Episode 183 Krafte War – Winners and Losers (1)
It is a war that has already been decided.
The empire has somehow managed to resolve the rebellion and confusion of the feudal lords, but its internal affairs will be in disarray, so it needs time to properly stabilize its internal affairs.
At a time when Krafte has lost most of its core strength, the standing army, it has no power to deal with Franzia while dealing with the uprising of the Duke of Saxony-Warsaw and the offensive of the Northern United Kingdom.
As we expected, within a few days a proposal to open peace negotiations arrived from the Empire.
In fact, the National Assembly, which received the proposal for peace negotiations, expressed quite a few opinions about taking this opportunity to properly deal with the Empire and Krafte.
Especially in the central hall, where there are many nobles and the Count of Anjou who still have an old-fashioned sense of honor.
The main point of those who expressed the opinion that the war should be tolerated by continuing the war was that the countries that threatened revolution should be an example by paying a fair price and that the lives of the soldiers who died should be paid.
The party opinion of Talleyrand’s Revolutionary Party was about half and half, but President Nicolas Brissot’s Liberal Party expressed the opinion of ending the war by being completely united.
Opinions were divided, but when Eris expressed her wish to officially support the peace negotiations and Christine and I supported the peace negotiations, some of the Central Party changed their position.
Talleyrand, who had reserved his judgment until then, pretended not to win and declared his support for the peace negotiations, and the National Assembly eventually passed the peace negotiation plan.
As soon as Francia’s internal opinions were resolved, a date for peace negotiations was quickly set.
* * *
The peace negotiations in Alsace came to a conclusion ridiculously quickly.
In the first place, it was not us who were in urgent need, but the Empire and Krafte, and they knew full well that they would suffer bloodshed if they broke up while fighting over trivial conditions, so they did not want to drag out the peace negotiations for a long time.
What was a bit surprising was that the Great King barely took part in the peace negotiations.
The peace negotiations were in fact led by Caesarine Cecilia, and the Great King did little more than observe and express his agreement.
Naturally, there is no emperor of the Germanian Empire. Nominally, it is said that the emperor did not participate due to his poor health…
I would like to think that this is a peace negotiation between an empire without an emperor, but it is very strange to see that no one questions it or protests.
anyway.
Eris Esiliste Liliane de Francia is officially crowned Queen of Francia, and Caesarine Cecilia and her descendants permanently renounce their right to succession to the Francia throne.
At the same time, the Empire of Germania and the Kingdom of Krafte recognize Revolutionary Francia as a formal state succeeding the old Kingdom of Francia.
Here, we agreed to receive compensation from the Empire and Krafte equivalent to the war expenses incurred by Francia over 20 years.
Both sides agreed to the conditions without any complaints.
To be precise, there was one person who expressed dissatisfaction.
“Is this all there is? “Are you saying that my country was not rewarded for participating in the war?”
Gustav XII of the Northern United Kingdom was angry, but the response I could give him was cold.
“I am offended, Your Majesty. Francia followed the terms of its deal with the Northern United Kingdom, not only lifting the maritime blockade but also purchasing a huge amount of minerals. However, unfortunately, the performance of His Majesty’s army on the battlefield did not live up to expectations.”
Honestly, considering the amount of money Christine spent on roasting and boiling them, we lost so helplessly that it was ridiculous.
Considering that thanks to that, we achieved a great victory in the street battle without Crown Prince Henry and 20,000 of the standing army, it’s not like her money was wasted, but isn’t it a little too shameless to claim an interest here?
Rather, if we hadn’t invited them here and allowed them to sign the peace negotiations together, they would have been stepped on by Krafte, who ended the war with Franzia.
“I apologize, but we have already spent a lot of money and shed a lot of blood to continue the war in order to hand over the territory we could not occupy to the Northern United Kingdom. I believe that His Majesty will also understand the situation in Francia.”
Gustav
In the end, he signed the treaty without being able to protest any further.
At least he was able to attend this meeting as a party who would officially sign the peace negotiations, but the Duke of Saxony and the Duke of Warsaw were not even invited.
They are rebels and will be trampled by Krafte’s forces, and Krafte will probably squeeze them out to pay compensation to us.
It’s funny, since the empire has also been forced to surrender by the rebelling feudal lords, they will also squeeze them out and make up the compensation they must pay us.
From their perspective, it is a relatively light burden. To be honest, from our perspective, we have no reason or loyalty to stop it since we just get the money we deserve.
“…The long French war that began with the civil war has finally come to an end.”
President Nicolas Brissot, who was in attendance as a representative of the National Assembly thanks to his leadership in passing this agenda, muttered softly as he watched Caesarine Cecilia, King Charles II of Krafte, and Queen Eris of Francia sign the treaty.
“yes. “Revolutionary Franzia is now recognized as a proud, formal state, and no one will dare question it.”
In a true sense, it was recognized in the Central Continent that it was the end of the old era and that the new Franzia had succeeded it.
The National Assembly was finally recognized as the legitimate government of Francia after the long period of post-revolutionary war.
Brisso said with a smile.
“Thank you, Marquis, for your support in concluding the peace negotiations. The Central Party did the same, but I thought you, the military commander, might want to continue the war for merit and honor.”
Yes he is right. If I simply wanted to strengthen my power, honestly, it would be right to go ahead with the war.
If I collapse the Krafte army, said to be the strongest of mankind, and plant the Franzian flag in Mittelmark and Germanburg, I will remain as a legendary general who cannot even be compared to the Blue Knights.
But is it a part-time job?
We don’t know how many people will die during that long war, and most of all, Christine will be waiting endlessly.
I smiled at him and asked.
“You didn’t regret it, right?”
-The dogmatism of this foolish old man. …Would you please make sure I don’t regret this choice?
When asked a question while recalling President Brissot’s request, Brisseau answered with a comfortable smile.
* * *
After the treaty was signed, as usual, a banquet was held to commemorate the conclusion of peace negotiations.
Gustav XII of the Northern United Kingdom did not attend but fled back home.
The leaders of the countries that fought so hard together gather together, enjoy a banquet like never before, and strengthen their friendship to prevent the recurrence of unfortunate events.
This is something that is necessary.
I glanced at Eris and Kaiserin Cecilia heading towards the guest room together.
The empress who was sold from Francia to the empire but took control of the empire, and the queen who became an illegitimate woman or a saint and was elected by the people in a country where a revolution broke out.
Although they were enemies from the moment they met, the two half-sisters seem to have some unknown relationship.
At best, a peace negotiation has been concluded, so the Empress has not gone crazy and harmed Eris, and Eris herself is a powerful saint, and Lord Beaumont is following a little behind.
There won’t be any problem.
Having made that decision, I leisurely savored the wine.
Then, an unexpected person came up to me and spoke to me.
“Congratulations on your victory, Marquis de Lafayette.”
“His Royal Highness Crown Prince Heinrich.”
He and I didn’t have much contact, but I never thought he would come to say hello.
If I had to really ask, I would be closer to an enemy who blocked the path of Krafte, which was doing well.
“thank you. I too was impressed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s performance on the battlefield. “It appears that the determination and leadership that cooled my nerves by quickly recovering the routed cavalry was also effective against the Northern United Kingdom and the rebels.”
To be honest, at that time, we really almost lost because of the crown prince, so I had to take the risk and run to the vanguard.
Heinrich was looking at me with a rather subtle look on his face, so I added with a wry smile.
“I’m serious. I honestly thought that the Kingdom of Krafte would be in danger due to the invasion and rebellion of the Northern United Kingdom. The fact that you were able to prevent that and not be forced to accept unfavorable conditions in the peace negotiations is entirely your power. … Oh, additionally, congratulations on being recognized as crown prince.”
Heinrich glanced at me and nodded.
“Thank you.”
“But it’s surprising.”
“what?”
“It means that His Majesty the King obediently accepted the terms of the promise.”
A rather unreasonable request made by the Great King…
Crown Prince Heinrich approved the clause that Krafte would participate if Franzia entered into war with the Abyss Corporation without any objection.
At that time, it didn’t seem like we were going to lose, and the King’s authority was absolute, so we couldn’t protest outright, but we found the conditions ridiculous, and Crown Prince Heinrich didn’t seem to like it either.
Is it because we signed a relatively generous treaty that covers only war costs, so we are accepting that much, or was there some kind of change of heart?
Looking at Heinrich’s expression, it seemed like there had been a change of heart.
I quickly changed the subject because his expression didn’t look very good.
“So, I can’t see Chancellor Wittenfeld?”
That’s strange. I thought he would definitely come out here and laugh shamelessly.
But Heinrich’s expression got worse.
Eh? What?
“He… is believed to have died in an unfortunate accident.”
“Ah…”
Is a person so vain that he confidently declares war on Christine and declares that Christine has no room to delve into it if it is limited to military intelligence?
It’s surprising, but it can’t be helped.
“…I’m sorry.”
Crown Prince Heinrich was silent for a moment and then opened his mouth again.
“My Kingdom of Krafte will be different, Marquis.”
I looked at the crown prince, paused a bit, and then answered.
“I hope it’s in a positive direction.”
Heinrich smiled, nodded his head slightly at me, and walked away.
And no sooner had he left than he heard a familiar sound.
The sound of a cane hitting the floor that I have heard several times.
However, I don’t have that much spirit and strength, and when I turn around, I see Charles II, who looks incredibly old, looking at me with a smile.
“Did you enjoy your chat with the future of Krafte?”
“Hmm…”
I thought about it for a while, but I’m not sure if it was fun.
It was short to begin with…
“It wasn’t bad, Your Majesty.”
After hearing what I said, Charles II grinned, took off his hat, and bowed slightly, leaning on his cane.
“The oldest master of mankind pays homage to the greatest master of mankind. “It was truly an honor to be able to compete with you on the battlefield.”
The leader of a nation, known as the Great King, bows to a marquis and general and shows the greatest respect.
I looked at him quietly and then answered.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But unfortunately I cannot pay my respects to His Majesty the King.”
Charles II smiled satisfactorily at the answer I gave him, which could be said to be quite rude.
“Because the Jim you saw was a tyrant?”
tyrant.
okay.
I remember the cruelty of the Krafte army I saw in the burning city of Bahua.
A person who believes in his great achievements and does not hesitate to accumulate glory by exhausting those who follow him.
An act no different from that of the Blue Knight, whom I hated and despised so much.
The man who was praised as Charles II the Great King of Krafte bore a surprising resemblance to the Blue Knight.
It’s as if he was an enemy prepared for me, who couldn’t catch up with the Blue Knight while he was alive.
I nodded and answered.
“Yes, Your Majesty. “I could pay my utmost respect again and again to Her Majesty, the Queen whom I serve, but not to Her Majesty.”
Charles II shamelessly asked without losing his smile.
“I see. But even if you can’t show respect, you can still show the magnanimity of a winner by agreeing to talk to the loser, right?”
That’s a great guy in many ways.
I answered, twisting the corner of my mouth.
“Are you talking about such magnanimity that you took me to Archduke Leopold?”
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
Charles II burst out laughing.
What do you like?
Eris was also dealing with Kaiserin, right?
Should this also be considered an extension of the war?
Let’s make sure we finish our conversation with the enemy.
