Chapter 157 - The Only Sorrow

The chairman, Akkad, called out a name.

"Lord Count Ulvera Concillus, would you please come to the witness stand and speak?"

He named Concillus, not Ferda.

The reason he had gone after Concillus instead of Ferda was to bring up the past, not the present.

It was something they had discussed and shared in advance, so Concillus calmly rose from his seat.

"I am Ulvera Concillus, lord of Count Concillus's domain and the 25th head of House Concillus. I ask your understanding for my lack of preparation after being called so suddenly."

The grave dignity of a knight lay in the way he bowed politely.

Oldin answered that greeting.

"I sincerely thank you for your devotion to the Empire as a lord of the far east."

"I also thank you for valuing my merits so highly."

"Unfortunately, however, I must speak of something uncomfortable, contrary to that gratitude."

Oldin took out the materials he had prepared in advance.

"After examining the far east's financial statements, I found past cases of administrative negligence and embezzlement in each territory. I would like to ask for an explanation. Would that be all right?"

"If necessary, I will answer at any time, but I do not believe this is a situation where we should dredge up the past."

Concillus was asking why he was trying to change the subject to such an unpleasant matter.

"If we were simply going to bury the past, this postwar council itself could not exist. We judge that the current situation occurred due to the far east's negligent border watch, in other words, a man-made disaster."

Oldin insisted that it was something that had to be connected somehow.

"If you intend to connect those things, an excessive contradiction arises."

"What contradiction?"

"You said there were irregularities in the far east's past financial statements. But until then, no Demons or demonic creatures had crossed over from the far east. Until then, it can be said that we fulfilled our duty."

"Are you saying that makes it right?"

"Please hear me out to the end. In the recent financial statements, after the Grand Duchy's territory became active, no problems were raised in any territory. Is that not so?"

It could not have been otherwise.

Ferda had used their corruption as leverage, and in order to survive, they had needed to become competent.

The proof of that competence left them no time for things like embezzlement.

"And yet it was during this period that the demonic creatures crossed over. Twelve of them surrounded the far east in an instant, in the blink of an eye. This is an exceptional situation, far removed from a failure of vigilance. If you truly insist on connecting the fact that the far east was corrupt in the past with the demonic creatures, then you must arrive at the strange conclusion that for the Empire to be safe, officials must not work and must be corrupt."

"Then do you accept that you were negligent in what came before?"

"If you wish to punish us according to imperial law, you may do so."

Unlike his words that he would calmly accept it, Concillus said that because he knew Oldin could not touch him.

By custom, such management and disciplinary measures were delegated to the superior, and Ferda had already stayed judgment on all those involved.

Therefore, those who had already received a disposition could not be punished twice.

Even if they tried, it would only be possible if Ferda accepted it.

Concillus's attitude carried a spirit no less than Oldin, the veteran warrior.

They had brought him forward to reprimand him, but it had only shown how much had piled up against the Empire.

Oldin could not open his mouth easily, and the next question was continued by Joseph Faust, Leader of the Order of Altes.

"There is a record stating that you cooperated with the Chancellor of Escolaia. I understand that the equipment for predicting demonic creature appearances was shared technologically with the Grand Duchy's territory, produced, and delivered to each territory."

"That is correct."

"Even with this prediction equipment, is there a reason you could not discover them early, before the Empire did?"

"It can only detect rift formations within a village's activity radius, and it cannot detect all the way to the reaches of the far east, Grand Duchess Valdrova's territory."

"Why not?"

"It is a limitation of the technology. That is something Escolaia should explain, so I have nothing to say on that point."

"I see. I understand."

He had only strengthened the reason they could not discover them early.

Unlike Oldin, the Leader of the Order of Altes seemed to have genuinely only been curious.

"I would like to ask about the magical engineering infantry."

This time, Waldemar spoke.

"It was recorded that the reason casualties differed so markedly between this temporary alliance and the far eastern alliance was precisely because of that infantry."

"Yes. The ones who established its operation were Princess Olivia Arken and the security captain, William."

"I am aware that Sir William did so."

"To be precise, Princess Olivia smoothed out its finer points."

"I do not believe there is any need for you to say that."

As soon as Olivia came up, Waldemar quickly moved past it as though it were off topic.

The mastermind who had made her look incompetent had to be that old man.

"Why did the far eastern alliance not receive these items?"

"It is not that we did not receive them. We chose not to."

"Why?"

"The infantry operation method does not match the tactics currently established by the alliance. There was concern that this would break the chain of command, and both the alliance and the Regent agreed on that point."

"If you had prepared the rifles sooner, could you not have held them off?"

"The rifles are still unstable items. Loading time, preheating, processing—continued research is needed in all of these areas. What would we do if some innocent soldier received one without understanding anything, turned into a bomb, and caused casualties among our allies?"

Concillus's concern was truly reasonable and more than enough to convince.

"So you are saying the soldiers' deaths were only natural?"

"Their deaths weigh heavily on my heart, but I will never regret that decision."

Concillus spoke proudly.

"If there is a reason they died, it is because they trusted their commander. They believed we would make a better future, and they believed that even without them, we would support their families. Because they gave their one life to uphold that, I do not wish to leave their deaths behind as regrets."

Waldemar's attempt to hold someone responsible was blocked in that way.

"I understand."

"Thank you for your understanding. Do any other Assembly members have questions?"

"It seems not. You may withdraw now."

It seemed he had done more than well enough holding the line, but worry had settled on Concillus's face.

"This is strange."

"What do you mean?"

"If Grand Duke Gold had made up his mind, he could have torn me to pieces... so I find it surprising that he backed down."

Was that so?

Ferda did not know what had happened between Concillus and Waldemar, so he could not even guess.

The senior committee members began talking among themselves.

They exchanged brief opinions for about five minutes, then moved on to the conclusion.

"Crown Prince Alexander Arken. Would you please come forward?"

"Yes."

The man who had to become the culprit in this incident.

Even if they took aim at Ferda, Alexander could not avoid punishment.

"We believe that you are carrying out your duties as Emperor's proxy, and that despite feeling the weight of authority beyond that of the Crown Prince, you have handled state affairs admirably."

"Th-Thank you."

"However, you did not properly write a response scenario for the demonic creatures, and the tactics were not properly executed. We cannot lightly overlook the fact that, despite it being your own mistake, you tried to shift the blame onto the incompetence of your adjutant, and that you killed valuable talent to vent your anger."

Alexander's thick throat bobbed violently.

It seemed he, too, did not know what punishment would be handed down.

"Therefore, we order one year of confinement, suspend you from your duties, and delegate all authority you currently possess to the 2nd Prince, Ureas Arken. Do you accept?"

Only one year.

In a situation where he would have had nothing to say even if his head fell, others would consider it a slap on the wrist.

But Alexander's expression was a sight to behold.

It was the kind of expression that seemed to ask why such a severe punishment had been given.

"I will o-obey the committee's words."

But anyone who had actually held power knew.

One year was by no means a short time.

Not only had his authority been suspended, it had been delegated to his younger brother, his rival.

It was more than enough time to change people's hearts.

"Next is Regent Ferda Valdrova."

Ferda rose from his seat as if he had been waiting.

"The situation that unfolded in the far east was one in which it could have been swallowed by an encirclement of colossal demonic creatures. We express regret that the Empire did not respond swiftly to this situation."

He could feel it coming.

This apology was merely a ploy to build momentum for the next words.

"However, this situation suggests that the far east's function as a barrier may be lost at any time. Therefore, the Crisis Response Headquarters has currently reached the following conclusion."

A decision that revealed their ugly greed.

"The magical engineering technology being developed in the far east shall be officially provided to the Empire, and the chief researcher, Burnel Marquis, shall be dispatched here for three years. Do you accept?"

It felt like they were asking the obvious.

The answer was already decided, but Ferda let a brief pause pass before answering.

"As the representative of the far east, this is an order I find difficult to accept."

Ferda refused to comply, and the audience seats boiled over with confusion.

In a situation like this, the Crisis Response Headquarters held the greatest power after the emperor.

Ignoring its words was unimaginable.

Murmurs could be heard from among the audience, but the senior committee members' side was quiet.

As if he had naturally expected it, Akkad gave a flustered-looking lift of his glasses and brought out the words he had kept ready on his lips.

"Regent. What is your reason for refusing?"

"Magical engineering is not simply the property of Burnel Marquis, but a shared asset created through cooperation with Escolaia, the Pascal trading company, and Blue Eye. It is my duty to manage that asset, and it is the way I show respect to the allies I currently have."

"So you are saying you cannot provide it?"

"That is not the case."

Ferda did not stop there and presented an alternative.

"Therefore, if you wish to purchase the blueprints for manufacturing the items, in addition to dispatching personnel, it is something that can be coordinated and worked out in cooperation with Escolaia and the trading company."

"We are not fools either. The important thing in magical engineering is mana stones, is it not? Are you saying you will also provide information on those mana stones?"

"I cannot do that."

"Why not?"

He did not want to give it, but he also had a suitable excuse.

"Because the only person who fully understands this information is still Burnel Marquis."

"That is also what we have determined. That is precisely why we are asking you to send him to the Empire, is it not?"

Yes, that was why they wanted him sent for the long period of three years.

During that time, they intended to extract all of that technology or seize on a weakness and bind him.

If they lost Burnel, the far east would lose the driving force of its development.

"At present, many researchers are conducting research centered around Valdrova Castle in the far east. When they need every bit of momentum they can get, if I tell them to prepare to relocate and adapt to a new environment, it may lead to poor results."

"Then are you saying that once that project is finished, you can dispatch him?"

"That is correct."

"When will that be possible?"

"I do not know. Ten years at the shortest."

"Do you mean you will not send him for ten years?"

It was no different from saying he would not send him while playing word games.

However, even in the distant future Ferda had seen, the development of mana stones had continued endlessly.

The committee's ruling was being ignored, and the real power broker, Waldemar, unable to watch any longer, opened his mouth.

"Regent Ferda. This is not something being said to Regent Ferda alone."

The expression on his face as he faced Ferda carried weight.

It was the face of a general who seemed to have tens of millions of soldiers behind his back.

He threatened him openly.

"The Regent came as the Grand Duchess's proxy, and as that proxy, you have a duty to represent the entirety of the Grand Duchy's territory. If you refuse this ruling, not only Regent Valdrova, but the entire Grand Duchy's territory may suffer great disadvantages. In the worst case, the committee may judge that you are seeking separation and independence."

Separation and independence.

The mere words sent a chill down the spine.

To the nobles of the Empire, it was the most fatal charge.

Treason against the Empire exterminated three generations, regardless of reason.

Vassals and the nobles under them as well.

Even ignorant residents of the territory were no exception.

Such merciless imperial law brought unity, and at the same time, it brought incompetence.

They were threatening to crush Ferda beneath that incompetence as well.

But Ferda had expected even that.

Ferda answered that threat.

"Since the Dragon-Demon War, demonic creatures have been created endlessly at the edge of the far east. Colossal demonic creatures, the kind that threw us into such chaos with only twelve of them, are coming endlessly from beyond that land. Each and every one is a monster powerful enough to tear the Empire's walls like paper. They have endlessly tried to conquer the land of humans. Who has stopped them until now? This Empire? No."

Ferda spoke.

"The one who has granted all that safety is my fiancée, the great Aspect of Power and Fire, Valdrova. It is possible not because of the walls surrounding this Golden Council and the entire capital, but because she stands atop the Lonely Mountain in the far east."

Ferda turned his head not only toward the senior committee members, but also toward the spectators, and shouted.

"Beyond the far east, in the Land of Demons, massive demonic creatures capable of bringing down this Empire's walls are pouring out endlessly. She has fought silently, without showing it to anyone. Some disparaged it as work befitting a mad dragon who simply enjoyed slaughter."

Ferda recalled the battles he had watched since coming as her fiancé.

Agile movements and overwhelming strength.

Flames that seemed to purify all things.

Victorious in every battle.

Majestic and dignified.

A true sovereign.

"I want to ask you all. If she enjoys slaughter so much, if she does it only because killing one more bug pleases her, then what reason would she have to fight while bearing wounds?"

Even if she was invincible and undefeated, that did not mean she was never wounded.

There were many days when Valdrova was injured.

There were times when she flew away with a claw broken, or scales half torn loose and dangling.

She said this.

That it hurt, but she was used to it.

That it would heal after one night.

Ferda hated even that.

"She could have abandoned that duty. She could have demanded rightful compensation. But I watched her silently bear only wounds. The sight of her seeming as though she would blame no one and simply accept it, even if one day she died...!"

Because she was not the only one hurt by those wounds.

"Is the only sorrow I feel."

The hall fell silent.

However, it was far from the chill of tension that had lingered before.

They were drawn in by Ferda's voice and concentrating on it.

Until he had declared that he would refuse, Ferda's voice had been rational and cold.

However, the more he spoke of Valdrova, the more emotion entered it.

Ironically, the voice in which reason was being crushed gained greater appeal.

If that voice were magic, it would have been called a spell somewhere between brainwashing and charm.

"The reason I placed my hopes in the possibility called magical engineering was to soothe that sorrow and ease her wounds. I have developed all of this not simply for the safety of the Empire, but for the peace of Serdes."

Ferda looked back at the senior committee members and spoke.

"So I will say it again here. Magical engineering is not an asset of the Empire, but a shared asset. If you say it is not even that shared asset, then it is an asset for the great Aspect of Fire who will become my mate, the guardian of the far east. If not handing over magical engineering makes me a damned traitor."

Ferda placed his hand on his chest.

"I will gladly accept that punishment."

The moment Ferda's words ended, everyone felt it.

The scales had tipped.

The chairman wore a troubled expression, his face showing that he could do neither this nor that.

His eyes kept glancing toward Waldemar.

Waldemar seemed to make a decision and sent a signal, and Akkad opened his mouth.

"As the situation is grave, we will postpone this decision and reconvene tomorrow. This will conclude today's postwar council."

With the chairman's statement, the day came to an end.