Surrender And Armistice

The fact that the war had ended soon swept across the entire Polia Kingdom. Even if they were not one of the belligerents, they had always carried anxiety about an unprecedented Great War.

It had been a horrific spectacle in which, in a war where tens of millions collided, such a vast number of people died that it could be said they were ground down—so it could not help but breed unease and fear in everyone.

But now that such a war had ended, people had no choice but to cheer. The end of war would soon become a new beginning, and many believed it would surely grant humanity a brilliant future.

「The Doicheun Empire’s surrender!」

「As of August 7, the Emperor of the Doicheun Empire has finally declared surrender!」

「The Allied Forces, now the victors! Having accepted the surrender, they will soon hold a signing ceremony to formalize the end of the war.」

「The Allied Forces burdened with enormous debt! Attention is focused on how much, and by what method, reparations will be assessed.」

「Will the Polia Kingdom be able to collect debts from the defeated Doicheun Empire?」

「The Polia royal palace has been holding meetings day after day as it agonizes over its next move? What choice will His Highness Ian make?」

「A large number of officers and soldiers from the Polia Kingdom who joined the Great War as volunteers for a greater cause are returning home? Are they criminals of this war—or are they victims?」

「While this is not an exact statistic, the number of troops on both sides who have died as sacrifices in the Great War so far appears to exceed roughly fifty million. If you include the wounded, the damage would be on the order of eighty million.」

Newspapers and radio alike had been talking day after day about the war coming to an end. Some people were pleased, and some were not. In particular, those who had enjoyed massive wartime windfalls could not help but feel deep regret that the war had ended.

Meanwhile, in line with the Polia Kingdom’s moves—having already adjusted in advance to curb the buildup of surplus munitions—the quantity produced remained considerable, but by cutting output to one-tenth of last year’s level, it had greatly reduced the damage to companies producing war materiel.

If they had produced blindly this year as well, they would have suffered enormous losses with piled-up inventory they could do nothing with—but in any case, the damage from this course of action was drastically reduced by having the royal family purchase the surplus in the kingdom’s name.

They planned to store the remaining weapons and ammunition separately in armories as a precaution against any potential contingencies. Amid these measures, the Polia Kingdom had gradually decided how it would proceed after the armistice.

“Then, unlike other countries, we are saying we will grant them a repayment period extended to nearly fifty years.”

At the chancellor’s words, Ian nodded. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed difficult to extract debt repayment from the Doicheun Empire.

“Given the excessive reparations imposed on them, would they even have the capacity to repay what they owe us? So giving them ample time and letting them repay slowly is the only way to recover all of it, is it not?”

“That is true, but would it not be too much of a loss on our side?”

Along with the chancellor, many ministers showed similar feelings. At that, Ian spoke as if it were fine.

“Do the empires within the Allied Forces not also have many debts to collect? To repay their own debts, they will have to squeeze the Doicheun Empire—and if that happens, we will instead be able to recover large debts from the Noma Empire and the Moria Empire without souring relations.”

“Oh, certainly. Those two empires can, through the mechanism of reparations, collect the money owed to us on our behalf.”

“Precisely. This becomes a way for us to collect our debts without lifting a finger.”

“Truly remarkable. How did you ever think of such a thing? Ha ha.”

At the chancellor and ministers’ admiring remarks, Ian spoke with the thought that anyone could do it.

“It is not so remarkable. Is it not something one can think of simply by casting aside immediate greed?”

“Casting aside greed is the difficult part. If Your Majesty had not said this, we would have tried every means to force them to repay.”

They might even have chosen the path of pressure by mobilizing naval power. Naturally, that was something Ian could not accept. Though relations with the Doicheun Empire had soured greatly because of the previous war, it was still a counterpart with whom they would need to keep trading and grow closer to some extent.

‘Of course, we should also consider the timing to cut ties outright in preparation for another Great War that might erupt later.’

“There are many things to gain from the Doicheun Empire going forward. Even if we allow them to repay the overall debt slowly, we will still apply a certain degree of pressure and demand various technologies so that they repay as much of it as possible quickly.”

Everyone nodded at Ian’s words. In truth, Ian’s love of technology had become a fairly famous anecdote. People could feel that if he had money, he always acted on the principle of acquiring technology first—as if he intended to build a nation founded on science and industry.

The strongest proof was that he had constructed no fewer than three massive research complexes over the course of several years. Numerous scientists brought in from within the country and from abroad were divided among the three complexes and were conducting a wide range of research.

Thus, as the meeting continued, a conclusion was reached, and they decided to wait until the moment the signing ceremony formally announcing the complete end of the war was held.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and only as the moment arrived to cross into October did both sides finally manage to hold talks to end the war.

The meeting location was decided to be none other than Pullea, the capital of the Polia Kingdom. Because it was arranged so suddenly, the Polia Kingdom had no choice but to hurriedly prepare a venue.

More than that, why the Polia Kingdom? Perhaps because it was a neutral country and, at the same time, a strong power of sorts, it had been chosen as the venue. Of course, from Ian’s position—having to provide such a historic site—it was bound to be bewildering.

‘Why does it have to be us?’

It meant that everyone was treating his kingdom with respect. So it did not feel bad. On the other hand, they had to prepare as securely as possible, because the heads of state—emperors and kings—were scheduled to visit.

‘Emperors of empires… this should be quite a sight.’

Emperors gathering in one place was a scene one rarely got to witness, and the talks and signing ceremony held amid such a scene would be a moment of intense, intersecting emotions. Thinking of watching it all as a third party gave him a certain sense of anticipation.

In any case, at this moment—nearly two months after the war had ended—there was a fleet approaching the capital, Pullea. The first nation to arrive was none other than the Doicheun Empire, located closest.

Emperor Rednix di Doicheun was seen disembarking from the ship that had docked. Many reporters from each country continued to capture the scene with their cameras. And the one welcoming him was none other than the King of the Polia Kingdom—Ian.

He appeared far more dressed up than usual, and at the sight of the Doicheun Emperor before his eyes, he could not help but feel admiration rise within him.

‘Even though his country has been defeated, he has not lost his presence at all.’

He was a man with an exceptionally strong gaze. Moreover, he had red hair like Ian’s. In a way, he was a person connected by the same bloodline. The royal bloodline of the fallen Grasen Kingdom had continued on, and it could be said the Doicheun Empire had also inherited that royal bloodline intact.

And yet those two countries had even fought a war before—showing how high a wall they had built between one another. In any case, the eyes of Emperor Rednix, approaching his mid-forties, kept inspecting Ian.

“Welcome to the Polia Kingdom, Your Majesty Rednix.”

“I thank you for the welcome, King Ian.”

“Shall we move inside for now? There are quite a lot of people, so it will be uncomfortable.”

“In any case, I am to face things far more uncomfortable than this—why would this be uncomfortable?”

In the self-mocking smile with which he spoke, Ian felt the shock of defeat being conveyed as-is. Considering the humiliation and disgrace that awaited him, it was only natural. Thinking that, Ian could only offer words of encouragement.

“I can only tell you to keep your strength.”

“Thank you. Ah, and I have heard of the plan your country proposed before. I will give you a favorable answer.”

“Then that is a relief.”

Ian felt relieved that Emperor Rednix was very positive about the repayment method for the debt they had conveyed. For them, it would not be a bad arrangement. They had been told to repay over as much as fifty years, so it meant they had overcome one immediate crisis.

In any case, with so many people around, it was not appropriate to speak too deeply, so they began to move. The reporters’ competition to capture their countenance was inevitably fierce. Of course, the movement of these reporters was thoroughly restrained by the tens of thousands of troops deployed in advance.

Thus, the two walked along a corridor formed by soldiers, and after pushing through a crowd packed at no less than the hundred-thousand scale, they were able to split up and travel by car. The destination they arrived at was none other than the royal palace.

The venue for the talks was inside the palace, and the emperors’ lodgings were also located within the palace grounds. For this, separate detached palaces were opened and prepared; in fact, because there were former quarters where consorts of past generations had stayed, they could provide sufficiently spacious accommodations.

In some ways, it might be somewhat smaller in scale than an imperial palace, but in terms of splendor it was enough to rival one, and could serve as a place for emperors to stay. Naturally, for this purpose, the inside of the royal palace had become, quite literally, a space occupied by the guard forces of multiple factions.

It would be uncomfortable for a time. Still, one advantage was that he himself, as the host king who had provided the venue, could attend the talks. Of course, since they were not a belligerent, he effectively had no right to speak.

‘Still, it is not bad. I can watch closely which direction the talks will take.’

Thus, the moment the Doicheun Emperor arrived first, the kings of the kingdoms that had stood with the Doicheun Empire arrived one by one. As defeated nations, they arrived with gloomy expressions. They too would likely be burdened with massive reparations.

Meanwhile, starting with the Moria Empire’s Emperor whom he had seen before, Ian was able to exchange greetings with the Noma Empire’s Emperor for the first time, along with Alexei di Noma, the Fourth Prince. Perhaps Alexei had come along because of his relationship with Ian.

Then, as they exchanged warm greetings, the next day arrived in a rush, and the Emperor of the Magnia Empire also arrived. Ian was able to face Emperor Jedic di Magnia in person again after a long time.

‘Does position make the person? He looks quite dignified. His impression seems to have changed a bit too.’

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty Emperor Jedic.”

“Indeed, it has been a very long time, King Ian.”

“But it seems you have brought quite a splendid entourage.”

“Everyone worried over the burden of travel. We reduced the numbers again and again, and this is all we brought.”

As Emperor Jedic said, even the personnel who came directly to protect him numbered in the thousands. Their composition was considerable. As with us, there were hundreds armed with firearms that looked like submachine guns, and attendants to serve the emperor were also in position.

‘Their eyes are not ordinary. They do not look like mere attendants and maids.’

Ian thought they were likely personnel trained through special programs. In truth, allowing such an armed group into the royal palace could be an uncomfortable matter. But Ian accepted it. He had confidence, and he also believed they would not attempt anything.

‘If they do something dangerous, they will never make it out.’

In reality, to prepare for that, he had redeployed troops in the hundred-thousand scale in the capital region alone. They were ready to deploy at any time, and the moment an order was given, they would encircle the capital and move in to suppress. One might ask how they would deal with the aftermath, but in the first place, nothing dangerous needed to happen.

Of course, amid this uncomfortable situation of lending the royal palace, he had already sent his mother and younger sister outside the palace. He sent Adrina out as well. There was no need to force her to face an uncomfortable emperor.

“By the way, I do not seem to see Queen Adrina. Where is she?”

At the way he looked around as he spoke, it was clear he was asking why his younger sister was not here to greet him. Ian answered with a troubled expression.

“The Queen suddenly felt unwell, so we have sent her away to recuperate.”

“Oh dear, is her condition quite bad?”

“Yes. She has been exposed to the cold air from the air conditioner often these days, so it seems she caught a cold with body aches.”

“I thought I might finally see my younger sister’s face, but that is unfortunate.”

“Indeed.”

As he spoke, Ian noticed an Expert named Lacen standing off to one side. He seemed to carry a far sharper aura than when Ian had seen him at the party before. In particular, his gaze was fixed entirely on Camyu at Ian’s side.

‘He must think they are the same being.’

On the surface, what they had disclosed was that the Expert they had sent back then had still not returned. And the Camyu present now was claimed to be an entirely new existence. But regardless of their explanation, the other side would likely think it was the same person.

“By the way, Your Majesty’s guard seems extraordinarily on edge. His eyes look ready to blaze.”

“I suspect it is because he has come face to face with his rival again.”

“Oh, is that so? But a rival—who on earth would that be?”

Ian pretended not to know, while Emperor Jedic’s words, as if to say that was not it, interwove with his. In the end, the standoff between the two ended because of the reporters’ frenzied coverage. Ultimately, they separated and had no choice but to take the road toward the royal palace.

In any case, with this, the participants and the negotiation venue for ending the war had been assembled.