Chapter 470 - Episode 453: Afterward
The early spring of Royal Calendar year 227, following the winter after the Second Betumia War ended in a great victory.
At the royal castle in Lichthagen, the capital of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, Oscar Rhodeberg III was meeting with the plenipotentiary ambassador of the Betumia Republic's provisional government.
"—And so, Your Majesty. We shall ensure that the first installment of the reparations is paid by June."
"I am counting on you. Please give my regards to Prime Minister Woodmel."
"Understood. I shall certainly convey them."
What the plenipotentiary ambassador had come to deliver was a New Year's greeting from the acting Prime Minister. Along with that, a brief confirmation had been made regarding the payment of reparations from the Betumia side, which was a condition of the peace treaty.
The reparations, which amounted to a colossal sum, were scheduled to be paid over five years. In the practical execution of the payments, the annual amount would be further split into two installments, resulting in a total of ten payments.
After seeing the ambassador leave the room, Oscar relaxed and leaned back in his chair.
"...Finally, a substantial amount of money is coming in."
Count Ragnal Burkhard, the Minister of Military Affairs, and Count Elishka Novacek, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who were present, gave a wry smile upon seeing Oscar's attitude.
While the Second Betumia War was a battle in which the Kingdom of Rhodeberg achieved a great victory, they had still mobilized tens of thousands of troops and strategically abandoned villages and cities along the highway connecting the royal capital and Osterreich, resulting in considerable economic loss.
This war had come after substantial expenditures from the national treasury to rebuild the country from the great war seven years ago. Then there was the need to secure reconstruction costs afterward. The royal family's financial situation had become quite dire.
And now, in a few more months, a vast sum of several billion Rebro would arrive. With this, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"For now, there are no particularly major concerns around the country. The days of fighting are over..."
"If the reparations can be used for internal affairs, the Kingdom of Rhodeberg will surely achieve further development under Your Majesty's reign."
"Having protected the kingdom from two invasions, achieved a peace treaty entirely in our favor, and further accomplished domestic development, Your Majesty's name will be carved into history as the founder of the kingdom's restoration."
At the flattering words spoken by the two ministers, Oscar laughed softly and looked to the side—at the wall of the audience chamber, where portraits of successive kings were lined up.
"Founder of the restoration, huh... If I am called that, it wouldn't be bad."
His reign would likely continue for another ten years, and there was still much work left unfinished. However, at the very least, he had overcome the days of upheaval. He couldn't say, even as a joke, that he had done everything perfectly, but he had been able to protect the country from a great power like Betumia.
He hoped that from now on, he could be a monarch who achieved development rather than just maintaining the status quo of the country.
.....
"Father, you seem quite exhausted."
"Indeed. With this and that after the war, the royal capital is utterly hectic. As a noble who has connections in the northwestern part of the kingdom and neighboring countries, and who is also idle, I've ended up meeting with the court nobles day after day. I no longer know for what purpose I moved to the royal capital."
Count Arnold Koenitz, who had returned to the mansion of his own territory for the first time in a while, spoke thus to his eldest son, Frederick, who served as the acting lord.
One reason he had interrupted his leisurely retirement in the royal capital to return temporarily to his territory was that the contact from the court nobles had become far too bothersome.
"The northwest, which ended the war almost unscathed, will play a major role toward the future reconstruction and further development of the kingdom. Especially for the House of Koenitz, which has strong ties with the Archduchy of Arqvist. It is only natural that the court nobles wish to establish connections with you, Father. Even if you are half-retired, you are still the head of our house."
"...About that. Why don't you formally succeed the headship around next year or the year after?"
Arnold brought it up. The reason he had returned this time was to discuss this matter.
"Peace will likely continue for the time being, and other noble houses in the northwest are also proceeding with the change of generations. Lord Shuvalov retired long ago, and His Excellency Bechtolsheim, and even Lord Marcel, have decided to retire. It is a good time for me to step down from the position of head as well."
Edelgard, the eldest daughter of Siegfried, and the eldest son of Count Edmund Marcel both had interactions with Frederick, and since they were all leaning toward the moderate faction, they were relatively on good terms. In order for the northwestern clique to keep pace, it was time to rejuvenate the faction.
There was no great worry about the lack of experience of the head due to rejuvenation. Even if the generation changed, many of the previous generation, like Arnold, would still be alive for the time being. As long as they lived, they could provide advice.
"...I understand. I shall prepare myself mentally from now on."
"Yes, I'm counting on you... A lot has happened, but our era is finally coming to an end."
It had been rewarding. There were many enjoyable things. But he was tired.
He had managed to avoid any major failures that became public knowledge; on the contrary, he had built strong connections with a new neighboring country and even achieved a promotion to Count. As achievements accomplished by his own talent, it was more than enough.
Arnold was satisfied with the days he had spent as the head of the Koenitz family.
.....
"...Everyone seems more energetic than I thought, considering they were treated as slaves in the Betumia Republic."
"According to the Betumia officials, they were given proper meals during the journey home. They must have recovered their strength over these past few weeks," replied Viscount Ernst Alessandri, an aide to Julian Kivileft, who was speaking while watching the first group of Rhodeberg citizens returning from the Betumia Republic at the port of the provincial capital, Laden.
"That is for the best. If they can return to kingdom society immediately, His Majesty will also be pleased... Is the operation of their temporary reception center without issue?"
"For now. However, it was fine because the first group of returnees was small in number, but since the second group and onwards will be more than double the number, reports indicate that the reception center will likely suffer a shortage of manpower."
"I see... The second group arrives in two months, right. Let's increase the staff by then."
"Understood. I shall arrange it as such."
"Yes, I'm counting on you... The real work starts now."
In the return of prisoners and the homecoming of citizens, Laden played an important role. There was much work required of Julian, the lord of the Kivileft territory.
However, Julian had become quite accustomed to the duties of a lord of a large territory with heavy responsibilities.
Surely his parents would be happy with this growth. Thinking this, Julian returned to his mansion. Even after returning, there was still plenty of work to do.
.....
"Honestly, mages are just..."
It was after the end of winter that Baron Viowulf Rosbroke saw a prospect of returning to his own territory. This was because his rare talent as an earth mage was highly valued, and he had been worked to the bone by royal order for reconstruction work and the construction of prisoner camps.
Of course, he received rewards fitting for the unrestrained display of that talent, and there was the benefit of Viowulf personally being granted the title of honorary viscount for his exceptional service during the war and post-war processing, but the day he could return to his peaceful territory had thus been pushed far away.
Viowulf cursed the fate of a mage who possessed a convenient power and was therefore relied upon conveniently, if only for this moment.
"The fact that Your Excellency is where you are now is thanks to your magical talent, so this is quite a luxurious complaint."
"Let me complain as I like, Serjan. I've worked enough to earn it."
Watching Viowulf exchange such idle chatter with the elderly chief attendant while being swayed on a horse, his apprentice Paulo gave a wry smile. Paulo, who was still a child when he was picked up by Viowulf, had now completely become like a young man.
"...Ah, that's right. Paulo."
"What is it, Your Excellency?"
"Why don't you attend the High School in the royal capital starting this autumn?"
"...Me?"
At the sudden talk, Paulo's eyes widened.
"Yes, I mentioned the plan to send my son to study abroad this autumn, didn't I? But, as I thought, I want to attach at least one attendant. As for the donation to enroll a commoner like you, I've secured the means through my recent work... You will soon be a formal attendant of the House of Baron Rosbroke, and age-wise, you'll be in the position of my son's close aide. Use this opportunity to learn much and broaden your horizons."
"...Understood. I shall study with all my heart."
Originally the son of a mercenary, and having once become an orphan with no relatives, he would attend the High School in the royal capital as an attendant to the eldest son of a noble house.
At this dream-like treatment, Paulo tightened his expression.
.....
In Saint-Frere, the capital of the Kingdom of Lancel, Queen Anrietta Lancel was chased by her duties today as well.
"—Then, Your Majesty, we shall proceed with the matter of highway maintenance as described."
"Please do. The maintenance and upkeep of the Bezel Highway is extremely important for our country. Please report the progress periodically."
"As you wish."
Having finished a series of meetings with bureaucrats since the morning, Anrietta finally took a breath. Just then, the sound of a light knock on the door was heard.
"You may come in."
Is another urgent report coming in? Thinking this and sighing, Anrietta permitted entry, and then—
"Mother!"
The one who leaped in as soon as the door opened was her young daughter, who had recently finally learned how to walk and speak.
"Oh my, did you come all the way to the office?"
"I wanted to see Mother!"
Following the beloved daughter who walked with toddling steps, her husband Klaus, who had come as a consort from the Rhodeberg royal family, entered the room with a wry smile.
"Sorry for interrupting your work. She wouldn't listen and said she wanted to see you."
"It's alright. I had just reached a stopping point."
Anrietta returned a wry smile to her husband while picking up her beloved daughter.
"Hey, Mother! Read me a picture book?"
"...Well, it's a bit early, but shall we take a lunch break together?"
Holding the daughter whose eyes sparkled at those words, Anrietta left the room with Klaus.
Both as a queen and as a mother, Anrietta's days were proceeding extremely smoothly.
.....
Kurutaveski, the capital of the Kingdom of Revelant. In its royal castle, Helga, dressed for travel, was being seen off by her father, King Gabriel.
Having finished the fighting in the Kingdom of Rhodeberg and returned home before winter, Helga would head to the Kingdom of Rhodeberg again now that it had become spring. To give New Year's greetings to Oscar Rhodeberg III, and to personally welcome the delegation of bureaucrats and students visiting the northern part of the continent to broaden their horizons from the Kingdom of Rhodeberg.
"Well then, Father, I shall be going."
"Yes, be careful."
As he spoke to Helga, Gabriel's expression was a bit lonely.
"Father? What is the matter?"
"...It is a good thing that you are acting proactively for the future of our country. As a king, it is gratifying that you are steadily achieving results. But... it is indeed lonely that you have come to leave home so often."
In other words, Gabriel was just an ordinary father who found it quite difficult to let go of his child.
"Fufu, you are the same as always. It's alright. This time is just a goodwill visit, and I shall return in two months."
As Helga said this and patted her father's head, Gabriel, comforted by his daughter, finally gave a wry smile.
"Until five years ago, I still thought of you as a child, but it seems you've become more of an adult than I without me noticing... My daughter. Fulfill your duties as a princess properly."
"Yes, leave it to me."
.....
Betumia Republic Army Headquarters. In the office of the supreme commander, Irene was facing a worn-out Steve Barrel.
"It's a good thing you weren't held to major criminal penalties, Grand Army Commander Steve Barrel."
"...It's probably the result of you doing groundwork behind the scenes, General Irene Foster."
Rising to General twice, and being demoted to Grand Army Commander twice. Steve, who possessed a career probably first in the history of the Republic's army, answered with a sigh.
"So, what happens to me now? Since I wasn't even dishonorably discharged, am I to work as your pawn again?"
"Exactly. It was helpful for the provisional government that General Patterson and the others disappeared in a foreign land, but as a result, there are only three general-rank officers in our current army, including myself. Moreover, the other two are rookies as generals, having just been promoted from Grand Army Commander. You, who have experience as a general and are excellent as a soldier regardless of your personality, are a precious resource. I'll have you work even harder than before—literally like a horse."
When Irene spoke with a fearless smile, Steve looked exasperated, but returned the smile.
"...Fine, just do whatever you like with me. I'll work exactly as told, until I collapse and die. If that serves as atonement to my younger brother."
"That's the spirit, Grand Army Commander. But I won't let you have it easy by dying so simply. I'll have you live at least longer than General Hamilton or General Patterson and spend your entire life for the country... Now, I will convey your specific mission later. First, you should go and meet the unit you'll be commanding, Grand Army Commander."
"...Understood. General."
Steve saluted with a face mixed with resignation and left the room.
The main story will conclude with the update on January 3rd after the New Year.
The next update will consist of two episodes: the final episode and the epilogue. Thank you for your support.