After the Passage of Time
A few months before Princess Amalia and the others arrived in the Luine Kingdom.
The royal castle in Millennium, the royal capital of the Saint Miriam Kingdom, has a historical appearance. It is a country with a long history. The royal castle of the Saint Miriam Kingdom may be the oldest castle in the entire continent.
The castle does not appear to have been damaged by the recent attack by the Nord Empire. The castle is not well-defended. The castle was simply taken down in one fell swoop without much resistance.
The fort on the border was taken in only half a day. Moreover, the news of the fort's fall never reached the royal capital. All means of communication from the fort to the royal capital were cut off, and all messages headed for the royal capital were erased on their way.
The upper echelons of the Saint Miriam Kingdom foolishly learned of the Nord Empire's invasion only after the Nord army appeared in the immediate vicinity of the royal capital. Before the defensive preparations could be made, the gates were seized by those who had sneaked into the royal capital in advance, allowing the Nord army to enter the royal capital.
They entered the castle at once, and surrendered when the royal family in the castle was taken hostage. The war ended too quickly to be called a war.
The audience hall of the castle was filled with a tense atmosphere. In front of the civil and military officials of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. Seated on the throne is Ren.
"You have two choices. You can either swear allegiance to me and work for me, or you can remain loyal to the Saint Miriam royal family and work for me. Choose one or the other."
"…………"
The tension is still there, but there is a slight hint of confusion mixed in. Shizuku immediately senses this mood and speaks to Ren.
"Ren, no, Your Majesty. I don't think they will understand."
"It's a choice. Anyone know?"
"I understand the former, but the latter needs to be explained in more detail."
Shizuku, in her saint mode, looks reasonably solid.
"I understand. All the members of the royal family are in my hands, except for the first princess. In other words, if you don't want the members of the Saint Miriam royal family to be killed, you should work for me. That's a threat."
"…………"
"No answer."
"How are they going to respond?"
"That's right. Notify all the towns and villages of what has just happened. Add that if anyone tries to flee the country, the crime will be committed by their relatives and the penalty will be death."
"Ren!?"
"There must be people fleeing even as we speak. You better hurry. I've already issued the order. From now on, if anyone crosses the border, they'll be criminals."
"Do you think this kind of thing is acceptable!?"
A voice of anger rose from among the civil and military officials of the Saint Miriam Kingdom.
"At last someone spoke up. Now let me answer your question. What are you angry about?"
"That's not an answer! I am saying that invading another country is unacceptable!"
"Well, let me ask you this. Is it permissible for a king of another country to assemble an army and try to kill the other when he is merely on the move?"
"What?"
"It's already been more than four years ago. When I tried to enter Nord, the army of the Saint Miriam Kingdom attacked me. I was just returning to my own country from the Church."
"It doesn't matter..."
"Huh? You're not going to pretend that such an important incident didn't happen, right? You are the one who started the war. It is not right to be angry just because you lost. I ask you again, why are you angry?"
"…………"
He can't find the words to object. Even though what Ren said was a lie, the witness, Princess Amalia, wasn't here. Even if she was here, Ren wouldn't admit it.
"Once again, you are silent. Then those who pledge allegiance to me should move to the left. Those who pledge allegiance to the royal family of Saint Miriam should move to the right. This way we don't have to talk, do we?"
Certainly, there is no need to speak. But that does not mean that they can move easily. If anyone can move, it is someone who is only thinking of protecting himself. Such people were still there, and some of them started to move to the left.
"...Is this all? Can't you decide after that?"
"Everyone, please move. Either way is fine. Just move."
Shizuku appeals to the civil and military officials in a panicked manner. Still, few people moved.
"Are you ready? Then the people in the middle are unnecessary. Execute them all."
"Ren!? Please! Wait a little longer!"
Shizuku appeals to Ren in a loud voice that cancels out the commotion that spreads around him.
"They don't pledge allegiance to me. They are not loyal to the royal family. A person who cannot be loyal to anyone is not a vassal. We don't need useless people."
"No. They have loyalty to the House of Saint Miriam. But they are afraid of what will happen if they reveal it."
"Loyalty means giving your body and soul. Fearing death to cover up your loyalty is not true loyalty."
"That may be true for the people around Ren, but..."
Hearing Shizuku's words, the faces of some of the civil and military officials turned red. They are ashamed of their own loyalty that does not extend to those around Ren.
A few of them were ready and moved to the right. This triggered the others to move left and right at once.
Shizuku looks relieved when she sees it. But her face soon clouded over. Still, there were those who remained in the center.
"Why?"
"My allegiance is to the Saint Miriam Kingdom. As such, I cannot work for the invaders."
"No way..."
"I am prepared to die. You can do anything, even execution."
"Do other people feel the same way?"
The others remaining in the center also responded to Ren's question by nodding their heads.
"Okay. Restrain the people in the center."
"Ha"
Following Ren's orders, the Nord soldiers restrained those remaining in the center and took them out of the audience hall. Once that was done, Ren opened his mouth again.
"The rest of you should return to your normal duties. I'll talk to the heads of the departments later, so prepare for it."
"…………"
"You are dismissed. Get on with your work."
They don't think there is any normal business in a newly occupied country, but no one could complain towards Ren. Anyway, they left the audience hall to leave the place.
"How was it?"
Shizuku asked Ren when there were no civil and military officials in the Saint Miriam Kingdom.
"So-so."
"So-so... I did my best."
A tyrant and a saint. It is safe to say that Shizuku acted exactly as the title suggests. The reason why Ren's evaluation is not so good is that he knows that if he praises her, Shizuku will get carried away.
"I'll do my best from now on. Get ready for a comfort trip right away."
"Already?"
"We have to calm people down as soon as possible. The last thing we need is a public outcry."
"That's right."
If it is a civil and military official, they will be purged. But if he did it to the people, it would only cause more chaos.
"I'm not asking you to go around the whole country. Just the cities that are worth it."
"What about the others?"
"There are not many problems in small towns and villages. The severity of the problem is the other way around, though."
"Are you going to fix that for them?"
"Yes. The Nord Empire values its people more. If we can make them think that, we win."
It's the same thing they've been doing in the Nord. They're trying to curry favor with the people.
"Can we do that?"
However, unlike the Nord, Ren is an invader of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. Shizuku was uneasy about that point.
"The common people may have respect for the royal family, but they have no loyalty to it. I've already checked that out."
"As expected. But what about the prejudice against Nord? It's been ingrained for quite some time, right?"
"Those whose prejudices persist will be erased or driven out. As for Saint Miriam, we are only looking for the value of the land as agricultural land. I am even willing to move the people of Nord who live on land that has yet to be fully developed here."
"I understand. Then I will proceed with the preparations."
"Yeah, please."
"We don't leave until tomorrow, right?"
"……So?"
"Keep tonight open. And don't touch any of the women in this country."
"As if I would do that!?"
Time gradually softens the animosity. It can be said that the two have developed a good relationship. They have known each other for a long time.
"I'll have a meeting with the people I just detained when things settle down."
After finishing his conversation with Shizuku, Ren turned to Ralph and asked him about something else.
"As expected."
"I wouldn't trust them if they weren't that good."
"I thought you couldn't trust even those?"
"You say that?"
"What about the others? I don't think everyone can stick to it, right?"
"Focus on those who are on the left"
"Ah, those who have chosen loyalty to His Majesty by calculation."
"I'm surprised you dare to say that."
"I don't like people like that."
To serve Ren in the true sense of the word, absolute loyalty is necessary. Ralph believes this, and it is hard for him to accept people who are motivated by self-preservation.
"There may be people who don't care about loyalty and just love their job. Don't misjudge them."
"...I see. There are some like that."
"The right side takes time. I hope there are people who see what we do and change their minds."
"At least for the people, it should be good government. If they don't change their minds even after knowing that, we don't need them."
"Heh, it's like you said."
"Thanks to His Majesty."
"......That's sarcasm. Well, me too. Don't think that this is a good government for the people. Some people think it's a good government, some people don't think it's a good government. People will change their views as much as they want according to their own interests and values."
"Yes."
"Ralph, select personnel to accompany the saint. Unlike the Nord, we will be in hostile territory, so consider the escorts as well."
"Yes. I'll arrange it right away."
"Your Majesty, before that, we must deal with the army of Saint Miriam's Kingdom. We have only taken control of the royal capital. If we leave the troops in other garrisons unattended, the administration of the occupied territories will not progress."
Sergio, who has become the commander of the Nord army, makes a proposal at this point. He is also in charge of the invasion of Saint Miriam.
"That will come a little later."
"Then it will be too late."
"The army of the Saint Miriam Kingdom will be leaving the country together. They are already on their way to the western border."
"What?"
"It was led by Princess Amalia. The princess of the ruined country swears to revive and temporarily withdraws. This is bad luck. It's like the last war."
Contrary to his words, a smile appeared on Ren's face. Anyone could see how that could happen.
"...Did you conspire?"
"Naturally. We can't spend time suppressing the army. We must get this country under our control immediately and work to make it wealthy. That will give us food for the next battle."
"It is also necessary to increase the number of soldiers."
A small number of elite soldiers. That is the current Nord army. If the territory expands, that cannot be said. Ren knows that.
"That's another method. Rather than forcibly incorporating them into it, the army will be stronger if we recruit people who recognize the rule of the Nord."
"I understand that. But until then, I'm worried that we're going to be stretched pretty thin."
"Certainly. Let me remind you. Send an envoy to the Northern Alliance."
"Yes"
Ren's hand is also extended to the Northern Alliance. It is an alliance that was formed from countries that sympathized with the Anti-Hero Alliance. Ren has more influence than Princess Amalia.
"As I have already told you, we have no intention of invading the member countries of the Northern Alliance. For the time being, we have no plans to take any other military action to concentrate on the rule of the Saint Miriam Kingdom."
"Yes"
"They asked us to reap the benefits of the Union of Mercenary without reserve. We welcome their request to dispatch troops. However, we don't need land, so please send us money or something for the dispatch fee."
"...I will change the wording."
"Eh? Was there a problem now?"
"It's diplomacy."
"I don't like it. I'm pretty confident I can do it face-to-face."
"Ah, that's because you're mischievous."
"…Ralph. Somehow, you're very cheeky today."
"No, not as much as His Majesty usually does."
"...You must be angry with me for letting Princess Amalia go. Did you want to take her captive and do this and that?"
"I'm begging you, can you stop that setting? Ever since we were in the church capital, I've never been attracted to Princess Amalia."
"That's no fun, is it?"
"No, it's not fun."
"...You're not interested in women, are you?"
"What?"
"Because I've never heard of Ralph having a woman."
"Your Majesty. Hasn't your tone returned to when you were a student?"
"Is that so? I'm not going to be fooled by that."
"...I like women."
"So who do you like?"
"I can't say that."
"...Is that what you mean?"
"What do you mean?"
"If it's this woman, feel free to say so. I don't recommend it, but if Ralph insists."
"Wait, Ren. In many ways, I don't like the way you said that."
"...But there's no other woman that Ralph can't talk about."
It's not that she doesn't exist, but that he can't say it, Ren interprets it on his own. It means forbidden love. He doesn't care about the truth, he just thinks that kind of setting is fun.
"That's, but I..."
"No, that's not it. Don't mislead me without permission. I don't care about Shizuku at all. No, I don't want Shizuku."
"......What do you mean by that?"
Shizuku reveals her displeasure, but most of the men around them nod slightly. Despite her good looks, those close to her know that Shizuku is greedy in every way. The only person who can deal with Shizuku is Emperor Kaiser, they say.
"You don't have to talk about me. Now is the time for political affairs."
"You’re trying to deceive me somehow. But, well, I guess Ralph is right. We're still not in a state to let our guard down."
"That's right"
"Strict vigilance near the southern border. If anyone moves, it will be the Lemberg Empire."
"Will they move?"
"According to our information, Lemberg is already moving to invade the west. Can they make a drastic decision to switch north at the last minute?"
"...You think they can, right?"
"Heinz is just a substitute. He shouldn’t be able to make drastic decisions. And the Crown Prince, by his very nature, is equally incapable."
"I have heard that he is not the type of person who would ignore the advice of his subjects, though?”
"The only thing is when that person is Heinz... I hear that the medicine is starting to work. Will it actually be a test?"
In order to worsen the relationship between the new Emperor Lemberg and Heinz, Ren has set up several schemes. whether it works or not. That will have a big impact on the battle ahead.
"Are you still working on something?"
"Naturally. The two countries, the Luine Kingdom and the Lemberg Empire, must be kept at a standstill. That's all that matters now."
"What about the Izrim Magic Kingdom?"
"It is better to have them move. If the Izrim expands their power, Luine's eyes will turn to the south. We don't want them to be easily defeated, but we can count on Lemberg's support."
"Meanwhile, our country will consolidate its power in the northeast."
"That's right. The ideal after that would be to destroy each of them individually, but I haven't worked that out yet. We have to think about it in parallel with the rule of Saint Miriam."
"......Is there any chance that they could come together?"
"Not necessarily. It's hard to say right now, but it's not going to happen, is it? This country is not yet strong enough to be feared by the three nations as a common enemy."
"...I don't know about that."
In the last four years, the Nord Empire has made amazing progress. Ralph still thinks that if it's one-on-one, they can fight more than evenly with the Luine Kingdom.
"There's still a long way to go. You can't win a war just by training your soldiers. We need to put a lot of things in place."
"Yes... you said earlier that it would be tough right now, but if they get it in order, could they come together and attack?"
"I can't say for sure. But how many troops do the three kingdoms have combined? The number of soldiers is quite large, 200,000. It is good if we don't fight in a place where 200,000 can fight at once. Besides, once they are united, it doesn't mean they can stay that way forever."
"Did you make that calculation?"
"To be precise, it's under construction. It's not ready yet."
He's trying, but he hasn't caught up with Ren's thinking yet. Ralph had this thought in his mind.
If they could supplement Ren's thinking, they would be able to advance the development of Nord and the rule of Saint Miriam at an even more astonishing pace. That is what frustrates him.
"Ren-sama. First of all, we need to take care of the things in front of us one by one."
Ralph, who was looking somewhat depressed, was replaced by Rin.
"Ah, right. I don't see any point in talking about it now, after this is over. Any questions?"
"What to do about the army of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. I thought we were still in the middle of it."
"That's right. I think we need to seize control of the remaining forces first. I have given them instructions, so they should be gathering by now. When the numbers are confirmed, we will depart accordingly."
"Ha"
"I just want to absorb as much of the remaining army as possible. Make them surrender as much as possible."
"I understand."
"And I don't mind disbanding them. Even if you leave those who are not prepared to live as soldiers, they won't be able to follow the training. In that case, it's better to return them to the labor force as soon as possible."
"Understood. What if they resist strongly?"
"You should know what I mean. If we stop logistics, food will eventually run out and they won't be able to resist. If they start looting, there will be defections and the people will resent them. That is no longer an army. They will be exterminated as bandits."
"Yes. I am glad, I thought the same."
Regarding the military side, the Commander is gradually coming to have the same thinking as Ren.
It's not that Sergio is excellent and Ralph is stupid. Ralph doesn't realize what he lacks. Ruthlessness. For the sake of the purpose, it is an idea that the enemy, of course, does not care about the sacrifice of a third party.
Sergio is an existence that only lives in search of a place to die. He has no affection for anyone other than Ren and those he cares about. That's why he can reach the same idea as Ren.
"Isn't it necessary to think differently sometimes, not just the same?"
"Rin is sometimes harsh. But you're right. When we are apart, I want you to know what I am thinking and act accordingly, but when we are together, I think it is better to have to express a different opinion."
"Yes. I'll make an effort."
"I'm sorry if I'm rude."
"No, what Rin-dono said makes sense. I am grateful for such advice."
And it is not only Sergio who is grateful for Rin's advice. Ralph, too, was thankful for Rin's words, as if she understood his feelings of depression.
Maybe he misunderstood. But Ralph felt that Rin sometimes did this to those who were struggling around Ren. He thinks it is her role to be by Ren's side. Not to give up on being by Ren's side. She does not want people to leave him.
Everything is for Ren. That made Ralph jealous. And it made him a little sad.
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