Volume 9 Chapter 1 Part 1

Chapter 1: Early Rise

A table was brought into the throne room of Castle Unicorn, and food and drinks were also set out on it.

It was a table prepared for the guests and the members of the Artuk Treaty who were now staying in the castle: Juzel Rossini, who returned from his mission of infiltrating Stark to incite a rebellion among the native Stark inhabitants enslaved by the invading Nords, Ender Selik Kuches, the new Viceroy of Dartania, and Radowan Torias, who was serving as Sistina’s guardian while Theo returned to the continent. Allof them have been invited to the castle by Theo Cornero, who is now the leader of the entire Artuk Treaty as well as the Lord to whom they’ve all sworn their subordination.

Igor Constance, who is usually stationed in the Barony of Niklae in northern Artuk, had also returned. After all, from legal standpoint, Castle Unicorn is still the property that rightfully belongs to the Constance family, however, for the purpose of the defense against the Factory Alliance, Theo was granted a temporary custody of it.

When I heard that the Earl of Leclerc, Kurt Gallas had been killed in battle, and that Bernard, the Marquis of Dawson, had defected to the Factory Alliance, I wondered what would happen. However, the fact that Alexis Ducet, the leader of the Fantasia Union, stood up to the challenge and forced Marquis Dawson to surrender was a truly great news to hear, and it’s definitely a sign of good things to come. 」

After the alcohol-filled cups were raised to welcome the three Lords, Baron Radovan, Torias said so with a relaxed expression while holding the cup in his hand.

He was in charge of Theo’s main province, Sistina, while Theo himself was away, and was also the guardian of his son Yanes, who became King of Falvis. He agreed to help Theo out during his absence, even though he knew that the situation in Sistina was especially difficult now that the Lord was absent, the ruling system has changed drastically and Chaos among the populace still continued to some extent.

He knew that honesty was a powerful tool. He also understands how important dialogue with his people is. This is the exact opposite of the tyrannical rule of the Rossini family, and that is probably why during the time he was filling in for Theo, there was no major incidents that broke out.

「Lord Theo, I heard that you were the one who finally persuaded Lord Alexis to take action against the Factory Alliance? 」
Juzel Rossini asked while looking at Theo.

The confusion in Stark, which he has infiltrated, was still continuing. However, it is said that he is already controlling the situation there from behind the scenes. If he were to openly go and declare himself as Stark’s new ruler, there’s a possibility that Waldrind would’ve invaded Stark without a moment’s delay.

This time, Juzel brought about ten men from Stark back with him. After the Nord settlers left, they was said to be a very evil men who stole their land and property. Juzel contacted these evil people, identified them, and brought them in. It seems that Juzel plans to eventually make them all local Lords of Stark in the near future.

「…It’s true that I went to Halusia to meet with Lord Alexis. However, I didn’t persuade him to do anything. I just reminded him of what’s truly important to him. 」

Theo replied with a smile.

「I have heard that the Marquis of Halusia has told those around him that Lord Theo is a truly irreplaceable friend of his. 」

Said Daltania’s new Viceroy, Ender Selik Kuches. His mother’s family runs a trading business in Halusia, so that kind of information probably comes in to him on the regular.

Although the Artuk Treaty became independent from the Fantasia Union, it is still of great political importance to know that Alexis Ducet, the leader of the Fantasia Union, considers Theo, who’s technically a leader a a rival faction on the continent, to be his closest friend. This is because he can show that the cooperative relationship between the two of them is strong. When the Artuk Treaty first became independent from the Fantasia Union, the Lords of the Union were worried that Treaty would defect to the Alliance, but according to what Theo heard recently, things have calmed down now.

According to reports from Jeremy and Howl, who are assigned as liaisons to Ender in Dartania, Ender’s subjugation of the small continent of Dartania is also progressing smoothly.

Although the conflict with the tribes that are still supporting the now deceased Milza, which are numerous in the country, continues, trade within Dartania has been monopolized by inland merchants, and the movement of people and goods is said to be increasing once more. Ender is also building a new inner palace for himself in the capital city of Dartania, Tarocca, and is trying to gather four queens for himself right now in order to deepen his connections with all of the different tribes of Dartania from which the potential wife would hail. That policy would also serve to deepen pragmatic relations and avoid military confrontations in the future.

(All three of them are the Treaty’s trusted and powerful allies now.)

Although the methods of the rulers of Dartania, Stark and Sistina might be different from one another, they’re all ultimately leading towards the same goal.

(The Treaty is blessed with such great human resources.)

Siluca thought so from the bottom of her heart.

In Selvis, there is Lassic David, who is a skilled warrior and the closest of allies and friends of Theo, and in Veltava, there is Petr Morva, who is praised as the model of a subordinate Lord. As for Igor Constance, the one who took over the rule of Artuk after it has been liberated from Dartania’s grasp, he has the knowledge of when it’s the best to be patient and when is the best time to jump into action, making him the perfect ruler for this country that specializes in guerrilla warfare.

On the other hand, Igor’s brother, Serge Strea can be said to be indecisive, but he has some kind of a mysterious strength about him at the same time. That strength allows him to not worry about his own reputation, admit that he is bad at the art of war, and made him willing to use diversions and deceit whenever they could give him an advantage over his enemies in battle. Someone like him was perfect for ruling Regalia, whose main fighting force were light cavalrymen riding on top of the fastest horses of the continent.

Edochia Karaha, the Immoral Queen of Haman, has a boldness that goes beyond common sense, and Yorgo Dalaras, the scribe king of Kirchs, is diligent and courageous.

Mislav Shakes of Clovis has a strong sense of fame and was said to be too cautious about everything, unlike his father Alfred, who was a ruler with flexible thinking. He doesn’t care about Theo’s origins, appreciates his reputation and accomplishments, and gives the impression that he is happy to be able to work alongside Theo as his subordinate Lord.

And then there are the young rulers of Medinia and Fargard, who have recently joined the Artuk Treaty after managing to deceive Waldrind:, Nina, Nikitavna Nikita of Medinia and Alois of Fargard accompanied by his younger sister, Katarina of Fargard.

They liberated the Demonic Realm between Fargard and Medinia known as the Tree Dragon Forest, and put a stop to the conflict between their two countries that stemmed solely from their allegiance to different factions, and lasted since ancient times. Theo is trying to accomplish the same thing on a continental scale, and because of that he was holding both Fargard and Medinia in a very high regard, because they are a living proof that the reconciliation between the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance might still be possible.

「Since the first time we met, Lord Alexis has called me a friend. Although it was only in a private setting. 」

Theo narrowed his eyes nostalgically. Everyone except Siluca was surprised by those words.

「I heard that the Marquis of Halusia is a genius artist. He must have been able to see through Lord Theo’s extraordinaryness with just one look. 」

Igor said, impressed.

「It was because of him that I abandoned the Kingdom of Selvis and the title of Viscount and chose to put my contract with Siluca above everything else. 」

「I think it’s because Lord Alexis wanted to give up his status as a Fantasia Union leader and his title as a Marquis for the sake of the woman he loved. 」

Juzel said suggestively and glanced at Siluca. Siluca pretended not to notice.

「I think the reason I gave up my title at that time was because I was frustrated…「

Theo rested his elbows on the table, folded his hands, and mumbled, more to himself rather than to everyone else.