Chapter 284 - Chapter 22: End of War
I learned that the war had ended when a document signed by Adolf-san was transferred to the prisoner of war camp.
I talked about it with the prisoners along with the Headmistress, who received it.
Since it started in the north in April and ended in mid-October, it means it ended in about half a year. We had all been saying it would take four or five years, but because it ended much sooner than expected, we all rejoiced together.
The map of the island has changed significantly, and in particular, two countries in the north have vanished: Septanaquila and Gram. However, according to the Priestess, when the Crown Prince of Northern Gram ascends to the throne, it will be revived as the Kingdom of Gram along with the current Northern Gram. But well, the number of countries is the same.
Engrio seems to have lost a lot of land, and in particular, Margrave Mortimer's territory lost more than half of its area.
The Margrave's territory ended up being attacked by the armies of various countries; the exclave of old Cantas was split in half by Medioland and Morandine, which participated at the end, and Medioland obtained the eastern half of the Margrave's base in southern Sertoria. As a result of Medioland obtaining not only the west of the mountains where they had invaded, but also the south and east, the entire area around the mountains became Medioland territory.
Sertoria's border moved south. In Higashinohara, they confiscated the territory of one noble, and in Nakanohara, they moved to the position the Margrave himself had renovated. And since Regnentes didn't aim for the land south of the forest and only drove them away, they will apparently receive reparations. They will renovate and reuse the field position and checkpoint the Engrio army built at the highway exit. The first fortress will move to the forest exit.
The political situation of the island also changed.
Better late than never, an alliance between Finis, the west coast countries, and the east coast countries excluding Engrio was announced, and at the same time, the alliance relationships between those countries were confirmed.
The King of Morandine, whose duty was to break the alliance with Engrio and conclude alliance relationships with various countries including Medioland, abdicated, and a young king who has not yet reached adulthood was born.
And based on the proposal of the King of Medioland, a place for the kings of the island to gather and talk—a Council of Lords—was proposed. Apparently, it's an arbitration body for disputes between countries, but there are reportedly voices of doubt as to whether it will function. However, it would be better than suddenly declaring war.
King Seldic of Engrio's relationship of trust even with the continent has worsened considerably, and it seems he must pay reparations not only to the victorious countries but also to the countries that sent reinforcements.
This time, the nobles of the western district only paid money from the start, and the nobles of the eastern district were in areas that were not on the invasion line of Medioland, except for the foot of the mountains. They were just staring each other down. If the Engrio side had invaded the Medioland army, they would have been invaded from the Morandine border on the opposite side. According to the mustache noble and the giant old man, it's like a tacit understanding. This time, it's said that it's best to settle it in a form where the King of Engrio and the Margrave, who were misled by the priests of the Ruined Town, suffered great losses.
The mustache noble's speculation is that King Seldic might have calculated that far.
The prisoner of war camp where I am eventually reached about seventy people, but fortunately, everyone recovered. The prosthetic hands and legs for the people who lost hands or legs were also finished. Now they are undergoing vocational training for such people, starting with walking training, which is being done in Nakanohara. Since the war is over, the Magic-Sealing Rings can be removed. Magic soldiers who lost hands or legs are also receiving training from the Headmistress to release magic from their mouths... or rather, from the tips of their lost hands, elbows, or legs.
The prisoners are overwhelmingly Engrio prisoners, so apparently James-sama will be the center of talks regarding reparations including ransom money, and I was told it would be finished within the year. Renowned nobles aside, other people will remain in the current state until the talks are finished.
"It's fine. Food will be provided, right? Since our land has become Medioland's, I'll stay here until things cool down."
A significant number of people's nationalities will change.
A proclamation was issued in the name of the King of Medioland that if they fulfill their duties as Medioland citizens, the land of free farmers will be recognized as owned by their original owners. They seem to have switched sides easily, but since they are not knights who swore loyalty to the King, their livelihood comes first. Neither the mustache noble nor the giant old man said anything.
They had been doing land reclamation every day, but as a result of Lyudmila inquiring with the capital through Adolf-san, it was decided that we could teach them farming using clover and earthworms. We're going to do it in the land that newly became Sertoria anyway. In that case, it seems the idea is to just teach them without being stingy, since it will spread to Engrio through their friendship as former fellow citizens.
In any case, the opponents are veterans of farming. They were skeptical, asking, "What are you going to do by planting clover?" but when we showed them the results of the capital and Lyudmila's testing grounds as numbers and had them actually see the soil of the testing grounds, they took the bait. They have to divide the land into four, but it also takes into account feed for livestock during the winter.
"Since there are few people doing this farming method even in Medioland, it'll be the latest farming method. You prepare the soil, then sow the seeds, and if possible, water and fertilize. It takes effort, but the harvest will definitely increase."
The one nodding most enthusiastically at Lyudmila's emphatic words is the mustache noble.
"Margrave Mortimer drew the shortest straw. We must increase the harvest and rebuild even a little."
With these words, the knights who do not own land, including the giant old man, also got motivated. Since they don't have land, they won't plow it themselves, but they'll probably teach the farmers in the Margrave's territory. They are getting fired up, saying that now is the time to support His Majesty and the Margrave who made them knights.
"If possible, it would be best if people who can use magic cooperated with the serfs."
"Is that not being done yet in Medioland or Sertoria? You're unexpectedly behind. In our country, the mages employed by the lord do it as a labor tax."
"Is that so?"
"Otherwise, farmers who can't use magic wouldn't even be able to plow the fields properly. King Seldic made that decision."
"Was there no opposition from the nobles?"
"If the harvest increases, the taxes also increase. If they know the management will improve, they won't oppose it."
Apparently, he announced at the royal palace that he had introduced it in his direct territories and gotten results. Lyudmila, who was exchanging words, looks at Mary and me.
That means it might go well in Regnentes too.
I have to tell Beatrix about this.
"In truth, it would be best if countries talked to each other like that and the entire island prospered. Tell the Margrave. Tell him that even if it's quick, he should stop trying to increase his territory and profits through war."
When the Headmistress said that, he was acting respectful, saying, "Ha!"
Since he didn't promise to tell him, the Headmistress is glaring at him.
Holding her staff, she said, "Come here for a moment," and pulled him into a private room. For some reason, I was made to join them.
When the Headmistress asked why he did that, the mustache noble told us that King Seldic might be dreaming.
"Dreaming?"
Did he have a dream about winning a war on New Year's Day?
"On the continent, giant empires and kingdoms arose. They are many times the size of this island. They unified them even though their religions, cultures, and even languages were all different. Those countries were all suppressed with military force. Think about it. Magic can be used on this island. It's a powerful weapon that doesn't exist on the continent. The countries on the continent are also afraid of that and don't invade. The entire island is an impregnable fortress. If this island could be unified into one, we could invade unilaterally."
"I think you also know this, but the giant nations that arose on the continent eventually split up. In other words, unifying was not the final answer."
"Catherine-sama. What I just said is nothing more than my own imagination. It's just that I thought His Majesty might intend to unify the island, and this is the result of me thinking about the reason in my own way."
"Is the current state not good enough?"
"I do not know. I am one who has sworn loyalty to Margrave Mortimer. I do not know what is in His Majesty's heart."
When I look at the Headmistress, she is crossing her arms with a "Hmph." I wonder if she has something in mind.
"You're saying there are too many royal families for the size of the island."
"I suspect that might be the case. Of course, it's nothing more than my own idle fantasy."
Is it a problem if there are many royal families? At the moment, two have decreased, so there are eight royal families.
"One person is enough to control a horse, huh..."
"Indeed..."
For some reason, both of them became quiet.
"What does that mean?"
I don't really understand, so I try asking.
"There are times when it's better to have one country. It's when some great event happens on the island. For example, the revival of the Demon Lord is one such case. Besides that, famines, epidemics, and other than those, when several countries from the continent invade this island. If it's split up, there might be some who switch sides, right?"
Like drawing in continental soldiers like Engrio did this time?
When I ask, the noble instinctively backs up a step.
He seems to be self-aware.
Before thinking about invading, I want him to look closely at his own feet.
It's fine because Engrio lost, but if they had won, the interests of the countries that sent reinforcements would also be involved. I don't want complete strangers to have a say in the affairs of this island.
"K-King Seldic, though he was a minor at the time of the appearance of the previous Demon Lord, reportedly volunteered for the front and was indignant at the poor cooperation between the countries. He said they were just gathering military power in vain."
"Last time, even though he revived in Sertoria just like this time, Engrio worked quite hard. He even participated as the favorite representative of Engrio. I think he was the youngest in history?"
"As expected, you know well. Indeed, he was selected even though he had just reached adulthood. Whether it's his command of battle or his individual combat skills, he is a person who excels over others. Of course, the same goes for the management of his territory. It's rude to other countries, but the living standard of his subjects is outstanding. Including the serfs. He can undoubtedly be called a once-in-a-generation hero."
Isn't that because the continent is close and it's easy to trade, and there are many plains and large rivers? And on the west side of the island, the wind isn't cold.
The Headmistress placed her hand on my head with a pon. It means "be quiet."
"And so he started a war to unify it into one country? Even if he succeeded, the Sertorian populace, who deny the class system, wouldn't stay silent. A rebellion would definitely break out."
"T-There are various methods for that..."
He faltered timidly. He must have been thinking of something that would be inconvenient if it were known.
"In short, he intended to execute the rebellious elements."
"That would be the case. Rebellion is high treason. It's the same in any country."
"It seems like it's not just that."
"Eh? No, that..."
When the Headmistress pulled her staff toward her, he backed away.
"Not just the ringleaders, but slaughtering entire towns and villages of those who resisted? Or slaughtering them from the start?"
"N-No, that is, well, as one effective means... As you likely know, it seems it's actually happened on the continent as well."
What!
"S-Slaughter! What are you thinking! Are you out of your mind!"
I instinctively got angry and shouted.
"T-The Margrave is not thinking of such things. In fact, did he not respond to the relief of the wounded prisoners?"
"What about King Seldic? It seems he didn't conclude such an agreement with Regnentes. He released spiders and had them attack the basin's people, right?"
I put the staff right against the other person's neck.
"I-I do not know about the matter with Regnentes. In the first place, His Majesty was instigated by the priests of the Ruined Town. We nobles were all opposed. To begin with, using monsters and Revenants is not the act of a sane person."
"In other words, King Seldic intended to kill them."
When I raised his chin with the tip of the staff, he said, "That might have been the case," while leaning his head back.
"Honestly, what are you thinking!"
When I poked him with a tsun, he was holding his throat while kneeling, saying, "Geho, geho."
"That's why you lost. This island is protected by the Goddess. Do you think you can win by fighting like that?"
"Exactly. Slaughtering everyone, what do you mean by that!"
"I-I will convey that to the Margrave. Because we are military men, we cannot deny battle itself. However, there is a limit to things. I believe I understand well what you are saying."
He is making excuses while holding his throat and wheezing.
"Well, fine," the Headmistress said, so I decided to release him.
This person isn't bad, probably.
When I threw the mustache noble outside, the ghosts came in through the wall instead.
"The King of the country called Engrio is quite sturdy, isn't he?"
"Umu. He seems to have girded his loins."
"Girded his loins... What does that mean?"
The ghosts do not deny King Seldic's way of thinking. In fact, there are parts where they agree.
"Try slaughtering people. You will definitely receive retribution. Even if you slaughter those of other countries, you will be killed by your own kin."
"Umu. Even if that doesn't happen, the country will surely split by the second or third generation. It might become a blood-feud where brothers eat each other."
"He likely intended to unify the island through ruthless means even while knowing that."
I don't really understand.
"A country, you see, has a personality. It is greatly influenced by the process of its founding in particular. The successor of a country founded by killing many people will think lightly of killing people. If a country is made through surprise attacks and plots, deception will occur."
It seems the kings and their successors try to follow successful examples, and as a result, the vassals and even the citizens are affected by it.
In the north, until Finis unified it, there were various rises and falls of countries, though they were small. The ghosts of the former lords have seen them.
"For example. How was the process of the founding of Jeanne's country, Sertoria?"
"Um, I heard it's a country made by martial hunters who unified the farmers and started an uprising."
"Exactly. That's why there are no nobles and no serfs. The royal family also tries to be the protectors of the citizens."
"Do you know about Finis?"
"No. Not in detail. Was it originally a royal family of the west coast?"
"That's right. They were the chiefs of various clans and tribes on the west coast. It gradually grew larger, but the same thing was happening on the east coast. Both sides, after consulting with the tribes they unified, formed a marriage alliance after a decisive battle, and the current royal family was created. The one who won became the King. As a result, they became the coordinators of the chiefs of each tribe, rather than nobles. In other words, the King is the most great chief. That's why the royal family tries to be good coordinators."
That's why they apparently tolerated the people in the northwest and the northern tip even if they didn't listen.
In contrast, Engrio is a country made larger by mercenaries who came from the continent. Fighting and winning is likely the first priority. With exceptions like Sertoria, the origin of the multiple royal families on the island is not mercenaries but destitute immigrants from the continent. That's why the ghosts are saying that as long as they have a certain amount of fields, they shouldn't want more than that.
I see, that fits with the history of the island I read in the basement of Nakanohara.
"In other words, whether they are hated or receive retribution, they have no choice but to single-mindedly fight and snatch?"
Isn't that the same as the Demon Race?
"That's how it is. For them, war is, so to speak, an investment. If they don't fight and win, they'll be full of debt. It's war until they reach the limit of what they can maintain. If you don't like that, Sertoria has to unify the island in Sertoria's way. Every country has a personality. Just like humans, you can't rank the personalities themselves."
"Even so, they don't have to unify it, do they?"
"Well, they don't have to unify it, but eight might be too many. I suspect Catherine-dono also thinks so."
When I look at the Headmistress, she spoke vaguely, saying, "I'm a priest."
"But as I said earlier, it's better to have one country... a smaller number is faster to respond when a problem concerning the entire island occurs. Also, it's certain that several countries have the seeds of internal strife. If there are many countries, those kinds of things also increase, right?"
According to the Headmistress, the immediate challenges are the succession problem of Northern Gram, the factional struggles within Morandine and Primordia, and the personality of Engrio.
In Morandine, the King was replaced, and a king who is a minor was born. In Primordia, the great noble who boasted of power has exited. The Headmistress and the ghosts say that the struggle between the nobles within both countries has already begun.
The one who meddles in that is Engrio, and furthermore, depending on the case, the continent will be involved.
Engrio suffered its second defeat in this war. There won't be a third. There is a possibility they won't choose their means.
"In my opinion, the problem of Northern Gram will be solved if Crown Prince Eowyn-sama cures his illness, gets married, and safely receives an heir. It depends on Jeanne's anti-mold magic."
"Umu. The stability of the north will depend on Jeanne's hard work."
"That's right. If the north is stable, we can keep a watchful eye on Morandine. However, if it's Jeanne, it'll be fine."
"Indeed, indeed. If that's the case, it's like being on a big ship. (T/N: Idiom meaning to feel secure/safe.) If half of the island is stable, we can suppress Engrio even if they try to meddle in Primordia. In other words, Jeanne will bring peace to the entire island."
Why does it turn out like that? It was originally athlete's foot medicine. And since Aira was the one who discovered that it works for Eowyn-sama's illness, let's praise Aira for that. For me alone, the responsibility is too heavy.
"That's how it is. Good luck. Become a High-rank mage quickly."
"But there aren't any strong monsters anymore, right?"
The Demon Lord was defeated. We concluded a non-aggression pact with the Demon Race of the Northeastern Forest, and to add to that, since the war is over, I won't be using recovery magic in such a hurry. After that, it's just rats, foxes, boars, wolves, and bears.
Since my memory is extremely bad, I don't think I can become High-rank so easily.
"That's true. You worked hard this time and everyone got healthy, but it might be one Mid-rank magic at most. I have to think of something..."
I want to become High-rank, but I think I shouldn't overdo it...
"What's this? Are you worrying about such a thing?"
"It's easy. If it's Jeanne, she can become High-rank immediately."
"It won't be that easy. I only reached Mid-rank after participating in the battle to defeat the Demon Lord's number one executive and the Behemoth."
I'm grateful for the support, but reality is harsh.
"Don't worry. Leave it to us."
"Indeed. We haven't been ghosts for hundreds of years for show."
The Headmistress approached them.
"Is there a good method?"
"Umu. It's for Jeanne's sake. We definitely won't do anything bad."
They're whispering about something while excluding me.
I forced my way in.
According to the ghosts, the border between Finis and Northern Gram is a mountain zone. There are several canyons and passes connecting the north and south, but in the depths of a certain canyon, there is an old mound where an evil spirit lives. That evil spirit is so strong that if you defeat it, your rank will go up in a single pass. It seems it didn't become a problem because it doesn't come out from around the mound, but it's called a Defiled Land, and because of that, it seems the people of the north couldn't advance south from that canyon. They seem to have thought they would be cursed if they proceeded without defeating it. Reportedly, renowned priests of the north challenged it and were all defeated.
Toward the people south of the canyon, the evil spirit's attitude softens. Surely, the people of the north must have done something.
Since then, priests from Northern Gram and Gram have challenged it. However, even if they lose, their lives are not taken. For half a year, they are worked hard like the evil spirit's servant. After acting as a servant, they learn two or three magics, but unfortunately, in that case, it doesn't necessarily mean a single-pass promotion.
In short, it's a secret training ground. The fact that the Headmistress didn't know about it means they shouldn't have reported it to the Great Church in the Medioland capital either, but since Northern Gram is on the east coast, I guess there are such things.
"Then, go. I have the orphanage, so... let's see, you should take Harrison or Harris with you. Since I have to contact the capital as well, Henry and the others might go too."
Even though it's a foreign country if I go, she's taking charge on her own. And she's not even going herself.
In the first place, will they let me use a secret training ground so easily?
"It'll be fine. Crown Prince Eowyn-sama of Northern Gram needs Jeanne's anti-mold water. If there's a possibility that Jeanne will become a High-rank mage, they'll welcome you with open arms just by talking about it."
Um... If you talk about it, won't I be forced to participate in the end?
"It's fine. There's no need to worry. Jeanne, you can use [Clean Up] magic, right? You can also cook, so it's fine even if you lose. If you start out intending to train for half a year while taking care of a ghost by yourself, you'll be at ease."
Um, what about Henry-sama and Harrison-san?
"Jeanne. I'm sorry. If you lose, no matter how many people go, only one person becomes a servant. However, even the people of the north didn't have their lives taken, so it's fine. Rest assured."
Um, if they're all losing, you don't know if I'll be promoted even if I win, right?
Because no one has won, right?
Could it be that it's just a place for the priests of Northern Gram to do ascetic training?
"Northern Gram is on the east coast. Once you come to Finis, you just have to go south. The other ghosts will also be happy."
"First, we must give you a grand welcome in Finis."
"Please do."
I'm not being listened to!
No matter how I think about it, it's not fine, and I can't rest assured!
Chapter Eleven: End
Class of 175 Management Scale (Excluding personal assets such as cash and jewels)
・Shops: Main shop (Nakanohara, Kingdom of Sertoria), Shop No. 2 (Village near the Sertorian border in eastern Regnentes), Shop No. 3 (Sertorian Royal Capital)
・Farmland: Four fields (Including buildings with farm functions)
・Livestock: Goats, sheep, pigs, a few
・Contracted animals: Four honeybee swarms
Chapter 11 has ended.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
It seems it was unpopular to a record-breaking degree, and I was trembling with fear that the bookmarks, which were decreasing and then returning, would eventually only decrease.
I worked hard to write about the war and tactics of a fantasy world so as not to lose the heartwarming feeling, but it seems my superficial effort was not enough for all you sly old foxes of the world. I had been concerned from the start, but it seems my fears hit the mark in a bad way. I also added the tag for the 9th Novel Award Feedback, but unfortunately, I was not able to receive feedback from the management. Well, perhaps they couldn't bring themselves to read such a long-winded thing. Moreover, looking back, there are many typos. I can only bow my head at your mental corrections.
Even so, at the stage of writing this afterword, I have reached my personal best rating points. Thank you very much.
With the three chapters—Chapter 9: Demon Lord Subjugation Arc, Chapter 10: Trade Commencement Arc, and Chapter 11: War Arc—the Transition Period Arc comes to an end. From now on, the protagonist will enter into activities with the entire island as the stage, and the events that triggered that should be depicted. Please look forward to her future success.
Now, regarding future plans, my living environment has changed, and I am struggling a bit with writing, but I have mostly finished writing Chapter 12. I am currently in the middle of writing an interlude. Therefore, the posting pace will not change. I plan to post an interlude on Friday and Episode 1 of Chapter 12 on Monday. I look forward to your continued support.
If you like, please register a bookmark and give a rating. And by all means, please give me your feedback.