Kuro no Senki (LN)

Two days after the fall of Ramal V, the will made the funeral take place secluded in the Old Castle Hall at Aldemilan Palace.

Given the feat of converging civil unrest thirty years ago and rebuilding a tilted empire, it was no surprise that it was a grand funeral to name the country, a form in which the will of the deceased, who wanted to die quietly, was respected.

The body of Ramal V was rested in the Old Castle Hall of Aldemilan Palace...... in the Great Hall.

The ritual in the form of the "Temple of Pure White" ends without delay, and once the flowers have been donated by the participating nobles, they will be buried and buried.

Most of all, it will not be until after the burial that many nobles learn of the fall of Ramal V.

It was four days after the ball that Ramal V collapsed, the events of that night.

Many of the aristocrats currently working in territorial management are on their way back to the territory, running early horses, but it will take six days to come back.

For this reason, the only nobles who attended the funeral were the court nobles or those who stayed in the imperial capital for any reason.

Apparently, it's a way of dying. At the very least, I wanted him to die after giving his son Alfort his territory, but he was spoiled because his last words were apologies, and Farna stared at Ramal V, who sleeps in a bespoke coffin.

The death face of Ramal V was so calm that I didn't think he continued to be frightened by his brother's phantom.

I think I had quite a lot of feelings, and given my position as a public concubine, I should probably pretend to cry, but I didn't feel that way.

Farna turned her heels back, saying that I would flush you into the water for everything you've done, and refrain from grudging you about the hardships you're going to have.

My vision was inadvertently shaded, and by the time I realized it, a successful chest plate was looming in front of me.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

On the verge of bumping into each other, the big man gave me a verse. I grabbed Farna's shoulder with my standing hands.

Am I old enough to be in my mid fifties and many out of reach of my sixties?

"I'm sorry"

"Oh, don't worry about it"

The big man peered into the coffin and opened his eyes as surprised.

"You're so fat!

"... Huh!

The big man's disgraceful...... no, the nobles who were now visiting the condolences opened their eyes to statements that went off track.

"If you're that fat, you've decided to die prematurely. Oh, pity. I thought I was pathetic when you asked me to be on my side as I was about to leak shit, and I thought I was pathetic when I couldn't stop my brother from being executed."

I told him to roll up and the big man walked out with his back to the coffin.

What a disgrace, a disrespect, for the sake of the new aristocrats, the nobles who were around said spoken, but the big man slowly withdrew from the great hall.

When he left the Great Hall feeling uncomfortable, Chancellor Alcor spoke to the big man.

Chancellor Alcor is a small old man who will be seventy this year.

It is the back that is not bent, but the hair is so thin that it may be described as bald, and the remaining hair is also bright white as to tell the story of years of hardship.

It won't cover the amount of thinned hair, but it stores plenty of mustaches.

Chancellor Alcor is also one of those who rose to turmoil thirty years ago.

Originally, he was nothing but a wooden official, but was highly valued for his work when he went to the army and rose to the rank of Chancellor ten years after the end of the civil war.

His greatest accomplishments were the development of administrative mechanisms that had not been clearly divided until then… the launching of the military bureau responsible for military affairs, the treasury bureau responsible for the operations and finances of the direct jurisdiction, the paperwork bureau that drafts and promulgates the law, the intra-unium bureau that divides the life of the royal family… and the clarification of the powers and responsibilities of each bureau.

It may be said that we have considerably restricted the private operation of power and have been able to respond quickly in the event of trouble.

In other words, it was Chancellor Alcor who created the present empire.

Well, it could be Ramal V's handle in the sense that he left everything to a competent subordinate.

"... you're bald"

Lord Claude is no different.

Big Man...... Perhaps the last person Ramal V called is him.

Perhaps I should preach His Majesty's words?

Troubled, Claude made a call to Farna.

"What could it be?

"You're the one with the errands, aren't you? Just in case, don't talk to me like that. I'm still fucking my dead wife."

Farna laughed as Claude smiled unworthy of the two names of the slaughterer (Slater).

"I'm sorry, but I was looking at you because I was worried about conveying His Majesty's last words."

"It's about him, so it's an apology, isn't it?

"'I'm sorry. It's the last word I've ever said."

Right, and Claude scratched his head like it was awkward.

Lord Claude.

"You're not gonna hit a bee if you let me soak up a little sentimental, are you?

I'm sorry.

When Chancellor Alcor apologized, Claude shrugged his shoulders with a play trick.

"... when it comes to selling wheat"

"Leave that area to Myra..."

"To prevent price collapse..."

"... that would raise the value, wouldn't it?

Listening to the conversation between the two, Farna felt like she knew the unknown side of Chancellor Alcor.

Apparently, Chancellor Alcor can adjust the timing and quantity of crops harvested on the southern border by giving his opinion to Claude.

"... my lady over here is talking to me, are you okay?

"I don't mind."

Chancellor Alcor stroked his beard and laughed like a favorite.

"It's a separate matter... Ramal's dead, but are we okay with our territory? You're not taking me in, are you?

"It was the judgment of the Empress Tilia that gave the Marquis of Elakis the realm, because Her Majesty is also pursuing it. If I take it in, I will buy not only the new nobility, but also the old nobility"

"Well, if it's enough to be taken, I'll light the grain bin."

"Don't let the price of wheat surge if they imitate you like that"

When Claude had a fierce grin like a carnivore, Chancellor Alcor was like a snake... if a snake could laugh, he would laugh like this... he laughed.

"Don't let that happen."

"Of course, whoever becomes an emperor won't be allowed to take over the territory."

The two deepened their laughter and resumed negotiations.

Evening...... Farna had been summoned with her son Alfort during a round table at Alfilc Castle.

Most importantly, it was not just the two of them who received the call, but also the chief of the Imperial Army, the chief of finance, the chief scribe and the chief of the palace, who are the heads of each station.

For some reason, Count Cairon of the Ninth Kingsguard Knights and Count Pisce of the Twelfth Kingsguard Knights have also been summoned.

"... Mother, will I be killed?

"Too much thought."

That's more than likely, Farna smiled to reassure Alford.

My son, Alfort, is fifteen years old, the owner of blonde hair, the average characteristic of the aristocracy, with a slightly missing face.

He wears academics and swordsmanship on quite a level, but without a struggle or hegemony, he lightly believes in people's words.

When Farna sighs, Empress Tilia and Chancellor Alcor, dressed in a black dress, enter the room between the round tables.

Empress Tilia lowered her back to Iss in a disgusting manner, scowling at Fana and Alfort abominably.

Farna turned away from her gaze appropriately, but Alford is shivering her knees when she hesitates, even though she is sitting pale in the face.

"Thank you. I got you gathered here today to decide on your future policy"

Empress Tilia looked over at the faces between the round tables and told her to exhale.

"As is customary, I see no difference in my becoming the next emperor. Of course, I am not going to scorn the present empire built by my father, Ramal V."

For the time being, you mean to maintain the status quo, and Farna listened to Empress Tilia without any emotion.

"But as you can see from the case of Marquis Elakis, we cannot ignore the fact that there was embezzlement of military expenditures at the site level"

Do you intend to take your minister to an important position? and Farna looked at the Empress Tilia.

"... Empress Tilia, may I?

"What?"

Chancellor Alcor stood up slowly as Empress Tilia stared in disgust.

"As a matter of fact... I have deposited my will with the late Your Majesty."

……

Chancellor Alcor took the imported paper out of his nostalgia and offered it to Empress Tilia.

"... Huh!

"His Majesty's will says he will give the country to Lord Alfort"

Chancellor Alcor told her in defiance of Empress Tilia, who opened her eyes to surprise.

You really wrote about ceding the country to your dead brother, and Farna decided to watch things change, even though she was frightened.

"This, indeed... is my father's letter"

When Tilia admitted, everyone, except Fana and Chancellor Alcor, turned their gaze to Alfort.

Most of all, Alford knew he didn't have to be killed and was stroking his chest down.

"What are you going to do?

"I want you to follow my will."

"Don't be ridiculous!

Screaming, Empress Tilia slammed her will on her desk.

"So now you're going to rebel like the late Lord Alfort?

"... it"

In the words of Chancellor Alcor, Empress Tilia caged her mouth.

If Empress Tilia speaks differently, a few aristocrats will also appear to respond.

But when I say yes to even soldiers, I have to say it's difficult.

Even if the Lords are in command, the soldiers are regular soldiers of the Empire.

The priority of the order lies with the Chief of the Imperial Army, who will not obey the Empress of Tilia unless she shows great interest.

"Do you understand? Count Cairon, Count Pisce... bring Empress Tilia to the main tower"

As Counts Cairon and Pisce turned their gaze confused, the Imperial Commander remained silent for a while and nodded quietly.

"I hope you don't feel bad."

"Because it's an order."

Counts Cairon and Pisce rise and pack the distance with the Empress Tilia.

"... and if there is, there is no choice."

Empress Tilia sighed and jumped toward Count Pisce.

Filling the distance at once, Empress Tilia slammed her elbow into Count Pisce's nose column and took his sword away.

An even more magnificent lateral kick was met by Count Pisce, who blew it to the wall.

Empress Tilia confirmed that Count Pisce, who had been slammed against the wall, would not move and confronted Count Cairon.

"That's not what the Empress does."

"Even you."

"Empress Tilia dreams too much of a knight. We're not just swearing allegiance to the Empire, we're swearing allegiance to you."

Count Cairon laid down his shoulders with great admiration and pulled out his sword.

"Right."

"Yes."

White light rises from the body of Empress Tilia, and Count Cairon also rises the green light so that it corresponds.

After all, the first to move was Empress Tilia.

Empress Tilia packs the distance at once and unleashes a poke, but Count Cairon smiled coolly at this.

Then Count Cairon turned behind the immobile Empress Tilia shortly after releasing her poke and waved her sword down.

A tall sound sounds, sparks scatter.

Empress Tilia swept away Count Cairon's sword with her sword.

"Hmm, what do you do with taking the back of someone you can't move?

I thought I'd give him an unconscious wound.

Count Cairon's figure disappears and the green trajectory runs around Empress Tilia.

From the plane to the 3D, the green light forms a cage that traps the Empress Tilia.

"You're not following me anymore, are you?

"Want to give it a try?

Suddenly, the green cage disappears and Empress Tilia flips and waves her sword as she dances.

The tall sound of iron and iron hitting each other sounded, and Count Cairon's sword was slammed against the wall.

Yes, just the sword.

"Up there!

"Correct! But it's late!

When Empress Tilia looked up at the ceiling, there was a figure of Count Cairon poking his knee at the ceiling and putting up a green bow.

"God!

Count Cairon unleashed an arrow at the same time as Empress Tilia raised the shield of light.

Green light...... A running stream of light that is also difficult to open my eyes pushes me towards Empress Tilia.

Pisci, a fine crack runs on the floor beneath Empress Pisci Tilia's feet.

Five or ten seconds, Empress Tilia withstood the attack of Count Cairon,

"... Huh!

He leaned back without a voice and fell to the floor.

"Alarmed Enemies"

"You don't like me?

As Count Cairon descended on the floor, Count Pisce groaned in a grumpy manner and brutally wiped his blood-soaked lips with the back of his hand.

"Unless I and Empress Tilia are opponents"

"Don't make excuses there, you should say it's calculated"

The Count Pisce gave a flashy look, not funny as it seemed to have sidestepped Count Cairon's handle.

"... yet unintentional is cowardly"

Empress Tilia looked up to Count Pisce and groaned abominably.

Well, soon after the Empress Tilia was able to withstand Count Cairon's attack, she received the sorcery of the Marquis Pisce… which generates a minimal electric shock and deprives her of her opponent's freedom… so it is also impossible to feel cowardly.

"It's bad for him to lose. With that said, Princess Tilia was losing to Chrono in the military school exercises, right? Is that cowardly, too?

"Gu...... Huh!

Eating and tying her teeth, Empress Tilia tries to wake her body.

There is no way she can move, but Empress Tilia is also a user of divine authority.

As Count Cairon regained the consciousness of Ramal V, who was in the abyss of death, he must have mastered the art of moving a body that should not move.

"No, don't move."

"... Gu!

Count Cairon kicked up, kicked up and stepped on the head of Empress Tyria with a frantic grin.

"Oh, I had something to tell Empress Tilia. As a matter of fact... I'm going to have to be Chrono's mistress."

Everyone on the spot opened their eyes in surprise at what Count Cairon had said.

"Crono... son of Baron Crawford, Lord of the Marquis of Elakis"

"Yes, he's lovely."

When Chancellor Alcor inquired in horror, Count Cairon held his body with both hands and said in a maiden tone of love.

"I was about to reach it again and again just kissing it."

"... that's it, what's up?

When Empress Tilia wakes up slightly, Count Cairon forces her legs to mouth the floor again.

"Well, I chilled my liver when I was about to be offended by force. But that's only the first time. If I asked you to take the stage properly, you would have accepted."

"... Gu, no"

Count Cairon had a winning grin.

"Is that it? If I'm Empress Tilia, do you see the damage? Ha ha!

Bang! and Empress Tilia stood up at once and glanced at Count Cairon with her moist eyes.

There was no grief for the princess who was being deprived of her country, only the sentiment of the woman who was bedridden the man.

"... Chrono, that's what"

"Hehe, the Empress Tilia doesn't know about him, does she? It's the same for him: me, half an elf, a sub, a slave, a civilian, a nobleman, a princess. So he tried to hold me. No, he might just be lonely."

Empress Tilia shook her fist up...... she collapsed on the spot.

"... I'm not gonna kill you, because I don't want to make Chrono sad."

Count Cairon smiled and took on the Empress Tilia.

"Me and Count Pisce will push the Empress into the main tower of the castle."

With that said, Counts Cairon and Pisce left the room from between the round tables.

"Well, let's resume the meeting"

Chancellor Alcor ran out as if nothing had happened.

"As Lord Alfort takes over the throne, I think we should launch a new policy?

When Chancellor Alcor turned his gaze, the Imperial Commander nodded quietly.

Apparently, it had already been rooted out.

"… I request a review of the external strategy. Thirty years ago the unrest reduced our country's territory to two thirds, but His Majesty couldn't even admit a war for territorial recovery."

"But if we are to cut off the power zones of the group of free city states, we will need to adjust them accordingly."

"The main force in the group of free city states is mercenaries in the Bethel Mountains. As you know, the Bethel Mountains are unsuitable land patterns for cultivation, and the people who live there have long received food for their lives as mercenaries."

Mercenaries in the Bethel Mountains are not supposedly running away or betraying their clients.

"But if we were to cut down mercenaries in the Bethel Mountains, would it cost us enormous amounts of money? In addition, it is inevitable that the lives of the people will be affected more than the groups of free city states are holding up trading routes"

Mercenaries in the Bethel Mountains and the occupation of trading routes… This is the biggest factor that makes it difficult to wage war on a group of free city states.

Spices, paper, cotton, and glass don't come into the empire unless they pass through a group of free city states.

"Of course, I'm not going to set up with a group of free city states either. I am just worried that until now I have not even been able to show discomfort when attacked by the Kingdom of Holy Argo"

"Hmm, do we also need to take swords to protect our people"

"Exactly."

Heavy silence dominates between the round tables,

"... What does Lord Alfort think?

"Huh?"

Suddenly questioned by Chancellor Alcor, Alfort turned his voice upside down as surprised.

"Oh, well... the empire has been attacked many times by the Holy Argo kingdom, and I think it's better to show discomfort"

Farna wanted to hold her head to Alfort's words.

"Whoa! If Lord Alfort is so determined, it's quick to talk!

"Huh? Yeah?

Ignoring the bewildered Alfort, the meeting leaned towards the opening of the war.

After the meeting, Fana was facing Chancellor Alcor between the round tables where no one was anymore.

"... unexpected"

"What?"

"I thought you'd treat Empress Tilia well, and you weren't very powerful."

As far as Farna can tell, Chancellor Alcor is a loyal minister to the Empire, for better or worse.

"Now I don't want to strengthen Empress Astrea's influence."

"You gave birth to Alfort for when Empress Tilia inherited the throne, didn't you?

Phew, and Chancellor Alcor exhaled a long sigh.

If Empress Tilia succeeds to the throne, it is likely that the director's neck will be replaced, and there can be no denying that she will conduct authoritarian politics.

Of course, it is Chancellor Alcor's way to always consider the worst possibilities and keep his hands on them whenever possible, although it may not be.

"I'd do anything to get rid of that woman's influence. I only used it this time because I accidentally had His Majesty's will."

"You just used bullshit written by His Majesty, drunk and insane."

"I know your lord... it was Empress Astrea who caused the unrest thirty years ago"

Huh? And Farna opened her eyes to surprise too much.

"His Majesty... intended to cede the throne to Lord Alfort. In fact, the eagles were moving that way."

"Didn't His Majesty have a rebellion because he was incompetent?

Chancellor Alcor shook his head quietly.

"His Majesty was aware that he was incompetent. It was decided that it would be better for Lord Alfort to take over the throne than for his people to become emperor."

Chancellor Alcor clenched his fist as hard as he regretted the past.

"But Empress Astrea scattered seeds of discord. No, I might also have been responsible for the eagles who weren't able to be a single board. As Empress Astrea thought, rebellion broke out and Lord Alfort was executed"

"What did she want to do?

"I don't know. But at least I'm not going to... make that woman like the Empire. I would do anything for it. analogy, even if it was against His Majesty's will"

When Farna inquired, Chancellor Alcor told him to throw up.

"Is war one of 'anything'?

"If there is a major nickname to beat the enemy, it will be difficult to move to a state system centered around Lord Alfort. Of course, there is an intention to show all around that the Empire is not just consolidating its defenses."

"What are you going to do with Empress Tilia?

"You don't have to worry about killing me. To tell you the truth, I'd like to be married to a royal family in another country."

Chancellor Alcor put his arms together and roared to think about it.

"If you're that temperamental, you wouldn't be making a big deal out of it."

"If you have a nobleman with abnegation and superior self-control, I'll give you a good reason."

Maybe I won't kill Empress Tilia because I need it as a prep for when Alfort runs wild.

"... I don't think there's anyone like that"

The letter arrived in Chrono from Teito at the beginning of December… about a month after the end of the ball.

I had a bad feeling that the emperor would collapse, that Tilia would fall ill, that he would frequently receive letters from Rio, and that he would receive letters from his adoptive father.

"... General, what does it look like? '(Buyabu)

"Yeah, I was hoping to get in touch with your deputy Minot first."

Krono offered parchment to his deputy, keeping his hips down to the chair in the office.

The deputy stared,

"Convene? Supply, in charge? '(also ~)

"In short, it's a summons warrant. He told me to lead five hundred soldiers and take charge of supplies because we're going to war with the Kingdom of Holy Argo."

According to the summons warrant, the Knights of the First, Second, Ninth and Twelfth Guards, the eight battalions called from other territories and the Kronos are to be added as a supply unit.

The numbers alone make 12,500 troops, but I am anxious about the fact that Alfort, Tilia's half-brother, is commander-in-chief.

So, what am I supposed to do? '(Bubble, Bubble)

"From Mr. Minot's point of view... is that cowardly? I'm forming a unit, so I need you to let me know what Minot has to say."

The Marquis of Elakis has just been attacked by the Holy Kingdom of Argo.

I'd like to lead all 100 captains, but I have to think about it and leave my defensive force behind.

"I have to get in touch with Nicola from the Pics Chamber of Commerce, I have to pull the doctor out of the hospital, and I hate the fact that there's so much to do."

Imperial army replenishment capabilities are very poor, as is the case with the Kingdom of Holy Argo.

Normally, I buy soldiers' food from the Chamber of Commerce by personal connections of battalion commanders, but that remains the same in wartime.

In other words, it is a situation in which the system of replenishment is not incorporated into the military.

Just thinking about what we need to do is enough to give me a headache, but I can't just hate it.

Thus, Chrono was to go to the battlefield for the second time.