Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Chapter 157: The Only Sadness

The Chairman, Acad, called out.
“Count Ulbera Consillus, could you please step up to the witness stand and speak?”
He pointed at Consillus, not Ferda.
The reason he grabbed Consillus by the collar instead of Ferda was to bring up the past, not the present.
As it was a shared point from an earlier meeting, Consillus calmly rose from his seat.
“I am Ulbera Consillus, Lord of the Consillus Territory and the 25th Head of House Consillus. Please understand that my preparation is lacking due to the sudden summons.”
His demeanor, bowing politely, carried the gravity of a gentleman.
Oldin responded to that greeting.
“I sincerely thank you for your dedication to the Empire as a lord of the Far East.”
“I also thank you for valuing my achievements so highly.”
“However, unfortunately, unlike such gratitude, I must share an uncomfortable story.”
Oldin took out previously prepared materials.
“Upon examining the financial statements of the Far East, past cases of administrative negligence and embezzlement occurred in each territory. I would like to demand an explanation, if that is alright?”
“If necessary, I will answer at any time, but I do not believe the current situation calls for unearthing past matters, does it?”
Consillus asked why he was attempting to shift the agenda with such an unpleasant matter.
“If I were simply trying to cover up past matters, this post-war conference would not exist either. I judge that this current incident erupted due to border negligence in the Far East—in other words, a human-made disaster.”
Oldin asserted that it was an inevitably entangled issue.
“If you are going to connect them, an excessively contradictory situation arises.”
“What contradiction?”
“You said there were anomalies in the past financial statements of the Far East. Yet until then, no demon or monster had crossed over from the Far East. Until then, we could be considered to have fulfilled our duty.”
“So are you saying it is correct?”
“Please listen until the end. In recent financial statements, no issues were raised in any territory as the Archduchy became active. Is that not so?”
It could not be helped.
Ferda had seized on their corruption as leverage, and in order to survive, they needed to become competent.
The test of that competence did not even grant them time to embezzle.
“Yet at this moment, the monsters crossed over. In the blink of an eye, twelve of them surrounded the Far East in an instant. This is an unprecedented situation, far removed from a border failure. If the Assemblyman-nim truly insists on linking the fact that the Far East was corrupt in the past with the monsters, it must lead to the strange conclusion that for the Empire to remain safe, officials must not work and must remain corrupt.”
“Do you accept that you neglected your duties until now?”
“If you desire punishment in accordance with Imperial Law, go ahead.”
In contrast to the words saying he would accept it calmly, Consillus spoke knowing he could not be touched.
Such management and disposition are conventionally delegated to superiors, and Ferda had already detained all related parties.
Therefore, double disciplinary action could not be taken against those who had already been disciplined.
Even so, it would only be possible if Ferda accepted it.
Consillus’s attitude carried a spirit no less formidable than that of the Inverse Hero, Oldin.
They had brought him out to reprimand him, but it only proved how much had built up within the Empire.
Oldin could not easily open his mouth, and the next question was taken up by the Leader of the Alte Church, Joseph Faust.
“There is content regarding collaboration with the Director of Escolleia. I understand that a monster appearance prediction device was shared with the Archduchy, produced, and delivered to each territory.”
“That is correct.”
“Despite possessing this prediction device, is there any reason why you did not discover them before the Empire?”
“The detectable range of rift occurrences is within the activity radius of a village; detection cannot reach as far as the Far East and the Archduchy of Valdrova.”
“Why not?”
“It is a technological limitation. This is something Escolleia should explain, so I have nothing to say on the matter.”
“I see. Understood.”
He merely placed emphasis on the reason it could not be detected early.
Unlike Oldin, the Leader of the Alte Church appeared purely curious.
“I would like to inquire about the magitech infantry.”
This time, Valdemar spoke up.
“It is recorded that the reason the casualties between this provisional alliance and the Far East alliance differ so distinctly is due to that infantry.”
“Yes. Those who established its operation are Princess Olivia Arken and Security Captain William.”
“I know Lord William did so.”
“If I may say so, Princess Olivia smoothed out the framework with great finesse.”
“That story does not seem necessary to tell.”
Valdemar swiftly dismissed it as irrelevant the moment Olivia’s name arose.
That old man is, without a doubt, the mastermind who rendered her powerless.
“Why did the Far East Alliance not receive this equipment?”
“It is not that they did not receive it; they chose not to.”
“Why?”
“The operational method of the infantry does not align with the currently established tactics of the alliance. There was concern that the command system would break down, and this was agreed upon with both the alliance and the Regent.”
“If the rifles had been prepared more quickly, could they not have been stopped?”
“Rifles remain unstable items. Charge time, preheating, processing—they require continuous research. If we had received them without proper understanding and some poor soldier turned into a bomb, inflicting friendly casualties, what then?”
Consillus’s concern was truly rational and persuasive enough.
“Then are the deaths of the soldiers considered natural?”
“Their deaths weigh upon my heart, but I never hold regrets regarding that matter.”
Consillus spoke with confidence.
“If there is a reason they perished, it is because they believed in their commander. The belief that he would build a better future, the belief that he would support their families even in their absence. They held onto that with their very lives, so I do not wish to leave their deaths as a regret.”
Valdemar’s attempt to place blame on someone was blocked in this manner.
“Understood.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Do any other Assemblymen have questions?”
“It seems there are none. You may step down.”
He thought he had defended himself remarkably well, yet worry settled across Consillus’s face.
“Strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Archduke Golt had intended to, he could have completely ruined me… it is surprising that he retreated.”
“Is that so?”
Ferda did not know what had transpired between Consillus and Valdemar, so he could not even begin to guess.
The High Councilors began conferring among themselves.
After roughly five minutes of a brief exchange of opinions, they arrived at a conclusion.
“Crown Prince Alexander Arken. Would you please step forward?”
“Yes.”
The man designated to bear the blame for this incident.
Even if he attacks Ferda, Alexander’s disciplinary action cannot be averted.
“I believe you are conducting state affairs excellently as the Emperor’s representative, carrying the weight of authority beyond that of the Crown Prince.”
“Th-thank you.”
“However, you failed to draft an appropriate response scenario for the monsters, and the tactics were not executed properly. Shifting your own error onto the incompetence of your subordinate and executing a precious talent in a fit of rage cannot be overlooked lightly.”
Alexander’s thick throat bobbed noticeably.
He did not seem to know what judgment would fall upon him either.
“Therefore, I order a one-year disciplinary probation, suspension of duties, and all authority currently held shall be delegated to the Second Prince, Ureas Arken. Do you accept?”
Merely one year.
In a situation where losing his head would hardly suffice, he was treating it as a slap on the wrist.
Yet Alexander’s expression was quite a sight.
An expression that seemed to question why such a harsh punishment had been imposed upon him.
“I shall abide by the words of the Committee.”
Yet anyone who truly wields power understands.
One year is by no means a short time.
Not only is authority suspended, but it is handed over to his rival brother.
It was more than enough time to shift a person’s loyalties.
Next was Regent Ferda Valdrova.
Ferda stood up from his seat as though he had been anticipating it.
This incident in the Far East was something that could have engulfed the territory by using a colossal monster as a siege formation. I express my regret that the Empire did not respond swiftly to this situation.
The feeling took hold.
That this apology was merely a ploy used as momentum to launch into the following words.
However, through this incident, it is suggested that the wall-like defense function of the Far East could be lost at any moment. Therefore, the Crisis Countermeasures Headquarters has arrived at the following conclusion.
A decision laying bare their unsightly greed.
“Officially provide the magitech technology currently being developed in the Far East to the Empire, and dispatch Chief Researcher Vernel Marqués here for three years. Do you accept?”
One might wonder if they were asking for the obvious.
The answer was already set, but Ferda paused briefly before replying.
“As the representative of the Far East, that is a difficult order to accept.”
Ferda refused, and the audience seats buzzed with confused murmurs.
In this situation, the Crisis Countermeasures Headquarters held the greatest authority after the Emperor.
Ignoring those words was unthinkable.
Whispers echoed among the spectators, yet the High Council remained silent.
As if it were naturally expected, Acad fidgeted nervously with his glasses and uttered the words clinging to his lips.
“Regent. What is the reason for your refusal?”
“Magitech does not simply belong to Vernel Marqués; it is a joint asset created through collaboration with Escolleia, the Pascal Company, and Blue Eye. Managing that asset is my duty, and a manner of showing respect to my current allies.”
“So you are stating you cannot provide it?”
“That is not it.”
Ferda did not halt there and presented an alternative.
“Thus, if you say you will purchase the blueprints to manufacture the items, rather than requesting a dispatch, Escolleia and the Company can coordinate and collaborate.”
“We are not fools either. What matters in magitech are the mana stones, correct? Are you saying you will also provide that information regarding the mana stones?”
“That cannot be done.”
“Why?”
He had no intention of handing it over, but there was an adequate pretext.
“Because the only person who fully comprehends that information remains Vernel Marqués.”
“That is precisely what we have understood as well. Is that not why we are asking for a detachment to be dispatched to the Empire?”
Indeed, that was why they were asking to have him sent for a lengthy three years.
During that time, they would likely devise a plan to extract all the technology or discover vulnerabilities to bind him.
If they lose Vernel, the Far East loses its driving force for development.
“Currently, numerous researchers are carrying out investigations centered on the Far East, at Valdrova Castle. While they are gaining momentum, telling them to prepare to relocate and adjust to a new environment could lead to poor outcomes.”
“Then are you saying you can dispatch him once that project concludes?”
“Yes.”
“When will that be possible?”
“I do not know. At minimum, ten years.”
“Are you implying you will not send him for ten years?”
It was no different from wordplay indicating he would not send him at all.
Yet even in the distant future Ferda envisioned, the development of mana stones was in constant progression.
Ignoring the judgment of the Committee, the influential figure who could no longer watch idly, Valdemar, spoke up.
“Regent Ferda. This is not a matter concerning only Regent Ferda.”
His face, looking down, radiated authority.
Like the countenance of a general commanding tens of millions of soldiers behind him.
He threatened with composure.
“The Regent came as proxy for the Archduke, and as such a proxy has the duty to represent the entire Archduchy. If you refuse this judgment, not only Regent Valdrova, but the entire Archduchy could face tremendous disadvantages. In the worst case, the Committee might judge that you are seeking independence through secession.”
Independence through secession.
That sensation chilled the spine simply upon hearing it.
It was the most fatal charge for imperial nobles.
Treason against the Empire resulted in the extermination of three generations regardless of the reason.
Vassals, and all nobles beneath them as well.
The people of the territory who knew nothing were no exception.
Such a ruthless imperial law fostered solidarity, yet simultaneously gave rise to incompetence.
Ferda also intended to threaten to crush him through that very incompetence.
Yet Ferda had anticipated even that.
Ferda responded to that threat.
“Ever since the Dragon-Demon War, monsters have been created incessantly at the edge of the Far East. Colossal monsters that caused such chaos with merely twelve are arriving endlessly from beyond that land. Each is a powerful monster capable of tearing imperial walls like paper. They have incessantly attempted to conquer human lands. Who has been blocking them until now? Was it this Empire? No.”
Ferda said.
“The one who has provided all that peace is my fiancée, the Great Power and Flame Phase, Valdrova. This Golden Congress—it is made possible not because of the wall surrounding the entire capital, but because she stands upon the Lonely Mountain of the Far East.”
Ferda turned his head toward the audience rather than the High Councilors, and declared loudly.
“In the Devil’s Land beyond the Far East, giant monsters capable of breaching the walls of this Empire are continuously pouring forth. She has shown it to no one, battling in silence. Someone disparaged it as mere work fit for a mad dragon reveling in slaughter.”
Ferda recalled the battles he had witnessed since arriving as her fiancé.
Agile movements and overwhelming power.
Flames that seemed to purify everything.
Undefeated in every battle.
Majestic and dignified.
A true Empress.
“I want to ask all of you. If she truly enjoys slaughter that much, if she only does it because killing one more pest brings her joy, what reason would she have to fight while enduring wounds?”
Though undefeated, she is not unscarred.
There were many days when Valdrova returned wounded.
There were occasions when she flew with shattered talons or half-shed scales dangling.
She once said this.
“It hurts, but it is familiar.”
“It will heal after a single night.”
Ferda hated even that.
“She could have abandoned that duty. She could have demanded proper compensation. Yet in silence, she merely embraced the wounds. That demeanor, as though accepting it without resenting anyone, even if she were to perish one day…!”
“Because the one suffering from those wounds was not only herself.”
“It is the only sadness I feel.”
Silence fell over the hall.
Yet it was far from the coldness where tension circulated.
They were captivated, drawn in by Ferda’s voice.
Ferda’s voice, which had remained rational and cold until declaring his refusal.
Yet the more he spoke of Valdrova, the more emotion filled it.
The voice where reason crumbled ironically gained greater appeal.
If that voice were magic, it would be termed a spell bridging brainwashing and charm.
“The reason I wagered on the potential of magitech was to soothe that sorrow, to lessen her wounds. Not simply for the peace of the Empire, but for Serdes’s peace, I developed all of this.”
Ferda looked back toward the High Councilors and spoke.
“So I will state it here once more. Magitech is not an asset of the Empire, but a joint asset. Even if it were not a joint asset, it is an asset for the Great Flame Phase who shall be my partner, and the Guardian of the Far East. If I become a damned traitor for refusing to hand over magitech…”
Ferda placed his hand upon his chest.
“I shall gladly accept that punishment.”
The moment Ferda’s words concluded, everyone felt it.
The balance had tipped.
The Chairman wore a look of concern, his face showing he could do neither this nor that.
His eyes turned toward Valdemar.
Valdemar sent a signal as if he had reached a decision, and Acad spoke.
“Given that the situation is grave, we shall hold this decision in abeyance and resume tomorrow. Today’s post-war conference concludes here.”
With the Chairman’s words, the day came to an end.