Ch.30099. I Would Do the Same, Of Course (2)

“General. I hear that a new queen has ascended to the throne in Ruthania.”

“Wasn’t that already the expected outcome?”

Soon to retire, soon to retire… yet ultimately held back much longer, Nedes.

She inwardly snorted at the news that reached her while navigating the North Sea.

How long has it been since that princess arrived on that island? About three years, perhaps?

The great and majestic Ruthania.

These people who so exaggeratedly call their island such have constantly engaged in warfare, splitting into three, five, eight, or nine factions even among themselves.

The natives and the races and tribes that crossed over from the continent.

Just when things seemed to stabilize, even the Ice Sand people intervened and settled there, turning everything into absolute chaos.

Even during the era of the Great Vera Empire, they were under their rule and oppression, yet they boast about making things difficult for their oppressors as if it were an achievement.

Above all, the chivalric culture that spread like a trend in the Berk Empire was something they claimed to have originated, as they had maintained their own unique culture and traditions.

…They were that skilled in superstition and sorcery.

By continental standards, they were widely regarded as spineless fools with no self-respect for still deferring to fairies for the maintenance and approval of their dynasty.

Conversely, the Ruthanian tribes pity the continent.

They ask if mainlanders aren’t idiots for following a non-existent god and worshipping an object called a cross.

Even so, it wasn’t as if there were no Irenis believers in Ruthania.

Rather, the devout were extremely dedicated, and the noble cause of serving God while upholding loyalty and justice, intertwined with chivalric culture, was something the self-important Ruthanians could hardly refuse.

However, since Ruthania was a microcosm of the continent, it was divided among four or five human races, while the position of non-human races was quite precarious.

Thus, those pushed to the neighboring archipelago or the opposite side of the island were barely holding on in harsh environments, finding what little comfort they could.

“The neighboring countries must be on edge.”

“They won’t attempt external expansion so easily while still consolidating power. Not unless they’re insane.”

“…I wonder about that.”

Nedes gave a silent, mocking smile with just her expression as she glared at her adjutant, a distant junior from the Witch Island who would one day act in her stead.

Asess Endragon.

This woman, called Aselath en Draig in their language, had an extraordinary reputation even on the continent.

Despite being legitimate Ruthanian royalty, she was someone who had stirred up countless battlefields where people fell like expendable goods in a single day.

According to Gazef, she was a direct descendant of the Lake Dragon and even belonged to the core of the Salvation Knight Order derived from Grandeus himself.

…If she had lived in the same era and generation as them, she would surely have become a hero or a favorite commander of the Demon King.

Though she was widely criticized for severe character flaws… she apparently prioritized results, satisfied as long as the outcome was favorable.

…To put it another way, rather than doing good deeds for the sake of goodness, she would use any means necessary to achieve a good result?

“……”

According to Gazef, she was influenced by young Cariel in developing such tendencies.

“……”

Cariel, is it?

Three years have passed since that incident.

The humiliation from that time resulted in delaying her retirement.

Rueld doesn’t show it publicly, but according to Ermina, he’s been spending more time quietly drinking to soothe his heart.

Conversely, Ermina has been throwing herself into volunteer work as if being chased by something.

…Still, perhaps because they experienced Cariel’s example, they both seemed to make an effort to appear mature and dignified when dealing with their second child, Elimion.

…In that sense, Michel might be the most precarious.

Though his status as the Hero Emperor is as magnificent as Rueld the Radiant Knight, he still bears that heavy burden alone without naming a successor.

No matter how much the Empress and those around him help and support him….

Moreover, it’s problematic that the northern region, especially around the Seven Mountain Peaks, has grown quiet for some unknown reason.

The threat of monsters remains, but the frequency of organized attacks has apparently decreased considerably.

That’s also why Nedes herself is stationed in the North Sea.

The Monster King who once lurked beneath the sea was supposedly dealt with, but there’s been little opportunity to confront the one occupying the coast.

…Without Rueld, that damn sea-dwelling creature would have caused all sorts of trouble, so perhaps this situation is similar.

Since the Monster King made its nest at the Seven Mountain Peaks, this is the first year without a preventive battle.

…Perhaps they should accelerate preparations for next year.

She only hopes this won’t lead to insane administrative decisions like drastically reducing the budget allocated to the north or transferring some troops to other regions.

Michel wouldn’t do that, but as this is a time when even the Emperor’s absoluteness is being questioned, ministers and nobles might very well exploit this perceived weakness.

“The void left by one missing daughter is this significant.”

“Pardon?”

“Did I say something?”

Perhaps her frustration made her thoughts slip out.

“But what’s surprising is that Ruthania’s new queen could have used herself as bait for diplomatic leverage, couldn’t she?”

“…Do you have any sense at all?”

Surely she’s not suggesting marriage diplomacy?

Surely she’s not suggesting bringing in a foreign consort and throwing open the doors to internal interference?

“Except for the fairies granting legitimacy to the royal family, she was surrounded by enemies on all sides, wasn’t she?”

“So, she should have pulled someone in somehow to quickly stabilize the situation?”

“With all due respect, if I were the Emperor, I would have attacked Ruthania during that window of opportunity. Or perhaps forced a marriage alliance. There’s Prince Alesius, isn’t there? Even though he was exiled, that would provide sufficient justification. If not attacking, at least that much could have been done. Especially since after the Sea Depth King was subjugated, the two sides have been unfriendly neighbors with eyes across the sea toward each other’s land.”

“The dignity of a great nation and its position as a guardian and believer of justice wouldn’t allow that. Besides, why should we interfere in another country’s war? Who benefits from such bloodshed? The Emperor? The nobles? What about the citizens who actually die?”

“Ah, I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

“…From the looks of it, you’d casually fire people like arrows as soon as you take a higher position? This won’t do. Consider your promotion prospects gone.”

“Ah, General! I mean, sister!!”

The benefits a nation can gain from being righteous and just are immense.

Above all, the moment a great power commits atrocities, history has proven that the entire region, except for that power itself, will unite against them.

“And you know, Ruthania has a certain racial characteristic.”

“Racial characteristic? That sounds ominous. What is it?”

“‘We kill our own, we punish our own. So don’t interfere in our family quarrels. We’ll beat you to a pulp.’ That’s what they’re like.”

Despite clear personal grudges, even against the murderers of their parents or siblings, these people will unhesitatingly stand back-to-back when faced with outside invaders.

…They’ll go back to cutting each other’s backs and necks afterward, but at least for that moment, they cease hostilities.

There are plenty of examples where this led to reconciliation and treaties.

“Rather than forcing a marriage within the island to bring in allies, bringing in an outsider? Even if a fairy shoves a crown on your head and tells you to sit on the throne, they will never accept it.”

“That’s quite different from our island.”

“We have no pride.”

To outsiders, Witch Island might seem similar to the Ruthanian tribes, but they’re opposites.

…From ancient times, Witch Island has been quicker than anyone to bow their heads and kneel.

Instead, because they had an overwhelmingly female population, they would openly infiltrate the ruling class, suck their blood, and eventually devour their hearts.

Some countries even collapsed because of this.

There’s a reason they’re called Witch Island.

In the past five hundred years, more than ten large and small nations have fallen due to Witch Island natives.

Including high-ranking houses, the number easily reaches twenty.

Cases like Nedes, who conversely dedicates herself to the state, are rather exceptional.

Her grandmother and mentor used to scold her fiercely, asking why she was throwing stones and spears when she should be grabbing the Emperor’s thighs or groin, questioning if she was some kind of barbarian warrior.

Even so, now if not everyone, there are many who admire Nedes’s approach and seek to enter high positions proudly through their abilities.

…Though many have also naturally caught the eye of noble scions and been incorporated that way.

In the past, being from Witch Island would have invited not just aversion but malicious misunderstanding, but that prejudice has somehow been mitigated because of Nedes.

…The girls from our island really ought to revere me for generations.

“His Majesty will also send a delegation, I assume?”

“…I suppose so.”

Normally, Elhermina would have been sent as a representative, but since she doesn’t exist anymore, there’s no solution.

…But not attending such an important international event? It would be truly difficult to hide it any longer.

The fact that she has disappeared, that is.

In truth, those who know, know.

It’s just… whether this fact spreads to the citizens or not.

The repercussions would also trigger changes in the responses of nobles and kings who own fiefs.

In reality, it would be correct to say that everyone is waiting for the right time.

Still, for now, the Hero Emperor, the Radiant Knight, and the Great Saint who is even praised as the Holy Mother.

Also the Magic Empress, who holds an unrivaled position in the magical and arcane academic world.

…It would be correct to say that the Empire is essentially carried by the trust and prestige of these four.

The Emperor controls the nobles and officials, the Saint the common people and clergy, the Empress the wizards and mages.

And the Radiant Knight, the knights and all imperial citizens.

“I don’t know what they’ll do if they collapse.”

“Who are you referring to?”

“Just something.”

Rapid growth.

The aftermath of embracing numerous territories devastated by the Demon King’s army’s invasion.

Vast and extensive territories and countless citizens.

And the pride and bond of belonging to an Empire where numerous races are mixed together.

“Perhaps it’s time for me to retire too.”

“If you retire, Lady Nedes… who will protect this sea?”

“That’s the problem, you fool. You or the others can do it. Do I have to stay here for thousands of years? You should at least express ambition like ‘Please leave quickly! I will protect the seas!'”

“But sister, compared to you, we’re still full of shortcomings.”

“……”

They are weak.

Terribly weak.

Yet, knowing this is the natural result of peace, Nedes couldn’t bring herself to reproach them.

They aren’t a generation that has forcibly endured hell like hers.

Nor are they a generation that somehow survived while others died in that hell.

“Still, I will leave someday.”

What did Michel say once?

The moment you ascend to the throne, you must prepare to step down from it.

It seemed like nonsense at the time, but lately, she’s been feeling it acutely.

So, perhaps Michel himself is… rotten inside?

“Hmm.”

If they push Alesius into this congratulatory delegation, it might herald another kind of tectonic shift.

Above all.

The excommunicated Eras Esdina is being too active, which is concerning.

At this rate, the excommunication order might even be withdrawn.

“This is why justice and goodness are so trivial.”

Protecting something is troublesome.

Rather, if everyone walked through hell… wouldn’t that be better in its own way?

Why should someone have to bear the burdens of others?

Isn’t this a terribly wrong structure?

Fame, achievements, glory.

…Looking back, they were all useless.

All of them!