Published: July 4, 2025
Capital City of Aberdeen, Handalu Federation. Regent's Office.
“Your Excellency, it has been reported that another village has been burned down…”
Regent assistant Lumber grimaced as he reported.
“Is it Iubara or Karinyano?”
“It is Iubara Village…”
Regent Lord Aubrey asked without changing his expression, and Lumber answered with the same grimace.
Lumber seemed to want to say something more, but in the end, he couldn't, and Lord Aubrey understood that.
“Lumber, I think it goes without saying, but…”
“I understand. The defense of the area is the responsibility of the Duchy of Volturiino.”
Yes, Lumber understood it too.
It was an area where the Federation government could not intervene.
If this were formally recognized as 'war,' Regent Lord Aubrey would hold almost all military-related powers within the Federation territory.
However, as it stands, it is a local rebellion.
At most, large-scale armed force activity.
This should originally be dealt with by the countries forming the Federation.
The Handalu Federation, as its name implies, is a union state formed by numerous countries.
The Federation government, led by Lord Aubrey, is merely a coordinating body.
Of course, if he wanted to, he could impose various things, but that would not be a sustainable approach.
Ultimately, each country is the center of governance.
Among them, the ten countries with seats in the 'Council of Ten' hold significant power within the Federation.
The Duchy of Volturiino also has a seat in the Council of Ten.
Of course, the Grand Duke of Volturiino himself sits in that seat.
This time, the men in Red Armor are rampaging in parts of the former Duchy of Inberri and portions of the Duchy of Volturiino.
The area that was once the Duchy of Inberri is governed by the ten countries that have divided it, but the region bordering the kingdom was annexed by the Duchy of Volturiino.
Originally, it was the Duchy of Volturiino that bordered the border town Redpost of the kingdom since the time the Duchy of Inberri existed.
Therefore, the western region of the former Duchy of Inberri was also annexed by the Grand Duchy.
Regarding this, the other nine countries did not complain.
They entrusted the border regions with the Grand Duchy and desired other territories for themselves.
Border security with a great power involves many troublesome matters…
As a result, 90% of the places currently suffering damage are under the control of the Duchy of Volturiino…
“If only the Grand Duke of Volturiino would request support from the Federation government, we could send troops…”
“I doubt he will,” Lumber said, and Lord Aubrey answered with a slight shake of his head.
He pictured the stubborn face of the Grand Duke of Volturiino.
Basically, representatives of the ten countries forming the Council of Ten do not oppose the policies of the Federation government led by Lord Aubrey.
However, that doesn’t mean they can do anything they want.
Maintaining the balance in this regard is quite difficult…
It hasn’t changed much in the past thirteen years.
Contrary to what those around him might think, Lord Aubrey does not arbitrarily do as he pleases.
The former Capital City of Inberri, Aberdeen, is a directly governed territory of the Federation government.
Additionally, a direct route created during the invasion of the Duchy of Inberri runs from the Federation capital, Jakelea, to Aberdeen, allowing for the smooth transport of supplies and troops.
To put it plainly, as long as one secures the area from Jakelea to Aberdeen strategically, the control over the current southern regions of the Federation is practically established.
That’s why Lord Aubrey had come to terms with leaving the western regions and the border with the kingdom to the ten countries.
However, it is indeed the case that when things are devastated to this extent, it begins to affect the people’s sentiment in other regions.
They may think that the Federation government will not protect them in case something happens.