Ch.160Declaration of War

Year 100 of Amurtat.

All preparations were complete.

Population, economy, military…

Everything had been meticulously planned for the War of the Throne about to unfold in the North, and today would once again be a day when bloody winds would sweep across the northern lands.

“Move all forces to the border.”

Ignatz von Jäger, Sword Master and Standard Bearer of Amurtat, moved the forces of Amurtat’s homeland and its vassal states to the border regions with the Fahrenheit faction.

“As of this hour, Amurtat declares a state of emergency martial law. Until the end of the war, twenty-five freedoms, excluding freedom of assembly and association, will be restricted.”

The Counselor of Amurtat enacted emergency martial law throughout the realm, severely limiting the rights of its subjects.

“Summon the representatives of the vassal states! Our Amurtat shall become the ruler of the North!”

At Tiberius’s command, hundreds of representatives from vassal states made their way to the palace of Amurtat.

Since war was already a foregone conclusion, they had been waiting in Amurtat City, and upon entering the palace at Tiberius’s command, the representatives from each country prostrated themselves with expressions that suggested the inevitable had finally arrived.

“Representatives of the nations who have sworn to stand with Amurtat. I am overjoyed that you have gathered here today.”

Tiberius first expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the vassal states, and then proclaimed:

“The time has finally come. The moment when our Amurtat has achieved the qualifications to seize the throne of the Grand Monarch!”

“At last!”

When one representative shouted with a face full of enthusiasm, the other representatives also smiled as they gazed at Tiberius.

Soon, the words they had longed and yearned for would come from the lips of the true Grand Monarch.

“War! Amurtat hereby declares war on Fahrenheit and its subordinate vassal states as of this hour!”

“””Long live Amurtat!”””

Unlike the Fahrenheit faction, a fervent response erupted like that of an agitator and an agitated crowd, and the Counselor left his seat to draft the declaration of war.

*

“War.”

With a composed expression, Marcus, the Grand Monarch of the North, murmured.

In truth, there was nothing particularly surprising about it.

After all, since their defeat in war, being manipulated by demons, and the collapse of their economy, the position of Grand Monarch had become merely a shell.

If the current Fahrenheit and Amurtat were to face each other one-on-one, though it might take some time, Amurtat would eventually emerge victorious.

Their infantry could be trained in just a day, but their archers took a year to train properly; their cannons could destroy castle walls, but their ballistas could not. That was the difference.

Marcus knew that while the defensive magic and spells of mages could withstand their artillery fire, the enemy would simply continue firing until those defenses broke.

However, Fahrenheit had not peacefully ascended to the position of Grand Monarchy either.

They too had fought in the War of the Throne 400 years ago, resulting in the extinction of their history as a monarchy and the continuation of their history only as a Grand Monarchy.

If one were to include the history of when Fahrenheit existed as an ordinary monarchy, it would now be the year 873 in the Fahrenheit calendar.

“I remember the nations gathered here. Some I saw in the last War of the Throne, and some I did not. I offer praise to those countries that fought for our Fahrenheit in the previous war, and express my gratitude to those who have joined us this time.”

As Marcus raised his hand, the representatives of the nations immediately knelt and shouted:

“””Long live His Majesty the Grand Monarch!!!”””

Grand Monarch.

One of only five in this continent, those who do not fall.

Momentarily recalling old memories amid the endless cheers, Marcus soon raised his voice:

“Summon the knightly orders! The time has come for those who have sworn allegiance under our banner to fulfill their oath! Light the beacons so that the lords of the plains and the castle lords of the ridges may see! When they hear the sound of clarinets and war drums, they will raise the swallow-tailed banner and march to the battlefield as dictated by ancient treaties! Declare mobilization to the rangers of the forests, the guards of the cities, and the militias of the countryside! We are the rulers of the North! The guardians of the North!”

As Marcus, the Grand Monarch of the North, shouted with force, the representatives sent from the countries under his command—especially the vassal states that had formed feudal contracts with Fahrenheit—stood up and declared:

“Vassal state Karolingen! We shall participate with a total force of 234,000 men!”

“Vassal state Chartorelle! We shall participate with a total force of 138,000 men!”

“Vassal state Kartopel! We shall participate with a total force of 322,000 men!”

The representatives of the ordinary vassal states could not understand why these feudal states were loyal to Fahrenheit.

After all, despite being mere feudal states, they had taken no action when Fahrenheit was beaten by the alliance of states, or when demons ravaged Fahrenheit.

However, this was an unfair criticism of the feudal states, as they had all formed their feudal contracts after the war and the demonic invasion.

“And my loyal vassal states, will you join me in this War of the Throne?”

Finally, after the last feudal state had pledged its participation, Grand Monarch Marcus asked the other vassal states about their intention to join.

It was a formality, of course—they wouldn’t have gathered here if they didn’t intend to participate, and mere representatives without plenipotentiary powers had no authority to refuse, so they could only speak as their monarchs had commanded. Yet in this world, no ceremony was without meaning.

“””Yes, Your Majesty!”””

The simple and brief response filled the audience hall, and soon Fahrenheit began to mobilize its army to prove that it had not won the Grand Monarch’s position through a game of cards.

*

A few days later.

The magical communication transmitted by Amurtat was received by all nations.

[We announce to all nations of the North. Four hundred years have passed since Fahrenheit became a Grand Monarchy, and one hundred years have passed since Amurtat was born into this world. It is a truth acknowledged by all that stagnant water rots, and the powerless cannot stand above others.

Fahrenheit has already lost its cause and justification. A ruler who is defeated by the power of monarchs is unworthy of being a Grand Monarch, and one who has been manipulated by demons is unworthy of being human. For the past 400 years, Fahrenheit has brought nothing but disappointment to the nations of the North.

To the vassal and feudal states of Fahrenheit, we ask: What has your lord given you? What was the benefit of the covenant you made? There is no future in what Marcus claims. If the future is merely a repetition of the present, know that we, Amurtat, are ready to destroy that ‘future.’

And to our loyal allies! May the blessing of the stars and archangels be with you! Those who leave behind the old past and the harsh present to move toward a hopeful future will always be praised!

As many already know, Amurtat has achieved a fixed population of 10 million at the point of its 100-year history, qualifying to challenge for the throne of the Grand Monarch. We believe there are no nations or monarchs who do not understand what this means.

July 6th, Year 100 of Amurtat.

Amurtat and its 230 vassal states hereby declare the outbreak of the War of the Throne against Fahrenheit and its 154 vassal states.

May the archangels bestow upon us the crown of victory.

Long live Amurtat!]

The content might seem long to some and short to others.

This message, sent from one nation to all nations, carried an extremely powerful meaning.

THE DECLARATION OF WAR

Amurtat stands against Fahrenheit.

Fahrenheit stands against Amurtat.

Though it was simply that message, the meaning it carried was immensely heavy.

The War of the Throne had begun.

Until either Fahrenheit or Amurtat was completely destroyed, the plains of the North would be soaked in blood, the ravines filled with corpses, the mountains covered with spears and swords, and the wind would carry the smoke of guns and cannons. If one did not leave the North, there was only one way to survive in this artillery fire:

To fight with one’s life on the line and annihilate enemies for what one believes in.

Amurtat.

Total population: 23,580,000.

Mobilizable forces: 3,300,000.

Fahrenheit.

Maximum population: 34,210,000.

Mobilizable forces: 4,530,000.

Until the opening salvos are buried by the final gunshots, they will fight with the North as their battlefield.

Until there is no one left to fight.