Upon returning to the Empire, the Imperial Citizens waiting welcomed us fervently.
Just like in the East, they shouted "Long live the Empire!" proclaiming an unshakable victory.
Thanks to them, the faces of the 6th and 13th Legion soldiers were filled with Pride.
Although empty spots were visible here and there, they too would receive fitting Rewards.
After finishing the Triumphal Return Ceremony, someone from the Imperial Household Agency came looking for me.
At first, I thought it was just someone from the Imperial Family.
But when I saw his face, I was startled enough to nearly jump.
“Congratulations on the Great Victory, Young Master Kael!”
“Y-Your Excellency, the Minister.”
The Minister of the Imperial Household. A core aide who had served the Emperor since his days as a Prince.
Excluding members of the Imperial Family, he could be considered the highest-ranking official in the Empire's administration.
Recalling the Princess's words, the Emperor was also supposedly very close to him.
“His Majesty the Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing the news of the victory.”
“Th-Thank you. Isn’t all of this because Lunen is watching over the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor? Without that, there’s no way to explain this Great Victory.”
“Hahaha! Of course, that’s true, but His Majesty the Emperor does not believe that is the only reason.”
The superior Morale and Training of the Imperial Legions. The capabilities of the Commanders leading them.
Each time the Minister of the Imperial Household listed such reasons, I nodded eagerly.
Honestly, he was right. The Factors of a Great Victory ultimately depend on the quality of that Military.
“And the scheme of our Military Advisor was also decisive.”
“I merely assisted slightly with a magnificent Scene that was bound to unfold naturally.”
“The more magnificent the Scene, the more a single mistake stands out, Young Master Kael. Finishing that perfect and magnificent Scene without error. That itself is a tremendous ability.”
Such Eloquence, fitting for His Majesty the Emperor’s aide and shadow.
Being praised like this makes it hard to feign modesty any further.
“With this, the entire Empire has once again admired His Majesty the Emperor’s Insight.”
“It seems to be because of the Neomes Region bestowal.”
“Indeed. It wasn't that the opposition was strong, but it wasn't entirely absent either. Although Young Master Kael did achieve great Merits, the treatment was quite unprecedented.”
I admit it. Which Emperor just carves off a piece of Imperial Family Direct Territory like that?
If it were undeveloped. Or perhaps still under development, maybe.
But it had already grown perfectly into a goose laying golden eggs.
Those unconditionally loyal to the Imperial Family. And those focused on their own Factions.
From anyone's perspective, the Neomes Region bestowal was a bit excessive.
Even Father and I had been slightly worried about it.
“Word of Young Master Kael’s Last Stand Formation has already spread throughout the Capital. Ah, not just the Capital. Should I say throughout the Empire?”
“Ugh.”
“Your popularity is especially high in the East. It seems it’s because you already provided the clue to the Great Victory throughout the East campaign.”
“I am merely ashamed.”
“Hahahaha! Saying it like that makes you seem even more formidable!”
Formidable? What are you suddenly talking about, Your Excellency, the Minister?
“Seeing you say you are merely ashamed rather than boasting of your own Merits, it seems you still feel lacking and think there is still more to prove.”
“...?”
No? Not at all? Absolutely not? I want to stop now?
I’m starting to get scared too. What if I make a real mistake?
Everyone seems to regard me as a 'guaranteed winning card,' and it makes me tremble!
“His Majesty the Emperor will also be pleased. That must be why he sent me like this.”
I couldn't say anything to that and could only laugh, hahaha.
The conversation that followed was, well, typically about what comes next.
That after returning from the south and resting for a while, the Emperor would likely summon me.
That in the meantime, an overwhelming flood of Invitation letters would arrive from various Party venues in the Capital.
‘Right. Will I even be able to rest when I get back?’
I know I can't just refuse everything and lie low, however much I want to.
If I had an older brother or sister to inherit the Count Title, maybe.
But since I am the Successor, the broader my connections, the more secure our Family's position becomes.
Of course, I plan to be careful. Getting too cocky leads to big trouble.
The moment the Emperor says 'This punk!', Genius Strategist or not, I'll be split in two.
Having moved around a lot with the Legions, I realize the Power of the Empire even more keenly.
“Ah. And.”
The Minister of the Imperial Household continued, a deep smile playing on his lips.
“Young Master Kael. Do you perhaps remember the Emperor's wine bestowed upon you last time?”
“Eh? Ah, yes. Of course, I remember. How could I forget such a glorious moment?”
“At that time, Young Master Kael said the wine bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor was insufficient for all the Legion soldiers to share, so you suggested pouring it into the river water and drinking together.”
“Th-That did happen. Hahaha.”
Honestly, I was insanely nervous doing that.
What crazy bastard would dare pour the Emperor's bestowed wine straight into the river water?
If the Legion soldiers hadn't responded positively, I would have been instantly confirmed as a madman.
It was fortunate that our Emperor is a good person; what if he had been a Tyrant?
Oho. You dare throw the wine I gave you into the river? You, Purge! That would have been the ending.
Wouldn't a Stalindeth Beam! laser have shot out from the Emperor's index finger?
‘Surely they aren't bringing that up now, are they?’
As I Forcefully suppressed my pounding Heart, the Minister of the Imperial Household held something out.
Wondering what it was, I checked, and holy crap. Good grief. What is this!
“The Eldest son of the Bertier Duchy, Kael Clausewitz, receives His Majesty the Emperor’s will!”
The item the Minister of the Imperial Household offered so politely was almost embarrassing to watch.
Anyone seeing that and asking 'What's this?' should have their Noble status revoked.
It was obviously a Letter from the Emperor. One he had written himself!
Forcefully calming my trembling hands and a Heart that was trembling several times more.
I received the Letter from the Minister and carefully checked its contents.
[ I heard the amount of wine I sent previously was insufficient. ]
“...”
Wow. Starting tense right from the first line.
If not for the following content, I might have just slammed my head on the ground.
[ This time, I shall send plenty so that all the Legion soldiers may drink. Therefore, Young Master Kael. You too shall receive the wine I bestow in a full cup and drink. ]
It seems he was concerned about something else regarding my pouring the wine into the river.
He wanted to understand the hearts of the Legion soldiers, show the Emperor's Heart, and drink together.
If I had known, I would have sent dozens of jars, not just one bottle of Emperor's wine.
Feeling such hidden intentions from the Emperor, I felt grateful without realizing it.
“...I am merely moved to tears by His Majesty the Emperor’s grace, as vast as the rivers and seas.”
As I expressed my gratitude towards the Letter, the Minister of the Imperial Household also bowed his head along with me.
*
From the day the news of the Great Victory in the south arrived, the Capital was in a festive atmosphere.
The belief that the Empire would never be defeated had always existed.
But achieving such Results in a single Battle was truly a rare occurrence after a long time.
Moreover, the opponent was Benito, who dared to defy the Empire first.
Hadn't the Empire pulverized the Military they were so proud of?
Anyone not excited by this couldn't be considered an Imperial Citizen.
Whenever people gathered, they would talk about the news of the Great Southern Victory.
It was no different for the Nobles. Especially since they knew the internal situation better.
The Imperial Legions' performance was amazing, but the story of Kael, who had them deploy the Last Stand Formation, also drew attention.
It was about the young Strategist who set an inescapable trap and waited.
And that protagonist had finally entered the Capital with the Princess.
Immediately after, Kael entered the palace under Imperial Decree.
It was only natural that the Nobles' attention focused on this news.
“Kael Clausewitz of Berthier County has an Audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”
With a faint smile on his lips, the Emperor quietly watched the scene.
Considering the Emperor rarely easily showed Emotion, this was extraordinary.
Thanks to this, the Minister of the Imperial Household, the Guards beside him, and even the Crown Princess couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
“Welcome, Young Master Kael. I regret calling you here without even giving you proper time to rest, as I wanted to commend your Hardship.”
“Not at all. Your humble servant is a Noble of the Empire and of Berthier County, so it is only right to be loyal to the Imperial Family and loyal to the Empire.”
If someone who had achieved nothing spoke like that, it would be unpleasant flattery.
But Kael was different. Considering the Merits he had established, one could only feel more satisfied.
“I have called you here because there are a few matters I wish to discuss.”
Though the Successor to the County, he was technically just an Offspring of a Noble Family.
Yet the absolute ruler of the Empire stated he wished to discuss something with such a person.
It was a statement that would surprise the whole world, but no one gathered there did so.
Because they already knew. What kind of monster that young man was.
The Emperor's party and Kael moved to the conference room.
As everyone took their seats, the Minister of the Imperial Household slowly opened his mouth.
“According to reports received yesterday, a flood has occurred beyond the Empire's eastern Border. Information from informants in Burkheim, stories from the Fohrland side, and reports from the eastern Border Area all concur.”
“How severe is it said to be, Minister?”
“A great flood. That is the appropriate term, Your Majesty. It has been reported that Burkheim, as well as Carden and Fohrland, are struggling with the problem.”
A force beyond human Power. A natural disaster.
Facing that great catastrophe, even Burkheim, once a power in the East, had been shattered into pieces.
“The scale of Damage is.”
“We need detailed reports to know the specifics, but roughly speaking, Burkheim cannot overcome this unprecedented disaster independently. The situations in Carden and Fohrland are also not good.”
At those words, the Emperor went 'Hmm.' and stroked his chin.
A point where the Empire's Superiority could be demonstrated again without even needing to exert force.
Gnaeus, standing beside him, seemed to have roughly grasped this and cautiously requested permission to speak.
“Your Majesty. How about showing the Empire’s Mercy right now?”
“Mercy, you say.”
“In any case, the three kingdoms of the East can no longer pose a threat to the Empire. Therefore, all that remains is to make them perfect collaborators of the Empire. This incident is a very good opportunity for that.”
The Emperor looked at the Crown Princess beside him.
Then the Crown Princess also agreed, saying the First Prince was right this time.
This could provide good Justification for stabilizing the East.
However, she seemed to have more to say but held her tongue.
As if she were curious about someone else's opinion.
“Hmm.”
Finally. The Emperor turned his Gaze towards Kael, seated at the lowest seat.
As if sensing that Gaze, Kael spoke in an extremely cautious voice.
“Your humble servant also agrees.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. However. The time is not yet right.”
Not yet? At Kael’s words, the Emperor’s eyebrows slightly rose.
“You must wait until they ask the Empire themselves. Even if it means greater Damage occurs in the East.”
Kael’s face as he said this looked colder than ever before.