NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67
“You’re talking about a military alliance, aren’t you? Yes, that’s what you mean.”
Jeffrey kept stumbling over his words as if he hadn’t organized his thoughts properly in response to the request.
“What you’re saying is that all lords in the Southern Region must jointly respond to any invasion? For example, if this proposal is intended to reach Koesernis or Beilran?”
“That’s right. I firmly believe that all Southern territories, which do not receive active protection from the Imperial Family, should unite to protect one another. If Harker and Jeffrey join forces, that would mean more than two-thirds of the Empire’s members forming an alliance. If they want to avoid being eliminated, other lords will naturally follow us, Duke.”
Jeffrey gazed thoughtfully at the wheat fields beyond the terrace. The Duke slowly spoke without taking his eyes off the fields.
“The Duke Jeffrey’s Territory produces 40% of the grains in the Empire. 40%. Don’t you think we deserve to be protected a bit more?”
“What should I say, Duke? I’m not sure whether you want to negotiate or refuse.”
Jeongjae spoke gently. He wasn’t fond of or skilled in push-and-pull arguments over mutual interests. Such discussions were always the specialty of politicians, and Jeongjae was far from a typical politician.
“Don’t be hasty, Baron. Agreements are not easily made. That makes consent all the more valuable.”
“If that’s the case, Duke, then I should remind you who has prevented this entire wheat field from being burned and plundered. I don’t have the right to brag, unless I am to be treated with an appropriate level of respect for what I have done.”
“What do you mean by ‘appropriate level of respect’?”
“The high nobility is expected to assist me next time. Just as I protected you from the worst crisis.”
The Duke swallowed hard. Although Jeongjae’s words were neither polished nor meticulous, there was an undeniable weight to them.
That weight belonged to Jeongjae himself. While Jeongjae reacted strongly to the notion of boasting, his achievements in the Baron’s defensive battle were so immense that no one could refute even a bit of boasting.
Not merely a simple retreat, but a complete annihilation of three legions. Considering that the Demon King’s Army was not in a position to freely mobilize millions of troops, the fact that he had not just defeated but completely wiped out an enemy force of 8,000 that could have been immediately deployed was significant.
Jeongjae knew nothing of the battle that was taking place in the No Member, but had the battle that occurred in Harriet’s Territory not taken place, the Succubus Queen might have led more troops to attack Walter. That might not have turned the tide of the battle, but it would have made things far more difficult.
“Have you considered the political issues, Baron?”
“That’s not my area of expertise.”
Jeongjae replied curtly. However, sensing Jeffrey’s gaze scrutinizing him without any response, Jeongjae shrugged his shoulders.
“Could you explain, Duke?”
“Gladly. Have you ever observed the Imperial Assembly?”
“Only when there are significant military issues. I wasn’t a member but did attend a few times.”
“Then you likely know a bit about how the assembly is composed.”
“I was taught by those who would teach me. What should I be aware of?”
“The Imperial Assembly is mainly divided into loyalist nobility and provincial lord factions. The Emperor holds fixed nomination rights for 37 out of 111 seats in the assembly, which is one-third.”
“Yes, I already know that.”
The right to vote for the members of the Imperial Assembly is given only to nobles of Count rank or higher. Even if one is part of a noble family, like Jenis, they are not granted voting rights until they hold an official title. Even Walter Hellhound, who had held a fixed position for seven years, lacks voting rights as he has not inherited the title of Marquis from the Hellhound family.
This issue of voting rights is quite significant. Naturally, there are laws to prevent nobles with vast territories from freely dividing their domains among children, thus increasing titles. Likewise, there are laws to prevent the Emperor from bestowing titles to his loyal followers excessively to gain an upper hand in elections.
“The fixed members allow the Imperial Family to always hold an advantageous position in the assembly. However, this boundary is not precisely divided as if cut with a sword. Not all the provincial nobility oppose the Imperial Family; conversely, not all of the Emperor’s subordinates only represent central views. Can’t you see what kind of outcome your proposal might yield, Baron?”
“You’re considering the political factionalization of the alliance.”
“You’re trying to create a party in an assembly without parties, Baron. The experiment of republicanism and federalism in Caprice thousands of years ago ended in a dismal failure, plunging this continent into eternal chaos and a warring states period. The reason even a divided assembly excludes the emergence of parties is precisely that.”
“Isn’t that because of the aristocratic assembly, Duke?”
“Then are you a democrat, Baron?”
Jeffrey’s eyes lit up. Jeongjae momentarily struggled to find a response and fell silent. It seemed the Duke considered that silence enough of an answer, tapping the terrace railing lightly before speaking again.
“I’ve done my homework. In fact, most nobles do. The political stances of those from this world differ significantly from those of our world. But let me say this: discussions about ordinary elections in our world are an illusion. Even if you were a democrat in your world, it’s better to forget that in ours.”
“But why?”
“No one trusts the populace, not even the populace themselves. The era of the Holy Empire has collapsed, but that void has been filled by the Empire of the resurrected heroes. Even the ones who claim to love the people the most hesitate to transfer power to them. Even the most progressive populace shies away from taking power from the hands of the great heroes.”
“I’m here to talk about a military alliance. I didn’t come to discuss the complex political issues of this world.”
“But you led this discussion yourself, Baron. You must have confidence in what you wish to endeavor. An extensive alliance in the South implies distrust of the Imperial Army. If distrust spreads widely, the alliance will evolve beyond political factions. Do you believe you can control that situation?”
Jeongjae felt a lump in his throat. This time, Jeffrey’s words were valid. Perhaps Jeongjae was merely a naïve child playing with a toy in a world he didn’t fully understand.
He had pretended to be quite knowledgeable until now, but what if the toy he was playing with wasn’t just a simple plaything? What if he had just ski-jumped into a hurricane of political issues he could not handle?
“Such an organization can exist until the war is over.”
Jeongjae finally organized his thoughts and responded. That was the best answer he could muster.
“The alliance is a measure to protect oneself with the few soldiers at hand, not merely to display military force or boycott the assembly. Once that is no longer necessary, it will inevitably disband.”
“But what if the power that leads the alliance refuses to disband the organization?”
“You know whose lead this war is conducted under. Behind him stands an army of 100,000, and he is absolutely loyal to the Imperial Family of the Audrich Empire. That army is predominantly composed of local soldiers, yet they are absolutely loyal to him, even more so than their original lords.”
Jeffrey nodded as if he understood Jeongjae’s words.
“The victory in this war will only strengthen the influence of the Imperial Family. If the Demon King’s Army collapses and an age of humans is restored, Audrich will lower only its half-hearted flag and declare the revival of the Caprice Empire. Indeed, at such a time, the provincial nobility won’t stand a chance against the Imperial Family.”
“Then doesn’t that pose no issues?”
“This is a war that must be won, Baron?”
“Of course. There’s no option to lose.”
Because losing would mean the extinction of humanity. The demon kind and humanity could not coexist on the same land. That was a truth Jeongjae, who had only spent three years in this world, could feel in his body and mind.
The destructive energy they emitted made Jeongjae, sensitive to the flow of mana, feel severe nausea. They existed solely to destroy, kill, and annihilate.
“Then we must think about what comes after we win. Let’s not get lost in thoughts of how to win. We have to win, don’t we? If there’s no need to prepare for what comes after losing.”
“Thank you for the good advice, Duke.”
“Let’s positively consider the proposal for an alliance. Could you wait a few days? I’ll offer you a room at my mansion, of course, with personal quarters for all three of you.”
“That’s not a problem. So, does that mean we’re done for today?”
“Let’s do that. It was an interesting proposal. I’ll call you if I want to continue our discussion.”
“At any time, I’ll be waiting.”
Jeongjae and Sally Jeffrey lightly shook hands, concluding their conversation. Jeffrey seemed unwilling to leave the terrace, while Jeongjae turned around to walk down the corridor and down the stairs to the first floor.
As he reached the stairs on the first floor, a butler from the Jeffrey family appeared as if he had been waiting for Jeongjae.
“Have you finished your discussion, Baron?”
The white-haired butler bowed to Jeongjae. His posture and manner were so respectful that Jeongjae felt as burdened as he did when facing royal guards.
“Um, yes, it seems to be wrapping up.”
“Please, speak comfortably, Baron. As the butler of the Jeffrey family, there’s no need for titles when addressing a noble guest.”
The Duke’s butler, and especially a man who appeared to be of a high-ranking house, likely belonged to the upper nobility, minus just the title.
Even when compared to the Village Chief of Harriet’s Territory, who was more likely to be a descendant of fallen nobility, this man held a far superior position, making it impossible for Jeongjae to speak casually.
“Well, in that case, let’s do that. He asked me to stay here for a few days. Where’s the princess? I need to have a word with them.”
“The princess and young lady are having a chat in the lounge. Please follow me; I will guide you.”
Jeongjae followed the butler to the large lounge on the first floor. After the butler knocked on the door, they heard Margaret’s permission to enter from inside.
Once Jeongjae entered the room, both Margaret and Jenis jumped to their feet simultaneously. Jeongjae was taken aback by the unexpectedly enthusiastic welcome and took a step back.
“Wh-what’s this? Why is everyone standing? Is this some sort of formal occasion?”
In formal settings, it is customary for all to stand and show respect to heroes of war, including the Emperor, when they appear before them. Margaret and Jenis both wore expressions that indicated they didn’t quite understand why they had stood up and shrugged.
“I don’t know. It might be because we saw someone we had waited so long for.”
“But you’re an elf, right? Isn’t your concept of time a bit different from humans? Does a longer time feel shorter, or something like that?”
“After experiencing walking to a tower while clutching a wound from a stab wound, I think I understand what it means for a minute to feel like an eternity. Since then, I’ve lost some patience.”
Margaret made a joke that was difficult to laugh at. Being that Jeongjae had personally witnessed her collapse from a shadow knight of the Demon King’s Army, he had no chance to smile at that.
It was Jenis who, whether due to lack of awareness or excessive enthusiasm, jumped in dramatically.
“Me too! Professor! I was just as anxious waiting!”
Jeongjae turned to Jenis as he wiped horrific scenes from his mind.
“What were you so anxious about? What kind of worries did you both have?”
“That woman, um, that Duke…”
Jenis blurted out whatever came to mind but quickly corrected herself as she noticed the butler’s gaze. The butler realized his presence was a hindrance and bowed his head to exit the lounge.
“Jenis, you can speak freely.”
“Because I don’t know what that woman will say to the professor! She’s a slithering creature! You didn’t fall for any of her temptations, right?”
“She didn’t seem to have the mind for that. I accidentally showed a bit of anger, and I could see her complexion change as she became flustered. I conveyed the situation about the alliance appropriately, and now we just wait for a response.”
“Can you tell me more specifically? Your idea could greatly affect the future of this continent. As the commander of the allied forces and the lord of the neighboring country, I’d like to know for sure.”
Margaret flopped onto a plush sofa. Jenis was sipping tea while rolling her eyes across from her.
In a situation where one of them had to sit beside the other, an oddly tense atmosphere hung between the two women, but Jeongjae ignored that tension and made a straightforward request.
“Jenis, why don’t you move over and sit next to the princess? Since we’re at it, I’ll explain to both of you.”
Jenis rolled her eyes in secret but stood up with a resigned expression, holding her teacup. As Jeongjae sat in the spot Jenis had vacated and began explaining the negotiations for the alliance in the South, the Demon King was receiving an utterly unsatisfactory report regarding the battle happening far to the north.
From none other than the Succubus Queen herself.