SWNOVELXO Chapter 182
The end of the tiresome war does not solely apply to the Empire.
After the fall of DeGale, Ross Tanika at the far western edge of the continent had been continuously troubled by Dedorant.
They too finally erupted in cheers and embraced each other upon the news that the war was over.
“Finally, the war is over! Waaah!”
“Dreaded Dedorant scoundrels! Be completely torn apart by the Empire’s hands!”
The Kingdom People could not conceal their joy at the news of Dedorant and Atria being conquered by the Empire.
In this war, the Empire was their ally and fellow comrade in arms.
Having taken the enemies’ lands, such tragedies would never occur again!
…Of course, this line of thought was only shared among the Kingdom People.
“The war is over, and it is highly likely that the regions of Dedorant and Atria will be claimed by the Empire.”
“Does that mean we can’t demand anything from there?”
“We have already received far too much support from the Empire. If we were to ask for more, even the Empire would not hide its anger; if they have the guts, let them try…”
Despite engaging in war against Dedorant, neither side exceeded forty thousand troops.
Ross Tanika had weak military power to start with, and Dedorant had to mobilize its strength towards the Empire.
Even with both sides clashing, the total fell short of one hundred thousand.
On the other hand, the Imperial Army numbered in the hundreds of thousands, with Dedorant nearly reaching two hundred thousand.
Combined, over a million soldiers fought in bloody battles.
In the process, the dead and injured far surpassed the military strength of Ross Tanika.
To then say, “Give us more of our share,” was akin to asking for death.
“The Empire will want just one thing from us moving forward: do not question the order of the Empire. If you do not stand with us, you will merely become our enemy.”
“Looking at national capacity, economy, and military aspects, that is more than justified. Our survival method in Ross Tanika has already been shown by the Dedorant scoundrels: do not provoke the Empire.”
The order of the continent is determined by the Empire. That will never be denied.
With Dedorant serving as an example, Ross Tanika wasn’t foolish enough to disregard that.
However… if they did absolutely nothing, they would soon become a vassal under the Empire.
So far, Dedorant, Atria, and Benito had been acting as somewhat of a buffer.
Ironically, their enemies were counterbalancing the Empire’s influence.
But now, that was no longer possible; they were exposed directly to the Empire’s influence.
If time flowed like this, their foundations might be shaken within a decade at most.
‘There is one thing we can do: cultivate enough resilience to resist their influence while not provoking the Empire.’
‘It’s not about enduring through military strength. It’s simply about not letting our influence weaken in the west.’
After several discussions, Ross Tanika finally found an approximate answer.
It was to form a secret deal with the DeGale Royal Family, which had sought refuge in their land.
“Are we to resist the Empire? Are you serious?”
“Are you suggesting we really fight the Empire? No, I’m saying that even if the Empire’s influence comes into our Ross Tanika and your DeGale, we should support each other and endure to the best of our abilities to not be absorbed by them.”
The DeGale side pondered, ‘Hmmm,’ in response to Ross Tanika’s proposal.
The Empire is their savior, the liberator of their homeland. The conqueror who toppled Dedorant.
It didn’t seem plausible that joining forces with them would truly lead to something good.
However, it was not completely without realism. The situation was bizarre, to say the least.
Dedorant and Atria have quickly begun rebuilding since being occupied by the Empire.
In that process, previous power structures were efficiently eradicated, replaced with new ones.
As massive amounts of support flooded in, there were no longer severe levels of starvation.
Just recently, many had been on the verge of starvation, and suddenly the situation changed dramatically.
‘Our DeGale is suffering from famine just as badly, if not worse, than Dedorant. Meanwhile, the Royal Family has fled to Ross Tanika, and many nobles surrendered to Dedorant. If the Empire continues to act as a savior, before long, all residents will praise and support the Empire instead of DeGale.’
The war is over. They must return now. They want to go back to the way things were.
Kings should be kings, nobles need to be nobles, and the Kingdom People should live like Kingdom People.
However, if the Empire’s influence grows, all that could collapse entirely.
That cannot happen. They have already lost too much; they cannot afford to lose more!
“Is there a way?”
“Our Ross Tanika fought, albeit not as much as the Empire. Still, we engaged in combat against Dedorant. The Empire can’t deny that.”
“That’s true.”
“And the DeGale Royal Family and nobles lent help. Though they took refuge, they still made efforts for the liberation of DeGale. We will share a portion of that merit.”
To ensure that the DeGale Royal Family and nobles do not lose their influence on their territory.
Thus, joining hands with Ross Tanika to resist the Empire’s influence.
Understanding this, the DeGale side nodded in agreement.
They wouldn’t recklessly oppose the Empire but would remain vigilant of its influence.
They did not wish to simply become a vassal, but the west’s kingdom that follows the Empire.
Hearing that some of the three kingdoms in the eastern continent, as well as the Southern Kingdom, had nearly fallen to the Empire added to their urgency; they couldn’t afford to end up like them.
“If that’s the case, let’s grant some recognition to the DeGale Royal Family and noble refugees and quickly send them back to DeGale…”
“Urgent news! Urgent news!”
As the door burst open, another individual from Ross Tanika hurriedly continued to speak.
“J-just now, we received news that the Chief of Staff of the Empire has appeared in DeGale!”
“…What?”
The Chief of Staff of the Empire—Kael Clausewitz. That man, right?
The flawless strategist and commander who led this war to victory, the Empire’s highest-level tactician.
Rumor had it he was about to become the Emperor’s son-in-law, so everyone thought he would be focused on that.
Why on earth is he suddenly appearing so far in the west?
‘No. Even more, they say he went to DeGale? Not Dedorant or Atria?’
‘Damn it! This is bad. We’re late! If this continues…’
Could it be?
Both Ross Tanika and DeGale were thinking the same thing.
‘Have they known all our plans?’
‘Is it possible that they were aware?’
It doesn’t make sense. The Chief of Staff of the Empire suddenly heading to DeGale at this timing.
They were diligently reconstructing Dedorant and Atria, preparing to bring them into the Empire’s fold.
But now he had come to DeGale, which was supposed to be a new territory, rather than a place guaranteed to survive.
The news they just received meant only one thing.
The Empire, the Chief of Staff, had caught wind of their plans.
Realizing this, they made a preemptive move.
“Quickly, we must send the Royal Family to DeGale immediately! If the Empire’s influence grows uncontrollably, the residents of DeGale may start waiting for the Empire instead of the Royal Family, and that would be catastrophic!”
*
Ah, just as I suspected. I expected it, but here he is actually moving.
[b][Information received from the Empire’s Special Affairs Department suggests that Ross Tanika and the DeGale Royal Family, along with nobility, are in negotiations. It seems they intend to hold some degree of control over our Empire.]
Controlling the Empire. Yes, from a rational perspective, that is entirely understandable.
With Dedorant and Atria falling into the Empire’s hands and even Benito being turned pro-Empire,
if they scattered the Empire’s influence over DeGale, which was on the brink of collapse and starvation,
soon Ross Tanika would follow and they would also become a vassal of the Empire!
They are likely having such nightmares. That’s my prediction, but I might as well call it a certainty.
To be honest, even the Empire doesn’t expect this entirely.
To absorb through warfare and force is one thing, but cultural and political incorporation? That sounds splendid.
So I understood why Ross Tanika wanted to exploit the DeGale Royal Family.
Yet, ‘While rationally that makes sense, emotionally I can never accept that.’
While Ross Tanika moved a mere few tens of thousands, our Empire moved hundreds of thousands.
Is that all? Did they not receive the supplies freely provided by our Empire during their efforts?
Of course, a significant portion of those supplies went to the resistance forces in DeGale, but it’s undeniable that Ross Tanika received their share as well.
Were it not for our Empire, Ross Tanika would have long fallen to Dedorant.
They may claim it was thanks to their dual front strategy, but to be honest, they could have managed without it.
Certainly, our Empire would have faced more damage, and it would have taken longer, but victory was inevitable.
[b]”Waaaah!!”
To crush the plans of such beings in advance, I personally headed to DeGale.
After this, my agenda was obviously to meet with those battling against Dedorant.
Most of them were minor nobles or wealthy landlords with high reputations.
Some higher nobles were present, but nearly all were from that background.
“Conqueror of Dedorant! Liberator of DeGale! Savior! Our messiah!!”
Each step I took through the crowd intensified the cries that represented me.
People begged me to take their hands, hoping I would accept their gifts.
So, smiling warmly to reassure them, I finally faced the leaders of the resistance forces.
“We, the Empire, will never forget that you spilled blood and gave your lives to fight Dedorant.”
“The Empire’s consideration brings me nothing but tears of joy. Back then and now, I feel indebted to you, Chief of Staff. Conqueror of Dedorant, liberator of DeGale!”
DeGale. They will be sustained. They won’t be utterly wrecked like Dedorant.
However, those who had cooperated with Dedorant, those who had fled, would have to pay their price.
So you wish to escape the Empire’s influence? Who do you think you are?
“Soon, support from the Empire for the reconstruction of DeGale will arrive. You have bled for resistance until now, so from here on out, please sweat for the future.”
The Royal Family? They’ll be spared. But their influence is seized.
From now on, DeGale will bow at the slightest gesture from the Empire.