Chapter 294 - Episode 287: Ceasefire Established
"I am General Donald Patterson, Commander-in-Chief of the Western Army of the Republic of Betumia. I thank you for attending this council."
"I am Grand Legion Commander Irene Foster, Deputy Commander of the Western Army."
The day after receiving the proposal for a ceasefire, Noein stood facing the generals of the Republic of Betumia's army in the west at a council meeting held roughly midway between the capital of Count Ahatz's territory and the encampment of the combined forces of the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Kingdom of Lancel.
General Patterson was a man with the air of an elderly gentleman, giving the impression of being a decent and capable soldier.
"I am Viscount Noein Arqvist, General of the Roadberg Kingdom's Western Army. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, I am Count Edmund Marcel."
"I am Marquis Auguste Paradir, Commander-in-Chief of the Lancel Kingdom's Army. Beside me is Viscount Chloe Tajinette, the Deputy Commander. We are merely attending as representatives of the Roadberg Kingdom's allied forces, so please pay us no mind."
Noein's side finished their greetings, and they sat together at the prepared council table. Noein locked eyes with Grand Legion Commander Foster for a single moment, but since they were currently enemies, he naturally did not attempt to exchange personal words.
Though the location was outdoors, a tent had been pitched, a massive carpet laid out, and expensive tables and chairs—likely brought from the Ahatz estate—had been lined up. The dignity required for a meeting between generals of great armies was, for the most part, maintained.
The reason for holding the council outdoors was for the security of both parties. The meeting place was constructed exactly halfway between the two armies, keeping a distance from both main bodies. Since the surrounding area was a plain, there was no way to launch a surprise attack.
"Now then, let us get straight to the main point. I believe you have heard from the messenger we sent yesterday, but it has been decided that the Republic of Betumia's army will cease its invasion of the Roadberg Kingdom and that all forces will withdraw to the home country. During that time, we ask that both sides cease all combat operations, and we request your country's cooperation so that we may leave the Roadberg Kingdom swiftly."
"Yes, we have received instructions from His Majesty King Oscar Roadberg III. We shall cooperate to ensure your country's withdrawal is carried out swiftly."
Noein nodded with a calm expression at General Patterson's words. Since both sides had received instructions from their respective commanders-in-chief on this point, there was no room for disagreement.
The Republic of Betumia's army, holed up in the ports, no longer possessed any proper invasive capability, but the Roadberg Kingdom was equally lacking in leeway. Rather, the level of national destitution was higher on their side.
After all, they were fighting a total war in the year following a poor harvest. Food shortages and economic paralysis. A lack of labor in the farming villages due to the conscription of the people into military force. The situation was extremely grave.
They didn't even have enough food to feed their own soldiers. They had no luxury to detain a large number of enemy prisoners and engage in slow negotiations. While they could pin the enemy in the ports, they lacked the remaining strength to annihilate them completely. If the enemy said they were going home, the honest truth was that they wanted to wave them off with both hands.
As for the formal peace treaty after the ceasefire, that was for the leaders of the two nations—King Oscar in the case of the Roadberg Kingdom, and the politicians in the case of the Republic of Betumia—to consider; it was not something for Noein and the others, who were merely field commanders, to discuss.
The problem lay in the specific discussions that followed. Noein's job was to bring the current combat and chaos to a conclusion as quickly as possible.
To minimize their losses even slightly, the Republic of Betumia's army would likely try to carry away valuable spoils of war if there was any opening. Noein had to prevent this as much as possible, protecting the kingdom's assets while swiftly driving only the Betumian soldiers back to their home country.
"I am grateful. Now, regarding the period until withdrawal, we estimate that it will take approximately one and a half to two months for all Republic of Betumia soldiers in western Roadberg to depart. Regarding food and—"
"No, one month. Anything more than that cannot be permitted."
When Noein spoke, General Patterson, whose speech had been interrupted, showed a slightly puzzled expression.
"If you are simply putting your soldiers on transport ships to return home, a complete withdrawal within one month should be entirely achievable. However, if you intend to load the spoils of war gathered at the ports—currency that originally belonged to our country, precious metals, jewels, artworks, mineral resources, carriages, horses, livestock, and so on—you will not make it in time."
"...And if the one-month deadline passes?"
"At that point, any remaining forces of the Republic of Betumia will be regarded as having the intention to continue combat, and we will resume our attacks."
Noein answered the general's question with a fearless smile.
Since the leaders of the Republic of Betumia had decided to withdraw to cut their losses, no reinforcements for continued warfare would come to the western invasion army. In such a state, if Noein and the others resumed their attacks, the western invasion army of the Republic of Betumia remaining at that time would meet a miserable end.
General Patterson had no choice but to give up on loading the spoils of war and withdraw within one month, as Noein demanded. There was no room for choice.
"If you wish for no further casualties among your soldiers, you must withdraw swiftly without taking unnecessary items. We will not permit any further looting in our country. I believe this is a request that should naturally be accepted."
"...Very well, I understand."
General Patterson nodded, though a sour expression crossed his face.
"I am glad you understand. On our end, we shall strive to ensure that your soldiers still scattered in the southwest of the kingdom can return safely. We will mobilize our own soldiers to recover the Betumian soldiers and deliver them here."
"...Will you be using 'Angel's Honey' during that process?"
"We will not. If we are to have a ceasefire, we will not commit any acts of harm whatsoever. Please be at ease."
Noein answered with a smile to General Patterson, whose face had stiffened. Even a cornered rat will bite the cat. He did not want to be the rat bitten by a cornered cat.
The subsequent detailed discussions proceeded without a hitch, and a formal ceasefire between the two armies in the west of the kingdom was established.
.....
Having finished the council, Noein returned to the headquarters of the encampment for the time being and sank into a chair. As the tension broke, he leaned his weight against the backrest somewhat sloppily.
"Once it was decided they would retreat, they became quite compliant... Is the war really over now?"
"We can breathe a sigh of relief for now, but my head starts to ache when I think about the future. With the southern part of the kingdom suffering this much damage, the impact on the north will be immeasurable."
To Noein's sigh, Count Marcel answered, looking somewhat exhausted for once.
The misfortunes of a poor harvest and war occurred one after another; in the war specifically, many lord-nobles died, many villages were destroyed, and many people were abducted. There were likely many deaths among the people due to hunger and acts of destruction. With the loss of trade with the Republic of Betumia, the economy of the south would also take a hit.
It was inevitable that this influence would ripple to the north. For Noein and the others who held territories in the north, it would not be a matter of returning to their lands after the war and having daily life immediately return to normal.
There would also be the matter of the nobles' emotions. Although it was unavoidable given the circumstances, it had effectively become a war where they only lost. Especially for the southern nobles. There was not much King Oscar could give them to soothe their resentment. Exhaustive praise, decorated honors, and—
"Likely, using the rewarding of merit as a pretext, a reorganization of territories in the south will be carried out. Lands that became vacant due to the death of the lord's family will be granted as rewards to the surviving southern nobles, or to the departmental nobles of the center and court nobles who achieved great merit."
"...It seems the power map within the country will change significantly,"
muttered Frederick, who had been listening to the conversation.
"Indeed. The power dynamics between the noble factions will become different from before. You all should think about how to conduct yourselves. Especially Viscount Arqvist, as you stood out terribly this time."
At Count Marcel's words, Noein gave a wry smile.
"...To be honest, for a while, I'd like to stay quiet in my territory and avoid standing out as much as possible."
"That likely won't be possible. You presented a strategy unprecedented in the past and saved the kingdom, and in the defensive battle of the west, you led a great army and brilliantly halted the enemy's invasion. Eventually, you will be granted a reward at the royal palace... On the other hand, regarding the strategy using 'Angel's Honey,' there will continue to be those who critique it as they please. For better or worse, you will be the center of attention from now on."
"I figured it would turn out like that... it's difficult."
"Hahaha, Noein-dono is skilled at standing out despite his own intentions."
Frederick laughed, seeing Noein holding his head in his hands.
"...Also, Viscount Arqvist, be prepared to leave here and head to Laden in Count Kivileft's territory. Plan to depart once there is a prospect that the Betumian western invasion army has completed their withdrawal within the deadline."
When Count Marcel suddenly spoke, Noein looked blankly at him.
"Me, to Count Kivileft's territory?"
"That is correct. In the east, because the number of enemies is greater, the withdrawal will take more time. Once that is finished, it will be the peace treaty. I do not know if a proper peace treaty will actually be established, but... His Majesty the King desires that you be present at the council for the peace treaty."
Hearing this, Noein's face became even more puzzled.
"I do not believe I am a necessary person..."
"It is not that you are expected to do something at the council. Rather, he intends to bring Minister of Military Affairs Burkhard, Minister of Internal Affairs Skeggjason, Marquis Bechtolsheim, Marquis Staufenberg, Marquis Bittenfeld, and other major figures. He wants you to join them as the General of the Western Army... In other words, it is simply a matter of participating in lining up in great numbers before the opponent to intimidate them."
"Ah, I see."
In short, this was King Oscar's arrangement to grant Noein the honor of surrounding and threatening the representatives of the Republic of Betumia—who had acted so insolently—alongside the great nobles.
"Will you not be participating, Lord Marcel?"
"No. Rather, I joined as a replacement, serving as the General of the Western Army in exchange for sending you to Count Kivileft's territory... Between myself, who was merely a front-line commander, and you, who presented the strategy that saved the kingdom itself, it takes no thought to decide which of us is more suitable to sit at the peace table."
Saying so, Count Marcel—if Noein's memory was correct, for the first time since they met—smiled toward Noein.
"Noein Arqvist. There are many parts of your thoughts and values that I cannot understand. However, I can understand that those who will create the coming era are not middle-aged knights like myself, but youths like you... You should obtain the honor of standing before the Betumian representatives alongside His Majesty. Understood?"
"...Yes."
"Good."
Count Marcel tightened his expression again and left the tent.
"That is the first time I have seen Count Marcel-kakka make such an expression. Isn't that amazing, Noein-dono?"
"...Can I consider that I've been acknowledged?"
Noein answered Frederick's words with a dazed face.
"No matter how you look at it, that's exactly what it was. Shouldn't you feel proud?"
"...I suppose so. Hehe. Hehehehe."
Noein wore a grinning, loose-lipped smile. Seeing this, Frederick's expression became slightly ambiguous.
To Noein, Count Marcel was a senior to be respected as a lord-noble—a person possessing a masculinity, strength, and spirit that Noein lacked. To be clearly acknowledged by that Count was a happy occurrence that made it impossible not to smile.