Chapter 441 - Episode 424: Precious Peace
The outbreak of Herzgenheim disease, which had spread from the northern part of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, completely subsided by the late summer of the fifth year of the Public Calendar.
And from the autumn of that year onward, and further into the following year, the sixth year of the Public Calendar, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist enjoyed peace.
It was not only the Grand Duchy. The Kingdom of Rhodeberg, the Kingdom of Lancel, and even the nations north of the Lestio Mountains, starting with the Kingdom of Reveland—many nations spent a tranquil time.
Small skirmishes occurred several times on the border between the Kingdom of Rhodeberg and the Empire of Pallas to the east, but for both nations, that was a daily occurrence. As long as there were no large-scale clashes, it would not be an exaggeration to say it was peaceful.
Noein, the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, also enjoyed this peace that lasted over a year. He fully enjoyed a peace that felt like a dream, or perhaps like a precursor to some great event.
Then, in December of the sixth year of the Public Calendar—which converts to the year 225 of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg's royal calendar—Noein had been invited to the year-end banquet of the Northwestern Faction and was visiting Bechtoria, the capital of the Marquis Bechtolsheim territory.
"Grand Duke Arqvist, welcome to my estate. And Lord Frederick Koenitz, thank you for coming as well."
"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Bechtolsheim."
"We are in your care for this evening."
The night of the banquet. Marquis Siegfried Bechtolsheim greeted Noein, who had arrived at the Marquis's estate, and Frederick, who had shared the Grand Ducal carriage.
The reason he, the head of the Marquis's house, went out of his way to descend to the cold entrance to greet them was to demonstrate through his attitude that he respected Noein, who was higher in rank. The reason Frederick had ridden in the Grand Ducal carriage was to demonstrate through action that the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist and the Earl Koenitz house were on such intimate terms. In aristocratic society, every single one of these actions contains some sort of intention.
"Now, it is cold outside. Please come inside. Many nobles have already arrived in the hall."
Guided by Siegfried himself, Noein and the others headed toward the estate's hall, the venue for the banquet.
As they passed through the doors and entered the hall, the attention of the nobles gathered on Noein, whether he liked it or not.
Though formally no longer a member of the Northwestern Faction, he was the master of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, which still held strong ties to the Northwestern Faction both geographically and economically. An important figure who held the strategic trade hub between the northwest of the Kingdom and the Kingdom of Lancel within his territory. A success story who had risen in a single generation from a petty noble to a great noble with his own country.
And a great man, or perhaps an abnormal person, who held various aliases such as "Wyvern Slayer," "Orc Kaiser Slayer," and "The Devil of Bezel."
That was Noein Arqvist. There was no one who did not direct their consciousness toward Noein's appearance.
Without worrying about the gazes directed at him, Noein stepped further into the hall. By Noein's side, as always, Matilda stood waiting.
The faces gathering at these Northwestern Faction social events had changed slightly compared to when Noein first joined the faction as a Baronet, and overall, they had grown younger. This was because there were not a few who had grown old and handed the family headship to their successors, or had begun preparations to do so.
For example, Earl Anton Shuvalov, who had been an old man at the time of Noein's joining the faction, had already handed the headship to his son and was reportedly enjoying a retired life, so he was no longer present here. Marquis Bechtolsheim, the leader of the faction, was also maneuvering so that his daughter Edelgard, who would soon succeed him, could be the center of conversation while he brought her along.
Amidst this, there were familiar faces.
"Grand Duke Arqvist, it has been a long time."
"Ah, Lord Marcel. I am glad to see you are doing well. It has been a year, hasn't it?"
Having parted with Frederick for the moment, Noein responded with a smile to Earl Edmund Marcel, who had approached to offer greetings.
Compared to when they first met, Earl Marcel's attitude toward Noein had become soft, as if he were a different person. This was precisely because Noein had won his respect through actual strength.
"How was it, this past year?"
"Let me see... I can only say it was tranquil. Of course, peace is better than anything else, but as a noble who values martial prowess, it was a bit boring."
"Ahaha. Indeed, for Lord Marcel, it may have been an unsatisfying year."
Noein answered with a faint, bitter smile.
Just as Earl Marcel said, this past year had been without any particular incident, simply and utterly peaceful. It was as if it were a lie that for the past dozen-odd years, some noteworthy event had happened every single year.
Noein, too, had spent almost all his time shut away in the Grand Duchy, striving during the day with his vassals for the further development of that utopia, and spending tranquil times with his family during nights and holidays. He occasionally left the country for social reasons, but every social event had been extremely peaceful.
This was the ideal form of life. He truly felt that it would be wonderful if such days, such a year, continued forever.
"Lord Arqvist! I have wanted to see you!"
"It has been a long time, Lord Baron."
While Noein and Earl Marcel were talking, Baron Tobias Oggoren and Baron Noah Wikander also arrived. Facing his trustworthy friends, Noein showed a heartfelt smile.
The time of the banquet, closing out a peaceful year, passed harmoniously.
.....
"Lord Arqvist, my apologies for stopping you."
"No, it is an invitation from none other than Lord Bechtolsheim."
Late at night, as the banquet came to a close. Noein, who had been about to return to his lodging with Frederick, was stopped by Marquis Bechtolsheim. He was told, "There are a few things I wish to discuss, so if you are willing, shall the two of us share a light drink?"
Noein was not so dull as to not realize that this was not a mere invitation, but that there was some important matter.
Responding to the invitation while appearing relaxed on the surface but braced internally, he had come to this point.
"First, please have a glass. This is the highest grade of wine ordered from the Marquis Galdwin territory."
"Thank you. Since this is a private setting, please speak freely. As we did in the old days."
"...Then, I shall do so."
As Noein spoke while wine was poured into his glass, Marquis Bechtolsheim nodded.
Noein took a sip of the wine and thought while offering a safe impression.
He had been guided to a small room for social use. Inside the room were Noein and his attendant Matilda, Marquis Bechtolsheim, and only Edelgard, who stood behind him acting as a guard.
From the fact that he brought no attendants other than his successor, Edelgard, it was clear that what was about to be discussed was a matter of extreme confidentiality.
"So, Lord Bechtolsheim. What is this matter?"
After engaging in some trivial small talk for a while, Noein asked.
Marquis Bechtolsheim set down his wine glass, cleared his throat slightly, and after confirming once more that the room's door was closed, he opened his mouth.
"A top-secret royal order has arrived, telling me to convey to Grand Duke Noein Arqvist that he is to proceed to the royal capital, Lichthagen. Immediately after the new year begins, as early as possible."
"...A top-secret royal order. And immediately after the new year... that is not peaceful at all,"
Noein answered, stopping his smile.
"Furthermore, for Lord Bechtolsheim to go out of his way to tell me in person..."
"Yes, I was told to ensure that the public does not find out that you are heading to the royal capital as much as possible. A messenger directly under the royal house went out of his way to visit Bechtoria to convey the royal order orally. To take information leak countermeasures to this extent... there must be some extraordinary situation."
They did not want the public to know that the Grand Duke of Arqvist had been summoned by the King. There was a matter that required summoning an important person in absolute secrecy.
Surely some tremendous hassle is waiting. Thinking this, Noein let out a sigh.
"Perhaps these peaceful days are coming to an end."
"Hahaha, do not be so pessimistic. We have not yet heard His Majesty's business."
"His Majesty would not say it if it weren't a very troublesome story, given that I have to come while hiding. To ensure my disappointment isn't too great later, I'll be disappointed now."
Noein took a sip of wine while showing a slightly sulky demeanor.