How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 16: Chapter 12

That evening, I received a report that Hashim had arrived together with the wyvern cavalry Fuuga had dispatched to go pick him up.

We would begin the peace talks between the Kingdom of Friedonia, the Gran Chaos Empire, and the Great Tiger Kingdom immediately. In order to prevent undue confusion, we would set up a camp in between the forces of Friedonia and the Great Tiger Kingdom, and keep the delegations from each side small.

The two sides were both on edge, making it clear they were ready to charge in the moment anything happened to one of their VIPs. In this tense situation, here is who was chosen for each delegation: The Kingdom of Friedonia sent me, Hakuya, and Aisha. The Empire sent Maria and Jeanne. The Great Tiger Kingdom sent Fuuga, Mutsumi, Hashim, and the traitorous Lumiere. Old general Gaifuku came as well, serving as a bodyguard.

Because the Kingdom and the Empire were already viewed as being on one side, the Great Tiger Kingdoms team was the size of both of ours combined. Incidentally, Id told Fuuga in advance to keep Krahe out of this because he would just complicate things.

Lumiere... Jeanne murmured when she saw her old comrade on the other side.

Jeanne had thought of Lumiere as a close friend, so Jeanne didnt know how to feel about the fact shed sided with Fuuga over her sister. Hakuya put his hand on Jeannes back, gently supporting her.

Lumiere, on the other hand, didnt so much as bat an eye. In fact, she had such a serious expression on her face that one would suspect she was suppressing her own feelings. Shed done this in order to pridefully insist she hadnt done the wrong thing.

Inside the camp, we were divided into our respective teams, and everyone but Aisha and Gaifuku took a seat. From where I was sitting, Hakuya was across from Hashim, Jeanne was across from Lumiere on my left, and there was a map of the Empire in between them.

Id like to get straight to determining borders for after the war, Hashim began, and Hakuya nodded.

Very well. Madam Jeanne, Madam Lumiere, is that all right?

Yes.

And so, the four of them began discussing our respective domains. I was trusting Hakuya to negotiate for me, while Fuuga had Hashim negotiate for him. They were both smart, so theyd probably find a decent compromise. Theyd be integrating the areas of the Empire that defected into the Great Tiger Kingdom as is. After that, it was a matter of working out the fine details.

While the smartest people in the room were negotiating, Maria, Fuuga, Mutsumi, and I discussed what was going to happen from here on in the larger sense.

I wasnt counting on you intervening now, Fuuga said, sounding exasperated, but I just shrugged.

My ally was in peril. I couldnt just leave her out to dry.

Even though you might have gotten the entire world if you did?

Unlike you, I dont want the world.

Um... Mutsumi, who had been listening, raised her hand. You called her your ally, but when did the Kingdom and the Empire form an alliance?

The secret alliance wasnt long after I came to this world, so...since 1546, I think?

Huh?! It was that long ago...?

As Mutsumis eyes widened, Maria chuckled.

Yes. Souma has been a reliable ally ever since then.

Ha ha ha, you really pulled one over on me. I underestimated the strength of the bonds between the Kingdom and the Empire. Fuuga scratched his head. It had been a while since Id seen him without his helmet on.

Then he flashed a combative glance at Maria.

Hold on... You cut your hair? Looks good.

Thank you. It was heavy. It feels like a load off my shoulders.

Did you cut off the guys in the north the same way?

Hee hee, I have no idea what you could possibly mean.

Fuuga gave a toothy grin, while Marias smile was relaxed, yet had a mysterious intensity to it. Mutsumi and I watched, both breaking into a cold sweat as these two massively charismatic figures butted heads. It was like being thrown into a cage with both a lion and a bear.

Ive got to mediate between these two...? I felt like I was going to be overwhelmed by the position I was in, but I had to keep myself together.

Suddenly, Fuuga spoke up, breaking my train of thought.

So, how do you plan to settle things? Fuuga asked, resting his cheek on the palm of one hand. We can let all of them hash out what the borders will look like, but whats going to happen to the Empire from here on? The Mankind Declarations pretty much dead at this point. Maria...or should I ask Souma instead? What are your plans for the Empire?

Maria should probably be the one to say.

I looked at Maria. She silently nodded.

First of all, I am disbanding the Mankind Declaration. You will have control of the north of the continent, while the Maritime Union will expand across the south. Our country will be participating in the Maritime Union as well, so the stagnant era that needed the Mankind Declaration is already over. At the same time, my country will completely relinquish our former vassal states the Frakt Federal Republic and Kingdom of Meltonia.

Youre stepping down from representing mankind? Souma, Maria, you both have the strength to take the world. Why are you so passive about seeking glory? I cant understand it, Fuuga said contemptuously, his brow furrowing.

Maria gave a small smile, and said, It is not good to let your reach exceed your grasp. My wishes are smaller, but no less important.

The wishes you have not as Empress Maria, but as just Maria?

Yes.

Maria nodded firmly and Fuuga let out a hearty laugh.

Youve got unswerving eyes like Mutsumi. I cant disapprove of that.

Thank you.

So, what about the Empire itself?

The people who submitted to you and the lands they rule will not be returning to us, Im sure... With the end of the Mankind Declaration, my country is greatly diminished. I dont think its fitting to call it the Gran Chaos Empire any longer. Henceforth, we will be the Euphoria Kingdom. I will abdicate the throne, and my younger sister Jeanne will replace me as queen.

What...?

The dismantling of an empire, the founding of a new kingdom, the abdication of Maria, the coronation of Jeanne... Even Fuuga had to be surprised, getting hit with all this at once.

The Euphoria Kingdom? Wasnt that the name of the country destroyed by Emperor Manas? Mutsumi asked.

Yes, Maria replied with a nod.

The Gran Chaos Empire was founded when Manas Chaos, the King of Chaos, annexed his wifes homeland, the Euphoria Kingdom. Id heard that he might have felt guilty for doing it because Manas inherited the Euphoria name from the land he destroyed. Was that why later emperors used the Euphoria name?

Basically, Maria planned to restore the Euphoria Kingdom. The former kingdom had been situated in the northwest of the Empire, so this was a restoration in name only. But it would be enough to hold on to the nobles and knights who followed the traditions of that country.

Hakuya, Jeanne, and I were all surprised when we heard this. Just how thoroughly had Maria prepared for such a conclusion?

What happens to you after you abdicate? Youre stepping down to take responsibility for this war, right?

Well...

Ill be taking her, I answered Fuuga on Marias behalf. While Madam Maria is stepping down to take responsibility, we will be the ones to take custody of her. I wont let anyone lay a hand on her, Fuuga. Not even you.

Fuuga and those who had submitted to him likely wanted to capture Maria and persecute her politically in order to make the lands they had taken easier to rule. If they subjected her to a kangaroo court, loudly crowing about the righteousness of their own actions, itd make great propaganda. But I wasnt going to let them do that.

Im fine with this being a win for you on paper, at least. The Great Tiger Kingdom was able to secure human resources, and minus any deaths during skirmishes, you havent lost anything. But if youre going to demand custody of Maria, reparations, or anything more, that will change.

Do you think you could win a fight with me...? Fuuga glared at me. He was scary, but I held my ground.

Yeah. Or force a tie that only hurts both of us if I couldnt. Youd lose your win here if that happened. That ought to be a painful blow to you when constant victory is what lets you bring people together.

Yeah, youve got a point.

Oh, so he gets it himself then? That was a relief.

Fuuga looked at Maria. Whatre you going to the Kingdom for? To marry Souma?

I hope so.

My sister Yurigas there too, you know?

Well, from what Ive heard, well get along swimmingly. I hear that Miss Yurigas decided that you cant defeat Sir Souma as you are now. I think well get along fine.

Seeing the smile on Marias face, Fuuga gave an exasperated shrug.

Too many tough women out there these days. They keep defying my expectations.

I found that out a long time ago... I murmured.

Ill bet, Fuuga said with a wry smile.

As Souma, Maria, Fuuga, and Mutsumi were having a surprisingly relaxed discussion of what was to come after the war, Hakuya the Black-robed Prime Minister and Hashim the Wisdom of the Tiger were engaged in an intense war of words.

Hashim slammed his hand down on the map between them.

We currently hold the east of the Empire as far as Jamona Fortress, he said. That land is an important connection between Zem and the Orthodox Papal State. Well be keeping it.

Hakuya retorted, If you return some of the northern lands of the Empire along the coast, I will be willing to accept that.

These lands have already fallen to us.

Then you should exchange other lands for them. There are a number of knightly and noble houses in the northern territories that chose loyalty to the House of Euphoria despite finding themselves surrounded by members of the Fuuga faction. We will take custody of them, so you can redistribute their lands.

But domains that have ports are valuable.

And we will be conceding territory that is important for overland shipping, so it is an equal trade. Madam Maria has moved most of the Imperial Navy to the south anyways. If we were to force the issue with our fleet, do you suppose that you could defend that territory?

Not likely... Very well, then we will take some land north of Jamona Fortress.

That is inevitable, I suppose... Lets discuss the three cities the Republic has seized from Zem.

Youre not going to give them back even if we ask, right?

Right. While they are part of the Maritime Alliance, the Republic is an independent nation, so Id like to negotiate that matter separately.

Heh, its no great pain to us if Zem loses territory, but... This one, near the center, theyll have to give back. If they do that, they can keep the other two.

He wants them to return the city that will be hardest to defend in the event of an attack, does he? Hakuya thought. I will pass the message to Sir Kuu.

The two of them were both brilliant minds, so they understood what was important to their own countries, what wasnt, where would be easy to defend, and where would be hard to attack. They saw where the points of compromise were in these negotiations, so they didnt waste time holding out to try and maximize the amount of territory they gained. They decided on the apportionment of territory after the war appropriately and in few words.

Next to them sat Jeanne and Lumiere.

Jeanne had a pained expression on her face, while Lumiere looked at her with frustration.

They had been good friends, but often ended up disagreeing over Marias policies, and Lumiere had chosen Fuuga over Maria.

Lumiere...

Dont say it, Jeanne. Ive chosen my path.

Lumiere pushed her away at first, but then she gazed up at the ceiling.

No...I thought Id chosen my path, but looking at it now, I may just have been dancing in the palm of your sisters hand. Now that I see the results, I can tell that your sister predicted we would lose faith in her and prepared to cut us loose in advance. Its hard to say who gave up on who at this point.

Lumiere let out a self-effacing laugh before looking at Jeanne.

What I dont understand, though, is why you provided support for the reconstruction of the north. If you intended to cut us loose, why provide support at all? If you hadnt, it would have been a financial blow against Fuuga when he acquired the territory.

I think...Sister was torn over what to do, Jeanne said with a glance over at Maria, who was chatting with Souma and the others nearby. Up until now, she always tried to be the empress people believed in. But shed reached her limit. I think that if youd continued to believe in her, shed have kept going, but if you gave up on her, then that was that... Thats why she kept working for the benefit of the northern territories until just before the end.

If she had that kind of resolve, I wish shed have used it to liberate the Demon Lords Domain!

Jeanne pitied Lumiere, seeing the frustration on her face.

Ultimately, theyd just had different goals. Still, Maria and Lumiere each had their own positions to consider, so a large number of people got caught up in the disagreement, and the rift had developed into a conflict there was no coming back from.

Even so, Im happy it turned out this way. Because my sister will finally be free now, Jeanne thought.

Soon enough, Hakuya and Hashims negotiations came to a close.

Would you say that will do for now? Hakuya asked.

I suppose it will... Hashim agreed.

Hakuya and Hashim exchanged a handshake that was entirely formal.

Here is an overview of what was decided at the talks:

1) No reparations were to be paid by either party.

2) The Great Tiger Kingdom would not hold Maria responsible for the war and would not demand custody of her.

3) The Empire would relinquish the northern territories and the eastern part of the Empire.

4) The lords of the relinquished territories would decide which country they wanted to belong to. (Most of the lords and knights of the north would switch their allegiance to the Great Tiger Kingdom.)

This whole war was to be known as the Armistice of Valois. People would no doubt view this as a victory for the Great Tiger Kingdom. While they were unable to get reparations, they did gain land and human resources, and only ended up at a disadvantage in one skirmish against the Kingdom of Friedonia at the very end.

Meanwhile, the Empire, having lost land and people, was viewed as the loser of the conflict. Their land forces were particularly diminished, and the core of their air force left for the Great Tiger Kingdom with General Krahe, so their ability to wage war on the ground was cut roughly in half. However, with their naval forces practically untouched and the decision made to join the Maritime Alliance, they were still a force to be reckoned with.

Maria abstained from taking responsibility for the crisis and announced the dissolution of the Gran Chaos Empire. With the founding of the new Euphoria Kingdom, her younger sister Jeanne would ascend the throne in her place. Jeanne immediately announced the Euphoria Kingdoms intention to join the Maritime Alliance.

Now the continent was divided into two; between north and south, Fuuga and Souma.

The era of the three-way confrontation ended, and a new era of north-south contention began. The Great Tiger Kingdom pulled its troops out of the Euphoria Kingdoms territory, and once the Friedonian forces had seen them off, they would return home too.

Fuuga. What do you plan to do from here on? I asked as we were preparing to pull out. The Great Tiger Kingdoms big enough. Youve got the personnel to run a great nation now too. What else is left?

The Demon Lords Domain, obviously, Fuuga said, the fire of ambition burning in his eyes. What people want from me is a world without the threat of the Demon Lords Domain. The worlds neatly divided between you and me now. Once I firm up my support on the home front, Ill finally be able to raise an army for the final liberation of the Demon Lords Domain. Im gonna strike the final blow against the heart of whats been causing this era of turmoil.

Fuuga was fired up. This had to be what drew people to him.

I see... Will it go that well? I was uneasy.

That was partially because Id seen that massive cube in the Star Dragon Mountain Range. I suspected there was something up north that this worlds knowledge wouldnt be able to handle. Fuuga couldnt just walk into the demon lords castle, slay the demon lord, and get a happy ending like this was some old video game. There was a lot to think about between the relationship between monsters and demons; the mysterious cubes message to Go north; and the name Demon Lord Divalroi, which seemed familiar to me somehow...

However, Fuuga seemed unconcerned.

Weve become the greatest country on land. You people rule the sea. Well head for the north by land and by sea. Lets change the times with our own hands.

Right...

I could only give that noncommittal response.