Chapter 375: Pax Kefellofenica (3)
0% The soldiers’ steps towards the capital were incredibly light. It was natural since they weren’t marching to a battlefield where they might die, but returning to a place where they would receive everyone’s cheers.
Of course, war was still war, even if the losses had been relatively low and the victory overwhelming. Among the ranks, some troops bore somber expressions, weighed down by the loss of their comrades, while others lay in wagons, having found their eternal rest. There was no such thing as a war where everyone returned happy.
Understanding the lingering shadows of battle, the officers did their best to ease the burden on their troops. The march was set at a relaxed pace, and small rations of alcohol were distributed to dampen the sorrow. They couldn’t bring back the dead, but at the very least, they could make the journey home easier for the living.
Thankfully, it’s quiet.
The fact that no conflicts had broken out among the procession mixing mainlanders and northerners was also possible thanks to the commanders’ desperate efforts.
Just as there were nomads who burned their lives while claiming they couldn’t coexist with the empire, there were plenty of imperials who disliked nomads. Specifically, they would be the northerners who suffered from nomad raids or soldiers from the Northern Force tasked with guarding the northern border.
The calmness, despite the people gathered for whom nomads were a sort of trigger, suggested that they’d already vented all their pent-up anger in the war, or it could be the power of reason telling them that picking fights with those who had already surrendered would do more harm than good.
Either way, it doesn’t matter.
In truth, it was enough as long as they weren’t fighting each other. It might have sounded careless, but the result mattered more than the process in the end.
“It’s my first time setting foot in the empire, but I understand how excellent His Majesty’s rule is after seeing this level of prosperity in a mere province.”
Thanks to this peace, conversations between imperial and northern nobles passed without drawing much attention.
“Now that His Majesty’s rule will reach the North, this prosperity will someday cover the North as well.”
“Just imagining it makes my heart race.”
I smiled back at Marquis Barandiga, who burst into laughter in anticipation. Given how vast and barren the North was, that prosperity wouldn’t be achieved in Marquis Barandiga’s lifetime, but at least his descendants would enjoy it as high-ranking imperial nobles. This was a long-term investment in his bloodline.
“As the North’s only marquis family, the Gurt family will bear many obligations for the North’s development.”
“With the great grace I’ve been given, it is only natural. I will serve His Majesty and the Empire with all my strength.”
While exchanging such ordinary pleasantries, I observed Marquis Barandiga’s expression. There was another reason why I brought up the greetings we’d already exchanged several times in the North.
I should bring up the holy relic soon.
Before the war had ended, I made a verbal agreement that I would hand the relic over to Marquess Barandiga, the highest-ranking priest among the northern nobles, once peace was restored. If a priest wielded the relic, his faith would flourish. That would give the Eternal Blue Sky more strength, hastening the rebirth of the World Tree.
However, the so-called ‘priest’ (who had no actual faith) didn’t react to the relic at all. More precisely, he didn’t even recognize it as a holy relic. Handing it over to him would be meaningless. At that point, I might as well just offer it to the World Tree myself.
— That’s right. That would be better. I promise.
And, most critically, the Eternal Blue Sky had been screaming in my head for days, staging an outright protest against the idea of handing over the relic.
But what should I say? Even if it was verbal, it was too ugly for an envoy to go back on his promise. On top of that, telling a priest, ‘Actually, can I keep your sacred relic?’ would be more than just awkward.
Of course, Marquis Barandiga wouldn’t leave the empire’s embrace just because I was breaking a promise, but unnecessary tension could lead to complications down the line. If resentment builds up, it could snowball into real trouble.
I’ll just give it—
— No! Please don’t do that!
I gently rubbed the back of my neck at the desperate, tearful cry. She’d definitely throw a tantrum while crying, even when I slept, if I ignored her and handed it over.
There’s no choice.
After more thinking, I decided to postpone the situation for now. If I couldn’t hand it over to Marquis Barandiga or fully own it myself, then I should treat it like something I was borrowing. There was no other answer for now.
“By the way, my lord. I have something to say about the holy relic.”
“The holy relic?”
Hearing those words, Marquis Barandiga blinked a few times before belatedly nodding.
What’s this? Had he forgotten about it?
— This bastard...
Judging by the venom in the Eternal Blue Sky’s voice, I wasn’t the only one thinking that.
“Come to think of it, I also have something to say to the Count regarding the holy relic.”
“Ah, yes. Please speak first.”
As I let him go first because of this curious coincidence, Marquis Barandiga calmly continued.
“I won’t claim ownership of the holy relic.”
“Pardon?”
What in the world was he talking about?
“The holy relic being in the Count’s hands must be God’s will. A mere priest like myself has no right to go against that. Besides, what’s important is that the holy relic exists in this world, not who owns it.”
On the surface, it sounded like the words of a selfless and merciful priest, so I could only nod blankly. But honestly, was this just his way of easily giving away something he didn’t even recognize as a true relic?
...Damn it.
It was a possibility. He wouldn’t have given it up so easily if he knew it was a genuine relic. But if he thought it was just an ordinary sword, he probably felt no attachment to it at all. He might even want to decline, feeling like he was taking away my property.
I felt like an idiot for worrying about how to back out of the promise.
***We arrived at the capital. The expeditionary force that set out, vowing to conquer the North, returned to the capital after proudly achieving victory.
As we passed majestically through the capital’s gates, a rain of flowers fell on the main road leading to the square. Citizens lined both sides of the road and leaned out of windows while welcoming us with flowers and cheers.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Empire!”
“Glory to the Empire!”
“Great Emperor, protect the Empire!”
Their voices rang out in praise—praise for the emperor who had achieved such a great feat, for the empire that had once again carved history through victory, and for the great emperor who safeguarded it all.
With every resounding cheer, the pride on the soldiers’ faces deepened. It was they who had carried out the emperor’s command, who had secured this victory, and who had helped elevate the emperor’s reign to legendary heights.
Then, the cheers grew even louder when the people spotted the column of unmistakably nomadic warriors in the procession. While the influence of cheerleaders deployed by the imperial family might play a part, it was natural since this procession was proof of the empire’s unshakeable mandate.
Oh.
Before I knew it, the imperial family’s crest was engraved in the sky. It seemed that even the mages were putting on a display behind the scenes.
As we headed towards the square while enjoying this grand welcome, we saw the Emperor standing there, guarded by his Imperial Guard and rows of kneeling citizens. Even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were behind the Emperor. It seemed that all of the imperial family was here except for Ainter, who should be at the Academy.
By the way, the Emperor coming out first to welcome his subjects was unexpected.
It’s really grand.
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