141 - The Father Problem
The fortification work at Anfang is proceeding at a rapid pace. That said, it lacks the momentum it had when construction first resumed. Currently, those carrying out the work are people dispatched from the territories of the Northern Nobles. The Demon Race is no longer involved in the construction. Aside from a very few people, no one has even noticed that the Demon Race was involved.
Most of the Northern Nobles recognized Ekaterina as their Queen and swore their loyalty. Duke Millery's efforts played a large part, but that was not the only thing that prompted the Northern Nobles' decision. It was the threat looming before their eyes. The threat of the Demon Race had forced their hand.
This was a meeting where those Northern Nobles, or those called their aides, had gathered.
"As of now, we have received no information regarding demon uprisings anywhere other than the Forest of Bewilderment near the royal capital."
Julius was reporting on the current situation.
"Do we know nothing of Nordende's movements?"
Duke Millery asked Julius for information on Nordende. To them, Nordende was a greater threat than the distant Forest of Bewilderment.
"According to information obtained from the tribes we have been able to negotiate with, there are no major movements. However, they also stated that they do not know what the other tribes are thinking."
"...Does that mean the demons are not in agreement among themselves?"
"The demons have never been unified to begin with. It was only because of the war with the Kingdom that they came together."
"Is it not possible they will unify again this time?"
This time, too, it was a war against the Laurel Kingdom for the demons. Duke Millery believed there was a possibility they would unite as one.
"If we invade Nordende, that will undoubtedly happen. But for now, they are split between the pro-war and anti-war factions."
"...Somehow, nothing is clear. What does the army intend to do?"
He could not obtain the information he hoped for regarding the movements of the demons as a whole. If they did not know how many demons would participate in the war, they could not formulate a countermeasure. Duke Millery sought the answer to a countermeasure he could not think of from the army.
"Strengthening the defense posture of Anfang. This remains unchanged."
The one who replied was Sieg. However, the content was simple.
"Can we manage with just that?"
Strengthening Anfang's defensive power had been ongoing for some time. It was not a new measure.
"Rather than saying we can manage, it is that there is nothing else we can do."
"...Could you explain that in a bit more detail?"
"Yes, sir. First, we cannot take the option of aggressively invading. We lack the manpower, and doing so would turn all demons into our enemies."
"...I understand that."
Julius had just explained that if they did something like invade Nordende, the demons would unify. It was the same thing.
"The choice is to defend, but to fully protect the entire North, we still lack the manpower. Strengthening the defensive power of each town and base would take a considerable amount of time."
"That... is true."
Nobles were participating in this meeting. Duke Millery felt a slight hesitation in admitting Sieg's words—that they could not fully protect the entire North—in front of them. But it was a fact. He could not think of any words to deny it.
"Therefore, while strengthening Anfang's defensive power, I intend to expand its scale and make it a place of refuge in case of emergency."
"A place of refuge?"
"The families of each noble house. The residents of towns and villages at risk of being attacked by demons. I will prepare places for such people to live in Anfang."
"...Is such a thing possible?"
"Please consider the position of the protective walls surrounding Anfang. If we decide on three layers of defensive walls, a vast amount of land will remain inside."
The defensive walls for use against demons had been envisioned with more layers. If they kept it to three, land would be left over. The idea was to create places where people could live on that surplus land. In reality, provided cost and time permitted, Sieg had no intention of limiting the protective walls to three layers. If land was needed inside, he could simply expand further outward.
"I see... however, I wonder how many people would abandon their land to move to Anfang..."
Even if they moved to Anfang, they would have no means of making a living. The Duke thought that almost no one would migrate under those conditions.
"I have no intention of forcing them. As for the army, we intend to spread a wide information network across the entire North and establish a system to immediately notify the noble houses and residents if danger is detected."
"Will that be in time?"
"...I will not say this in a public forum, but if the demons set their minds to it, nowhere is safe. The only place with a possibility of being protected is Anfang."
He said he would not say it in a public forum, but the people of the noble houses who had sworn loyalty to Queen Ekaterina were here. It simply meant it would not be conveyed to the common people.
"...Your Majesty."
The defense policy for the entire North was not a matter Duke Millery could decide.
"If I could, I would want to save everyone in the North—no, everyone in the Laurel Kingdom. But for me to wish for that now would be mere arrogance. I would only be forcing something impossible upon everyone."
Queen Ekaterina, asked for a decision by Duke Millery, spoke her thoughts honestly.
"I understand. If Your Majesty is satisfied, I have no objection."
"What about the others? If you have any thoughts, please speak without hesitation."
Queen Ekaterina knew that Duke Millery would follow her words. Thinking it was not good to proceed based solely on the Duke's words, she sought the opinions of the other nobles.
"............"
However, many of the Northern Nobles, who could be called frontier lords, had no experience giving direct advice to a monarch. No one attempted to open their mouth.
"...Is there something? If so, please."
Even so, Queen Ekaterina looked around the meeting room and spoke to someone who looked as if they wanted to say something.
"...W-with all due respect, the construction of Anfang is expected to be quite large-scale, but the cost..."
The people carrying out the construction and the material costs were the burden of the noble houses. Such an order had come from the late King. This noble feared that this burden would continue. For a minor noble, it was a heavy burden.
"The army will bear the immediate costs."
"Eh?"
The one who let out a voice of surprise was not the noble who asked the question, but Julius. Julius, who could be called the only civil official, had not heard about this.
"I hadn't mentioned it yet, had I? I have the military funds for the Northern Garrison Force and the invasion force on hand. I plan to use those."
"...I see. I understand."
Hearing that there were funds not only for the Northern Garrison Force but also for the invasion force, Julius did not completely agree, but he stopped himself from uttering negative words.
"However, I ask for your help regarding the people to carry out the construction. I intend to have those who wish to migrate work in exchange for a guarantee of their immediate livelihood, but since I do not know how many there will be..."
Princess Ekaterina turned her words back to the noble who had asked the question.
"...People, you say?"
If he sent his subjects to the construction, production activities within his territory would be neglected. That would lead directly to a decrease in taxes. It was indeed a burden.
"Since everyone will have their own circumstances, I wish to decide on specific numbers by speaking with each person individually."
"Each person, individually?"
"Yes. It is still a small organization to be called a country, but that is precisely why I can listen to everyone's stories in detail. Of course, I cannot guarantee that I can answer everything, but I do not intend to spare any effort to make you satisfied."
"...I-I understand."
Some nobles thought that a powerless monarch was acting humble. But on the other hand, some nobles thought she was a monarch unlike any before, who tried to take the opinions of minor nobles into account. The noble who asked the question was the latter. The words of minor nobles had never been considered. Not only that feeling, but there was also the expectation that perhaps an opportunity for advancement had been born for them as well.
In fact, there was an opportunity. In Anfang, where there were no civil or military officials, the nobles would take on those roles. If their talent was recognized, they could be given high positions. Those who could be called Queen Ekaterina's aides were only Sieg and Geel in terms of martial arts, and Julius in terms of civil affairs.
Many of the nobles who participated in today's meeting noticed that fact. Or rather, they were made to notice it.
◇◇◇
Even after the general meeting in which the Northern Nobles participated ended, the discussions continued. It was a discussion only among those who could be called aides in the true sense for Princess Ekaterina.
Sieg, Geel, and Julius. Adding Miria, the Head of the Intelligence Agency, and the spy who had been the aide to the late Chief, there were six members. Duke Millery was not included. His role was to act as the coordinator for the nobles. He was with the Northern Nobles, but that was not the only reason. He did not know everything.
"I believe it would be best to make Rainheart-sama's father a Royal Guard Knight."
Who should be Rainheart's father. Julius expressed his opinion on that.
"Could I hear the reason?"
Regardless of the reason, the content would leave Ekaterina feeling dissatisfied, but she had no choice but to accept it.
"If Sieg-dono is the partner, some will suspect his ambition. I believe that would be unfavorable in unifying the vassals."
"...I thought the talk of Sieg-dono was because the possibility of that happening was low."
Sieg's sincerity did not let those around him harbor such suspicions. Geel had explained it as such from the beginning.
"Sieg-dono's personality is widely known. However, that is within the army and in the royal capital. I doubt it will work on the Northern Nobles."
"...When you put it that way, that might be true."
There were no points of contact between the Northern Nobles and Sieg. For most, this was the first time they had met. Queen Ekaterina thought that it might indeed not work for such people.
"Then, who do you intend to make him?"
Geel threw the question. From his expression, it was clear he was dissatisfied with Julius's proposal.
"A Royal Guard Knight. Specifically, I am thinking of a deceased person."
"The reason?"
"If he is a Royal Guard Knight, it would not be strange for him to have had contact with Your Majesty. And if he is a deceased person, there will be no vigilance regarding ambition."
It was not impossible. People who did not know of Queen Ekaterina's life inside the castle would think so. In reality, there was almost no contact. That was why Miria, a female knight, served as the Royal Guard, to prevent such things.
"I see."
"Then, will you agree?"
"No, I object."
"Why?"
Julius showed a surprised expression at Geel's answer. He had not expected to be opposed.
"How will you prove that this Royal Guard Knight is certainly the father?"
"That... if Your Majesty recognizes it..."
"Do you think that constitutes proof? The opponent is not an ally, you know?"
No matter what Ekaterina said, the enemy would decide that Rainheart was Ray's child. Because that was convenient for the enemy.
"If it were Sieg, it could be proven. His parents recognize it as such. That's certain, right?"
"But, in reality..."
"No matter what the opponent says, if Your Majesty, Sieg, and Miria insist it is a fact, they cannot completely deny it."
"...Even so, doubts will remain."
They could not prove the opponent's claim was a lie. That was true. Because their own claim was the lie.
"It's better than something that happened in a locked room."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"When the opponent is a Royal Guard Knight, I apologize for using such an expression."
Geel, thinking it was rude toward Ekaterina, stopped mid-sentence and offered an apology. Regarding etiquette toward royalty, he was extremely serious.
"I don't mind, so please continue."
Ekaterina told Geel to proceed with a smile. His extremely shifting attitude was amusing.
"Then... if it's something that happened in the depths of the castle, it has no truth to it at all. I think more people would suspect it's a lie."
"That may be so, but there is too little contact between Your Majesty and Sieg-dono. Where are you going to say the two of you met?"
"The slums."
"Eh?"
"Your Majesty visited the slums many times. We will say you met then. There are witnesses. The residents of the slums."
To make people believe a lie, one must mix in the truth. It was a fact that Ekaterina had met Rainheart's father alone in the slums. It was likely then that she was blessed with Rainheart.
"That is..."
"The more witnesses, the better. That's how it is."
"In that case, wouldn't Geel-dono be better as the father?"
"Huh?"
Geel was surprised by Queen Ekaterina's unexpected proposal.
"The meeting of the two was at a ball. The dance at the Hero's wedding reception was the trigger."
The two had a trigger for their meeting. If one did not know the actual situation, it was a story that felt somewhat romantic.
"N-no, Your Majesty. That is..."
"As a story, this one is more natural."
"That may be so, but with me, Rainheart-sama's talent..."
"Rainheart's talent is something Rainheart himself should make known to those around him. It doesn't matter who the father is."
"Your Majesty..."
Regarding this, Geel also thought it was as Queen Ekaterina said. It didn't matter who the father was. Geel's conviction was that not innate talent, but the person's own effort should be recognized.
"Is it not a good idea?"
"Sieg!?"
"As Your Majesty says, you are more natural than I. For I would never make a mistake, even when witnessing Your Majesty's beauty."
"...You bastard."
It would be thought that Geel would make a mistake. That is what Sieg was saying.
"Then it's decided. Besides, if it's Geel-dono, you could probably convince those around you with a single word, 'I have no need for something as troublesome as royal power.'"
"I think it's good too."
Miria, who had just been listening intently, agreed happily.
"You just want to keep Sieg single, don't you!?"
"That... I wasn't particularly conscious of it, but..."
If he became the partner of the Queen, it would be difficult to marry another woman. Especially with Miria, a Royal Guard, as the opponent.
"...I am not exactly single, however."
"Eh!?" "Hah!?"
Geel and Miria were surprised by Sieg's unexpected statement.
"Ah, no, of course, it's not official yet. It was a promise for if I could return alive from the war, but I thought it would be impossible if there were talks with Your Majesty..."
"My? Then talks with me would be a nuisance."
"The word 'nuisance' is not correct, but if possible, I wish to make the woman I've kept waiting happy."
"Right?"
The gazes of Queen Ekaterina and Sieg turned toward Geel. It was a silent pressure asking if he would still refuse.
"...I understand. I will accept."
Even Geel could not bring himself to tear Sieg and his lover apart. Besides, he would never marry in his life. At least, he could not do so officially. That is what he believed.
With this meeting, it was decided that Rainheart's father would be Geel. After that, the Intelligence Organization would spread it as a rumor, and after checking the people's reactions, it would be announced.
If no unexpected events occurred, the Rainheart father problem would be solved with that.
"...That bastard, did he know from the start it would turn out like this and set me up?"
Geel muttered, having thought of a sudden possibility. However...
"Geel-dono, who is this 'bastard' you speak of?"
It had reached Queen Ekaterina's ears. Queen Ekaterina asked Geel with a smile. It was a smile of terror that Geel was seeing for the first time.
"...My unworthy disciple."
"I thought so."
Geel sold out his disciple quite readily.