Chapter 545
After celebrating my mother’s pregnancy alongside Rizie’s, we set off for Leon.
Sure, calling this a business trip where I clock in at the crack of dawn and clock out after dinner might be pushing it, but when you’re working outside your usual space, isn’t it fair to say it counts as a business trip? I might even warrant an extra expense allowance for this monumental endeavor.
“General Joseph Leonard of the 6th Corps. It’s an honor to meet Your Excellency, the Minister.”
It seems I’m not the only one thinking this way; the newly appointed commander of the Leon expedition, General Joseph, greeted me with resolve in his eyes.
“I too am honored to meet you, Commander. I’ve wanted to introduce myself for a while, but here we are.”
As I smiled and extended my hand for a shake, the general’s expression lit up.
Hearing him referred to as “Commander” rather than just “General” must’ve fluttered his heart. In his mind, he’s undoubtedly dreaming of a rosy future as the proper area commander rather than just a temporary role.
And thankfully, that future is likely to become a reality soon.
‘He was due for a promotion anyway.’
The general seems to think this expedition will be his ticket to promotion, but really, he’s been entrusted with the mission because he’s already on track to be a commander. From what I eavesdropped between the emperor and the triumphant duke, it sounds like the general is indeed set for a promotion to area commander.
Even if it’s for the Southern Corps and not the Eastern, what’s the difference? Commander is the pinnacle rank that Imperial soldiers yearn for.
“I’ll also contribute as part of the expeditionary force, so I’m depending on you.”
“Ha ha, I believe that’s my line, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
Anyway, the newly promoted general, whose promotion was set, nodded with a bright expression.
From a distance, it might seem like a curious sight. The expedition’s inspector, who’s supposed to keep them in check, is smiling alongside the commander, who is supposed to be checked.
But I’m not really here to keep an eye on anyone. Even if I were, everyone in these high positions knows each other anyway; a quick jump across a leg or two and we’re familiar faces. It’s best to keep things cheerful.
The atmosphere of the expeditionary army was incredibly bright, reflected in the general’s expression.
It’s a universal truth: if the boss is in a foul mood, everyone else gets tense, and if the boss coughs, it’s like the underlings are on the verge of a panic attack. But with the top boss now a bona fide commander, the mood of the expedition forces was bound to be a bit lighter.
Sure, it’s not great for an army preparing to cross the border to be in high spirits, but the Leon Kingdom’s expedition forces are made up of the Eastern Corps, which is the best of the empire’s military in terms of training and morale, so there’s no need to worry about discipline.
“The Margrave Dalihaten has surrendered. He expressed gratitude for the Emperor’s grace to guide the lost border nobles and has promised unconditional cooperation.”
“Marquis Barcelona, Count Tomiana, and Count Hosen all shared the same sentiments, declaring their intent to stand with the Imperial army to overcome the kingdom’s crisis.”
This expedition has an extraordinarily low chance of military conflict.
Well, to stop a large influx of Imperial troops, the Leon Kingdom needs a unifying front, and right now, the royal family is practically dead. There’s no way a single noble would step up to act in place of the royal family. Even if the nobles all band together, they’d have a hard time stopping the Empire. Riling up the Empire’s displeasure would put their lives and fortunes at risk.
So, what can they do? Better to bow heads than pick a fight when defeat is certain. Thankfully, the Empire is coming under the premise of not conquering Leon but instead establishing a new royal family, allowing the nobles to save face as ‘loyal subjects who supported the formation of a new kingdom’ rather than being viewed as cowards bowing to the Empire.
‘It’d be stranger to resist at this point.’
The more I think about it, any noble in Leon who shows any resistance to the Empire would be dead before they knew it. The Empire has provided both justification and benefits, and if they don’t accept it, they might as well have been born to a bad destiny.
“Treat them with respect, guaranteeing their titles and territories. They’re noblemen from another country who have made brave decisions to overcome a national crisis.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The general immediately commanded a gentle response from his staff. It seems they’ve been briefed by either the Emperor or the Triumphant Duke, relaying messages that the defectors were keen to hear.
“The border is open, so let’s proceed. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
And just like that, the Empire’s newest breakthrough of the Eastern border was treated matter-of-factly, as if discussing lunch plans.
It’s an odd feeling. Do nations that engaged in imperialistic actions across Africa or Asia feel this young? It’s a huge event, yet there’s no sense of urgency.
‘That’s the difference in national power.’
Following that thought, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of satisfaction. When you’ve got overwhelming national strength, even feats like this seem effortless.
My only experience of fighting has been with the Kagan, so I haven’t had the chance to truly gauge the Empire’s strength. The commanders of the Eastern Corps must have been accustomed to experiences like this time and again.
‘…So, they’re going to use crazy tactics against such power?’
Suddenly, I thought of the nation racing in from the east of Leon. Even the involved parties surrendering in shame have no choice but to bow their heads! What on earth are those people thinking?
They say there’s one bad apple in every five men, so with so many nations on the continent, this sort of nonsense is bound to happen.
*
The four standard banners of the Empire gallantly crossed the border.
It’s a pitiable scene. To breach Leon’s border twice, and for Margrave Dalihaten to not only fail in his duty to guard it but also open it willingly is disgraceful.
But what can we do? One margrave’s efforts won’t be enough to stop the Empire. The nobles of Leon aren’t strong enough to triumph just by combining their powers.
‘I wanted to go out with a bang.’
I let out a bitter smile as I toyed with the margrave’s seal. No matter how pathetic a country may be, there are always loyal subjects willing to die for it. Even a royal family that has lost its people will have its loyal attendants.
Thus, I too wished to be a pathetic loyal subject, to be buried alongside the royal Asturians. While it’s true that the current Leon and Asturian royal family are weak and powerless, it’s also true that our ancestors received grace from this land and royal family. Therefore, I, too, wanted to die as a servant of Asturia, leaving my name behind.
Yet, what ended up breaking that will was not a grand resolution but rather the mundanity of daily life.
‘My death can’t be solitary.’
Just before I called my soldiers to move to the border fort, the commander of my guard, who had served our family for generations, had a bright smile on his face while watching his grandson. He always sighed about his son being frail.
Seeing him so cheerful left me speechless. Faced with the prospect of going down with a family that had already lost its heir and its fate, I felt unable to issue the order to gather the retainers and soldiers.
What right did I have to give such orders? My position as a margrave exists to protect the border, guard the territory, and defend the populace. Yet, would a vow to go down with the royal family truly fulfill my duty?
No. Not at all. That vow was merely self-satisfaction, devoid of the responsibilities of a margrave.
‘How shameful.’
I let out a small sigh. As my heated thoughts cooled down, I realized how ugly my intentions had become.
‘I must retreat once the matter is resolved.’
So, once the new royal family takes over, I’ll cleanly step aside. Despite my prior vow to die alongside the royal family, it’s shameless to pledge loyalty to the new royal family now.
Moreover, such emotional turmoil, which could drive my territory and its people to ruin, disqualifies me from being a margrave. Luckily, my son seems more prudent than I am, so he may end up being a better ruler than I ever could be.
– Knock knock
“Your Excellency. It’s time for you to go out.”
After deciding to retire, I heard the voice of the guard captain alongside a knock.
Right, I should go out. I can’t have a coward like me appearing at the place where the conquerors come to welcome the townsfolk.
‘…May the conquerors be merciful.’
I hope they spare the Leonese civilians, as they’ve claimed in their justifications.
While the nobles can survive by bribing the conquerors, the common people have no chance once their homes are ransacked.
*
We reached the central hub of the March of Dalihaten.
With a bloodless entry, I felt less like we’d marched into the enemy’s stronghold and more like I’d just stopped by a highway rest area. Perhaps we’ve even entered an interchange.
“I, a lowly noble of a marginal nation, salute the great general representing the Emperor.”
And standing in the square, Margrave Dalihaten greeted the expeditionary army’s leadership with an extreme display of humility. No matter how much authority the General has from the Emperor’s orders, I never expected a noble of high standing to bow like that.
‘Is this decorum… or something else?’
As I watched from a distance, the local nobility who had been observing from afar wore bittersweet expressions, some even shedding tears.
From their reactions, he seems to be a well-loved lord, and this wasn’t merely an exaggerated groveling for the Empire’s approval. Typically, those good at flattery tend to stray from the populace’s affections.
“Lift your head. The Margrave understands His Majesty the Emperor’s esteemed will and joins him as a compatriot in this great journey of the Empire.”
It seems the general has grasped the margrave’s standing and personality well enough, as he proceeded to help him back up in a friendly tone.
At this, the looks on the nobles’ faces softened a little. Must be a genuine loved lord after all.
‘Are the other nobles the same?’
It’s a bit disappointing. If there are too many nobles surrendering without a fight, it’s beneficial for the Empire’s side, but there should be a mix of stubborn dissenters and nobility who’ve lost public favor to justify stripping them of their lands.
Of course, since this is a royal direct territory, I won’t be leaving empty-handed, but it’d be more convenient to take along the noble’s domain as well.
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