No matter the era, wars were never a good thing. They consumed resources, and the process was always harsh on the loser’s shoulders. The victorious leaders had to justify the benefits they’d gotten from the armed conflict and why the people had to bleed. The anger and grudges of the populace wouldn’t go away just because it was over.
They would consume everything…
Kill as many as those who had died…
And destroy as much as what had been broken.
The policy of an eye for an eye would always cross the line once emotions took over their decisions. They wouldn’t regain what had been lost in the war no matter how violently they responded to their pain. No, even if it couldn’t be regained, they had to do it.
They knew it was an eternal chain of revenge, but no one could escape. However, that didn’t really apply to this war.
“… It is complicated, this civil war.”
“I think so as well, Your Majesty.”
The winning side of the civil war, Elsid and his close adviser Marquis Piris, sighed. It would have been far easier if this had been a normal war. The winner would have acquired the loser’s territories and replenished the resources consumed in the war.
However, that wasn’t possible in a civil war. The nobles were also part of Soldun kingdom, while the soldiers were its blood and flesh. Elsid might have been able to cut off the head of the noble faction’s leader, but exploiting their estates would just be eating at his own flesh.
He looked at the documents in his hand with a complex expression. “The ones who decided to join the duke’s army will be punished, but it is difficult to handle the nobles who only sent a few troops or supplies.”
“They probably didn’t want to join the rebels either.”
“However, they lacked the strength to declare neutrality and didn’t have the courage to refuse the duke’s demands. They aren’t innocent, but… it’s too much to put them to death.”
It was the lament of the weak. Anyone within Duke Cornwall’s sphere of influence hadn’t been able to receive Prince Elsid’s protection and had no choice but to supply troops. If the duke had won and they hadn’t cooperated with him, they would’ve suffered under the duke’s rule.
If they were executed, the kingdom’s affairs would only become more turbulent.
“Confiscate 80% of their assets and prohibit them from leaving their estates for the next three years. If there’s an official request, I will grant permission to leave on a case by case basis.”
It wasn’t much different from unofficially pardoning the minor rebels. Elsid’s advisers were surprised, but they sullenly accepted that they didn’t have any other alternative. There was a far more important matter than those sinners, or even Duke Cornwall, whose execution had already been decided.
“Marquis Fergana. The problem is how to handle him.”
His abilities as a 7th Circle magician and one of the only two masters in Soldun Kingdom made handling difficult. He wouldn’t have been involved in the rebel forces if Duke Cornwall hadn’t been his son-in-law. Maybe the duke had foreseen it and planned the marriage to rope him in.
However, he had participated in the war.
“It’s too much to kill him, but we can’t let him live.”
His punishment had to be different from the minor nobles who had participated in the war. After all, Marquis Fergana had the power to resist Duke Cornwall, despite their familial relationship. It was impossible for Elsid’s advisors to excuse his actions.
Even Elsid couldn’t easily forgive Marquis Fergana. So, Elsid asked for advice from the magicians of Meltor, “Is there a spell that can bind the life and will of a person in the 7th Circle, making them submit completely?”
It sounded ridiculous, but the magician in the white mask nodded easily. He might be a foreigner, but no one challenged White Tower Orta’s right to participate in this meeting. After all, he had masterfully commanded the Meltor army to victory.
“As long as you give your consent, it isn’t an impossible task.”
Elsid frowned. “Please explain in detail.”
Orta clarified, “It is a spell called the Oath of Obedience.”
Rulers in ancient times had used this spell when they doubted the loyalty of their followers. It didn’t matter if the person practiced aura or magic, the stigma of complete obedience would be carved into their heart. The magic agreement made it impossible for outsiders to interfere. Once someone was marked, it wouldn’t be resolved until death.
It was a technique that had fallen out of favor three centuries ago. However, its disuse hadn’t come from humanitarian reasons, but rather the practical reason that there just weren’t that many senior magicians who could use the Oath of Obedience. ．
Once Orta had finished explaining, Elsid asked quietly, “… Can I request your aid for the process?”
He understood how cruel it was; yet, he had no choice. He couldn’t afford to lose Marquis Fergana’s abilities, not with Lairon Kingdom looming in the distance. Also, he was sitting on the throne with Meltor’s help, so he had no reason to hesitate in asking for their help. As the king, he had to prioritize the future of the Soldun Kingdom, even if it deprived a person of their dignity.
Orta inclined his head. “I understand. Please let me leave so that I can prepare the tools.”
“I will allow it. More than anything else… I’m very grateful.”
Orta nodded to Elsid before turning around. The White Tower Master might bow to another king, but he wouldn’t be submissive. The meeting soon concluded. The commanders of the rebel army, including Duke Cornwall, were sentenced to death, while Marquis Fergana received a special punishment. The minor nobles who had unwittingly joined the rebels received a light punishment, while the ones who had captured Duke Cornwall received their rewards.
Elsid couldn’t help murmuring to himself, “There is a long way to go, really.”
The revolution of the Soldun Kingdom had just begun.
***
The day Duke Cornwall and the thirty-two nobles who had started the rebellion were brought in to be executed was officially recorded as the day Elsid’s Civil War ended. Some of the nobles were openly crying, while others were stoic in the face of death.
Duke Cornwall was the only one who was openly furious. He had manacles on his wrists and ankles, and he glared fiercely at Elsid as he was forced to his knees.
His voice was filled with fury and unwillingness. “… Do you think you’re sitting on that throne with your own strength? Without the Cornwall family, there would be no Soldun! I am the true descendant of the king!”
“This rude guy!” The executioner slapped the duke.
However, the duke didn’t stop talking. “Call me a traitor! But you aren’t qualified to punish me! You also borrowed the power of another kingdom!”
“… Well, your words aren’t entirely wrong.” Elsid’s eyebrow didn’t even twitch as he stared coldly down at the duke, or rather, the criminal who had yet to understand his crimes.
Duke Cornwall didn’t understand why he hadn’t been able to win.
“Nevertheless, you lost. In a situation where you have no bloodline or legitimacy, you didn’t even know you were being used like a puppet and eventually ran away.”
The duke spluttered, “W-What?”
“You have no luck, wisdom, or even the courage to take responsibility for your mistakes. Such a person doesn’t deserve the throne.”
So, the duke would die here. Elsid raised his left hand. It was the signal to enforce the punishment.
Duke Cornwall’s mouth opened at the same time the executioner’s ax descended and literally cut off the duke’s attempt to refute the insult to his pride. The sharp blade of the ax performed its mission perfectly. The dignity Duke Cornwall had lived with came to an end, and his head fell down with an ugly expression.
Elsid looked down at it with an inscrutable look in his eyes.
“Congratulations on your crowning, Your Majesty.”
Elsid turned around to see the white-masked and white-robed White Tower Master Orta. He was also accompanied by Vince, Viscount Carter, and Theo.
Eldis shrugged with a rueful laugh. “… Congratulating me after the duke died? You sure are very thorough.”
Orta said simply, “There are no guarantees until the embers are doused.”
Elsid snorted. “That’s right. There is nothing wrong with being careful. Now, the Cornwall estate will revert to the crown.”
The atmosphere lightened as they turned to the topic of estates and Elsid descended from the throne. Duke Cornwall had been the last to be executed, so Elsid didn’t have to sit up there any longer. The executions had been the finishing touches of the civil war. The coronation ceremony might not have taken place yet, but Elsid had already become the king.
He walked forward and asked, “That reminds me, you said you were leaving in the near future?”
Orta nodded. “Yes, we aren’t free enough to stay here for long.”
Elsid looked thoughtful. “Indeed… Is it okay if you only left after this evening?”
“Was there something else you needed?”
It was a question which sounded rude, but Orta asked it without any hesitation. Elsid might’ve won the civil war, but Soldun Kingdom was still far from stable. Orta had requested a certain amount of discretion, so he would be very displeased if Elsid were to propose a banquet.
Elsid understood and hurriedly denied, “No, it isn’t what you think. There’s too much to do right now.”
They had to rebuild the buildings destroyed by the sieges as well as compensate the families of the dead soldiers. Elsid had risen to the throne, so he had a responsibility to bear all of this burden and stabilize public sentiment. There was no chance for him to hold a banquet.
Orta read the truth on Elsid’s face and looked at him curiously. Although Orta thought there was nothing else to talk about with Elsid, he would still carry out his duties seriously. “… I understand. I’ll meet you here.”
A bright smile appeared on Elsid’s face. “Thank you for listening to me. I won’t let you down.”
Won’t let them down? The magicians exchanged glances. It seemed Elsid had prepared a gift for them. Theo also had a similar thought and met Elsid’s gaze. It wasn’t a passing moment. Elsid was clearly staring at him.
What?
The tongue in the palm of his left hand stirred as it detected the scent of treasure.