Chapter 521
Chapter 521: You Can Just Look at the Contract, Right? (1)
“When the civil war ends, the Ruthania Kingdom has to go help other kingdoms. There are still many places that can’t even handle the Rift area.”
“So? You plan to use my power then?”
“There are even countries that got swallowed by the Salvation Society and had their royal families destroyed. It’s a small kingdom, but the important part is it doesn’t have an owner, right?”
In that moment, Amelia realized what Ghislaine wanted from her.
“Leave Ruthania and take over such a place. With your abilities, it should be possible. We’ll support you as promised until things stabilize. That shouldn’t hinder your ambitions, right?”
That made sense. It wasn’t that she desperately wanted Ruthania; it was merely a goal because she was born here.
But thanks to the Salvation Society, she could now expand to other kingdoms.
“Fighting us would only prolong the war unnecessarily. The people want to get rid of the Salvation Society quickly, so there’s no need for us to undermine each other’s reputation.”
“……”
“Even if we don’t fight, it would be uncomfortable for both of us to stay here. We’ve already parted ways.”
“……Get lost.”
From the beginning, the two intended to kill each other. Yet, they had managed to ally several times, simply because the Duke Faction and Salvation Society were so powerful.
Few knew the unwritten details between them. Most people thought they were just uncomfortable because they were jilted engagements.
If the two who had been fighting alongside each other turned to attack one another, the kingdom’s citizens would fall into insecurity again.
Amelia would want to avoid such a situation; after all, she took good care of her territory residents.
In that regard, Amelia and Ghislaine shared one common goal.
“Even if you beat me and take over this kingdom, you will ultimately have to fight against the Salvation Society. Those cockroach-like beings spread all across the continent.”
“Hmmm…….”
Amelia nodded. What she desired was not a world of monsters.
It had to be a world of humans, where she could manifest her will.
But as long as the Salvation Society remained on the continent, she would spend her lifetime on the battlefield instead of achieving her goals. Fighting alone would be an excruciating task.
Ghislaine pointed that out.
“What do you think? We can’t avoid the fight with the Salvation Society anyway. The Allied Forces will take care of the other countries, so your burden will lighten.”
Ghislaine had now grown strong enough to overpower Amelia. Yet, proposing cooperation instead of pushing her away was a tactic because she had to fight against the Salvation Society that spread across the continent.
The Salvation Society would do everything to kill Ghislaine. Now he couldn’t just end the fight whenever he’d like.
Thus, it made sense to gather at least one more capable person. This battle was no longer a power struggle; it had become a fight to protect humanity.
Upon hearing Ghislaine’s sincere words, Amelia twisted her mouth.
“You’re packaging it well, saying you’ll throw me out and use my power.”
“Who said I’d do it for free? Anyway, I’m the head of the Allied Forces now. I can give you a solid justification to expand into other kingdoms. You’ll be provided with enough food as well.”
“Alright, it’s not bad… if you win the civil war, that is.”
“Don’t worry about that. As long as you accept, there is a way to win.”
Amelia had to admit that the method Ghislaine proposed was the best option.
Zvalter was a king supported and respected by many. There was no need to take over a kingdom while risking danger and disgrace.
It was better to ascend to the throne proudly in new lands.
Thus, Amelia accepted Ghislaine’s proposal and decided to join the war.
After the war ended, Amelia muttered with a somewhat relieved expression.
“Finally, I get to leave this wretched kingdom.”
Formally, she would act under the Allied Forces, but now that she had no particular reason, she wouldn’t be spending time with Ghislaine.
There was no need for mutual restraint; they could just fight and win in their respective domains.
Both Ghislaine and Amelia would naturally feel more comfortable that way.
“It doesn’t matter where it is. I can just start again there.”
To create the ideal world she wanted, she needed a strong foundation. First, she would settle in a new place to establish her base, then gradually expand her influence.
Even if it took time, even if it took generations, as long as she steadily moved forward…
“Someday, my will might reach everywhere.”
There was no need to achieve it right now. What was important was to eliminate the Salvation Society and gain the confidence that she would reach her goals.
“Instead, this works out well. I won’t need to waste time and energy clearing out stagnant waters.”
To accomplish her wishes, she inevitably needed to change the kingdom’s system.
The feudal system, where lords governed their territories like kings, was unacceptable. Under such a system, the laws and principles she established would inevitably shake over time.
Ultimately, a strong centralized system was the only way to go. And if it was unoccupied land, creating a new system would be much easier.
She stroked Bastet’s fur and said,
“Bastet, it seems my mission lies in another land. It’ll be tough, but I will never give up. The righteousness of my intentions will eventually be judged by future generations.”
Meow.
For the first time in a long while, Amelia broke into a genuinely comfortable smile.
*
With Amelia’s decision to leave Ruthania, her delicate relationship with Ghislaine came to an end.
With the most significant potential danger resolved, Ghislaine and the royal family were incredibly busy.
They had to stabilize the lives of the people devastated by Berhem’s tyrannical rule while also organizing the military to assist other kingdoms.
After all, wasn’t that why the Allied Forces had come to other countries to sacrifice so much?
“The relief supplies to be sent to various places are ready!”
“The Kingdom Army has also completed the new formation!”
“Food supplies and equipment checks have been finished! We can depart at any time!”
Everyone was preoccupied with stabilizing the lives of the people and preparing for a new war. So no one paid attention to Elena, who had become a princess.
If anything, the only thing that happened was that Ghislaine, impressed by Parniel’s monstrous strength, had created a massive hammer for her—a “Destroyer of Worlds.”
“……Am I really a princess?”
While swinging the hammer during training, Elena suddenly asked Rachel.
“Yes, indeed! You are the only princess of this kingdom.”
Rachel replied with a bright smile. She was incredibly happy that Elena had become a princess.
“What kind of princess is this?! This is not what I imagined! Where is there a sweat-stinking princess like this?!”
Elena’s life hadn’t changed much from before. She had to stay in the barracks and train all day with Rachel.
Ghislaine was so busy that she had thrown them together with the knights to roll around for now.
“Damn it! Why do I have to train all day long?! Either let me enjoy being a princess or send someone to beat up! I’m dying of stress!”
Crash!
As Elena swung the hammer onto the ground, it split open. The knights training around her quickly scrambled away.
Elena and Rachel had not participated in this war. They had only been training in the rear.
Ghislaine judged that it would be difficult for them to kill people yet.
Rachel comforted her, saying,
“It’s fine, we will soon go catch the Cracked Beings, right?”
“Hmph, when we meet, I’ll flatten them all. I’ll make them all pancake flat with this hammer.”
Having rolled around in the barracks, her temper had worsened. It felt wrong to live as an ordinary princess, and she really wanted to smash something.
Skoban, having gained noble status thanks to her recent “achievements” and appointed as the Guard Knight Commander, clicked his tongue at the sight.
“Geez, I thought she wouldn’t turn out like that, but the more I see, the more she’s just like her brother.”
There seemed to be an issue with the bloodline in that family. The Emperor didn’t have such traits, so just whom did she take after?
The late queen had seemed like a really gentle(?) person when he saw her back in the day.
While Elena was grumbling and training, Arel approached and bowed his head.
“Your Highness, it’s almost class time.”
“Oh, umm. Did Baron Haidun arrive?”
Elena suddenly twisted her body and tossed her hair around. She also threw the hammer far away.
“Geez, I completely forgot he was coming. I smell terrible with sweat right now.”
She worried about showing an ugly appearance.
Arel had also received recognition for his deeds and, in a manner similar to his previous life, had been given the baron title, but he was still performing his duties as a knight.
The retainers of Penris still had to fight alongside Ghislaine.
Arel was the highest-rated knight in the fortress capital. His background as the Duke’s disciple was impressive, and he achieved noble status at such a young age.
Moreover, he was handsome and was famous for his impeccable character.
So, it was only natural that every noble girl in the capital was vying for Arel’s attention. Elena didn’t entirely lack such thoughts either.
“He’s younger than me, but so what? Apparently, younger guys are in these days. Not to worry, I’ll protect him.”
Pretending to be coy, Elena buried herself in her own thoughts when Arel smiled at her again and replied,
“Please prepare quickly.”
“Okay.”
As a princess, Elena had many things to learn, including various etiquette.
She had once thrown tantrums and fussed about studying, but that was no longer the case. Because she had Arel to learn alongside.
Ghislaine, attentive to Arel’s education, assigned the kingdom’s best scholars to him.
A princess couldn’t have a lesser teacher, so ultimately both Elena and Rachel would learn with Arel.
Elena followed Arel, her eyes sparkling.
“How could a person like him even exist? That guy was a total delinquent back at my age.”
Arel truly seemed like a knight out of a story. There was no flaw in him. Compared to the Penris knights, who had some issues, he stood out even more.
“If he doesn’t listen later, I’ll just have to overpower him.”
No matter how strong Arel was, he wouldn’t be able to defeat Elena in strength. Preferably, it was also some traits she inherited from her brother.
“Ah, why has my personality suddenly turned so terrible? It’s all because of this training.”
Elena’s dream of becoming an elegant lady was drifting further and further away.
Zvalter was so busy that he could hardly care for his daughter.
“First, we must relieve the suffering people. Don’t spare anything. You must resolve the housing and food issues first. Move quickly.”
Food and shelter were the two most important things for people to live. Once those two things were resolved, they could focus on other tasks.
Thus, the policies of Penris and Perdium always prioritized solving those two issues first.
Following Zvalter’s orders, supplies and materials were dispatched across the kingdom. The resources previously accumulated in Perdium and Penris proved to be a great help.
“Come on, let’s move quickly!”
“The wizards will assist us!”
“We just have to do things as usual!”
Thanks to the roads already laid and the soldiers having been involved in Arrow Delivery to gain experience, the supply of goods proceeded at an astonishing speed.
The lacking administrative power was also quickly secured. Nobles who had left with Ghislaine sent talented individuals to help.
The representatives of such talented people were Rosalyn and Meriel, who also served as the royal treasurer. Thanks to them, the kingdom was stabilizing rapidly.
After a certain level of order was established, Ereness went to find Ghislaine.
“I have dealt with the Duke Faction, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Did I not mention before? I said I would leave to handle personal matters after dealing with the Duke Faction.”
“Ah… That’s right. I remember now.”
Ghislaine awkwardly smiled and nodded. It was impossible to catch Ereness under the pretense of having not properly read the ‘contract’ he had previously written.
“Of course, it doesn’t mean I’ll stop fighting the Salvation Society. Once my business is done, we can fight together again. In any case, thank you for keeping your promise. I will never forget this.”
Ereness spoke with a gentle smile.
As the Elf Great Chief, who valued trust, it was only satisfying that one promise ended satisfactorily for both parties.
“Then, I will take my leave. Let’s meet again when we fight the Salvation Society in the future. I pray that the blessing of the World Tree graces the Ruthania Kingdom.”
Ghislaine, still wearing an awkward smile, glanced at Claude.
Claude, exhausted from overwork and stressed, suddenly brightened his eyes and raised his hand.
“Great Chief! Wait a moment!”
“Why so?”
“You can’t leave now!”
Upon hearing that, Ereness tilted his head. Was there more he needed to do?
“Why can’t I leave? If it’s something urgent, I can help you more before I go.”
“No, it’s not that… There seems to be some misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding?”
Claude scratched his head for a moment, then spoke with an exasperated expression.
“The Great Chief signed a 30-year contract with us. So, where do you think you’re going? Are you planning to break your promise?”
At those words, Ereness stared blankly.
