Chapter 388 – Waves
Peace is just an illusion.
If such a story is dismissed as the ravings of hard-core extremists or the nonsense of delusional warmongers, it can be said to be proof that peace has come.
The current empire was like that.
Today, almost two years have passed since the end of the Long Winter War, and the majority of the people of the empire are rushing to enjoy peace, as if to directly deny the memories of the past war.
The sound of children’s laughter continues on the streets.
“Ahahaha!”
“The weather is really nice these days, isn’t it?”
“It really is. It’s the perfect day to enjoy a picnic.”
Even though it is not a weekend or holiday, idle facilities such as parks and resorts are always full of people enjoying leisure time with their families.
Considering the general sentiment of the empire, the fact that such an open and ostentatious atmosphere was widespread not only among the upper class such as nobles but also among the public was certainly noteworthy.
It is a very positive thing that peace itself is popular.
During peaceful times in history, the birth rate rises in accordance with the instinct of creatures seeking stability, the economy is revitalized as people’s consumption is promoted, and the demand for knowledge and culture also increases.
This soon leads to a social virtuous cycle.
There is no better accelerant than peace to solidify the stability of a nation.
On the other hand, the reason why such a peaceful atmosphere became widespread in the empire recently was not far away.
The greatest celebrity symbolizing the imperial family.
The favorite of the empire, whose beauty and manners were praised throughout the world.
Many people are unanimously saying that with Princess Alicia’s engagement ceremony, a full-fledged atmosphere of peace has begun to emerge.
Congratulations and condolences for immediate royal family members are always held as large events at the imperial level.
Princess Alicia’s recent engagement ceremony had an especially large impact.
Not only was it a grand event of unprecedented scale, but the fact that the betrothed was none other than a promising young general who would be responsible for the future military power of the empire must have had a huge impact.
However, unlike the existing imperial events, which were considered only the privilege of residents of the island or their own festival that took place in high society.
This engagement ceremony had a result that was incomparable to other previous events due to the appearance of a magic tool named ‘Palseer’, meaning that it is widely viewed, and a newspaper article from the Telephone Workshop.
Not only the few nobles who were honored to receive an invitation from the imperial family and were able to witness the engagement ceremony.
“There was a complete festival going on in the neighborhood below.”
“I guess spring has already arrived in the islands.”
Northern pioneers also fight head-on against the harsh cold.
“Look! Master Daejeon, Master Daejeon is trapped inside!”
“Oh, Earth Mother!”
The natural people of the South, where the hot wilderness lives and breathes.
“Oh my, it’s so precious!”
“Hehe… “Maybe I should have gone out of my way to go and see for myself.”
Wealthy farmers in the West, overflowing with golden wheat fields.
“Amazing. How on earth did you come up with such an idea… “
“What is the principle? That level of magical engineering has already been commercialized.”
Seekers in the East, where tradition, innovation, and mystery coexist.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that thanks to the benefits of the newspaper, literally all the people of the empire enjoyed the festival together at one time on one day.
By nature, a grand festival leaves some lingering feeling even after it is over.
The local nobles who returned to their respective territories after the engagement ceremony reacted a little strangely to the reaction of the territory residents, who were more energetic than usual, but most of them accepted the change positively.
Except some areas with fixed climates, such as the northern limit and the tropical regions of the south, led by major forests, the weather is fully entering spring.
Now the empire has reached its greatest peace since the war.
Of course, it cannot be said that domestic and foreign conflicts have completely disappeared in the empire, such as the existence of Eclipse, an anti-state group operating secretly both domestically and abroad, and the competition for successor that began in earnest following the engagement ceremony.
The empire’s leadership decided to take advantage of the anxiety factor.
It was the result decided by the most important meeting that decided the empire’s course of action, which began shortly after the engagement ceremony.
* * *
A grand assembly held irregularly by 12 rulers.
“Peace, peace is good. What do you think of the general atmosphere of peace that has recently arrived in the empire?”
When the Duchess, a Kshatri of the East who advocated absolute neutrality, hinted, the other three Dukes also expressed their opinions as if they had been waiting.
“Well, I don’t think it’s bad. I’ve been in a terrible mood these days, full of bad things. “It’s better because I have a lot of money going around.”
Surprisingly, the first to reveal a positive nuance to the agenda was Duke Velaryon of the West, who was critical of everything.
“I am of the same opinion as Lord Velaryon. The North has been hungry for peace for a long time. “As long as it doesn’t go too far, I think it would be a good idea to maintain this trend for a while.”
The Duke of Winterhearts, the leader of the North, who was inevitably wary of peace due to geopolitical characteristics, also agreed with his opinion.
“Grumbling…” “
The southern great chief, the Duke of Samoa, seemed to be very tired and was dozing off, but the other three dukes took it as an expression of positivity.
Four dukes with influence within the empire second only to the imperial family.
“Now that the four opinions are unified, further discussion is meaningless.”
“Hehe, the church only supports peace according to God’s will.”
“The Ministry of Finance will then assume that tax revenues will increase and prepare an additional budget for next year.”
“So the Chamber of Commerce… “
“At the Horse Society… “
When the opinions of the four who had the greatest say were unanimous, the opinions of other rulers also gave more weight to maintaining a peaceful stance for a while.
Only one person, Marshal Craig, the Empire’s commander-in-chief, had a different opinion.
“Wait a minute, but that doesn’t mean we should neglect our guard. Although momentum has slowed due to recent heavy damage, the threat of Eclipse remains.”
Indeed, the prudence of a man at the forefront of the empire’s national security.
“Hmm. Do we really have to pay that much attention to them now?”
“Even if we assume that the peaceful trend is maintained for just one year, the potential economic effects will be enormous.”
“If the Empire’s defense has become dull to the point where it has to worry about the threat of such fanatics, I guess it’s your fault.”
However, minority opinions are inevitably not respected.
Commander-in-Chief Craig was the only one of the 12 rulers to represent someone else, so he had a particularly weak right to speak compared to the importance of his role.
If the great general of the empire were here in person, she would have the power to overturn everyone’s opinions at once, but she is currently absent.
“… “I definitely warned you.”
“Commander-in-chief. The war is over now. “Why don’t you stop worrying about it now and focus more on solidarity within the military?”
“No, war never ends. Rather, times like now are times when we must be even more vigilant. Complacency is your greatest enemy.”
“Well, if that’s what you mean… They say they will protect the country more diligently. “I don’t think anyone has anything to say about him.”
In the end, the commander-in-chief’s opinion was treated as the opinion of an upright soldier and was passed over.
“Well, it seems like the conclusion has been reached.”
“Peace will remain for the time being.”
“Haha, how much free time can I have?”
It was the moment when the steps of the great giant called the empire were decided.
Now that the direction was decided, all that remained was how to realize it, and the plan that was ultimately adopted was as follows.
“It just so happens that there is a hero in the empire who is perfect for singing about peace.”
“… Are you talking about General Wolfgang?”
“Okay. “This is the man who has repeatedly prevented the Eclipse invasions you are so wary of, and who will become a high person in the future.”
That is to actively utilize Wolfgang’s presence.
Due to certain circumstances, his achievements have been underestimated until now, but thanks to his public declaration at the engagement ceremony, many of the country’s citizens became aware of the achievements he had made.
Due to the 1st Prince’s behind-the-scenes work, the media is currently under extensive control, but you can’t cover the sky with your palm.
Previously, Wolfgang’s fame was due to his title as the only man who stole Princess Alicia’s heart, as well as his appearance as a playboy who spread rumors of affairs with numerous beautiful women, which did not suit his rough appearance.
Now he has become a man best suited to the name hero.
“Let’s gradually announce the existence of Eclipse to the public.”
“Hmm, maybe it’s still too early.”
“No. Rather, now is the most appropriate time. Ignoring them only makes them more mysterious and further increases their influence.”
The rulers of the empire did not decide to call for peace based on groundless complacency.
“Wow, what you’re saying is that we should bring out the charlatans hiding underneath the gambling table.”
“That’s it. It would be more effective to pull them out, target them, and make them a laughing stock in the name of a hero.”
Propaganda and public opinion manipulation that Eclipse has attempted so far.
The empire decided to use the enemy’s method in reverse.
By using a man named Wolfgang as a weapon.
Of course, it remained to be seen what consequences this would have.
