by Hyougetsu
“They shall be judged through Rolmund’s traditional system, the Wooden Slate Exile. The votes of you soldiers shall determine these Senators destiny.”
The soldiers started chattering to each other. None of them had expected a development like this. Eleora raised the silver coin in her hand.
“A silver coin is a vote of mercy. Those who wish to give the Senators clemency, place the coin you were given at their feet.”
She then held up the wooden card. Normally such cards were used as chips or symbols in common games soldiers played, but all of these had been branded with the crest of the liberation army.
“A wooden slate is a vote of condemnation. Those who believe the Senators guilty, place the board you were given at their feet.”
Finally, Eleora added, “You must vote for one choice or the other. The object you choose not to vote with is yours to keep. You may take it home as a commemoration of the trial.”
Upon hearing that, the Senators gasped. It was obvious how the vote would go now. A silver coin was enough to pay for a night at a luxurious inn, along with a hearty dinner. There was likely not a single commoner willing to throw that away just to let the Senate keep their power. Of course, the Senators knew that as well.
“Wait, that’s not—”
Lenkov shoved his Blast Cane into the back of the Senator trying to argue and growled, “You surrendered unconditionally. If you try asking for conditions now, I’ll shoot you.”
The Senator paled, and all of the liberation soldiers and mercenaries started walking forward. Almost all of them were looking down at the wooden cards they held, their expressions twisted in hatred. A few people threw their coins in, but the vast majority voted with the cards.
Finally, all the votes were in, and silence descended on the square. The mountain of cards piled before the Senators made it clear which way the vote had gone. Eleora threw her cape back and said in a loud, carrying voice, “The people of Meraldia have found the Senators guilty! They will now be punished in accordance with the laws of the Wooden Slate Exile!”
The soldiers cheered. Eleora’s subordinates hauled the Senators away. The poor old men were on the verge of fainting. Once the Senators were gone, members of the mage corps wheeled over huge barrels of liquor. They then turned to the gathered liberation army and shouted, “Her Highness Princess Eleora has decreed this liquor be brought out for the liberation army to celebrate our victory!”
“Those who surrendered are free to drink with us! We won’t punish you for fighting under the Senate!”
“Now come, drink! We can clean up the city tomorrow, but tonight we celebrate the end of a pointless battle between fellow Meraldians!”
The soldiers cheered, the dethroned Senators all but forgotten.
Eleora listened to the cheers outside as she gazed down at the captive Senators.
“Now then. The people of Meraldia found you guilty. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
“You—”
One of the Senators tried to get to his feet, but was forced back down by the barrel of a Blast Cane. Eleora smiled mercifully and said, “The fair and merciful trial of the Wooden Slate Exile has deemed you guilty. Thus, you are banished from Meraldia.”
The Senators breathed a collective sigh of relief. Exile was humiliating, to be sure, but at least they wouldn’t be executed. Granted exile from all Meraldian cities meant in all practicality they’d likely die anyway, but at least not tonight. And as long as they survived, there was a chance they could regain their position. However, Eleora’s next words dashed their hopes.
“In Rolmund, exile takes many forms, but the most common one is to throw the banished criminal out into the night with only a soaked shirt on their back. In summer they occasionally survive a few days, but in winter they freeze to death before they can make it even a hundred steps.”
“Wha!?”
Eleora wasn’t done yet, either.
“Furthermore, there’s no rule on what the shirt must be soaked with. Out of respect to you Senators, I’ll soak your shirts with high-grade alcohol.”
Alcohol sapped heat from the human body even faster than water did. While Vongang sat in the center of Meraldia, it was still midwinter. At night, temperatures dropped below freezing. If they were thrown out into the wilderness with only alcohol-soaked shirts on their backs, it was obvious what would happen to them. Panicking, the Senators started begging for their lives.
“Wait! Please wait! We’ll pay you whatever you want! Just spare our lives!”
“If you kill us, you won’t be able to control this country!”
“Th-That’s right! Without us, the Meraldian Federation will fall apart!”
Eleora snickered.
“The only reason you managed to rule this country is because you had talented staff members working underneath you. Don’t worry, I’ll still keep them around. But you, I have no need for.”
Most of the Senate employees in Ioro Lange and Vest had immediately sworn loyalty to Eleora the moment she’d taken the cities over. Their work was the same as before, but now they were paid much better, and given more breaks. There was no reason for them not to be loyal to their new employer.
“You had plenty of opportunities to avoid such an ignoble end. But you chose to make the wrong choice at every turn. Give it up, you’ve lost.”
There wasn’t the least bit of animosity or hatred in Eleora’s voice. These soon-to-be-dead Senators didn’t even deserve that much from her. Realizing their fate was sealed, one of the Senators muttered, “Then... please just kill us here.”
“I’m afraid I can’t. Wooden Slate Exile’s only punishment is exile. Were we to do anything else, those who voted would feel guilty about their decision,” Eleora whispered that last sentence quietly, then turned her back to the Senators. A chilly breeze blew through the open window.
“The least you can do is walk to your demise of your own free will.”
As the sun set, Eleora’s long shadow covered the cowering Senators. Outside, soldiers cheered and celebrated long into the night.
* * * *
I was at an utter loss for what to do with the agricultural city of Welheim, the last remaining member of the Northern Federation. Its viceroy, Kurst, was a gentle man and a skilled administrator. It had strong ties with the southern city of Veira as well, so negotiations should have progressed smoothly.
“I can’t believe the Senate would fall this quickly,” Forne muttered, a languorous sigh escaping his lips. Honestly, I’d underestimated Eleora’s speed as well. My guess was she’d been spreading her influence throughout the north long before we’d realized it. I took a sip of my tea, then cradled my head in my hands. Forne and I were currently in Kurst’s parlor. The viceroy himself was currently speaking with a messenger from the Meraldian Liberation Army in the next room over. The day after Vongang had fallen, the liberation army had started sending Kurst messengers. They’d been coming every day, and Kurst, unsure of what to do, had called us over.
“I’d been planning on joining the Southern Commonwealth, but now I no longer know what to do.”
Seeing his pained expression, I’d honestly felt sorry for him. When he’d first met me he’d been terrified, so he was probably worried I’d eat him or something if he didn’t join us.
“The Senate was even more worthless than I thought. Maybe we could have taken over the north ourselves, instead of Eleora.”
“No, that would be impossible. You underestimate just how afraid of the demon army citizens of the north are. They would never agree to negotiate with you.”
If all we’d wanted to do was crush the Senate and the troops under their direct control, the demon army had more than enough strength to do so. The problem was what would come after. The people of the north wouldn’t accept us as legitimate rulers. Thanks to the second regiment’s massacre, cities like Bahen still despised the demon army. Many of the surviving residents had lost friends and family, and grudges like that didn’
t disappear easily. Forne seemed to know that as well, as he finished his umpteenth cup of tea and muttered, “True... We can hardly afford to raze the north to the ground, then move our citizens into the area.”
He sure could say some terrible things with a straight face. Besides, I’d never even once considered that an option. I guess this is the difference between nobles and commoners...
As I was internally reeling at Forne’s callousness, there was a knock on the door and Kurst came back inside.
“My apologies for making you wait.”
“Oh no, I’m the one sorry for putting you in such a difficult position.”
Forne and Kurst were longtime acquaintances. So I decided to apologize as well in order to not harm relations between the two of them.
“I had the best of intentions when I asked to form an alliance with you, but in the end, I backed you into a difficult choice. I’m terribly sorry.”
“N-Not at all! P-Please, there’s nothing to apologize for...”
Why’s he still so scared of me? Kurst showed us the letter the most recent messenger had brought him, and I instantly saw why he felt so pressured.
“We the Meraldian Liberation Army do not desire unnecessary bloodshed. Further fighting between Meraldian cities will only harm the region as a whole. If Welheim is of the same opinion, then we beseech the city to join forces with us. We intend to give you ample time to consider your decision.”
That was more or less what the letter said. At a glance, it seemed the liberation army was being generous, but upon closer inspection, it became clear they would not allow Welheim to join the Southern Commonwealth; it was their way or the highway. Kurst’s only options were either capitulate to Eleora, or wage war. There was no third way.
However, I did find it interesting that the liberation army was willing to give him “ample time.” Until now, Eleora had advanced at a blitzkrieg pace, but now she was suddenly slowing things down? With the forces at the liberation army’s disposal, they should be easily capable of capturing the practically undefended Welheim. Thinking about it logically, the longer negotiations took, the more upkeep Eleora would have to pay on her army.
Militia would gladly defend their homeland for free, but if you asked them to go on a campaign, it was a different story. They’d want enough money to survive, at the very least. If each soldier was making a conservative estimate of two silver coins a day, that meant Eleora’s army of 5,000 ate up 10,000 silver coins a day. Since she wasn’t pillaging any of the cities she captured, all that money was coming out of her pocket. Meanwhile, the cities where these soldiers came from were suffering from lower productivity because a significant chunk of their population had gone to war. So tax revenue was lower as well. It seemed the viceroys were paying the wages of the soldiers coming from their respective cities, but once tax revenue started drying up, that wouldn’t continue. If Eleora wanted to do much more with her army, she’d need to do it soon. Forne seemed to be thinking the same thing, and he smiled wryly at me.
“Could it be that the liberation army can’t mobilize all of its forces anymore?”
“Yeah, it’s possible all the militia went back home. If Eleora had kept all of them in Vongang, she’d be coming on a lot stronger right now.”
Kurst sighed and nodded.
“Though it shames me to admit it, Welheim lacks the troops to fend off even a moderate-sized army. The liberation army could take this city even without its thousands of militia.”
Considering the current situation, it was unthinkable that Welheim wouldn’t surrender. There was absolutely no merit in continuing to resist. Which was why Eleora wasn’t even bothering keeping the militia around. The mercenaries and knights who’d surrendered to her were enough. She could send the militia back home, and they’d naturally serve her cause by spreading tales of her spectacular victories. War stories were crowd favorites in any bar, and now there was a huge army with new ones to tell. Most of the soldiers under the Senate’s direct control had capitulated to her, so she had enough troops as it was.
Now that I knew Eleora’s intentions, I had to reassess my options. Asking Welheim to join our Commonwealth now was like asking them to commit suicide. Even if we wanted to send them aid, our troops wouldn’t be able to cross the Fetid Wastes in time. They were too big a buffer zone. But I couldn’t afford to station a garrison in Welheim permanently either. There were too many cities we needed to protect, and not enough troops. No matter how I sliced it, we wouldn’t be able to protect Welheim. And trying to spread my reach past what was in my means to protect was dangerous. If anything, letting Welheim go here would make it easier to reclaim when the time was right.
“Sir Kurst, is the liberation army messenger still here?”
“Y-Yes. He said he won’t leave until he gets a reply to his letter.”
That settles it.
“Sir Kurst.”
“Yes?”
“Surrender to the liberation army.”
“Huh!?”
I added in the most sincere voice possible, “The Southern Commonwealth sees Welheim as a sworn ally. But as things stand, it would be difficult for us to protect Welheim were the liberation army to attack.”
Kurst understood that as well. He nodded silently. But I still had more to say.
“The cities currently occupied by the liberation army see Welheim as an ally as well. If you acquiesce to their demands, they’ll treat you well.”
“You’re right, of course... but won’t that make things difficult for the Commonwealth?”
Of course. But I’ll get back at that scary princess soon enough, don’t you worry. I smiled bitterly and said, “I’m not so brazen as to claim Welheim as an ally and then expose my ally to danger I can’t protect them from. In the end, I’m just a coward.”
That wasn’t wrong. If I were bolder, things would be a lot easier. Unsure of how to interpret my words, Kurst looked away, his eyes darting about. He doesn’t think I’m being ironic or joking or something, does he? Fortunately, Forne was here to back me up.
“They call Lord Veight the Black Werewolf King, but in truth, he’s more human than any of us. Those words were from the heart. I would be willing to swear by it.”
“I see...”
Kurst nodded to Forne then turned back to me.
“Lord Veight.”
“What is it?”
“It appears I misjudged you... No, misjudged the entire demon army.”
He smiled gently and wiped the corners of his eyes. He sure cries easily.
“Welheim will surrender to the liberation army, but we will never forget the magnanimity you showed us when we were pressed to make such a difficult choice. I swear that I, Viceroy Kurst Vaan Hornenbaum will one day repay your kindness.”
Kurst bowed deeply as he said that. Thanks. Good luck with the liberation army.
Forne and I left Welheim and returned to Zaria. It was only upon arriving in the city of labyrinths that I discovered just how frightening Eleora truly was.
“Ah, Master!”
Shatina had finally started growing into a capable viceroy, but the moment she saw me she ran over like an overexcited puppy. That part of her still hasn’t changed, I guess.
“You can’t just start running like that. People will get worried if they see their viceroy acting so excitable.”
Shatina ignored my rebuke though, and shouted in an enthusiastic voice, “Great news, Master! The Meraldian Liberation Army has sent us a letter from Eleora!”
Uh oh.
“What does it say?”
Shatina handed me the letter and said, “Apparently Princess Eleora got revenge for my father! She exiled the Federation’s Senators, and executed the men who carried out his assassination!”
So that’s your next move. I skimmed over the contents of the letter, then asked Shatina, “You’re sure this is who she claims is the culprit?”
“Yes, the Senator behind the assassinations was Morteus! So the rumors were true, Princes
s Eleora is a good person after all! She’s virtuous and honest!”
Smiling ruefully, I patted Shatina’s head.
“Virtuous and honest people don’t lie. The real culprit wasn’t Morteus, but the Senator Ryukaitos. My vice-commander Kite already analyzed the assassin’s dagger.”
Eleora had no way of knowing who the true ringleader was, so she’d just picked a Senator at random. How sloppy. Shatina gave me a blank look.
“Though I’m sure Ryukaitos is dead too... Still, it’s not wise to believe everything someone tells you, especially when they’re not an ally of ours. If you do, you’ll just end up exploited by people with ignoble intentions. And if you, the viceroy, is exploited, then your people will suffer,” I admonished.
“O-Okay...”
Shatina seemed to shrink before me. She hung her head, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“I was rash... I’m sorry, Master.”
If she’s this contrite I feel bad for scolding her. Smiling wryly, I patted my cute disciple’s head.
“Hey now, don’t cry. It’s my fault for not telling you the ringleader’s name sooner. I was worried you’d do something crazy if I did. Forgive me.”
“Y-You don’t need to apologize! I...”
Forne, who’d been watching us silently until now, nodded and said, “You two sure are taking it easy...”
“Where’d that come from?”
I’m in the middle of an important lesson here, don’t interrupt. For the sake of the late Melgio as well, I wanted to raise Shatina into a fine viceroy. Forne doggedly continued.
“You realize what this means, don’t you?”
“I believe I do...”
“No you don’t! Eleora’s trying to drive a wedge between the members of the Commonwealth!”
“I know.”
It certainly wasn’t an enviable situation. The demon army might be able to handle a military invasion, but an attempt to win over the human viceroys was far more terrifying. Without the backing of the southern viceroys, the rest of the citizens wouldn’t follow us. Sighing, Forne rolled his eyes theatrically.