(2 days later)
The imperial capital was surrounded. Much of the city was on fire, and smoke rose in the air, easily seen by everyone outside the city. Masayuki had long ordered his tanks to stop firing. To his expectation, some of the tanks did blow their barrels out, but their crews and maintenance squads repaired them.
There was no more need to continue the barrage. Why? Simple, there was a white flag being flown over the capital. They surrendered, but no one had come out. They didn't know what was happening, but there was nothing the enemy could do since they were surrounded.
"Hey, Benimaru, where is Artoria? Is she doing something important? And also, how will negotiations be handled?"
"Just wait for her to arrive."
(A few hours later)
"Masayuki, Benimaru, I'm here."
Artoria finally showed up.
"Oh, Artoria! Finally, you're here! What were you doing?" Masayuki asked Artoria, relieved that she finally showed up. He was seeing how she would handle this.
"Nothing special. Just setting up things for the future."
"Are you working on a project or something?"
"Something. Anyway, so what's happening? I see the white flag, so why haven't we entered the city?"
"Well, no one has come out."
Artoria only nodded. She looked around the whole field, seeing all the tanks with some of the crews repairing them. There was still some smoke coming from the barrels of the tanks. She also saw all the smoke coming from the city and the destroyed buildings.
"I assume you barragd the capital city?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Wow, Masayuki, I didn't take you for that kind of person. That's…kind of messed up, man."
"Uh, why?"
"Do you know how many innocent civilians you killed? I'm not saying there weren't any valid military targets, but unless you can specifically target only those, then you shouldn't do something like this. How many homes did you destroy? How many innocent men, women, and children do you kill? How many medical facilities did you destroy? I'm not saying anything, but you're lucky this world has nothing of a…certain convention. Eh, every 'good' person in history has their controversial and 'bad' moments."
"Like who? I'm curious."
"Well, let's see. There's Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing."
"How is she bad?"
"You see, Masayuki, it's her…views on women. It can get kind of bad at some points. Anyway, this will look bad."
"I…didn't think about that."
"Oh, man. You're so lucky you have Chosen Hero as your Unique Skill. It's probably why no one questioned you. That, and you had the three demons help as well. Well, what's done is done, can't change much about it."
"How will negotiations be handled?" Masayuki asked as he tried to change the subject.
"Oh, that. I'll negotiate. We'll make it all formal and stuff. Are you ready to rule an empire? Or what's going to be left of it?"
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out. Let's if you can negotiate your way out of it."
Just then, someone finally came out. It was Velgrynd who had an annoyed expression on her face. Artoria went up to her. She was more than ready to put this to an end.
"Velgrynd, what took you so long?"
Velgryund only let out a sigh as she responded. "It was only two days. And you were right. There were people in there who wanted to fight until the last person. And there was a coup attempt. I don't know why they'd try that with me."
Artoria simply nodded at her words, before she gave orders to Masayuki and Benimaru.
"So, let's get started then. Benimaru, Masayuki, get in there and start helping any civilians and repairing things."
(A few hours later)
"Alright, let's get this started. I don't want this to take longer than an hour."
Artoria, Velgrynd, and Masayuki were seated at a small table. They were the only ones there. For Velgrynd, there wasn't anybody who could accompany her, and she had already surrendered, so there wasn't much to do. Artoria was fine being alone, and Masayuki's forces were busy helping any civilians and repairing the city, since it was going to be home.
"Velgrynd, show Masayuki, what you signed,"
Velgrynd pulled out a piece of paper and set it on the table. Masayuki was surprised; he didn't know of this.
"Wait, you two already have an agreement?" Masayuki asked in surprise.
"Yeah." Artoria responded in a simple manner.
Masayuki started reading, and each term only stunned him more. Half of the territory ceded to Tempest, occupation of the Eastern Empire, and demilitarization and disarmament. But at least it wasn't all bad. Tempest would help rebuild and reconstruct their government.
"Wait, so, who will be the person in charge of the empire?" Masayuki asked.
"Hmm, just a moment."
Artoria slightly waved her hand, and the paper started changing.
"There. Now, there should be a term saying that you will be the new emperor with your new government as well."
"That's kind of cool. Wait, hold on! I know you two already came to an agreement, but, Artoria, are you serious about taking half the Eastern Empire's territory?"
"Yes, I'm serious. And no, I'm not backing down from it."
"But what will other countries think of it?"
"They'll see it as normal and expected. We got invaded, repelled it, invaded back, and won. And therefore, we get the spoils of war. I mean, I doubt anyone will see this as too extreme. This is standard. And when it comes to disarmament and demilitarization, you'll see a lot of support for that. And don't worry, it's not like the Eastern Empire is going to lose its military. Even with disarmament and demilitarization in place, the Eastern Empire has such a large military that you'll still have a formidable force. Just not an 'invade the entire world' kind of force."
"And what will happen to Velgrynd?"
"She can do what she wants, though she's going to be joining you."
"Why do you say that?"
"You'll find out. She'll tell you after this."
Artoria just gave a little smirk. Masayuki looked over at Velgrynd, who was looking at him with a bit too much focus and concentration. What did she know that he didn't?
"Well, it looks like it's over." Artoria got up from the table and was starting to leave.
"Woit! How will the occupation work? I mean, will you be here, or what?"
"Oh, I'm going to assign Benimaru as the military governor during the occupation of your country. He'll run things while we help you rebuild anf implement new changed and reforms."
"So, whatever he says are going to be your words?"
"Kind of. I mean, he'll still talk to me and relay information, but it's not going to be my main focus. Listen, we're here to help, not some nation-building stuff; that part will fall on you."
"That's a lot of responsibility."
"You don't say. Anyway, I'm gone. Talk with Velgrynd."
Artoria finally left, leaving Masayuki and Velgrynd alone.
/\\//\\//\
"Lady Pendragon, how did it go?"
Benimaru ran up to Artoria as she returned. They walked through the ruined city as they talked. The sight of monsters and humans working together to rebuild and help is being seen. This would do wonders to improve relations between the countries, even during the occupation.
"It went well, Benimaru. We're about to start a military occupation of the Eastern Empire, and I'm going to appoint you as the military governor. I'll tell you your responsibilities at a later date."
Benimaru was stunned, but quickly composed himself. He knew this was a massive responsibility and task ahead of him. "How long will it last?"
"It will be an indeterminate amount of time. You might have to live here temporarily. The details will be sorted out, but just know that this war is over."
"I won't fail you."
"Alright, come on, we're going home."