Beyond the eastern frontier of the Empire lie the three kingdoms: Burkhai, Caden, and Porland.
Just a few years ago, these kingdoms were baring their fangs at the Empire, eager for a fight.
Indeed, they even waged war, each suffering significant losses as a result.
But now? It’s almost laughable how quickly they’ve flipped their allegiances.
To exaggerate a little, they’re pledging loyalty to the Empire as if they were newly minted nobles, eager to curry favor.
The reason for this dramatic shift in the eastern kingdoms? Sure, losing the war played a part. The mercy the Empire showed at the war’s end likely woke them up to their vulnerabilities.
But there’s been another factor too: the recent visit of the Crown Princess to the eastern front. She offered something to each kingdom—restoring lost pride to Burkhai, assuring Caden that they have nothing to fear about being eclipsed, calming Porland’s constant anxiety about losing their newly acquired territory.
For some, it was about pride and justification; for others, stability; and for yet others, the tangible benefits they sorely needed—showcasing the Empire’s might at every turn. And, lo and behold, all three kingdoms came away quite satisfied with their deals.
To top it off, the allied forces the Empire sent to the other side of the continent are doing a grand job, reportedly. They’re being treated on par with the Imperial Legion, earning equal glory alongside them. News of this success further erased any lingering anti-Empire sentiment back east.
“I suppose it’s time to return.”
Having completed her second trip to the east, the Crown Princess returned to the capital. Coincidentally, the First Prince, Gnaius, who had recently returned from the south, was also present.
“Sister. You’ve worked hard.”
“And so have you. So, how did things go in the south?”
“Thanks to my future brother-in-law, it was quite smooth.”
“Hohoho, I see.”
Both the Crown Princess and Gnaius were people of extraordinary eloquence and wit. But even that wasn’t enough—diplomacy is only as good as the strength behind it. The Empire first had to display its overwhelming power, and the one responsible for making that possible was none other than…
“Your Highness Crown Princess. Your Highness Prince. His Majesty has requested your presence.”
“Both of us?”
“Yes, Your Highness Prince.”
The Emperor must’ve already been informed of their return. Yet, summoning them so quickly must mean something urgent has come up.
“To meet with His Majesty.”
Rather than the grand hall, they found themselves in the Emperor’s personal office. As they entered, the Crown Princess and Gnaius noticed a rare thing indeed—a noticeable smile playing on the Emperor’s lips.
This was far from an everyday occurrence. In fact, it was an extremely rare sight, considering the Emperor’s usual restraint when it came to expressing emotions—even in front of his own children. Seeing his smile was about as common as a snowflake landing in summer.
The two exchanged a glance. Sister, something seems off today. I think you’re right.
“Your Majesty looks unusually pleased today.”
“Sister is correct. Could there be some news from the western front?”
Having received the Emperor’s approval, the Crown Princess cautiously brought up the subject. Gnaius followed suit, and the Emperor nodded before presenting a paper.
On it was the report delivered by the General Staff—concise, yet heavy in meaning.
[“Rear Guard Commander Paelus Gusthagen Requests Surrender”]
[“The majority of his troops have expressed willingness to surrender. Only a tiny number resisted or fled”]
For the past year, countless battles had been waged against Dedolant. Naturally, there were prisoners taken on both sides—it wasn’t surprising. But never before had a commander leading tens of thousands of troops surrendered. Either they fought to the d*ath or managed to escape. Now, here was a commander leading a massive force, willingly laying down his arms.
“Your Majesty! What an incredible feat! Dedolant’s morale will take a severe blow from this!”
Sure, losing a battle is bad, but it happens. Surrender? Especially when it’s the commander alongside tens of thousands of soldiers—it’s a completely different story. For the diehards, it was like finally seeing the light they had ignored for so long. And for the ones who had been forcibly rallied, it was the surfacing of a new and deep-seated fear.
Despite endless defeats, Dedolant had always held firm, propped up by something called Deo ethnic pride. But now they may have encountered the one thing that shakes their foundation from the ground up.
“Still, we’ve seen scattered surrenders and a few hundred prisoners at a time, but tens of thousands? And under the command of their own officer? This is the first time we’ve seen such a spectacle.”
“Sister is right. Your Majesty, could you explain the details?”
Unbeknownst to both of them due to their recent travels, the pair hadn’t heard about this development. That’s when the Minister of the Palace quietly stepped forward to provide some context.
“The beginning traces back to a suggestion by our Chief of Staff. The strategy shifted from encirclement and annihilation to just encirclement—forcing Dedolant’s retreat, focusing on their flanks rather than their rearguard, then waging psychological warfare on the ones trapped inside…”
The Minister detailed how popular Dedolant songs were played, followed by an offer for a cease-fire, completely breaking enemy morale. Instead of coercing them to surrender, the Empire allowed them to request it, turning a tactical victory into a strategic—and even moral—victory.
Listening, the Crown Princess couldn’t help but marvel, though a part of her was naturally curious.
“Is Kael really just in his twenties?”
No matter how clever, no matter how brilliant someone may be, doing something extraordinary without the experience or knowledge to back it up is no mean feat. Respect for elders isn’t just out of tradition—it’s because they’ve lived, learned, and grown. Yet watching Kael, it’s as if all conventions are broken.
Rumors say the commander on the other side was quite renowned. How could Kael manipulate the situation as though he was playing with the opponent in the palm of his hand?
“If I tell him this, he’ll likely just laugh it off and say it was good fortune.”
Truly, the Emperor, herself, and indeed everyone in the Empire, were exceedingly fortunate. It was divine favor that such a genius was on their side. Just thinking about what might have happened if he had been born in Dedolant and worked against them made one shiver.
And yet, the biggest stroke of luck belonged to Isabel, her younger sister. Just how did she meet someone like that and get this far with him? Perhaps, a new member of the Imperial Family is in the making.
“Crown Princess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It seems that we need to start contemplating the post-war phase.”
Reconstructing and reordering the Empire post-conflict. The Emperor was looking that far ahead already.
“It might be premature, but considering the current situation, I think some preparatory measures are in order.”
“The Emperor’s foresight has always exceeded our own. The battlefield is already well-handled by capable individuals. Let me take the reins on post-war deliberations.”
“Very well. I trust you completely.”
The Emperor nodded as the Minister handed over a collection of thick tomes and documents. Clearly, these were no ordinary papers.
“What are these?”
“They are records documenting the entire history of our Empire. Crown Princess, as you know, our Empire has officially never recognized the title of Duke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“However, there have been instances where ‘official’ wasn’t officially stated. Dukes have existed from time to time. When was the first occasion?”
After a moment of thought, the Crown Princess recalled a case.
“When the Great Founder married his daughter to Sir Ransom, one of the founding heroes. Following their marriage, Sir Ransom was titled a Duke. There were four more similar instances.”
“And?”
“But Sir Ransom himself, ever the knight, returned the title of Duke before his d*ath, and ever since, the Dukedom was always treated as a one-generation grant, ending with the awardee.”
The Dukedom wasn’t arbitrary—it was only bestowed upon someone directly connected to the royal family, who also achieved a feat no one could dispute.
With that explanation, it was crystal clear what the Emperor was thinking.
“Once the war is over, we must consider the future of the Chief of Staff and the Second Princess. When the Chief of Staff retires from his military post, he’ll need something else to focus on.”
The war might be over, but his incredible talents would still be needed. Moreover, Kael valued loyalty to the Empire highly. Offering a fitting reward and position would ensure his continued service.
“Besides, isn’t that the bare minimum if one marries into the Imperial Family?”
Of course, it was the father’s duty to spoil his son-in-law a little. Bestowing the title of Duke along with the rank of an imperial noble would be quite appropriate. Granting him control over a personal fief under the Empire’s name until his d*ath, when the land would return to the crown, was a prudent move.
As a gift for his triumphant return, this arrangement would be fitting for a son-in-law.
With this thought in mind, the Emperor relaxed, ready to wait for the next victory report, with a contented heart.
