Epilogue: Birth
Heaven and Ground War. The battle against the divine race was called this. This was the result of hesitation to use the word [God] to describe the battle. The divine races are not gods. Humans have not defied God. The Church of the Holy Heroes has collapsed as an organization, but a very small number of former believers have become far more fanatical than before. The Luine Kingdom, which was resented by former believers for killing the Nord Emperor, did not want to provoke them further.
Three years have passed since the Heaven and Ground War, and the troubles of Albert, the king of Luine, have only deepened.
"What about the messenger sent to the Nord Empire?"
At a regular meeting of the council, the first thing that comes up is the messenger sent to the Nord Empire. It is the status of diplomatic negotiations with the Nord Empire.
"They have returned safely this time as well. It's just that they made it back."
Prime Minister Holdings answered King Albert's question with a sorrowful face. His expression is also dark. No progress has been made in diplomatic negotiations with the Nord Empire.
"But have you learned anything?"
Even if the diplomatic negotiations are unsuccessful, it does not mean that there is nothing to be gained at all. The emissary had been there. What they found out, asked by Knight Commander Hutton, who became commander of the Platinum Knights after Harrisman's retirement.
"We roughly understand the structure of the Nord Empire. It seems to be a two-emperor system, with two emperors ruling the country."
"Who are these two emperors?"
"You know one of them, Rin-dono. Emperor Carmilla Rin Drunkel."
Everyone knew this without having to ask. Since the time they fought together in the Luine Kingdom, Rin has been at the center of the demons. She has a close relationship with Ren. It was only natural that she should succeed him.
"And the other is Emperor Emily. She now calls herself Emily Soleil Breitkreutz."
"Emily... who is she?"
Emily's name is not generally known. She was not given any special position or status and never left the country. There is no way the Commander of the Platinum Knights, Hutton, could have known about this.
"She was originally a maid of Princess Amalia of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. It is widely known that she had a relationship with the late Kaiser."
"So she became the emperor?"
She was emperor because she was on good terms with Ren. That's not enough to rule the country, thought Knight Commander Hutton, but that's another thing he didn't know enough about.
"Emperor Emily has worked for the people of the former Saint Miriam Kingdom, which was an occupied territory. She is very popular among the people of the former Saint Miriam Kingdom because she has served as a liaison with the late Kaiser and has worked for the relief of her former subjects and for postwar reconstruction."
"…So from being a maid to emperor."
"Furthermore, since Princess Amalia was still alive, many of the former Saint Miriam Kingdom’s vassals seem to have been loyal to her. It is possible, but I suspect that he may have made it so.”
Emily's immense popularity among the subjects and people of the former Saint Miriam Kingdom was a ploy by Ren. Prime Minister Holding thinks this way. He is correct. Emily's original qualities were also a result of his corruption of Princess Amalia and his continued efforts to lift her up.
"It's the Kaiser's plan...... or should I assume that he's the one who will do it?"
Ren isn't the kind of person who promotes incompetent people. It would be a mistake to underestimate her just because she was a former maid, Knight Commander Hutton thought to himself.
"Actually, it seems so. Our diplomatic corps has been negotiating with Emperor Emily, but she has been so evasive that we have not been able to get a clear picture of her true intentions."
"Are you saying that there is room for negotiation?"
King Albert snapped at Prime Minister Holding's explanation. Improving relations with the Nord Empire is a top priority for the Luine Kingdom. Just hearing that there might be a possibility, it makes his expectations swell.
"No, I think they are deliberately making us think so."
"……I see."
The expectations dwindle in just a short time. It has been almost like this for the past three years. King Albert is in constant heartache.
"Emperor Emily is moderate, and Emperor Carmilla is unyielding, so I think they are doing well."
"Why do they need to do that?"
"I can only guess, but I think it is because of the Northern Alliance. I don't think there are any domestic disagreements. After all, you know, our country is......"
A country hated by the people of the Nord Empire who killed Ren. Even if there was an opinion that wanted reconciliation, it should be a small one that can be ignored. The Luine Kingdom and the Nord Empire are not at war. There should be no pessimism on the part of the Empire.
"Northern Alliance, huh...... they are also being evasive, right?"
"Yes. There are many countries that are weighing our country and the Nord Empire, but it is difficult to ask them to make a decision. Even if they were to join our country, what would they do if our country and the Nord Empire were to reconcile afterward? This is what they might be led to believe."
"...They are as cunning as the Kaiser... Oh, I see. Prime Minister Lang Millet."
Even with Ren gone, the quality of the Nord Empire's thinking has not changed. The reason for this, King Albert thought, was Prime Minister Lang. She was a person who was highly regarded by Ren, who even said, [If you serve me, I will make you the prime minister immediately]. King Albert had spoken with her once, and even in the few exchanges he had with her, he remembered her as a person of talent.
"By having two emperors, and by having one of them be the Emperor Emily, who is trusted by the people, they have suppressed the unrest of the humans. If that is the case, we won't find openings in the Nord Empire. The subjects who have served the Kaiser are all excellent. They may have resorted to harsh measures at times, but they have been chosen for it."
In fact, he was quite shaken at the beginning. The Nord Empire was only possible with Ren's presence. It could have collapsed at once. It was the power of Rin and Emily that overcame that crisis. They united the demons and the humans, respectively, and unified the will of the Nord Empire. The desire to never forgive the Luine Kingdom made it possible.
The Nord Empire in such a state and the Luine Kingdom is trying to reconcile. It's not going to go well.
"...What about the others?"
The status of the Nord Empire and the Northern Alliance remains unchanged. However, the Luine Kingdom has other problems. They like to take care of that first, rather than the Nord Empire, which is difficult.
"Negotiations with the Orthea Kingdom are not progressing either. That country has many former church members. Rather than former church members, they should be called Kaiser followers."
"We are absolutely evil to them who killed the Savior."
"The Orthea Kingdom has managed to suppress the momentum for war in the country. It will be difficult to establish friendly relations."
The Orthea Kingdom was re-established in the former church territory. This is the result of Lang's promotion of Ren's idea. And the situation is just as Ren thought it would be, although the people are too hostile to the Luine Kingdom to say so, they can no longer conduct diplomacy without regard to the Nord Empire.
"Is the same true for countries with close ties to the Orthea Kingdom?"
"Yes."
Several countries have been re-established by the collapse of the Izrim Empire. The Orthea Kingdom actively supported them. Although not many in number, the Orthea Kingdom was the only one with a well-organized army.
Naturally, the countries that were able to rebuild themselves with their support cannot ignore the Orthea Kingdom. They don't want to easily fall for the Luine Kingdom.
"What about Lemberg?"
"It seems to be true that Lemberg joined the Eastern Alliance. There is no clear evidence of this, but it is believed to have been mediated by the Nord Empire."
"...What about the King?"
"He is an excellent military man, but an amateur in politics. He is aware that he is an amateur, and he is actively recruiting talented people."
In the end, Marcus Ruben, the commander of the Blue Dragon Knights, became the king of Lemberg Kingdom. He was chosen because of his grip on the military and his lack of ambition.
He intends to hold the position only provisionally. He is waiting for someone suitable for the position of king to grow up from the bloodline of the Lemberg royal family.
"...In the end, the destination is the same. And what we should do is the same result as the Izrim Empire."
They cannot go forward in the north, where the influence of the Nord Empire is strong. If the Luine Kingdom wants to expand its territory, it has no choice but to follow the same invasion route as at the beginning of the war. Beyond that lies an area ravaged by the tyranny of the Izrim Empire.
Not all countries have been re-established after the collapse of the empire. The nobles of the former Izrim Empire declared independence one after another. They are competing with each other for territory. In the former territory of the former Izrim Empire, which was originally ruled by ambitious nobles, fierce and foolish battles are still going on.
The Luine Kingdom will be thrust into the middle of it. Victory is certain. But how much money and effort will be required to restore the devastated land? Beyond that, a battle with the Orthea Kingdom and its allies, who are enemies of their own, and the Eastern Alliance which includes the Lemberg Kingdom, could be waiting.
"We will not be the same. We are going to restore the devastated lands and save the suffering people. We are going to do the opposite of the Izrim Empire."
"Yes."
Even so, it will be a difficult road. But King Albert must still accomplish it. He must create a new order on this continent and end strife. To fulfill his promise to Ren.
"Your Majesty!"
"What's wrong!?"
"It was born."
"...Born ...I see."
His child was born.
"It was a difficult birth, but Her Highness Milianea is well."
"……That's good."
For the sake of Milianea's born child and for their future, he must bring peace to the continent.
"Just……"
"Just what?"
The subject's words once again clouded the heart that had cleared up after hearing the bright news. It shows that there was something more than just rejoicing.
"...Twins were born."
"Twins……"
King Albert's mind actually clouded. In this world, twins are considered bad luck. In the royal family, twins are even more of a symbol of disaster because of the prospect of future inheritance disputes. Twins are seen as such, and they were born under the current circumstances. There is a high possibility that someone will say that they indicate a dark future for the Luine Kingdom.
"...Your Majesty. First, go to Her Highness."
Prime Minister Holdings is feeling uneasy as well. But he cannot let his surroundings know that. Not even King Albert. Prime Minister Holdings wanted to avoid a situation where his anxiety would force King Albert to make a sad decision.
"Y-yeah. That's right."
First of all, he had to congratulate Milianea. She must be more upset about giving birth to a twin.
◆◆◆
The children born were twins, a boy and a girl. They did not look alike. How could he possibly know whether they looked alike or not when they were just born? King Albert thought about this while looking at the children.
When he found out that they were twins, he was upset. But the moment he saw the children's faces, that thought vanished cleanly. He just loved them. He wanted to protect them.
"Your Majesty..."
The desire to protect them is the same for their mother, Milianea. But this feeling of hers darkens her own feelings. It would give either of the twins a darker life. Worse, they may not even be allowed to live. Twins are born with such misfortune.
"You did your best. They are very lovely children."
"Thank you."
King Albert's words brought a smile to Milianea's face. She was happy that he was happy.
"Just which one do they look like? They don't look much alike?"
Not only do the twins not resemble each other, but he couldn't find any resemblance between himself and Milianea. King Albert put it straight into words.
"They have only just been born. When they grow up, I'm sure they'll look like His Majesty."
"No, I'd rather they look like you. Especially the girl."
"Then the boy will look like His Majesty."
The atmosphere is very sweet. Prime Minister Holdings and Knight Commander Hutton, who followed him with concern, look uncomfortable.
"...The two of them are going to be brought up properly. But we need to think about a lot of things."
King Albert suddenly said something that blew away the atmosphere. He can't put it off. The birth of a child is an auspicious event that is communicated throughout the country. In order to make a happy event a happy event, a decision on how to handle the twins had to be made immediately.
"……I know."
Queen Milianea knows this too. She understands that she must put aside her personal feelings, whatever they may be in her heart.
King Albert has decided to let them both live. This alone is a bold decision. If it becomes known that they were twins, there will be those who are anxious about the future of the kingdom. With so many people already feeling insecure, the Luine Kingdom could be severely distorted if that were to happen. This is a decision that they are prepared to take that risk.
"……I beg your pardon."
A dark voice reached the room where such a gloomy atmosphere was prevailing.
"...Darren. What's wrong?"
It was Darren. With a feeling of wonder as to why he was here, King Albert asked.
"Since I learned of the child's birth, I have come to greet the King."
"...Ah, I see. That's right."
Now Darren is the head of the intelligence department of the Luine Kingdom, a special organization within it. Like Ren, who, in his own words, will not be able to go further than the ground under his feet, but even deeper than the ground, with the help of the spirits, he is working on intelligence. It is useless to try to hide the birth of a child, a twin.
"May I?"
"Yeah, thank you. But now... Darren?"
King Albert thought that Darren had come to congratulate him on the birth of his child. But when Darren entered the room, he was kneeling on the floor, facing the twins, not King Albert. King Albert is puzzled by this behavior.
Darren bows his head so deeply that his forehead touches the floor.
"...My king. It's me Darren, I am pleased to see you back so soon. I pledge my unfailing loyalty to you, my King."
"…………"
King Albert's eyes widen in surprise when he hears Darren's words. He is not alone. Queen Milianea also froze in surprise.
"Then, I'll leave you with just a greeting today."
Darren, ignoring his surroundings, gets up and is about to leave the room.
"W-wait. What do you mean by king?"
"…A king is a king. We know. Ah...... it's just he is not the same. It's a new life after all."
"……I see."
King Albert doesn't know what to make of Darren's words. Is Darren saying that he is not Ren? Is he saying that he is Ren, but that they should not see him as the same person? He thought he should ask for more details, but King Albert stopped. A new life is a new life. Preconceived notions are useless, he thought.
"......Ah, there is one thing we would like to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Don't take away the king's precious existence. Don't hurt him. Think about what the king's anger will be like when you do that."
"...I understand. Thanks for the advice."
Who is the King's important existence? King Albert knew the answer immediately. He thought he did. He watched Darren's back as he left the room and approached the children again.
The boy is hugging the girl. It looked to King Albert as if he was trying to protect her.
"......What if I told you that I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders?"
Even if he can't conquer the continent, his son, his children, will do something about it. This thought came to King Albert's mind.
"In the future, our child will be angry with you."
"That's right... I can't be a pathetic father."
They must do what they can. No matter how difficult the path may be, they have to make it. That will lead to a bright future. He believed that.
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