Chapter 157
The Only Sorrow
The chairman, Akad, called upon the next witness.
“Count Ulvera Consilus, would you please take the witness stand and give your testimony?”
He had singled out Consilus rather than Ferda.
The reason he had deliberately dragged Consilus into this instead of Ferda was to bring up the past rather than the present. Since this had already been discussed and shared during their preparations, Consilus calmly rose from his seat.
“I am Ulvera Consilus, lord of Consilus County and the twenty-fifth head of House Consilus. As I was summoned without warning, I ask for your understanding regarding my lack of preparation.”
The solemn dignity of a knight could be seen in the way he politely bowed his head.
Oldin returned his greeting.
“We sincerely thank you for your devotion to the Empire as a lord of the Far East.”
“I am also grateful that you think so highly of my service.”
“Unfortunately, despite that gratitude, I must raise an uncomfortable subject.”
Oldin took out the documents he had prepared in advance.
“After examining the Far East’s financial records, we found numerous past cases of administrative negligence and embezzlement throughout its territories. I would like to ask you for an explanation. Would that be acceptable?”
“If necessary, I will answer at any time. However, I do not believe this is the appropriate occasion to dredge up matters from the past.”
Consilus was effectively asking why he was trying to steer the discussion toward such an unpleasant subject.
“If we simply intended to bury the past, there would be no reason to hold this postwar council in the first place. We believe this incident occurred because of negligence in guarding the Far East—in other words, that it was a man-made disaster.”
Oldin argued that the two matters were inevitably connected.
“If you insist on linking them, then you create an extreme contradiction.”
“What contradiction?”
“You said there were irregularities in the Far East’s old financial records. Yet at that time, no demons or monsters had crossed into the Far East. At least until then, it could be said that we had fulfilled our duties.”
“Are you claiming that makes your actions acceptable?”
“Please hear me out. Since the Princeps’ territory became active, no issues have been raised in the recent financial records of any territory. Is that not correct?”
It could hardly have been otherwise.
Ferda had used their corruption as leverage against them, and if they wished to survive, they had needed to become competent.
Proving that competence had left them with no time to engage in embezzlement.
“And yet the monsters crossed over during this very period. Twelve of them surrounded the Far East in the blink of an eye. This was an extraordinary situation, far removed from an ordinary failure of vigilance. If you truly insist on connecting the Far East’s past corruption to the appearance of the monsters, then you must reach the absurd conclusion that, for the Empire to remain safe, its administrators should neglect their duties and remain corrupt.”
“Then you admit that you were negligent in your previous duties?”
“If you wish to punish me according to imperial law, you may do so.”
Despite his calm acceptance, Consilus had only said it because he knew Oldin had no authority to touch him.
By custom, such administrative punishments were left to one’s superior, and Ferda had already suspended judgment on everyone involved.
Those who had already received a ruling could not be punished twice for the same offense.
Even if they attempted it, it would only be possible with Ferda’s consent.
Consilus stood with a spirit no less imposing than that of Oldin, a veteran of countless battles.
They had placed him there intending to reprimand him, but all they had done was reveal just how much resentment he had accumulated toward the Empire.
Oldin found himself unable to speak.
The next question came from Joseph Faust, the leader of the Alte Church.
“There is a record stating that you cooperated with the chancellor of Escholeia. I understand that you shared technology with the Princeps’ territory for a device that predicts monster appearances, then produced and distributed those devices throughout the various territories.”
“That is correct.”
“Despite possessing those prediction devices, why were you unable to detect the monsters earlier than the Empire?”
“The devices can only detect rifts within the operational radius of a settlement. They cannot detect anything as far away as the edges of the Far East or the borders of the Valdrova Princeps’ territory.”
“Why not?”
“It is a limitation of the technology. That is something Escholeia would have to explain, so I have nothing further to say on the matter.”
“I see. I understand.”
His question had only reinforced the explanation for why early detection had been impossible.
Unlike Oldin, the leader of the Alte Church appeared to have asked out of genuine curiosity.
“I would like to ask about the magitech infantry.”
This time, Yaldemar spoke.
“It is written that the clear difference in casualties between the temporary coalition and the Far Eastern Alliance was due to the presence of those infantrymen.”
“Yes. The operational doctrine was established by Princess Olivia Arken and William, the captain of the constabulary.”
“I am aware of Sir William’s contribution.”
“To be precise, Princess Olivia refined the system and smoothed out its rough edges.”
“That detail does not appear necessary.”
The moment Olivia’s name was mentioned, Yaldemar quickly dismissed it as irrelevant to the discussion.
That old man was undoubtedly the one responsible for making her appear incompetent.
“Why were those weapons not provided to the Far Eastern Alliance?”
“It was not that we failed to receive them. We chose not to.”
“Why?”
“The infantry doctrine did not suit the tactics currently employed by the Alliance. There was concern that it would disrupt the command structure, and the Alliance and the Regent reached an agreement on the matter.”
“Could you not have stopped the monsters if you had prepared the rifles sooner?”
“The rifles are still unstable weapons. Their loading time, preheating, and manufacturing processes all require continued research. What would we have done if we had accepted them without understanding them, only for an innocent soldier to become a living bomb and inflict casualties upon his own allies?”
Consilus’s concerns were entirely reasonable and more than sufficient to convince those listening.
“Then are you saying the deaths of those soldiers were inevitable?”
“Their deaths weigh heavily upon my heart, but I do not regret what happened.”
Consilus spoke proudly.
“They died because they trusted their commander. They believed we would create a better future. They believed that even if they were gone, we would provide for their families. They sacrificed their lives to uphold that faith. For that reason, I refuse to reduce their deaths to mere regret.”
With that, Yaldemar’s attempt to hold someone responsible was thwarted.
“I understand.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Do any of the other council members have questions?”
“It appears not. You may step down.”
Ferda thought Consilus had defended himself exceptionally well, yet worry had settled over the count’s face.
“How strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Grand Duke Golt had truly set his mind to it, he could have torn me apart completely. I merely find it surprising that he backed down.”
Was that so?
Ferda knew nothing of what had happened between Consilus and Yaldemar, so he could not even begin to speculate.
The chief councilors began speaking among themselves.
After exchanging opinions for roughly five minutes, they moved on to their conclusion.
“Crown Prince Alexander Arken, would you please step forward?”
“Yes.”
He was the man who had to be declared responsible for this incident.
Even if the entire hearing was intended to target Ferda, Alexander could not escape punishment.
“We believe you have performed the affairs of state admirably while serving as the Emperor’s representative, despite bearing authority and responsibility greater than that of an ordinary crown prince.”
“Th-thank you.”
“However, you failed to establish an adequate response scenario for a monster attack, and your tactical execution was equally poor. We cannot overlook the fact that you attempted to blame your own mistakes on the incompetence of your adjutant, nor that you killed a valuable individual merely to vent your anger.”
Alexander’s thick throat bobbed heavily.
It seemed even he did not know what punishment awaited him.
“Therefore, you are ordered to remain under confinement for one year and are suspended from your duties. All authority currently held by you shall be transferred to the Second Prince, Ureas Arken. Do you accept this ruling?”
Only one year.
Considering that he would have had no right to complain even if he had been executed, most would have considered it a mere slap on the wrist.
Yet Alexander’s expression was a sight to behold.
He looked as though he could not understand why such a severe punishment had been imposed upon him.
“I-I shall obey the committee’s ruling.”
But anyone who had truly wielded power knew the truth.
One year was by no means a short time.
Not only had his authority been suspended, but it had been handed over to his younger brother and rival.
It was more than enough time to change the hearts of men.
“Next, Regent Ferda Valdrova.”
Ferda rose from his seat as though he had been waiting for his name to be called.
“The recent incident in the Far East could have ended with the entire region being swallowed after the colossal monsters formed an encirclement. We regret that the Empire was unable to respond swiftly to the crisis.”
Ferda could sense what was coming.
That apology was merely intended to build momentum for whatever they planned to say next.
“However, this incident has demonstrated that the Far East’s function as a defensive barrier could be lost at any moment. Therefore, the Crisis Response Committee has reached the following conclusion.”
A decision that revealed their hideous greed.
“The Far East shall formally provide the Empire with its magitech technology, and its chief researcher, Marquis Burnell, shall be dispatched here for three years. Will you accept this decision?”
It hardly seemed like a question worth asking.
The answer had already been decided, but Ferda paused briefly before replying.
“As the representative of the Far East, I cannot accept that order.”
Ferda openly defied the ruling, and the public gallery erupted into confused murmuring.
In a crisis such as this, the Crisis Response Committee possessed more authority than anyone except the Emperor.
Ignoring its decision was almost unimaginable.
The audience continued whispering among themselves, yet the chief councilors remained silent.
As though he had expected this response, Akad adjusted his glasses with a deliberately flustered expression and spoke the words he had already prepared.
“Regent, why do you refuse to comply?”
“Magitech does not belong solely to Marquis Burnell. It is a collective asset created through cooperation between Escholeia, the Pascal Company, and Blue Eye. It is my duty to manage that asset, and doing so is also how I show respect to our current allies.”
“Are you saying that you cannot provide it?”
“No.”
Ferda did not stop there and proposed an alternative.
“If the Empire wishes to arrange a dispatch and purchase the blueprints necessary to manufacture the equipment, then it may coordinate and cooperate with Escholeia and the Pascal Company.”
“We are not fools. Mana stones are the key component of magitech, are they not? Are you saying that you will provide the information regarding those mana stones as well?”
“I cannot do that.”
“Why not?”
Ferda had no desire to hand it over, but he also had a suitable excuse.
“Because Marquis Burnell remains the only person who fully understands that information.”
“That matches our own findings. Is that not precisely why we are asking you to send him to the Empire?”
Of course.
That was why they wanted him sent away for as long as three years.
During that time, they intended either to extract every part of the technology from him or discover some weakness that would allow them to bind him to the Empire.
If the Far East lost Burnell, it would lose the driving force behind its development.
“A large number of researchers are currently conducting their work throughout the Far East, primarily at Valdrova Castle. Their progress is only now gaining momentum. Forcing them to relocate and adapt to an unfamiliar environment would likely produce poor results.”
“Then are you saying that he can be dispatched once the project is complete?”
“Yes.”
“When will that be possible?”
“I do not know. At the very least, ten years.”
“Are you saying you will not send him for ten years?”
It was effectively wordplay intended to say that Ferda would not send him at all.
However, even in the distant future Ferda had witnessed, mana-stone development had continued without interruption.
The committee’s ruling had been disregarded, and Yaldemar, the true power among them, finally opened his mouth.
“Regent Ferda, this matter does not concern you alone.”
The expression of the man facing him carried immense weight.
He wore the face of a general who seemed to command tens of millions of soldiers at his back.
He delivered his threat without hesitation.
“You came here as the Princeps’ representative, and as that representative, you have a duty to speak for the entire Princeps’ territory. If you refuse this ruling, the consequences may fall not merely upon Regent Valdrova, but upon the whole territory. In the worst case, the committee may determine that you are attempting to pursue secession and independence.”
Secession and independence.
The very words sent a chill down one’s spine.
For the Empire’s nobles, there was no more fatal accusation.
Treason against the Empire, regardless of the reason, resulted in the extermination of three generations.
The offender’s retainers and every noble beneath them would be included.
Even the ordinary citizens of the territory, who knew nothing of the affair, would not be spared.
That merciless imperial law had enforced unity, but it had also bred incompetence.
They were threatening to crush Ferda beneath that same incompetence.
Yet Ferda had already expected all of it.
He answered the threat.
“Ever since the Dragon-Demon War, monsters have continued to emerge beyond the furthest edge of the Far East. The colossal creatures that created this much chaos with only twelve of their number are advancing endlessly from beyond that land. Each one is powerful enough to tear through the Empire’s walls like paper. They have ceaselessly attempted to conquer human territory. And who has stopped them all this time? Was it this Empire? No.”
Ferda continued.
“The one who has preserved all of your safety is my fiancée, the embodiment of great power and flame, Valdrova. This Golden Council, and the capital protected by its encircling walls, exist not because of those barriers, but because she stands alone atop a mountain in the Far East.”
Ferda turned away from the chief councilors and raised his voice toward the audience.
“Beyond the Far East, in the demonic wasteland, enormous monsters capable of tearing down the Empire’s walls continue to pour forth without end. She has fought them in silence, never revealing her suffering to anyone. Some have belittled her struggle, claiming that such work merely suited a mad dragon who delighted in slaughter.”
Ferda recalled the battles he had witnessed ever since arriving as her fiancé.
Her agile movements and overwhelming strength.
The flames that seemed capable of purifying everything.
Undefeated in every battle.
Majestic and imposing.
A true sovereign.
“I wish to ask all of you something. If she truly delights in slaughter, if she fights merely because killing one more insect brings her pleasure, then why would she have any reason to accept wounds in the process?”
Being undefeated did not mean she was never injured.
There had been many days when Valdrova returned wounded.
Sometimes she flew back with a broken claw or a scale hanging loose, half torn from her body.
She would simply say that it hurt, but that she was accustomed to it.
She would say that it would heal after a single night.
Even that had tormented Ferda.
“She could have abandoned that duty. She could have demanded proper compensation. Yet I watched her silently bear every wound. She looked as though, even if she died one day, she would blame no one and simply accept it…!”
Because she was not the only one hurt by those wounds.
“That is the only sorrow I feel.”
The chamber fell silent.
But it was nothing like the cold silence that had accompanied their earlier tension.
They were drawn in by Ferda’s voice and listened with complete attention.
Until he had declared his refusal, Ferda’s voice had remained rational and cold.
Yet the more he spoke of Valdrova, the more emotion seeped into it.
Ironically, the way reason crumbled from his voice only made his appeal more compelling.
Had that voice been magic, it would have been called a spell somewhere between brainwashing and seduction.
“The reason I placed my hopes in the possibilities of magitech was to ease that sorrow and lessen her wounds. I developed all of this not merely for the security of the Empire, but for the peace of Cerdes itself.”
Ferda turned back toward the chief councilors.
“So I will say it once more before all of you. Magitech is not an asset of the Empire. It is a shared asset. And even if it is not considered a shared asset, then it is an asset meant for the one who will become my companion—the great embodiment of flame and guardian of the Far East. If refusing to surrender magitech makes me a damned traitor…”
Ferda placed a hand over his chest.
“Then I will gladly accept the punishment.”
The moment Ferda finished speaking, everyone felt it.
The balance had shifted.
The chairman wore a troubled expression, caught between two choices and unable to move in either direction.
His eyes repeatedly flicked toward Yaldemar.
Yaldemar appeared to reach a decision and gave him a signal.
Akad opened his mouth.
“Given the severity of the situation, this decision will be postponed, and the proceedings will resume tomorrow. This concludes today’s postwar council.”
With the chairman’s declaration, the day’s proceedings came to an end.