Volume 12 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Banquet

Translator: Skythewood

Editor: Darkdhaos, CEObrainz

After the coronation cerean

A grand feast and extravagant decor filled the main hall of the Imperial palace Le Branne

Red cloth were draped on the walls, lined with golden and silver threads Marble statues held vases that came from the east, with massive flowers that had never been seen before

Paintings and sculpture could be seen everywhere, which awed all those in attendance Many of these art pieces were more than a century old, which coincide with the ti

The orchestra played a gorgeous tune

The nobles were dressed adequately for this banquet, ems

Regis was led here by Altina

【… This… is a】

【Yes, it’s a party on the level of the Founding Day festival——】

【Are you fine with these clothes?】

Altina earing a ht armour, but dress uniform for formal functions which includes a small sword by her waist

【Because I don’t think of eneral of the iht now】

Since Latreille had inherited the throne, Altina lost her succession rights Unless there are any exceptional situation, this would be the traditional custoaria

She was depressed earlier, but she has gotten over it Her path to the throne has been sealed, but she had not given up on her dreams

Cohts, she probably feel that her position as a lieutenant general was more valuable

Regis thought—— Even if Altina is a commoner, she will still do her very best to achieve her dream

However, there isn’t any doubt that the situation has grown even is his too easily, at least that was how he thought

—— I won’t hesitate any more

If he don’t act decisively, he would lose the chance that Altina has Regis was painfully aware of this fact

Altina’s eyes were suddenly drawn to an exhibit, and she ran over

【Regis, look!】

【I thought it’s rare to see you being interested in an art piece… So that’s how it is】

Displayed over there was a long sith red and gold as its base colours

The sheath had been removed, and placed in the center

The blade was glittering as if it was old was a soft e blades

【Is this is an i emperor 《L’Eed seven swords froe Volcan Six》 correct?】

【This is the first time I have seen this】

【That’s true, it has not been taken out fro time】

【It looks weak】

【No no no… It ht look more fanciful and less practical than the other i used in the war】

【What’s so special about this sword?】

【I think it needs to be used together with a shi+eld Such sword techniques can’t be found in the Belgaria empire now】

【Eh——】

Altina crossed her arms

【Hrandiose, I feel really vexed】

【Haha… Isn’t that good?】

【It’s not good Did Latreille’s interest change after beco on extravagant parties】

Regis surveyed the hall again

【Indeed, this party is as extravagant as the times when e】

There were s that depicts the scenes from that period after all

Emperor Vicente really loves art, and made major contributions for cultural develop ways shook the very foundations of the country

Altina frowned

【Even though Latreille is always on ca wars, he knows a lot about art He was close to his elder cousin, I think she was a painter】

【Huh? Cousin?】

【The daughter of his mother’s brother】

【She’s not a royal then But she would still be a grand noble Who is that?】

【Her naet Bea… Bea? Hmm… Well, that painter cousin often talks to Latreille about art】

【Is that true? If the emperor’s cousin is a painter, she will be famous if she has a bit of skill But I never heard of her】

【Ahh… Because she passed away a long tio】

【I see…】

In this era, not just royals and aristocrats, people fros If their relatives were added in, that would be a substantial number

Fe behind any faht have seen her name as someone as close to the royals, but even he couldn’t recite those dull passages

Regis looked at the art exhibit on display

【…… Maybe the art exhibits are connected to the banquet in some way?】

【Who knows? Maybe succeeding the throne made him that happy】

【His face during the cere a speech before a major war】

The speech given by the new e war against the neighbouring nations

That hy Regis couldn’t disant banquet that felt like a waste There should be a deeper reason behind this

A entleman bowed to them and spoke:

【Pardon me】

They thought he was a noble that careet Altina, but that wasn’t so

【I’m an art merchant from the capital…】

【Art merchant?】

【Yes If you are interested, please allow s over here】

【Eh— he even prepared such services】

【Itart exhibition】

【Is that so, Regis?】

Regis tilted his head in response to Altina’s question:

【I have never been to an art exhibition, so I’m not sure about that】

【Is that so You’re a young soldier, sois safe kept in the treasury within the palace because it is co saint Philip, and took three years to complete】

He was probably explaining this to Altina, so Regis didn’t interrupt him

He never went to an art exhibition in the past not because of a lack in interest, but because his status as a coe meant he couldn’t afford the entrance fee nor was he qualified to attend one

There were ave hie to see these work for himself sometimes…

After hearing the art hed:

【Eh— So it’s such an as hanging in the palace】

There actually isn’t is threw these words in his heart into the trashcan

After all, the palace Le Brane had often been praised as an art gallery, and Altina had already gotten used to the top notch art pieces of the world

The art merchant lowered his voice:

【… This is a secret… There’s rumours that the new emperor Latreille will put up all the art pieces displayed during the banquet for sale】

【Ah, is that so?】

Altina answered disinterestedly

Regis realized the implication:

【I see, so that’s what this is This banquet is held for the sake of raising funds for the military】

That explains the extravagant decor A stingy party wouldn’t be able to spur the interest of the nobles

The art merchant nodded with a smile

【Each and every piece is a national treasure, and whoever obtains one would becoine its value dropping in the future, and buying it would put you in the new eood books】

【Hood books!】

【I-Is that so… H-Haha…】

When he heard Altina saying souilty of lèse–majesté if one wasn’t a royal, the face of the art merchant turned pale

And of course, the art merchant already knoho the banquet attendees were And he only came to chat because he knew that she was a Princess

Nors on the level of national treasures, so he needed to speak to the right people

However, he didn’t seem to understand Altina’s personality yet

She wasn’t the type to grovel after losing a political struggle

【Regis, it’s just selling a few paintings, is it really ful?】

【That’s true…】

Regis asked the art merchant for the price quietly

【… It costs that much?】

【I a like this should actually cost twice that amount… But as a service to my dear customer, we can talk about this further】

Since the conversation had come to this, there was no way a deal will be er to continue the business negotiation

Anyway, the price wasn’t too far froined

He felt sorry about allery with Altina after a bow

Regis went back to the topic

【Ara, it’s a big amount! If half of the exhibits here are sold, it will alh Britannia】

【Eh!? It’s that much!?】

【It’s national treasure level works after all, of course it is valuable enough to have an effect on the national budget】

Money obviously couldn’t bring back dead soldiers or buy proper troops i new recruits

However, it wouldn’t be so easy to off load such expensive art pieces…

Altina sighed:

【If I didn’t just get the treasure sword, but a few paintings too back then—】

【Hahaha… Even if Altina tries to sell these paintings, I don’t think the grand nobles will buy them Didn’t the art ful to buy it off the hands of the new emperor】

【Whichbecause it’s a form of flattery?】

【The aristocrats are skilled in doing this】

【Then just ive s are so pitiful】

Regis didn’t think it was pitiful

He said with an aard smile:

【If he took their funds without offering so of equal value, that would be expropriation】

【Isn’t that what nobles do to commoners?】

【Thathigh levies, the nobles would lose face It wouldn’t go as far as to incite civil war, but the imperial defence forces is coht now For the new eemonism, he definitely doesn’t want to lose the support of the nobles】

The Belgaria Emperor was the man with absolute authority

But the nobles were the one ns most of the troops and lord over most of the citizens

Although the nobles wants to be in the Es of the nobles either

And this unhealthy state of affairs had been ongoing for centuries

The band played the same music as the ceremony, and the new emperor Latreille appeared

The nobles formed into rows in order to bow to him

It was the sa day festival

Latreille said at the podium

【I already said during aria E countries and build a super nation without any enemies】

The nobles gave a round of applause

Regis watched on from a corner of the hall

Altina sighed

【Don’t they understand? Latreille wants to start many wars, but do the aristocrats have the will to follow through?】

【… It can’t be helped Even if someone opposes the new eet ostracized ast the nobles】

【Didn’t we alh Britannia!?】

She was speaking very loudly, and a few nobles cast a sideway glance her way

The face of the nobles seehter is she?”, but when they realized it was the commander of the Fourth Army, they turned their head back in a panic

They only won the previous war because of the outstanding performance of the Fourth Army, and that fact ell known

Regis gestured her to keep her volume down

【… But we still won in the end】

【It’s all thanks to you Isn’t that right?】

【No, you overestimate my importance Even if I wasn’t there, soaria Empire is that powerful】

As always, Regis evaluate himself very poorly

If I can minimize the casualties some more —— That was how he thinks

Altina pouted:

【I don’t think the Belgaria Eh Britannia only has 30,000 soldiers, but we lost so many men】

【… The aristocrats feel the same way That’s why they think of Latreille’s speech as a way to express his attitude, and is e for hiht after his coronation】

【But it’s that Latreille we are talking about? He is a man ill start a war if he say so】

【… It’s hard for people to understand values which differs from themselves】

He wouldn’t hesitate in sacrificing himself for the sake of his dreaentina was similar Most of the nobles were satisfied with their current situation, so this was beyond their iination

The nobles were still clapping

Latreille as on the podium nodded

【I arees with me However… We have lost many men in the last war There are soht be a little inelegant to say this in the presence of the ladies… But let me show everyone my secret plan】

He signalled with his gaze, and Germain came up to the podium

In his arms were a rod-like object covered in white cloth

He carefully took off the white cloth

The nobles waiting in anticipation started chattering

It was a rifle

It was the rifle o Even though that was just a prototype

【The High Britannia had the upper hand in their war against us because the previous e to a large gulf in weapons However, the empire has as many skilled crafters as there are stars, and the rasp!】

Woooahhhh, the noble men cheered once more

Ladies couldn’t discuss politics or military matters after all

Altina also said loudly:

【He has a rifle!】

【I know, but the emperor is in the middle of his speech】

【But…!!】

【I knohat is on your ht】

Regis soothed Altina to calm her

Latreille’s e nations, and he promised to loan them to the nobles for a cheap price

Most of the nobles were happy about the war that haven’t started, but they felt they had already won

But there were soloomy

【It’s actually a loan…】

Be it sword, spears or arht from merchants This had been the norm until today However, the syste it out to the noble ar

My guess is right—— Regis thought

Latreille’s endgame was to abolish the noble army and nationalize the armed forces

But if he abolish them out of the blue, the nobles would not obey the order A private are

Nationalizing thepoint to nationalizing the army

He knew that, but he couldn’t tell that to the nobles Regis hi the noble army was a necessary path for peaceful diplomacy with other countries

At this point, everyone thought Latreille’s speech had ended——

【Recently… because of the advent of technology, some fools are able to publish their views to society, and spread baseless rumours】

If he felt that the source wasn’t reliable, he could just ignore theis didn’t expect him to say that

Because Latreille didn’t give a specific name, he realized that the subject of his scorn was the Weekly Quarry

And the ru baseless

For an instant, Regis felt Latreille’s gaze pierced through him

【Eh!?】

Was he mistaken? Latreille was already emperor, so ould Latreille pay attention to someone like himself, that shouldn’t be…

When Regis was thinking that, Altina tilted her head

【Why is he glaring this way?】

【Ah, he really is looking this way?】

【He is doing that so obviously Is he unhappy about Regis still being alive?】

He wasn’t mistaken after all