113 - Seeds of Rebellion
Whether or not to accept the Aria Kingdom's surrender conditions. A discussion had been held once in the presence of the high officials, with the King also attending, and it was decided that they would be accepted.
The situation had been created by Fumiya's own discretion. While there were loud voices of criticism, rejecting the surrender now could negatively impact future expeditions. It would be problematic if the Laurel Kingdom were perceived as refusing to accept surrenders, leading every target of invasion to choose total resistance.
High officials understood this well enough that it didn't even require discussion. There were no voices opposing the acceptance of the surrender itself, and it was decided unanimously. The problem was the punishment for Fumiya and Sieg.
Sieg's request to resign as commander-in-chief had been conveyed to the Commander of the Royal Knights. Aside from the King, the Commander of the Royal Knights was the pinnacle of the military. He was Sieg's superior. It was only natural for Sieg to report his intentions regarding his tenure to the Commander of the Royal Knights, but for the King, who wanted Sieg's request for resignation to be treated as if it never happened, this earnestness was excessive. Because the Commander of the Royal Knights raised it as an agenda item, it had to be discussed in the meeting of high officials.
However, it was difficult to reach a consensus on this matter. While no one denied the ability of the Commander of the Royal Knights, there was not a single high official who did not highly evaluate Sieg's abilities. The fact that he was the greatest commander in the Laurel Kingdom was something everyone acknowledged. Could they really remove Sieg just because the subjugation of one nation had ended? Everyone felt a sense of doubt about this.
"Is the Hero's rampage fundamentally the responsibility of Myriad General Sieg? Should we not discuss that first?"
The Prime Minister's statement was intended to defend Sieg. The King's intentions were at work.
"I cannot say there is no responsibility. However, if I say that, it means I also bear responsibility," the Commander of the Royal Knights answered the Prime Minister's question. Hearing only this, it sounded as if he agreed with the Prime Minister's statement.
"No, if we start saying that, there will be no end to it. If every superior needs to take responsibility, we would have to replace everyone in this room," the Captain of the Royal Guard countered the Commander of the Royal Knights' statement. The Captain of the Royal Guard supported the Commander of the Royal Knights' appointment as commander. Naturally, this was based on Crown Prince Neil's thinking.
"That is certainly true. Then, let us consider the punishment as a problem limited only to the first wave," the Prime Minister also supported the Captain of the Royal Guard's idea. While supporting it, he ensured that the responsibility did not extend to Sieg.
"Who was the commander of the first wave?" the Captain of the Royal Guard immediately asked about the commander of the first wave.
"It was Commander of a Thousand Cole," the Commander of the Royal Knights answered.
"Holding a Commander of a Thousand responsible for what the Hero did... I feel that would be a bit pitiful," the Captain of the Royal Guard questioned the status of a Commander of a Thousand. This was close to impression manipulation. Within the Royal Knights, a Commander of a Thousand was by no means a low rank. Immediately above that was the Myriad General, the same as Sieg. It was a general's rank.
"In the first place, the Hero's status is ambiguous."
"Whether he is above or below a Commander of a Thousand. It depends on that. In terms of value as a combat force, he is undoubtedly above a Commander of a Thousand, though."
If that were the case, the responsibility would fall on the superior. Sieg would take it. However, the matter would not be decided solely by the discussion between the Commander of the Royal Knights and the Captain of the Royal Guard.
"Before that, should we not first decide whether to actually punish the Hero?"
Here, an opinion from a different perspective emerged. It was a correct opinion. If Sieg resigned as a form of taking responsibility, Fumiya would automatically be punished as well. That was what needed to be decided first.
However, deciding this was not easy, just like Sieg's resignation.
"Without the Hero's power, will the expeditions really go well?"
The fact that the subjugation of the Aria Kingdom ended more quickly than expected was due to the Hero's power. Setting aside the ignoring of orders, this was something many people acknowledged.
"The success of the expeditions will not change whether the Hero's power is there or not," the Commander of the Royal Knights answered with full confidence. No one imagined their own country losing a war against a small nation. However, when the Commander of the Royal Knights made such a statement, some people began to feel anxious that he was being too optimistic.
This was the misfortune of the Commander of the Royal Knights. He was not incompetent. It was just that he happened to have people with rare abilities, like Sieg and the now-deceased Alfred, as his subordinates.
"Is there no need to force a punishment?"
"If we allow a violation of military orders just because he is the Hero, the discipline of the entire military will be disrupted. This is something Myriad General Sieg is also concerned about."
Many people agreed with this statement from the Commander of the Royal Knights. There were not a few who had originally disliked Fumiya's words and actions.
"Then how about considering the content of the punishment?"
They didn't want to remove the Hero from the battlefield. But no punishment was also a problem. This was an opinion seeking a compromise.
"A violation of military orders is a serious crime that could reasonably lead to the stripping of military status," the Commander of the Royal Knights opposed this, bringing up military regulations.
"What use is it to remove the Hero from the military?"
"I know that. I'm not saying we should remove him from the front lines forever. I'm saying that for the sake of the other knights and soldiers, it is necessary to carry out an appropriate punishment."
This was the Commander of the Royal Knights' true feeling. He acknowledged the Hero as a combat force. If he were to become the commander-in-chief, he wanted to use that power. However, no punishment would only embolden Fumiya. He wanted to give a punishment that would make him think he should never defy a superior again.
"What would this appropriate punishment be?"
"That will be decided in light of military regulations, and of course, considering the position of the Hero. In the first place, this matter is an internal military problem. Should personnel and rewards or punishments not be left to the military's discretion?"
"Normally, that would be the case. However, this matter concerns a struggle for hegemony over the continent. I do not think it should end as a problem for the military alone."
"No, that's strange."
In this way, the discussion subtly changed its content, but in the end, it always arrived at the same place. This was repeated many times.
When it came to this, the final decision rested with the King. It was entrusted to him, but the King had not yet made up his mind. The statements of the high officials were the same as the King's conflict. Military discipline must be maintained. But was it okay to remove the Hero from the front lines, even temporarily? As long as this judgment could not be made, the meeting would be repeated. Except for the fact that it could delay Sieg's resignation, it was a barren meeting that merely wasted time.
◇◇◇
The Laurel Kingdom suffered from a lack of awareness. One such thing was that Fumiya himself, whose punishment was being discussed, had no awareness that he had done something wrong. And another was that they did not understand that Fumiya did not have the personality to perform the behavior that was obvious to the people of the Laurel Kingdom—quietly remaining in house arrest until a verdict was handed down.
Fumiya believed his demands would naturally be granted. If that were difficult, he had the pushiness to create further established facts that would force them to be granted. The barren discussions in the home country encouraged this. Even if a decision had been reached immediately, Fumiya's actions probably would not have changed much.
"I'm going to invade the Lydia Kingdom. I want your cooperation in that."
"...Are you serious?"
General Patterson could not hide his bewilderment at Fumiya's request. Although a surrender had been proposed, it had not yet been formally accepted. Not only that, General Patterson had no intention of swearing heartfelt allegiance to the Laurel Kingdom.
"Of course I'm serious. With your help, it will surely succeed. You should know my power."
"No, it's not that... Is that a decision made as a nation?"
Did he think they could be trusted? He hesitated to put this into words. Instead, General Patterson asked a question similar to the one during the previous meeting.
"There is no time to wait for the nation's decision."
"No, that's..."
"This is for your sake. If you cooperate in the fight against the Lydia Kingdom and succeed, the achievement will be great. Far from just having the surrender conditions accepted, there is a possibility you could obtain even better treatment."
"...I would like to hear Princess Lianna's thoughts."
He could not trust Fumiya's words. General Patterson requested to speak with Princess Lianna.
"About that, it seems the position of King was too heavy a burden for Lianna. The King has decided to ask Lianna's father to handle things as before."
Fumiya had not forgiven Princess Lianna for taking action against his will. He gave up on becoming Lianna's husband and seizing actual power in the Aria Kingdom, and decided to manipulate the current King, who obeyed him.
Fumiya had no attachment to the throne of the Aria Kingdom. From the beginning, he had thought that if there were a better country, he would become the king of that country.
"Then, His Majesty's thoughts."
"There's no need to ask. The King agrees with my thinking. Well, if you say you can't trust me, you can just hear it directly. You'll only find that what I'm saying is the truth."
"I see... In that case, there is no need to waste His Majesty's time for my sake."
General Patterson judged that Fumiya's story was true. He was a King who had accepted the surrender. It was possible he would follow Fumiya in this matter as well.
Rather than confirming such a King's thoughts, General Patterson prioritized avoiding making a bad impression on Fumiya by strongly demanding it.
"Is that so? Then, will you listen to what I say?"
"If it is His Majesty's order, as a military man, I cannot defy it. However, as an individual, I would like to request my leave."
"...What do you mean?"
Fumiya's eyes narrowed. He took General Patterson's words as a rejection of obeying him. That was not incorrect. However, General Patterson was not foolish enough to rebel openly.
"Through this defeat, I realized my own lack of ability. I believe it is not good for this country for someone like me to be at the top of the military organization."
"...They say victory and defeat are matters of luck. It's not your responsibility that the Aria Kingdom lost. In the first place, General Patterson, you didn't even fight."
"Winning without fighting is the highest of the high among victories. You achieved that. On the other hand, I lost without fighting. I am the lowest of the low among defeats."
"That might be true, but..."
Being praised for his way of winning, Fumiya found himself unable to deny General Patterson's words. Fumiya had fallen right into General Patterson's trap.
"With someone like you appearing, there is no room for an old fogey like me. From now on, it is the era of young people. That is how I feel."
"...I understand the feeling, but the experience and knowledge of elders are precious. For my part, I want you to remain in the military."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but..."
He wasn't happy at all to be evaluated by Fumiya. But this was not the time to show his true feelings. Having come this far, he couldn't afford to let a slip show.
"Could you reconsider?"
Fumiya was seriously trying to persuade General Patterson. Fumiya needed as many subordinates as possible who would obey his orders, future subjects. Fumiya did not want to let a single talent of the Aria Kingdom escape.
"...Princess Lianna would likely not permit it."
"Eh?"
"Whether I met Princess Lianna's expectations. Whether I made the correct judgment. Actually, I am anxious about that."
"You made the correct judgment. The King has acknowledged that. Isn't that enough?"
"I spoke with Princess Lianna, not His Majesty. Whether I correctly received Her Highness's words is something only she knows."
General Patterson was not convinced by Fumiya's words. General Patterson wanted to speak with Princess Lianna, not the King who had become Fumiya's puppet.
"...If you speak and Lianna tells you to serve me, will you do it?"
"If Her Highness permits it and His Majesty allows it, I would be delighted."
"I see... All right. Then, you can just speak with Lianna."
As long as he could make Lianna tell him to serve, that would be enough. That was how Fumiya thought, but...
"May I speak with her without others present?"
General Patterson made a further request.
"You mean just the two of you?"
"Yes."
"...Why is it necessary to be just the two of you?"
A look of suspicion appeared in Fumiya's eyes. That was natural. There was no way he wouldn't suspect General Patterson, who requested to speak alone with Princess Lianna, who was rebellious toward him.
"Depending on the situation, I may need to prostrate myself and apologize to Her Highness. I do not wish for such a sight to be seen by others."
"Is that all?"
"What else could there be? You seem to suspect something, but please think about it. If I am not forgiven by Princess Lianna, I will leave the military and live as a common citizen. What can you do to someone like that?"
"That might be true, but..."
Was it really so? Fumiya wondered.
"Even if I receive forgiveness from Princess Lianna, the form in which I remain in the military will be decided by His Majesty—no, let's stop with the formalities. You will decide. Is that not so?"
"...That's right."
The knowledge and experience of elders were necessary. But that should be usable without giving the other party authority. Fumiya thought that kind of usage was also possible.
"Furthermore, when your country formally accepts the surrender, I will inevitably leave the military. There is no way a military superior who was an enemy would be left in place."
"Eh? Is that so?"
That would be problematic for Fumiya. Fumiya was trying to gather subordinates who would obey him from outside the Laurel Kingdom army. Like Sieg, subordinates who would obey him more than the orders from the Laurel Kingdom's home country.
"Normally, that is how it is. There are not many people who can show such magnanimity as to place trust in a military officer of an enemy nation, like you."
"...All right. You can meet Lianna and speak."
General Patterson's value dropped significantly in Fumiya's mind. Not just General Patterson, but the value of everyone in a certain position of status. It was useless to rely on people who would eventually be gone. Fumiya decided to prioritize grasping those further down.
He had fallen into General Patterson's trap, but Fumiya had also obtained valuable information. As a result, it wasn't all bad. As for the bad parts, Fumiya would never know.
◇◇◇
The meeting with Princess Lianna that he had sought. Without saying a word, General Patterson immediately knelt on the floor and prostrated himself.
Compared to when they had met before, Princess Lianna was clearly haggard. He learned that her treatment was more severe than he had imagined.
"I am terribly sorry! I did not know Her Highness was suffering so terribly!"
"...Patterson. Raise your head. I hold no grudge against you. On the contrary, I am happy that you came to see me," Princess Lianna spoke gentle words to General Patterson.
"But, because we accepted the surrender, Princess Lianna is—"
"That is not the case. Regardless of what your decision was, my current situation would not have changed. An apology is unnecessary, so please tell me why you accepted the surrender. Tell me the reason."
Princess Lianna's words were true. Whether General Patterson and the forces he led surrendered or continued to resist, as long as they were under Fumiya, Princess Lianna would have suffered the same fate.
"...That we should preserve the forces without casualties," General Patterson answered Princess Lianna's question while remaining in the prostrate position. This was not only out of a feeling of apology. He could not let his guard down just because they were the only two in the room. He did this so that whoever might be eavesdropping would not hear.
"...Was that his idea?"
Sensing General Patterson's thought, Princess Lianna also lowered her voice.
"Yes. A reversal from the current situation is nearly impossible. If that is the case, he believes we should wait for the right time."
"I see... I understand."
"...I will surely save you, Princess Lianna. I intended to retire to the countryside, but I will stop that."
"Patterson. Forget about me," Princess Lianna said, cutting off General Patterson's words.
"But—"
"I will not listen to any more. I think it is better that I know nothing."
"Your Highness..."
General Patterson understood why Princess Lianna was saying such a thing. Even if she were suspected and questioned, if she knew nothing, no information would leak. Princess Lianna was prepared for such a situation.
"Tell him as well. Tell him to forget about me and my father. This will be my final order to you as a member of the Aria Kingdom's royalty."
"...I, I understand."
He had not given up on rescuing Princess Lianna. But in this moment, he felt he should not disregard her resolve. That was what General Patterson thought.
"What should I say to that man?"
"...That I cannot forgive Patterson, who ran to save his own skin. Please tell him only this."
"I understand. Patterson. I am disillusioned with you. There is no need to hear any more excuses. No, I do not wish to hear them. Do not ever appear before me again, understood?"
The latter words did not need to be whispered. With a volume that was not overly unnatural, Princess Lianna said this and left the room as she was.
"...I am truly sorry."
General Patterson also spoke words of heartfelt apology and stood up. For Princess Lianna's sake, time could not be wasted. There were mountains of things that had to be done to realize the restoration of the Aria Kingdom.