WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Arsène
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Romance Fantasy’s Pushover Crown Prince Is No More ◈
Chapter 75: Imperial Garrison (1)
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Lately, far too many had begun waging wars without considering the Empire’s reaction.
If they had a just cause, even a sudden war could be understood, so I had been willing to let it slide.
‘Ever since the confession attack, wars have been breaking out whenever things get boring.’
Now, too many were starting wars over trivial matters simply to profit from them.
I had intended to overlook wars caused by the confession attack because they were the Empire’s behind-the-scenes work.
The Empire was not in such desperate straits that it needed to exploit the situation for profit.
Yet the sparks of war that began with the confession attack, starting with the Macelin Kingdom’s bold attempt at a War of Conquest, were beginning to show signs of spreading Wars of Conquest throughout the continent.
Even alliances of kingdoms, which had previously shown no sign of forming, were beginning to emerge.
Naturally, the Empire did not welcome such developments.
“How utterly presumptuous.”
“His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince has been busy lately, so we have kept quiet, but far too many have crossed the line.”
“That is correct. Just a few months ago, they were groveling in banquet halls, and now they do not even consider the Empire’s reaction.”
“Does that not show how great the gains from war are? Ignorant fools blinded by greed rather than loyalty. They need to be judged.”
The Empire’s officials were deeply displeased with the current state of the continent.
What did they intend to accomplish by joining forces? What did they intend to accomplish by expanding their lands through war?
War was ultimately a means. The only place that could make war its purpose was the Empire.
“The very thought of enlarging themselves is impure and irreverent.”
“The Empire is growing stronger even at this very moment... Yet they fail to realize that and dare act this way.”
Despite recent cases in which the Empire had immediately intervened to stop wars, several kingdoms were still attempting Wars of Conquest, believing they would be exempt.
Did they think the Empire was gentle because it had only mediated?
It was an incomprehensible course of action.
“I believe it is time to show them why the Empire is the Empire.”
“I even feel that we should wipe several kingdoms off the map immediately, along with the royal families who thought to start wars...”
“I would like nothing more than to do so at once, but then I feel sorry for the people those kingdoms would leave behind.”
Erasing a kingdom was not a major issue. Sending a single knight order would wipe out the royal families of weaker nations.
The problem was filling the void they left behind. The moment the Empire claimed a kingdom, it would need to become seriously involved in its internal affairs.
At present, the Empire had far too few people capable of handling such administration.
“What is the situation in the Holy Kingdom?”
“Perhaps because it is a nation built on religion, there has been no major resistance. However, changing the Romper Church into the Empire’s Romper will likely take considerable time.”
“Reforming everything from its symbols to its harmful practices will inevitably take time. Some matters can only be resolved with time, so it cannot be helped.”
The Empire was having great difficulty dealing with the Holy Kingdom alone.
It had swiftly filled the vacancies left after eliminating the leadership and succeeded in taking control of the administration, but getting the Holy Kingdom’s people to accept it was an entirely different matter.
Of course, the direction of the policy would not change whether they accepted it or not.
Still, unless the people followed, the policy direction would remain unchanged, but progress would inevitably slow to a crawl.
“No matter how many capable people we gather, there never seem to be enough.”
“Still, Lord Gilbat recently sent Golems to the Academy construction site, and the pace of construction has accelerated greatly.”
“What was originally expected to take around five years may be completed within this year at the earliest. It is truly astounding.”
“Is Imperial basic education proceeding well? When those who only taught nobles were told to educate commoners as well, there should naturally have been resistance. It is strange that there has not been a single complaint.”
“In an age where even those precious mages are watering crops, how could they dare resist? They have no choice but to do as they are told.”
From continental affairs to domestic matters, the Empire’s leadership was devoting all its passion and effort to the duties and responsibilities they had to shoulder.
“Work has been rather satisfying lately.”
“Agreed. The treasury is steadily filling up, and... Well, perhaps it is because the thought of the Empire growing more powerful makes me proud.”
As the leadership busily racked their brains,
Swish.
The meeting room door opened.
“The kingdoms have certainly been waging excessive wars lately, even with the Empire watching them closely.”
The Imperial Crown Prince casually entered the meeting room and took a seat.
“Y-Your Highness!”
“Loyalty!”
“Greetings to Your Highness!”
The officials leaped to their feet in alarm and tried to bow.
“I did not come to receive formal greetings, so there is no need to bow. That raw reaction just now was already more than enough of a greeting.”
The Imperial Crown Prince, Bellon, calmly had the officials sit down again before continuing.
“Recently, too many have started wars without considering the Empire’s reaction. I would like to set an example.”
“...!”
Bellon smiled at the officials’ surprise.
“I am not saying we should wipe a particular kingdom off the map. I simply wonder whether we should send our knights to places where wars frequently occur.”
“You mean dispatch them?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
The moment Bellon finished speaking, the leadership immediately understood what he meant.
“We cannot force them, of course. It would be better to kindly ask the kingdoms that have suffered from recent large and small wars.”
This additional remark made his intent even clearer.
The leadership rose from their seats at once upon hearing Bellon’s words.
“We will implement it immediately!”
“The kind Empire does not force anyone, so no one will be able to complain!”
It was time to happily carry out the Imperial Crown Prince’s command.
+++++
Imperial Crown Prince Bellon was currently extremely busy.
He had to oversee the Academy, and the Mana Stone Train was nearly ready for completion, so he needed to inspect it himself.
Pavan was still unconscious, so Bellon had to check on her condition regularly.
Furthermore, the Executioners’ Covenant, which had yet to even properly converse with Gilbat’s Covenant, also remained.
It was difficult for him to continuously watch over events outside the Empire.
The problem was that he could not completely ignore matters beyond the Empire either.
With no way of knowing how Mirne might act, neglecting surveillance was out of the question.
Thus, the conclusion reached was this.
“...So you are saying that you will remain in our kingdom, where wars are currently frequent?”
“You understand quickly. The Empire does not wish for kingdoms to wage war against one another. We have mediated several times before. You know this, do you not?”
“I do. But that and having Imperial Knights stationed in our kingdom are entirely different matters, are they not?”
“They are the same matter. Rather than using magic to dispatch ourselves every day, would it not be better to remain here and respond immediately when trouble arises?”
It was an Imperial Garrison.
The justification was peace across the continent.
The purpose was to prevent weaker kingdoms from being ruthlessly crushed, thereby stopping the people of the continent from suffering.
“...So you wish to remain in our kingdom? By receiving land outright?”
“Since the place where the Empire resides will be treated as Imperial land, is it not natural for us to receive land?”
“....”
The King of the Verdantia Kingdom, Chandar Verdantia, pressed his furrowed brow with his fingers.
He had felt uneasy from the moment the Imperial Knights suddenly arrived.
This was a more complicated and serious issue than he had expected.
“It is a proposal for peace, so I would appreciate it if you gave us your answer at your convenience.”
The Imperial Knights were speaking down to King Chandar as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
No one present could point out that it was disrespectful.
The Blue Flame Knights.
A mad military force composed entirely of Swordmasters as though that were only natural.
When they claimed to seek peace with swords at their waists, who could refuse the peace they offered?
“For your reference, should you accept our proposal, we intend to establish ourselves near the Great Forest.”
“...The Great Forest? That is the Elves’ territory.”
“We will handle that ourselves. All you need to do is decide what to do about the peace proposal our Empire has extended... the one His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince mentioned.”
“....”
King Chandar looked at the Blue Flame Knights, then slowly nodded.
“I will accept.”
“It is very pleasing to see you accept this proposal for peace. His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince will surely be pleased by your response as well.”
The Blue Flame Knights began clapping the moment King Chandar accepted the proposal.
They openly looked around, their eyes telling everyone else to clap as well.
Clap clap clap clap clap.
Applause rang loudly through the audience chamber, in stark contrast to King Chandar’s lowered head.
“Even if the World Tree has been moved, if the Great Forest remains, Mirne will have no choice but to come there.”
Bellon briefly predicted what would happen next.
“...Once Mirne comes to the Great Forest, I will have Mirne meet Ailoren.”
To keep Ailoren’s status as a male lead intact, Bellon had no choice but to let him meet Mirne.
So he would first turn the Great Forest into Imperial land, then wait there for Mirne.
How would a male lead freed from Mirne’s brainwashing treat her?
It was time to find out.
Footnotes:
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