Claude had endured considerable hardship.
Subjugating the remnants of the enemy forces wasn't particularly difficult. The Lutania army he had brought with him was simply too powerful for that.
What made things hard for him was Amelia, who had now become the queen of Norvagen.
As soon as Claude met Amelia, he presented his opinion regarding the remnants' subjugation. At the same time, he took out a pouch from his pocket.
Amelia, who had been silently observing, asked,
"What is that?"
"171 gold coins."
"Why...?"
"It's the money I've taken so far."
"..."
Claude had been avoiding Amelia until now. However, he couldn't completely avoid meetings between working officials.
During the war, the officials had to handle everything from executing tactics and strategies, to distributing spoils of war, and discussing the details of treaties.
Moreover, he had been trading with the Actium Merchants Guild for quite some time. Each time, Claude pocketed 1 gold coin.
It turned out he had done this 171 times.
As Amelia stared at him in disbelief, Claude bit his lip.
"Tch, so you already knew?"
"Knew what….?"
Looking as if he had no other choice, Claude pulled out another pouch.
"523 gold coins."
Amelia frowned. If he had only taken 1 gold coin each time, just how much did he have to swindle to accumulate that amount?
Claude protested, looking aggrieved.
"This isn't a bribe. I earned it fair and square."
"Earned it... fair and square?"
"Yes! It was through pure competition!"
Amelia shot a sharp glare at Bernaph. Small bribes might be overlooked as customary, but was he saying they had even gambled with public funds without her knowledge?
And dared to do so right under her nose?
Breaking into a cold sweat under Amelia's gaze, Bernaph stammered.
"H-he's just incredibly skilled..."
"That's not the point!"
Bernaph, initially wearing a clueless expression, quickly realized the issue and frantically waved his hands.
"N-no! We didn't touch public funds! I swear! Everyone used their own money!"
In short, everyone who had met with Claude had not only given him 1 gold coin as a bribe but also gambled with him.
"Haa..."
Amelia closed her eyes and pressed her temples. Her headaches always flared up whenever she dealt with the Fenris territory. Even normal people seemed to lose their minds after interacting with them.
She decided it was best to quickly handle the matter at hand.
"So, you're asking for assistance in subjugating the remnants?"
"Yes. With Your Majesty's mighty army, we can completely eradicate the Salvation Church... Your Majesty will be praised forever as an unparalleled hero..."
Claude flattered her with elaborate praise. In short, he was asking for help to clean up scattered enemy forces.
Amelia nodded. Though Norvagen's vicinity had been cleared of remnants, others displaced from different areas had begun appearing near the borders. A few more military operations would be necessary anyway.
Having seized power through force, she needed Ghislain's support to stabilize the region.
She also had to demonstrate overwhelming strength to reassure the anxious populace.
Taking the throne wasn't the end—it was only the beginning. As the new queen, she had to prove she could protect her people during these turbulent times to secure their loyalty.
"Fine. You must have come prepared, so I'll get straight to the point. Can you increase the support a little more?"
The former residents of Rayfold were continuing to migrate to Norvagen. They were following Amelia of their own free will, placing their trust in her.
By settling them in new territories, her reputation would naturally improve.
She also planned to return the westernmost Lutania territories she had received, along with all resources and residents, once the migration was complete.
Though this was the plan, ensuring the residents' safe settlement was the priority. Stabilizing the chaotic domestic situation required substantial resources.
"Of course. As previously promised, we've brought the first batch of supplies, including food and money."
"Good. I'll mobilize the troops immediately."
Once the promised support was received, Amelia's ties with Ghislain would be completely severed. Having achieved her goal, she had no intention of making any more enemies.
Now, she had to focus on building a powerful kingdom to realize her ideals.
Claude grinned broadly. Amelia had agreed far more readily than he had anticipated.
As she was about to leave after finishing their discussion, Amelia suddenly had an interesting thought.
"You seem to enjoy gambling. Considering you won against my vassals several times, at least."
Claude nodded. It hadn't been difficult to beat those amateurs who had barely gambled before.
"Hehe, well, I do enjoy competitions of all kinds. I relish the thrill of victory."
"Hmm. I don't dislike such things either. Since the topic has come up, why don't we have a match as well?"
"Pardon? Your Majesty? Do you even know how to play card games?"
"I've learned a little. A ruler must understand what their people enjoy."
Claude smirked slyly. This was looking like a golden opportunity.
"Well, I don't mind, but are you sure you want to do this?"
"Why not? It'll make for a brief bit of entertainment."
"What shall we wager, then?"
"No need to overthink it. Didn't you say you brought a large amount of military funds? How about we wager a portion of that?"
Claude bowed his head and laughed. The funds he had brought were massive. Even a fraction of it could change someone's life.
'If I win, it's all mine. Hehe. Like I'd let this chance slip by.'
"Understood. Let's enjoy this game."
Claude's aide, Wendy, immediately grabbed his sleeve and whispered, "Are you insane? Do you have a death wish? Gambling with military funds?! Stop it!"
"Let go! I'm the commander, okay? If I win, there's no problem!"
Wendy bit her lip nervously. Claude's eyes were already clouded with greed.
She turned to Erenes, who stood nearby with an indifferent expression.
"Grand Chieftain, please stop him!"
"...That fool is beyond saving. Unless we cut off his hand, he won't stop. If you want, I can do it here and now."
The terrifying statement was clearly sincere. But she couldn't actually ask him to do that. Wendy simply bit her lip harder.
Looking back at Amelia's side, she saw that no one was trying to stop her. They were just bowing their heads, too afraid to intervene.
Meanwhile, a table and cards had been prepared. There was no time to stop the game.
Claude shuffled the cards and said, "Well, can I take this seriously?"
"You must. Holding back would be an insult to me."
"Understood. But since I'm here requesting support, I'll be polite."
"How so?"
"I'll only take half of the winnings."
Claude smiled confidently. He planned to bet big, so even half would be an enormous gain.
Amelia simply nodded.
"Do as you wish."
And so, the two played cards, wagering military funds.
A little later...
Claude, on the verge of tears, pleaded, "Please, can't I have half the winnings back?"
"There's no such thing in a match."
"But I said I'd only take half the winnings!"
"...Oh, was that what you meant?"
Claude begged for his money back, but it was no use.
Amelia stood up and said, "Make sure to replenish the military funds before you return."
Then, she strode out, ready to march.
The vassals of Norvagen, who had been swindled by Claude, followed Amelia with satisfied smiles.
Wendy smacked Claude's back repeatedly as he cried.
"What are you going to do? What are you going to do about all that money?"
"Ah, I don't know! Stop hitting me!"
Claude had promised Amelia military funds, but an enormous sum had vanished. Now, he had to risk his life to replenish it.
For now, he planned to inflate the request for additional support funds. Since many people had witnessed the situation, it was only a matter of time before he got caught, so he needed to raise the money quickly.
Feeling utterly dejected, Claude proceeded with the subjugation of the enemy remnants, only to hear news about Alpoi. The news made him so envious he felt like he was losing his mind.
But who was Claude? If nothing else, he was an expert at taking down Alpoi.
Quickly, he began devising a plan.
"Keep monitoring the lord's schedule and report to me as soon as possible."
Claude sent multiple messengers to track Ghislain's schedule. This plan required Ghislain to be absent for it to succeed smoothly.
Sensing Claude's scheming, Wendy asked, "He won't fall for your tricks anymore. He'd have to be a fool to gamble with you again."
"Exactly, so we'll have to force the issue."
Alpoi wouldn't fall for his tricks this time. That's why Claude had to crush him quickly through sheer force.
The subjugation of the remnants didn't take long. Claude might have an eccentric personality, but no one doubted his skills.
Moreover, he was accompanied by Erenes, who was unmatched in strength. With Amelia's addition, the remaining enemies in the surrounding regions were swiftly eradicated.
Even the dragon hunt had concluded safely, so there was no need for concern. Claude focused all his attention on tracking Ghislain's movements.
"He's staying in the Sardina Kingdom to discuss follow-up measures with allied commanders, but the others are returning to the kingdom first."
"Oh, really?"
Claude beamed upon hearing that only a small group would stay with Ghislain, while the rest would return. This made things much easier.
After finishing the clean-up of the enemy remnants, Claude bowed to Amelia.
"Thank you for your cooperation. I'll be leaving now."
"Make sure to send the lacking military funds and supplies quickly."
"...Yes."
For now, he would falsify the records and fill the gap later. With enough time, he could make money from somewhere.
He also had his secret stash of personal wealth.
Claude and the Lutania army began their withdrawal immediately. They had to return to the kingdom faster than anyone else.
"Waaaah!"
"The expedition army has returned!"
"Long live the Lutania army! Long live the Grand Duke!"
Even though Ghislain hadn't returned yet, the kingdom was already in a frenzy.
Rumors of the Salvation Church's downfall and the dragon's defeat had spread quickly.
The people wore expressions of pure joy. After such a long and grueling war, peace had finally arrived.
While everyone laughed and celebrated the returning soldiers, Claude's face remained dark.
"Alpoi, I can't wait to meet you."
A festival was held to welcome the troops who had arrived ahead of the main forces under Zwalter's orders. Everyone ate, drank, and rested joyfully, but Claude did not.
"Get everything ready! Report to me the moment Kaor arrives! Tell him we need to talk!"
He moved faster than anyone. The dragon hunters would soon arrive, and he had to prepare for them.
Not long after he finished his preparations, the dragon-hunting party returned.
Even the captured mages from other kingdoms had come to Lutania.
Returning to their kingdoms would be too humiliating for them, so they accepted Ghislain's suggestion—perhaps more like coercion—to join in studying the dimensional rift.
"Waaah!"
"It's the Dragon Slayers!"
"The heroes have returned!"
The participants of the dragon hunt received lavish praise.
Among them, Alpoi was the most celebrated.
The others who had hunted alongside him sang his praises so much that the rumors about him had grown out of control.
"Waaah! It's White Alpoi!"
"They say he's the man who defeated a goddess!"
"People are calling him a 100-circle mage!"
"There's no way a 9-circle dragon could stand against someone 100 circles higher than it."
"I heard he killed it in a single blow! Is that true?"
Rumors about Alpoi spread wildly, turning into absurd legends.
Alpoi was delighted by the people's cheers. Riding his majestic white horse, Koko, Alpoi wore a pristine white robe.
His expression radiated arrogance.
"Alpoi! Alpoi!"
"Alpoi, please look this way!"
"Show us some magic!"
Suppressing his overwhelming emotions, Alpoi closed his eyes. The people were worshiping him.
Yes, this was the life he deserved.
The man who shocked nobles, made mages tremble, and forced Claude to kneel.
'That's who I am.'
Now free from slavery, he had nothing to fear. No one could treat him poorly ever again.
Even Hubert, who had stripped him of his qualifications as the Tower's successor, stood nearby, sweating nervously as he asked,
"A-Alpoi, what exactly did you do? I just can't wrap my head around it..."
"Hmph."
Alpoi's cold response made Hubert shrink further.
"A-about last time... I'm sorry. I was really angry back then... I didn't know you were that good at controlling mana."
"Hmph... So, my 'true' abilities have finally been revealed."
Honestly, Alpoi knew he could never pull it off again. But there was no need—once was enough.
Maintaining his haughty demeanor, Alpoi basked in the respect of those who had joined the dragon hunt.
But in just a matter of days...
The once-arrogant Alpoi's reputation plummeted into ruin.