Chapter 143

A week after the meeting with the Architel Duke, I and the Architel Duke gathered the soldiers again in the Waine Plain.

Although we gathered the soldiers, it was not for the purpose of war, but to declare the end of hostilities in front of the clergy.

Thus, the expressions of our victorious soldiers were bright, and they were chatting, looking forward to the rewards they would receive after the war ended.

“Our commander will receive a territory, right? Then there should be something for us too… I hope we get a big bonus.”

“What’s the point of saving up money when you can’t even get married? Are you planning to make a bed out of gold coins?”

“Shut up, if I get promoted to sergeant this time, I’ll ask the squad leader to introduce me to a woman. At the level of sergeant, I should be able to marry a pretty girl from a peasant family.”

“Usually, you’d marry the daughter of a free citizen, even if she’s a bit less pretty. You weirdo…”

On the other hand, the expressions of the defeated soldiers of the Architel Duke’s house were truly gloomy.

“What good is it to just return alive! Damn it!!! Because of conscription, we missed the harvest season and our farming is a complete mess, and we can’t receive the damn money that we would get for winning the war…”

“If we go back like this, we will starve to death this year…”

“Let’s just hope it ends there. Since the Duke has lost the war, they will collect a tremendous amount of taxes to recoup the money and goods spent on the war. Three out of ten returning guys will starve to death.”

I listened to the soldiers’ conversations that seemed to illustrate the polarization of war and walked up to my place on the podium.

With each step I took up the stairs, the gazes of soldiers from both sides focused on me.

In the eyes of our soldiers, I felt respect and reverence towards me, while in the eyes of the Architel side soldiers, resentment and hatred could be read.

Next, I sat in a chair opposite to where the Architel Duke was seated.

A moment later, the Archbishop of the Architel Duchy, who was tasked with proclaiming the end of this war, announced solemnly.

“By the will of Deus, Deus Volt. Two lords have quarreled with their righteousness under the great will of the Almighty Deus. And Deus has raised the hand of Count Croilet, honoring him. Therefore, Belawus von Gregorio, Archbishop of Architel, declares the victory of Count Croilet on your behalf. Duke, do you have any objections?”

At those words, the Architel Duke bit his teeth and nodded in agreement.

“Although Your Excellency Count Croilet has won the war against Duke Architel, you hold the power of life and death over those soldiers. However, Deus dislikes unnecessary killing. Therefore, please stop the killing and save their lives.”

Hearing those words, I slightly bowed my head to the Archbishop, the representative of Deus, and said.

“As a faithful servant of Deus, SIEL von Croilet will naturally follow that wish.”

“Good. However, they have sinned against Deus… As a price, they will pay a penance to Your Excellency. Please take the appropriate toll.”

Firstly, this penance is the money that a defeated person who has been rejected by God due to their actions deemed unworthy by Deus pays to the victor to seek forgiveness.

Ironically, if they cannot pay this money, it is considered that they have not properly atoned for their sins against Deus… Hence, those who are assigned penance must pay that money, even if it means selling themselves into slavery.

Thus, the penance essentially amounts to a ransom that captured individuals pay to avoid becoming slaves.

The Archbishop spoke solemnly, looking at the inquisitors beside him.

“Then let us begin the trial of Wini von Helzman, who has sullied this holy war. Bring forth the sinner.”

Dressed in black robes that concealed their faces, they soon brought up Wini von Helzman, who was tied up beneath the podium.

As soon as the bastard came up, he screamed, begging for his life.

“P-please spare me! Your Excellency the Count!! I-I was just deceived by the Duke of Architel!!”

Naturally, I did not respond to such words, and the inquisitors tore apart the expensive clothes Wini was wearing with a knife.

“Clothes fit for nobles do not suit someone who has abandoned their noble status through the sacrament of confession.”

Then, they calmly placed the trembling bastard on the execution platform for beheading and said.

“Nevertheless, the crime of arbitrarily withdrawing the sacrament of confession and claiming to be the heir of the Helzman Count family shall be repaid with death. Furthermore, your soul will undoubtedly not receive salvation and will fall into hell like the heretics.”

In modern times, the fear of being executed is more intense than the idea of going to hell, but in a theocratic Europia, the thought of falling into hell is far more terrifying than dying.

This is because everyone here believes in heaven and hell… Death may come in an instant, but they believe that going to hell means suffering eternal pain that would make even dying seem preferable.

Thus, even those sentenced to death are thought to be incapable of being sent to hell, and ensuring they receive the sacrament of confession is regarded as a noble’s duty.

“Ah, Inquisitor!! Archbishop!! Please!! Give me a chance to confess… Grant me a chance to go to heaven!!”

Naturally, that plea was ignored, and a moment later, the axe the inquisitor held fell towards Wini’s neck.

As the axe fell, Wini’s head flew beneath the podium, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

Watching this, the Archbishop said with an expressionless face.

“Wini von Helzman… No, I declare that the soul of the one who arbitrarily broke the vow of clerical office and caused the war has now fallen into hell. And now, Duke Architel, Count Croilet, please rise and swear to Deus.”

The Duke and I stood up and raised our right hands as the Archbishop spoke the oath.

“I swear.”

“I swear.”

Regardless of this oath, in the event of any changes, the Duke of Architel will likely come back insisting that the peace treaty is void due to errors in the document.

And if a situation arose where I had to completely crush the Duke of Architel, I would probably come up with some ridiculous excuse to attack as well.

That is war, governance, and politics after all.

“Very well. Then, as of today, Count Croilet shall receive three-quarters of the territory of the Architel Duchy. However, the nobility under the Architel Duke will need some time to organize their affairs and bring their families. Therefore, I permit a final taxation to cover the moving costs of the nobles belonging to the territory.”

The final taxation… If I were the Duke, I would definitely try to maximize the tax take to ensure the nobles under me would have a hard time surviving in the shrunken territory.

I had prepared myself for this, but as I thought of permitting it, my stomach turned.

“Simultaneously, Count Croilet may receive the penance from the remaining nobles and soldiers, excluding the Architel Duke who is transferring the territory. Thus, I, Belawus von Gregorio, declare the end of this war on behalf of Deus.”

As soon as those words were finished, the Architel Duke approached me with a strained smile and offered his hand for a handshake.

Surely, he was trying to show a knightly attitude by acknowledging his defeat in accordance with the customs of the battlefield to preserve whatever honor he could salvage.

Having received three-quarters of the territory, it would be reasonable to be gracious enough to indulge him in this.

“Congratulations on your victory in the war, Count Croilet.”

“Not at all, Your Excellency the Duke. By the way, we plan to hold a festival soon… If it’s alright with you, would you be willing to offer some guidance at the banquet for this lacking Count?”

At those words, the Duke frowned momentarily and then smiled as he replied.

“Unfortunately, I am currently severely injured. The doctor advised me not to drink alcohol. So, if you invite me next time, I shall come then.”

“Is that so? That’s truly unfortunate. In that case, I will send some wine from my territory. Please be sure to drink it after your recovery.”

“Thank you, then I shall hurry along as I have urgent matters to attend to.”

After finishing those words, the Duke quickly left the podium, seemingly eager to be away from this place for even a minute longer.

Once the Duke had departed, Baron Frost approached me and asked.

“Your Excellency the Count, what will you do from now on?”

“What do you think I should do, Baron Frost?”

After pondering briefly upon hearing my words, Baron Frost answered.

“Our soldiers and knights are already exhausted. Therefore, wouldn’t it be wise to withdraw, leaving only the minimum forces?”

At that, I sighed and said.

“Let us rest here for about three days, then I will lead all our forces into the Ajan Cour Castle and stay there until the replacement force arrives. Otherwise, greater problems will occur.”

Indeed, matters such as plotting schemes among the Duke of Architel or other local powers…