha. The Prawa Theocracy has completely halted its advance since a month ago. They have drawn their lines approximately 40 Tarfa from here… about 13 Ri, I believe. They show no signs of emerging from there. The Repuytari Kingdom’s reconnaissance units have confirmed this.”
“What…!”
Neartha’s eyes widened at that information.
“But just the other day, a messenger reported that Fort Torayua in the west had fallen…”
“Ah…”
At those words, the man opposite her lowered his face.
“Fort Torayua, unfortunately, fell at the hands of brigands.”
And it was the girl soldier who had been silently eating sweets next to the man who answered the Imperial Sister’s question.
No.
Being present at this meeting probably meant she held a rank.
Although they were complete strangers, Neartha was capable of making that much of an inference.
“Presumably, an attack by deserters or remnants of defeated soldiers. It’s safe to say that order within the Empire has collapsed. Including that, you need to unite the domestic forces and restore public order.”
“The Repuytari Kingdom will supply the materials for that. Well, you can leave the difficult talk for tomorrow and beyond. So, please rest today. You can’t think straight unless you rest your body first.”
Neartha bore a great deal of responsibility as the eldest member of the Imperial Family present. She couldn’t possibly force such a heavy burden on the young prince. 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 utter chaos, and procuring supplies was difficult.
It was only because they were Imperial Guards, well-educated elite soldiers, that they had made it this far without any rebellions.
“At the very least, you can leave the maintenance of public order in this area to us. You may have many thoughts, but first, please rest. Let the Imperial Guards relax tonight as well. We have managed to calm the town below the castle for the time being with the supplies we brought. Yes, there will be many decisions to make from now on, but at least, we will not ask for any compensation for the support we provide until tomorrow. Please rest assured.”
This declaration meant nothing other than that they would seek compensation for any support beyond that.
Even so, it was far more reassuring than being told that they would be helped for free.
Having arrived here, the Piata Imperial Family forces remaining within the Empire were finally able to settle down.
Currently, the prince is the first in line to the throne.
Here, the forces of the legitimate heir, who had remained in the Empire until the very end and continued to steadfastly demonstrate the authority of the Imperial Family, would formally declare the reclamation of the homeland.
◇◇◇◇
“What? A survivor of the Imperial Family… and the Second Imperial Prince has been found?”
That urgent report came in just before the National Reclaiming Army was about to declare its advance.
Berelforestei Country, which was about to advance its army under the pretext of a request from the government-in-exile, was shaken.
“I heard the Imperial Family was annihilated! Then, the legitimacy of our army will be flawed!!”
“We are urgently proceeding with confirmation! However, this report was formally conveyed by the ambassador of the Repuytari Kingdom! If we advance the army without confirming the facts, it may cause problems later!”
“I know that! Damn it, if it had been just one day later…!”
It was the worst timing. The declaration of national reclamation, which 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 Repuytari Kingdom would accurately record the date and time of that report.
There was no excuse for not having heard it.
Berelforestei Country was one of the top countries in the surrounding area, but it did not have the power to openly defy the Great Southern Nation, the Repuytari Kingdom.
Moreover, the Reclaiming Army was formed with the expectation of supplies from the Repuytari Kingdom.
If support were cut off, the damage to the domestic economy would be immeasurable.
“…Suspend the issuance of the declaration. We need to hold talks with the Repuytari Kingdom immediately…!”
After that, the ambassador of the Repuytari Kingdom 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 Reclaiming Army be handed over to the Piata Empire’s Imperial Family. They could not allow an army without command authority to cross the border and move around the country as it pleased.
As a compromise, they sought a joint operation as an allied army, but the Repuytari Kingdom side did not accept it at all.
Naturally, the Repuytari Kingdom was fully aware of Berelforestei Country’s intentions.
However.
The Piata Empire’s territory was vast.
Re-establishing control over a place that had once become a lawless zone was quite a difficult task.
The Repuytari Kingdom side was also looking for a compromise, as they wanted to use the soldiers of Berelforestei Country, which would have a certain 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. However, 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 influential figures in the area, but well, it probably won’t go very well.”
The affairs within the Empire should be settled by the citizens of the Empire. That was necessary for the legitimacy of future governance. However, in reality, it was extremely difficult to achieve that in the current situation.
Many residents had scattered, become bandits, and refugees who had been driven from their hometowns 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 Repuytari Kingdom was declaring that it would turn a blind eye to the act of the Berelforestei Country’s army taking on that role and using it as a stepping stone to acquire vested interests.
“Of course, if you do lawless things, the eyes of other countries will become 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. We will take this proposal back and consider it.”
“Come to a conclusion quickly. The more time passes, the smaller the reason to invite you in will become.”
People’s 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’re doing whatever they want now.
Deterrent? Eve-chan? She’s watching with a smile.
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