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0% The soldiers’ steps towards the capital were incredibly light. It was natural since they weren’t marching to a battlefield where they might die, but returning to a place where they would receive everyone’s cheers.

Of course, war was still war, even if the losses had been relatively low and the victory overwhelming.

Among the ranks, some troops bore somber expressions, weighed down by the loss of their comrades, while others lay in wagons, having found their eternal rest. There was no such thing as a war where everyone returned happy.

Understanding the lingering shadows of battle, the officers did their best to ease the burden on their troops.

The march was set at a relaxed pace, and small rations of alcohol were distributed to dampen the sorrow.

They couldn’t bring back the dead, but at the very least, they could make the journey home easier for the living.

Thankfully, it’s quiet.

The fact that no conflicts had broken out among the procession mixing mainlanders and northerners was also possible thanks to the commanders’ desperate efforts.

Just as there were nomads who burned their lives while claiming they couldn’t coexist with the empire, there were plenty of imperials who disliked nomads.

Specifically, they would be the northerners who suffered from nomad raids or soldiers from the Northern Force tasked with guarding the northern border.

The calmness, despite the people gathered for whom nomads were a sort of trigger, suggested that they’d already vented all their pent-up anger in the war, or it could be the power of reason telling them that picking fights with those who had already surrendered would do more harm than good.

Either way, it doesn’t matter.

In truth, it was enough as long as they weren’t fighting each other. It might have sounded careless, but the result mattered more than the process in the end.

“It’s my first time setting foot in the empire, but I understand how excellent His Majesty’s rule is after seeing this level of prosperity in a mere province.”

Thanks to this peace, conversations between imperial and northern nobles passed without drawing much attention.

“Now that His Majesty’s rule will reach the North, this prosperity will someday cover the North as well.”

“Just imagining it makes my heart race.”

I smiled back at Marquis Barandiga, who burst into laughter in anticipation.

Given how vast and barren the North was, that prosperity wouldn’t be achieved in Marquis Barandiga’s lifetime, but at least his descendants would enjoy it as high-ranking imperial nobles.

This was a long-term investment in his bloodline.

“As the North’s only marquis family, the Gurt family will bear many obligations for the North’s development.”

“With the great grace I’ve been given, it is only natural. I will serve His Majesty and the Empire with all my strength.”

While exchanging such ordinary pleasantries, I observed Marquis Barandiga’s expression. There was another reason why I brought up the greetings we’d already exchanged several times in the North.

I should bring up the holy relic soon.

Before the war had ended, I made a verbal agreement that I would hand the relic over to Marquess Barandiga, the highest-ranking priest among the northern nobles, once peace was restored.

If a priest wielded the relic, his faith would flourish.

That would give the Eternal Blue Sky more strength, hastening the rebirth of the World Tree.

However, the so-called ‘priest’ (who had no actual faith) didn’t react to the relic at all. More precisely, he didn’t even recognize it as a holy relic. Handing it over to him would be meaningless. At that point, I might as well just offer it to the World Tree myself.

And, most critically, the Eternal Blue Sky had been screaming in my head for days, staging an outright protest against the idea of handing over the relic.

But what should I say? Even if it was verbal, it was too ugly for an envoy to go back on his promise. On top of that, telling a priest, ‘Actually, can I keep your sacred relic?’ would be more than just awkward.

Of course, Marquis Barandiga wouldn’t leave the empire’s embrace just because I was breaking a promise, but unnecessary tension could lead to complications down the line. If resentment builds up, it could snowball into real trouble.

I’ll just give it—

I gently rubbed the back of my neck at the desperate, tearful cry. She’d definitely throw a tantrum while crying, even when I slept, if I ignored her and handed it over.

There’s no choice.

After more thinking, I decided to postpone the situation for now. If I couldn’t hand it over to Marquis Barandiga or fully own it myself, then I should treat it like something I was borrowing. There was no other answer for now.

“By the way, my lord. I have something to say about the holy relic.”

“The holy relic?”

Hearing those words, Marquis Barandiga blinked a few times before belatedly nodding.

What’s this? Had he forgotten about it?

Judging by the venom in the Eternal Blue Sky’s voice, I wasn’t the only one thinking that.

“Come to think of it, I also have something to say to the Count regarding the holy relic.”

“Ah, yes. Please speak first.”

As I let him go first because of this curious coincidence, Marquis Barandiga calmly continued.

“I won’t claim ownership of the holy relic.”

“Pardon?”

What in the world was he talking about?

“The holy relic being in the Count’s hands must be God’s will. A mere priest like myself has no right to go against that. Besides, what’s important is that the holy relic exists in this world, not who owns it.”

On the surface, it sounded like the words of a selfless and merciful priest, so I could only nod blankly. But honestly, was this just his way of easily giving away something he didn’t even recognize as a true relic?

...Damn it.

It was a possibility. He wouldn’t have given it up so easily if he knew it was a genuine relic. But if he thought it was just an ordinary sword, he probably felt no attachment to it at all. He might even want to decline, feeling like he was taking away my property.

I felt like an idiot for worrying about how to back out of the promise.

***We arrived at the capital. The expeditionary force that set out, vowing to conquer the North, returned to the capital after proudly achieving victory.

As we passed majestically through the capital’s gates, a rain of flowers fell on the main road leading to the square. Citizens lined both sides of the road and leaned out of windows while welcoming us with flowers and cheers.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Empire!”

“Glory to the Empire!”

“Great Emperor, protect the Empire!”

Their voices rang out in praise—praise for the emperor who had achieved such a great feat, for the empire that had once again carved history through victory, and for the great emperor who safeguarded it all.

With every resounding cheer, the pride on the soldiers’ faces deepened. It was they who had carried out the emperor’s command, who had secured this victory, and who had helped elevate the emperor’s reign to legendary heights.

Then, the cheers grew even louder when the people spotted the column of unmistakably nomadic warriors in the procession. While the influence of cheerleaders deployed by the imperial family might play a part, it was natural since this procession was proof of the empire’s unshakeable mandate.

Oh.

Before I knew it, the imperial family’s crest was engraved in the sky. It seemed that even the mages were putting on a display behind the scenes.

As we headed towards the square while enjoying this grand welcome, we saw the Emperor standing there, guarded by his Imperial Guard and rows of kneeling citizens.

Even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were behind the Emperor.

It seemed that all of the imperial family was here except for Ainter, who should be at the Academy.

By the way, the Emperor coming out first to welcome his subjects was unexpected.

It’s really grand.

In victory ceremonies, it was usually customary for the person in charge to report the victory to the Emperor after reaching the palace front via the square. This was a custom not just for the empire but the entire continent, so the Emperor’s satisfaction must have been very high to ignore it.

Then again, this war had finally ended the long-standing conflict between the settled and nomadic peoples. For an event of such historical significance, breaking tradition was a small price to pay.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

Anyway, at this grand welcome, the Invincible Duke at the lead hurriedly dismounted and knelt.

““We greet His Majesty the Emperor!””

The entire expedition force quickly followed suit. When the emperor himself came to honor his soldiers, keeping one’s head raised would be no different from treason.

“You may rise.”

Naturally, no one was foolish enough to test the emperor’s patience by hesitating.

***The Emperor commended the excellent command of the Invincible Duke, the nobles and soldiers for their courage, and recognized the chiefs who had chosen to submit to the empire.

Of course, it wasn’t just empty praise. He mentioned that all who participated in this expedition, including those who sadly lost their lives or had to retire from the army, would receive definite rewards.

Since the rewards mentioned at a glorious victory ceremony wouldn’t be light, it sent the soldiers’ morale soaring.

You might wonder what was the point of raising morale when the war was over, but it was better than having an imperial version of the Bonus Army uprising.1

“The foolish ones who once wandered, claiming to serve the heavens but failing to understand its will, have finally seen the truth. Thus, we, the humble shepherds of the frontier, offer the title of Khan to the noble one who upholds the will of the heavens. Please take pity on these shepherds and accept!”

The subsequent Khan endorsement ceremony by the prospective titleholders drew awe and admiration from the watching citizens.

To those who knew the truth, it was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated performance.

But to the uninformed crowd, it seemed as though the nomads had submitted before the emperor’s overwhelming majesty.

It might be my imagination, but it felt like I could see a deep smile on the Emperor’s expressionless face.

“I once thought that nomads were barbarians ignorant of etiquette and principles, but seeing you, I realize that was just a misconception. How could we consider nomads barbaric when there are such wise and spirited individuals? It’s truly regrettable that some brutal and foolish individuals acted as if they represented all nomads. ”

“We are humbled, Your Majesty.”

“Following your wishes, I accept the title of Khan, not for my own sake, but to embrace and protect you and your people as I do all subjects of the empire.”

With that declaration, the Emperor personally appointed the prospective titleholders as titled nobles. Smiles never left the faces of the prospective holders while it proceeded exactly according to the final draft I sent.

Thank goodness. It would have been awkward if the Emperor had adjusted it while saying, ‘Why are there so many?’

“...The conflict between the empire and the North was long and enduring. Only five years ago, a traitor who defied the will of the Empire raised a great army against us. And now, at last, true order has been established in the North.”

Having finished conferring the titles, the Emperor spoke as if about to end the victory ceremony.

“However, this order wasn’t established overnight. It was forged through countless sacrifices, through the dedication of those who gave everything for the peace we now enjoy.”

At these words, the square, which had been visibly excited, gradually quieted down.

Anyone familiar with the emperor’s speeches knew what came next. He would remind the people of past sacrifices, urging them to honor the fallen and carry their legacy into the future—

“Regrettably, though I stand here as the beneficiary of those sacrifices, I have failed to properly honor the heroes who fell in service to the Empire.”

Or not...?

At this sudden drift, the quieting atmosphere in the square became bustling again.

Failed to properly honor? That was a dangerous statement for the ruler of Kefellofen to make. This was an empire that prided itself on rewarding merit and ensuring that every individual received their deserved rewards.

“I have long bowed my head in shame for this failing, but I can no longer ignore the truth—this new era was secured by those very heroes. I must right this wrong and give them their rightful due.”

At that, he extended his hand. The Crown Prince who stood just behind him stepped forward and carefully handed him a scroll.

“In the past, there was a Rebel, a great evil who defied the will of the heavens and gathered the arrogant and the foolish to rise against the Empire.”

Unrolling the scroll, the Emperor continued in his usual calm voice.

“But the heavens still favored the Empire. The Rebel fell, and order was restored. And those who defeated him, the ones who made that victory possible, are heroes of Livnoman.”

However, my expression was anything but.

I couldn’t understand what the Emperor was saying.

Counts of Livnoman. A title named after the imperial family, essentially the highest honor the empire could bestow on individuals.

You upheld the empire. And so, the empire shall forever uphold you.

“These heroes gave everything for the Empire, expecting nothing in return. I have waited too long to repay them, but today, I shall do so in full. And so, in my place, may you forever remember these heroes of the empire.”

Having suddenly dropped this bomb, the Emperor turned around as if nothing had happened. He headed towards the imperial palace, escorted by the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and the Imperial Guard.

Even as I watched him go, I couldn’t say anything. Strangely, my mind wasn’t working.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

Then, a cheer erupted from the front.

It was the Invincible Duke.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Livnoman!”

The cheers gradually spread. They spread quickly, as if it had been planned beforehand.

“Long live Livnoman! Long live the six heroes!”

“May the heroes protect the Empire!”

It spread quickly—faster and faster.

Ha.

I laughed blankly, my eyes getting hot for no reason.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Livnoman!”

But before I knew it, my voice had also joined in the cheering.

Footnotes

1. A group of World War I veterans who marched to Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of their promised bonuses.