Chapter 337 337-Seeking Asylum
Charles flatly stated the impossibility of assistance, a response that might have provoked others but Howard managed to keep his emotions in check, calmly asking for the reasons behind this refusal.
Charles had said, "The reason Fran Kingdom is constantly hitting walls is because you Imperial folks always treat us as outsiders. You've been ganging up with the people from Ing Empire against us. Naturally, we can't just let you dictate terms!"
Howard's face had turned grim at these words.
After Charles left, Howard heard rumors that Fran Kingdom was planning to ally with Osland Kingdom to break the encirclement by the Empire and Ing Empire.
This news deepened Howard's worries.
If Fran Kingdom were to seize this opportunity, it could spell the end for Oungria Kindom.
The hard-earned title of king might eventually be reduced to sovereignty over a mere handful of territories – a prospect Howard was reluctant to face.
However, Howard possessed a vision beyond the ordinary.
Even if Oungria Kindom were entirely swallowed by Osland Kingdom, Howard wouldn't consider it unbearable.
His real concern lay with the new provinces in the New World; losing those would be truly unacceptable to him.
There's a difference between what one is unwilling to see happen and what one cannot accept.
Upon his arrival in Oungria Kindom, Howard had organized Bosiden, Vettel, and Resarite to comprehensively assess the kingdom's level in terms of tax revenue, production, and manpower.
The results were disappointing.
Hence, if Osland Kingdom proved too formidable, Howard was prepared for the worst.
Oungria Kindom's black cavalry was indeed formidable, but the kingdom's poor economic conditions limited the maintenance of a larger army.
This numerical constraint meant the country's military could not reach its maximum mobilization potential.
Howard's spymaster, now Earl Portia, had briefed him on the costly battle reports acquired from Osland Kingdom.
The sheer number of troops mobilized by Osland Kingdom in their last eastern campaign dwarfed anything Howard could muster.
Relying solely on Oungria Kindom was a decidedly bleak prospect.
His allies, be it Rolf or the Governor of Milan, had started to treat Howard more formally.
Partly, this was due to their recognition of Howard as a king, necessitating a certain level of respect.
Additionally, as Howard had been spending most of his time within Oungria Kindom, their interactions had lessened, perhaps leading to a growing estrangement.
However, even combined, these allies equated to no more than a large duchy or a small kingdom.
Howard felt that even with their support, they stood little chance against Osland Kingdom.
His greatest reliance was on Nora.
As the Emperor of the Empire, it was her duty to protect its territories.
Ultimately, Howard decided to visit the imperial capital.
Before departing, he cautiously advised Catherine that if he did not return, she should seek refuge in the New World.
This caution underscored Howard's view of Nora as an inscrutable Empress, far removed from her former role as a sharp-tongued, non-noble secretary.
Upon arrival, Howard didn't immediately meet the Empress but was instead led by a prince to various gatherings.
The upper echelons of the Empire represented the epitome of high society.
Howard encountered members of ancient, noble families at both grand and intimate, formal and informal events.
The intricacies of the etiquette were overwhelming, where a single misstep could lead to embarrassment and tarnish one's reputation.
The food was exquisite, and the wines were of the finest quality, yet conspicuously absent were coffee from the New World and milk, a staple even among the commoners.
The gatherings were indeed splendid, but even among these elite, some were astutely aware of the Empire's current state.
Despite the joyous facade, a subtle, intermittent undercurrent of anxiety and pessimism seemed inescapable.
In the corners of these gatherings, or hidden in the shadows behind stone pillars, there were always a few individuals, wine in hand, observing their fellow nobles with piercing eyes, as if to say they alone understood the situation.
They appeared to be sober amidst the revelry, but was their clarity genuine?
After noticing these individuals, Howard would casually approach them to engage in conversation, discussing the state of the Empire and the future of the continent.
After these conversations, Howard realized that all these nobles could do was vent their concerns.
They were not oblivious to the issues at hand, but they lacked any viable solutions.
Even hypothetical approaches were logically flawed and lacked coherence.
Their views were a paradox: they were among the continent's most distinguished families, yet they seemed increasingly out of step with the times.
They frequently spoke of diplomacy, influence, and vassalage, but Howard often responded with only a polite smile.
In his opinion, the nation had two paths: either focus on naval routes for trade and exploration or concentrate on land routes with artillery and cavalry.
Astonishingly, the Empire excelled in neither.
Though not devoid of ports, they were scarce, and the Empire only boasted a small trade fleet for protection.
Their naval forces were even inferior to those of Milan or Venice, hardly befitting an empire's stature.
On land, the Empire seemed too intimidated to confront or perhaps incapable of defeating its neighboring nations.
Howard attended many gatherings, deepening his understanding of the Empire.
However, his visit was not for assessing the Empire's condition or researching its systems; he was there to seek assurances, a guarantee of safety and support in the face of looming threats.
Upon hearing Howard's words, the social elites distanced themselves from him, not wanting to invite trouble.
The noble lords, after listening to him, all promised to talk another time, but Howard never saw them again at that banquet.
The nobles who still held some lands were outraged at Osland Kingdom's brutality, yet when the topic of assistance arose, they conveniently feigned drunkenness and were escorted away by their attendants.
Howard realized that this was probably the legendary attitude of decay at the core, or simply a reluctance to be the vanguard.
Good at casual conversation, but when it came to contributing money or effort, none were willing.
Days passed, but the summons from the Emperor never arrived.
Each time Howard inquired, the guards would tell him 'soon', but no one could specify when.
Finally losing his patience, Howard decided to confront the situation head-on.
Three days later, he informed Prince Maximilian that if Nora continued to refuse to see him, he would rather withdraw his people or head directly to the New World.
If the Empire would not defend Oungria Kindom, he certainly couldn't do it alone.
Panic flashed across Maximilian's face as he tried to persuade Howard.
However, Howard's mind was made up.
Maximilian eventually said he needed one more hour; if the Empress still refused to meet Howard, there was nothing more he could do.
Howard gave him the chance.
Half an hour later, Maximilian returned, his forehead sweaty but his expression relieved, saying, "Thankfully, after my persuasion, Her Majesty the Empress has agreed to meet you."
Howard snorted coldly, his demeanor a mix of dissatisfaction and hurt.
Maximilian led Howard into the opulent imperial palace, introducing him to Nora.
As Howard listened to Maximilian's introduction, he scoffed inwardly: What kind of person am I, and wouldn't she, who has been my secretary, already know? Why does an outsider need to introduce me here?
After Maximilian finished speaking, Nora descended the stairs, dressed in a pale yellow gown with a touch of white, in the Rococo style, the skirt voluminously spread.
However, Howard was in no mood to appreciate the attire.
His recent encounters in the Empire had given him a largely negative perception of opulence.
Nora's crown, studded with diamonds and gold, sparkled under the lights, glaringly bright to Howard's eyes.
Nora said, "It's been a long time, brave Howard. You played a significant role in aiding my ascension to the throne. I will not forget the contributions you've made to the Empire."
Howard had no patience for diplomatic niceties, feeling such were undeserved by someone who had left him hanging for days.
He bluntly stated his purpose, his directness potentially challenging to someone of high status like Nora.
She felt awkward and remained silent, leaving the court in an eerie stillness.
Howard sighed and said, "Nora, last time, Duke Savoy, a hero of yours, wasn't protected by you. Am I, the King of Oungria Kindom, next in line? Is this some sort of 'king experience' card? After a year, it's just gone – is that the idea?"
Nora insisted that she didn't intend to neglect Howard's concerns, explaining that the situation with the Duchy of Savoy was complicated due to a rebellion within the Empire, which had necessitated the deployment of troops to quell the uprising.
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