Chapter 289

Chapter 289 - Downfall (2)

The Allied Noble fOrces waited temporarily on the battlefield. Because it was such a large-scale battle and so much was at stake, there were more than a few things to sort out.

"Send envoys to each religious order. We must earnestly request the dispatch of priests and monastic knights."

"Leave it to me. I will exaggerate as much as possible how desolate it has become south of the Rein River. Your Highness."

Envoys departed in all directions led by Duke Leray. There were no exceptions for powerful religious orders, including the Papal State and the Hospitaller Knights.

The clergymen had tried to minimize interference in the nation's civil war, but the situation was different now. The Emperor, who suffered a tremendous blow from a major defeat and the loss of the capital, was now unable to covet the South.

The remaining task was to deal with the side effects caused by prolonged pillaging and warfare.

"Gather the corpses in one place. Throwing them is fine, but there must be no corpses buried under dirt piles. Every single one must be burned without leaving a trace."

"The priests will arrive soon. Those who wish to repent should at least wash their faces in the river beforehand."

Preventing the occurrence of the undead is the most important issue. Besides mass cremation, it is a mandatory procedure for priests to sprinkle holy water and purify the area with benedictions.

Dealing with refugees suffering from starvation and disease would be endless, and they had to prepare for mercenaries turning into bandit groups out of spite for not receiving their compensation.

"Step aside. I stabbed Baron Everton and knocked him down with my spear, so I have the ownership."

"What kind of nonsense is that?! I am the one who repelled the Baron's soldiers and drove him into a corner! You think you can just stick a fork in at the end and swallow it whole?"

"What did you just say? Swallow it whole?!"

"Oho! Did you just draw your sword? Your Highness Robert's tent is right nearby, you've got some nerve!"

"...Then let's ask the Duke to judge."

Quarrels broke out everywhere over the ownership of the loot, especially the best merchandise: the captured nobles. There were even knights challenging each other to duels.

"Captain. Shouldn't we join in there too?"

"Is this bastard subtly trying to assassinate me? You're telling me to jump in there?"

"Kek! Kek! Let me go!"

It was a situation densely packed with nobles and knights. Even mercenary captains leading hundreds of mercenaries couldn't dare to step in and became wallflowers.

"Ahem. We also contributed to blocking the retreat path. We don't ask for much, just give us a mere 10%... Hehehe!"

Only those mercenary captains who had established merits or had noble connections carefully took a step forward. Even taking just this much and distributing a bonus to the subordinates once would extend the captain's term by at least 1-2 years.

"It is truly convenient that the two Dukes, Leray and Robert, handle everything on our behalf."

Thanks to them, Eugene could rest leisurely. If it were Britannia or Sicilia, Eugene would be doing that work alone.

"Keep this evening free. Several leaders of Southern merchant guilds will come up and a banquet will be held, so it would be best for you to show your face as well."

Valda was writing replies to letters sent by nobles and merchant companies on behalf of her husband. Her writing skills, elegantly flattering the recipients, were also excellent.

Moreover, she was someone who knew all the secrets, diplomacy, military, finances, and supplies of the Mayer family. Unlike clerks who needed Eugene's information provision or supervision, she could judge for herself.

Rejecting difficult requests with appropriate excuses, mediating, or sending gifts.

Thanks to this reliable domestic support, Eugene was freed from trivial tasks during the war and could focus solely on command and strategy.

"Is there any news from the capital yet?"

"The rebel nobles in the capital say they will issue a statement soon. They can no longer recognize Gaius as the leader of Roman and will elect a new king."

"There are no direct descendants of the Aureus family left now. Then it means they will bring someone from a branch family..."

Valda lowered her eyes and stroked her chin. It was an appearance Eugene liked very much.

"It seems you have someone in mind."

An elf's ears show what's in their mind even better than a dog's tail. Her current twitching was a movement of organizing her thoughts when she had 90% certainty.

"There is only one legitimate candidate in the line of succession. There is more royal blood, but it's too thin, or they are of extremely old age, living day by day."

"Who is it?"

"Damian Aureus. A man who devoted himself to the Hospitaller Knights. When he rose to the position of the youngest head priest, the late king rejoiced and boasted to me about it."

"Of all places, the Hospitaller Knights, so it wouldn't be the royal family's influence."

Valda nodded.

"Because rumors were widespread that he was blessed by God."

"When you say blessing?"

"He has never suffered from an illness since birth. Even before joining the order, he was enthusiastic about public support, and whAAether he went to a village with an epidemic or tended to the slums in the cold of midwinter, he never even caught a cold."

While not quite enough to be called a miracle, he was a talent highly valued within the order. His status as a priest was not an issue either. Cases of concurrently holding the positions of bishop and lord are common, so there's no reason he couldn't be a king. To mend a Roman torn by civil war, there would be no king more excellent than this.

"Valda."

"Hmm?"

"Will you write a statement of support in my name?"

"Hehe. I'll include my name as well."

Putting her and her husband's signatures side by side at the end of a letter was something Valda liked very much.

"Hold on. Since he joined as a monastic, he must have sworn an oath of chastity, and that can't be annulled, right? Then what about the successor?"

"In principle, since starting a family itself is forbidden, he cannot adopt a child either. However, it is possible to have a ward. Should I call it a kind of loophole?"

Valda rested her chin on her hand as if it was an interesting situation. Like a golden waterfall, her hair cascaded messily over the table.

"It's not without precedent. Although it's the first time it applies to the throne of a large country like Roman, not a county or a marquisate."

"If it's a successor chosen by someone named Damian, he wouldn't be a foolish king."

If things went well and at least two generations of wise kings were guaranteed, the country would be stable for the next 100 years. Considering the suffering it had endured, Roman was fully qualified.

"Maybe it will become a tradition and continue for more than three generations?"

"That is an absurd notion."

Valda denied it with a firm face.

"A king always exists in everything that makes up the world. And a king must be succeeded through blood, not appointment, for the country to become one."

"Isn't Gaius the side effect of that?"

"That's because Gaius grew up without receiving enough love."

"This is a rebuttal I couldn't even think of."

Surprisingly, she looked for the cause in something domestic.

"Besides, there is no system without side effects. If someone says there is, they would be a swindler."

"Yeah, well."

Eugene, who spoke without much thought, was overwhelmed by his wife's intensity and just nodded.

* * *

Because Eugene's army only handled rear support in this battle, they hardly captured any noble prisoners. The only thing they managed to salvage was the Emperor's Chief of Staff.

The eyes of the Dark Elves gathered on the young man lying like a corpse on the soft hospital bed. They had no fear of leprosy.

It was a disease with very weak contagiousness, and consuming the pills developed in Barcia eliminated 99.999% of its contagiousness.

In fact, it could be seen as 100%, as there has never been a case where a person who took the medicine transmitted the disease. The 0.001% was a figure fOrced in by the medical convictions of the Barcian doctors.

"Since he is a guy the Emperor valued so dearly, he must be from a great house, right?"

"I pray that's the case. We didn't catch a single guy worth any money."

The Dark Elves who raided the Emperor's camp spoke earnestly.

"Don't have too high expectations. The disappointment might be great. Besides, aren't you excavating valuable things while rummaging through the Emperor's camp?"

Precious metals can sufficiently withstand a fire. Right now, Dwarves wearing masks are recovering gold coins, silver coins, and jewels from the ashes using shovels and rakes. They could distinguish between stones and jewels just by the subtle sensation caught on their tools.

"Ugh."

At that moment, the Chief of Staff groaned and regained consciousness. He painfully twisted his body this way and that.

"We'll be taking our leave."

"Good work."

After the Dark Elves tactfully stepped aside, the Chief of Staff opened his eyes. Having been kidnapped roughly, he seemed unable to understand why he was lying on a clean bed. As he raised his body, he met eyes with Eugene.

'He's a calm guy.'

He must have many questions, but his attitude of just rolling his eyes to grasp the situation was not ordinary.

"Understand that my subordinates acted roughly. Because it was the middle of a battle."

"..."

"We threw away all the dirty clothes and bandages and used our herbs and bandages. Because it's a body that will fester if not cared for in time."

"..."

"If you don't want to show your face, use the veil placed beside you."

"...Thank you."

At this point, it seemed his conscience wouldn't let him stay silent. The Chief of Staff, speaking with a beautiful voice, put on the veil. Only the area around his eyes was cut out in a rectangle, and because of the dark silk, only the silhouette of his face could be seen.

"It was made by the Eastern Empire slaves under my command. It's comfortable to wear, well-ventilated, and doesn't touch the facial skin. Not to mention it offers a wide field of vision."

"It is certainly comfortable. Compared to the mask I used before."

Eugene put his hand on his chest.

"I am Eugene of the House of Mayer. Would you tell me your name?"

Naturally, the Chief of Staff would also know Eugene, but it was a courtesy to observe before asking someone else's name.

"Franz Mateus."

"A family from the capital? I am quite in the dark about Roman's noble society."

Mateus meant a gift sent by God. At a glance, it was a surname a noble family would use.

"I am not a noble. Mateus is a surname His Majesty bestowed upon me after recruiting me while I was serving in the Shadow Legion."

"I see."

'It seems drawing out a betrayal is a lost cause.'

If only he could be turned, he would be a more fatal blow to the Emperor than any noble. WhAAether he spat out information or was used as a mouthpiece.

The plan was to negotiate using leprosy treatment as bait, but it seemed it would be difficult. Eugene placed the patient meal he prepared in advance on the table beside the bed.

"You are my prisoner. I want you to act honorably until Gaius pays your ransom. You can promise me that much, right?"

"He won't have the luxury to do that. I am just a commoner with no background."

"You never know, seeing how much he seemed to care for you. General Magnus or the new king might pay it."

"...So a rebellion finally occurred in the capital."

"I like that you're quick-witted."

Franz, who grasped the situation through a short Q&A, sighed.

Currently, the Shadow Legion had not headed to the capital but requisitioned a small city and was stationed there. Lacking military rations, it was impossible for them to retake the capital or join the Emperor's direct territory.

"Can I ask one thing as a price for the treatment?"

"I have no intention of betraying His Majesty. I would rather die..."

"I know well that you have no lingering attachment to your life, so stop that. I'm not going to ask about Gaius. What I'm curious about is General Magnus."

That, Franz could also answer.

"What are you curious about?"

"The Emperor is severely injured, the army is greatly defeated, and the capital is in rebellion. In this situation, will Magnus keep his loyalty to the Emperor? From what I saw, he didn't seem to follow him out of overflowing loyalty."

"As the Count said. If the new king issues a decree from the capital, the legion will surrender without any dissenting opinions."

It was an immediate answer.

"That easily?"

"The Shadow Legion always serves the ruler of Roman. They are not the personal loyal servants of His Majesty Gaius. Since there are many legionaries who are dissatisfied with the civil war, if a figure like Lord Damian recommends defection, they won't be able to refuse."

Franz also seemed to consider Damian as the next king.

Grrrr.

As a loud noise rang out from his stomach, Eugene stood up from his seat.

"Alright. Enjoy your meal, and if you have any advice to give by any chance, say anything."

"..."

"Don't be mean to the medical women who come to treat you."

"I am not one to repay a favor with enmity."

"Stop talking informally too. This is not a battlefield, and you too are just my prisoner right now."

"...I understand."

Unlike knights, he didn't assert useless pride, so it was convenient.

"The waterwheel-type river crossing boat you devised was truly impressive. If it weren't for that, a proper river crossing operation itself would have been impossible. The turning point wouldn't have happened either."

"Looking back, it seems it was a futile effort."

The scrawny hand holding the wooden spoon trembled. It wasn't wrong either, since the complete river crossing ultimately led to the downfall of the Imperial army. A teardrop from Franz fell into the patient's porridge.

"Take your time."

Eugene also tactfully left the place. Before long, the pursuit to finish off the Emperor would begin. Having his close aide, the Chief of Staff, would be useful in one way or another.

"Aren't you treating him too like a gentleman? It's not just one or two pieces of useful information he has."

Rex, waiting outside the tent, expressed his dissatisfaction. His liege was a beast on the battlefield, but once the fight was over, he completely changed 180 degrees and showed mercy. Sometimes to the point where it felt frustrating.

"Interrogation also requires stamina. If I used your method right now, he wouldn't last long. I want to communicate as gentlemanly as possible, but if necessary, I'm thinking of borrowing the power of science or using rough methods."

"That is sufficient."

However, because that mercy also knew where to draw the line, it wasn't frustrating. What Eugene always considered the first priority was preventing the family members following him from dying or getting hurt.

* * *

Afterward, Eugene went to find Marbas with dwarven beer and snacks. Because he had something to seek advice on.

"Gaius wielded spirits?"

"Yes. They were quite powerful entities."

As he explained the part about shooting hellfire, Marbas's eyebrows twitched. He took a sip of beer to shake off the unpleasant feeling.

"A burning soul and an ice hand large enough to wrap around a grown man. To manifest such clear physical forms in the present world, they are spirits of mid-to-high rank."

"He didn't show any signs of fatigue while summoning them consecutively. He didn't even gasp for breath or sweat."

Eugene additionally explained the part where the Emperor said, 'Pay the price of the sacrifice!'. Marbas nodded as if he knew it.

"He used a method similar to a sacrificial ritual."

"Can spirits be wielded in such a way, not just magical beasts?"

"As you know, magic is a discipline that causes strange phenomena by understanding and distorting the laws of the world. On the other hand, summoning is closer to the aesthetics of trade."

Of course, ordinary people find it impossible to call the trading partners to the negotiation table, see them, or converse with them.

"It's a very tricky trade. If you're not careful, you could be devoured along with the negotiation table."

"Exactly. Entities from other worlds make twisted or bizarre demands. Communicating with them in otherworldly languages and coordinating is the qualification of a summoner. Ultimately, it's a matter of efficiency."

"Are you saying the story is different if you can pour in capital, materials, and manpower ignoring efficiency?"

"You catch on quickly. For someone in the Emperor's position, it's more than possible."

Items so rare they couldn't be bought with money, or items whose access is prohibited for various reasons even if they are for sale.

"Did you know the Emperor created a grave-robbing department and went around digging up tombs to secure war funds?"

"Yes. Such cases occasionally happen in other countries too."

When a war seemed to drag on, government posts dedicated to grave robbing were created and then abolished along with the end of the war.

"Thinking about it now, the war funds might have been a smokescreen, and something else might have been the goal."

"For example?"

"The remains or burial goods of a devout clergyman. These are the best as summoning catalysts. If you put them up as trade goods, entities from other worlds gather around drooling."

It's the same in all fields that you can become stronger by pouring in money. Especially, summoning is a field where the peak is incomparably higher than swords and magic.

"Gaius shouldn't be left alone for long. The power granted by summoning varies widely, but it has many parts similar to miracles. And humans tend to crave miracles more in difficult situations, don't they?"

Marbas worried that the Emperor would dabble in more unconventional and dangerous black magic to overturn the war situation.

"Even while at a disadvantage, he separately requisitioned an army to subjugate the pagan army. He seemed to have at least a minimum sense of reason, will he cross the line?"

"A person driven to the edge of a cliff can do anything. In such times, they are easily swayed by those who approach them promising to grant their wishes."

There is nothing more foolish than ignoring the warning of a wise summoner.

"Tomorrow, I will board the Moving Castle and recruit those who will cross the river."

Eugene also had no intention of leaving the Emperor alone. WhAAether alive or dead, he intended to catch him and send him to the capital to put an end to this disaster.