Merchant Noble is out (3/3 chapters for today)
Pardon Decree
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After that, Arc and Tyr continued their battles with the nobles in the western part of the kingdom, but gradually the frontlines became deadlocked. As expected, the numbers were overwhelmingly in favor of the nobles. No matter how many times they broke through, the enemy troops never ran out, and the movements of the Warden army became sluggish.
“The Tyr-Warden army and the Arc-Warden army are both exhausted. They are starting to be pushed by the nobles, who have the advantage in numbers.” (Fran)
“They held on longer than I expected, but in the end, it’s the violence of the numbers.” (Fran)
Casablanca, who was receiving the report from Fran in the royal capital, had a stern look on her face.
The kingdom’s army on Casablanca’s side had only half the numbers compared to the noble alliance army. Not only the Warden army fighting in the west, but also the kingdom’s armies in the east, south, and north were struggling, and the information reached Casablanca.
“The kingdom’s armies in the east and south are also struggling. Also, the nobles who were fighting separately are starting to gather together.” (Fran)
Fran read the reports sent from various places and moved pieces on the kingdom’s map. Looking at it on the map, it was clear that the blue pieces representing the noble alliance were gradually gathering.
“Casablanca-sama, at this rate, we will lose. Let us use the last trump card.” (Fran)
Fran said, cold sweat forming on his face.
There was still a strategy that Casablanca’s side had not used. Arc had presented it right before the fight with the nobles began.
“That is the last resort. I would rather not use it.” (Casablanca)
However, Casablanca shook her head in displeasure. When Arc had suggested it before, she had frowned as if she had bitten into something bitter. The strategy he had suggested was too far removed from what Casablanca had intended.
“This is the time! It will be too late if the nobles unite. Please make a decision.” (Fran)
Fran desperately tried to persuade her. No one else in the kingdom could speak so strongly to Casablanca, who was usually so authoritative. Casablanca turned her face away, and Fran began explaining the situation in detail.
“Right now, the battle with the nobles is back and forth. However, if it continues like this, the kingdom’s army, which is already at a disadvantage in numbers, will surely begin to be pushed. If the battle turns in favor of the nobles, they will unite. If that happens, the kingdom’s army is finished!” (Fran)
“Ugh… I cannot forgive the nobles…” (Casablanca)
Casablanca bit her nails in frustration.
If she gave the order Arc had suggested, the victory would surely be theirs. But could Casablanca truly say she had won? After all, the order meant forgiving the nobles. Casablanca stayed silent for a while. She was trying to come to terms with herself. Fran stopped persuading her and quietly waited. Finally, Casablanca let out a slow breath and spoke quietly.
“I have no choice. Fran, give the order.” (Casablanca)
Her voice sounded not so much like she had made a decision, but rather like she had resigned herself to it. She had compromised in the end.
“Your wise decision, Casablanca-sama.” (Fran)
Fran bowed deeply to show respect to his lord and quickly ran out of the room, heading toward the office.
—
Arc’s army, advancing around the kingdom from the east, had been fighting continuously and was utterly exhausted. When Arc was resting in his camp, Yuna arrived.
“…Arc-sama.” (Yuna)
“What is it?” (Arc)
Arc answered while lying face down. He had laid down for a rest but was too exhausted to get back up.
If Arc, who was commanding from the rear, was this tired, how exhausted must the soldiers on the front lines be?
“The pardon decree has been issued.” (Yuna)
With Yuna’s words, Arc suddenly sprang up.
“It’s here!” (Arc)
The fatigue vanished from Arc as he grabbed the letter from Yuna and eagerly read its contents.
—
From the Queen of the Laplace Kingdom, Casablanca
In the name of Queen Casablanca, the following pardons will be granted to those who return their noble titles:
- A guaranteed position as a chief (5 people)
- Guaranteed honor and prestige as former nobles (5 people)
- Guaranteed personal safety (10 people)
These pardons are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who reject these pardons will continue to be treated as rebels and will be eliminated.
—
“Ha… Finally, the pardon decree.” (Arc)
He had heard that Casablanca hesitated to issue the order, as it meant pardoning some of the nobles. He had thought they would have to keep fighting, but Fran must have somehow persuaded her.
“Rishu. This will make the battle much easier.” (Arc)
Arc showed the letter to Rishu, who had just entered the tent.
“How should I read this?” (Rishu)
Rishu skimmed through the letter, looking confused, and handed it back.
“This letter is certainly hard to read. It must have been written in a hurry.” (Arc)
The grammar and word choice were far from the usual orders. Arc explained instead.
“In other words, it’s a first-come, first-served offer to surrender. Right now, there are 49 noble families that have risen against Casablanca.” (Arc)
“There are that many? That’s a lot.” (Rishu)
“Even so, after Leo’s massacres, Louis’s reprisals, and the suppression of religious groups, the number has been reduced quite a bit. A few years ago, during the reign of Zerold I, there were nearly 100 families.” (Arc)
Due to Leo’s oppressive rule and the purge of non-believers by religious factions, nearly 10 families had been wiped out. But the biggest reduction came after Leo was overthrown. Louis, driven by vengeance, and Casablanca, who wanted to reduce the nobles, had their interests align. As a result, more than 20 noble families that had supported Leo were abolished. The land from those families was not returned to the royal family but given to the major nobles close to Louis.
“Back to the point, the enemy nobles number 49 households.” (Arc)
“Right.” (Rishu)
“Of those, the first 5 will be given positions as chiefs. The next 5 will have their honor and prestige protected. The next 10 will be guaranteed personal safety.” (Arc)
“I see. So, it’s first-come, first-served.” (Rishu)
Rishu finally understood and nodded.
“Those who surrender first will receive the same status as me. The next 5 will retain their honor and dignity as former nobles. The next 10 will be guaranteed safety.” (Arc)
“That’s scary. If you think about it, the remaining 29 nobles won’t have their safety guaranteed.” (Rishu)
Rishu hit the nail on the head. The purpose of the pardon decree was precisely this. 20 nobles would be forgiven, but 29 would not. The “first-come, first-served surrender” would be dangled in front of the nobles like bait. It was a brilliant strategy, taking advantage of the self-serving nature of the nobles.
“The nobles don’t trust each other much to begin with. By now, they must be filled with suspicion.” (Arc)
“If even one of them surrenders, the rest may follow in a rush.” (Rishu)
As Rishu nodded in agreement with Arc’s explanation, she suddenly looked worried.
“But if 20 households surrender, the remaining nobles might decide to fight with determination. It could end up becoming a bigger problem.” (Rishu)
Rishu’s concern was valid. However, she didn’t know the nature of most nobles.
The Warden Household, who worked with the Sheeb Order to gather information, was an exception. Most nobles had no way of gathering information.
“Do you think Casablanca would say, ‘Six have surrendered. Only 14 remain?'” (Arc)
“No, she wouldn’t.” (Rishu)
“Exactly. That’s why the information the nobles can get is limited. After they surrender, Casablanca will likely say, ‘You’re the 21st, so you’re going to be executed’.” (Arc)
Arc didn’t realize what he had said at first. After realizing it, he felt a chill from the imagined words of Casablanca. But knowing her, it wouldn’t be surprising.
“She’s a terrifying person, this Queen of the kingdom.” (Rishu)
“Yeah, especially since she’s Leo’s sister.” (Arc)
Arc and Rishu shrugged their shoulders.
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