The report from Nail delivered a significant shock to everyone, including myself.
However, what surprised me most was the existence of Spirit Magic and Subjugation Magic. While I was aware of Subjugation Magic and had anticipated it might differ from the Philia Continent, Spirit Magic was entirely beyond my expectations. Unfortunately, the user of Spirit Magic has been conscripted by the Divine Emperor, so we were unable to investigate its details. Many inhabitants of the Gradia Continent themselves seem unaware of Spirit Magic’s existence.
Spirit Magic on the Philia Continent is a magic that enhances attribute magic by borrowing the power of spirits through contracts with them. However, forming a contract with a spirit is difficult, and not all who possess Spirit Magic are able to contract with spirits. I’ve also heard that contracts can be dissolved if compatibility is poor. While a contract offers the spirit the benefit of evolution, they seem to find no merit in contracting with an evil person, and criminals are invariably cut off from their contracts by the spirits.
However, I’ve heard stories from other worlds where individuals contract with multiple spirits, and these tales feature wicked individuals who subjugate spirits. It is highly probable, though only a guess, that Spirit Magic on the Gradia Continent is closer to this. Of course, this is merely my conjecture, and with the users of Spirit Magic conscripted by the Divine Emperor, investigation is impossible. Therefore, the advance into the Gradia Continent must be undertaken with every conceivable scenario taken into account.
The Knights’ Conference was called on short notice, so we could only present Nail’s report and the aforementioned conclusion. This remained largely the same at the International Conference held later. However, a provisional decision was made to advance in the summer, and the Ritter’s Guild was tasked with coordinating this effort and recruiting participants. Since Traveling is unusable on the Gradia Continent, the Wing of Order will be used for the advance. It has a capacity of approximately 2,000 people. As several Hunter parties have also expressed interest in participating, the number of accompanying Ritters is projected to be around 1,200. Approximately 500 will come from the Order’s Guild, with 150 to 200 from other Ritter’s Guilds. Hunters will number around 100, not exceeding 300 at most. While there are many concerns, considering the forces that attacked the Philia Continent, it is unlikely that there will be a desperate disparity in strength.
Still, we cannot solely focus on the Gradia Continent. There are many tasks that must be done, things that we are obligated to do. Granting Yamato Olden Island and Mana the area around the former Kobaldia, as well as Count Dianthos the entire Valiente mountain range upon Yuri’s graduation, is one of them. However, doing everything simultaneously would be difficult, so the development of Olden Island, currently under the direct administration of the Celestial Emperor’s Family, will proceed under Yamato’s leadership.
Also, though different from development, significant time was also allocated to the third independent nation in the Solemne region. “Then, the name for the country is decided as Marsodelsierto County.”
The newly independent Marsodelsierto County will be located at the southernmost tip of the Solemne region, bordering the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate by a small margin. Though troublesome, the country’s name is a grant from the Celestial Emperor, so I must decide it. There is a rule, not publicly disclosed, which involves prefixing a word meaning one of the twelve months in the language of the visitor’s world, indicating the order of their independence. Since it is bound to become an issue eventually, it has not been publicized.
“As Count-King, will it be Marquis Shedel Weideland as planned?”
“No, Marquis Shedel was found to be plotting rebellion, so his enthronement has been canceled. Therefore, Zengar Weideland, the second candidate, will be enthroned as the Count-King of Marsodelsierto.”
Marsodelsierto County will serve as the gateway to the Valentia region, making it a strategic point for transportation, albeit in a different way than the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate. This led to considerable difficulty in selecting the Count-King. The Weideland Marquis Family, which originally governed the southern region including the Praia Desert, had an adequate benevolent administration. While not exactly obedient, they observed Federal law, and their treatment of outcasts had improved, second only to Deseo and Count Enlo Istlias. Their slums were also shrinking, and reports indicate active guild activities due to their proximity to the Vald Beast Duchy across the sea. That is precisely why Marquis Shedel Weideland, the current head of the family, was selected as the first candidate, and he was informed of this. However, it appears this ignited his ambition.
“Rebellion?”
“Yes. Grand Soldier’s Master, please.”
“Yes. Marquis Shedel Weideland, after his enthronement, intended to send his private army to the neighboring Febro Lehithrest Marquisate, take members of Marquis-Queen Pamela’s family hostage, and seize actual power.”
Pamela Lehithrest, the Marquis-Queen, present at the meeting, grimaced at the explanation given by Grand Soldier’s Master Delfina. This was understandable, as his target was her newborn child, her husband, her grandfather, her parents, her entire lineage. Shedel, having largely confined himself to the south, likely believed his plot was undetected. However, neither the Order’s Guild nor the Soldier’s Guild found it difficult to investigate such matters, and more importantly, Shedel was the most likely candidate for the new Count-King, so a background check was indispensable. During this investigation, it became almost certain that he would become the new Count-King. Upon being shown the territory designated as his domain, which borders the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate, he harbored ambitions and planned to kidnap members of Marquis-Queen Pamela’s family to control her. Investigations are ongoing, but he may have even plotted the revival of Solemne or dominion over the Philia Continent.
“Such a thing…”
“I see, is that why your cousin, Lord Zengar, will be enthroned and his children will inherit the throne?”
Precisely. Targeting members of Marquis-Queen Pamela’s family is treason. This treason refers not to the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate, but to the Amister-Philias Federation Celestial Empire. The Philia Continent currently forms a federal state led by the Amister Heavenly Empire. Therefore, Federal law is enforced, and it clearly outlines actions that harm the monarchs of various nations. While harm caused by one’s own citizens is at the discretion of the respective monarchs, in cases involving citizens of other nations, the targeted monarch, as well as the Celestial Emperor, hold jurisdiction for judgment.
In cases of treason, the perpetrator’s capital punishment is certain, but immediate relatives are also subject to punishment. Originally, Zengar, as his cousin, would also have been subject to punishment. However, during the hearing and investigation, it was discovered that his mother and Shedel’s father had a poor relationship, and despite their blood ties, they had no familial relations whatsoever. Consequently, Shedel’s plan was never proposed to him, and he was reportedly surprised when the Soldier investigated him. For this reason, he, along with his mother, was judged innocent. Considering the results of his background check and the fact that he was already the second candidate, he has been appointed to be enthroned as the Count-King.
Ideally, a third candidate should be appointed. However, as for the third candidate and below, although they exist, the conclusion reached was that maintaining the current situation is preferable to enthroning them. Therefore, if he were not to be enthroned, the independence of Marsodelsierto County would have been abandoned.
“Indeed. The results of his background check are documented here. Based on these findings, I wish to ask for your approval of his enthronement.”
For this reason, Zengar’s enthronement was decided upon. However, he is not present at today’s International Conference. The reason is that his formal enthronement has not yet been approved; he is merely a candidate. The Solemne region is planned to be established as twelve small nations, but currently, only Count Enlo Istlias and the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate are independent. The independence of Marsodelsierto County would make it the third nation, but for this to happen, Zengar’s enthronement is essential.
“Hmm, this seems to pose no problem.”
“Indeed.”
“One confirmation: does this Lord Zengar hold a peerage?”
“Yes. He holds the title of Viscount as a cadet branch of the Weideland Marquis Family.”
The noble system in Solemne differs from Amister. Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron are common, but there also exists a peerage called “Imperial Peerage.” I believe Dukes are considered part of the Imperial Peerage Houses, Viscounts a cadet branch of Marquis Houses, and Barons a cadet branch of Count Houses. The succession rights to the Solemne throne are held by Duke Houses and Imperial Peerage Houses. However, with the extermination of the Imperial Family during the Solemne War, their ambition was exposed, and Hilde, the Governor of the Solemne region, was targeted more than once. Naturally, Hilde, an Ancient Vampire, would not be deceived, and more importantly, her husband Yamato would not stand idly by. Consequently, the Duke Houses and Imperial Peerage Houses have been dissolved without exception.
The Weideland Marquis Family owned territory in the southernmost part of the Solemne region. They were in a near-hostile relationship with the second prince, who was involved in smuggling timber for steam warships and manipulating the then-Valiente United Kingdom, and thus did not cooperate. The territory of the Weideland Marquis Family was in the southernmost part of Solemne. Trade was also conducted through a giant drawbridge connecting to the strait that now borders the Vald Beast Duchy, generating profit, which was likely another reason for their opposition to the second prince. This is why the head of the family at the time, Shedel, had little loyalty to the Imperial family. It is regrettable that he not only planned to control not only Marsodelsierto County but also the neighboring Febro Lehithrest Marquisate; it seems he was a Solemne noble in the worst sense. Therefore, Zengar, the head of the cadet branch, the Weideland Viscount Family, has been appointed to be enthroned.
He is, after all, a member of the Weideland family. Thus, his background check, including the use of Knight Magic for interrogation, was meticulously thorough. The fact that it could be brought to the agenda is solely because his innocence has been proven.
“I see, in that case, there are no issues.”
“Although his ideals are somewhat questionable, if his son, the next Count-King, is separated from him for education and enthroned at an early age, his ideals can be contained.”
“I also believe that should be the case.”
I agree with the Kings’ opinions. Lord Zengar’s sole issue is his ingrained belief that the people of Solemne are superior in all aspects. The basis for this is the existence of steam warships manufactured in the town he governed, yet these steam warships can be sunk by a few High Class individuals, making the basis almost non-existent. Due to this, Lord Zengar has become skeptical of what could be called Solemne-supremacist ideology, but the arrogance common among Solemne nobles has not disappeared. Therefore, he will be enthroned as the first Count-King of Marsodelsierto. However, an overseer will also be dispatched to prevent him from acting recklessly. His reign is planned to last only a few years, and his successor will be educated by us and chosen by the Kings. Simultaneously, this endeavor is a litmus test for the independence of small nations, including Marsodelsierto County. I do not know what the outcome will be, but it is undeniable that judgment cannot be made without trying, which is why this course of action has been taken. Incidentally, if all three of his legitimate children are deemed unsuitable, a successor will be chosen from his remaining blood relatives and educated. Lord Zengar has two sons and one daughter; his second son is only four years old, so I believe it will likely be fine.
In any case, the Kings’ approval has been obtained. As a result, the independence of Marsodelsierto County has been approved, and it has been decided that his coronation ceremony will be held during the New Year’s celebration. The appointment of an auditor to be dispatched as an overseer is also pending, and further coordination is required, but this will establish the third independent nation in the Solemne region. It will be a different nation from Count Enlo Istlias and the Febro Lehithrest Marquisate, but its true nature will only become clear after its independence. I must also rack my brains to ensure the citizens are not harmed.
I am currently busy with my main work and cannot dedicate as much time to writing. That work is causing me some mental strain and reducing my concentration, so updates will be irregular.
