The coronation ceremony of the new emperor was proceeding step by step without a hitch. Valensius II
first received oaths of loyalty from the members of the House of Nobles. Yet that was no more than a formality.
That was because Duke Pershtein, who controlled ninety percent of the noble councilors, had not sworn loyalty.
And Valensius II did not insist on receiving the duke’s oath, either.
In truth, the new emperor did not even wish to receive it.
“I swear that, as the master of the Crosen Empire, I shall cherish and love the people as I do my own body.
I shall also respect the nobles and value the knights, striving so that the Crosen Empire may prosper without end.”
Having completed the oath, the new emperor entered the ceremony to receive the imperial seal. Since it was an entirely legitimate
transfer of power, he was able to take possession of the seal without any difficulty.
The new emperor stroked the imperial seal with eyes filled with deep emotion.
“To think that I would be able to touch the imperial seal……”
The imperial seal, cast wholly from mithril, carried the authority to issue commands
to any human living in Arcadia. Even the sovereigns of other nations were no exception. This was
because of the oaths of loyalty their ancestors had sworn to Emperor Crosen.
The rulers who had overcome all manner of hardships and founded kingdoms in Arcadia had sworn loyalty
to Emperor Crosen without the slightest hesitation. The same had been true even of rulers
who had usurped their thrones through coups. After the great emperor’s death, those oaths of loyalty were carried on through the imperial seal he had left behind.
Though time had passed and no rulers could be found anymore who still swore such oaths, because of the vows made by their predecessors,
the imperial seal still exerted immeasurable influence over the kingdoms of Arcadia.
No matter how powerful a great nation’s military might might be, its sovereign could not dare refuse a request
from the Emperor of Crosen bearing the imperial seal. Unless, of course, it would bring about the destruction of their nation.
Though it might not greatly appeal to Duke Pershtein’s people, the influence of the imperial seal
was by no means something to be taken lightly. Theodore’s voice awakened Valensius II, who had been lost in thought
with the imperial seal clasped in his hands.
“Your Majesty. The people are eagerly waiting to behold Your Majesty’s countenance.”
“Very well.”
Valensius II, who had handed the imperial seal over to Theodore without the slightest hesitation, approached
the balcony. It was a moment that showed just how much he trusted Theodore. Considering the influence it possessed,
the imperial seal was not an object one could entrust to just anyone.
The Imperial Guard knights were already lying in ambush at key points, and the court mage Philamones had, just in case,
spread a shield over the entire balcony. A slender figure
followed behind the emperor as he headed toward the window.
“Waaaaaah!”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
When the newly enthroned emperor appeared on the high balcony, the citizens burst into cheers.
Valensius II was waving his hand with a smile spread across his face. Depending on each motion of his hand,
the people were swept again and again into a frenzy of enthusiasm.
They were sincerely blessing the young emperor. Beside the new emperor, Valensius II,
Mina, beautifully adorned, was displaying her lovely figure to the people.
A smile filled her face. For now, she was still merely the emperor’s lover, but before long
she would become the empress of the Crosen Empire.
The city of Felzentin was now completely steeped in a festive mood. People embraced one another
without distinction and celebrated the young emperor’s enthronement. The main avenues were packed with crowds so dense there was no room to set foot,
and every place called a tavern was filled with people until it seemed ready to burst. But they did not know.
They did not know in what direction the war with Truvenia that would soon break out would proceed, nor that
the survival or extinction of humanity would be decided by that war.
“Phew. Is this settled for now?”
Theodore let out a long sigh and wiped the sweat running down his forehead. It was a sigh of relief
that he had managed to handle the coronation ceremony, which had lasted the whole day, without a hitch. But it was too early
to feel at ease. The work that had to be prepared from now on was something that absolutely could not go wrong.
“His Majesty has safely ascended the throne, and the imperial seal has been taken over without issue. Now all that remains is diplomacy.
We must hurry and gather a great army for the conquest of Truvenia…… Duke Pershtein
will be waiting, so I must hurry.”
Picking up the imperial seal, Theodore hurried out of the office. His body was as exhausted as waterlogged cotton,
but he did not dare think of resting. In order to receive military support from the kingdoms of Arcadia
for the conquest of Truvenia, the imperial seal was absolutely necessary, and Valensius II’s approval
had already been given. Most rulers would have felt uneasy entrusting the imperial seal
to a retainer, but Valensius II’s trust in Theodore was almost absolute.
That much was clear just from the fact that he had not merely sent documents to have them stamped, but had handed over the seal itself.
Of course, more than thirty Imperial Guard knights had attached themselves to Theodore to protect the seal.
Dudududu.
A carriage that had left the imperial palace raced along the official road under the escort of thirty Imperial Guard knights.
Its destination was Duke Pershtein’s mansion. But they could not easily reach their destination.
People filled the city streets. Though the coronation had ended,
countless people were still gathered along the main avenues, making merry and holding their festival.
“Make way. We are Imperial Guard knights traveling on official business. This is urgent.”
The Imperial Guard knights at the front shouted repeatedly, but the crowd did not budge. There was nowhere for them to move aside even if they wished to.
Seeing this, the Imperial Guard knights gave bitter smiles.
“At this rate, I don’t know if we’ll be able to arrive before tonight is over.”
The carriage carrying Chancellor Theodore moved slowly, slowly forward, surrounded by the waves of people.
“Here, Sir Knight, have a drink yourself.”
People flushed with drink thrust cups at them from here and there, but because they were in the middle of official duties,
the Imperial Guard knights unfortunately could not accept. In their hearts, they would have liked to mingle with the people
and have a grand drinking party.
“You’re late.”
Theodore bowed with an embarrassed expression.
“Yes. The roads were terribly congested……”
“I can imagine. I suffered quite a bit myself on the way back to the mansion. By the way,
is that the imperial seal?”
Duke Pershtein’s gaze fell upon the box Theodore had carried in. Theodore silently
nodded.
“It is.”
“Then most of the preparations are complete. We must gather as many troops as possible.
As for the organization and structure of the expeditionary army, I intend to leave all of it
to the division commanders at each level…… They are capable men, so there is no need to worry. In any case……”
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Duke Pershtein’s mouth.
“Your ability to handle affairs truly surpasses the level of ordinary men. Each and every task
was by no means easy, yet you completed them all with certainty and without the slightest hitch.”
An embarrassed smile appeared on Theodore’s lips.
“You praise me too much.”
“No. To be honest, I find myself regretting why I did not bring you over to my side sooner.
If I had recruited you before you met Valensius I, you would have eased much of my burden.”
A bitter smile appeared on Theodore’s face.
“But I am a man of the Brokenheart family. You know as well as anyone, Your Grace,
what the relationship between our two families is like.”
“That may be so, but you are without doubt a talent worth obtaining even if you had to cast off the destiny of such a house.
Then again, what am I saying to a man who even refused the imperial throne?
Sit down first.”
Duke Pershtein smiled wryly and offered him a seat. Theodore did not refuse and sat down.
The duke began to explain.
“What is most important to us, first of all, is the number of troops. We must gather as many soldiers as possible,
and they must be well-trained elite troops. Though I promised as much at the noble council,
you must already have guessed that I cannot commit all the forces under my control.”
“I had more or less grasped that.”
Theodore silently nodded. There was not a single flaw in the duke’s words.
The Crosen Empire possessed no fewer than five hundred thousand regular troops. On top of that,
Duke Pershtein had a little over one hundred thousand private soldiers. All of them were professional soldiers, thoroughly trained
and well equipped—in truth, the elite among elites.
But they could not all be committed to the conquest of Truvenia. Troops had to be set aside
to defend key positions against a counterattack by the dragons. Since ancient times, only when order in the homeland was secure
could soldiers on an expedition fight with peace of mind. Though there were many regional defense forces in charge of security,
it was fundamentally impossible for them alone to defend the entirety of the vast empire.
“We will have to leave around one hundred fifty thousand behind, inevitably. That means the troops we can mobilize for the invasion
will amount to only about four hundred fifty thousand at most.”
Having finished speaking, Duke Pershtein looked at Theodore.
“We must gather at least that many from the other kingdoms. And they must all be well-trained elite soldiers.”
“That would be so. Additional support for supplies will be difficult to secure, after all.
The situation is so difficult that unless they are elites, we will never be able to carry on the war.”
Duke Pershtein cautiously revealed what was on his mind.
“If the invasion force lands in Truvenia, the dragons will, nine times out of ten, blockade the sea.
Just as they did in the Second Race War five hundred years ago. Therefore, in the first phase,
we must land as many troops and supplies as possible in Truvenia.”
“Have you looked for a suitable location?”
The duke smiled faintly and nodded.
“I have already dispatched many spies to Truvenia. To investigate the terrain in each region,
the deployment of the orc tribes, and suitable places for landing.”
A worried look settled on Theodore’s face.
“It must be an extremely dangerous mission……”
“They are composed of skilled knights and mages, so there should be no great difficulty in carrying out the mission.
The dragons’ sleep period has not yet ended, so there is no need to worry too much.”
“As expected of Your Grace.”
Theodore clicked his tongue in amazement. The duke waved his hand with an awkward expression.
“In any case, let us discuss the means of gathering troops. First, I will give you one piece of good news.”
“What is it?”
“Several kingdoms have promised to dispatch more troops than expected. Can you guess which kingdoms?”
“Could they be kingdoms like Triano and Servalti?”
A smile spread across Duke Pershtein’s face.
“That is right. They are kingdoms that lost their princesses and escort knights in the tragedy at Central Square.
Because they lost their daughters, those kings are burning with a desire for revenge against the dragons.
So when I quietly sounded out their intentions, they stepped forward and said that if an official personal letter from the emperor were sent,
they would dispatch all of their main forces.”
Theodore’s brow furrowed slightly.
“But what we need are only well-trained elite soldiers. Moreover, we need supplies
that will allow those troops to endure for at least six months.”
“I will procure the supplies somehow. If necessary, we will have to make some use of the imperial family’s wealth as well.
Wouldn’t you agree?”
“That is true, but……”
Recalling the imperial treasury, which was nearly empty, Theodore gave a bitter smile.
“The most important issue right now is securing military support from these three kingdoms:
Pencelot, Tezeros, and Terbia. Each of them is strutting about with its nose in the air,
considering itself a great power. With the other kingdoms, it will suffice to send a message through envoys or magical communication,
but that will not work on these countries. It is obvious they will rage that they were slighted, is it not?”
“That seems likely. Have you selected suitable people?”
A tense look appeared on Theodore’s face. Considering the military forces the three nations possessed,
someone of considerable rank would have to be sent. But when Duke Pershtein smiled and nodded,
Theodore’s mind was put at ease.