How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 13: Chapter 15

After Story 2: Waves -new chapter-

End of the 2nd month, 1549th year, Continental Calendar Imperial Capital, Valois

Empress Maria Euphoria was standing in front of a Jewel Voice Broadcast jewel. The simple receiver placed nearby showed the image of King Souma A. Elfrieden of the Kingdom of Friedonia.

King Souma, first, allow me to congratulate you, Maria said, lowering her head slightly to him. I hear you put down a great monster in the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago. I bow my head to you.

No, no, it was only possible with the Empires assistance. Thanks to you spreading word of the danger posed by the Kingdom, the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelagos islands unified, and we were able to pull them into a final showdown with Ooyamizuchi. You have my gratitude, Souma said, bowing his head.

Maria smiled. Jeanne was sulking about that, you know? She said things like If they were sending their fleet to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago to slay a monster, I wish they would have told me so, and I look like a fool for suggesting they were going to invade.

During the negotiations in Zem, unlike her sister Maria, Jeanne had been furious about her inability to discern Soumas intentions from the limited information available. Though, her anger had been directed more at herself than at Souma and his party. Obviously, the reason things turned out that way wasnt because Jeanne was lacking, but because Maria was just that incredible.

There was just... no way I could have told you at that point. I needed to set the Kingdom up as a potential enemy. If the information leaked, all of the preparation that the Nine-Headed Dragon King and I did would have been for nothing. In that sense, Im really grateful that you picked up on what was happening.

Hee hee, do you think I was able to show my dignity as the big sister? I know Jeanne sulked about it at the time, though. If I recall, Sir Hakuya had to console her, didnt he?

In that case, Ill tell Hakuya to let Madam Jeanne air her complaints to him again in the future.

Please do.

Maria decided to move on and change the topic.

Setting that all aside, I want to hear about this Ooyamizuchi that attacked the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago. They say it was as big as a mountain. It sounds almost like a monster out of the storybooks. What was it like in reality? Id love to hear.

Ah, ha ha... Thats true, huh? Ooyamizuchi was...

Marias eyes shone like those of a little girl asking to be read a picture book. Smiling wryly, Souma described what he had seen of Ooyamizuchi, and related the story of how it confounded the Kingdom and Archipelago Unions fleets in battle. Maria listened intently with childlike reactions of awe as she heard how the creature shot water from its mouth to capsize several ships, and slapped ships and wyvern cavalry down with its writhing tentacles.

Whew. Maria put her hand to her cheeks and exhaled. Its a big world out there. I never imagined there was a creature like that. Dangerous and gargantuan... I believe your word for them was kaiju, Sir Souma? I know this must have all been a lot of trouble for you, but I wish I could have seen it before it was slain.

...I can relate. It felt like I was witnessing one of the wonders of this world. I think Ichiha will be compiling an illustrated report for the encyclopedia soon, so Ill have it sent to you when its finished.

Ill be looking forward to it. Maria smiled happily. Seeing her like this, she was like a cheerful woman you might find anywhere. Though, beauty like hers was anything but commonplace. While were on the subject, our informants tell me that you used an island-like ship, and controlled a mechanical dragon. Id love to see those as well.

Maria brought these things up like it was a casual extension of the previous conversation, but Souma stiffened the moment he heard her. Hiryuu and Mechadra, eh? he thought.Those were weapons the Kingdom didnt want to fully open up about yet. Having used them as bombastically as he had, hed been prepared for other countries to find out about them in time, but counted on the Empireor Maria, ratherto be on top of gathering intelligence.

Souma slumped his shoulders in resignation. ...Those are still secret. Theyre our tiger cubs, you could say.

Oh, you raise tigers, Sir Souma?

No, Fuugas the one with a tiger. Its a figure of speech from the world I came from... It means a secret weapon.

A secret weapon, hm? Sounds exciting. It certainly has our navy feeling antsy, though.

Antsy... you say? Souma asked, and Maria let out a faint laugh.

You used wyvern cavalry at sea, didnt you? Now, Im no expert on naval combat, but judging by how the navy is panicking, I have to assume its revolutionary. Theyve been busily coming up with countermeasures like, We must load anti-air repeating bolt throwers on all our ships at once!

Against a crazy weapon like an island-type carrier, that was likely the only thing they could do at the moment.

They would think that, huh...? Souma replied, awkwardly scratching his cheek. Well, if they do come up with countermeasures, well just counter their countermeasures.

Im sure you will. I can believe the Kingdom wont suddenly invade my country, but the people who serve me dont have that luxury. If working on countermeasures helps put them at ease, I think thats fine.

Yes. I dont intend to use them to invade other countries, obviously, but I think our country needs to have its military equipment prepared so that we can respond to the predicted change in the situation up north.

...This is about Sir Fuuga Haan, right? Maria stopped smiling and looked at Souma. He nodded.

Hes been increasing the territory under his control by steadily carving land off the Demon Lords Domain. He lets the refugees return, while also becoming their protector. More and more people have been praising him for his great accomplishments.

I am aware. I have a number of my retainers urging me to retake land from the Demon Lords Domain as well. They worry that Sir Fuugas actions will shake peoples impression of me as a saint, and that it would be terrible if that happened.

...I sense youre not enthusiastic about this.

The Empire is already too large for me to manage, Maria said with a slight laugh at her own expense. It would only be more territory I couldnt oversee.

I understand the feeling, but... will that satisfy your retainers?

Unlike in the Kingdom, where there were many talented personnel working to support the country, Marias charisma was a major factor in how the Gran Chaos Empire controlled its vast domain. Her retainers must have been concerned that some of that charisma might fade. Thats why it wont be easy to convince them... Souma thought.

Maria lowered her eyes and quietly replied, If I cant satisfy them, then it just means I was never that special.

Souma didnt know what to say. Maybe it was the weight of what she carried on her shoulders, but Maria had an air of enlightenment about her that belied her age.

Then, as if to wipe all the doom and gloom away, Maria clapped her hands. Come to think of it, I heard something about you forming a maritime alliance with the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union.

...You do hear a lot of things. I plan to bring it to the Republic, too.

Oh, goodness, and youre not going to offer it to my country? Maria said mischievously, and Souma shrugged his shoulders.

Youre saying that knowing the Empire cant join, right? If we were to add the chief signatory of the Mankind Declaration to the maritime alliance, it would be thought of as a practical extension of the Declaration. In order to keep our strong ties a secret, we cant let the Empire join, yet.

Not yet... you say. I expected that, but its still unfortunate. If possible, I would have liked for you to become the leader of all the nations of mankind, Sir Souma.

...Please, dont push the Empires load off onto me. Souma sighed, then looked at Maria with a serious expression. The maritime alliance was organized to be a different framework from the Mankind Declaration, which is primarily based on land. If we let them think of it as another faction in opposition to the Empire, then third nations wont be as wary.

Yes. I understand that.

Besides, even if were in different factions, I think the Kingdom and Empire can still work together when we need to, and wield considerable power.

Thats true. I suppose its all the more reason I need to maintain the Mankind Declaration. Maria nodded to herself.

What is the scale of the Mankind Declaration at this point? Souma asked her. I know were partially at fault for this, but... I suspect you lost some members after we annexed the Principality of Amidonia. Has that affected your influence in any way?

Hee hee, you dont need to be concerned. Its true that with the Principality of Amidonias withdrawal, the Declarations membership was reduced to my country and its two vassals, Mercenary State Zem, and a number of countries in the Union of Eastern Nations, Maria said without sounding concerned. However, during the demon wave, you sent reinforcements to the Union of Eastern Nations at the request of the Empire. That was interpreted as the Kingdom of Friedonia recognizing the validity of the Mankind Declaration even if you wont join it yourselves. Its helped guarantee my position as the leader of the alliance.

...I see. Im glad to have been of service, then.

Yes, Im glad, too.

Then we both laughed.

Once she was done, Maria said, But with two large camps having formed like this, its likely to confuse the countries that belong to neither of our factions. I dont expect it to affect the Spirit Kingdom of Garlan or the Nothung Dragon Knight Kingdom because of their closed-off nature, but theres the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State, the countries in the Union of Eastern Nations that arent part of the Mankind Declaration, and...

And Malmkhitan, which is expanding its influence under Fuuga. Souma finished her thought.

Yes. It will shake those countries.

Which would they side with? Or would they side with neither? If they wanted to stay independent of both, they would need to build up the strength to make that possible. They would shake under the influence of many crossed intentions.

Souma let out a little sigh. That us remaining cautious of Fuugas actions and preparing ourselves might be what stimulates him to act... is awfully ironic.

Maria silently nodded in agreement.

At the same time, in a dry region of the north...

On this day, the forces of Malmkhitan led by Fuuga had retaken a walled city. The city had prospered thanks to an oasis that sat in the center. The walls were a little on the low side, so they may have served less to protect against attackers and more to keep out sandstorms on windy days. Fuuga and his men had swept away the monsters infesting the city in no time. The battle to retake it had been less of a siege and more of an extermination of some monsters that wandered into the abandoned houses.

As Fuuga had predicted, it seemed the demons who had broken the combined power of mankind were only deep inside the Demon Lords Domain. His forces had already retaken a number of cities and villages of this scale before now. They would settle the refugees that wanted to remain in the towns and villages, then, after securing their supply lines to the Union of Eastern Nations, would head for the next settlement to repeat the process. This resulted in a rather relaxed march.

Though they had taken back land that was part of the Demon Lords Domain, they didnt so much control the territory as points inside it, connected by supply lines. These cities and villages were in no state to support themselves yet, and Fuuga and his men had to use some of their own numbers to guard the supply lines, so they were under the protection of Malmkhitan. The highly mobile temsbock cavalry were vital to supporting these supply lines. Because of all of this, you could see the recaptured cities and villages as being effectively under Fuugas control.

...Whew.

Fuuga was sitting on the edge of the walls of one such recaptured city, looking at the evening sky. By now, they would no doubt be preparing a feast near the oasis to celebrate retaking the city. Fuuga was the leading actor in the reconquest, but he found himself exhausted with constantly being surrounded by people lately. He didnt see his comrades as a nuisance, but sometimes he wanted a quiet place where he could relax on his own.

Is this where youve been, Lord Fuuga?

...Oh, its you, Mutsumi, he replied to her.

It worries your followers when you wander off like this, Mutsumi complained as she sat next to him, and Fuuga scratched his head.

Even I want some time to myself.

Oh, my. Should I have left you alone then?

Youre different. Having you at my side helps me relax... Mind if I borrow your thigh?

Go ahead.

Fuuga removed his helmet and lay down, resting his head on Mutsumis thigh.

Its pretty tough living up to other peoples expectations, huh?

Because you always go beyond what anyone imagines, Lord Fuuga. It must be difficult, seeing how large their expectations grow.

...Could you talk normal when were alone?

Oh, are you sure? I quite enjoy acting like a virtuous wife. Mutsumi stroked Fuugas slightly spiky hair with a chuckle.

When his followers couldnt see them, Mutsumi spoke more casually with Fuuga. She was an important figure who he could just be himself with.

Your followers respectfully refer to me as My Lady. They bow when I pass, too. It makes me feel like Ive become the queen of some great country.

Thats bound to happen eventually.

You sure are confident. Thats one of your strong points, though.

Im more than just talk. Malmkhitan is growing bigger by the day. Fuuga pulled a book from the bag sitting next to them. ...Well, its a bit upsetting that whats supporting Malmkhitans control is this book that Souma sent us. It makes me feel like I owe him.

The Monster Encyclopedia, right?

The book Fuuga was holding was co-authored by Mutsumis younger brother Ichiha Chima, and Prime Minister Hakuya of the Kingdom of Friedonia. Souma and Maria suspected that demons and monsters were different. Because of that, Souma had made the contents of this encyclopedia public, and was working to spread it so that countries neighboring the Demon Lords Domain wouldnt conflate the two when they made contact with them. In particular, hed sent a copy to the Gran Chaos Empire, Malmkhitan, and the Kingdom of Lastania where Julius was.

Fuuga grunted as he flipped through the Monster Encyclopedia. It sure is well put together, though. With this book, we dont have to just rely on supply lines to the cities weve retaken; were also able to collect edible meat and usable components from the monsters we kill.

Because this was the Demon Lords Domain, it was swarming with monsters that needed to be hunted to protect the supply lines. Thanks to being able to obtain food and components, merchants who wanted monster components sent adventurers along the supply lines, and it was providing a precious source of resources and funding to restore the recaptured cities to their former lifestyles. Basically, it was no exaggeration to say that Fuugas territory was being supported by the encyclopedia.

I was surprised to hear this thing was written by that little brother of yours who Souma took back with him.

Me, too. I thought he saw things differently from other people, but not even I, his sister, suspected he had a gift like this. Hee hee, Father must be beside himself with frustration right about now.

Souma had made the Monster Encyclopedia public to accomplish a larger goal, but he could have made a fortune selling the information it contained piecemeal. In other words, Ichiha, who many had assumed was the only one of the siblings with no talent, had in fact been a golden goose. Duke Chima would be mortified to know hed let it get awayeven if hed never have discovered the boys gift himself.

Even once he graduates, I doubt Ichiha will return to the Duchy of Chima. Im sure hell be happier that way, too.

When she said that, Fuuga roared with laughter.

Ill give the kid a warm welcome if he comes to us. Though, if hes with someone wholl publish this information instead of hiding it, then thats good enough. But still... Soumas eye for people is scary. Fuugas smile vanished and his expression grew serious. Its like he sees things I cant.

Thats true. As a sister, Im grateful to him for accurately assessing Ichihas value.

Hey now, youre my wife, okay?

Yes, but Im also Ichihas sister.

Sigh... Yeah, I just get the feeling me and Souma arent gonna get along.

In the same way that Souma was wary of Fuuga, Fuuga was cautious of something he found inscrutable about Souma.

...Just the other day, I got a report from Yuriga on what Soumas been up to.

And what has he been doing?

Apparently, he sent a fleet to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago, Fuuga replied.

Mutsumi blinked. You mean the Kingdom went to war with the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago?

Nah, thats not it. It sounds like the reason he sent the fleet was so they could cooperate with the Archipelago Union to slay some massive monster. She says it was the size of a mountain.

...To slay a monster? It wasnt a war, then.

Yeah. The Kingdom didnt seize so much as a single island. You think a guy like himd work for free like that? Then there was that island-like ship and mechanical dragon in Yurigas report, too. She didnt see the mechanical dragon herself, but there were rumors. Honestly... I dont get any of this.

Fuuga let out a big yawn.

Malmkhitan is a steppe country. Id never seen the sea until just recently. I thought that was fine. My goal was to make Malmkhitan strong enough to become the dominant power on this continent, thats why I didnt take an interest in the world beyond, but... if Souma is actively going out to sea, that got my attention. Well, not that it makes a difference. We dont know anything about the sea. Im not interested, either.

As Souma had hoped, Fuuga didnt place much importance on naval activity. He might think it was suspicious that Souma was striking out to sea, but the countries of the continent were connected by land, so he figured a superior army would let him dominate the continent.

Fuuga reached towards the sky, forming his hand into a fist, and said, I believe the ones who can run around this land the best will rule this era. Thats why Ill use all my strength to run as far as I can.

Yes. Thats why everyone follows you. Myself included, of course.

Damn straight! ...But, well, let me rest a bit for now, would you?

And so, with his head resting on Mutsumis thigh, Fuuga closed his eyes.