“In that case, Your Imperial Majesty, may I present the reparation demands from our side that the Duke of Ornaments must meet?”
“…Very well, I shall receive your official proposal.”
“Rest assured, while there were indeed faults on our part in imposing upon the palace, my demands will be reasonable in light of you graciously overlooking that transgression.”
While Feiyu offered Klaus a serene smile, inwardly Zervis was likely feeling anxious, though not overly apprehensive.
No matter what reparations were demanded, as a branch of the ducal families, the Ornaments were unlikely to suffer any major blows.
While failing to impact other houses through severed ties, he likely believed he could still resolve the situation smoothly.At least until he heard her demand–
“–I demand the territory of Felmund under Ornament rule.”
Up until that point, he had surely never doubted his scheme was flawless.
“…The lands of Felmund, you say?”
“Yes, as you may know, Your Imperial Majesty, my grandfather was once a comrade belonging to Duke Eisenhud’s faction in the past.”
“Ah yes, I did hear tales of the Trakia elder when we spoke.”
“Though Grandfather Trakia retreated into seclusion after the incident three centuries ago…he still took pride in his comradeship with Eisenhud as a fellow comrade, and spoke of me, his rightful grandchild, as an immortal friend he could stand alongside once more.”
Relaying the grandfather’s sentiments he could never pass down for three hundred years.
Conveying them to Klaus, and by extension, to Artesia standing behind him.
“Though Elves are a long-lived race, Grandfather Trakia has already begun showing signs of aging beyond four hundred years old. Which is why I made this demand – so that he may spend his remaining time on the land he loved, as per his wishes.”
“I see. After retiring as head of the Blaskas family, the old man of Trakia had done many favors for the Empire in the past. So if this recent incident has caused suffering to the young lady of the Blaskas family, we would be happy to oblige on our side.”
“Ah, those are joyous words indeed. I too had heard tales of Eisenhud from my grandfather, but being a foreign territory, I could not casually enter.”
As the two conversed in a calm atmosphere, Zervis remained quietly bowed.
Even now, his unchanging expression was likely his pride as the head.
But looking at the trembling fists beneath, it was easy to read his heart.
Just now, Klaus had shown a positive attitude towards ceding the territory.
Feiyu’s words had brought forth that, putting them in a position where the deal was half-confirmed.
“…While Felmund is currently under Ornament’s administration, it was originally a ducal territory held by Eisenhud. Even if only the family name remains of that house, having the ducal territory go to another nation may impact the Imperial charter.”
That was likely the reasoning Zervis had bitterly thought through.
But the stage was already set where his words would not get through.
“Certainly the head of Ornament has a point…but Felmund is no longer a key defensive location for the Empire, and the resources like mines have little value. More importantly, after over three centuries, there is doubt whether its former ducal territory status needs consideration.”
“I agree with Loo-chan’s words. Since it’s not part of the Imperial interior, it won’t be an enclave either, and there won’t be any disruption to travel or trade.”
“Well then…I suppose I shall support you two’s opinion.”
“I don’t really care either way…but that old Ornament guy said he’d wipe his own ass earlier, so isn’t accepting the demand just the proper thing to do?”
[Malledict shall comply with all]
As the other representatives deemed [the demand is reasonable] and voiced agreement,
it was only natural.
To the other ducal houses, the land of Felmund held no value at all.
They did not know that the [Philosopher’s Stone], a substance of immense worth, slumbered there.
If Ornament could avoid harm to their own house simply by relinquishing one of their worthless territories in exchange for meeting Feiyu’s demand, it would be reasonable to support it.
There was no way for Zervis to disclose the fact that the [Philosopher’s Stone] lay there.
“……..Tch”
Zervis remained silently pressed, with a hint of motion in his eyes.
Disclosing the [Philosopher’s Stone]’s existence could change this situation.
But then the objective of surpassing the other ducal houses would not be fulfilled.
The long-held ambition of the Ornament house, who despite being a ducal house had received unfair treatment and invested years of research and funding towards elevating their status, would not be realized.
Not only that, they could be pursued for keeping the [Philosopher’s Stone]’s existence secret all this time, with the risk of having not just the Stone but all their research taken by the other houses.
And Zervis could not refuse to cede Felmund either.
Feiyu’s demand had already been unanimously deemed “reasonable” by all present.
If he alone, Zervis, were to reject it, it would raise suspicions in the other ducal houses that “there must be something to that land.”
Because Ornament had meticulously feigned Felmund as worthless land in order to keep its secret, refusing the transfer here would arouse great suspicion.
If the other ducal houses were to take action, and the [Philosopher’s Stone]’s existence came to light…either way, it would lead down the same path as the former.
From the start, Zervis had no choice.
To deprive him of that choice—Klaus had aimed for this regular council meeting when all Six Great Ducal Houses would gather.
A penniless commoner child like Kurtz could never have opposed a ducal house.
Before the Ornament Ducal House, Kurtz’s very existence may not have even registered in their sight.
Even with a standing like Feiyu’s, Zervis likely had many cards to play against her.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
But—if the opposition was his fellow Six Great Ducal Houses, he could not ignore them.
These were houses holding authority equal or greater than his own. So if he made a careless move here, it could lead to irreparable consequences.
Which is why the only words Zervis could utter here were:
“……I understand your demand, Lady Blaskas.”
No one may have noticed the slight tremble in his voice.
No one, except the one who had orchestrated this situation,
may have noticed the quiet flames of fury smoldering in his eyes.
“Ornament shall cede the lands of Felmund…as compensation.”
At Zervis’s words, Klaus nodded proudly before speaking.
“Those words, I have surely heard as Emperor of the Albusage Empire . In this name, I vow to Lady Blaskas that this matter shall be executed.”
“Yes. I hope our relations may continue henceforth.”
After Feiyu bowed politely, Klaus quietly exhaled.
“Well…too many unforeseen things have occurred. Let us end today’s regular council here. Duke Ornament, promptly send the vow documents and title deeds to me.”
“……Understood, Your Majesty.”
Zervis replied in a defeated voice and left the council chamber.
“As for the Eisenhud matter, we shall convene an extraordinary council next week to decide. I have words for Lady Blaskas, so the rest of you are dismissed.”
Following his words, the others exited, and…Klaus deeply exhaled again.
“……I apologize for the trouble caused by this incident, Lady Blaskas.”
“It was truly a great nuisance. Though a renegade of my kin was behind my enslavement, an outrage that should never have occurred to one of my standing.”
Replying so, Feiyu then glanced sidelong at Artesia.
“Your Majesty, might I exchange a few words with Eisenhud?”
“……I cannot permit that, due to certain circumstances.”
“Is that because I am a Demi-human, and elated to Comrade Trakia ?”
“…………”
Klaus fell silent, not answering Feiyu’s words.
The pacts with the Six Great Ducal Houses prohibited divulging their contents to Demi-humans.
The condition stated that the reigning Emperor alone had “a duty to report whether the pacts were properly upheld,” granting them the right to freely converse with Artesia under that pretext.
For three centuries…regardless of which individual ascended that throne, the successive Emperors remained at Eisenhud’s side as their sole friend.
So Feiyu conversing with Artesia could not be permitted.
However—
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