Chapter 212 - Episode 205: Future Discussions
Even after seeing off the envoy, Baron Bartholomew, Noein and the others' work was not finished.
First, several elite knights were selected from the stationed Royal Army and departed in haste to deliver a personal letter from Princess Henrietta Lancel to the Royal Family.
In the name of the King, these knights would receive maximum support from each noble territory—such as the lending of exchange horses and the provision of lodging—allowing them to traverse the road to the royal capital in just a few days one way.
Additionally, prior to that, Noein used the honorary retainer Konrad to report the matter of the envoy to the Koenitz family in Retovik via "Far-Talk." By doing this, the report would be sent from the Viscount Koenitz territory further east to the Marquis Bechtolsheim territory, and from there, it would reach the Royal Family immediately through the "Far-Talk" communication network maintained by dialogue mages. Likely today or tomorrow.
If the proposal for a ceasefire arrived before the personal letter, the Royal Family would be able to consider their response to some extent in advance.
Having completed this much, Noein and the others finally reached a lull.
"...Still, a proposal for a ceasefire, huh."
Having moved back to the conference room, the Vice Commander muttered this while sipping tea during a break.
"It is one of the enemy's moves we had anticipated, but hearing it actually spoken makes it feel rather abrupt."
"Indeed. To think we've been fighting for nearly ten years..."
"It cannot be helped. If they go so far as to cause a civil war to replace the King's head, it is inevitable that the direction of national administration will change as well."
Just because the leadership layer was completely replaced did not mean the previous behavior of the Lancel Kingdom ceased to exist, but if they were told "The Lancel Kingdom has been reborn," the Roadberg Kingdom would have no choice but to respond accordingly. They could not possibly continue fighting forever.
"..."
Beside Count Marcel and the Vice Commander as they spoke, Noein remained silent with a subtle expression. Perhaps noticing this, the two of them looked toward Noein.
"Excellency Arqvist, are you alright?"
"What is it? Did you suffer mental fatigue from sitting in a diplomatic seat for the first time?"
Still wearing that subtle expression, Noein answered.
"No, well... I just started thinking that since I went through the trouble of building this Aspida Fortress, I wonder if it's already become unnecessary..."
Hearing this, the Vice Commander, and for once even Count Marcel, directed looks of sympathy toward Noein.
The material costs for building Aspida Fortress had all come from the Arqvist territory's treasury... in other words, from Noein's wallet. Furthermore, a massive amount of ballistas and explosive flame arrows had been manufactured to deploy in the fortress. Noein had incurred a fairly painful expense to construct this heavily armed stronghold.
And just as it was completed, a proposal for a ceasefire arrived. Of course, Noein preferred peaceful relations with the neighboring country, but when considering that a major task he had finally finished might have been in vain, he hoped they would allow him at least one sigh.
"...No, that should not be the case. Even if a path toward the end of the war has become visible, the fact that this is a strategic point on the border remains unchanged. Even in peacetime, the border defenses must always be kept firm. This fortress will surely be useful in fulfilling that role, Sir."
Count Marcel spoke with a logic that was partly consolation, but fundamentally a fact.
"Moreover, once a formal peace treaty is eventually concluded, exchange with the Lancel Kingdom will likely occur through this road. At such a time, the existence of a heavily armed fortress as a checkpoint will also serve to demonstrate the prestige of the Roadberg Kingdom. From now on, you will bear the role of both border defense and the window for dialogue with the neighboring country. Is this not sufficient in terms of both function and majesty as a base for that?"
"...Indeed, you are right."
Thinking that it all depends on how you put it, Noein gave a wry smile and nodded at Count Marcel's words.
.....
"Haaaah... honestly. To think it would be such a busy day."
After finishing the meeting with the Lancel Kingdom's envoy and the detailed discussions with Count Marcel and the others, Noein returned to the territorial capital, Noeina, and flopped down onto the sofa in the mansion's living room, letting out a long sigh.
The time was nearly five in the afternoon. The unexpected diplomacy had consumed the entirety of today's afternoon.
"You truly worked hard, dear."
Clara sat beside him, comforting Noein. With her due date approximately four months away, her stomach had grown large enough to be visible from the outside.
Furthermore, Matilda, Yuri, and Pence, who had returned with Noein, were also in the living room. Additionally, retainers who formed the core of internal affairs, such as Anna, Edgar, and Mai, had been called in; while the atmosphere was very relaxed, it served as a place to lightly discuss the sudden change in circumstances.
"Thank you, Clara... I never thought I'd end up playing the part of a diplomatic noble."
Smiling wryly, Noein answered his wife.
"Since Cadne is in that state, the Princess's faction will most likely win... but once that happens, the border won't be under the current state of alert, and the Royal Army generals and Excellency Marcel will be gone, so I'll be the one interacting with the Lancel Kingdom's envoys alone..."
While strengthening defenses in preparation for emergencies, he would also serve as the window for exchange with the neighboring country. He had to ensure he wasn't looked down upon, while also making sure not to be discourteous. It sounded like an incredibly tedious role.
"But if a ceasefire and peace treaty between the two countries are realized, the worry of another invasion will almost vanish. For you, Noein-sama, wouldn't verbal diplomacy be better than constantly staring each other down in tension with weapons drawn?"
"That's certainly true... I suppose this is also for the sake of peace and happiness, huh—"
As Noein leaned sloppily against the sofa and stretched his body, muttering in a listless voice, everyone present laughed softly at his childish gesture.
Though he hated the idea of taking on new responsibilities, if it meant protecting the peace of his beloved citizens and thereby protecting his own happiness, he had no other choice.
"In the end, it's fine to proceed with the expansion of the territorial army as we are now, right?"
Being addressed by Pence, Noein answered while heaving himself up.
"Yeah. The fact that we handle the border defense doesn't change. Even if Princess Henrietta takes the throne and adopts a moderate line, there's no guarantee that will continue forever... So, Pence, and of course Yuri, I'll continue to rely on you for the training of new recruits."
"Understood."
"Yeah, leave it to me."
Just because they could build a friendly relationship with the neighboring country did not mean they could neglect defense. Friendship between nations can break in an instant. In fact, the friendship between the Roadberg Kingdom and the Lancel Kingdom, which had lasted for approximately sixty years, was severed by the rise of a single tyrant.
Since a second Cadne might appear eventually, the expansion of the Arqvist territorial army would continue.
"The policy of increasing the population also remains the same, so the Royal Family should continue sending immigrants. In the end, what we do doesn't change... so I think there will be more occasions where I'll have to ask everyone in internal affairs to keep working hard."
"Yes, I will manage the territory's budget with that in mind."
"Please leave the supervision of farmers and the management of increased food production to me."
"The Women's Association will also continue to provide assistance regarding the immigrants' living conditions."
"Thank you. I'm counting on you."
When Anna, Edgar, and Mai spoke, Noein answered with a smile.
Though they had been frantic due to the sudden visit of the envoy, in the end, the role of the Arqvist territory within the kingdom and the things Noein and the others had to do remained unchanged. Having confirmed that, the atmosphere in the room relaxed further, turning into idle chatter over tea.
"...Still, to think I'd reunite with that noble from back then. Just as Baron Bartholomew said, the world really is small."
"...Regarding that matter, I am truly sorry, Noein-sama."
"Yes, I also... I am sorry, Excellency."
When Noein mentioned it as a sudden thought, Matilda and Yuri bowed their heads with solemn expressions.
"...It's rare for Yuri to make a mistake that he'd apologize for in a professional capacity. And even Matilda. What happened?"
"Ah, actually. The opponent they fought during the great war in the southwest three years ago was—"
To Mai, who raised an eyebrow seeing the sudden apologies, and to Anna, Edgar, and Clara, who also looked surprised, Noein explained the scene that occurred when he faced Baron Bartholomew.
"...I see, so that's what happened."
"It must have been a complete coincidence, but still, what incredible odds."
After hearing the story, Anna and Edgar muttered.
"I think it was only natural to be cautious about that. There was a possibility the Baron had grasped information about me from somewhere and was actually plotting an assassination. The envoy himself might have been a trap... so neither of you needs to apologize. Rather, thank you for protecting me so well."
"...Thank you very much."
"I am grateful, Excellency."
When Noein spoke to Matilda and Yuri, the two answered with solemn faces.
"...I ask that you don't tell anyone other than the veteran retainers that the opposing envoy was an enemy at Barrel Fortress. Especially Kenooze and Boreas—let's make sure the beastmen who fought there at that time don't find out."
"...You're right. To them, he would be one of their enemies."
Edgar answered Noein's words, and the others nodded.
The outbreak of the great war three years ago was not something Baron Bartholomew had decided, and since the situation had changed, Noein, as a noble, could accept that there are times when one shakes hands with someone they once crossed swords with. The retainers would likely understand as well.
However, even so, Baron Bartholomew had been a member of the enemy army that killed Jinozze and others, and at that time, there were those in the Arqvist territorial army who were seriously injured, losing fingers or limbs. If they heard that Noein sat at the same table, conversed, and shook hands with such an opponent, there would be many who could not remain indifferent. It was not a story to be spread lightly.
"...First, we'll see how the Royal Family's reply to Princess Henrietta turns out around the week after next."
"I doubt it will be a ceasefire without conditions. That would be too lenient."
"The southwest nobles who were placed at the forefront of the war wouldn't be satisfied either. Cession of territory... no, perhaps a request for reparations would be easier to understand. Either way, it depends on His Majesty the King's thoughts."
While nodding at Yuri's opinion, Noein muttered his own prediction.
The one to decide how to answer the Lancel Kingdom's proposal was Oscar Roadberg III. Noein, as a noble holding territory along the border, would simply convey the King's intentions.