Ch.157Reunion (1)

“Dissolution is impossible… is it?”

The response from the Holy Empire came back swiftly and cleanly. They stated that the alliance was solely for defensive purposes, not for aggression, so Lotharing’s demand for dissolution was impossible.

Well, of course. If they were going to dissolve a defensive alliance just because someone complained once, they wouldn’t have formed it in the first place, would they?

“What do you think?”

“For the time being, shouldn’t we turn our attention to domestic affairs and wait until they calm down?”

“And how long is ‘for the time being’?”

“…Until they are satisfied.”

Even Leclerc can’t give a hasty answer.

Having to quietly wait until they’re satisfied might sound irresponsible, but at this point, it’s entirely reasonable.

Lotharing can’t handle any more wars. No matter how strong the army is, recovering from the accumulated fatigue of consecutive wars and replenishing lost soldiers isn’t something that can be resolved immediately.

Above all, even if Lotharing’s army were at full strength, facing simultaneous attacks from allied forces along the lengthy border would be extremely burdensome. If we were to go to war with them, we shouldn’t send our main forces out to fight but rather station them domestically and wait for the right opportunity.

“Well, it should be fine.”

Anyway, whether they’re satisfied or not, I had no intention of fighting anymore.

For the time being—no, for the rest of my life—I’ll just quietly manage Lotharing and Caroling. Even now, the number of vassals has increased so much that my working hours are no joke. Only madmen would try to expand territory further.

Thinking about it now, Alexander was truly a madman. Before, I just thought he was a great conqueror who conquered Egypt and Persia and expanded to India.

He kept waging wars without any thought of managing conquered territories and domestic politics, so as soon as he died, his country shattered. I won’t do such things; I’ll quietly digest Caroling and pass on a stable country to Lothar.

……….

“…Why didn’t I receive such news?”

“Isn’t it because Lady Ines is the queen of Lotharing?”

Meanwhile, the Duchy of Lorel was quite perplexed.

All vassal states bordering Lotharing received invitations from the Emperor regarding the defense treaty, but the Duchy of Lorel alone did not.

That’s only natural.

If they invited the Duchy of Lorel, which is connected to Lotharing by blood, there would be concerns about information leaks. Besides, unless Lotharing went mad, they wouldn’t invade the Duchy of Lorel. Of course, the King of Lotharing was indeed mad, but given the good relationship between the spouses, he wouldn’t invade the Duchy of Lorel.

Above all, there was no guarantee that the Duchy of Lorel would faithfully fulfill the defense treaty, so the Emperor did not send an invitation to the Duchy of Lorel.

“I know that! But isn’t this clearly treating me as an enemy?”

Of course, such treatment is extremely insulting to the Duchy of Lorel.

It means they completely view Lorel as a potential traitor.

They couldn’t participate in a treaty targeting their son-in-law and would have declined such an invitation anyway, but not even sending an invitation because they view them as potential traitors is too harsh an insult and provocation.

“So… that’s how it is? How dare they…”

The Duke of Lorel feels a great sense of betrayal.

During the last holy war, he stood by the Emperor’s side and defeated the invaders. The catalyst was that the crusading forces dared to enter his territory and attempt to plunder, but still, he fought sincerely for the Emperor against the crusading forces.

Yet they treat me like this? How dare they?

“What is His Majesty of Dijon aiming for with his actions? Is it war after all?”

“That is…”

“…?”

The Duke of Lorel, who had asked his chancellor about his son-in-law’s movements, falls into doubt.

Not giving a proper answer and trailing off is not the chancellor’s usual behavior.

“Why is that?”

“He’s acting in a way that makes it difficult to discern his intentions. For now, I’ll report only what His Majesty Claude has done so far.”

The Duke cannot properly understand the chancellor’s words.

No, if they’ve recorded everything His Majesty of Dijon has done so far, why say they don’t know his intentions?

Isn’t that like a foolish farmer who diligently plows the entire field but claims not to know how to sow seeds?

“…Hmm.”

And a moment later, the Duke finally came to understand the chancellor’s words.

He truly cannot discern the intentions.

Domestically, he’s greatly inciting the people, while externally, he’s not making any gestures—isn’t that too contradictory?

Judging by his domestic actions, it seems like he’s about to move to destroy this anti-Lotharing alliance, but externally, he’s avoiding conflict with the anti-Lotharing alliance.

“…Simply for domestic public opinion—no, a king doesn’t need such things.”

What ancient Roman Republic is this? Why would a noble king need to appeal to the people for support? Even the various republics that exist today strictly prohibit the political participation of ignorant commoners.

The people are beings who must follow the ruler’s commands; asking for the people’s will is an act that diminishes one’s own authority. There are no mad knights in the world who ask permission from their swords when wielding them.

Of course, if treated too harshly, people will inevitably rebel, so minimal relief must be provided, but that minimal relief is sufficient. Involving the people in state affairs and seeking their understanding like this is an unheard-of and strange method of governance.

“But the effect of those actions is certain. Even merchants who would do anything to avoid paying taxes are reading His Majesty Claude’s declaration and voluntarily donating funds out of emotion. Those who want to fight are entering the barracks, receiving the position of squire, and undergoing professional training.”

“Yet he remains still externally. I cannot understand it. I cannot understand.”

If he wasn’t going to take any external action, why make such statements? Simply to collect more taxes?

If he wanted to collect more taxes, he could just issue a decree to collect more. Why use such a troublesome method?

What is he aiming for? It’s as if he’s hoping the anti-Lotharing alliance will attack first… Wait.

“Let me confirm one thing: the defense treaty they’ve formed is only effective when Lotharing attacks, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“…Ha ha, could it be.”

A great spark ignites in the Duke of Lorel’s mind.

If my guess is correct, Lotharing is trying to induce them to attack first and is stabilizing domestic politics in preparation.

Taking no external action is simply a deception. If he were to disrupt the anti-Lotharing alliance through some conflict or negotiation, they would shrink back and not attack Lotharing first.

Right now, he simply lacks the strength to fight due to consecutive wars. With these methods, he’s securing military funds and manpower, gradually recovering strength, and then planning to provoke them into attacking when the time is right.

If not this, there’s no way to explain Lotharing’s attitude.

“I must send a letter to Ines—no, to Queen Ines. Please tell her to let me know at least a month in advance.”

If Lotharing provokes the Empire, Lorel needs at least a month to prepare. Regardless of the outcome, Lorel, which has close ties with both Lotharing and the Empire, will face significant changes.

……….

“Service to Your Majesty!”

“Waaaaaah!!”

“…What’s this now?”

Having protested to the Empire and Albion, and posted placards to comfort the people, I thought matters were settled, so I disguised myself and went to the university for a change of pace.

But the university is different from what I knew.

The streets are filled with countless royal emblems combining the emblems of the Kingdom of Lotharing and House Burgundy, and some students wearing modified nun’s habits like Jeanne are standing in front of them, raising their voices in support of me.

Most students seem to pass by without paying attention, but some stand before them, showing great enthusiasm for the speeches supporting me.

‘I should ask Jeanne about this later.’

Given that they’re wearing the modified nun’s habits that Jeanne proposed, they must be students from the theology department, so Jeanne probably knows something about this.

When I return to the castle, I should call Jeanne separately and ask her about it. If they’re acting organizationally to create this atmosphere, I should tell them to restrain themselves.

“…Your Majesty?”

As I’m observing the students giving speeches with such thoughts, suddenly a voice calls me from behind.

I even put on a proper beard and pulled up my hood, so how did they recognize me? Especially since they called from behind, they must have only seen my back?

“Who—ah, Ellen?”

“It really is… Your Majesty…”

Worried that people nearby might have heard, I turned around carefully, and there stood Ellen, who had completely shed her youthful appearance in many ways. Her blue eyes had changed to green, so I didn’t recognize her immediately.

Wow, the old Ellen was just a country girl who didn’t care about skincare at all, but somehow her skin looks better now that she’s older. She seems to have adapted well and is living a good life.

After the university was fully established, the professors’ quarters that had been in the palace were moved to the university. Also, since Ellen seemed to avoid meeting me before, I had been refraining from meeting her, so it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen her. It feels like meeting an old friend after a long time.

Of course, she’s not a friend but strictly speaking a disciple and subject, but being of common birth, she was one of the few people I could speak comfortably with, so that feeling is strong.