Because Jeanne was saying that too, we decided to meet again tomorrow in the audience chamber with Julius present to announce what had been decided today, then we all went off to rest.
I asked Serina to show Jeanne to a guest room, while Liscia and I headed to the room Liscia was using. I wanted to go to sleep as soon as possible, but my bed was in the governmental affairs office. I couldn’t very well go to sleep with the bureaucrats working right beside me, so I thought I’d borrow a corner in Liscia’s room.
“Souma… are you really okay?” Liscia asked me, sounding concerned, as we reached her room.
“…I’m fine,” I said. “I was just a little worn out.”
“You’re lying!” she burst out. “You’ve been routinely staying up for three nights straight! I’m not going to buy that you’re tired after staying up late for just one night!”
“No, I think it’s pretty bad that that’s what’s tipping you off…” I said.
Liscia sighed. “Come here.”
Liscia sat down on her bed, instructing me to sit next to her. Sitting next to a cute girl on her bed was a situation that should have had my heart racing, but Liscia’s no-nonsense attitude intimidated me into meekly obeying her.
When I did, the moment I sat down, Liscia grabbed my head and pushed it down into her lap. It was my first lap pillow in a long while. I could hear Liscia’s gentle voice above me.
“I don’t know what caused it, but when you’re tired, let me indulge you,” Liscia said, rubbing my forehead.
“…Sorry,” I said. “And thank you.”
“Hee hee. You’re welcome.”
I closed my eyes, letting the tension slip away from my body. When I’d heard the name “Demon Lord Divalroi,” I’d felt a vague uncertainty from the sense that I’d heard the name before. That hadn’t been resolved, but just having my head patted like this made my heart feel lighter.
Thanks to Liscia, in the time it took me to fall asleep, I didn’t have to feel worried anymore.
Chapter 5: Withdrawal
22nd day, 10th month, 1546th year, Continental Calendar
It was noon on the day after I forged a secret alliance with the Gran Chaos Empire.
Jeanne and I met with Julius once more in the audience chamber.
As we all stood in the same positions as the day before, Hakuya, who stood in front of me and to the side, stepped towards Julius and presented him with a piece of paper detailing the decision made in yesterday’s talks. “The Royal Army will leave Van and return home to the Elfrieden Kingdom.”
Julius’s haughty expression showed that he saw this as the natural conclusion, but when he heard what came next, his face turned a different color.
“As a condition of this, the Principality of Amidonia is ordered to pay war reparations to the Elfrieden Kingdom,” said Hakuya. “This is to be separate from any ransom negotiated for the return of prisoners of war.”
“That can’t be right!” Julius rounded on Jeanne. “Madam Jeanne! What is the meaning of this?!”
“The meaning of it…?” Jeanne shrugged. “Why, I do believe I have negotiated the return of your land, as requested?”
Julius couldn’t seem to accept the outcome. “Is this some sort of joke?! War reparations? It makes it seem like we are a defeated nation!”
“Given your current situation, it’s hard to say otherwise,” said Jeanne. “You have lost your capital city, after all.”
“No! We haven’t lost yet!” Julius shouted. “They’ve only taken a single city!”
“…Then you’re free to do as you please,” said Jeanne. “The Empire will be washing its hands of the matter. You may make peace or make war, whichever you please.”
Julius groaned, at a loss for words.
Seeing his reaction, Jeanne sighed. “As for that city… I have some heavy doubts that you can write off your capital as just one city being lost, but I believe you turned to us for assistance because you were in no position to retake the city yourself, yes? In that case, you have lost the war. The Empire, under the Mankind Declaration, has provided a means for you to restore the changes in your borders. We can intervene no further.”
“But, war reparations…” Julius complained.
“Sir Julius.” Jeanne turned a cold look on him, one that seemed to push him away. “This matter has saddened my sister, Maria, deeply. You have invaded a sovereign state by taking advantage of a loophole in the Mankind Declaration, which was made to unite all mankind in the face of the threat posed by the Demon Lord’s Domain. As the head of that pact, we cannot let it go unchallenged.”
“That was… our former sovereign, Gaius…” Julius sputtered.
“Even if it was,” said Jeanne, “you still bear the responsibility for failing to stop him. Regardless, in order to ensure that no other signatory of the Mankind Declaration engages in such foolhardy actions, I believe harsh consequences are necessary. I will have you set an example for them.”
Uwah… She’s wording it all politely, but basically what she’s saying is, “I’m going to make an example of you to keep the other signatories in line,” huh? I thought.
Julius stood there trembling with his hands balled into fists, his face a contorted mask of rage and anguish. “…And what if I refuse?”
“I’ve already told you that,” said Jeanne. “You are free to do as you please. The Empire will wash its hands of the matter, and the Principality of Amidonia will be expelled from the Mankind Declaration.”
Julius gasped in shock. “Wait! If you do that, our country will…”
“Yes,” said Jeanne. “‘If they are not a signatory to the Declaration, it’s not a violation if we attack them.’ Which is to say, your… Pardon me, your father’s interpretation will be able to be applied to Amidonia, as well.”
The Principality of Amidonia was surrounded by four nations on its four sides. To their west was the mercenary state of Zem, which professed to eternal neutrality despite dispatching mercenaries. To their south was the Republic of Turgis, a non-signatory state with a national policy of northward expansionism. To their north was the Orthodox Papal State of Lunaria, which had a unique set of values that differed from its neighbors. And lastly, to their east was the Elfrieden Kingdom.
Setting aside what we might do ourselves, if they lost the protection of the Mankind Declaration now, it was entirely possible that the other three would gobble them up.
Their former ruler, Gaius, had maintained his country by joining hands with the Empire, forming a contract with Zem for their mercenaries, intimidating the Elfrieden Kingdom under its previous timid leader, Albert, and displaying his military might to the countries to the north and south. He’d had the capacity to carry out a balanced foreign policy. Could Julius be said to have the same talent?
Even if he did have the talent, did the young Julius have the kind of authority he would need to take the necessary steps?
The inheritance of authority is best done gradually, while the previous ruler still lives. However, Gaius was no more. Julius now had to deal with the difficult problem of managing the threat of foreign powers externally, while also keeping his own vassals under control internally. If, during that very important process, his country were removed from the Mankind Declaration, he would lose the ability to rely on the Empire’s authority and would quickly find himself in checkmate.
Julius understood that, so he bowed his head to Jeanne, his face full of bitterness. “…I will accept your plan.”
“A wise decision, Sir Julius,” Jeanne said.
Julius looked mortified, but I couldn’t allow myself to show mercy here, so I did not stir.