The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 222
Here I am (1)
The war is over.
In the midst of long persecution and intrigue.
The Federal Empire, which had been targeting Esteban for decades, disappeared into the back alleys of history, and the lands of the masterless men were divided into countless pieces without a trace.
In some ways, that might have been an inevitable future.
This is news I found out later, but all the nobles of the Federation Empire were brainwashed by black magic.
So that no matter what the subject of brainwashing does, it cannot be thwarted. So that somehow they can act according to the master’s will.
… … That is the identity of the power that was able to be maintained even after committing countless murders and injustices.
Since it was released after the emperor died, it was only natural that the unity would collapse.
Because of this, the land where the Federal Empire once stood has become virtually a no man’s land.
From nobles who proclaim themselves emperors and expand their territories, to the beckoning of lynxes who surround you from all directions!
It has become a situation where the word division is truly not an exaggeration!
Meanwhile, Esteban was able to take over most of the western part of the old empire, using the castles he had captured in the west as a base.
If you limit it to the West, it may seem small, but if you think about the size of the land that the Federal Empire previously owned, it was extremely vast.
Moreover, since most of that land was a fertile granary, for Esteban it was no different from taking the spoils of war.
But if you ask if it’s just good… … then no, it’s not.
“Your Majesty, this is the size of the territory the kingdom has currently expanded.”
“… … Tsk.”
I received the map handed to me by the Marquis de Vidor.
Then he confirmed it with a half-distorted expression.
“Ugh. Useless.”
“K, K… … !”
The Marquis looked away and pretended not to hear anything.
Esteban’s territory had already grown several times over. Even he thought it was too large.
Of course, it goes without saying that the Marquis himself was in charge of occupying the West.
“I clearly told you to occupy the granary.”
“Father, you definitely said that… … .”
“But no matter how you look at it, this isn’t at a level where it can be called a granary.”
“… … .”
That was the reason for the distorted expression.
The agenda for the State Council has been occupied only with territorial matters for several months now.
Even the news of the occupied territories, which was heard every day, was increasing day by day.
‘… … The desperate thing is that no one knows how much longer this will last.’
Even at this very moment, Esteban’s territory was unintentionally expanding.
But what was even more annoying was that it wasn’t the Marquis’s will either.
“But… … Your Majesty, as you know, there is nothing we can do about it. The people of the surrounding area want to belong to the kingdom, and Esteban cannot ignore that, can he?”
“That’s their business, it’s not my concern.”
My expression suddenly distorted.
Yes. The lands in the west that were initially occupied were limited to extremely reasonable lines.
However, the reason it grew to this extent was because all the nearby territories were consolidated.
The commoners who recaptured Yeongju Castle offered their land as an offering!
After a while, my hand waved around as if it was annoying.
“I have no intention of accepting any more. The royal family no longer has the manpower to manage that vast land.”
“K, K… … !”
“If they come looking for you in the future, send them all back. If they don’t listen, kick them out by force.”
A firm attitude.
At this, the Marquis slowly turned his gaze away and began to make excuses.
“Even so, wouldn’t it be natural to want to belong to Esteban? After all, we won the war against that empire, and the territories we’ve occupied are already beyond the level of a kingdom.”
“… … .”
“In the first place, since they were freed from the tyranny of the Federal Empire, isn’t that a good thing? They can just recruit the talent they lack… … right? Heh heh. Heh heh heh… … .”
But the Marquis’s awkward smile that had continued like that gradually died down.
“… … .”
“… … .”
It was because he noticed my gaze glaring at him.
“Huh, huh huh… … .”
The Marquis took a step back, wiping away the cold sweat that was running down his face.
“Huh, if that is what Your Majesty intends, then there is nothing that can be done… … T, is that so?”
“… … .”
“From now on, I will be a bit more cautious about annexing territories… … .”
“Okay. You can accept them if you want.”
“… …Huh, huh?!”
Is what you heard really true?
The Marquis asked back with a smile on his pale face.
“Excuse me, is that really okay? Are you sure you don’t mind going any further?”
“If that is the will of the nobles, then as a king I cannot help but listen.”
“Oh… … !”
In fact, the nobles wanted to swallow up the entire West.
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The maximum amount of land you can get without losing your way!
It was only natural that national power and dignity would come from the size of the land.
“This is truly good news! The other nobles will also be greatly moved by His Majesty’s decision!”
“That’s right. If you’re done with your business, then you can go back now.”
“I will do so.”
I waved my hand again as if I was annoyed. Then the Marquis turned and started to leave the office.
If only it weren’t for the sudden question that occurred to me.
“Oh, but if you expand your territory further than this, how do you plan to manage it?”
“Manager.”
“Didn’t you clearly say that there was a shortage of manpower?”
“Yes, it was. It definitely was.”
At that moment, the corners of my lips that had been nodding began to rise slightly.
“But it’s okay now. I just thought of a good number.”
“Yes… … That, is that so?”
The Marquis tilted his head in puzzlement.
Good number?
‘It’s about time to start rewarding meritorious deeds… … Will you expand the territories of the nobles?’
That’s because it was hard to even guess what it was.
* * *
Another month passed since then.
The chaos that had been rampant had now subsided, and the goal of uniting the western part of the Federal Empire was nearing completion.
“Wow! The territory has already expanded this much?”
Duke Walter looked at the map the Marquis brought with him with pure admiration.
The increasing size of the territory is also closely related to finances.
Moreover, the land that was now Esteban’s had a special meaning.
“Since most of it is a granary, the amount of food produced there must be enormous. Now, no one will starve in Esteban!”
“Yes. And in the future, you won’t have to worry about finances without relying on Mithril.”
“Haha, that really worked out well.”
The amount of mithril was always limited.
Even though mining could continue for decades to come, as the amount being mined is being regulated, it is not a permanent source of income.
The land, on the other hand, was different.
A vast space. It is a granary known for its fertility, much like the northern part of the former imperial territory.
Even if we just utilize that place, there will be no disruption to the operation of the kingdom.
There was a reason why the Duke was so happy!
“Then I’ll organize the relevant information. I think I’ll be very busy, but why don’t you go and get some rest?”
“Should we do that?”
“Hmm! Haven’t you been so busy these past few months that you wouldn’t have had enough to move around even if you had two bodies? Even at times like this, you shouldn’t take your time and rest.”
“… … Yes, you are right.”
The eyes of the Marquis who answered like that were very sharp.
After all, I haven’t had a single day of rest since the war ended.
‘Whew… … It’s all my greed, so who can I blame?’
Anyway, I can’t just show myself like this and collapse from overwork, right?
I was so tired that I had to take a break.
“Then, I will take the liberty of going back now.”
“We will arrange a time for conversation later when we have the chance.”
The Marquis eventually left the Ministry of Finance with a light heart.
The place he headed to was a private room provided only to high-ranking officials of the royal family.
“Hmm! It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
Squeak!
A nostalgic scent wafts in as soon as you open the door.
Has it already been nearly three years since I started living in the palace?
“… … I see.”
The Marquis’s lips curved gently.
“Familiarity is truly a scary thing. I never thought I would miss this place that is not my territory.”
In fact, when I was appointed as the temporary aide to the First Prince, I had a strong desire to get out of there as soon as possible.
A man who murdered a high-ranking nobleman’s subordinate in the middle of the palace.
No matter what the circumstances were, I had no idea what kind of trouble I would face if I worked under someone like that.
But when did it start?
Why did you fall for that kind of prince?
“When I came to my senses, I realized I was following him.”
Was it because of the upright will to move towards the goal?
At some point, I truly began to follow him.
If you don’t even remember when it happened, it probably just melted away slowly without any particular trigger.
In other words, it could be said that I was fascinated by the charm that the person himself possessed.
It has such a charm that it makes people follow it just by watching it.
“It’s really amazing, huh?”
At that moment, the Marquis, who had been mumbling like that, saw a letter on the desk.
“What is this?”
An antique letter decorated with gold patterns.
Swish-
As I picked it up, a vague memory began to surface from my subconscious.
“… … Where have I seen anything like this?”
Well, I have no idea.
Judging by the accumulated dust, it seems to have arrived about two weeks ago… … .
The Marquis unconsciously broke the seal on the letter and checked its contents.
“W, what is this… … .”
Bam-!
But the letter soon falls down powerlessly.
The content contained within.
-… … Therefore, His Majesty the King was moved by your efforts and loyalty to expand the territory.
– He promised to grant you a new title and estate as soon as he confirmed the letter.
That it was a notice sent to the nobles of the fifth rank who would be given a new rank.
… … It was because I recalled it from a memory from one day.
-The title to be awarded to the Marquis, Lord Taylor Vidor, is Duke.
– In addition, we would like to designate some of the newly annexed eastern territories as principalities and recognize their autonomy.
-Prepare for the winning works in advance to avoid any disruption to the award ceremony.
In short, the workload has increased. And it has doubled.
“Ugh, ugh! Your Majesty!”
The Marquis of Vidor fell to the ground, clutching the back of his neck, at the shocking news that came out of nowhere.
* * *
Gooooo-!
Knights listed in the royal ceremonial hall.
They were the Red Hawk Knights, sharp as sharp swords, but today, their killing spirit was refined and solemn.
“I’m leaving now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
And the one kneeling in front of them is.
It was Brom, the commander of the Fourth Knights.
No, you won’t need to use that name from now on.
“Brahm Respiel.”
“… … !”
When I called out his name, the body of the kneeling man trembled.
Braham, the sole successor to the Duchy of Lespiel.
Finally, the Federal Empire that had ruined the fatherland had collapsed, so it was time to leave this place as promised.
But that was only for a moment.
The guy broke the silence and slowly began to open his mouth.
“Speak, Your Majesty the King of Esteban.”
“Stand up.”
“… … .”
Was that unexpected?
The guy just didn’t move at my voice telling him to stand up.
“Master of the Duchy. You have no reason to kneel before others anymore, and you have no need to be polite to me. Stand up.”
“……All right.”
Clank-
Braham slowly rose from his seat, following the voice that followed.
The expression on the face of the guy I met like that was extremely complex and subtle.
“I’m sure you already know the relevant information, but if you have any questions, please let me know.”
“… … I heard that many things in the principality have changed since it was taken over by the Federal Empire.”
“hmm.”
Information that I never had the heart to look up.
The situation there that I was deliberately ignoring.
“then.”
For a moment, his expression became filled with sadness.
“Is the Duke’s Castle, where my father and I have memories, there?”
Perhaps it seemed as if it was trying to confirm an answer it already knew.
