551 – Purple Coronet, Blue Blood – 10
There were many things that happened, but in the end, the Kingdom of Quoronos defeated the army with a sincere show of courage.
To be precise, it was not bitten, but rather thrown away, but it does not change the fact that there is no way for Quironos to intervene in this Leon incident.
“His Majesty the Emperor has chosen Count Gestilla of the House of Jimenisia to be the next King of Leon.”
“As expected, His Majesty’s wisdom is enough to cover the continent. His Majesty the King of our country also highly evaluated Count Gestilla.”
Thanks to this, the Empire and Armain were able to choose the new Leon royal family without anyone’s interference.
Hymenisia family. A family located in the central part of the Kingdom of Leon, it is an ordinary family that holds one count and several barons, belonging to high-ranking nobles. There is nothing particularly bad about him, but there is nothing special about him, and the head of the family at the time is not evaluated as incompetent, but he is not competent enough to occupy the position of king.
That is why both countries chose Count Gestiya of the Ximenisia family.
‘If you just pick a competent person and install it, it’s just a hassle.’
The person the Empire and Armain want is simple. A person who appropriately protects the throne, nods to the demands of both countries and does not rebel. However, if you choose a family that is too simple, other nobles will rebel, so an earl is appropriate.
Moreover, a little bit of Asturian royal blood flows through the Jimenisia family. It is said that about 150 years ago, a princess of the Asturian royal family married the then head of the Himenisia family. To be honest, it is embarrassing to even say that it was mixed up, and it is enough to present it as a past event or justification.
“The two countries have the same will, so you can see how high Count Gestiya’s virtue is. From now on, the Kingdom of Leon will be filled with peace and prosperity.”
“Haha! Considering the suffering the Kingdom of Leon has gone through so far, it is time to see the light!”
When the next king and new royal family were decided, the 6th Legion commander and the Marquis Iskertal shook hands with smiling faces.
‘Peace and prosperity.’
Big words were thrown around, but no one here took them seriously.
Of course, this is not entirely wrong. Leon will no longer be able to raise an army without the permission of the Empire and Armain, so it will be forced to maintain peace, and since every corner of its territory will be developed through foreign capital, it will achieve prosperity.
The only problem is that peace and prosperity are not for Leon.
“Now then, let’s go meet the new King.”
At Marquis Iskertal’s suggestion, the staff in the office began to stand up one by one.
This is an expeditionary force that came to a foreign country to save the subjects of Leon, who were in chaos after losing their legitimate royal family. Of course, it is right for the expeditionary force to welcome the new king first.
There is no need for Leon’s nobles to be involved in this process.
The leadership of the expeditionary force that entered the County of Gestiya confidently advanced to the White House and knelt down on his knees.
“A thousand people want to see you ascend to the throne!”
“…He’s such a stern man that I wouldn’t dare disobey him.”
Those words were enough. Count Gestia, surprised by the sudden visit, nodded his head with a bitter expression, and the leadership showed Count Gestia a courtesy and courtesy that was not seen even by the current King Leon.
In our minds, the rightful ruler of Leon is the Count of Gestilla—no, the king who will be called Enrique I from now on.
“I don’t think this lackey is qualified to be king, but if a thousand people want it, I will gladly carry it. I will regard my body as a vessel to contain a cause that is not mine.”
“These are truly beautiful words.”
‘I will not move according to my will, but according to your demands.’ At the declaration, the 6th Corps commander nodded with a satisfied expression.
I too felt at ease with that declaration. If there is someone on the throne who clearly understands the topic, the chances of an uproar in Leon are reduced. The majority of nobles are already accomplices who have cooperated with us, and troops from both countries will be stationed in Leon in case of emergency.
And the news that the expeditionary force had chosen a new king reached the old man in the castle,
“For decades, the kingdom and its subjects cried out endlessly because of Gwain’s lack of virtue. However, the old man, who had committed a sin that could never be washed away, sat on the throne until now because no legitimate successor could be found Finally, Gwain performed his final duty. I’m just glad that I can do it.”
The first and last royal order was issued since the expeditionary force entered Leon.
“As the last king of Asturia, I offer my crown to the head of Hymenisia. I bow down and ask that the new king embrace his subjects with virtue.”
Orders as helpless as when we first met.
Perhaps it was the resentment that the old monarch, who had given up everything, harbored until the very end.
***
Everything is over.
His Majesty the King… No, the Asturian head of Asturia, now the former King, handed over the crown of Leon to a new family.
Maybe it was something I expected, so I wasn’t particularly sad. Surprisingly, considering that he had prepared to die to share good fortune with the Asturian royal family, he did not feel much emotion.
Probably because the process of changing the royal family was peaceful and quiet. It’s strange to call it peace when an army from another country enters their country, but didn’t they stop nobles from killing and killing to sit on the vacant throne?
‘Is this also natural?’
He smiled bitterly as he watched the royal officials preparing for the abdication ceremony.
Yes, this may be natural. It is natural for a family to step down after losing a war that staked the fate of the nation and the only heir to the throne dying. It is an undeniable fact that the new royal family becomes a puppet of the Empire and Armain, but on the other hand, it also means that Leon receives the protection of those two countries.
So, if you go against it, it is against you. To the grieving subjects, it does not matter who the royal family is or which country is being interfered with.
‘…Now I have to step down too.’
I sighed softly and turned around. Quoronus, who took advantage of the chaos to invade Leon, also withdrew, and a new royal family was safely established. I’ve seen everything I need to see, so all that’s left is to quietly retreat.
I thought so.
“Welcome, Margrave.”
Until I received a call from Count Tyglehen.
“I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly. “I haven’t had time in a while.”
“How can you say such a thing when I know that your Excellency has worked hard for peace in Leon, even though you have nothing to do with it? Rather, it is an honor to be able to receive your Excellency’s call.”
“Oh my, you’re saying more embarrassing things.”
I smiled awkwardly as I saw the Count bursting into laughter.
I feel strange. Where has the man who tore up the sky and put pressure on the commander of Quironos gone? It seems like there is a young man around the age of the earl sitting in front of me.
At the same time, I felt relieved. I wonder if my heart would have held up if the Count had put pressure on me.
“Actually, the border encyclopedia wanted to talk a long time ago. He accepted the stigma of cooperating with the imperial army for the sake of peace in Leon, so should he express his gratitude as a noble of the empire?”
“As you said, it is for Leon’s sake, so it is not something to be thanked for.”
“Well, if you are too humble, it will be embarrassing for the listener.”
The Count laughed and stood up and personally took the refreshments from the shelf.
“Let’s talk while we eat.” I’m not saying this because my wife made it, but I’ve never eaten anything more delicious than this.”
It was a pathetic statement, but I was shocked. It is already a famous story that the Count came to a foreign country even though he was newly married.
That’s why other nobles don’t dare talk to the count. It’s scary to talk to someone whose newlywed marriage was interrupted and get angry, but how much does the emperor trust a newlywed subject to the point of sending him to a foreign country, and how close is their relationship with him if he follows his orders his? .
“It’s an honor.”
With instinctive flattery, I put one of the cookies the Count brought into my mouth.
It was really delicious. So much so that you can believe it was made by a professional baker.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah, yes. I have never tried snacks like this even in cafes in the capital.”
The count nodded his head as if satisfied with those words.
First of all, it seems like the pathetic appearance is real and not an act. I guess it’s because it’s a love marriage, not an arranged marriage.
“Even though my wife is single, she makes it for me every day.”
“You are a good person. I hope you will be happy every day.”
“Haha, not really. I feel sorry for leaving her wife behind and going to a foreign country, but how amazing would it be to receive a gift. Thanks to that, I also brought various gifts for her wife.”
Although he said it as if it was no big deal, no one knows that the count is collecting territories centered on the western part of the kingdom.
And no one stopped the count from shopping at his estate. How could the nobles of Leon, not to mention the Empire and Armain, object to the powerful people of the Empire? Since they took territory directly under the royal family rather than an owner’s territory, or even through a transaction, there is not enough justification to protest.
“If you are the head of a household, it is your duty to bring gifts for your family waiting at home.”
“You are right.”
“So, let the Margrave take one too. He deserves it since he has done more work than anyone else.”
The count suddenly said something and took out a seal from his chest his his his …
‘Wait.’
As soon as I saw the silver seal carved in the shape of a lion, my head froze. That looks very familiar.
‘No way.’
Eventually, the hand held the teacup trembled pitifully.
It is an appearance that no noble of Leon would recognize. Even if no one has seen it in person, it is a legendary item that many have heard of.
“The Margrave’s merits are too high to mention individually. He is enough to become the new Duke of Rissanstadt.”
“Go, sir…”
“If a person of great merit passes away empty-handed, I will use it. I need to take home a title to pass on to my children.”
Then the Count crossed his arms and looked at me intently.
“And the rightful king has finally ascended to the throne, but the dukedom must also find its owner before it can truly be said to be in order. If it is not the margrave, those who are not qualified will be greedy for no reason.”
A subtle threat that if you don’t accept it, I will use the duke’s commission as bait to induce internal strife among the nobles.
“But I believe that the Margrave will maintain order and peace and serve the new king wholeheartedly.”
There is also pressure to not be fooled by the name of duke and to quietly comply with the words of the empire.
“…I don’t know if I deserve this.”
“Qualifications are not for you to judge.”
The count continued speaking with the same, yet creepy smile as before.
“It’s up to me to judge.”
I nodded at the short but powerful words.
I couldn’t even think of fighting back.
***
I was moved when the Margrave obediently received the seal.
I appealed to him that there was no one else but you, and that if you refused, I should find someone decent among the undeserving nobles—but I didn’t think he would take it without much hesitation.
‘As expected, sincerity is the way to go.’
The Duchy of Rizzanstadt belongs to the south of the Djibroya River, which is to be managed by the Empire, and the Margrave, who became the new Duke, is a quick-witted man who was the first to join the Empire. In the future, Rizzanstadt will also remain a decent pro-imperial territory.
‘Now I have to go trick the other guy.’
It was a good start so I couldn’t help but hum.
Perhaps because the task force, which was thought to be difficult, was completed easily, an unfounded belief arose that Alfonso would also cooperate obediently.