Chapter 82

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【The Crown Remains in the Capital】

Today, another report reached the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the activity of the Bruges army has intensified at the border between the Mildor territory and the Imperial Directly Administered Territory. The General Staff's analysis suggests they may be preparing for a large-scale offensive."

"Is the Duke of Mildor overlooking this? The Imperial Directly Administered Territory is the sacred ground of the Empire. How lamentable."

The attendants remained silent.

No one dared to say, "The Duke of Mildor is probably aiding the Bruges Duke, not just overlooking it."

This Emperor did not appreciate such advice.

"Clearly, I must send personal letters to the Duke of Mildor and the Duke of Zihitberg, urging them to reconsider. Both are members of the Five Royal Houses; they must have a deep affection for the Empire in their hearts. If they return, the Bruges will be nothing to fear."

Then, the Imperial Aide-de-Camp, a retired old general, gently interjected.

"Your Majesty, please do not do that. Your words will surely touch their hearts, but they can no longer change their course on their own."

"But without their will, the Empire cannot return to its rightful state."

"That is..."

Even the Aide-de-Camp, who could speak frankly to the Emperor, could not continue.

—As long as Emperor Pelden III remains on the throne, they will never return.

Instead, the Aide-de-Camp suggested,

"There is a proper procedure for everything. First, provide the Imperial Guard Division with all the support they need to repel the Bruges army."

"Indeed. Use the Imperial treasury to secure the funds for the war. Check with the headquarters of the Imperial Guard Division to see if they lack any supplies like food or ammunition, and send them to the front lines."

"I am deeply impressed by Your Majesty's wisdom. I will make the necessary arrangements immediately."

The Aide-de-Camp, looking somewhat relieved, bowed respectfully.

A few days later, another report came in.

"The fortresses in the Imperial Directly Administered Territory are under attack. They took advantage of the thinning of our troops due to the supply lines to the front."

"Hold them at all costs. Defeat is not an option."

A solemn statement that was not quite an order.

But the officers said nothing. No one believed the Emperor had the ability to command the war.

Another report followed.

"The fortresses and supplies have been seized by the enemy. We are retreating the defensive line to the rear fortresses."

"Unacceptable. Take them back immediately."

"Understood. We will do our best."

The officer, who had left the room, sighed deeply in the hallway, unnoticed by the Emperor.

Then came another report.

"The nobles in charge of the Imperial territories are seeking aid. Their lands are being threatened by the Bruges army."

"What about the Imperial Guard Division?"

"The Bruges army skillfully uses artillery, and our forces are on the defensive. We have no troops to spare."

At this moment, the Emperor did not notice the unnatural skill with which the Bruges army, lacking an independent artillery corps, was using artillery.

If he had, he might have made the right decision.

But there is no "if" in history.

Another report.

"The nobles in charge of the Imperial territories are defecting to the Bruges side one after another."

"How ungrateful. Once this war is over, they must be punished. But more importantly, have we not yet repelled the Bruges army?"

"The generals at the front are doing their best."

Report.

"Your Majesty, the Bruges army is just half a day's march from the capital, Lotsmer. It is now dangerous here. Please flee."

"That is impossible. 'The Crown Remains in the Capital' is the tradition of the Imperial House. Repel the enemy quickly."

"Of course, Your Majesty..."

"Of course, I will not stand idly by. I will send personal letters to the Duke of Mildor and the Duke of Zihitberg."

"The Aide-de-Camp who went to the front lines repeatedly advised against it..."

"Disregard it. I do not serve the Aide-de-Camp; he serves me. The Empire is at its best when the Five Royal Houses work together. My persuasion will surely bring them back to the right path."

Then came another report.

"There have been no reports from the military since yesterday. What is the situation on the front?"

The Chief Aide-de-Camp spoke up.

"Most of the officers in the capital have been sent to the front lines to fill vacancies, so reports are slow. They are probably facing a tough battle..."

"Is not the Imperial Guard Division the strongest and most loyal division in the Empire?"

"Of course, but if the enemy is stronger, we will lose."

"Our Imperial Guard Division should not lose to invaders. Is there no aid from other houses?"

"The Litraillu family is engaged with the Agan army, and the Medillen family is guarding the Blood Sea route. Neither has the spare capacity to send aid."

"I understand. What about the Mildor and Zihitberg families? Will they reconsider and return?"

"That is..."

At that moment, a new "report" came in, the messenger running in with hurried steps.

"Report! A military force approaching the capital from the southwest has been confirmed! The banner is that of the Zihitberg family!"

"Oh, they have come!"

The Emperor stood up.

"Send a messenger immediately! Tell them I have been eagerly awaiting their return!"

"Huh? ...Yes, sir!"

A messenger was immediately dispatched from the capital.

At this moment, there were no senior officers left around the Emperor.

The experienced Aide-de-Camps had gone to the front lines to assist the Imperial Guard Division, leaving only a few junior lieutenants from the Imperial Guard Division as liaison officers in the capital. They had little influence.

The messenger returned.

"I have received a response from the Duke of Zihitberg. He says, 'I act only for justice!'"

"I see. Yes. If he acts for justice, then we are safe."

The Chief Aide-de-Camp, who had no military experience, cautiously asked the Emperor,

"Should we request aid from the Imperial Guard Division or other houses?"

"It is unnecessary. As long as the Crown remains, the capital will be safe."

The next day, the forces of the Duke of Zihitberg appeared near the capital. They were the former Second Division.

"Finally, the 'Index Finger' has returned. I will forgive their previous defection."

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, but the new lieutenant of the Imperial Guard Division looked pale.

"Your Majesty, something is amiss. The Second Division, which suffered catastrophic losses in the Kionis Expedition, should not have such a large force."

"That is a testament to the Duke of Zihitberg's sincerity and ability. You are young and do not understand such subtleties."

The Emperor deliberately avoided the topic of the Kionis Expedition.

"Open the city gates and welcome the army."

"Please wait, Your Majesty! The army's movements are strange! They are shifting from a marching formation to an encircling formation!"

As the lieutenant said, the Zihitberg army began to form a half-encirclement around the capital, Lotsmer.

The Emperor, who had studied basic military tactics, quickly understood the meaning of the formation.

"What is this?! Zihitberg! Was your talk of justice a lie?!"

Everyone present was silent.

(The Duke of Zihitberg only said he would act for justice.)

(To him, the Emperor is like the murderer of his father. The previous Duke died in the Kionis Expedition due to the Emperor's orders. Revenge for his father is justice.)

(Ah, we drew the short straw...)

The attendants and officers exchanged glances, while the Emperor looked up to the sky in despair.

"Where is justice? Where is justice?!"

The attendants exchanged knowing glances.

(There is no justice here.)

(We're done for. We should surrender to the Zihitberg army...)

(Yes. The current head of the house is a peaceful person and a fellow Restorer, so he won't treat us badly.)

They were eager to leave the room and were searching for an excuse to do so.

During this time, the silent communication continued.

(No, wait. We can also try to escape before being surrounded.)

(Yes. We can pretend to have received verbal orders and escape in the confusion.)

(If we escape, it should be to the east, to the Litraillu or Medillen territories.)

(The Medillen territory is the only choice. The "Death Reaper Chrombert" is there.)

(He is now a major. He might help us.)

Soon, cannons were lined up to encircle the capital, aimed at the vulnerable city walls, just as the Imperial Guard Division's staff had predicted.

However, the subsequent events did not go as predicted.

Before the first cannonball could destroy the city walls, the city gates of the capital were opened.

Was it because the Emperor's first order was carried out? Or was there a traitor inside?

No one knew who opened the gates.