Ch.108End of War (4)

“Well done, Sir Simon.”

“I merely did what had to be done.”

The mercenary army dispatched to the Holy Empire’s civil war had returned. The various generals who led that army would now teach students using their military knowledge at the newly established military academy.

“You’ve preserved the army remarkably well. Truly worthy of Aras’s recommendation.”

“You flatter me. The time spent marching was more than ten times longer than the time spent fighting, and more than half of the fighting time was merely standoffs.”

“Hmm…”

Damn it, just accept the compliment with a simple thank you. Do you think I don’t know that after receiving all the reports?

As the situation turned strange, armies from countries participating in the Holy War moved to preserve their forces in preparation for civil unrest. The nobles within the Empire, all connected by blood, weren’t inclined to fight to the death anyway. Only the church forces, some bellicose nobles, and hired mercenaries were determined to fight to the end, but the Imperial faction could handle them without Lotaring needing to intervene directly.

‘Come to think of it, how those preserved armies will move is the key issue.’

With the Holy War ending so abruptly, the participating countries were thrown into complete chaos.

While the Emperor himself and the Holy See managed to end the meaningless fighting while preserving at least minimal dignity, the countries that participated in the Holy War, including the Empire’s vassal states, returned empty-handed with nothing to show for it. Dignity? That goes without saying.

Of course, there would be plunder from the Holy Empire, but that doesn’t benefit the countries that dispatched those armies at all. It probably slipped quietly into the pockets of soldiers and officers. There was a reason they suddenly moved to preserve their forces while desperately avoiding battle.

Anyway, a prime example of a country thrown into chaos due to the Holy War’s failure is the neighboring Kingdom of Caroling.

[Does Charles’s army only know defeat! Is Caroling’s great army only used for losing?!]

[I have fulfilled my vassal duties more than adequately. I refuse any further demands without justification!]

[This looks promising, doesn’t it? After repeated defeats, the central army has become a rabble, and though they still have numbers, supplies and money have run out, so they can’t provide for all of them, right?]

The Kingdom of Caroling, traditionally considered to have the strongest royal authority in the region, saw its royal power plummet due to consecutive defeats in war.

The vassals either began to look down on the king or became hostile, and nobles with close blood ties to the Caroling royal family, rather than protecting their relatives in crisis, sought to use their lineage to fulfill their ambitions.

If news is steadily reaching neighboring Lotaring, it’s safe to assume everyone in that country already knows—civil war is imminent.

Yet the Caroling king cannot maintain his army as the treasury has evaporated, and he can’t even expect help from his vassals after having summoned them excessively beyond feudal obligations. It must feel like seeing both the crisis of death and the obvious solution, but being unable to do anything because your body is in such poor condition. Truly, his stomach must be not just burning but completely on fire.

‘Well, it’s good for me.’

The more chaos in Caroling, the better for neighboring Lotaring. Of course, if chaos of apocalyptic proportions erupts, refugees would flood in, and a cornered Caroling might do something unpredictable, which would be bad. But the simple fall of royal authority and the resulting civil war among throne claimants is clearly beneficial.

By supporting different sides in the civil war and adjusting the balance of power to prevent it from ending, the permanent division of Caroling could become a reality. There’s even historical precedent, like when the Kingdom of Sicily split into the Kingdom of Sicily in Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily on the island of Sicily.

I should start establishing connections with the throne claimants soon.

When a throne claimant launches a rebellion, it means they’ve already built up considerable power, which would slightly devalue any help offered at that point.

If I provide sponsorship now, they’ll have received my help in difficult times and consumed my resources, making the claimants more likely to move according to my will. This would ensure that no side ever gains the upper hand.

Good, I should start giving orders to spread bribes and make contact—

“…?”

“Ah, I apologize. I was momentarily lost in thought.”

Oh dear, I made a mistake.

Having a soldier standing at attention before me while I was lost in thought for several minutes—the soldier must be terrified, thinking they’ve done something terribly wrong.

So… right, he was arguing with me when I was praising him?

“Ahem, Sir Simon. While humility is certainly a virtue, a general needs valor more than humility. I would prefer if you took a bit more pride in your abilities.”

“…I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

“Then enjoy the banquet to the fullest. It’s scheduled to continue until late evening, so indulge in the luxuries you’ve been denied during your year on the battlefield.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your hospitality.”

At my words, Simon looked slightly shocked, then quickly bowed his head to express gratitude for the homecoming banquet.

Hmm, it seems he’s understood my hint to stop with the unnecessary talk. Indeed, with soldiers, it’s much better to be direct than subtle.

……….

“Your Majesty, here is the list of Lotaring products exempt from tariffs within the Empire.”

“Let me see… it’s as we agreed.”

The end of the Holy War brought many byproducts to Lotaring. Among the direct benefits, excluding indirect ones like the chaos in neighboring countries, the most notable was the tariff exemption privilege obtained from the Empire as the price for ending the war.

Lotaring merchants gained the privilege of selling food and various necessities within the Empire without tariffs, which will be very useful for developing markets in the Empire during the 20-year term of this privilege.

I argued that Lotaring could sell goods at fair prices, while the Empire could supply cheaper goods to citizens impoverished by war, benefiting public welfare, and since sales taxes remained unchanged, it would be good for both Lotaring and the Empire. When I followed by saying this would conclude the price for my mediation, the Empire promptly accepted my proposal.

In regions where Lotaring’s influence is strong, artisans producing ordinary quality goods will wither away due to cheap manufactured products, and Empire farmers whose lands were plundered won’t escape poverty due to cheap agricultural imports… but who cares? It’s the fault of those who were deceived. Yes, I merely told less of the truth rather than lying, so I have nothing to feel guilty about.

Of course, given the Empire’s size, it would be difficult to cover the entire Empire with Lotaring’s influence, but this is still significant. Various territories near Lotaring will become more dependent on me than on the Empire’s emperor.

“What about the Holy See?”

“Yes, the Holy See’s Council of State has decided, with majority approval, not to make any judgment regarding all of Your Majesty’s previous actions.”

“Hmm… I don’t particularly like others judging whether my actions are justified or not… but well, that’s fine.”

Seeing the Council’s seal rather than the Pope’s, I can guess how the situation unfolded. The Pope, unable to perform his duties, was likely extremely negative about pardoning my sins, but high officials of the Holy See passed it for political gain.

Still, now that the Holy See’s administrative body, the Council of State, has acknowledged it, even the Pope can do nothing about it. The Holy See, which minimized the impact of the failed Holy War through various treaties, is in turmoil with the Pope’s authority declining—as for the others… well, let’s not even go there.

‘Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing… but this is sufficient.’

Compared to what the Empire gave, what the Holy See offered seems too cheap as a price for mediation. But considering everything I’ve done before, including the seizure of church territories and the establishment of minor theological schools, it’s adequate. If I asked for more, wouldn’t I be getting greedy?

Now I can conduct business more smoothly, and Chloe and Jeanne can finally show their faces in public without shame, so I should be grateful enough.

“…Your Majesty, you should still refrain from speaking about Chloe and Jeanne as much as possible.”

“I know that.”

At that moment, Leclerc, who had been carefully observing my expression, cautiously says this.

Did he think I would start talking openly about Chloe and Jeanne now that I have nothing to fear?

“…Yes, I’m truly relieved that you already know. Please don’t forget.”

“…?”

What’s with that attitude?

Leclerc had the face of a grandfather who had given up on a grandchild who gives perfunctory answers to reasonable requests.

No, really! Why would I have any reason to go around talking about that?