Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
The Province and the New Governor
The afternoon after the city of Pesa fell, the victory parade was finally held. From the horse, Aurellia walked among the soldiers along with Issac. Since the city had been destroyed, there was not much to see.
The curious beastmen saw a parade of Heinz's royal army. There was sadness, anger, and resentment on their faces. But there's nothing they can do.
Aurellia and Issac entered the Palace which still stood firm despite some damage seen due to yesterday's battle. Marina had been waiting in front of the palace and accompanied Aurellia, Issac, and several administrative officers to enter inside.
They directly entered the palace and headed for the audience room. Aurellia sat on the throne seat and Issac stood to her right while Marina to her left.
Boabdil was brought in by some soldiers and Hans was also in it. The rest of the hatred was still visible in his eyes but since he lost to Issac, he would not win if he fought.
And Hans, he looked at Marina hatefully for the betrayal she had committed against Boabdil. But Marina herself was not bothered by it.
Although he voluntarily made himself a prisoner of war, there was no attempt by Boabdil or Hans to free him. It made him lose faith in both of them and join the kingdom of Heinz.
Aurellia had no intention of making the entire Garlin territory a part of her territory. That's what Issac suggested. It is indeed advantageous to have a very large area.
But it would have required a very expensive and difficult effort to oversee and maintain the territorial integrity of the Heinz kingdom if the entire Garlin kingdom was absorbed into one.
Therefore, the kingdom will be part of the western region of the Garlin kingdom and part of the southeastern region that has been occupied by the royal army. Of course Boabdil and Hans vehemently rejected that.
But they started the war and they lost. They had no right to reject the proposal given by Aurellia and Issac. But not just get there.
As the losers, they were obliged to pay war reparations to the kingdom of Heinz. The cost of reparations they have to pay is quite large.
They are obliged to pay with 1000 kilograms of pure gold bullion and 300 kilograms of Orichalum bullion as compensation. Not only that, they also had to redeem the beastmen captives as well.
Boabdil and Hans could do nothing but agree to it all. In addition to Bobadil and Hans, there were also Representatives from the Dwarven kingdom and the Elf empire. There were quite a number of elves who went to war and became captives. Likewise with Dwarves who have a duty as a producer of weapons for the combined army.
The Elf Empire had to pay if it wanted the elves to be returned. The cost they had to pay was not cheap at all. But being not very involved, Aurellia gave them leniency.
As for the Dwarves, as they were needed by the kingdom, he did not allow the Dwarves captured by the Heinz kingdom. They will be taken to the kingdom of Heinz as prisoners of war.
Documents are made and agreements signed by each representative. After the affairs of the Pesa were completed, Aurellia, Issac, and Marina and the soldiers returned to the kingdom of Heinz.
A total of 10,000 soldiers were stationed in the former Garlin kingdom, which is now part of the Heinz kingdom, to ensure security and the development process runs smoothly.
"I didn't expect you guys to let the Garlin kingdom still exist. You're not afraid of Boabdil who might take back his territory?"
"No. They can't do that. First, it took them a very long time to rebuild their armed forces. Garlin's royal treasury had been empty while their relationship with the Elf empire and the Dwarf kingdom had become strained.
"They had absolutely no time to retake their territory. Second, I will make sure that Garlin's kingdom will not be able to live without Heinz's kingdom."
While Aurellia was sleeping, Issac and Marina's discussion continued.
"Can't live without a kingdom? Meanin?"
"They needed a lot of resources to rebuild the Garlin kingdom that was on the verge of collapse. Money, human resources, materials to build vital facilities, etc.
"The entrepreneurs and businesspeople at Venz will definitely see this as their opportunity to invest. The contractors of the Heinz kingdom would build roads, bridges, and irrigation canals for agriculture.
"In the meantime, the merchants would come to the territory of the Garlin kingdom to buy their produce at a cheap price and sell it to the territory of the kingdom. Or, the merchants will come here to sell products that are not owned by the Garlin kingdom.
"With that said, whether it be kings, officials, nobles, or ordinary people will have an economic dependence on the kingdom of Heinz. This is how my beloved Lia and I tied them up. Without Heinz's kingdom, they wouldn't be able to live."
"That means you intend to create a puppet state!?"
"Not really. The Kingdom of Heinz would not interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Garlin or any later form of government. To the extent that their actions do not harm Heinz, we will not do anything."
"Then, what if their actions turned out to make the kingdom of Heinz suffered losses? It's the same, right?"
"Of course I'll take action. But we will not intervene further like the military and carry out aggression. Well, if that happens, I'm responsible for finishing it through the 'back door'."
Marina shakes. Although his face was calm, but a chill ran down his back. He knew that even though Issac had used our word, he was actually the one who designed all the plans carefully and thoroughly.
Issac was the one who didn't want Marina to make an enemy. His knowledge of economics, politics, strategy, and more including his wisdom and experience was terrifying.
If the light of Aurellia might have enveloped the entire realm of Heinz's kingdom, Issac's shadow must have covered his enemies. No one can escape his surveillance. That's what Marina thinks.
"It's Marina too. Me and Aurellia have agreed to make you the new governor who will be in charge of the western region of the former Garlin kingdom.
"You'll get an education about government at the Royal Institute. You'll be trained for a year and return to the west, or the East if it's from Heinz's kingdom and become governor.
"Congratulations on your rapture. We'll have a party at the palace later, including a celebration of Heinz's royal victory and the creation of a new province."
Marina opened her mouth wide in surprise. The governor!? Just be right! He did make a deal with Issac regarding the position he would get but why the Governor!?
While Marina was still shocked, Issac kissed Aurellia's forehead gently and enjoyed Aurellia's sleeping expression and Marina's startled expression. She is as sweet and beautiful as Rena.
The rest of their journey to Venz was spent with the continued joking of Issac and Marina.