Chapter 110 – Empire and Kingdom — Arloston’s Decision

At present, the Empire is divided into three: the Imperial territories, the Northern Empire’s domain, and the western region ruled by Seazack. Of these, the smallest in land area is the western region.

Naturally so. A gathering of brigands cannot possibly govern vast lands. They lack both foreign backing and an abundance of soldiers.

However, the imperial forces that had originally existed in the western region were nearly wiped out when the knight order of Brenark invaded in the past.

Thus, when Seazack rose to prominence, there was no force left capable of resisting him.

As a result, over many years, the region transformed into a nightmare kingdom where bandits ruled as they pleased. Fighting men were few; day after day, brigands gathered from all corners, and women were treated like mere objects.

To make matters worse, with the Empire mired in civil war and the Territorial Lords’ Alliance preoccupied, almost no intervention was made in the west. Seazack has exploited this situation to the fullest, acting with utter lawlessness.

Now then, regarding this western region of the Empire—it is common knowledge that the far west was once territory of the Kingdom of Brenark.

The border long recognized between the two was the Merx River, which runs north to south.

Since ancient times, rivers and mountain ranges have often served as natural borders. In ages past, lands west of the Merx River were considered Brenark’s domain, and those to the east, the Zeltreich Empire’s.

“…Are you in your right mind, Arloston-dono?”

Kaldandes asked in a quiet voice.

The lands west of the Merx River were territories won in blood by the knight order—by their forebears—during the era of expansionist policy. To relinquish them was not something that could simply be overlooked.

Yet it was Calsis who answered Kaldandes’ question.

“We have already made considerable concessions. Originally, we demanded that the Empire renounce all governing rights west of the Merx River… however, Arloston-sama made it clear that such a demand was absolutely unacceptable.”

“……………………”

Joint governance. Many civil officials would likely think it a reasonable compromise.

But Kaldandes… no, Arloston as well—understood that this would inevitably become a seed of future trouble. Calsis, of course, understood it too.

The Empire had not fully relinquished its claim. At the same time, the Kingdom of Brenark had succeeded in regaining a foothold in lands once taken from them.

Yet between two nations that were hardly on friendly terms, joint governance could not possibly proceed smoothly. Save for the most optimistic, everyone thought as much.

‘Arloston-dono likely has no intention of negotiating with Brenark in good faith…’

Kaldandes reflected with a mind that had grown somewhat calmer.

Though he lacked certainty, he suspected that Arloston intended to borrow Brenark’s strength for now, and no matter how many years it might take, ultimately drive them out of the western region.

Since ancient times, treaties between nations have often been tools for buying time. The very fact that this alliance carried a fixed term was proof enough of that.

Kaldandes reasoned that Arloston intended to defeat Seazack, and once the alliance expired, drive out the Kingdom’s forces stationed west of the Merx River.

‘That said, I doubt Lady Calsis is unaware of such intentions…’

This was why those of the political sphere were never to be underestimated. Surely Calsis—and the Kingdom of Brenark itself—harbored designs of their own.

After all, just as the Empire did not trust the Kingdom, the Kingdom did not trust the Empire either.

Even so, they were about to form a military alliance, albeit a temporary one. Arloston held the authority to voice his stance, but not the final decision.

Kaldandes surmised that, in the end, it was Emperor Creyval who had approved this alliance.

Though the chamber was in uproar, several of the knights arrived at the same conclusion as Kaldandes.

At the very least, none believed that Arloston was thinking,『Let us use this opportunity to advance relations between our two nations.』

Though no one voiced it aloud, once that understanding had quietly spread through the chamber, the room fell into silence.

“I am certain you all have your thoughts. However, His Majesty the Emperor has already granted approval. We shall cooperate with the Kingdom of Brenark and strike down the Mercenary Demon King, Seazack.”

“…Understood. But how will the army be organized, and who will command it?”

Several knights turned their gazes toward Kaldandes. As head of the prestigious House of Bihickturk, he would be a fitting candidate for supreme commander.

At present, there were only a handful of generals capable of leading the Imperial Army. Competent commanders such as Barkdine, Roglain, and Bandred had already relinquished their posts in the wake of defeat.

Furthermore, Adrldon of the Ironclad Knight Order was stationed near the Imperial Nation’s former lands and could not move toward the western campaign.

By all conventional reasoning, Kaldandes would assume overall command… but—

“The army will be formed from the territorial forces of the Karmanda Territory, the Imperial troops stationed there, and additional knight units dispatched from the capital, totaling thirty thousand.”

“Our Brenark knight order will field fifty thousand,” Calsis added.

Karmanda Territory stands as a strategic point of the Empire, bordering Seazack’s dominion to the west and the Northern Empire’s Diltrack Territory to the north. Should an invasion of Seazack’s lands commence, it would serve as the vital supply base.

For many years, defensive forces had been stationed there, but Arloston now intended to mobilize them.

“That will bring the total to eighty thousand. And I shall assume supreme command.”

“Wha…!?”

“Arloston-sama!?”

“B-but…”

A murmur rose yet again through the chamber—no one could recall how many times that day. Arloston had never once taken the field personally.

Though he held the title of Knight Commander, it had originally been granted to him as a slight by the Emperor. There were not a few knights who looked down on a Knight Commander without battlefield experience.

On the other hand, if one were to question whether he lacked command ability, that would be incorrect.

The answer lay in the grand military exercises of the past—the decisive match between Barkdine’s knight order and the newly reformed Imperial Knight Order under Arloston’s command.

It was because he achieved a flawless victory over Barkdine’s forces that he came to be recognized as Knight Commander and steadily increased his influence.

“…Is it not too dangerous?”

“Considering the Empire’s current circumstances, this was the only option. Moreover, this campaign will be a joint operation with the Brenark knight order. On a battlefield where conditions shift constantly, there will be moments when swift decisions must be made while coordinating between nations. If, at such times, they must consult me in the capital, we risk losing critical opportunities.”

“Mu…”

Even Kaldandes found himself conceding.

This operation would involve foreign forces. It could not be denied that situations might arise requiring judgment at the highest level.

Arloston was the Knight Commander, and though he had renounced his claim to the throne, he still carried imperial blood. In terms of merit and standing, he was a suitable representative of Emperor Creyval.

“However, it cannot be said with certainty that the Northern Empire will remain idle during my absence. Therefore, Kaldandes-dono, I would have you serve as Acting Knight Commander.”

“What…? You would have me act in your stead?”

“Indeed. This too has already received the approval of His Majesty Creyval. Should the Northern Empire make any move, I entrust you with command of the Imperial Army.”

“………………!”

Kaldandes, as head of the distinguished House of Bihickturk—a family that had produced numerous Knight Commanders—had long harbored the thought that one day he himself might assume that office.

Even if only in an acting capacity, the delegation of such authority from Arloston carried immense weight.

More than that—it was as though, should anything befall Arloston, he had already been marked as the next Knight Commander.

At the same time, Kaldandes felt a quiet satisfaction that Arloston placed such high regard in him—not merely favoring his own inner circle from the newly formed Imperial Knight Order.

Of course, he understood as well that bearing the banner of the House of Bihickturk made it politically convenient to unify the knights under his leadership.

“I accept. During your absence, Arloston-dono, I shall see that the Empire is protected.”

“I leave it in your hands. Now then, let us proceed to the specifics of our organization. First, the securing of medical supplies, arms, and provisions…”

And so, roughly one month later, the Knight Order of the Kingdom of Brenark finally began to move.

It was at precisely this moment that the Northern Empire—Vilgard—became aware of the movements of both the Kingdom of Brenark and the Empire.