204 Episode 12 Peace





 June.

 A peace treaty between the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Cerda was finally signed.

 The Kingdom of Cerda ceded the region of Teriportania to the Lemurian Empire.
 The Kingdom of Chelda paid reparations to the Lemurian Empire, half of which was to be paid in a lump sum and the other half in five-year installments.
 Mutual non-aggression for five years.
 Mutual non-aggression is renewed one year in advance, in three-year increments.

 That's all.

 So Sonia managed to return to Cerda City.


 "Are you all right, Sonia? Did they do anything to you?

 Hilderick II greeted Sonia as she stepped off the deck.
 Hilderick II greeted Sonia as she stepped off the deck and asked with concern.

 "...... Yes. I'm fine, Your Majesty.

 Sonia replied.
 She then bowed to her father, who was standing behind Hilderick II with an uncomfortable expression on his face.

 I'm sorry for your concern. ...... General Carmine (・・・・・).
 ".......

 I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
 After that, high-ranking generals and bureaucrats who had been captured by the Lemurian Empire came down from the deck and were reunited with their families.





 After a few days of rest, a meeting including Sonia and the others who had been captured was held.
 This was the first meeting after the peace treaty was formally signed and implemented.

 The agenda was to decide on a policy to rebuild the war-torn country.

 Currently, the Kingdom of Cerda was presented with two options.

 One, use the country's power for economic recovery and rebuild the country with at least enough military power to prevent the Lemurian Empire from invading.
 Two, put the country's strength into military power and try to retake the region of Teriportania.

 The former is supported by the Reconstructionists, led by Carmine ......
 The latter was supported by the main war party led by Hoamel.

 The region of Teriportania was an important base of support for Hoamel.
 He had to win it back.

 Of course, the meeting was split in two.

 Now, with the loss of his support base, Hoamel's momentum was waning. ......
 He was opposing Carmine by involving the neutrals who wanted to restore the land.

 And Hilderic II was unable to put an end to the conflict between them.

 "Sonia, what do you think of ......?

 Towards the end of the meeting.
 Hildegard II took the opportunity to ask Sonia, who had remained silent until now.

 Sonia looked lost for a moment, but then ......
 I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

 ...... Teriportania will never return. So there is only one option.

 Sonia's words were met with a momentary gasp.
 This is because Hilderick II, Carmine, Hoamel, and the rest had expected Sonia to insist on restoring the land.

 What do you mean, "Teriportania will not return? Sonia. Does it mean that the Lemurian Empire can't win a war?
 "...... That's one thing. But the people don't want it in the first place.

 No one could understand what Sonia was saying.
 The people who live in Teriportania are originally subjects of the Kingdom of Chelda.

 They don't want to return to the Kingdom of Chellda?
 How can that be?

 "...... What do you mean, Mister Sonia?

 Hoamel asked.
 I'm sure you're not the only one who'd like to go back to Cerda.

 I mean what I say. Five years from now, the people of Teriportania will choose between Lemuria and Cerda.
 "...... Are you talking about the human race?

 Hoamel asks.
 Teriportania has a large human population.

 It's no wonder that the latter is a better place for humans to live than the Kingdom of Cerda and the Empire of Lemuria,.......

 It is true that humans may be attracted to Lemuria. But ...... we have adopted a policy of reconciliation to eliminate the disparity between the warbeast and human races. In fact, there are humans like me here. Isn't that right?

 I don't deny that. But ......

 Sonia narrowed her eyes.

 Is it as far as Lemuria?
 What does ...... that mean?
 In Lemuria, half of the ...... bureaucracy is made up of humans. A large number of human nobles also occupy seats in the senate. Yes, there are human nobles. Are there any human nobles in this country? What is the percentage of humans in the bureaucracy of this country?
 Yes, that's .......

 The policy of reconciliation is no match for Lemuria, which has been pursuing it for hundreds of years.
 If you fight on the same field, you will surely be defeated.

 "......, but you have the warbeasts. Isn't that right, Sonia?



 It was Carmine who said so.
 Carmine is leading the Reconstructionists, ...... but the Reconstructionists are not about to give up on Teriportania completely.
 They want to regain the power of the state and then reclaim Teriportania.

 In other words, the ultimate goal is the same as that of the main war party.

 However, ...... Sonia sounds like she is asking us to give up on Teriportania itself in the first place.
 This is unacceptable to Carmine.

 "Yes, it is. Many of the warbeasts will choose between Lemuria and Cerda.
 ...... You make it sound as if there are some who would choose Lemuria.
 I believe that there are more than a few.

 "I believe there are more than a few," Sonia said, as if to throw him off.
 Everyone frowned.
 There is no way that the people of the warbeast race, let alone the human race, are going to leave.
 That is the consensus of those present.

 The Emperor of Lemuria demanded obedience from the warbeasts in exchange for land and property. Those who chose obedience were protected by Lemuria, and those who refused were killed. I hope you'll still be alive in five years. Those who swear allegiance to the Kingdom of Chellda.

 "Sonia, it's only temporary, isn't it? I don't think they are truly loyal to the Emperor of Lemuria. If we return, ...... they will welcome us with open arms.

 Hilderic II said to himself.

 Shouldn't the Kingdom of Cerda be a better place for the ...... warbeasts than Lemuria?

 "The situation is as you say, Your Majesty.

 The current situation is.
 I'm not sure what to make of that.

 I'm sure you'll be able to understand what Sonia is trying to say.

 It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this. Our rights will be equal to those of the humans, and our wealth will be redistributed.

 The air froze.

 "Those who obeyed the Emperor of Lemuria do not obey him wholeheartedly. But they also do not have a strong allegiance to the Kingdom of Chelda. Five years from now, that will diminish even more. If the treatment will be the same in the end even if you turn against it,......, it is better to follow the stronger side.

 "Sonia! You've bonded with the Emperor of Lemuria!

 Carmine shouted at her.  
 You're tied to the Emperor of Lemuria!

 "I'm just telling you the truth, the truth! Do you know? Do you know that in Lemuria, when a soldier dies, his family is paid a pension? Enough to live on, every year. What about our country? When a soldier dies, they never see him again, not even pay the ransom. Who would risk their life for a country that doesn't even pay ransom for its soldiers?

 A hush fell over the room.
 Sonia sat quietly.

 No one opened their mouths.

 After a few moments of silence, Hilderic II said in a muffled voice.

 "Sonia, are you saying that ...... my policies were all a mistake in the first place?

 Sonia replied coldly.

 I've been saying that since the day you ascended to the throne. Have I misremembered?
 Get out of here!

 Hilderic II shouted.
 Sonia let out a sigh and stood up.

 If it makes you feel any better, we'll leave.

 Sonia then stood up and walked out of the chamber alone.
 Then, in the ...... chill of the air, Hilderic II said.

 The policy is set.

 Carmine and Hoamel's eyes widened.
 Carmine and Hoermel's eyes widened, for it was not often that Hilderic II made a decision on his own.

 If in five years' time the people's hearts are already broken, neither ...... Carmine's plan nor Hoamel's will bring back the region of Teriportania.

 Everyone gulped.
 That means that ...... Hilderic II has decided to abandon the Teriportanian region.

 It was not an "afterthought" like the Reconstructionists.
 He has completely given up on the idea of reclaiming Teriportania.

 ..................
 ............
 ......

 And for a moment, everyone thought.

 "Scrap the peace treaty!

 "......?
 "Your Majesty?

 Carmine and Hoermel's faces tightened.

 "Abrogate the peace treaty! All we have to do now is go to war and get ...... it back! Isn't that right!

 Hilderic II's words rang out.

 "...... my policy was not a mistake. My choice to usurp the throne from my father was the right one. I will prove it! I will not tolerate dissent!





 Then, after desperate persuasion by Carmine and Hoamel, ......
 The peace treaty was annulled and the invasion was to take place not now, but three years later.