Chapter 599 - Chapter 1 Theresia and Richard
The May Festival is a celebration of the arrival of spring by followers of polytheism that was once prosperous in the western part of the continent. Now, most people have converted to the monotheism that arose in the central-southern part of the continent, but the festival itself remains as an event. The Kingdom of Liber, which is currently divided into three countries—East, West, and South—was one giant country until it was divided and inherited by three brothers. Until the conversion, they followed a religion that seemed to combine polytheism and spirit worship by region. Remnants of that remained in the form of festivals. However, the ritualistic elements conducted by the church in the various nations of the White Island have mostly vanished. The common people simply wore traditional costumes and paraded, then opened wine barrels and shared drinks while dancing in the squares. The royalty and nobility also overlooked it, and lords would provide wine barrels for festivals in the lands they owned.
At the residence of the Duke of Germania in Karlburg, the capital of East Germania, Princess Theresia, who had been appointed Duke of Germania last autumn, was dressing in a costume representing a polytheistic goddess with her maids, intending to head out to the festival herself. She had already sent wine barrels and sweets to the villages within the territory, and a place to serve them had been set up in the square in front of the residence where the people would likely gather. She only had to rush there as soon as she was ready.
It was while Theresia was having her hair ornaments adjusted in the mirror with the help of her maids in her private room.
"Theresia-sama, it seems a messenger has come from the King of Sertogne. He requests you come to the audience chamber."
One of the maids relayed the words requested by the attendant outside the door. Since she was currently in the middle of changing into her festival costume, men were prohibited from entering. The attendant had no choice but to tell one of the maids standing guard outside the door about the sudden occurrence of official business.
"The King of Sertogne?"
"Yes. So the attendant said to convey."
A messenger coming from Sertogne...
Theresia doubted her ears. To Sertogne, she had already sent messengers three times—shortly after becoming the lord of the Duchy, during the New Year holidays, and at the end of March—aiming to conclude a military alliance. The responses had been extremely blunt, consistently stating that as long as trade was secured, it was enough. That trade had been secured since the founding of the Duchy. She could think of no reason for the King of Sertogne to send a messenger of his own accord.
"I will go at once."
"What about your clothes?"
"This is fine. That's right, you all should come with me. It's the middle of the May Festival. This is just right. Oh, call the Prime Minister as well. Tell him to come just as he is."
Saying so, she checked the position of her hair ornaments and went to meet the messenger.
"Messenger-dono, sorry to keep you waiting."
Before her was one of the King of Sertogne's close aides, the one in charge of diplomacy. Theresia had met him several times as a military commander before the ceasefire.
"This is, this is... the Duke of Germania is in a splendid costume. That beauty... are you perhaps a flower spirit?"
Theresia was wearing a silk dress based in white. Geometric patterns were embroidered on the sleeves and hem with yellow thread, and the skirt part was embroidered with pale pink thread as if flower petals were dancing. She wore silver bracelets, and her silver hair ornament was fashioned after a fir tree. Because it was not excessively decorated, it had a refreshing feel suitable for spring. The four maids she brought along also had patterns embroidered representing young tree branches and leaves, wind, water, and fire. The Prime Minister wearing dark brown clothes must represent the earth. They were, so to speak, the Four Great Spirits, and the spirits of trees and flowers.
"No, I simply put on spring-like attire to participate in the May Festival. There is no particular meaning. We have been preparing since morning and finally got dressed. There was no time to change my outfit. I did not mean to slight you, so I hope you will forgive me."
"To slight me... I do not think such a thing. For my part, it is simply a feast for the eyes."
In monotheism, spirit worship itself is considered heresy. That is why, in the May Festival of West Liber, they dress as goddesses but do not openly claim to be the Goddess of Spring. Theresia, by choosing spring-like attire, was being careful not to overlap with the person dressed as the Goddess of Spring who represents the church and the festival in the towns and villages.
She understands well that the festival belongs to the people.
The messenger from Sertogne, where they openly perform rituals of the gathering of the Spring Goddess and spirits played by girls chosen in the towns and villages due to goddess worship, felt a favorable impression of Theresia.
"So, what is your business?"
"Yes. Since you must be busy, I will be brief."
"My apologies."
"Hmm. So, you want our country to take in about fifty of those mercenaries?"
"Yes. They are men who would normally be hanged, but if it serves as a bridge between your country and ours, it is a cheap price."
"They are definitely from Sertogne?"
"Yes. Their identities have been confirmed. They were based on the outskirts of the Sertogne Royal Capital, and before the ceasefire, they had moved south and were preparing for land battles against the West Liber army."
"They missed their chance to earn, then."
"Yes. Fortunately, no combat occurred in the south. They were merely closing the checkpoints against each other."
"The behind-the-scenes dealings went well, then."
"Now then, I was not involved in such dealings."
Are you saying someone else was involved?
Theresia found it inwardly amusing. Naturally, she did not show it on her face. Her mouth held a slight smile, and her gaze was sharp. However, she must not knit her brows.
"Well, fine. But why our country? You could just make such men work for free in your own country."
"Therein lies the hidden side. From here on, please dismiss the others. Of course, the Prime Minister and the guards may remain."
What Theresia heard after dismissing the maids was shocking content.
Among the nations of the White Island, she knew of the existence of the alliance called the Northwest Coast Treaty, formed by countries excluding Engrio and Medioland. Regarding the war between East and West Liber, which is currently under a ceasefire, they have maintained neutrality. That Northwest Coast Treaty, after newly adding Sertogne, might possibly side with West Liber. In that case, Sertogne, along with Primordia which currently declares support for East Liber, would break away from the West Liber encirclement and maintain neutrality. And that depends on the Non-Aggression Alliance between the Duchy of Germania and West Liber.
"As you know, our country has built a strong alliance with Primordia. We also have extremely friendly relations with Medioland and Sertoria, though we have not formed alliances. And if we can only build a friendly relationship with the Duchy of Germania, which can be called the opposite shore of the Sertogne west coast, then only West Liber remains. And our country, which holds the teachings of coexistence and co-prosperity as its creed, has no territorial ambitions. If we can build a friendly relationship with West Liber, which has frequently meddled with us, we have nothing more to say. And currently, the southern region is peaceful."
The true intentions of the Northwest Coast Treaty are unknown, but if the Duchy of Germania does not form a Non-Aggression Alliance with West Liber, the West Liber encirclement created by East Liber will collapse.
Appointed as the Duke of Germania, she became a national ruler for the first time, albeit of a vassal state. Theresia tried to create a good country and sought to be a good lord. For that reason, she chose a moderate as Prime Minister and made Bishop Anri an advisor, even if temporarily. A Non-Aggression Alliance with West Liber was exactly what she wanted. However, she did not think the approval of the King of East Liber, who held ambitions for West Liber, could be obtained. Yet, that might actually be realized.
"In other words, this mercenary group is like a down payment?"
There are other mercenary groups based in Sertogne. And perhaps it is not limited to just mercenaries.
"You may think of it that way. Of course, you do not have to think of it that way either."
I wonder what Father will think... No, at this point, Sertogne is on the same side. There should be no problem. Anyway, we are recruiting mercenaries. Though none have gathered at all so far.
"Prime Minister, what do you think?"
"As the Duke of Germania wishes."
Words typical of a moderate. He is thinking of me in his own way. He must have read that my mind is already made up.
"Understood. Tell the King of Sertogne that I have consented to the acceptance of that mercenary group."
Theresia stated clearly.
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"Prime Minister, was that messenger from Sertogne the last of the scheduled guests?"
"Yes. That was the last one."
"Understood. Then, I leave things here to you."
"Richard-sama, where are you going?"
"Me? I'm going to see the festival."
Duke Richard of Roland loved festivals. Whether he was in the Engrio Royal Capital, staying in East Liber, or after he became Crown Prince and was posted to eastern Engrio, he would show up at local festivals regardless of religion. This was the same as his father, King Seldic of Engrio. Those around him whispered that he truly inherited that blood.
"Then, I shall assign guards."
When the Prime Minister signaled with his eyes, the guards around the throne stepped forward to accompany the Duke of Roland.
"No, no guards. I'm going alone as I please."
Duke Richard of Roland restrained the guards with his hand. The four guards looked at the Prime Minister in confusion.
"That will not do, Richard-sama!"
The Prime Minister spoke out indignantly.
"You have only just become the master of this Duchy. There may be those lurking in the crowd seeking your life. Normally, I should assign not just four, but many more!"
Richard was a hero to the people within the Duchy... especially those in the western region where he established his base. The region that has now become the territory of the Duchy of Roland is inhabited by tribes different from those who founded the Kingdom of Liber, the origin of East and West Liber. They were conquered by powerful military force. Even after the division into East and West, they were oppressed by both countries, burdened with heavy taxes, and had revolted and been suppressed numerous times. Against such a background, in the war against the West Liber army, Richard attacked many towns and villages in the inland areas—lands of the tribes that had treated the people living in the Duchy's territory with contempt—and utterly defeated the West Liber relief forces. He even overthrew the enemy's main army, which was three times his size, greatly aiding the East Liber main army's campaign in the southeast. Pretending to retreat, he easily captured an important port town and killed and displayed the head of the lord who was a symbol of tyranny. He also provided countermeasures for the Karmic Disease to the people free of charge. After becoming the Duke of Roland, the domestic policies Richard launched modeled Engrio by enriching the people, including serfs, to enrich the country. He implemented tax cuts—accurately, he just lowered them to a reasonable rate—and took resolute action against those who committed crimes, regardless of their status.
Even if Richard was a figure who gathered respect from the people, he was not someone whose life would be targeted. The Prime Minister was telling Richard that it was dangerous to walk around the territory.
"Old man, didn't Father always say? A man who is killed by his own people has no qualification to be a lord."
Richard used his father King Seldic's words as a reference with an exasperated expression. He called the Prime Minister "old man" because the Prime Minister had served as Richard's tutor and followed him even after he reached adulthood. Richard had prepared the Prime Minister position to reward his loyalty.
"That and this are different matters. King Seldic's words are a metaphor. As this old man usually says, among assassins, there are also those who are out of their minds. Precisely because you think of the people, please look to your own safety."
Really, even though I made him Prime Minister, this is no different from when I was a child... Besides, Father is a man rumored to have been a playboy called the 'Dissolute Prince' who was on the verge of being removed as Crown Prince. Compared to him, I'm as well-behaved as a priest.
Richard did not say that. He knew well that if he said it, the old man would never stop nagging.
"I'm going to change into plain clothes. How can I walk around with fully equipped guards? It would ruin the festival."
"Then, I shall have the guards change into plain clothes as well. That would be acceptable, wouldn't it?"
Well, fine. I'll just lose them on the way. Richard thought he should be quiet for now.
"Furthermore, this old man shall accompany you. If you have any pity for this old person, do not go off into the crowd and leave me behind."
"Old man!"
In the end, Richard ended up participating in the May Festival while being guarded by the Prime Minister in plain clothes, four guards, and about twenty scouts scattered among the crowd.
Richard's party, exiting from the back gate of the fortress used as the Duke's residence, headed straight for the town square.
In the square, centered around men and women dressed in traditional festival costumes, the people were dancing in pairs. There were several groups of instrumentalists playing in different locations. After playing one song, they would rest for a bit. Then there would be another request, and they played incessantly. Everyone was drinking beer, singing, dancing, and making merry.
"Old man, I'm going to dance too. You watch from here."
"Please be careful."
Dancing required a male-female pair. Richard was looking for a girl to be his partner, and when he found one he liked, he approached slowly, followed simple etiquette, and held out his right hand to request her partnership.
Even though he was wearing plain clothes obtained in the city to blend in with the commoners, he was royalty. No girl would refuse a dance request from such a strikingly handsome man. Feeling the envious gazes of the other girls, she took Richard's hand and they began to dance to the music.
The sight of them dancing lightly and elegantly quickly gathered the attention of those around them. Richard's pair, steadily advancing to the center, danced along with several other pairs while receiving rhythmic clapping from the others.
"Hey, that's Richard-sama."
"Yeah, I know. Don't disturb him. He's incognito."
The Prime Minister doubted his ears at the words of those around him. Everyone noticed, yet they were pretending not to know so as not to disturb him. Everyone was happily sending rhythmic clapping, occasionally pointing at Richard's pair and chatting.
When the song ended and the pair finished bowing to each other, a great applause erupted, and at the same time, a chant of "Richard!" began. He was already surrounded by the crowd, and neither the Prime Minister nor the guards could get close. They tried to push through, but Richard was not even visible beyond the wall of people.
Richard raised both hands to quiet the crowd.
"Today is a festival for all of you. If possible, won't you let me join in?"
Grand applause rang out, and another song began to play. As the gathered crowd dispersed, several girls rushed over. Richard bowed to the girl who stood directly in front of him and held out his right hand.
When the girl, who tried to look composed but failed and took Richard's hand with a full smile, the Prime Minister finally managed to get close.
"Old man, let's dance together. Someone, won't you be this man's partner?"
When Richard called out, a woman appropriate for the Prime Minister's age approached.
"Ma'am, can I ask you?"
"Oh, to be called 'Ma'am'... I am thrilled. If you are asking me, then by all means."
"Old man, if you don't invite her here, you're not a man."
"I-I know that very well."
When the Prime Minister bowed and held out his right hand, the woman called 'Ma'am' accepted it.
Cheers arose, and the music began to play once more.