Arc-3 Ch-08

“We’ll take care of the agitators stirring up unrest on our end. Let’s table the discussion about the kingdom’s military for another time.”

“Understood.”

The Queen moves the conversation forward with efficiency and grace.

There’s no denying her capability—she commands the room with such presence that even Angie, who’s no pushover herself, appears slightly overwhelmed, though she manages to keep up.

It hits me again: my wife was once the prince’s fiancée, a serious candidate for the next queen.

And yet… she chose me.

I still can’t fully grasp why someone like her would fall for someone like me.

Is that it?

Does Angie enjoy pampering someone as hopeless as I am—so much so that I become even more useless?

As a husband, I’m painfully lacking. But what can I do?

It’s true—I’m still an inexperienced noble, struggling to find my footing. Angie is so kind and supportive during those times that I end up leaning on her more than I should.

To others, I must seem like a pitiful excuse for a husband.

“First, allow me to express my sincere gratitude for the loyalty you’ve shown in bringing this proposal. But I have a question: Why are you cooperating with the royal family?”

“We want to prevent a full-blown conflict between the ducal house and the crown. As both Your Majesty and His Highness have seen, the Holfort Kingdom is on the brink. Should foreign powers intervene, it could all come crashing down. We simply want to avoid that outcome.”

“I understand Angie’s motives. But my question is for you, Leon.”

Though her words carry gratitude, her eyes are cold and scrutinizing—like those of a relentless examiner assessing our worth.

And honestly, I can’t blame her.

The Bartfort family is part of the Redgrave faction.

To align ourselves secretly with the royal family is an act of betrayal that could devastate Angie’s household—dragging down her father and brothers with us.

Betrayal is rarely forgiven.

Those who’ve betrayed once are always suspected of doing so again when the opportunity arises.

On the battlefield, where lives are constantly at risk, such actions might be excused as necessary evils. But in a kingdom that appears peaceful on the surface, conspiring behind your patron’s back with their rivals is political suicide.

Those in power delight in entrapping their enemies, but they never forget treachery from their own subordinates. It’s a cruel, unforgiving system.

“Given the Bartfort family’s current standing, throwing your lot in with House Redgrave would be far more beneficial. If Duke Vince ascends to the throne, Angie becomes the king’s daughter, and you—Leon—would be his son-in-law. You’d likely be granted a dukedom, or at the very least a marquessate, and hold significant sway in national affairs. By contrast, supporting us offers you virtually nothing.”

“I didn’t fight the duchy for personal gain. As for wealth, I earned more than enough back when I was still a commoner—I won’t be going hungry any time soon. I’m content with what I have.”

“Content people don’t usually involve themselves in political quagmires like this. One misstep, and you could lose everything—possibly even be stripped of your rank.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind.

Even my current title of viscount and the responsibilities of managing the Bartfort territory are more than enough to keep me busy.

Being promoted to a higher position I didn’t ask for would just make my life even more of a hassle.

“Isn’t wanting to stop a civil conflict reason enough?”

“No, it isn’t. I’m not so naive as to trust vague ideals. In fact, I’d feel more at ease if you demanded money or a title. At least then I’d have leverage—something to offer or threaten. Like the Saintess, I find people with no apparent desires deeply unsettling. They’re unpredictable. I can’t tell what might cause someone like you to turn against me.”

That’s fair.

Someone who doesn’t care about power or wealth, yet still chooses to meddle in dangerous affairs, must seem more like a wild card than an ally.

If I claim I’m doing this for my family, then betraying my wife’s family makes me a hypocrite.

Maybe I really am the only young noble in the kingdom whose dream is to retire early and live a peaceful, quiet life.

Ordering people to their deaths, seeing my policies starve innocent citizens—I’m not cut out for that kind of burden.

Back when I was just a soldier, everything was simpler.

Follow orders. Complete the mission. That was it.

Train hard, study more, and doors would open—success was straightforward.

Even when I failed, I was just one soldier. My mistakes never changed the course of a war.

Like an ant on the roadside, satisfied with the sweetness of a crumb—it was enough.

“I don’t want titles. I don’t want money.”

“Then what do you want?”

“…Peace, I suppose.”

I despise conflict and trouble.

No matter how often people praise my talent, it brings me no joy.

True happiness, for me, lies in a quiet life in the countryside with a loving wife and our children.

But the greatest obstacle to that kind of life is the poor state of public safety in this country.

“As you likely know, I was born to a low-ranking noble father and a commoner mother, who was merely his concubine. I was raised practically as a commoner and never attended the academy. So, when people talk about national politics or international affairs, it honestly goes over my head.”

“Leon—”

“Angie, it’s fine. Let me finish.”

“Marrying a beautiful woman and having children finally gave me a taste of ordinary happiness.”

“So, what you’re saying is—you want peace for the sake of your children?”

“I won’t claim I’ll never kill. Sometimes you have to fight to protect the people you love. Even a fool like me understands that a world without conflict is a fantasy. But… I just want my children to experience the same happiness I have. I want them to marry, have families of their own, and think, ‘This is what happiness feels like.’”

“…”

Angie once told me that the effects of government policies only become visible after five to ten years.

It's like farming, in a way.

You don’t simply sow seeds and water them once.

You have to prepare the soil properly, plant evenly, protect the crops from cold and heat, water them consistently, and prune them carefully.

It’s only after repeating that tedious cycle year after year that you finally harvest a decent crop.

It’ll probably take twenty years before Lionel and Ariel grow up and get married.

I hope that, during that time, there won’t be any wars or civil unrest.

I want to live long enough to see my grandchildren’s faces.

“You do realize how unreasonable your request is, don’t you? You're essentially asking me to govern the kingdom perfectly from now on.”

“I understand. I know it’s absurd.”

“Being bribed with money or prestige would be far easier. Even if I give my absolute best in politics, economics, and diplomacy, conflict is always just a spark away.”

“Peace is more precious than food or water. I was oppressed by arrogant nobles and forced into the military. I don’t care about wealth or titles. What matters most to me is ensuring my children grow up in a stable, peaceful country.”

“I see. I can’t promise success, but I’ll do everything in my power. Will that suffice for now? Of course, you and your family will also need to work hard.”

“Thank you. I’ll dedicate myself fully, Your Highness—Queen Mylene."

I bowed deeply before the Queen.

To be honest, I don’t actually believe such vague promises will come true.

But if there’s even a chance to secure Angie and our children’s future, I’d betray the royal family and side with the duchy without hesitation.

It’s a shameful thought—but I’m sure someone as wise as Her Majesty is already aware of it.

In that sense, I’m not so different from Marquis Frampton, who betrayed the crown and colluded with the duchy.

I’m just a rogue noble with no interest in political ambition and a deep aversion to conflict.

If my betrayal were ever exposed, the duke wouldn’t show mercy. And even if the Queen mended ties with the duchy, she might still pursue us.

Even so, I’ve chosen to keep fighting.

I’m willing to fall into hell, so long as my family is spared.

With that selfish prayer sealed deep within me, I returned my focus to the meeting.

The faces of my relatives from the matchmaking event, and the images of my sisters and children waiting at home, flashed through my mind—then faded.

※　※　※　※　※

The sound of Queen Mylene flipping through pages echoed through the room.

The documents prepared for today’s meeting had been condensed to around fifty pages.

Even for someone as capable as Mylene, thoroughly understanding the entire contents in such a limited time was likely impossible.

I had prepared supplementary materials and a more detailed breakdown in my bag, just in case.

Right now, time was our most valuable resource.

“I skimmed through it. It’s a reasonable plan for post-war reconstruction—economic recovery, recruitment of talent, reinforcement of national defense. But the section on diplomacy stands out, especially the analysis of the Alzer Republic and the broader international stance toward the Holfort Kingdom. Is this Angie’s work?”

“No, that would be Olivia’s. The outskirts rarely receive detailed information on foreign affairs.”

“The source is probably someone close to the heart of the Republic—most likely the Priestess of the Sacred Tree. What exactly are these young girls up to, sneaking around and gathering intelligence?”

Olivia is more aligned with the temple and the people than with the Holfort royal family, and the Priestess acts in the interest of the Alzer Republic.

In that sense, I suppose I’m one of those bothersome “young girls” as well.

The only reason Leon and I are cooperating with Queen Mylene is to restore relations between the royal family and House Redgrave—and to avoid civil war.

To put it plainly, we harbor little loyalty toward the royal family.

“It’s disheartening that the reports from these girls are more coherent and insightful than anything my ministers have produced. Perhaps I should just hire them all.”

Queen Mylene’s cold stare pierced through Prince Julius.

Her words were clearly mocking his decision to dissolve our engagement and appoint Olivia as the new Saintess.

But our analyses are only possible because I, once groomed to be queen, understand the kingdom’s internal systems and power structures.

It’s not that the current ministers are all incompetent—they simply lack the same foundation and access to intelligence.

“With all due respect, may I inquire about the Holfort Kingdom’s current revenues and expenditures, the tax rates across territories, and the reparations received from the Fanoss Duchy?”

Ordinarily, it would be unheard of for a mere local lord’s wife to ask the Queen to disclose such sensitive financial information.

But without access to those numbers, we can’t devise realistic solutions.

You can’t plan for the future without an accurate picture of the present.

“Current revenues sit at about sixty to seventy percent of what they were during your time here. Tax collection from noble territories has been reduced by up to forty percent in the most damaged regions—averaging about twenty percent overall—to reflect wartime devastation. With the addition of reparations from the Fanoss Duchy, we barely reach eighty percent. The treasury is nearly empty, except for emergency reserves. The royal family’s own budget has been slashed by more than half.”

Mylene-sama’s candor was almost startling.

I had made rough projections based on the year-end financial reports shared with the nobility.

The situation isn’t at rock bottom yet—but it's undeniably dire.

From here on, we’ll need to explore solutions through ongoing discussion and proposal, adjusting course as we go.

“Right now, expenses outstrip income. We’re juggling national reconstruction costs, war-time compensation for noble families, aid to the Alzer Republic, and the rebuilding of our decimated military.”

“Couldn’t we tap into the treasury’s reserves? Angie mentioned there’s quite a large sum saved up.”

“The reserves are strictly for emergencies. We’ve saved the equivalent of three years’ worth of the national budget, but they’re essential for unforeseen crises. If we deplete them now, the Holfort Kingdom won’t survive the next calamity.”

That makes sense.

In a world where natural disasters, famines, epidemics, or foreign invasions can happen at any time, it’s prudent to maintain at least five years’ worth of reserves.

To those who struggle to afford food today, it may seem like the kingdom is hoarding wealth, but in truth, it’s preserving the bare minimum necessary for the people’s long-term survival.

“What about the royal demesne’s tax revenue? I haven’t heard of any resource shortages.”

“The issue isn’t a lack of resources—it’s a shortage of people. The war took a devastating toll. The capital was nearly overrun. We had to deploy personnel from the royal demesne just to keep the kingdom from collapsing. No matter how rich the land, it’s worthless without people to manage it.”

“To make matters worse, illegal adventurers and looters continue to target dungeons and mines outside royal control.”

Prince Julius picked up from there, reinforcing Mylene-sama’s point.

He had once shown little interest in governance, but the crisis threatening Holfort’s very survival seemed to have awakened his sense of duty as royalty.

“Greg, with his vast experience as an adventurer, is currently surveying dungeons across the realm. According to his reports, unregistered adventurers are entering dungeons in increasing numbers—even those under royal jurisdiction. Many are drawn by the promise of quick riches, despite the risk. These criminals smuggle stolen goods into black markets, and although Chris and the authorities have cracked down, the sheer volume makes it impossible to contain. Brad believes there’s a high likelihood that foreign criminal organizations are exploiting our current instability to infiltrate the kingdom.”

Mylene-sama lets out a weary sigh at the disheartening report, and I can’t blame her—I feel the same.

Seated beside me, Leon shares our sentiment.

The Bartfort territory, which we painstakingly developed, has been drained of both funds and manpower due to the war. All that hard work now feels like it was for nothing.

If the kingdom’s condition has deteriorated this much, even a minor lord like ourself can’t help but feel anxious about its future.

“Can’t we increase the reparations from the Fanoss Principality? Our lands, like many others, suffered heavily from the monsters they unleashed.”

“We’ve negotiated several times already. This is the best outcome we could secure. If we press further, the former Principality’s citizens will starve, and that could trigger a third war. Many of them still harbor deep resentment toward the kingdom. Given the choice between slow death by famine and fighting the kingdom, they’d likely choose battle.”

“A third war would only bring more destruction, wouldn’t it?”

Leon understands better than anyone how terrifying soldiers prepared to die can be. He himself once risked everything to force the Principality’s army into retreat.

Another conflict would only further bleed the kingdom dry.

The wisest course is to grant a measure of autonomy to the former Principality and gradually integrate it into the Holfort Kingdom.

“What about cutting back—or at least suspending—aid to the Alzer Republic?”

“That’s no easy task. So long as we continue providing support, the Republic has a secret pact to send reinforcements in times of crisis. With our military forces weakened, the Republic functions as a shield against foreign threats.”

“So that’s why the Holy Tree’s Priestess passed intelligence to Olivia-sama, who then relayed it to us.”

“Exactly. That’s how alliances operate. My family—the Lepart United Kingdom—arranged my marriage into the kingdom to keep the Rachel Holy Kingdom in check. When one ally is in need, the others provide support. Break that trust, and we risk condemnation from the international community. Worse still, we could find ourselves isolated.”

“I doubt the Republic’s military is reliable right now.”

“True, in terms of strength, they’re lacking. But the real value lies in their magic stones. Once the Holy Tree flourishes again and production resumes, the kingdom will receive priority in trade. That advantage could tip the balance against rival nations. It may not yield returns in five or ten years—but in a century or two, the benefits will be immense.”

“I can’t bring myself to care about what happens centuries after I’m gone.”

“Then remember this, Leon-kun: A true ruler lays the foundation not for themselves, but for their descendants—for their children's children and beyond.”

“…Understood.”

“Good.”

Mylene-sama lectures Leon as if explaining things to a slow student. Her gentle smile only makes it more irritating.

Leon, if you’re going to ask questions, ask me instead.

“We lack both manpower and financial resources—that’s the root of our current dilemma. Leon-kun, the kingdom is now prepared to reward competent young people, regardless of their lineage.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m already stretched thin rebuilding my own territory.”

“…If Father does ascend the throne, what’s his plan to rebuild the kingdom?”

Suppressing a twinge of jealousy, I voice my question.

Right now, the Redgrave family holds unmatched sway within the Holfort Kingdom—an influence comparable to that of a small nation.

But that power is confined to the kingdom itself.

Now that the kingdom has expanded by annexing the Fanoss Principality, even the Redgrave family and its faction seem insufficient to manage the burden alone.

Does Father have a strategy to overcome this?

“Most likely, Duke Vince aims for a peaceful transition of power. He would probably retain competent court officials and ministers. The real issue lies with the surrounding nobles.”

“Is the duke’s faction pressuring him to take the throne?”

“Those who genuinely respect Duke Vince or the ducal house aren’t the problem. His Majesty and the late king’s brother have long neglected governance, and Julius made too many blunders. I’m partly to blame for not curbing them. So, it’s not surprising that concerned nobles are looking to Duke Vince.”

Prince Julius flinches slightly at Mylene-sama’s words.

But it’s hard to fault her.

Years of royal mismanagement and the arrogance of high-ranking nobles have eroded confidence in the monarchy. My broken engagement with Julius only served to fan those flames of doubt.

In such times, it’s only natural for people to yearn for a strong, dependable leader to guide a war-weary nation.

I can’t entirely condemn those who, disappointed by His Majesty and Julius, now seek to rebuild the kingdom under new leadership.

“The real challenge is how Duke Vince will handle the neutral nobles, those who failed to distinguish themselves during the war, the anti-ducal faction, and the newly annexed Principality’s citizens. His decisions could spark civil unrest.”

“Would he crush them and redistribute their lands and titles?”

“There’s already precedent. The Frampton Marquis faction was eliminated during the last war, and their holdings were given to those who proved themselves. Many nobles believe the same could happen now.”

“But last time, it was a defensive war—there were no spoils to distribute, so it made sense. This time, with the annexation of the Principality, doesn’t that change the situation?”

“If only it were that simple. People naturally expect rewards after a victorious war and territorial expansion.”

“Couldn’t we punish nobles who broke military regulations or betrayed us?”

“Very few nobles committed actual treason. Most who didn’t distinguish themselves were either busy defending their territories or forced to retreat by overwhelming enemy forces. Even the Roseblade family was in such a situation. It would be harsh to call them incompetent.”

“I didn’t defeat the enemy commander either. I merely disrupted their supply lines and negotiated a temporary ceasefire through a hostage exchange. In the end, we were forced to withdraw toward the capital. If anything, His Highness deserves more credit for capturing the Principality’s princess.”

“But that victory came at a steep cost. The Bartfort forces had to retreat to avoid being encircled as enemy attacks spread elsewhere. Their ability to minimize losses and hold the line merits recognition.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“The bigger issue is that noble rivalries are pulling both the royal family and the ducal house into a broader conflict. Seizing a rival’s land might serve an individual noble, but such actions weaken the kingdom as a whole. With our current manpower shortages, a civil war is the last thing we can afford.”

In short, the kingdom’s post-war impoverishment lies at the heart of the issue.

Everyone believes they deserve rewards and new lands for their contributions, now that we’ve emerged victorious and expanded our territory.

Yet the newly annexed former Principality is a volatile powder keg. The kingdom’s coffers are depleted, and international obligations prevent us from halting aid to the Republic.

Lower nobles and commoners—like Leon—who rose in rank after the previous war harbor little loyalty toward the Holfort royal family.

They’re bitter, resenting a system that allows ineffectual higher nobles to remain firmly entrenched.

Such growing discontent eventually turned into deep-seated distrust toward the royal family, prompting many to turn to my father and the ducal house for leadership.

Noble families with long-standing legacies began pledging allegiance to the ducal house, seeking legitimacy and strength in their quest to overcome rival factions.

In response, those opposing the ducal house clung to the royal family, not out of loyalty, but as a strategic counterbalance.

Even members of the anti-ducal faction, when cornered, found themselves with no choice but to seek the royal family’s support—just like the desperate and cornered nobles they once criticized.

Moreover, neutral parties and those lacking influence had little choice but to align with one side or the other, or risk being swept away entirely.

Amidst this internal chaos, foreign powers began to interfere, further destabilizing the kingdom and driving the people's loyalty even further from the crown.

Thus begins a vicious cycle of division and disorder, pushing the nation further into decline.

If left unchecked, the inevitable outcome will be a civil war that fractures the kingdom in two.

And a nation crippled by civil strife will find itself helpless before the onslaught of foreign invasion.

“Angie, is there any way to fix this?”

“That’s why I slipped away from my brother-in-law’s matchmaking meeting, isn’t it?”

“No, really—this situation looks seriously bleak.”

We always knew the path ahead would be difficult.

But this—this is far worse than expected.

Above all, the collapse of the Holfort royal family’s authority is at devastating point.

Before the war, the royal house had the prestige, power, and wealth to silence dissent and maintain control.

Now, with all of that diminished, few still look to the royal family for leadership.

I’m no exception.

But if things continue down this road, civil war is unavoidable.

And if foreign powers strike in the aftermath, even should the ducal house seize the throne, the kingdom will inevitably fall.

I can’t bear the thought of Leon being dragged into another war.

He’s the kind of man who would gladly throw away his life to protect his loved ones.

I’ve grown too weak to live in a world without him.

“The royal family needs to rebuild trust. We must do more than reward military merit—we need a policy that benefits all nobles, regardless of faction.”

“I already understand that much. That’s why I came to speak with you. So—do you have any good ideas?”

I had drafted several proposals.

But the situation is worse than I’d feared.

The royal treasury is nearly depleted, and the nobles’ trust in the royal family is at rock bottom.

Given such dire conditions, most of my plans are useless.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t create something out of nothing.

“Maybe we should arrange a meeting with Father. If the royal family offers a formal apology to the ducal house, he might accept it.”

“That won’t be enough on its own.”

“…Right. We need something that not only appeases the ducal house but convinces all the nobles.”

But what could that "something" be?

It can’t appear to favor either the ducal faction or the royalists.

We need a third option—an external force to mediate and restore balance.

That’s the key: balance.

I feel like I’m close to the answer, but it keeps slipping through my fingers.

“Wouldn’t throwing more money at the problem help? At least Bartfort territory would benefit.”

“The funds are already allocated for development, the hot spring facilities, and repaying our debt to the ducal house. It wouldn’t make a significant impact.”

“So that’s no good either. Even just a loan would’ve been a huge help.”

…And then it clicked.

What did Leon and I just say?

“Leon.”

“Yeah?”

“What did you just say?”

“That throwing more money at the problem wouldn’t solve it?”

“After that.”

“Oh—‘just lending us money would’ve been nice,’ I think?”

“What’s the matter, Angie?”

I felt something fall perfectly into place.

The education I received as a duke’s daughter.

The insight I gained while preparing to be queen.

The ambition forged in me as an adventurer.

The practical knowledge I acquired managing development projects as a local lord’s wife.

The foresight born of being a mother concerned for her child’s future.

All of it blended together—refined, distilled, and converging into one clear solution.

Frantically, I pulled documents from my bag and began flipping through them.

Despite my growing excitement, my mind was calm and focused.

I don’t know how much time passed.

When I looked up, six pairs of eyes were silently watching me.

“Are you all right, Angie?”

Leon gently touched my cheek.

His hand was warm, and yet, against my flushed skin, it felt cool.

“Your Majesty Mylene.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I don’t know if this will succeed.

But doing nothing will change nothing.

So I will act.

By Leon’s side.

And I will use every tool at my disposal to do so.

“I, Angelica Fou Bartfort, humbly submit a proposal.”

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

Meeting and Commentary Session. The current state of the Holfort Kingdom is truly precarious without the overwhelming asset that is Luxion, as well as the absence of a knowledge-bearer or reincarnator. One of the central themes of this work is reconstruction.

As shown in the original story, the Holfort Kingdom was already in a dire position—one only salvaged by the extraordinary advantage provided by the reincarnator Leon and the unparalleled power of Luxion (not to mention the contributions of the reincarnator Marie). The Bartfalt Dynasty came into being only because of the ducal family’s alliance with Luxion, whose strength was nothing short of cheat-level.

What fascinates me most is how the struggles of ordinary, powerless humans can create a ripple effect—a butterfly effect—that sways the fate of an entire nation. It’s that raw, human drama that drives this narrative. I’ve always been drawn to stories of post-war and post-revolutionary reconstruction, so this project is heavily influenced by that narrative style.

(It’s definitely not because I watched Go**ra. sweats)

Addendum:

At the request of the client, illustrations for this work were graciously provided by the following artists:

05_sio-sama: Pixiv (Costume change warning)

dolphilia-sama: Pixiv (Crossover warning)

Panton-sama: Pixiv (Adult content warning

)

Eve.Aries-sama: Pixiv

Additionally, the illustration for this chapter was drawn by nao-sama. Thank you very much!

nao-sama: Pixiv