Ch.149Neighboring Countries (1)

“—Therefore, due to the extremely malicious nature of their crimes, the fifteen defendants are sentenced to death.”

The disposition of the criminals who had caused a commotion in court, and in front of the King no less, was concluded with surprising speed and efficiency.

Under His Majesty’s will, they were sentenced to death as planned, the highest punishment allowed by law.

“Mmph! Mmmmph!!”

This time, there would be no mistakes like before.

With gags in their mouths and their bodies completely bound, the criminals could only emit strangely distorted screams through their blocked mouths, unable to offer any resistance.

According to the letter of the law, it would be impossible to restrain defendants who had not yet been convicted, but these individuals were already convicted criminals with prior records, making it possible.

Of course, just because something is possible doesn’t mean it should actually be done, but that’s another matter entirely.

“Death sentence…”

“Is there a problem, sir?”

“…No, nothing.”

Leclerc, who was observing the sentencing, slightly furrowed his brow at the harsh verdict before quickly dismissing his concern.

Ordinarily, the punishment these people should have received would have been imprisonment for a year at most.

Except for one variable—they had caught His Majesty’s attention.

‘Even His Majesty is human after all.’

Such a thought was extremely irreverent, but he couldn’t help thinking it.

From what he had observed of His Majesty, the King never actively indulged in desires for power, wealth, luxury, or carnal pleasures. He was always passive, and to put it crudely, he was the type who would only eat bread if it were placed directly in his mouth.

But that’s not to say he lacked desires for power, wealth, or sex. To use an analogy… yes, His Majesty’s personality was like that of a common citizen content with his reality. He typically acted as if he had no desires, but when forcibly presented with an opportunity to satisfy them, he would happily do so.

Of course, living in such a purely passive manner is impossible for a human being, so occasionally His Majesty would show an active will to do something. However, this will was not directed toward expanding power or accumulating wealth, but solely toward satisfying his hobbies. Fortunately, since His Majesty treated governing the nation as something close to a hobby, the administration had not yet become paralyzed.

In any case, for someone of His Majesty’s character to act so proactively and punish those who challenged his authority?

‘This is what I’ve been hoping for all along.’

His Majesty doesn’t lack ability; he lacks motivation.

Whether it’s due to his intense memories of growing up as an illegitimate child, I’m not sure, but His Majesty has always gone beyond restraining his desires to almost completely suppressing them.

And that suppression will gradually disappear from now on. After all, punishing someone excessively out of anger falls under the desire to satisfy one’s vengeful feelings.

“I’m pleased.”

“Pardon?”

Previously, those whom His Majesty had sentenced to death were mostly people who deserved it—those who had committed treason or were excessively corrupt. But these people who just received death sentences clearly didn’t deserve to be executed.

Yet they were sentenced to death according to His Majesty’s will, which means His Majesty has finally learned how to express his desires.

Indeed, it seems the Burgundian blood in His Majesty hasn’t disappeared after all.

In my fifty years of serving the House of Burgundy, every member of the Burgundian bloodline I’ve seen has had an eccentric personality, but His Majesty, who could be considered the head of the Burgundian family, was such an anomaly that he had no rough edges to his temperament at all.

But that too will come to an end soon.

“Ah, excuse me. My thoughts seem to have escaped my lips.”

“Haha… it happens. But are you leaving already?”

“Yes, I don’t think there’s anything more to see here.”

The court attendant who had been assisting Leclerc with his observation looked puzzled as Leclerc suddenly rose from his seat, but then slowly nodded in agreement.

After all, the man was right—the verdict was over, so there was nothing more to see. Unless he had come to observe the entire court, but he had only come to see this trial, so what else was there to see?

Above all, it would be somewhat inappropriate to question the judgment of such a noble person, second only to one.

The law is created according to the will of those in high positions, so naturally, I too must follow their will without question.

……….

“I present His Majesty Claude, rightful King of Lotharing and King of Caroling.”

“Greetings, Lion of Albion.”

The conquest of Caroling drew great interest from many neighboring countries, with the Kingdom of Albion across the northern sea showing the most concern.

This was only natural. Though separated by sea, the mainland was close enough to be visible to the naked eye, and Albion had been actively trading with both Caroling and Lotharing.

‘Perhaps what they want is… two things?’

Albion likely wanted to know if Lotharing’s military power, which had been used to devour Caroling, would be directed at them next, while simultaneously hoping to maintain the trade relations they had established with Caroling.

Despite being an island nation with considerable territory, Albion’s land was mostly mountainous and elevated except for the southern parts, making agriculture difficult. Combined with its cold and humid climate, it would be impossible to maintain a normal life if they remained isolated on their island.

This meant that Albion inevitably needed continuous exchange with the outside world to properly function as a nation.

So when one of their most active trading partners across the sea was destroyed by war, they couldn’t help but take interest.

……….

I was right about the first two points.

After completing all the ceremonial duties—the audience ceremony, victory celebrations, and other formalities—Albion’s envoy finished his introduction and got to the main point, asking exactly what I had anticipated.

I answered that our army would not cross the sea, and that trade in the Caroling territories could continue as before. The envoy was as delighted as a child. Watching a middle-aged man behave like that was quite… unsettling, but I managed to endure it somehow.

However, what the Albion envoy said next was… sigh.

“—Therefore, we would like to negotiate regarding the Duchy of Neustria.”

“…?”

The envoy, who had been rejoicing like a child, suddenly looked as if he had realized he needed to pull a rotten tooth. His face turned grim before he started uttering strange words.

What? Negotiate? My land?

“Envoy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Judging by your expression… you seem well aware of what you just said, but may I ask for an explanation?”

The envoy sweated profusely, swallowed hard, and then slowly continued.

“The Duchy of Neustria is the root of the Albion royal family, and though it branched off, it remains our spiritual homeland. In fact, my lord, His Majesty Edward, holds strong succession rights to Neustria.”

“Isn’t that what you just said? Do I appear to you as someone who cannot understand such things the first time and needs to be told twice?”

“…My lord, His Majesty Edward, has been deeply concerned about Lotharing’s aggressive expansion recently, and is quite uncomfortable that all his preparations to recover Neustria, Albion’s lost brother, have been rendered futile.”

So he’s finally decided to speak properly.

Deep concern… he’s clearly telling me that his king is absolutely furious.

“Your explanation does not convince me why I should comply. I rightfully won the war, reclaimed the throne that was unjustly taken by usurpers, and legitimately confiscated the territories of traitors who collaborated with those usurpers, did I not?”

So what am I supposed to do about it?

From what the envoy is saying, it seems the King of Albion is greatly angered that I swiftly devoured Neustria, which he had been preparing to take for himself. If he wanted it so badly, he should have taken it earlier—why is he making a fuss to me now?

“Your Majesty has a legitimate claim to the throne of Caroling, but no claim whatsoever to the Duchy of Neustria.”

“Claims? Is a claim necessary even to confiscate titles as punishment for treason?”

“…Your Majesty.”

When I openly showed that I had no intention of making any concessions, the envoy’s face sank deeply. Like a frog that had fallen into depression.

Come on, would you concede if you were in my position? I should be the one feeling wronged, not you.

“Then at the very least… could you provide the ring and scepter that belonged to the Duke of Neustria? This would not create any territorial issues.”

“That is not possible.”

The ring and scepter represent the legitimate right to rule the duchy, and if they take them, who knows what they might use them for in the future?

Moreover, even if the Kingdom of Albion doesn’t use the ring and scepter to claim the Duchy of Neustria, the very fact that they possess them poses a significant risk to me.

I understand that the Duke of Neustria’s ring and scepter are highly symbolic items for the Albion royal family, which branched off from the Neustrian family, but understanding something and complying with it are entirely different matters.