Chapter 110. The cost of war is a bitter law (3)
‘This war was annoying, but I got something to gain.’
I got the additional territories I needed.
And we have secured enough people.
Rather, it can be said that I got it sooner than the time I assumed.
Ironically, it means that I have something to gain from the war.
Of course, it’s not in my hands right away, but I have to officially download the award, so I have to wait a little longer for these to actually come into my hands.
How much longer do you have to wait?
“Big 8? Hee hee I”
So, everything went well with this.
I was delighted in anticipation of the big pictures to be drawn in the future.
From now on, only the endless development of my estate and my comfortable life.
While there were those who laughed out loud, drunk with the joy and gains of admiration, there were, of course, those who cried at the bitter taste of defeat.
“Damn it…. They look like Ernesia guys…
King Hezen of the Kingdom of Damaniel has been grinding his teeth while making noises like this three times a day lately.
It wasn’t even a crowd.
In the war, he suffered a crushing defeat, and as a result, he had to pay a huge amount of compensation, so he suffered from headaches all day long.
“Your Majesty… You will only injure your body.
Please calm down.”
“Does it look normal? My teeth grind when I still think of the faces of the Grenesia guys.”
It’s even coming out of my dreams lately.
What happened when an envoy from the Kingdom of Ernesia with a high-spirited face requested a huge amount of compensation in the course of post-war negotiations.
At the negotiating table, they proudly demanded that they pay the price if they did not want more war.
At that time, the blood disappeared from the complexion of him and other servants in an instant.
Even the compensation they demanded was 2 million gold coins.
Of course, it wasn’t a one-off payment.
Even the kingdom of Damaniel couldn’t pay that much in one go.
Even if he managed to scrape it together, it was sure to go bankrupt immediately.
It is an amount that will have to be repaid over the next several years.
What will happen to the kingdom of Damaniel if he signs this negotiation document?
Until the reparation is paid off, you will continue to suffer from financial difficulties, and even after paying it off, it will be difficult to recover for decades.
‘Because they look like damn bastards….
I wanted to break the nib and throw it away right away, but I couldn’t.
If he did that, then the army of Ernesia would attack.
And the king, Hezen, knows best that they have no means to stop them.
I had no choice but to put up with the humiliation and sign the papers.
There was no other way to survive other than this.
If they do not sign, they know very well how much revenge the Kingdom of Ernesia, full of rage, will take on them this time.
No matter how humiliating it is, shouldn’t we keep our breath somehow?
“It’s all my fault!!”
There were those who fell on their faces and pleaded with the grievous king.
They were nobles belonging to the pro-war faction, including the Duke of Elgizen and the Duke of Seville, who had previously advocated war.
It started when they argued that there was no other way but war.
“Our stupidity has had irreversible consequences!”
However, since they created this result, it is a mistake that they dare not raise their heads.
Most of them are ready to resign their posts or be executed on the spot.
The king glared at the prostrate servants.
At that time, the memory of the meeting was coming back.
….If I still remember that time…..
His fists unknowingly tightened.
“Raise your head…
but the king did not choose to reprimand such servants.
In his fists… and gradually withering in his voice, he said something else rather than discussing responsibility.
“Sir, I hope you will come up with a budget plan for the future…
”
“If you punish them now, future state affairs will be hindered. One cannot but discuss responsibility. No green pay will be paid to the nobles who supported the war until all future reparations are completed.”
“…I understand.”
Pro-war aristocrats could not dispute his decision.
Having created this kind of situation, this level of decision is nothing more than a light punishment.
Originally, it wouldn’t be strange if he took responsibility and collapsed while leaving the family.
However, the punishment was not lighter because of warmth or something.
In any case, if they are all thrown out right now, there will be setbacks in future state administration.
Above all, wasn’t the king himself in favor of war?
The fool was himself as well.
“First, we need to discuss what to do next.”
Excluding the compensation that must be paid every year in the future, how much money will be left?
My stomach is already sick to my stomach.
But I couldn’t help but do it.
Merman Empire.
The atmosphere in the palace was also cold due to the post-war issue.
“Your Majesty… the activities of those who continue to slander Your Majesty continue unabated.”
The face of a retainer reporting current trends within the empire is not very bright.
It is because the report that he is uploading is really only good things to incur anger to the emperor.
“…is that so.”
However, the emperor’s reaction was unexpectedly calm.
If it was him from before, there is nothing strange about getting up right away and shouting a roar that made his servants tremble.
But now his mood was exhausted, and he looked much more decrepit than he was otherwise.
not simply an illusion.
Lately, his energy has dropped considerably.
It’s natural that the body can’t keep up with the worry.
“What kind of slander are you talking about?”
“…That… That…
The servant who was reporting it showed an embarrassing expression.
Perhaps he was afraid of incurring his wrath.
“You can say it’s okay. I must listen.”
When the emperor spoke quietly, the servant was silent for a moment before finally opening his mouth.
“Your Majesty… told lies and brought the empire and its people into misfortune
.
“…All these wars are the emperor’s fault.”
The emperor’s face hardened at the servant’s words.
Other than that, all that the servant said were only accusations of conspiracy against the emperor and responsibility for the recent war.
Of course, it is not the opinion of the servant.
This is only a small part of the words spoken by those who are dissatisfied with the present emperor among the people of the present empire.
“….Right.”
“your majesty! Traitors who dare not even dare to do so must be dealt with strictly!”
In the end, the Grand Duke, who could not stand it, came forward and made a claim.
The emperor quietly shook his head.
Public opinion has become too serious to suppress with hardline means as before.
If you try to hit it with force here, civil war may break out.
He is genuinely concerned about it.
This is all… it was because of losing the war.
The enormous amount of compensation and the sacrifice of countless soldiers was a headache, but the biggest problem was the reliability of the emperor.
The news of the defeat of the Three Kingdoms reached the ears of the entire nation in an instant.
The people all condemned the emperor.
The emperor who, not long ago, cried out for justice and condemned Ernesia Kingdom.
Declaring surrender and changing the language was decisive.
During the course of negotiations with the Kingdom of Ernesia, what they demanded along with huge reparations was to officially cancel the declaration of war.
Since there was no choice but to comply with the negotiations, the emperor himself had to officially explain once again that everything in the past was a misunderstanding.
Of course, it was the people who were angry at the words.
What’s wrong!
Do you know how many citizens and slaves were sacrificed because of the emperor’s misunderstanding!!
The emperor, who was revered by the people, suddenly turned into a swindler…?
And he was treated like a murderer.
Of course, most of the criticism went to him as the emperor was the one who shouted the declaration of war at the forefront.
“…I expected it since I sent the surrender papers to them.”
If he had won the war, he would have been a hero, but if he had been defeated, he would have been a mere liar.
In addition, the Empire had to offer a considerable amount of territory and reparations to the Kingdom of Ernesia in exchange for this war.
It is strange that the people who have been deprived of their livelihood in an instant are not angry.
Suddenly, a war broke out, and the war was lost.
Then, this time, the people of the enemy country who fought bloody with their own country come and give up this land and disappear or ask them to become citizens of their country as it is.
Of course, how crazy would that be?
In the end, the impatient people continued to criticize the emperor.
The problem was not only that.
Previously, the Three Kingdoms had demanded a new recruit from Ernesia as a hostage in exchange for surrender.
In the process of negotiating as a retaliation for that, the Kingdom of Ernesia demanded something similar from the Merman Empire.
“Sending Her Highness to Ernesia Kingdom to study abroad for the next 10 years in order to clear up misunderstandings and strengthen friendship… The
Grand Duke later gnashed his teeth in anger.
Isn’t studying abroad just a pawn?
At this opportunity, Ernesia Kingdom had the intention of properly seizing the reins of the empire.
Of course, knowing that the empire was sharpening its sword behind this defeat, it was intended to prevent it in advance.
But can’t complain.
Aren’t they themselves the ones who did this in the first place?
It came back intact to the extent that the word self-employment was just right.
“It’s all my fault… the
only thing the emperor could do was a deep sigh.
“?…your majesty.”
After seeing him, Huin couldn’t say anything else, but his shoulders trembled.
In fact, there is another reason why we can’t do anything about the people who were angry before.
Due to the current war, he had lost quite a few knights, so he lacked the power to subdue them.
Even if it wasn’t, due to the responsibility of the war, they took away a lot of land and lost a lot of slaves as a labor force.
The reality is that neither of these can be done now that the aftermath of the defeat still remains.
“…It’s Jim’s responsibility.”
He continued to sigh in exhaustion.
In the end, the people’s dissatisfaction continued, and soon after, the emperor of the current empire was forced to step down due to health reasons.
And the new Emperor of the Empire was succeeded by his eldest son.
However, it was far too insufficient to correct the savage public sentiment within the empire.
It took a long time for them to replenish what they lost this time.
Finally, the Principality of Sefen.
The position of this country, which is the only one of the three kingdoms and not an independent state, was no less embarrassing than other countries.
“this this. It really embarrasses me.”
Grand Duke Adran let out a bitter laugh as he read the letter.
There is no one here who does not know the meaning of that smile.
“dismissal…. What is it called in your home country?”
With a worried face, Count Liwen, one of Adran’s aides, asked a question.
What he is reading now is an answer from his home country.
Unlike the other two countries, the Principality of Sezefen is in the position of being a vassal state of the Peron Kingdom.
Therefore, unlike the other two countries, the post-war process was a bit cumbersome.
Part of the responsibility for the war had to be asked even to the home country of the Peron Kingdom.
