SWNOVELXO Chapter 168
How long have I been holding this position? It feels like quite some time.
The Emperor momentarily fiddled with the throne, plunging into such thoughts.
The sudden reason for this was due to the report that had just come in.
[ …and so, we are urgently accepting refugees from Dedorant, Your Majesty. ]
When I first heard Kael’s report, I thought I was hearing things.
Brutally plundering the occupied DeGale. Yes, I could understand that.
But to loot our own people, not from a foreign land, what on earth is happening?
Even the Emperor, who has sat on the throne for so long, had never heard such a tale.
No matter how dire the situation, and how starved the soldiers are, to touch the very people who are the pillars and support of the kingdom?
“…C-Chief of Staff. Are you absolutely sure? Is there any possibility that Dedorant is pulling some trick to deceive our Empire?”
The Crown Princess beside him looked equally puzzled and hastily asked a question.
Gnaius, the Crown Prince, along with the heads of various departments present, nodded in agreement.
If it’s Dedorant, those wicked ones could very well do such a thing.
[ As Her Highness has stated, we have thoroughly investigated and confirmed that they are innocent citizens of Dedorant, with no connection to any wrongdoing. ]
Oh, goodness. What in the world. Sighs of despair and confusion erupted everywhere.
Has there ever been a case where a nation forcibly took food from its own people and exiled them?
The military exists to protect the nation and its citizens, yet they are making the insane decision to sacrifice their own people for the military’s sake?
“Chief of Staff. So, how many of them are currently in our midst?”
[ As of this morning, there are already over a thousand. And that number is continuously increasing across each legion, so within days, it could exceed several thousand, or possibly even ten thousand. ]
In response to Kael’s answer, the ministers, especially the Minister of War and the Minister of Finance, were in a frenzy.
The only fortunate thing was that they were not a troop of spies deliberately sent by Dedorant.
They lacked fighting ability and had no special objectives. They were just innocent citizens swept up in catastrophe.
If handled well, this could serve as a significant opportunity to bolster the Empire’s credibility afterward.
The unfortunate point, however, is that an explosion of their numbers could jeopardize the already precarious supplies.
The Imperial Army has already advanced deep into Dedorant. The supply routes have become excessively long.
Just in terms of distance, it stretches from our Empire to the western border.
“Chief of Staff. Adding them into the supply situation could be dangerous, don’t you think?”
“The Minister of War is right. I’ve heard they’re terribly famished. To feed them, we would surely have to divert some of our supplies.”
“Not only that. Even though they are powerless citizens of Dedorant, we must keep watch over them, meaning we’ll have to pull a certain number of troops away.”
It is too regrettable to abandon the pretext of being the true savior of Dedorant.
It feels as if they’re pushing us to take that position.
Help from the Empire to those who have been abandoned by their own military?
Is there any more delicious propaganda than this? Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.
Yet, withdrawing that pretext brings to light even more serious issues.
In just a matter of days, it has reached thousands. Some even predict it could reach ten thousand.
What should we do if that number increases? If it grows from ten thousand to tens of thousands?
How will we provide them with food and shelter, and space for housing?
Money isn’t the only issue. We also need personnel to monitor them.
Right now, there seems to be no problem, but who knows what Dedorant might pull next?
If that’s the case, it means we will need to draw up military resources, amidst an ongoing offensive?
“…At this point, I can’t help but wonder if Dedorant is aiming for this very outcome.”
As Gnaius said this, all the ministers nodded gravely.
“Chief of Staff.”
[ Yes, Your Majesty. ]
“Continue to accept the citizens of Dedorant. Moreover, I will ensure that we provide them with the necessary supplies, so the resources intended for the offensive should be entirely allocated to the Imperial Army.”
[ Understood. ]
“And.”
After a moment of tapping his fingers on the armrest, the Emperor continued.
“I will appoint Paelus Gusthagen, who surrendered previously, to oversee their management.”
At the Emperor’s words, the Crown Princess beside him sparkled with her eyes.
It’s a wise move. Although it’s absurd that Dedorant’s citizens have turned to the Imperial Army in desperation from hunger and plunder by their own forces.
Nonetheless, they cannot erase the impression that the ones who invaded their homeland are indeed the Empire.
It doesn’t matter if that’s not the case. In any case, they will believe it to be true.
If a person, despite surrendering, who was once the commander of Dedorant steps forward,
and the soldiers who also surrendered alongside him take responsibility to look after them,
then the citizens of Dedorant who wish to rely on the Empire may find some degree of reassurance.
‘Plus, this serves as a good reason to dispel the distorted perception of the Empire. The Majestic One has chosen the optimal measure.’
[ As you say, Your Majesty. I will immediately assign such duties to Paelus Gusthagen. Should we not send any Imperial soldiers alongside them? ]
“If we’ve promised them trust, we must display our belief in that. Only then will they not harbor any ill thoughts, and those who do may find reasons not to be shown mercy. Chief of Staff, do not arm them, but ensure there is no surveillance from our Empire as well.”
After concluding that discussion to a certain extent, the Emperor moved on to the next agenda.
“Chief of Staff, what progress has been made on that ‘Manhattan Project’ you proposed? Minister of Magic.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. In the power confirmation phase, we are currently nearing the targeted figures. However, the stabilization work is problematic as the formulas are complicated and the materials required are quite extensive, causing delays.”
“The materials, what is most urgent?”
“That is….”
The Minister of Magic hesitated for a moment but ultimately revealed the answer.
“It’s silver, Your Majesty.”
“Silver, you say.”
“Yes, but not just any silver; we need a substantial amount.”
Gold is naturally worth more than silver.
But due to the rarity of gold, silver is used more frequently in transactions.
In our Empire, all common currency is made of silver.
Unlike gold, which is too precious to squander, silver is readily utilized.
So even if mined extensively, using it carelessly is out of the question.
But this silver is required simply as a “material.” It must be completely “consumed.”
It’s understandable that the Minister of Magic hesitated at the thought.
“Gosh.”
“Hmm….”
At such statements, other ministers seemed quite troubled, holding back their breaths.
Gnaius, positioned beside the Emperor, could not conceal a similar expression.
‘To require a massive amount of silver to be entirely consumed. Is the project really that necessary?’
The Imperial Army has already forced Benito to surrender and has toppled Atria.
Through that process, numerous tactics and strategies have improved and new weaponry has been deployed.
Although Dedorant is holding its ground, it won’t last long. It will crumble soon.
But must we pay such a high price to showcase something to those who we have already conquered?
“Crown Prince.”
As if the Emperor had read Gnaius’s mind, he called for his son.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“There exist fights that must not be avoided, and proofs that need to be shown. Even if we may lose much in doing so, it is often the case that not acting brings forth greater calamities in the future.”
“…I was insufficient in my understanding.”
This wasn’t merely directed at Gnaius, but was akin to an announcement to all the ministers present.
Furthermore, it was a proclamation for everyone in the Empire.
“Minister of Finance, take action to accommodate the requests from the Ministry of Magic to the best of your capability. If needed, I will provide the last of the Imperial Family’s silver so that the Ministry of Magic may focus on stabilization.”
“I will do my utmost, Your Majesty!”
*
The next day, the Minister of Finance convened a formal meeting with the Minister of Magic.
“This magic possesses the power to obliterate a gigantic castle or half a perfectly constructed city. However, it requires a minimum of a hundred wizards, a plethora of materials, and above all, there are many procedures to ensure stability.”
“If the results are satisfactory, we must achieve whatever it takes. Now, I hear that what we need is silver.”
“Yes. As I said to His Majesty yesterday, we need an amount that is incomparable to previous needs.”
An amount that is unparalleled. Just how much could be required to elicit such urgency?
At the very least, it’s fortunate that our Empire is the top silver producer on the continent.
Feeling that it can be managed, perhaps that’s why the Ministry of Magic has chosen silver as the stabilizing material.
The Minister of Finance took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth.
“So, how much silver do we need?”
“Um, let me calculate… Approximately about ten thousand tons would suffice.”
The Minister of Finance momentarily lost his words at the Minister of Magic’s statement.
“…W-What, Minister? Our Ministry of Finance counts silver in Troy ounces.”