How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom: Volume 3

by Dojyomaru

“This was a highly fruitful conference,” Jeanne said as I was being warmed by the delicious hot milk. “We talked for quite a long time, didn’t we? It’s almost dawn.”

  “...Now that I think about it, I feel like we talked about a lot of things today that we really didn’t have to,” I said.

  Since we’d gone to the trouble of arranging a hotline using the Jewel Voice Broadcast, I felt like we could have saved a number of the topics we’d covered for a later date. I felt bad for the bureaucrats of both nations whose workloads had increased because of us.

  “Maybe because it was so late at night, we got strangely excited...” I said.

  “Can you blame us?” Jeanne said with a smile. “I, for one, was thrilled to find new, reliable friends.”

  Friends... huh.

  True, though our alliance was a secret one, we and the Empire could be called friends now. As for what influence this secret alliance would have on the world... I couldn’t be sure yet, but it was reassuring to know that other countries could share my values. The Empire must have felt the same.

  Jeanne suddenly took on a serious expression. “I have something to tell you, my friend in the east.”

  “What is it? My friend in the west.”

  “It’s about the Demon Lord, said to inhabit the Demon Lord’s Realm,” she said.

  The Demon Lord. If I were to employ my knowledge of RPGs, that was the being who ruled over the demons and monsters. While it was unconfirmed, the former king, Sir Albert, had told me there apparently was a being like that inside the Demon Lord’s Domain.

  “Have you seen the Demon Lord?” I asked.

  “No,” said Jeanne. “More than that, no one has ever claimed to. The ones who penetrated the deepest into the Demon Lord’s Domain were the initial punitive force, but they were almost completely eradicated.”

  “Huh? How do you know there’s a Demon Lord, then?” I asked.

  “When the punitive force was destroyed, there was a group of demons believed to be capable of speaking, and there was a word they often spoke,” she said. “The researchers in my country have hypothesized that this word might be the name of the Demon Lord.”

  There Jeanne paused, then spoke the word as if announcing it.

  “That word was... ‘Divalroi.’”

  “Divalroi... Demon Lord Divalroi?” I asked.

  “Yes. They say that’s the name of the Demon Lord.” Jeanne nodded somberly.

  Demon Lord Divalroi, huh... hmm?

  “Demon Lord Divalroi... Demon Lord... Divalroi, Demon Lord...” I murmured.

  Huh? What’s this? I remember hearing that phrase somewhere, I thought. Is this deja vu? ...No, that’s not it. It sounds familiar. Somewhere. I’ve heard it somewhere. Somewhere other than here. Not in this world. In the other world?

  No, hold on. Why would I think of Earth? There shouldn’t be any demon lords on Earth. I don’t know any Divalroi. I shouldn’t, at least, but there’s something tugging at the back of my mind.

  “Wh-What’s wrong, Souma?!” Liscia exclaimed.

  When I came back to my senses, Liscia was supporting me. It looked like I had been clutching my head in my hands and stumbled. Liscia and Jeanne looked worried, so I gave them a smile.

  “I’m fine,” I said. “I just got hit by a sudden wave of drowsiness.”

  “Hmm... it is late, after all,” said Jeanne. “How about we turn in for the night?”

  Because Jeanne was saying that too, we decided to meet again tomorrow in the audience chamber with Julius present to announce what had been decided today, then we all went off to rest.

  I asked Serina to show Jeanne to a guest room, while Liscia and I headed to the room Liscia was using. I wanted to go to sleep as soon as possible, but my bed was in the governmental affairs office. I couldn’t very well go to sleep with the bureaucrats working right beside me, so I thought I’d borrow a corner in Liscia’s room.

  “Souma... are you really okay?” Liscia asked me, sounding concerned, as we reached her room.

  “...I’m fine,” I said. “I was just a little worn out.”

  “You’re lying!” she burst out. “You’ve been routinely staying up for three nights straight! I’m not going to buy that you’re tired after staying up late for just one night!”

  “No, I think it’s pretty bad that that’s what’s tipping you off...” I said.

  Liscia sighed. “Come here.”

  Liscia sat down on her bed, instructing me to sit next to her. Sitting next to a cute girl on her bed was a situation that should have had my heart racing, but Liscia’s no-nonsense attitude intimidated me into meekly obeying her.

  When I did, the moment I sat down, Liscia grabbed my head and pushed it down into her lap. It was my first lap pillow in a long while. I could hear Liscia’s gentle voice above me.

  “I don’t know what caused it, but when you’re tired, let me indulge you,” Liscia said, rubbing my forehead.

  “...Sorry,” I said. “And thank you.”

  “Hee hee. You’re welcome.”

  I closed my eyes, letting the tension slip away from my body. When I’d heard the name “Demon Lord Divalroi,” I’d felt a vague uncertainty from the sense that I’d heard the name before. That hadn’t been resolved, but just having my head patted like this made my heart feel lighter.

  Thanks to Liscia, in the time it took me to fall asleep, I didn’t have to feel worried anymore.

  Chapter 5: Withdrawal

  22nd day, 10th month, 1546th year, Continental Calendar

  It was noon on the day after I forged a secret alliance with the Gran Chaos Empire.

  Jeanne and I met with Julius once more in the audience chamber.

  As we all stood in the same positions as the day before, Hakuya, who stood in front of me and to the side, stepped towards Julius and presented him with a piece of paper detailing the decision made in yesterday’s talks. “The Royal Army will leave Van and return home to the Elfrieden Kingdom.”

  Julius’s haughty expression showed that he saw this as the natural conclusion, but when he heard what came next, his face turned a different color.

  “As a condition of this, the Principality of Amidonia is ordered to pay war reparations to the Elfrieden Kingdom,” said Hakuya. “This is to be separate from any ransom negotiated for the return of prisoners of war.”

  “That can’t be right!” Julius rounded on Jeanne. “Madam Jeanne! What is the meaning of this?!”

  “The meaning of it...?” Jeanne shrugged. “Why, I do believe I have negotiated the return of your land, as requested?”

  Julius couldn’t seem to accept the outcome. “Is this some sort of joke?! War reparations? It makes it seem like we are a defeated nation!”

  “Given your current situation, it’s hard to say otherwise,” said Jeanne. “You have lost your capital city, after all.”

  “No! We haven’t lost yet!” Julius shouted. “They’ve only taken a single city!”

  “...Then you’re free to do as you please,” said Jeanne. “The Empire will be washing its hands of the matter. You may make peace or make war, whichever you please.”

  Julius groaned, at a loss for words.

  Seeing his reaction, Jeanne sighed. “As for that city... I have some heavy doubts that you can write off your capital as just one city being lost, but I believe you turned to us for assistance because you were in no position to retake the city yourself, yes? In that case, you have lost the war. The Empire, under the Mankind Declaration, has provided a means for you to restore the changes in your borders. We can intervene no further.”

  “But, war reparations...” Julius complained.

  “Sir Julius.” Jeanne turned a cold look on him, one that seemed to push him away. “This matter has saddened my sister, Maria, deeply. You have invaded a sovereign state by taking advantage of a loophole in the Mankind Declaration, which was made to unite all mankind in the face of the threat posed by the Demon Lord’s Domain. As the head of that pact, we cannot let it go unc
hallenged.”

  “That was... our former sovereign, Gaius...” Julius sputtered.

  “Even if it was,” said Jeanne, “you still bear the responsibility for failing to stop him. Regardless, in order to ensure that no other signatory of the Mankind Declaration engages in such foolhardy actions, I believe harsh consequences are necessary. I will have you set an example for them.”

  Uwah... She’s wording it all politely, but basically what she’s saying is, “I’m going to make an example of you to keep the other signatories in line,” huh? I thought.

  Julius stood there trembling with his hands balled into fists, his face a contorted mask of rage and anguish. “...And what if I refuse?”

  “I’ve already told you that,” said Jeanne. “You are free to do as you please. The Empire will wash its hands of the matter, and the Principality of Amidonia will be expelled from the Mankind Declaration.”

  Julius gasped in shock. “Wait! If you do that, our country will...”

  “Yes,” said Jeanne. “‘If they are not a signatory to the Declaration, it’s not a violation if we attack them.’ Which is to say, your... Pardon me, your father’s interpretation will be able to be applied to Amidonia, as well.”

  The Principality of Amidonia was surrounded by four nations on its four sides. To their west was the mercenary state of Zem, which professed to eternal neutrality despite dispatching mercenaries. To their south was the Republic of Turgis, a non-signatory state with a national policy of northward expansionism. To their north was the Orthodox Papal State of Lunaria, which had a unique set of values that differed from its neighbors. And lastly, to their east was the Elfrieden Kingdom.

  Setting aside what we might do ourselves, if they lost the protection of the Mankind Declaration now, it was entirely possible that the other three would gobble them up.

  Their former ruler, Gaius, had maintained his country by joining hands with the Empire, forming a contract with Zem for their mercenaries, intimidating the Elfrieden Kingdom under its previous timid leader, Albert, and displaying his military might to the countries to the north and south. He’d had the capacity to carry out a balanced foreign policy. Could Julius be said to have the same talent?

  Even if he did have the talent, did the young Julius have the kind of authority he would need to take the necessary steps?

  The inheritance of authority is best done gradually, while the previous ruler still lives. However, Gaius was no more. Julius now had to deal with the difficult problem of managing the threat of foreign powers externally, while also keeping his own vassals under control internally. If, during that very important process, his country were removed from the Mankind Declaration, he would lose the ability to rely on the Empire’s authority and would quickly find himself in checkmate.

  Julius understood that, so he bowed his head to Jeanne, his face full of bitterness. “...I will accept your plan.”

  “A wise decision, Sir Julius,” Jeanne said.

  Julius looked mortified, but I couldn’t allow myself to show mercy here, so I did not stir.

  With that matter settled, we moved on to negotiating the specific amount.

  We demanded two years’ worth of Amidonia’s national budget, divided into annual payments over a period of ten years, with the stipulation that it must be paid in Imperial coinage. In other words, they would pay twenty percent of their national budget to us every year for ten years.

  Julius, of course, objected, but Jeanne convinced (coerced?) him to accept it. The point was to deprive Amidonia, which had spent half of its annual budget on military expenses, of its military funding. As long as they reduced military spending, I didn’t think it would be impossible for them to pay it, but would Amidonia be able to do that?

  “Madam Jeanne,” I said. “If there are any delays in payment...”

  “Indeed,” said Jeanne. “The Empire will support the Elfrieden Kingdom in its annexation of Van.”

  “Urkh...” Julius looked frustrated, but he couldn’t say anything.

  With that confirmed, I made a proposal. “However, Madam Jeanne, I could see them delaying payment while they harden the defenses around Van. Even with the Empire’s consent, it would be a hassle to have to take the city again. As such, I would like something of equivalent value as collateral.”

  “Collateral?” Jeanne asked.

  “An item that we will hold on to until such time as the reparations are paid,” I said. “If the reparations are not paid, we will gain ownership of that item. Of course, if the reparations are paid properly, the item will be returned.”

  “I see... So, what do you want?” Jeanne asked.

  “A Jewel Voice Broadcast jewel.”

  “Wha—! Our country only has one of those!” Julius roared.

  With the current level of technology, they couldn’t create another. If it were valued as an asset, it was probably equal to a year’s worth of Amidonia’s national budget.

  But still, I said, “You’re not using it all that much anyway. Where’s the harm in letting us have it?”

  “Don’t be absurd! Do you mean to incite our people to revolt?!” Julius shouted.

  “It’s a simple matter of changing the frequency,” I said. “That’s all it would take to keep you from receiving broadcasts made by Elfrieden.”

  “Urgh... Well, yes...” Julius looked anguished, but he accepted it surprisingly easily.

  They had been using the convenient device for little more than a declaration of intent at the beginning of each year, so Julius the militarist probably didn’t realize its true value. It might be that he only recognized it for its material value. As I was thinking that...

  “Sire. May I have a word?” Hakuya said, then whispered something in my ear. When I heard what he had to say, I furrowed my brow.

  “That’s... mostly just to satisfy your own interests, isn’t it?” I asked.

  “Whatever are you saying?” Hakuya asked. “Knowledge is crystallized wisdom.”

  “...Well, fine,” I said. “Sir Julius.”

  “...What?”

  “As an additional piece of collateral, we would like to take the books in this castle’s archives.”

  That was what Hakuya had proposed. We would take custody of Amidonia’s books gathering dust in Amidonia’s archives.

  In this world, paper was still precious, and books were not in wide distribution. It was entirely possible that Amidonia had books in their archives that Elfrieden did not. Moreover, in the case of books, it would be possible to copy them while we had them in our possession.

  Julius snorted with contempt. “Very well. But don’t touch anything else. I won’t stand for you taking our weapons or armor.”

  “We already sold off a bunch of those to raise funds for the transportation network here, you know?” I said. “We spent that money on this city, so even if you ask for it back, we can’t comply.”

  “Urgh. Then don’t touch them any further!” Julius snapped.

  “...Very well,” I said.

  The weapons were more important than the books, huh? It was the right decision, given that he was surrounded by countries he couldn’t let his guard down around, but he didn’t seem to understand how scary it was that the collected writings of his people, the crystallization of their wisdom, would be leaking out.

  When I looked to Jeanne, she must have been thinking the same thing as me, because she wore a wry smile.

  Now, with the matter of reparations settled, we decided to settle other matters.

  “I want my the soldiers of my country who were taken prisoner by the Elfrieden Kingdom returned,” Julius demanded.

  “Very well,” I said. “However, you will have to pay a ransom for those belonging to the nobility or gentry.”

  “...Understood.”

  “In addition, we have investigated and composed a list of war criminals who attacked villages and engaged in looting during your invasion of our country,” I said. “Any prisoners who are on those lists will be judged under
the laws of our country, and so we cannot return them to you.”

  The extreme measure thought up by Hakuya, using the fictional monster of the flame pierrots to induce people to evacuate, had succeeded in getting most of the people out of the path of the Amidonian forces. However, that didn’t mean there had been absolutely no casualties.

  The armies of the principality seemed to have dispatched scouts in all directions, and those unfortunate enough to encounter them had been killed. I would see to it that they paid for the innocent blood of my people they had spilled.

  “We will also demand that those whose names are on the list and yet remain in your country be turned over to us,” I said. “Only once this is completed can we begin to return prisoners to you.”

  “...Fine,” said Julius shortly, accepting the list of war criminals from Hakuya. “By the way, is Roroa among the prisoners to be returned?”

  Roroa? Who?

  “I’m not familiar with the name,” I said. “Who’s that?”

  “Roroa Amidonia. My unworthy younger sister. She should have been in Van when the fighting started.”

  “Your younger sister?” I asked. “When the gates of Van were opened, we allowed any who wished to leave to do so. I think Margarita was about the only one of any status who stayed. I haven’t received any reports that we captured a member of the royal family.”

  “...That’s fine, then,” Julius said, cutting off the topic as if no longer interested.

  His sister was missing, wasn’t she? He seemed awfully blasé about that fact. Wasn’t he worried?

  “If you’d like, I could have my people look for anyone who’s spotted her,” I offered.

  “That will not be necessary.”

  “Not necessary?” I repeated.

  Hakuya whispered in my ear, “Most likely, he is concerned about a succession crisis. My investigations indicate that Princess Roroa is one of the few in the Amidonian royal house who has the support of the civil officials. Having given preferential treatment to the military, Julius is not popular with the civil officials. He must fear that they would support Madam Roroa against him.”

  “Even though, with Gaius gone, she’s one of his few remaining relatives,” I whispered back.