Chapter 551
Various events had transpired, but in the end, the Quoronos Kingdom showcased a heartfelt banging of their heads as they retracted their army.
Well, to be exact, they didn’t just withdraw; they practically tossed it away. Regardless, the fact remains that Quoronos had lost any means of intervening in the Leon situation.
“The Emperor has chosen Count Gestia of the Himenisia family as the next King of Leon.”
“Truly, Your Majesty’s wisdom covers the continent! Our King also holds Count Gestia in high esteem.”
Thanks to this, both the Empire and Armein were free to choose a new royal family for Leon without any interference.
Himenisia family, located in the central region of the Leon Kingdom, was an ordinary family with one high-ranking count title and several baron titles. Not particularly inept, but nothing outstanding either. The current head of the family wasn’t known for any great abilities to warrant the throne.
Thus, a consensus between the two kingdoms favored Count Gestia of the Himenisia family.
“Choosing someone competent could lead to trouble, after all.”
The ideal candidate for the Empire and Armein was simple: someone who could sit on the throne adequately, nod at their demands, and not resist too much. But if they chose an overly incompetent family, the other nobles would protest; thus, a count was a perfect choice.
Moreover, the Himenisia family had a smidge of blood from the Asturia royal family. About 150 years ago, a princess from the Asturia family had married the then-head of the Himenisia family. It’s borderline cringe to even mention it, but it provides a justifiable backstory.
“Given the alignment of the two nations, one can gauge how high Count Gestia’s virtue stands. Peace and prosperity await the Kingdom of Leon.”
“Haha! Considering the suffering Leon has experienced, it’s about time they see some light!”
Once the next king and the new royal family were decided, the Commander of the Sixth Legion and Marquis Iskertal exchanged smiles and handshakes.
“Peace and prosperity.”
Grand words were exchanged, but no one in attendance took them seriously.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely incorrect. Leon would no longer be able to mobilize troops without permission from the Empire and Armein, thereby forcefully maintaining peace, and the regions would undoubtedly develop through foreign capital, leading to prosperity.
The catch? That peace and prosperity wouldn’t be for Leon’s benefit.
“Now then, let’s go welcome the new King.”
With the suggestion from Marquis Iskertal, the staff in the office began to stand up one by one.
The expeditionary forces had come to save the citizens of Leon, who would be thrown into chaos from losing their legitimate royal family. Naturally, it was fitting for the expeditionary forces to be the first to welcome the new king.
There was no need for the nobles of Leon to interfere in this process.
The expeditionary leaders entered Count Gestia’s territory and confidently knelt before him.
“The heavens wish for your ascension, Your Majesty!”
“…A command that cannot be defied.”
That was enough. Taken aback by the unexpected visit, Count Gestia nodded with a bitter expression while the leadership displayed unseen respect and courtesy toward him, the current King of Leon.
In our hearts, the rightful ruler of Leon was already Count Gestia—no, the future King Enrique I.
“I might be unworthy of becoming king, but if the heavens desire it, I will gladly bear the burden. My body shall be a vessel not for myself but for the greater cause.”
“Truly beautiful words.”
That declaration of “I will act not as I please but in accordance with your wishes” made the Sixth Legion Commander nod in satisfaction.
I too felt at ease with that declaration. If a person who clearly understands the situation takes the throne, the chance of unrest in Leon decreases. Most of the nobles were already co-conspirators aligned with us, and during emergencies, the forces of both nations would be stationed in Leon.
News that the expeditionary forces had appointed a new king soon reached the elderly king within the castle.
“My virtue has been insufficient, and for decades the kingdom and its citizens have cried out endlessly. Yet sitting on the throne, a sinner unable to wash away his eternal guilt, was only because I could not find a rightful successor. I am only grateful that I can finally fulfill my last duty.”
His first and last royal decree since the expeditionary forces’ entry into Leon.
“As the last king of Asturia, I bestow the crown to the head of the Himenisia family. Henceforth, I humbly beseech the new king to embrace the people with virtue.”
A powerless command, just like when we first met.
Perhaps this was the pain of an old monarch who had let go of all hope and clung to the very end.
*
Everything had come to an end.
The King, Your Majesty… no, now reduced to the former monarch of the Asturia family, had passed the crown of Leon to the new family.
I wasn’t particularly sad; it was something I expected. Despite vowing to die alongside the Asturia royal family, I surprisingly felt no deep emotion.
Maybe it was because the transition was so peaceful and calm. It’s strange to call it peaceful when a foreign military entered one’s country, yet it must have prevented the usual bloodshed that accompanies the ascent to an empty throne.
“Is this indeed a natural order?”
I smiled bitterly at the scene where officials prepared for the transfer ceremony.
Yes, this could indeed be the natural order. Defeat in a war that determined the fate of the kingdom, coupled with the death of the only heir, is a natural consequence of a fallen family. While it is undeniable that the new royal family would become puppets of the Empire and Armein, viewed positively, it meant Leon would be under the protection of those two mighty powers.
So, if one goes against this, they are going against the natural order. For the grieving citizens, who the royal family is and which nation influences them is irrelevant.
“…It’s time for me to step back as well.”
Letting out a small sigh, I turned my body. The Quoronos that took advantage of the chaos to invade Leon had retreated, and the new royal family was safely installed. Having seen everything I needed to, all that was left for me was to quietly withdraw.
At least, that’s what I thought.
“Come in, Margrave.”
Until I was called by Count Tailglehen.
“My apologies for summoning you suddenly. I simply hadn’t found the time until now.”
“Your Grace, how could you say such a thing after all your efforts for the peace of the now-unrelated Leon? I’m actually honored to receive your summons.”
“Oh dear, you’re only making me blush.”
Seeing the Count burst into laughter, I managed an awkward smile.
It felt strange. Where had the person who ripped the skies and pressured the commander of Quoronos gone, replacing them with a young man of the Count’s generation sitting before me?
At the same time, I felt a wave of relief. Had the Count pressured me, I wondered if my heart could have withstood it.
“Truthfully, I’ve long wished to converse with the Margrave. Having taken on the infamy of cooperating with the imperial army for Leon’s peace, should I not express my gratitude as a noble of the Empire?”
“As you say, it is for the sake of Leon, so there is no need for thanks.”
“Come now, excessive modesty makes the listener feel awkward.”
The Count, wearing a genuine smile, stood up and retrieved some delicacies from the shelf.
“Let’s eat while we talk. These are not made by my wife, but I haven’t tasted anything better.”
Such a pathetic compliment caught me off guard. The fact that the Count had come this far into a foreign land while freshly married was already a well-known story.
That’s why the other nobles hesitated to speak to him. They feared that if they engaged the newlyweds, they might end up facing his wrath. Surely, if the Emperor felt it was necessary to send a subject on a foreign mission during their honeymoon, it signified an immense trust in him and a notably strong bond.
“It’s an honor.”
Instinctively flattering, I popped one of the Count’s pastries into my mouth.
And it was indeed delicious. I’d believe it was made by a professional baker.
“Not bad, right?”
“Ah, yes. I haven’t tasted pastries of this quality even in the cafés of the capital.”
The Count nodded in apparent satisfaction at my words.
It seemed that his heartfelt demeanor was genuine and not just an act. Perhaps it was a marriage based on love, not merely a political one.
“My wife makes these for me every day, even though she’s not without her own responsibilities.”
“What a wonderful person. You must be very happy together.”
“Haha, it’s not quite like that. Leaving my wife behind to go to a foreign land is already guilt enough without being given a present! I’ve also had to gather gifts for her, you know.”
While he spoke nonchalantly, it was common knowledge that the Count was focused on acquiring territories in the western region of the kingdom.
What was not public knowledge was that no one stopped the Count’s territory shopping spree. The Empire and Armein, needless to say, and what noble from Leon could dare argue against the real power of the Empire? Perhaps even taking royal directly-governed lands or acquiring others through trade had left them too little justification for protest.
“Being the head of a family means preparing gifts for the waiting family at home.”
“You speak truly.”
“So, please take one for yourself as well. You have earned it more than anyone else.”
Suddenly, with an unexpected comment, the Count pulled out a seal from his robe…
“Wait a minute.”
As soon as I saw the silver seal carved in the shape of a lion, my mind froze. That shape looked eerily familiar.
“Could it be…?”
My hand, which had been holding the teacup, trembled with dread.
It was an object that no noble from Leon could be unaware of. While few had seen it in person, countless rumors exist about this legendary artifact.
“The contributions of the Margrave are beyond numbering. You are more than qualified to become the new Duke of Rizanstadt.”
“Y-your Grace…!”
“If a first-class hero returns empty-handed, what use is that? You should take something of rank to pass down to your children.”
Then, with his arms crossed, the Count gazed at me intently.
“And now that a rightful king has ascended, the title of Duke must find its rightful owner to establish true order. Those unworthy shall merely pander for the title in vain.”
A subtle threat that if I declined, they would use the title of duke to incite infighting among the nobles.
“But I believe that you, Margrave, will maintain order and peace and support the new king with utmost loyalty.”
A further pressure not to let the Duke title go to waste, and to comply with the Empire’s demand without hesitation.
“…I don’t know if I’m worthy of such a thing.”
“Suitability is not for you to decide.”
The Count continued with that same, simultaneously spine-chilling smile.
“I will be the one to judge that.”
With those short but powerful words, I nodded.
I found myself with no thought of resistance.
*
When the Margrave accepted the seal, I felt moved.
I had argued that there really wasn’t anyone else but him; if he rejected it, they would have to sift through the other nobles who weren’t qualified. Yet, I never expected him to simply take it.
“True intentions truly do resonate.”
The Rizanstadt estate lies south of the River Zibro, managed by the Empire, and this newly appointed duke had keen awareness, being among the first to join the Empire. It was likely that Rizanstadt would remain a fairly stable pro-Empire territory.
“Now, time to woo someone else.”
With a pleasant start, I found myself humming a tune. Perhaps it was because the daunting task of conferring the dukedom had been completed so smoothly, but I had an unfounded confidence that Alfonso would cooperate willingly as well.
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