Chapter 70
Chapter 70 – Three Countries Conquered
[This is…]
When Liliana opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a large chandelier . She was lying in the royal bedchambers .
[You’ve come around, Liliana . ]
That voice belonged to her brother Wilfred, who was sitting next to the bed .
[Dear brother…why are you here? And why am I resting in this room instead?]
Liliana couldn’t made any sense about the situation . Wilfred them slowly told her what happened after she was defeated .
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[I lost… and the Kingdom is no more . ]
Liliana muttered while biting her lower lip .
[That is indeed what happened . However… our country is still intact . ]
Wilfred said as he looked out through the window .
Wilfred and Liliana were currently under house arrest . They are now at the western tower of the Fran Palace, waiting for their judgment when Emperor Sephiros arrives a few days from now .
The scenery of the cityscape of Fran was reflected on Wilfred’s eyes .
He then asked .
[Liliana, what makes a country?]
[A country is…]
[The country is made of its people, not its royalty . ]
Wilfred then turned to Liliana .
[As long as its people remained, the country will be preserved as well… regardless of what form it takes . ]
[B-but!]
Liliana woke up in a jump . She held Wilfred’s hand and raised her voice .
[Emperor Sephiros is known to destroy any resisting countries thoroughly . If he comes… the people, the city… and dear brother will be done for . ]
[I still have ‘his’ promise . ]
Wilfred smiled reassuringly to Liliana .
[The very same man who defeated you… Ares Schwarzer said that he’ll do something about it . I have chosen to believe in him . ]
[No way… how would the Thunder Emperor be willing to listen to a mere army commander…?]
[Right . Normally I would think so as well . But this man is really a strange one . ]
Wilfred cut in before Liliana could finish her sentence .
[When you meet Ares-dono…and talk to him, you’ll understand why . I feel that he’ll make do somehow, which make me feel at ease . This is why I chose to believe in him]
Wilfred gently smiled then turned to the window again
Liliana could only sigh as she watched her brother .
What this decision will bring in the future… she couldn’t tell . But she knew for sure that she and her brother would protect the country, even if it costs them their lives .
Liliana resolved herself as she looked at her brother .
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Emperor Sephiros arrived at Fran two weeks after Redgear had fallen .
Sephiros roamed around the palace alongside several aristocrats . Among them were the first prince Carlos and Archduke Saxon . They had a complex look on their face .
When Sephiros arrived at the throne room, there were already Ares and Silvia waiting there . In addition to them, there were also the former king of Trevoir Louis, Wilfred, and the new representatives of the merchants of Brittany . When Sephiros finally sat on the throne, he began by speaking to those who present .
[Everyone, what a great achievement . This way, We could march to Grants with ease . Your efforts will be rewarded in due time . But first of all, I will announce My decree to the surrendering Redgear, Trevoir, and Brittany . ]
Emperor Sephiros signaled the person standing beside him, who in turn handed him a piece of parchment .
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[I hereby decree, first of all, that the Brittany Federation is to pay taxes twice a year . The amount will be decided in the future accordingly . Other than that, Empire will not meddle in the businesses and autonomy as much as possible . ]
Some, who were present, were surprised at this unexpected decision .
[As the King of Trevoir Louis has submitted to the Empire, henceforth he will serve the Empire as the Earl of Trevoir . His territory will include the entirety of Trevoir just as we agreed upon . ]
[Thank you very much . ]
Louis bowed deeply while throwing a glance at Ares, who responded with a smile .
[And lastly, regarding Redgear Kingdom…]
Sephiros was known to deal with any countries that went against him violently . This time, Redgear resisted the advance of both the first prince Carlos and Archduke Saxon . Kill the entire royal clan…raze the capital Fran… he would not hesitate in doing those kind of things . It raised the tension of everyone present .
[Fort Lasse and Fort Soran are to be emptied and demolished immediately . ]
The two fortress the Redgear was most proud of are going to be demolished . It’s something within everyone’s expectations . It’s nothing surprising . The most important thing is what follows afterward . The disposal of the royal clan and the people of this country . Everyone was waiting in apprehension .
He then resumed .
[The King of Redgear Wilfred is hereby given the status of an Earl . The Redgear Kingdom will henceforth become the vassal territory to the Empire with the Earl of Redgear to govern it . Redgear’s aristocrats are given a choice to report to the Empire should they want to serve the Empire as a baronet or to remain on Redgear and be confiscated from their title and land .
It was just as Ares said which immensely surprised Wilfred .
The other aristocrats couldn’t help but to discuss about this quietly .
[And that’s it? Just like that?]
[Such an unprecedented benevolence . But why . . ]
The discussion became more heated in a brief moment .
[Asking for permission to speak!]
A man stood up in the midst of that commotion . Everyone immediately turned to the source of that voice, which was the First Prince Carlos .
[We suffered great damage from the Redgear forces’ resistance . That decision is too kind for what they’ve done . Please reconsider . ]
Carlos glared at Wilfred then turned back to Emperor Sephiros .
Sephiros merely watched as Carlos shouted .
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[Then do you have any suggestions?]
[Yes . Execute the entire Redgear royal clan . Raze the capital Fran to ashes . Otherwise, there will be others who dare to oppose the Empire . ]
[You said so much . And yet you couldn’t even breakthrough the fortress . ]
[!? T-that’s…]
Carlos couldn’t say anything to refute that . But he didn’t seem to be content yet .
Following that, another aristocrat also raised his mind .
[This lowly one feels that the title of Earl is too high . Was it part of the agreement for the capitulation?]
Sephiros turned to the source of that sound this time then replied .
[Both Redgear and Trevoir are powerful . Only the title of Earl would fit their strength . ]
Sephiros then stood up .
[That is all for My decree . Now, Ares Schwarzer, as leader of the vanguard of the first team, has procured a great achievement . In regards to conquering Grants, I will leave it to him]
[Ha . . ]
[Now we start the full scale battle against Grants . As the vanguard, I will leave this to Ares Schwarzer once more . I hope he will continue his success this time as well . ]
[Asking for permission to speak . ]
Another one raised his hand, which Sephiros motioned to talk . It was the little lord of the Rozenheim, Scion .
[I wish to suggest that both the first prince Carlos and Archduke Saxon to become the vanguard this time . The forces of both generals are still in high morale and ready to play an active role . Ares-dono and Her Highness Silvia have gone through a lot of things in this previous battles, thus would it be better for them to take a rest for once?]
[Fumu…]
Sephiros gave some thoughts to Scion’s suggestion, then turned toward Carlos and Georg .
Both of them immediately strode forward .
[Please give me the chance to redeem myself!]
[We will do our best this time!]
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The other aristocrats soon followed suit .
[We will follow His Highness and His Honor Archduke . ]
[Chance to redeem ourselves!]
Many raised their voices .
For other aristocrats, having Ares take the reins will not bring them benefits . The Schwarzer is already frightening as is . If they allow Ares to raise more merits, his influence will bring disturbance to the factional dispute in the capital .
Witnessing this, Sephiros finally made the decision .
[Very well . Carlos and Georg will be the vanguards this time . Ares and the rest are to lead the reserve forces . Good?]
[This Ares has no objection . ]
Ares also deeply bowed .
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Everyone had different thoughts in their mind right now .
Scion was laughing in satisfaction .
It won’t benefit Scion if Ares were to gain more merits . And by offering a suggestion here and agreed upon by the Emperor himself, he could show his influence to the others . And if Carlos and Georg do well… it’ll also be a good development for him .
On the other hand, Carlos was struggling to restrain his anger . He was once again being done in by Ares . If he also failed this time, his path to the throne succession will be impeded . He also feared that he had played himself into Scion’s hands . But he had to take any opportunity that came in his way .
[I won’t forget… this humiliation . ]
Keeping that in his mind, Carlos could only glare daggers at Ares .
Ares merely smiled as he listened to his surroundings .
Silvia looked suspiciously at Ares .
He didn’t object to Scion’s suggestion . No matter how one’s think, it’s the aristocrats’ ploy to impede Ares’ achievement . Ares should’ve aware of this as well… but why?
The person in question merely smiled calmly as if nothing happened; no, he’s enjoying this situation . This fellow is definitely planning something again…
Aside from all the speculations, Arcadia empire finally entered the phase of direct war against the Grants Principality .