Chapter 357 357-The Absorption of the Empire
By aiding the Empire and then engaging in war, only to be subsequently declared upon by Lombardy to the south, Ryzet Kingdom found itself battling on two fronts.
The Ryzet Kingdom, with its modest territory, faced a dire predicament.
Once occupied by the Oungria Kingdom, there would be no chance for Lombardy to claim it.
Although Oungria and Lombardy were not at war, they couldn't launch military offensives against areas effectively controlled by the other.
The situation was intricate, yet manageable with smooth communication.
As the war commenced, a flurry of letters was exchanged between Florence and Pist.
With the progression of hostilities, both Edward and Howard, who preferred leading their troops in battle, found their locations constantly shifting.
Edward urged Howard to halt the siege of Ryzet Kingdom's castles and fortresses, suggesting they be left for Lombardy.
However, Howard harbored concerns that ambitious Lombardy might fully annex Ryzet Kingdom during treaty negotiations.
If Ryzet were to be completely absorbed, it would cease to exist as a nation, derailing Howard's plans of occupying it.
To counter this, Howard reassured Edward through letters while simultaneously instructing his troops to hasten their advance into the Ryzet mountain regions.
Similarly, Edward worried that Howard aimed not only to annex the empire but also to swallow up the southwestern Ryzet Kingdom.
Edward, too, coveted the lands of Ryzet. Thus, an intriguing yet disheartening scenario unfolded.
Edward, setting aside the reclamation efforts in Milan and Provence, led his forces straight to Ryzet.
Both Howard and Edward continued to exchange letters of encouragement, yet their actions deeply disappointed the other.
When Howard successfully breached a castle, Edward concurrently seized a city.
From that day, their correspondence ceased,marking a turning point in their relationship and the unfolding drama of territorial conquests.
In the end, when Howard's soldiers stood at a distance, eyeing Edward's troops, Howard and Edward encountered each other.
Howard's face bore an awkward expression, seemingly anticipating such a scenario.
He avoided discussing the ownership of Ryzet Kingdom and instead, casually invited Edward for a drink.
Howard was in no rush.
The empire had already been fully occupied, with only a final ceasefire and annexation declaration remaining.
But Edward was anxious. Lombardy was not just facing Ryzet Kingdom; even Provence and Milan had reclaimed their fortresses previously conquered by Edward and were now besieging the fortifications of Lombardy Kingdom.
Edward couldn't afford to delay.
At a modest gathering over drinks, Edward, after just three glasses, revealed his true intentions.
Ashamed, Howard readily relinquished all provinces of Ryzet Kingdom.
At the time of the ceasefire, Howard secured a sum of cash from Ryzet Kingdom.
This wasn't an act of self-deception but a reflection of the uncertainty over whether Ryzet would eventually be absorbed by Lombardy.
In the chess game of national warfare, not all conquered territories are necessarily annexed.
Sometimes, vast lands captured in battle are almost entirely returned upon treaty signings.
National expansion has its limits, and overextension can lead to numerous adverse issues.
Thus, the future of Ryzet Kingdom under Lombardy remained uncertain.
Meanwhile, as part of the Oungria Kingdom's war with the empire, Howard accepted war reparations from Ryzet Kingdom, effectively ending his conflict with them.
Remarkably, Howard truly withdrew his troops, and the Oungria Kingdom soldiers stationed in Ryzet Kingdom's castles departed alongside him.
When Ness relayed this information to Edward, he initially thought Ness was merely trying to cheer him up, casually acknowledging the news with a "Oh."
However, it was only when Edward's own soldiers confirmed the news to him personally that he realized Howard was a man who could be as cunning as a seasoned monarch at times, yet at others, display a sense of conscience akin to a benevolent person.
Regardless, Edward felt a profound gratitude towards Howard.
With Ryzet Kingdom still embroiled in war, Edward's occupation of its territories significantly bolstered his military position.
This strategic advantage would be invaluable, whether in individual negotiations with Provence or Milan, or in the broader context of the war.
Meanwhile, Howard completed the full annexation of the empire, bringing an end to the Oungria Kingdom's war with it.
He summoned Nora, who had shed her imperial splendor and now dressed in simple attire.
Howard commended her, "Your last speech was excellent. It brought the imperial citizens under my rule. Otherwise, their rebellion would have been a great nuisance."
Nora, bowing her head, responded modestly, "It was nothing, just my duty."
Yet, by law, Nora held no noble title and was under no obligation to heed Howard.
Observing Nora's plain dress, Howard inquired, "Would you like a title? I now control the entire empire, with numerous direct territories at my disposal. Whatever you wish for, I can grant it to you."
Nora, however, declined his offer.
Recalling past events, Howard thought Nora might be harboring resentment.
He rose from his seat and approached her, saying, "Life's great ups and downs are hard to bear. I feel I have wronged you. I knew about Maximilian's plan for a military revolt, but I squandered his gentlemanly trust in me because of you, and thus, I didn't inform you. Otherwise, you might still be the empress, adorned in splendor and luxury."
Nora, hearing this for the first time, was visibly shocked. She asked Howard, "You knew in advance about Maximilian's plan to revolt? What is your relation to Maximilian, and what to me? You chose to uphold some gentleman's agreement with a stranger, but didn't warn me in advance? Howard, is this how you treat an old friend?"
With that, Nora left in a huff. Howard, watching her retreating figure, felt a twinge of guilt.
Yet, from a perspective of self-interest, the expansion of the Oungria Kingdom to the east seemed daunting, particularly due to the threat of the Osland Kingdom.
Hence, the only viable directions were north or west, with the weakened empire presenting an ideal target.
Perhaps Nora's downfall was a consequence of Howard's ambition, but it wouldn't be fair to say he was merely a passive observer.
Maximilian's plan was personally disclosed to Howard, not uncovered by his own spies.
Within the bounds of the gentleman's agreement, it was indeed inappropriate for Howard to betray Maximilian by sharing his plans with Nora.
Doing so would have also compromised the trust Maximilian had placed in him.
Howard assigned Bosiden, his Chief Administrator, the task of pacifying Tyro and its neighboring provinces.
Stabilizing a country takes considerable time.
It requires not only mutual recognition among the populace and military support, but also, and more importantly, self-
acknowledgement among the people themselves.
Howard delegated the responsibilities of stabilizing the situation to Bosiden and Vettel.
Boshni, suggesting a method, claimed he could employ severe measures to deal with the remaining stubborn elements of the empire.
Howard, not fully grasping the concept, inquired, "Stubborn elements? What stubborn elements are you referring to?"
Boshni explained to Howard that there was significant friction between the empire's newly formed study groups and the traditional ones.
They were not yielding to Howard's rule.
Howard responded, "Aren't we, who still adhere to traditional methods of study, also seen as stubborn elements in their eyes? You say they do not submit to my rule, but where did you get this information?"
Boshni's eyes, as large as they were in years past, had changed significantly.
Where once they sparkled with clarity and innocence, they now brimmed with desire and restlessness.
She gazed at Howard with her wide eyes and, without hesitation, said, "Oh, if they refuse to heed our advice and change their learning methods, doesn't that make them stubborn elements? Aren't they defying your rule?"
Howard chuckled at her remark, responding, "Well, that's a rather simplistic way of judging, isn't it? I maintain a cordial relationship with the old-school study groups, but I'm certainly not inclined to ruthlessly exterminate newly emerged ideas."
Boshni seemed indifferent to Howard's thoughts and continued, "Your Majesty, if you grant me or my husband Alonso the earldoms of Tyro and its neighboring regions, I assure you, Martin's study methods will be the least of your concerns."
Martin was the leader of the emerging study groups. "Give me three months, and I can make those stubborn elements vanish from your sight!"
Howard shook his head, turning away, refusing to meet Boshni's gaze.
Boshni was perplexed. In her mind, Howard had always loved to look into her eyes.
Why was it that now, he seemed to deliberately avoid them?
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