Benito, once split in two, became one again.
To be precise, we split it in two, but let's move on.
Anyway, from now on, the King of Benito is Savoi I, not Andrea II.
A 'legitimate' blood relative of the Benito royal family whom our Empire found with great 'difficulty'.
“Kael Clausewitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Empire, has an audience with the King of Benito.”
Since the King himself was installed by our Empire, it is practically a vassal state of our Empire.
However, considering the External Gaze, it must formally be a regular kingdom.
I heard the Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also doing its best so that it doesn't openly feel like a vassal state.
In such a situation, having met the Monarch of Benito, I too naturally pay my respects.
Although from Savoi I's perspective, he would think that the one holding his leash has approached.
“Welcome, savior of Benito. Thanks to you, all the people of the Benito kingdom have finally been able to escape the ravages of war.”
And as a bonus, you placed me, who was living quietly and comfortably, in this position.
I felt like his subsequent words could be read from his expression, but I lightly ignored it.
What can I do about it? If you're so resentful, shouldn't you have been born in the Empire like me?
And isn't being a King better than being a mediocre noble? Haha!
“No, Your Majesty. The savior of Benito is not me, but the many nobles and people of Benito who willingly gathered under the flag of justice to overthrow the evil for the sake of Benito.”
“Hahaha.”
“If you wish to bestow acclaim, I ask that you give it to them.”
I can never allow any talk of the Empire being responsible for Benito's current state.
The one who threw the first punch was Benito, and the one who joined hands with Thedorant was also Benito.
On top of that, I have firmly established that it was your nobles who brought down your former King.
Then the nobles mentioned will counter like this.
That since their King was Savoi I, they were not defying the King.
That it was an act done with loyalty, not treachery.
This Political Arena is a truly amazing cesspool.
For that one justification, they cling to their old ways and shun new ones.
What's even more surprising is that in the midst of it all, even I am gradually adapting to it.
“I have a request for the King of Benito.”
“Speak, Commander-in-Chief.”
“Benito is quickly achieving Stability thanks to its many loyal subjects, but many places are still in chaos, so we must unfortunately station the Imperial Army to suppress all those causing unrest. Please grant your permission for that.”
The south of Benito has entirely fallen into the Empire's Grasp, but a part of the north remains.
In addition, in small cities throughout Benito, there are still those who follow Andrea II as King.
Unless all of them are suppressed, the inflammation within Benito will surely not heal.
I demand the right to dispose of those bastards. The act is carried out by the Empire, but the responsibility is shared.
Savoi I will likely have no choice. Since he himself is already in the hands of our Empire.
And he would know that if they are not eliminated, he himself will suffer in the end.
“The Empire will interfere in the affairs of Benito.”
“Not interference, but assistance as an Ally in every way.”
“Assistance. Yes. It is assistance. Very well. Do as the Commander-in-Chief of the Empire wishes.”
I have obtained a consent form from the guardian of the person on the operating table.
Now, all I have to do is remove the Scraps of the former Benito from this body.
Then who will be in charge of that surgery? Will our Empire perform it? No.
“You do not need to worry greatly. Personnel who will manage and supervise to ensure thorough fairness, without favoring the Empire, will come.”
“Personnel are coming? Where are they from?”
“The Gori Kingdom, right next to Benito, as well as people from the surrounding southern kingdoms. And even the Holy Church. They will take care of it.”
The kingdoms near Benito. And the Holy Church. All are places that have suffered subtly, or openly, from Benito.
It means they are by no means individuals who will solely favor Benito.
On top of that, the Holy Church is, on the surface, a kind of neutral country that is unaligned.
From Benito's perspective, they might see it as, 'Ah, those guys have a really bad grudge against us!'
But if the Holy Church merely offers a prayer and declares, 'Ahem. We've forgotten all that. We are followers of God, how could we be swayed by personal feelings,' the situation is resolved.
They themselves claim they will act impartially, so what more can be done?
If they are truly dissatisfied, our Empire could take over, but then it's obvious it would be even more ruthless.
In the end, Benito, whether they like it or not, will be placed under the supervision and surveillance of neighboring countries and the Holy Church.
“When the Organization is complete. What will become of our Benito?”
“A natural course of events. You can enjoy peace and prosperity as a southern kingdom, as before.”
“Under the order of the Empire. Am I correct, my lord?”
“It will be so. Only then will lasting peace and prosperity come, wouldn't it?”
Ah, of course, this is something I'm stating only as the Commander-in-Chief.
It's a top-secret matter, but in fact, we plan to annex a portion of Benito's Territory.
Then, as a reward for their hard work, the key is to cede it to Dregali and Rostanica.
To enjoy peace and prosperity under the Empire's dominion. Those are pleasant words.
But everyone knows. How long will that last? A few decades at most.
After that, further conflict and war will surely break out.
The Empire is considering what comes next.
So that war will occur not between the Empire and other kingdoms, but solely among the kingdoms themselves.
And the Empire can merely observe from afar and assume the role of a righteous mediator at the appropriate time.
What remains is what to do with the territories of Atria and Thedorant.
For now, it's confirmed more than half will be absorbed into the Empire's Territory.
The problem is what remains. If we try to eat it all, we'll definitely get a stomachache.
This, too, I trust our Empire's administration, the experts who are more skilled than I, will handle.
*
“Commander-in-Chief.”
After finishing the meeting with the King of Benito, the adjutant hands me a Communication Device.
“It is Sharlua of Novgorod, in charge of the Atria front. Sir Kaya is also present.”
“They achieved the Merit of bringing down Atria.”
Smiling, I took what the adjutant handed me, returned to my quarters, and activated the Communication Device.
Then, I see my Younger Sister, whom I haven't seen in a while, with her hands on her hips.
[ Oppa. How was I? ]
“Excellent, Kaya. But you're not calling me Commander-in-Chief today?”
[ Oops. I forgot again. Ahem. Commander-in-Chief. What did you think of my performance?! ]
“It was amazing, Sir Kaya. The Count of the Empire and the Countess will also be pleased.”
[ Is the Commander-in-Chief not pleased? ]
“Whatever Merit I have achieved, it is not as pleasing as Sir Kaya's victory.”
[ Hehehe! Ah, um! Hahaha! That's really great! ]
Perhaps because she is next to Sharlua, her speech has a strange mix of Sharlua's way of speaking.
On top of that, she also said she taught her various Military Tactics, so now I'm a little scared.
My Younger Sister is already Lu Bu herself, and now she's merging with Chen Gong?
[ Sir Kaya. Just a moment. Greetings to the Commander-in-Chief. ]
“Sharlua. You've worked hard.”
[ Not at all. On the contrary, Atria charged in so straightforwardly that it was an easy fight. ]
Crazy bastards. This is not some game or a gambling den, and yet they went all or nothing.
[ All that's left now is Thedorant. ]
“What's left is all of Thedorant.”
[ What are you going to do? Are we advancing right away? ]
“I would like to, but Benito and Atria fell into the Empire's Grasp all at once. There's a meeting concerning that, and we need to confirm the grand Strategy, so it seems I'll have to return to the country again.”
[ You're busy. ]
“I'm going back and forth a little too much.”
Still, this seems to be the last time. Next time, we'll be having a meeting about the end of all wars.
[ I'm worried. Unlike Atria, Thedorant seems like it will be quite tough. There's a possibility they've even prepared a defense against the War Wolf. ]
“Still, in the end, they are crumbling, so even if it's hard, it won't be impossible.”
Of course, the human and material Damage would be incomparable to Benito or Atria.
Looking at what those bastards are doing now, it seems they have the Morale to fight to the very last man.
I would hope they were toying with the Surrender card, but it seems unlikely.
There's a common testimony from the Field commanders who fought against the Thedorant Military.
The enemy commanders glisten with madness, as if possessed.
[ I heard that the King of Thedorant was still quite formidable. How about asking for surrender now? ]
“Well. Even if he surrenders, not only he but also the nobles under him will be purged, so I don't know if he'll listen.”
The present Thedorant is, to put it metaphorically, a single venomous snake that has lost its mind.
Its venom is so potent that it tries to bite everything, even its own tail.
If they truly request to surrender, I am willing to show them minimal mercy.
However, if they intend to see it through to the end, the Empire has no choice but to do as it has done so far.
‘They need to be beaten like dust on a rainy day. Historically, that was the medicine.’
*
“…Gruber.”
“Your Majesty.”
“What, what is the meaning of this.”
He had expected the atmosphere to be unusual to some extent.
But he had never imagined they would have gone this mad.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. However, this is all for the sake of this Thedorant and the Theian People.”
“W-what.”
“Your Majesty has now grown weak. The rest will be handled by us. Do not worry. Everything will be done in Your Majesty's Name. And it will be recorded as such. For all eternity.”
Cassius II's body, which had been backing away, simply collapses.
Feeling the life slowly draining from his body, he let out a sigh.
“You, foolish. People….”
“We will struggle to the end. Even if it means using everything we have. The Empire will take nothing from us.”
May you live ten thousand years, Your Majesty.
The dagger held in Gruber's hand was stained with royal blood shortly thereafter.