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Vol 05 Chapter 150: The Second Southern Campaign I

「Your Majesty, we pledge our utmost loyalty to you…」

「How insincere.」

Raymond cut off the diplomats from each city who were apologizing to me. Their faces turned pale.

「Well, don’t be so harsh, Raymond. They seem to be remorseful. We’ll forgive them this time.」

「Thank you for your magnanimous decision…」

They all bowed their heads in unison, practically pressing their foreheads to the floor.

Adernians and Kirisians rarely kneel when they apologize. They don’t have a culture of prostration. Their current posture is considered the highest form of apology.

「However, things cannot continue as they were.」

I lowered my voice. The diplomats’ shoulders trembled for a moment.

「From now on, the alliance between each city and myself will continue. However, political interactions between cities are strictly prohibited. Additionally, marriages between residents of different cities must be reported. Furthermore…」

I calmly stated the conditions:

1. From now on, any city that forms an alliance with King Almus will be considered an allied city.
2. Allied cities will not have any diplomatic or military rights.
3. Freedom of movement for residents is permitted. However, marriages with residents outside the city must be reported.
4. Residents of allied cities must pay one-tenth of their income to the kingdom (a tithe).
5. All mineral resources will be nationalized.
6. Allied cities cannot refuse the stationing of military forces.
7. Infrastructure such as roads and bridges will be managed entirely by King Almus.
8. Allied cities must provide a certain number of soldiers based on their population.
9. The children of the ten most important people of each city must study in the capital of King Rosais’ Country.
10. A permanent embassy must be established between each city and King Rosais’ Country.
11. Self-governance is allowed within the limits of the law.

The content is now extremely strict compared to before. Previously, it was sufficient to pay a few percent of the city’s income, but from now on, they will have to pay a tithe.

Moreover, with all the mineral resources, particularly salt, under my control, if I stop the supply of salt, the cities will not be able to obtain it through legitimate channels.

Additionally, military service, which was previously at a level of ‘as much as possible,’ will now be mandatory due to this new policy.

That said, in the Adernian Peninsula, losing a war usually means being enslaved without any recourse. Compared to that, this is still a lenient punishment.

「You have no right to refuse. If you wish to object, you may return to your homeland and prepare for war. However, you know what will happen if you lose, right? This is the only time I will tolerate rebellion.」

I looked down at the diplomats with a low voice. None of them voiced any objections.

◇

The punishment for those who rebelled was over. Next, it was time to deal with the cities that remained passively neutral and the ones that fulfilled the treaty we signed with them.

「Thank you all for gathering. Please, have a seat. This shouldn’t be bad news for you.」

I spoke to the diplomats in a friendly manner. They, on the other hand, looked anxious about what I might say.

They undoubtedly know what I (or rather Bartolo) did to the cities that did not surrender. They must also be aware of the harsh punishments I imposed on the rebelling cities.

「You all know that there was a large-scale rebellion in the south this time. Therefore, for the benefit of both parties, I think we should amend the treaty.」

I presented the revised proposal:

1. From now on, cities that enter into this treaty will be called autonomous cities.
2. Autonomous cities will have self-governance rights as long as they do not violate national laws.
3. The tribute tax will be abolished.
4. In exchange, each city will have a duty to provide military service.
5. Each city can refuse the stationing of troops, except in emergencies.
6. Infrastructure maintenance will be the responsibility of each city, but the construction of military roads and bridges will be handled by King Rosais’ Country.
7. Citizens of the autonomous cities will be granted subject rights.
8. A permanent embassy will be established between King Rosais’ Country and the autonomous cities.

This proposal is much more lenient than the conditions imposed after the previous war.

This leniency was partly because some of the cities that remained neutral or were cooperative this time had fiercely resisted and were subjected to harsh conditions in the previous war. Conversely, some cities that rebelled this time were incorporated into our country without bloodshed after the surrender of King Belvedire’s Country, so they received relatively lenient conditions.

In other words, this treaty revision also served as a way to resolve the post-war arrangements that had been on hold since the last war.

「I wish to maintain a good relationship with your countries in the future. Do you have any complaints?」

「No, not at all… To think you would abolish the tribute tax… We have no complaints. We look forward to building a friendly relationship with Your Majesty.」

The diplomats replied, bowing deeply.

Thus, the punishment of the rebel cities was concluded.

Now, for the next matter…

◇

「Your Majesty, I have a report.」

Iarl, who had been sent as a diplomat to the Kirisian cities under the influence of Lezado and Gehenna in the south, returned. Iarl’s mission was to prepare for peace negotiations while we were dealing with the rebellious cities and resolving the strikes.

「It seems the cities are willing to negotiate for peace. However…」

According to Iarl, the cities are demanding reparations and the release of prisoners.

These guys are pretty arrogant, considering they lost. Are they looking down on us? Maybe they think our country hasn’t resolved the military service refusal movement yet.

「In that case, there’s no choice.」

I signaled to Raymond.

Another war it is.

I issued an edict throughout the country, declaring that we would defeat the cowards who deceived our people from behind the scenes.

Immediately, I assembled an army of forty thousand. Given our population of around 370,000, this is a massive mobilization, about ten percent of our population.

While a short mobilization won’t severely damage our economy, such a large mobilization still strains the national treasury. So why did I gather such a large force?

There are three reasons: First, to show the world that our internal issues are resolved. Second, to promote unity within the country. And finally, to subjugate the Kirisian city-states.

At first, I didn’t intend to conquer the Kirisian city-states yet. It will take about another year for our domestic situation to completely stabilize. I intended to conquer them after that.

However, a war needs a justified cause. If we miss this chance, we might not get such a convenient cause again.

Of course, if it seems impossible, I’ll give up immediately. Forcing it could just lead to another rebellion like this one.

Now, solidifying unity within the country takes precedence.

Thus began the Second Southern Campaign.

◇

「We’ve advanced quite smoothly.」

「They probably never imagined His Majesty would come so quickly and with such a large force. The enemy is completely off guard.」

Bartolo was in high spirits, drinking wine. We crossed the border and reached the first city-state without encountering any enemy forces. We didn’t even spot a single scout.

It seems they were unaware of our army’s presence until we appeared.

「However, the fact remains that we were in a state of war. Why were they so slow to respond?」

Raymond wondered, tilting his head in confusion.

Our country and the various city-states were in a tense situation. Normally, they would be on maximum alert. Normally…

「It’s because they’re a democratic state. Plus, the city-states don’t have a unified command. They probably haven’t decided whether to fight me or negotiate.」

Their parliament was likely bogged down in endless debates, and the cities were probably arguing amongst themselves. Meanwhile, I quickly mobilized my forces and approached them with an unexpectedly large army.

They must have been caught completely off guard.

「So, Your Majesty, what should we do?」

「For now, let’s issue a surrender demand.」

The enemy is unprepared for a counterattack. If we want to, we can probably capture the city in a day. However, it will be easier if they surrender.

「Iarl, you go and convey the surrender terms. You’ve already talked to the influential people of this city, right?」

「Yes, this city was relatively moderate, so I believe they will surrender quickly.」

Iarl mounted his horse and approached the city gates alone. Shortly, a small window-like door in the gate opened, and Iarl was let in.

About three hours later, the gates opened, and Iarl emerged. Following him were men with their upper bodies bare and their arms tied with ropes, showing they were unarmed and willing to surrender.

Iarl smiled proudly.

So, this city is surrendering, right?

Thus, the first city fell without bloodshed.

This event drove a significant wedge into the unity of the Kirisian city-states.