Chapter 254 - Chapter 253: Side Story: Rebellion
【Kingdom of Ektrem, Prime Minister Dedoderic's Perspective】
The third day of the third month of fire. The second week. Tuesday.
The conference room within the Royal Castle.
The cabinet meeting, which had begun in the morning, was now in disarray over the final agenda item.
Several agenda items had been processed, but there was just one.
Just one single issue that had come up as an agenda item countless times before, yet still remained without an answer.
The most critical issue for the kingdom.
An issue concerning the safety of the kingdom.
In other words, whether or not to invade Gronoir.
Immediately after the outbreak of war, many ministers had shown a cautious stance due to the magnitude of the damage.
However, the opinion that "we must strike down the Empire for the sake of the kingdom's peace" gradually spread, and currently, many ministers hold the stance that an invasion is necessary.
Yet, amidst this, there was a minister who would not nod in agreement.
One of the leaders of this group was the Minister of Finance.
The Minister of Finance's reason was clear.
"Where is such money to be found?"
War, needless to say, costs money.
That too, an astounding amount of money.
While it is possible to gather funds widely from the common people through special wartime laws, increasing taxes is an act that undermines the foundation of the national economy.
It is possible to suck up money circulating domestically by making up appropriate reasons, but that very money is what supports our own feet.
If we casually gather it simply because it can be collected easily, our own feet will crumble, and the kingdom will collapse from its foundation.
(At this moment, since there is a surplus in the domestic economy, it might be easily gathered... but...)
Dedoderic lowered his gaze to the documents in his hand and, for the time being, reconfirmed the necessary war funds.
(If this is all that is needed, it is cheap.)
It is merely a matter of asking the people to lower the quality of their meals slightly for a short while, or to reduce one dish.
If the kingdom becomes safe and they can live with peace of mind because of that, there is no need to hesitate.
However, it is already clear that the problem cannot be resolved with just this.
Once things start moving, they cannot be stopped until a certain level of results is achieved.
Various budgets for operating the state will be cut, and taxes will be levied additionally on a temporary basis.
This will continue.
The costs for protecting the state may, in the end, end up killing us ourselves.
It is not the same as dealing with a small nation.
The opponent is a country with national power comparable to our own.
While the comprehensive national power of the kingdom is larger, it is not a difference so overwhelming as to crush them.
If it becomes a boggy battle, we might end up sinking together.
Because they know this, the Minister of Finance would not nod in agreement.
And, there is another minister who is clearly taking a cautious stance.
The Minister of Military Affairs.
Soldiers, in the extreme, have dying as their job.
No, perhaps one should say that dying is also part of their duty.
If they are not willing to shed blood, there will be nothing left to protect.
It is their role to carry the people of the kingdom on their backs and become sacrifices.
If they run away because they do not want to die, there will be no war to begin with.
They will not be able to start even a single battle.
If this were a hundred years ago, the Minister of Military Affairs would not have taken a stance of opposition.
But, following the previous war, and the Fifty-Year War, the battlefield has completely changed.
War used to be about the number of soldiers.
Gather more soldiers, and compete for advantage or disadvantage with only a slight strategy.
Any slight disadvantage could be crushed by numbers alone.
Thus, the kingdom expanded its territory and came to dominate half of the continent.
However, they could not ignore casualties entirely.
【Divine Wrath】.
Since this ridiculous magic was developed, the number of deaths on the battlefield skyrocketed.
In the previous war, the kingdom's death toll was just under fifty thousand.
Of the hundred thousand soldiers, fifty thousand became sacrifices.
The majority of those sacrifices were due to 【Divine Wrath】.
Even if told to "go" without any weapons to counter the Empire, it is not hard to understand why the ministers could not accept it.
(...Regarding 【Divine Wrath】, His Majesty will not grant permission yet. What a trouble.)
The state of being attacked by the enemy's mass destruction weapons is quite severe.
Dedoderic has tried to persuade him, but fundamentally, His Majesty does not even wish to listen to the persuasion itself.
(It is not a problem that can be solved by simply turning one's face away...)
Dedoderic concealed his inner thoughts and gazed at the conference room with a calm expression.
Then, he briefly took the empty seat next to him into his field of view.
This seat next to him was Kelnir's seat.
Kelnir did not necessarily need to attend the meeting.
It was common practice for Dedoderic to report the contents of the cabinet meeting to Kelnir afterwards.
In the first place, this cabinet meeting is an advisory body.
If Kelnir attends in person, it becomes an Imperial Council; if absent, it remains a cabinet meeting.
Decisions made in the cabinet meeting do not directly reflect in the operation of the state.
The decisions of the ministers are reported to Kelnir, and only upon receiving his approval does it become the official policy of the country.
If Kelnir instructs "reconsideration," the issues are conveyed to the relevant ministers, and improvement plans are submitted again to the cabinet meeting or the Imperial Council.
Dedoderic casually checked the time and had begun to consider ending the cabinet meeting soon.
As for Dedoderic's personal opinion, he supports the invasion of Gronoir to ensure the safety of the kingdom.
However, he did not voice it.
This is because he believes that to invade Gronoir, 【Divine Wrath】 is necessary, just as the Minister of Military Affairs is concerned.
A war where both sides use 【Divine Wrath】 will result in heavy damage, but he thought that even knowing this, the Empire should be struck down.
(We must somehow persuade His Majesty... but until then, if we can use that...)
That.
The boy who had already used 【Divine Wrath】 once.
Mika Noisheim.
If we use Mika Noisheim, who has a track record from the previous war, we can buy time while continuing the war.
During that time, if we persuade Kelnir and also utilize 【Divine Wrath】, the war against Gronoir could proceed favorably.
If we think simply, that is so, but...
(Cranzard and the Church... This is also a troublesome matter.)
Mika Noisheim is currently in the position of being under the custody of the Crown Prince.
To use him, permission from Cranzard is required.
Without a doubt, Cranzard will not grant permission while Mika Noisheim is in a state of suspended punishment.
(Well, that is to be expected.)
Dedoderic smiled bitterly in his heart.
Mika Noisheim is a person whose punishment has been suspended for having used 【Divine Wrath】.
To ask that Mika Noisheim to "use 【Divine Wrath】 on the battlefield," what kind of mouth would say such a thing?
"If you let him use it, will you punish him again?"
If asked that, there is nothing to refute.
The order should be to first officially decide that the punishment is "none," and then make the request anew.
And, even if that is cleared, there is another troublesome problem.
The Church.
Currently, Mika Noisheim and the Church are in a cooperative relationship.
Mika Noisheim ran around the battlefield in the previous war, and the Church has enshrined him as an Apostle.
If he goes to the battlefield of his own volition, there is no problem, but in the case of a request from the state, if Mika Noisheim does not agree, the Church might oppose it.
The state and the Church can currently be said to be in a hostile state.
We tried to put a collar on the Church, which had become too powerful, but it backfired.
Because of Mika Noisheim.
We never imagined that the right of dismissal, which was given to drink to control the Church, would become meaningless.
Thanks to that, the Church has distanced itself from the state.
Dedoderic let out a quiet sigh.
What a pitiful story.
(While dominating half of the continent, we try to push this onto a single child because we cannot move ourselves.)
Anyway, if 【Divine Wrath】 can be used, preparations can be made for the time being.
The damage will be immense, but the same goes for Gronoir.
If Gronoir knows that the kingdom will also use it, they will not be able to move carelessly.
That is likely the reason for the current stalemate.
(They came to attack once, then retreated like a turtle, pulling in their limbs and hiding. I cannot understand why they came to attack...)
Well, saying that now is pointless.
The war has already begun.
Because Kelnir is turning his face away.
Because Cranzard is moving behind the scenes.
The problem was that the issue of 【Divine Wrath】 had been pushed aside.
This was a problem of Dedoderic, who had put it off due to busyness.
"Let us end today's cabinet meeting here."
Dedoderic, thinking that he must somehow persuade Kelnir, temporarily ended the cabinet meeting.
Bang!
At that moment, something hit the heavy door of the conference room from the outside.
Before the ministers could turn their gazes to see what was happening, the door was opened.
What burst in was a palace official.
With a stiff expression, the official came rushing toward Dedoderic in a flustered manner.
"What is it!?"
"You, this is during a cabinet meeting!"
The ministers scolded the intruder.
However, the official seemed unable to hear such words and came straight to Dedoderic.
The official whispered into Dedoderic's ear.
"It... it's a rebellion...! A rebellion has occurred...!"
He whispered, but his urgency seemed to make his voice louder than intended.
"...A rebellion?"
"What...? A rebellion?"
"Where!? Don't tell me...!"
It seems the ministers sitting relatively close had heard.
A restless murmur spread throughout the conference room with that unsettling word.
Dedoderic suppressed the urge to let out a huge sigh and also suppressed the urge to shout at this brainless official, instead sending his gaze to the open door.
Then, he instructed the knight on guard to close the door.
Nobles entrusted with territories have various differences in temperature.
Those with deep loyalty to the royal family, those with thin loyalty.
Those holding grievances.
Among them, there is currently no one who comes to mind as someone who would go so far as to start a rebellion.
Well, if one had such a hunch, they would have advanced reconnaissance and dealt with it accordingly.
Therefore, the fact that a rebellion has occurred now is, to put it plainly, a bolt from the blue.
There was absolutely no clue.
Although it had already entered the ears of the ministers, Dedoderic instructed the official to report in a lowered voice.
First, he wanted to confirm it alone.
Even if it is just a split second, knowing first is important.
Just that alone changes the way of conveying the information and the method of response.
Hearing the official's whisper, Dedoderic's eyes widened.
Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and hesitated for the duration of that pause.
Dedoderic slowly exhaled his breath and looked around at the ministers who were turning their gazes toward him.
Then, he opened his mouth heavily.
"It seems the little mouse of Gronoir has been killed."
■■■■■■
This was an incident that occurred on the sixth day of the second month of fire, the fourth week.
From the Imperial Capital Karchi of the Gronoir Empire to the capital city Istora of the Kingdom of Ektrem is far.
Furthermore, since information must be transmitted via the Am-Tast Trade Alliance or the Seven Duchies Federation, there is usually a time lag of at least one month.
Considering that, two weeks and a bit.
For this news to arrive in about half a month can be said to be quite fast.
Shouts of anger were rising in the Emperor's residence.
The sound of clashing swords echoed here and there, and several knights lay bleeding on the floor.
"You bastards, have you lost your minds!?"
An old knight blocked the hallway along with several subordinates, intimidating the ringleader of the rebellion.
In the direction of his gaze was a man in bishop's robes.
Pope Metzdelt.
The Pope had led the Temple Knights and suddenly attacked the castle.
"...How did a bunch of monks manage to get up to a place like this...!?"
This was already the upper floor.
It was unbelievable that a castle guarded by elite imperial knights had so easily allowed the intrusion of bandits.
When the old knight asked, the Pope turned his gaze to the seductive woman beside him, also wearing bishop's robes.
"...Why don't you attack that old knight?"
"Hmm? Maybe he just hates alcohol?"
The female bishop shrugged and answered with boredom.
The Pope shook his head as if to say "what a bother."
"I had chosen the day of the Knight Commander's meeting... Well, it doesn't matter. Do it."
When the Pope said that, several members of the Temple Knights standing behind him stepped forward.
The old knight pointed his drawn sword at the Pope.
"That man is now nothing but a traitor! He is not worthy of being called Pope—!?"
Thrust! Thrust!
The old knight's eyes widened, he looked down, and saw his own abdomen.
Two swords were growing out of it.
The two knights standing behind the old knight had thrust their swords into him.
"...What...!? W-what, cough..."
The old knight spat blood and fell.
Watching that figure with cold eyes, the Pope lazily muttered.
"Even at the moment of death, you can only produce this much 'Voluntas'...? As you look, you seem withered."
The knights led by the old knight moved the useless corpse to the side of the hallway, and the Pope began to walk down the corridor.
Every time the sound of clashing swords was heard, pitiful screams rose inside the rooms.
"Hyiiiiii!? D-d-do something!? Do something!?"
"Calm down, Your Majesty. The insolent ones will be punished immediately. Please bear with it for a moment."
The Emperor had received the report of the rebellion in his private quarters.
He had left the Knight Commander's meeting to the Prime Minister and intended to devote himself to the most important duty as Emperor.
The most important duty.
In other words, creating an heir.
Well, he already has more children than he can count with both hands.
Recently, even subordinates and representatives of the common people, whenever they open their mouths, talk about sending troops or invading, bringing only trouble.
Before, they were too noisy, so I sent troops once, and the result was an unexpected total annihilation.
And yet, they still say to re-invade Ektrem.
I could not think they were sane.
The Emperor was satisfied with dominating about half of the continent.
He did not think of dominating the whole land, and the idea of destroying neighboring countries without ruling them seemed like madness.
"The noise has stopped..."
When the Commander of the Imperial Guard moved to check outside the room, the Emperor raised his voice.
"W-w-w-where are you going!? You stay here! Do not leave my side!"
Scolded by the Emperor, the Commander of the Imperial Guard looked momentarily bewildered.
Then he composed his expression and tried to keep a bitter smile from showing.
"You, you, and you, go check. Be careful."
The Commander of the Imperial Guard pointed to three Imperial Guardsmen inside the room and instructed them to check the situation.
The knights who received the instruction nodded and moved toward the door.
Then, unlocking it, they carefully opened the door.
On the other side of the opened door was the Pope.
"Hyiiiiiiiiiiiiii!? Y-you... Metzdelt!?"
Seeing that figure, the Emperor was so startled he nearly fainted, letting out a scream-like voice.
The Imperial Guardsmen drew their swords and pointed them at the Pope.
However, the Pope did not care about such things at all and entered the Emperor's private quarters.
"Y-you...!? Could it be that you... are behind this rebellion!?"
The Emperor pointed at the Pope with trembling hands and asked desperately.
However, the Pope seemed uninterested in such things and looked around the room.
Inside the room were the Commander of the Imperial Guard, about eight Imperial Guardsmen, and the Emperor.
"Your Majesty! Please step back!"
"K-kill! Kill kill kill kill! Kill him!"
The Commander of the Imperial Guard stepped back to shield the Emperor and stood in front of him.
The Emperor became half-mad and screamed desperately, his voice turning high-pitched.
"Your Majesty!"
At that moment, one of the commanders, Scholstov, burst in.
Scholstov was covered in splashes of blood and, avoiding the Pope who occupied the center of the room, stood before the Emperor in a wide arc.
"Your Majesty! Are you safe!"
"Ooooooohhhhh!? S-S-Sch-S-S-S-S-S......"
The Emperor called out to Scholstov while crying and desperately pointed at the Pope.
"That man is a traitor! A rebel!"
At the Emperor's words, Scholstov nodded silently.
"Kill him! Kill him!"
"Hah!"
Scholstov and the Commander of the Imperial Guard swung their swords simultaneously.
Slash! Slash!
In that instant, the two swords pierced deeply into the flesh, penetrating even to their backs.
The Emperor widened his eyes in surprise, then let out a scream.
"Giiiiiiyaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"
The swords of Scholstov and the Commander of the Imperial Guard had pierced the Emperor's abdomen and chest.
"Ihiiiiii!? H-ah... cough, guh..."
When the two drew their swords, the Emperor fell, his face twisted in the agony of death, and expired.
The Pope looked at the Emperor's corpse and nodded once.
"...Hmm, not bad. Quite a bit of 'Voluntas' there. As expected, it must be like this."
When the Pope muttered that while looking at the Emperor's dead body, Scholstov, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and the Imperial Guardsmen knelt.
"That was quite an amusing entertainment, Scholstov."
The Pope addressed Scholstov.
If it were just to assassinate the Emperor, it could have been done easily, but Scholstov insisted on killing him with his own hands, so it turned out this way.
Since he was going to do it anyway, he had ordered the Commander of the Imperial Guard to "hold off the Emperor and wait for the arrival of the Pope and Scholstov."
There were several secret passages in the castle, and it would be troublesome if they were used without permission.
"It was a great duty. It seems there were fewer people on our side than expected. I caused you trouble because of that."
"Unnecessary words. But, generally, the plan proceeded as intended."
At Scholstov's words, the Pope nodded.
Scholstov had been ordered to eliminate anyone resisting the rebellion.
"Then, let us immediately issue the first imperial decree."
Saying that, the Pope made a smile befitting a clergyman.
"Red wine should soon arrive from the Great Cathedral. Without exception, serve that red wine to everyone inside the castle."
"It is the fine wine of victory, isn't it."
At Scholstov's words, the Pope nodded with satisfaction.