Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 373

Chapter 373: Pax Kefellofenica (1)

0% The rescue team arrived quickly, suggesting the battle between both armies had ended. Exaggerating a bit, it was a fight between 300,000 and 10,000, so the result was natural. The nomads had lost their leader, Dorgon, and most of his warriors had been fighting not for victory, but for death. They had charged head-on, knowing full well they would fall.

And that prediction was correct.

“Although we suffered significant casualties while clashing with 10,000 nomads, that’s all. They fought without any particular tactics or strategy.”

“I see.”

The Commander of the Northern Forces, who personally led the rescue team, expressed relief upon confirming I was alive and explained what had happened in my absence.

As expected, the nomads hadn’t fought using cunning strategies or desperate maneuvers to turn the tide. They had simply battled to prove they could not coexist with the Empire, to meet their end on their own terms.

Of course, as the commander mentioned, 10,000 nomads charging into battle wasn’t something that could be ignored, and the Empire had suffered losses. But in the end, that was all that happened.

They really were all cut from the same cloth.

There had been no deserters, no captives. Every single one of them had fought to the death. Just as Dorgon had said—only the most stubborn, the most unyielding, had remained to the bitter end.

I was thinking of granting titles if any tribal or clan chiefs surrendered, but forget titles—they all volunteered to be Dorgon’s companions on his journey to the afterlife. At least his path won’t be lonely.

“The war is over now. Those who rebelled against the empire and their leader are dead. Only post-war cleanup remains.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“That’s embarrassing. The Inspector’s efforts were far greater than mine.”

Having said this, the commander looked up at the sky. It seemed the cross-shaped tear in the sky still impressed him deeply.

“...It seems even the gods favor the Empire.”

I just smiled quietly at those words. Coincidentally, the cross in this world also held religious significance, much like in my pre-possession world. The fact that the sky had been split into a cross was enough to make people see it as a divine omen.

Of course, the irony was that the cross itself was a human creation. But since this victory had also been won by human hands, I supposed it didn’t really matter.

“I’ve talked too much. Let me know when you’re feeling stable enough to move. We’ll teleport back.”

“Ah, yes.”

As the commander left to rejoin his knights, I tested the movement in my arms. Unlike the wounds I received from the Kagan, these healed completely.

Thank goodness.

I could at least hide wounds, but a severed, immobile arm couldn’t be hidden. It would have been difficult to return to the capital, where so many still believed I wasn’t participating in combat, and simply tell them, ‘I left my arm behind in the old era.’

...Unfortunately, I still had to endure the resentment of just one person.

“Executive Manager.”

As soon as the commander left, Penelia approached me, eyes brimming with tears, and fell to her knees. Though she still addressed me formally in the presence of others, the fact that she was clinging to her last shred of reason was scarier.

“It’s all, it’s all because I wasn’t good enough...”

She was blaming herself. That meant she was still rational.

In fact, Penelia had expressed worry and concern even about me fighting Dorgon at the forefront. I barely persuaded Penelia and the Masked Unit to stand on the front lines, but beyond fighting there, I even went missing. She must have felt like the sky was falling.

Fortunately, my survival was confirmed not long after, but I was found with my right arm severed and my left arm immobile, severely injured. The shock and guilt she must have felt were unimaginable.

“I should have disappeared instead. It should have been my arm—“

“Enough.”

I cut off Penelia’s trembling voice before she could finish. My condition wasn’t her fault.

I stood at the forefront because of my stubbornness, and I was transported here because of Dorgon. If Penelia was guilty of anything, it was only of having a stubborn superior and lover.

“This is a method even Kagan fell for. It’s an unavoidable method, so it’s no one’s fault.”

“But, but still...”

I gently embraced the still-trembling Penelia. She buried her face in my shoulder and silently shed her tears.

“I’m sorry for worrying you. This won’t happen again.”

I comforted her, patting her back, but Penelia’s trembling didn’t stop.

This body isn’t just mine anymore.

I knew it in my head, but experiencing it directly made it hit home even more. My body was no longer something I could simply throw away at my discretion. Too many people were waiting for me to return.

Still, as I just comforted her, this wouldn’t happen again in the future.

Because the reason for me to enter the battlefield had disappeared.

***Slowly, as both my blood and mana began circulating properly again, I returned to headquarters.

“Well done.”

The Invincible Duke, who had received the report of Dorgon’s death through the communication crystal, came out personally to welcome me despite being in the middle of work.

Defeating the leader of the enemy in single combat was an accomplishment worthy of recognition from the highest-ranking commander of the expeditionary force, especially if that leader was a top-class traitor the empire had been searching for three years.

“At last, order has been restored in the north, and peace has returned to the Empire. His Majesty is also pleased with your achievement, so rest well.”

“I’m grateful for your kindness, Your Grace.”

I bowed and stepped back as the Invincible Duke patted my shoulder in praise. Given that I had suffered injuries severe enough to lose an arm, it made sense that I wouldn’t be tasked with post-war operations. Besides, as a military inspector, I had no reason to be involved in that phase of the campaign anyway.

“Ah, Inspector.”

Just as I was about to quietly withdraw, the Invincible Duke spoke again.

“His Majesty has granted your request.”

I flinched momentarily at the unexpectedly quick result. I had mentioned it when the Commander of the Northern Forces reported to the Invincible Duke, but I didn’t expect a positive answer on the same day.

“His Majesty’s mercy is truly as vast as the sky.”

So, I answered with sincere gratitude.

My request was to cremate Dorgon in the North. His body, as the corpse of a high-profile traitor, could have been used for many things. The fact that the Emperor allowed me to dispose of it in such a way was, indeed, an act of mercy.

Whether it was the mercy of rewarding a meritorious subject or the benevolence of a ruler secure in his authority... well, that was another matter.

***After confirming that Carl had returned to his tent, I went back to mine. Although I had left my post to greet Carl, there were many urgent matters to handle.

Fortunately, I could leave battlefield cleanup and the handling of allied clans to the marshals and force commanders. That alone reduced my workload by more than half, but there were still matters only I could resolve.

And before greeting Carl, I was dealing with the most troublesome issue.

The garrison.

There were no more forces in the north capable of resisting the Empire. Only loyal nobles remained, having pledged their allegiance to His Majesty and declared him their Khan. The north had now, without question, become Imperial territory.

Therefore, central army troops must be stationed in the North as well. Not just the private armies of the titled tribal chiefs, but His Majesty’s own army.

This is a first.

I sighed unconsciously. I might understand stationing troops for simple occupation, security, and defense, but it was my first time setting up garrison troops for newly incorporated imperial territory. The last time the empire’s borders changed was during the war with the East when the Iron-Blooded Duke was still active.

And the land gained now was on a completely different scale. Just by size alone, it was comparable to the kingdoms of Armein or Yuben.

The only silver lining was that the North’s population was relatively low. A modest garrison should be enough to maintain order.

However, a small population also meant undeveloped land. It was not an ideal environment for military occupation, and there were no facilities to support stationed troops.

...We’ll have to keep it to a minimum.

Pulling out completely wasn’t an option. I needed to establish a garrison, but I should keep the numbers as low as possible and quickly decide on the officially stationed troops to replace the temporary force.

For now, the temporary garrison would be composed primarily of my personal forces and the Northern Forces. They wouldn’t be pleased about being left behind even after the war, but with proper rewards and a promise of swift rotation, I could manage them. After all, they had all distinguished themselves in battle—it would be easy to justify rewarding them.

Additionally, the formal garrison should include a high proportion of northern troops. If it were composed solely of Imperial soldiers, adaptation would be an issue. I would need to integrate the wandering clans into the central army and secure cooperation from the titled chieftains.

I’ll have to bring it up when they gather.

The chieftains would be returning with the expeditionary force. During the victory ceremony, they would kneel before His Majesty, formally pledge allegiance, and receive their titles.

Yes, it would be best to talk when their mood was at its peak.

...This won’t be easy.

I leaned back in my chair and sighed. War was troublesome, but the aftermath was always worse.

Still, I didn’t feel particularly bad about it. Worrying about troop deployments was far better than constantly bracing for another war.

***If Penelia had been protective before, now she had initiated extreme close protection. I couldn’t bring myself to push her away. The Masked Unit was also stationed outside my tent, standing silently. They must have suffered just as much emotionally.

But around evening, I heard the Masked Unit murmuring from outside. That was odd—they weren’t the type to talk during guard duty.

“Carl.”

As soon as I saw who entered next, I understood the reason for the murmuring.

“Father.”

“No need to get up. Stay where you are.”

It was understandable for the Masked Unit to become noisy if my father appeared. He was my parent, so it must have felt like seeing the superior of their superior.

“You’re here as well.”

“Yes, Father.”

Father nodded to Penelia, who bowed her head respectfully, then looked me over.

“It seems your treatment was successful. That’s a relief.”

“Ah, yes. I have no trouble moving now.”

“Still, stay still for a while. Just because the wounds have disappeared doesn’t mean the shock has.”

After saying that, Father fell silent and just stared at my face. I could feel Penelia at a loss in this strange standoff, but I, the one receiving the silent gaze, felt nothing. Strangely, I didn’t feel any pressure.

“Did you finish it with your own hands?”

Breaking the silence, Father finally spoke. A small smile crept onto my lips.

“Yes, I finished it.”

“Have you fulfilled all your duties?”

“I have no regrets now.”

Father also smiled faintly at my unhesitating answer.

“Then that’s enough.”

And then he turned around, as if hearing those words was all he needed.

“...Father.”

He paused for a moment as I cautiously spoke.

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

“...I see.”

His steps quickened slightly, but I pretended not to notice.

Because I honestly felt a little embarrassed, too.