第９５１堀：大国の皇帝が望む者 (Part1)
**Chapter 951: What the Great Empire’s Emperor Desires**
**Side: Eupia Zurable**
The sun had already set, and night had fallen. I was satisfied with the productive meeting I’d had with Yuki-dono, but as I set to work clearing the mountain of accumulated paperwork, my adjutant, who had been deep in thought, spoke up.
"Your Majesty. Was that truly wise?"
"What are you referring to?"
"Handing over Aurelia Port to Yuki-dono, and simultaneously letting go of Princess Palfil."
"You are a worrier, aren't you? That decision was not mine alone; it was debated and voted upon by the Zurable Parliament."
There is no way I could decide how to handle relations with a nation ruled by such a heavyweight on my own. Well, I do have a fair amount of influence, but this was a matter settled by the assembly.
"…I understand that. But if that Yuki-dono and Princess Palfil were to join forces…"
"Indeed, there is the risk that Weed might invade, armed with a righteous cause."
As my adjutant pointed out, that concern cannot be wiped away. There is a genuine possibility that Weed’s unfathomable military might and the former Gusdo Kingdom’s Princess Palfil could unite and bare their fangs at the Zurable Great Empire.
"If that is the case, we should have at least kept Aurelia Port for ourselves, or taken Princess Palfil into our custody. Why did you…?"
"Because I judged that the likelihood of Weed becoming hostile would be lower that way. It is more generous to hand over both. They are likely impressed by my magnanimity. If I had tried to withhold even one of them, the chance of hostility would have been high. Don’t you agree?"
Especially if I had tried to detain Princess Palfil—that could have easily sparked a war. It would have been a direct insult to Weed’s honor.
"…That may be true, but."
"Besides, we discussed this in Parliament. Ultimately, the governance of Aurelia Port will still be carried out by us. Weed and Sea-Cypho have their nations across that great mountain range. They cannot easily send personnel here. In other words, they cannot mobilize a large-scale force. Which means, in practice, Aurelia Port is…"
"Our country's territory, you mean?"
"Exactly. Well, we must comply with Weed’s requests, but if that is the price for building a friendship with them, it is a small one."
We could never hope to win in the end against Weed, who wields such powerful magic tools. We might achieve a limited victory on this soil alone, but that would leave us with no path forward. Moreover, Weed is not our only enemy. The way the former Emperor’s faction might move in response to this is a headache all its own.
"For now, we must select the personnel to govern Aurelia Port. It would be best to find someone who won't offend Yuki-dono and his people. Someone quick-witted who can maintain close communication with us would be even better."
"There is no such convenient talent just lying around. If there were such an excellent person, I would have already entrusted them with some other territory."
"Hmm… Should I send Vol, then?"
He is a military man, but he is capable of governance as well. Actually, a truly good military officer should be capable of governance as a matter of course. They must maintain public order in conquered cities and manage the transition of power, after all.
"I believe it would be a foolish strategy to assign General Vol solely to governance."
"Even so, it would be problematic to return him to his post without holding him accountable for the collapse of the Second Army. Even if his opponent was that Weed."
"But Your Majesty, you convinced everyone and signed an alliance with Weed, did you not? Is there any need to question General Vol’s responsibility now?"
"If it were only a matter within the Imperial Capital, it wouldn't be an issue, but that is not the case for those in the provinces."
"…Ah."
At the hint, my adjutant’s face twisted in realization. Yes, to those in the provinces, all they know is that Vol was defeated. Or rather, no one would believe the reality of that battle even if they read the reports. That is how unbelievable that defeat was, and how far beyond comprehension Weed’s attack truly was.
"However, there are no other generals capable of leading an army group."
"That phrasing makes it sound as if the people in the provinces are completely useless."
"Naturally. If they were capable, I would have already poached them as generals. Surely you aren't suggesting we summon the Margraves defending the borders?"
"I understand what you mean, but there might be 'rough diamonds' sleeping somewhere. If we promoted such people in the center, don't you think they would work with all their might?"
"They would work hard, yes, but what would you do about the governance of the lands they were pulled from? And if they hold both the governorship and the generalship, wouldn't they invite jealousy? Besides, being 'rough diamonds' means they have no track record. If you promote them suddenly, the people around them won't be convinced."
"Mmm."
It is true that such promotions are always accompanied by jealousy, and it is unheard of to suddenly put someone with no track record in command of 80,000 troops.
"In the first place, if there were such excellent people, wouldn't they have already made a name for themselves?"
"If we don't figure this out, our country will eventually fall into a talent shortage. Well, I suppose I won't strip Vol of his position as Commander of the Second Army. In the end, Vol is the only one I can entrust the army to."
"You say that after suggesting otherwise?"
"If I were to protect him openly, that would be the real problem. Therefore, I will move in the direction of dismissing Vol. Make arrangements to protect him from the shadows."
Under normal circumstances, I could have promoted a general from the Second Army to take his place, but in this case, they all ran away. It is painful that they completely fell apart against Weed. Vol and his adjutants at least surrendered with dignity, so they are still better off. I cannot replace him with those who fled; the backlash would be too strong.
Actually, there were personnel within Vol’s army who were scheduled to be assigned to the governance of Aurelia Port, but they fled too… Well, perhaps I should be glad I found out they were useless early on? No, it’s just that Weed was too far outside the norm…
Eventually, when Weed’s true strength is recognized throughout the entire Zurable Great Empire, the reputation of Vol and the Second Army will likely recover, but until then, they will just have to swallow the mud.
"Understood. However, setting aside General Vol’s retention, what will you do about the staffing for Aurelia Port? We cannot send personnel without a request from Weed, but we cannot afford to have nothing prepared."
"If we cannot poach from the military, I suppose we have no choice but to summon the second and third sons of some noble houses to the capital, and have them govern Aurelia Port from among those who serve in the capital."
"I believe that would be best. That way, we will neither ignore Your Majesty's intentions nor insult Weed. In the first place, we cannot carelessly entrust trade with Weed and Sea-Cypho to local nobles."
"That is true. There is that, as well."
Yes, the fact that the Summoning and Controlling Jewels—or 'Magic Gears,' as they call them in Weed—can be imported again is of great significance. When the Gusdo Kingdom turned hostile and halted shipments, I thought we were in a truly dire situation, but that has been completely resolved.