Chapter 389 - Episode 381: Post-War Situation
About ten days had passed since the battle in the Fioluviki Gorge was decided.
The burial of corpses, the organization of prisoners, and other general clean-ups of the battlefield were largely complete, and the Kingdom of Revelant was gradually returning from wartime to peacetime. The number of conscripted soldiers from the citizenry was being reduced, with several hundred men mobilized in rotation to handle border security and further post-war processing.
Additionally, preparations were underway for the return of prisoners in exchange for ransoms. The swifter nations had already sent envoys for negotiations, and the nobles of the Kingdom of Revelant were handling them.
Furthermore, these envoys brought information regarding the current state of the Kingdom of Virgoa and its vassal states following the death of Kaia Virgoa.
"—And so, it seems that Kaia Virgoa's still-young legitimate son is utterly incapable of uniting the vassal states, and the centripetal force of the Virgoa Royal Family, having lost its formidable military power, is rapidly diminishing. Some nations have already begun to renounce their subordination to the Kingdom of Virgoa to defect or regain independence, and it is expected that this trend will accelerate in the future."
The one explaining this to Noein, who was staying at the royal castle of Kurutaveski while helping with post-war processing, was the knight Beverstamm, a noble in charge of foreign affairs. They were using one of the conference rooms in the royal castle.
"I see... Then it seems there is no worry about the Kingdom of Virgoa and its umbrella nations becoming a threat again. Especially since Cadne, who served as the strategist, is also dead."
"I believe that is correct. I considered the possibility of the nations that defected from the Kingdom of Virgoa forming a league among themselves... but there seems to be no such fear. Rather, it appears that conflicts are beginning to arise even among those nations."
"Even among those nations? I heard that the region around Virgoa was originally an area where relations between nations were not that strained..."
As Noein raised an eyebrow in surprise, Beverstamm nodded and spoke again.
"It seems that the current war has cracked those relations. How close their relationship was with the Kingdom of Virgoa. How much benefit they received from the Kingdom of Virgoa. What role they played in the recent battle. Since the situation differs for each country, it seems that seeds of resentment were born from those reasons."
"Ah..."
Noein muttered in understanding, a bitter expression crossing their face.
"I am told that among them, there are nations that engaged in friendly fire while fleeing the recent battle, or fought over supplies and equipment while retreating to their own lands. Furthermore, there were examples where a nation that had submitted to Kaia's authority earlier had sent troops to invade and annex another nation... and it is said that this is now creating new resentments."
"...I see, that would certainly cause friction."
From the perspective of a nation brought under the control of the Kingdom of Virgoa later, a nation that had submitted to the Kingdom of Virgoa earlier was, in other words, a nation that had invaded their own land alongside the Kingdom of Virgoa. Now that their common suzerain, Kaia Virgoa, was dead, it was not strange for those nations to begin opposing one another.
"It seems that such a background is why several nations are rushing the negotiations for the return of prisoners. Since there are many nobles and retainers among the prisoners, they likely want to recover their main fighting force before conflicts with neighboring countries escalate in earnest. To the point where some nations are unusually generous with their ransom payments, or even offer to pay reparations of their own accord to express their apologies, in an attempt to rebuild a favorable relationship with our country, which is now held in high regard even in the northern part of the continent."
"Hahaha, your country will have a hard time from here on as well."
Noein responded with a bitter smile to Beverstamm, who was speaking with a wry laugh.
Relationships between nations shift. Diplomacy is where "yesterday's enemy is today's friend" happens as a matter of course. It was only natural that nations would want to leave the declining Kingdom of Virgoa to deepen their relations with the Kingdom of Revelant, and by extension, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and the southern part of the continent behind it.
"I believe my lord will also speak with you at a later date, but I expect there will be many occasions in the future where we will need to borrow the strength of His Excellency the Grand Duke of Arqvist. In those instances, I humbly ask..."
"Yes, if there is anything I can do to be of help, I will provide support as much as possible."
"I am grateful. I believe my lord will also be pleased."
After seeing off Beverstamm, who bowed politely and left the room, Noein turned toward Yuri, Pence, and Gustav, who were present.
"It seems this country still has a long way to go."
"There will likely be many situations where our country becomes involved from now on."
"Especially in terms of military affairs, the Kingdom of Revelant alone is a bit unreliable. They'll definitely want to borrow our hand."
"There will probably be many times when it's better for us, the Claymore, to be in this country..."
Of course, support is met with rewards, so there were further profits the Grand Duchy of Arqvist could gain by being involved in the post-war processing of the Kingdom of Revelant. Specifically, resources such as garnets received as gratitude for lending a hand.
However, neither Noein nor the subordinates spoke of such things now. This was the royal castle of the Revelant Royal Family, and there was no knowing who was eavesdropping. They would not feel good if they knew their own distress was being seen as a time to make a profit.
"True. There will be many scenes where you all will have to demonstrate your strength in my stead... but for now, it's about time to head home."
.....
A few days later, the army of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist led by Noein finally set out to return home.
That said, not everyone could return immediately. Among the Claymore, one squad of four people was to remain to assist the Kingdom of Revelant. The personnel would be rotated with a squad from the home country later, but since they could not leave a gap in the period, Alain's squad remained for the time being.
Additionally, among the soldiers who suffered heavy injuries in battle, several who could not yet withstand long-distance travel were to be left in the care of the Kingdom of Revelant until they recovered. They were scheduled to return home in conjunction with the Claymore rotation once they had recovered enough to endure the long journey.
"Then, Grand Duke Arqvist, I pray for your safety on the road back. You were truly a help this time. It is thanks to your country's assistance that my country can survive. I wish to express my gratitude once more. No matter how much I say it, my gratitude is never-ending."
Gabriel called out to Noein and the others as they were preparing to cross the mountains and depart. Beside him, the Queen also bowed her head while politely uttering words of thanks.
"I am glad I could be of use. Since I am receiving sufficient rewards, let us build a relationship between our two countries on equal footing from now on."
Noein answered with a small, wry smile. To be honest, they had heard words of thanks to the point of boredom, both immediately after the battle and at the banquet celebrating the victory the other day. From Gabriel, from the Queen, and from their subordinates.
"Please continue to be a friend to our country. As neighboring nations, let us walk the path of co-prosperity while helping each other."
It would be troublesome if they felt an excessive sense of debt, but Noein spoke with the intention that they should not forget that a favor had been granted, and that they should lend a hand if the Grand Duchy of Arqvist ever fell into crisis.
"Yes, I promise that when your country needs help, my country will provide as much assistance as possible. I swear it upon my name."
Correctly grasping that intention, Gabriel spoke. Noein returned a satisfied smile.
"Also, it seems my daughter has something she wishes to tell you... Helga."
Prompted by Gabriel, Helga Revelant, who had been standing behind him alongside the Queen, stepped forward.
Noein directed a smile toward her, so that she, who had a somewhat nervous expression, would find it as easy as possible to speak.
After the war ended, she looked terribly exhausted and always wore an expression as if she were deep in thought. Noein was purely interested in how her state of mind had changed through this battle and what kind of words she would address to them now.
"U-um, Excellency Arqvist."
Helga began, her face still tense.