Chapter 469 - Episode 452: Return
The Second Betumia War. That was the name used for convenience by nobles and military men, and it was likely the name that would remain in history for this great war. The combat itself came to a close in the autumn of the Royal Calendar year 226 with the victory of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg.
However, when armies numbering in the tens of thousands clash, and when great powers conclude a peace treaty afterward, the post-war processing is prolonged. The enemy prisoners, combining those who surrendered at Osterreich and the deserters captured throughout the country, reached nearly fifty thousand, and simply deciding their immediate treatment was a struggle in itself.
Even creating a place to temporarily house fifty thousand people was no easy task. Many earth mages and laborers had to be mobilized to set up their temporary dwellings. Baron Viowulf Rosbroke, a peerless earth mage, found himself forced to spend every day doing nothing but building longhouses made of earth.
While managing the prisoners, post-war negotiations were held with the provisional government of Betumia. Negotiations for the exchange of Betumian prisoners and Rhodeberg citizens who had been enslaved. Negotiations for the payment of reparations from the Republic of Betumia. Negotiations toward the conclusion of a formal peace treaty. Civil officials from both countries met day and night, and concrete discussions progressed little by little.
After all, the exchange of prisoners and citizens alone meant that seventy to eighty thousand people in total would be traveling across the great ocean between the two nations. On what schedule would the exchange occur? How many people needed to be returned with priority? Just confirming and organizing the schedule required an enormous amount of effort.
While this post-war processing took place, work toward post-war reconstruction also began.
No matter how one-sided the victory in the battle had been, the Kingdom of Rhodeberg also suffered damage. There were almost no human casualties among the populace, but villages and cities that had been abandoned because they lay in the enemy's path were ransacked, and their reconstruction required a corresponding amount of funds and manpower.
The costs for this reconstruction and the costs to hire the necessary manpower were, for the time being, paid from the royal treasury. The royal family's expenditures would later be compensated by the reparations paid by the Republic of Betumia.
As various tasks progressed, the forces of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, which had totaled seventy thousand, were scaled down as each unit was disbanded in due time. The nobles and royalty of neighboring countries who had participated in the war returned their soldiers, leaving behind only a representative delegation.
The Grand Duchy of Arqvist army also returned all soldiers to the home country, leaving only Noein, the regular army serving as his guards, and a portion of the Claymore. This was because keeping nearly ten percent of the population deployed for too long would affect the maintenance of society in the home country.
The reason Noein remained in the Kingdom of Rhodeberg for a long time was so that Noein himself could voice his opinion on the distribution of reparations obtained from Betumia and secure a reasonable amount of distribution.
Those discussions finally reached a conclusion in mid-November. The season was already about to enter winter. At this stage, Noein finally finished his immediate work and decided on his return home.
"I am sorry it took so long, Grand Duke Arqvist."
Oscar, who had come personally to see off Noein as he prepared to depart for the return journey, spoke with a faint, bitter smile.
"No. Rather, it is an unexpected blessing for me that a return home within this year is possible. I am grateful for Your Majesty's consideration."
To this, Noein replied with a smile.
"...I see. It helps me as well to hear you say that. My own country will likely be in a state of commotion for a while, but by the middle of next year, we should be able to hold a victory banquet in the royal capital."
"Thank you. Please do not worry."
Noein replied thus and departed under Oscar's send-off.
The carriage procession steadily advanced along the roads of the southern Kingdom of Rhodeberg, where the air had grown quite cold.
From the vicinity of Osterreich to the royal capital. From there, in a northwesterly direction. According to the plan, they were expected to arrive at the Grand Duchy of Arqvist in about three weeks. Leaving all the practical matters of travel to his subordinates, Noein simply swayed inside the carriage.
"—As I thought, if I am to send Eleos to study abroad, it will probably be next year? If the reconstruction of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg continues at this pace, it seems it will progress faster than I thought. By around next autumn, the royal capital, Lichthagen, should be settled down as well."
"I believe there will be no problem. Eleos-sama will turn ten next year, and he is an intelligent person who has inherited Noein-sama's talent. I believe he will learn much and make many school friends even at the High School in Lichthagen."
What Noein was consulting Matilda about as a matter of small talk was the future education of his heir, Eleos.
The Grand Ducal Noeina High School had developed considerably, but it still could not compete with the royal capital's High School of the great power that was the Kingdom of Rhodeberg. Furthermore, in Lichthagen, one of the leading giant cities in the southern continent, he could experience many stimulations that he could not receive while staying in the Grand Duchy.
For the sake of Eleos's education, and to let him see the wide world, Noein was considering sending him to study in Lichthagen.
The war was over. Peace had been won. Noein was looking toward the future.
...
In mid-December, the party of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army reached their homeland.
The season had already entered winter, but the homeland he saw after a long time was warm. Even more so since everyone welcomed them with fervor.
The return from a deployment lasting approximately half a year brought a deep sense of emotion to Noein.
While the residents of the ducal capital, Noeina, waved their hands in welcome, the line of carriages headed toward the Arqvist Grand Ducal mansion. While Grand Duchess Clara, the subordinates, and the servants welcomed them, Noein stepped down from the carriage together with Matilda.
Yuri and the other military subordinates who had deployed together also dismounted or stepped down from their carriages.
"His Excellency Grand Duke Noein Arqvist. I am truly happy from the bottom of my heart that you have returned safely. Welcome home."
"Thank you. Thank you all for the trouble of welcoming me."
While the subordinates and servants bowed in unison, Noein and Clara first exchanged words as the Grand Duke and his consort.
And next, they smiled at each other as husband and wife.
"...I'm home, Clara."
"Welcome home, dear."
First, they took one step toward each other. Approaching a few more steps, Clara could not hold back and rushed toward Noein, embracing him with both arms as if to envelop the Noein who was shorter than herself.
"...I am truly glad you are safe. I missed you. I love you."
"I missed you too. Clara, I love you."
Noein also wrapped his arms around Clara's back, and they embraced each other tightly. After doing so for a while, they separated their bodies and then exchanged a light kiss.
"Matilda-san, welcome home as well."
"I have returned, Clara-sama."
Clara then exchanged words with Matilda. As comrades who loved Noein, the two embraced.
"...Father. Welcome home."
"Welcome home!"
"I'm home, Eleos, Philia."
Noein also exchanged words with Eleos, who was leading his younger sister's hand, and Philia, who was being led by her older brother.
He tightly embraced Philia, who had rushed forward and jumped into his chest, and patted the head of Eleos, who had approached with a steady gait but a happy expression.
While Noein and the others rejoiced in their reunion, the subordinates also rejoiced in their respective reunions.
Dant, Rick, and Gustav, who had returned earlier with the Reserve Corps soldiers, offered words of appreciation to their comrades-in-arms, and those of the returning group who exchanged words with them walked toward their respective families.
Yuri went to Mai and the children. Pence went to Rosetta and the children. Radley went to Gina and the children. Alain went to Mary and the child. Conrad also went to his wife and children.
The soldiers also reunited with their respective families, rejoicing in their safe return.
This time, not a single person was missing, and the return to the homeland was achieved. With everything he had cultivated, everything he had prepared, and everything he had built up, Noein had brought everyone back alive.
"Dear, it is cold outside. For now, please come inside and relax. You must be exhausted from the long deployment."
"You're right. I'm very tired... It's nostalgic, being in our home after so long."
Like when he returned from the long deployment seven years ago, but with a feeling far more refreshing and bright than seven years ago, Noein passed through the door of the mansion, his beloved home.
He had returned. Having won the future and peace, he had returned alive.
Wrapped in an overflowing happiness, Noein entered his home together with his family.
The next update will be on December 30th.
The update after that, on January 3rd, will bring the main story to a temporary conclusion. Thank you for your support until the end.