Chapter 27: Is the end of the War I

Joseph Pov

The War is almost over. I have already received news that the Duloc Armies have completely taken over the Central Regions, with the last Barons surrendering to my officers. In fact, there was a Baron who was an idiot and tried to resist but was killed by the soldiers when they took his Castle.

Now all that is left is for the troops to fortify their positions and establish new supply lines. With that, we can finally invade the Northern Regions of the Duchies and reach Drabeuge, putting an end to this damned war once and for all.

This War was very costly for Duloc, not only because of the loss of people but mainly because of the expenses incurred. Thank goodness the wealth of the Nobles was taken to pay compensation to the soldiers, as well as to the families of the fallen and wounded who would no longer be able to fight.

In addition, the gold taken will also be used to invest in infrastructure and the Economy.

The wounded who can no longer fight but still want to serve will become instructors for the new recruits, the experiences they have gained will be very necessary to teach new blood about the harsh realities of War.

I have also started signing Declarations with my Personal Seal that would grant the title of Noble to several officers and soldiers who were splendid in the War, with Henry, the Woodsman, being granted the title of Viscount thanks to his deeds in taking several territories and for having defeated several enemy troops.

I then hear a knock on the door, and I tell them to come in; with that, I see Oliver entering the room after a Guard opens the door, with him holding a letter with a serious face.

"Mi'lord! We have received a letter from the Duchies" Oliver said to me as he handed me the letter, which I opened with a raised eyebrow.

I then begin to read the letter slowly and carefully, but soon an extremely wide smile begins to appear on my face.

3rd Pov

After reading the letter completely, Joseph lets out a few laughs before looking at Oliver with a smile on his face.

"My friend...the war is over, we won, the Duchies have surrendered!" Joseph said as he handed the letter to Oliver, who read the letter before widening his eyes and looking at Joseph.

"The War...is over" Oliver said still surprised before sighing, happy that the war was over.

"I want you to prepare troops so we can go to the meeting place to sign the Peace agreements, because while I'm happy about it, there's still the slightest chance that it's a trap, so with the troops we can stop whatever plan they have" Joseph said as he stood up, with Oliver nodding before bowing to our protagonist.

"Understood, Mi'lord" Oliver said as he left Joseph's office, going to make sure the orders were followed.

Now alone in his office, Joseph grabs a glass of wine and fills it for himself, wanting to drink a little in celebration of the possible victory they have achieved, if everything goes well and it is not a trap.

'If everything goes well... I will finally be able to open that bottle of wine that I have been wanting for a long time' Joseph thinks with a smile as he finishes drinking his glass.

Meanwhile, heading to Drabeuge, we can see the Deposed Duchess Maria Di Aiello in her room, unable to leave, only being served what the Guards gave her, her face was exhausted, with extremely messy hair and wearing normal clothes.

She was helpless, the Nobles and Noble Houses that should have been loyal to her betrayed her with cold hearts, with them wanting to surrender to Duloc rather than respect the ancient treaties and loyalty of their ancestors and continue fighting in the name of the Duchies.

She kept cursing in her mind each of the Nobles and Commanders who had taken her from the Throne that was rightfully hers, and she swore that she would one day take revenge against them for it.

In another room of the Di Aiello Palace, the Nobles of the North and the Count of Amberkeep were talking among themselves, mainly involving the surrender of the Duchies to Duloc.

"Do you think the Dulocians will agree to our only demand for our total surrender to them?" One of the Nobles asked a worried friend of his.

"Considering our situation, if they accept, I will thank Lord von Farquaad a hundred times for the goodwill of his heart," said a noble being pessimistic.

"Lord von Farquaad will only have to gain from this; he will have Nobles who know the Northern Regions better governing the place, and we are weak compared to the Dulocians; no matter what we do, resistance is useless, so he will not have problems with us... besides, we are the ones who are handing over the Duchies to him," Said the Count of Amberkeep seriously as he looked at everyone there.

Hearing this, the Nobles began to nod their heads, agreeing with the logic of the Count of Amberkeep, with most beginning to calm down about it, while some still remained worried about the future that was in store for them.

As for the Count of Amberkeep, while he had certain concerns, he believed that handing over the Throne of both Duchies, in addition to possibly a small economic compensation, would please Lord von Farquaad even more so that they would not face complete annihilation.

"Count Di Acciai, who will be the representative sent to make the surrender before Lord von Farquaad?" Asked a nobleman as he looked at the Count, who was thinking seriously about it.

"I will, I will try to negotiate with Lord von Farquaad if necessary so that we can keep our Fiefs and Noble titles, but we will probably have to hand over some wealth to please him," said the Count as he looked at the noble who had asked the question, with that noble nodding his head.

The other Nobles did not look very happy upon hearing this, but it was better to pay in gold than to pay in land for their losses in the War against the Lordship of Duloc.

"Well... I agree to send the Earl of Amberkeep as our representative," said a noble, with the others nodding their heads in approval.

With that done, the Nobles began to eat and drink, deciding to indulge in some of life's pleasures to relax from the harsh reality they would face with the end of the War.