novelraw Chapter 75: Directory Government - King of Brothers (1)
Chapter 75: Directory Government - King of Brothers (1)
I left the capital and headed south, rejoining Hassan and the delegation heading to Iberia.
Hassan, of course, said it was fine, citing King Kroxx's will. However, he was quite pleased when I provided a large amount of food through the Aquitaine Company as an apology and a gift.
Anyway, as it's a diplomatic relationship, it's not good to be too indebted.
As before, our procession took a brief rest in Toulouse, the former territory of Lafayette, passed through the southern gate, and entered the Iberian Peninsula.
As soon as we passed through the mountains, we were faced with intensely hot and dry air under the scorching sun.
“……It's hot.”
“It's summer.”
Hassan replied as if he was very used to it, but for me, unaccustomed to this climate, it was suffocating.
If I had known this would happen, I should have gotten myself one of those artifacts that I gifted to Eris.
The dry, cracked brown earth stretched endlessly with scattered mountains and rolling hills, creating shimmering heat hazes from the sunlight.I fully understand why this land is called the Wastelands. I understand well why they wanted to trade food with us.
There's almost no chance of farming being successful in this area.
“Is the entire peninsula like this?”
“Not entirely, Marquis. The northern region is mostly like this, but the coast is a bit better, and the south has some land that is quite suitable for farming.”
And Porto controls that southern part.
“Besides that, independent farming is steadily taking place. Fishing has also developed along the coast.”
“I see.”
I nodded to Hassan and glanced back, looking at Gaston, who was following us from a distance, and Shandra, who was sticking to him and constantly talking.
“Hmm…….”
Gaston is also having a hard time. Why is she bothering the poor knight?
Hassan coughed, noticing my gaze.
“It's probably because she's never seen someone who defeated her so completely. She's still immature……”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Hassan, who said this.
Shandra said she was twenty-three, a year older than Gaston and me.
And Hassan, Shandra's brother, is twenty-six.
But because of Hassan's overly mature looks, he looks like a father worried about his immature daughter.
Hassan also realized what I was thinking from my expression and soon coughed.
“Anyway, now that you have become the commander-in-chief of the Francia's revolutionary army, the King is preparing a reception befitting that status.”
“That's very kind of him.”
I said that, but glanced at Gaston.
With my appointment as commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army and the revocation of Raphael Valliant's position, the commander positions for the Northern and Southern Armies also became vacant.
The dismissed Northern Army commanders are under investigation or trial, making them unavailable. Therefore, Louis Desaix, who has extensive experience with the Northern Army, was appointed as its commander.
The problem is the Southern Army.
I wanted to leave it to Gaston, but…….
-I apologize, Marquis, but the position of commander is too much for me, as I have never received formal military training. Besides, I want to serve you as a knight. Count Millbeau, who has experience commanding an army, would be more suitable.
Gaston himself said so and refused.
His loyalty and humility are admirable, but Damien De Millbeau....
Considering position and performance, Gaston is the most suitable candidate. However, beyond ability, trust is essential for the commander position.
I was hesitant, but surprisingly, Christine vouched for Damien, assuring me that he would be a suitable commander for the Southern Army.
At first, Christine didn't like Damien, saying that he was untrustworthy. Maybe it's because he successfully held back the Northern Army in the border area during the recent coup suppression…….
I frowned, recalling Damien's excessive delight and flattery towards me and Christine.
……Could it be that he secretly made a move on Christine and won her over without my knowledge?
No, what am I thinking?
“We have arrived, Marquis.”
Fortunately, Hassan interrupted my idle thoughts.
“This is Dilrus, which our king has made the capital of the Kingdom of Brothers.”
I looked at the city far off on the horizon.
It's not yet comparable to Lumiere.
Still, I could clearly discern the shape of a proper city, centered around a substantial fortress.
“Interesting. A large fortress in the middle of such a barren continent.”
“Hahaha, the tribe that originally occupied this area had a fairly profitable mine, and the chieftain, who had a desire for ostentation, spent a long time building it.”
“But now it belongs to you?”
Hassan grinned and replied.
“That's right. Isn't it too much for someone who received the blessing of the Earth God, but instead of returning the blessing to his tribesmen, he exploited them and only filled his own belly?”
“Certainly.”
I see a river flowing alongside the road, with farmland established in the surrounding area.
“It seems that they are also farming near the river.”
“Yes, Marquis. We cannot rely on hunting forever, so we are trying various things. Where it is easy to get water, we grow wheat and barley, and in relatively cooler places, we grow potatoes.”
Quite, systematic.
“Was it always like this?”
“Originally, it was done on a small scale by each tribe. But King Kroxx is promoting it nationally.”
“I see. That's admirable.”
The council secretly considered controlling them by holding their food supply, but they are also taking self-help measures.
Even if they rely on us now, if they unify with the relatively fertile south, we might only provoke resentment if we try to control them clumsily.
Our procession crossed the river and finally entered the city.
Orcs, goblins, humans, and even a few beastmen can be seen.
A mixed army of various races, armed with spears and standing in formation, guards both sides of the road. Curious civilians watch from behind.
The buildings are rough and simple, unlike ours, yet, a decent city is unfolding.
The National Assembly should see this.
Who would call them barbarians? Their own civilization is clearly blossoming here.
Our procession finally passed through the city's long road and entered the central fortress.
There is no huge palace, only a fortress that serves as a fortress.
And as we entered through the ramparts, hundreds of orcs, over two meters tall, were waiting.
Thud.
The huge orcs raised their spears all at once, striking them down with a thunderous roar.
Are those well-built orcs a kind of guards?
Throughout our party's entry into the fortress, the orcs repeatedly raise and lower their spears.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Every time their spears hit the ground, a sound bigger than a drum reverberates, and the ground vibrates, noticeable even on horseback.
I glanced back and saw that many of our delegation were quite overwhelmed and pale.
It's a barbaric performance in a way, but it might be quite effective.
And finally, we met Kroxx.
He came out alone without any attendants, and he didn't show off the authority of looking down like human kings.
There is no crown, no fancy clothes, wearing the same leather boots and pants as when we first met, his upper body bare.
Nevertheless, Kroxx, with his huge, scarred body and spirit, gives off enough pressure to be the King of the Wastelands.
"Al-ardho!"
"Akbar!"
When Kroxx led with their language, the ground-striking orcs raised their spears and responded with a thunderous roar.
The orcs struck their raised spears on the ground again, causing vibrations, yet Kroxx's voice did not yield.
“Kroxx, the King of Brothers, welcomes the delegation of the Francia Republic, who have traveled far!”
I chuckled at the sight of the surprised delegates.
He's still the same.
Kroxx also knew what I was thinking, and shouted with a laugh.
“May this meeting, under the watchful eye of our God, lead to a long friendship!”
*
Having unpacked at the accommodation prepared by King Kroxx, we signed the treaty almost immediately.
Hassan and our delegation discussed matters as per the National Assembly's will. I expected a lengthy coordination, but Kroxx simply listened to Hassan's explanation, glanced at the treaty, and signed it.
Whether due to trust in Hassan or mere boldness, we attended a banquet that combined a welcome and celebration of the treaty signing, thanks to the king's surprisingly swift approval.
A banquet hall echoed with cheerful drums and flutes, contrasting sharply with the calm stringed instruments we usually associate with such events.
They don't have a culture of drinking alcohol, and when I asked why, they said it was for religious reasons.
I found it unexpected, as Kroxx hadn't displayed any fanaticism. Kroxx's answer was this,
-Actually, it's an excuse, drinking alcohol causes muscle loss.
I was convinced by Kroxx's lively, wriggling muscles.
“Hahaha, I'm glad it was processed quickly!”
Kroxx lifted a relatively small cup in his hand, twice the size of mine, and gulped down their fruit-based drink.
I tasted it as well; it wasn't intoxicating but had a pleasant sweetness. Christine probably wouldn't like it, but Eris would love it.
“It's all thanks to King Kroxx's willingness to accept.”
I was also in good spirits. Grain exports would give the civilian economy some breathing room, and their precious metals and minerals would be useful for revitalizing Francia's economy.
Furthermore, mithril would serve as a trading material with the Kingdom of Alps, who had refused us, citing a lack of trading goods. Above all, we had secured our first ally against the demons.
However, Kroxx looked dissatisfied with my answer.
“Why are you being formal now? You weren't like that at first.”
“It means that the Francia Republic respects King Kroxx as an important ally.”
Then, he was the barbarian king of a potential enemy; now, he is the king of our true ally.
Kroxx snorted and stood up.
What is this orc trying to do?
“Hassan!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Hassan had been speaking with delegation members moments before, but at Kroxx's shout, he jumped up and answered.
“Announce!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Kroxx, having shouted without explanation, began to speak upon hearing Hassan's answer.
“I, Kroxx, King of Brothers, am overjoyed to have reached this point beyond mutual distrust! Let all our brothers and the Francia Republic know that Marquis Lafayette was instrumental in this diplomatic relationship!”
Kroxx spoke in our language, with a southern accent, while Hassan translated into their language.
“To commemorate this achievement and symbolize future friendship, I want to make Marquis Pierre de Lafayette my sworn brother. Will you accept?”
Kroxx shouted vigorously and held out his hand to me, but I was taken aback by the sudden event.
What does that brother mean?
They said they were a brother nation, so is it some kind of honorary citizen?
Can I accept something like that without consulting my home country?
While I was thinking about that, Hassan, who was interpreting, stiffened with wide eyes.
Neither I nor the Francia side understood what was going on, but Hassan, who belatedly translated the words, approached me and said.
“We serve the king as brothers, but we do not call the king brother. Now the king is saying that he will treat you as an equal.”
Equal to the king? So suddenly?
No, I can't refuse something like this and ruin Kroxx's face.
We went through so much trouble to establish diplomatic relations, and I couldn't risk making it seem like I didn't want to be brothers with a barbarian.
I almost let out a hollow laugh, but soon reached out and shook Kroxx's hand, which was so large it seemed to swallow mine.
If that's his taste, I'll go along with it.
“It's an honor, King Kroxx.”
“Hahahaha! Good, Pierre de Lafayette! You are now my brother! All our brothers will treat him as they treat me!”
The others also appeared quite embarrassed when they heard Hassan's translation, but soon they all responded and bowed their heads.
This is so overly enthusiastic that I can't get used to it.
“Aren't you being too enthusiastic?”
“Do you treat your brothers so formally?”
“……Noble families usually do, but. If you don't want that, I'll treat you comfortably, King Kroxx.”
"I like your frankness!"
Kroxx slapped my back with his big hand, grabbed the meat in front of him, tore it off, chewed and swallowed it, and then opened his mouth.
“So, brother.”
“?”
“We're leaving for the battlefield tomorrow, do you want to join us as the king's brother?”
“……What?”
Did I hear that wrong? What did he ask the representative of a foreign delegation to do?
“We are leaving tomorrow to fight the vile traitors, and I have invited you to join us on that glorious battlefield. Our brothers are also very interested in you! Hahaha!”
……Could that be the reason for the same-day treaty signing?
I sighed lightly at this overly enthusiastic brother I made today.
Suddenly, I wonder if it was a mistake to go along with his taste.