Chapter 44

A few days after the banquet ended in complete chaos.

Karolus and his group, suddenly finding themselves in an awkward position, hurriedly began their journey back.

After all, an attempted assassin of the Emperor had entered the Empire as part of the Kingdom’s negotiation delegation. The glances from those around them weren’t exactly friendly.

Even though they managed to smooth things over, they decided to leave on their own, sensing the tension.

“Your Majesty, we shall take our leave now. May you remain unharmed.”

“We shall meet again soon at the armistice negotiations. The agreement has been documented, so be prepared if you fail to uphold it.”

“Of course, there will be no issue.”

The Empire held a modest farewell ceremony for the guests who knew when to leave.

There were no cannons or parades, but the Emperor himself saw them off.

It was a considerate gesture, reducing the potential for conflict while avoiding any undue rudeness.

“If only I had a son-in-law like you, it would have been wonderful.”

“Had I been born under a wise ruler like Your Majesty, I would have had no regrets. Alas, I was born in the Kingdom…”

Karolus, pretending to jest while mixing in 140% of his true feelings, mounted his horse and headed towards the Kingdom’s capital.

As he watched the negotiation delegation and their escort fade into the distance, a seated vassal quietly spoke up.

“They’re finally leaving.”

“Already, you might say. They were supposed to stay for another week.”

It was General Sebastian de Leclerc, the former commander of the Western Front, now temporarily retired.

“I still can’t understand, Your Majesty. Why did you let them go so easily? With the attempted assassination, you could have executed them all without issue.”

He shook his head vigorously.

This was an incident where the Emperor’s life was threatened. Not just any noble or distant royal, but the monarch himself!

If the glass hadn’t been discarded before drinking, they might be holding a funeral now.

They could have used this as a pretext to execute them all.

So why did they agree to Karolus’s proposal? Why spare a key figure from the enemy nation?

To his old friend’s question, the Emperor replied as if it were obvious.

“Because we couldn’t kill him.”

“…What?”

“We couldn’t kill Karolus. Even if we had tried, he would have found a way to escape back to the Kingdom.”

Louis XVI shuddered, recalling the events at the banquet.

It was still vivid in his mind. The assassins falling like autumn leaves.

“You weren’t there, so you wouldn’t know. A man killed others with his bare hands. Without any tools, just swinging his arms and kicking, he took lives.”

It was a sudden ambush. They were supposed to be unarmed for safety.

Yet Karolus broke bones and destroyed vital points with just his fists and kicks. He displayed skills that even elite assassins couldn’t match.

And it wasn’t even one-on-one. He was half-surrounded by five or six, yet he slaughtered them without a hint of tension.

As if this were an everyday occurrence, without a shred of nervousness.

“Karolus isn’t just an officer. As a warrior, he’s reached a peak. He could easily defeat our Imperial Knights in a duel.”

“…Is that so?”

“If you had seen it, you would agree.”

And it wasn’t just him. He had hundreds of escorts, veterans from the Northern Army (Southern Army by Imperial standards).

No matter the situation, they could ensure Karolus’s escape, even if the rest couldn’t make it.

And if he survived, he would harbor immense hostility towards the Empire.

So it was better to let him go gracefully. No need to stir up a hornet’s nest.

“Well, that’s not the only reason. We also wanted to show some grace.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think Karolus von Roytel is satisfied with his current position? At such a young age, he already wields such power.”

Ah, and it was also about currying favor with the future leader of the Kingdom.

Currently, Karolus von Roytel is a true powerhouse in the Kingdom’s politics. Intelligence suggests he controls a massive faction and manipulates the Parliament at will.

If he returns and punishes those responsible for the war, carrying out purges and political reforms as he desires.

His power will soon be firmly established. Beyond a mere politician, comparable to a monarch.

He could easily push aside the nominal ruler, Karl VII, and govern the country as he pleases. Enacting laws and wielding supreme authority.

‘He seemed to have some self-control, but… sometimes the throne is forced upon you, whether you want it or not.’

He declared he would reform the system by turning the Liudolf Royal Family into figureheads… but who knows?

Will it really go as planned?

Not everyone around Karolus agrees with his views.

Rather than keeping a puppet monarchy, many might prefer establishing a new, capable dynasty.

As the supreme authority who has ruled the Empire for decades, Louis XVI judged that Karolus’s declaration was more likely to break.

“A small kindness and generosity can return as a great fortune in the future.”

They forgave a serious diplomatic issue for the price of a single county. And even guaranteed a safe return. An incredibly lenient decision.

This should ensure no issues with the soon-to-change Kingdom’s regime.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, in the capital of the Kingdom of Ullanor, Rahator.

“Ha, haha. I can’t believe it was true. What His Excellency said was correct.”

“Damn those noble bastards. They’ve been hiding this truth from us all this time?”

Officers who had finally uncovered the secret from ten years ago were venting their frustrations.

As members of the Kingdom’s intelligence bureau under Brigadier General Kais, they had spent months combing through past records.

After scrutinizing all meeting minutes, personal memoirs, and accounting documents, they finally uncovered the truth.

Why this war started, and who was responsible.

“Twenty years since I joined the military. Never have I felt more ashamed of my country.”

After days of hard work, the answer they found completely negated their existence and morality.

Despite their strong loyalty and patriotism, they couldn’t hide their despair.

Even with repeated education in loyalty and obedience, they couldn’t help but feel disappointment and emptiness in the face of their country’s disgrace.

“Now I understand why the Empire has been so relentless in attacking us. I would have done the same.”

“Our soldiers’ sacrifices and devotion… were all in vain. They were just casualties in a war with no justification.”

Each cursed and vented their frustrations on the spot, until Brigadier General Kais suddenly raised a question.

“But how was this possible?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a war. No matter the reason, it’s not something easily decided. Why is there no record of any opposition?”

“…Huh?”

Thinking about it, it was true.

Even minor issues like changing palace decorations or renovating government buildings often led to conflicts among politicians.

So for something as significant as war, it’s strange there were no debates or disputes. It’s more abnormal for there to be none.

So then.

“How could they all agree so unanimously? To throw the nation’s resources and manpower into this without limit?”

“Maybe they were all brainwashed? Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.”

“I’d like to say brainwashing magic doesn’t exist, but… that’s the most plausible assumption.”

For some reason, there was no trace of any opposition to the war.

Nobles who usually bickered over factions suddenly united in calling for war.

They harshly criticized anyone showing the slightest hesitation and pushed for troop mobilization.

‘The Empire and we have been friendly for over a century. There should have been pro-Imperial factions.’

How could there be no one supporting a long-time friendly nation?

There must have been celebrations and festivals advocating friendship between the two countries.

This was clearly abnormal. No matter how much the royal family and political circles favored war, such unanimity was unnatural.

Could the records have been erased? As doubts grew.

“Sir, Brigadier General Kais? A guest has arrived.”

“I’m busy. Tell them to come back later.”

“It’s… Lady Arshah’s father. He says he has crucial information.”

“…Let him in.”

The person who could provide the answer had arrived.