Chapter 212: Westphalia 2

A woman sipping her tea cup slowly, showing a leisurely smile.

Mina Roseviata Dragona, the ruler of the Dragonian Empire, looked at her daughter, Duchess Catlena sitting across from her, and spoke in a calm voice:

“So it has come to this in the end. Though it happened faster than expected, which is quite regrettable… Nonetheless, we can say we have achieved our intended goals.”

“Yes, Mother. Honestly, I thought this war would last another 10 years or so… but it ended up going in an unexpected direction.”

“It must be the result of that man… Santana Andreas, playing his cards too well. The heretical forces were too strong, while the Emperor’s side grew weaker and weaker. In such a situation, even a loyal subject… no, anyone truly thinking of the country could reasonably rebel.”

Wallenstein’s large-scale rebellion and its success.

As a result, the war that had dragged on due to the Emperor’s stubbornness finally came to an end, and now representatives from all over the continent were gathering in Westphalia to conclude it.

However, the Dragonian Empire was officially not supposed to have been involved in this war, and moreover, they had no desire to further meddle in western affairs, so they did not send an envoy separately.

Nevertheless…

Although they did not directly participate in the peace conference, it did not mean they had completely lost interest in this matter.

No, in a sense, they were watching this situation more carefully than other countries.

Not in a political sense, but in an extremely personal one.

“Will Sister Senel be able to handle the task well?”

“Who knows… As for that matter, even I cannot be certain. With her abilities, there should be no major problem… but whether it will go smoothly is another question…”

The Emperor’s daughter and Catlena’s older sister, who had gone to the Holy Roman Empire in disguise to handle a certain matter in the past.

Senel Polena Dragona.

However, that task became entangled with the chaotic situation within the Holy Roman Empire, requiring much more time and effort than expected, leading to the present day.

But now, that too was slowly approaching its conclusion.

Soon, that matter would reach a resolution one way or another, and the two could only humbly watch as mother and daughter, not as Empress and Duchess.

Inside the carriage departing for Westphalia, Cazerus, Polena, and Baiken and Freddie as combat-capable escorts were seated with me.

‘Westphalia… Although the post-war conditions have changed a lot, it was also a very important event in the original work. The treaty concluded here literally tore the Holy Roman Empire apart.’

The prolonged negotiations, and the war that continued even amidst them.

Depending on the results of that war, the contents of the negotiations swayed constantly, and in the end, the utterly defeated Holy Roman Empire allowed the independence of its princes, tearing itself apart.

Merely 100 years… no, just 50 years prior, an Empire that had ruled the continent met such a wretched end unbefitting of its former glory.

It showed precisely how quickly an Empire could crumble from meeting the wrong leader.

‘In that sense… Wallenstein’s rebellion this time can be considered a great blessing for the people of this country. At least they avoided a future where 30% of the entire population was massacred.’

One person’s misfortune saved tens of thousands of others.

For that accomplishment by someone who was quite likable and part of the main cast in the original work, I felt personal joy beyond just the benefits for our Bohemia.

‘To be honest, in the original he was just used by the Emperor and met a pitiful end. This is really for the best. With this, the protagonist Otto will surely be saved too.’

The happy ending for the main cast that I desired as an original reader.

The fact that it was drawing near was enough to fill me with profound excitement.

Unconsciously smiling slightly at that fact, I began anticipating the moment of arriving in Westphalia, eager to see that main cast with my own eyes as soon as possible.

Santana Andreas, with a serious expression mixed with a faint smile on his lips.

Watching that man’s appearance, the woman serving as his maid and aide, Polena, slowly nodded inwardly.

‘Indeed… Even in this situation, he is thinking of ways to maximize the benefits for Bohemia and the Heretical Alliance. As expected of my master… he leaves no openings at every moment.’

A person with such remarkable abilities that she could not help but acknowledge, and her nephew-in-law in terms of rank.

Watching his demeanor…

Polena automatically began showing a wistful smile.

The person who had given her a brief, sweet dream-like time in her long life, and one of the few existences that made her feel she could depend on.

In that sense, Polena often thought that if possible, it would not be bad to be with this man.

However…

Most regrettably, Polena was well aware that she had already missed that opportunity.

‘If I were to marry, I wished it could be with a man like this, but alas, it seems impossible. If only I had known about this man a little sooner than Cazerus…’

He had already formally become someone else’s – her own niece’s husband.

No matter how indifferent Polena was to such matters, she knew very well that pursuing this man in this situation would be truly crossing a line.

And, the decisive other reason…

Was that the moment was slowly approaching when she would have to wake up from this dream that had been sweet enough all this time.

No matter how sweet a dream, it was still just a dream.

It inevitably had an end, and soon, she would have to open her eyes and get up.

No longer as Polena, the maid of Santana Andreas, but as Senel Polena Dragona, the Imperial Princess of the Dragonian Empire, who had come to the Holy Roman Empire to eliminate the renegade from her Empire.

‘This is precisely when one would use the word “regrettable”…’

Westphalia.

A region located slightly to the west of the central Holy Roman Empire, where a major city that had greatly developed as a key transportation hub since ancient times was situated.

In the palace at the center of that city, representatives gathered from all over the continent were gradually assembling at this very moment.

“The Duke of Buckingham, from the Kingdom of Britten.”

“Welcome, Your Grace. We have been expecting your arrival. Please, come right in.”

“Lord Chancellor Richelieu! I did not expect to meet you in such a place.”

“It is good to see you. We shall be relying on each other for a while.”

Figures renowned across the continent were arriving one after another as guests.

The lord of Westphalia, overseeing the security inside and outside the conference hall and the overall situation, could only break out in cold sweat from the ever-increasing heavy burden.

Of course, with so many major figures gathered, even the slightest incident here could escalate into a major event affecting the entire continent.

Naturally, as such an important occasion, this conference was also an opportunity to indelibly etch the Westphalia region into history.

From the position of being responsible for the surroundings of this conference, he had to give his all, and so the lord had been under tremendous stress for the past few days, losing nearly 10kg in weight, as he did his utmost in his assigned duty.

“Phew… Right, who is scheduled to arrive next?”

“Yes, it is finally time for General Wallenstein and his close associates to arrive.”

“Ah… I see. Once again, check that there are no oversights and be extra vigilant. He effectively holds executive power in the Empire. Do not allow even the slightest negligence.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Following the lord’s instructions, the servants hurriedly prepared to welcome the guests.

Watching their movements, the lord inwardly fervently prayed:

May there be no accidents until the very end of this conference…