Chapter 227 - Episode 220: Shadow
The Betumia Republic is a great power located in the northern part of the Grandor continent. With a population numbering 12 million, it boasts a scale that is orders of magnitude larger than not only the nations of this continent, but also those of the Adleon continent to the north across the sea.
Holding hegemony over the Grandor continent and extending its influence even across the sea to trade with the Lordberg Kingdom and the Pallas Empire in the southern Adleon continent, its power knows no bounds.
And as can be seen from the name of the country, a characteristic of Betumia is that it adopts a republican system.
Over 300 years ago, the people of Betumia rose up against the privileged class that imposed tyranny at the time. By winning over even some of the nobility, they achieved a revolution, established a political system of the people and for the people, and formed a new republic.
The politics of Betumia are conducted through debates in the Republic Assembly by 300 representatives elected by the citizens. This political system, led by representatives of the people, was considered the pride of the Betumia Republic, which values freedom and equality.
However, those ideals have long since become a mere formality.
The Republic Assembly, which was initially established with the passion of the people, was eventually dominated by former nobles who survived while maintaining their wealth by siding with the masses, and a small handful of merchants who acquired vast fortunes by taking advantage of the chaos of the revolution.
Many citizens were deceived by the skillful words of the vested interest class, becoming satisfied with the achievement of a republican system in name only, living while enjoying a superficial freedom and equality.
Those who currently control the Republic Assembly—and thus the Betumia Republic—are the great merchants who are descendants of nobles and wealthy merchants, and representatives from political families who maintain their power with that financial strength as their backing. The republic, born with noble ideals, has now degenerated into a country of politician-swindlers and greedy merchants.
"—Based on the above, it is certain that the southern Adleon continent will be struck by a large-scale crop failure and will soon fall into famine. The Lordberg Kingdom and the Pallas Empire, with whom we have diplomatic relations, are no exception... This is an opportunity. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to obtain enormous profits."
Spring of the 338th year of the Republic calendar. In the assembly where the 300 representatives—the actual ruling class of Betumia—gathered, one representative was speaking with such passion. His name was Blanche Fildrack. An old representative who stood at the top of the faction calling itself the "Wealthy Nation Faction," and who currently served as the Prime Minister of the Republic.
The Wealthy Nation Faction held the ideal of "maximizing the wealth of the Republic" and was the largest force, occupying more than two-thirds of the seats. Many of them had great merchants as their backing. In other words, they were representatives who moved for the sake of the vested interest class's money-making.
"...Does that mean we shall increase profits through trade by exporting food to the Lordberg Kingdom and the Pallas Empire, extending a helping hand?"
The one who asked this was Representative Volan Woodmel, the leader of a group called the "People's Faction," who was still young for a faction leader in his early 50s.
The People's Faction was a group that still sought to purely realize the ideals of the republic. They gathered fervent support from some of the citizens who loathed the Wealthy Nation Faction, but their number of seats was fewer than 40.
"What I am talking about is not such a soft-hearted story! Invasion! We shall invade the weakened southern Adleon continent and create new territories of the Betumia Republic in that land!"
Representative Fildrack declared loudly, and the representatives of the Wealthy Nation Faction gave him a loud round of applause.
"Absurd! An invasion!? Then for what purpose have we traded and built diplomatic relations with the Lordberg Kingdom and the Pallas Empire until now!"
"Those two nations are barbaric states that still employ feudalism, are they not? The profits obtained from trade with such countries are negligible when viewed from the perspective of the Republic as a whole. It is like giving alms to barbarians."
In response to Representative Woodmel's rebuttal, Representative Fildrack scoffed.
"Rather than engaging in petty trade with such underdeveloped small nations, it would be far more profitable to eliminate the royalty and nobility and rule it ourselves. Besides, the people of those two nations would be happier to be incorporated into the more developed society of the Betumia Republic... Yes, this too is a revolution. The day has come to spread our ideals, which value freedom and equality, beyond the sea!"
Facing Representative Fildrack, who was once again enveloped in loud applause, Representative Woodmel's expression became as if he had chewed on a bitter bug.
"...Do you truly believe that such a thing leads to the realization of our country's ideals! That invading other countries becomes valuing freedom and equality! If we invade, it will become a war! Not all of our country's soldiers will return safely! The soldiers are also citizens!"
"Your vision is too narrow, Woodmel-dono!"
To Representative Woodmel, who raised his voice in anger, Representative Fildrack also shouted back.
"Just think about it. At the time of the founding 338 years ago, the population of the Betumia Republic was less than 3 million. Now it is 12 million... Eventually, the current territory alone will be unable to support all the citizens. More sacrifices will increase if we do nothing. If we are to expand our territory, it should be the barbarian nations across the sea. Surely you are not suggesting we attack a neighboring country on the same Grandor continent!?"
"I said no such thing! In the first place, I am saying that an invasion of other countries is unnecessary! It was previously calculated that the current territory could support up to 30 million people. The reason society is stagnating despite that is because the wealthy class is monopolizing the wealth. Have I not appealed this for many years? If the great merchants who are your backers would let go of their vested interests and give to the common people—"
"I do not wish to hear such sophistry!"
Representative Fildrack raised his voice as if losing his temper and slammed his fist on the desk, cutting off Representative Woodmel's statement.
"Enough! I've had enough of this farce! Representative Woodmel, you are saying that the happiness of the barbarians across the sea is more important than the happiness of the citizens of the Betumia Republic!? You are not fit to hold a seat in the Republic Assembly! You are a traitor to the people! The People's Faction you lead are all traitors to the people!!"
Representative Fildrack screamed with an expression that would make an onlooker doubt his sanity. More than 200 representatives of the Wealthy Nation Faction followed suit, shouting dirty jeers one after another, and the assembly hall took on a strange heat. There was no longer any room for the People's Faction to rebut.
Ridiculous.
Watching this scene, General Charles Hamilton, the supreme commander of the Betumia Republic Army, cursed inwardly. If he could, he wanted to spit on the floor.
Charles was not a representative. In the first place, the Republic Army was under the command of the assembly and the Prime Minister elected by the assembly—meaning currently Representative Fildrack—and soldiers could not interfere in politics.
Charles had merely been summoned to the hall as an expert witness for the Wealthy Nation Faction's opinion regarding today's agenda, namely the "invasion of the southern Adleon continent."
"General Hamilton! As the supreme commander of the army, I wish to hear your opinion!"
"...Yes."
Answering when asked for an opinion was Hamilton's duty in this place. Called upon by Representative Fildrack, Charles stood up and stepped forward.
"What do you think about the invasion of the southern Adleon continent? What are the prospects for success?"
"...Considering the current transport capacity of the Betumia Republic Navy, we could send 80,000 as the first wave. Including the second and third waves, we could send a total force of 200,000, consisting of regular soldiers and volunteers. Considering supplies, this is the maximum force that can be sent. However, with this much military strength, our country's victory is unwavering."
Charles gave the answer he had coordinated with Representative Fildrack beforehand, the answer he desired.
Charles despised the Wealthy Nation Faction, who were greedy to the extreme. In his teens, he used to attend debates hosted by People's Faction representatives and burned with the desire to overthrow the Wealthy Nation Faction.
However, by the time he entered his 20s, that fire of idealism had gone out. He gave up, believing that the vested interest class of this country could not be overthrown and that the republic was already rotten to the core.
Eventually, he entered the army, lived thinking only of the interests of himself and his family, and after rising reasonably high within the military, he was noticed by Representative Fildrack and became his lapdog. With the backing of the Wealthy Nation Faction, he climbed all the way to general, leading to the present.
Charles had served and devoted himself to those he despised, walking through life with them. Because of Charles, the Republic Army was now practically the private army of the Wealthy Nation Faction.
"Victory is unwavering! What reassuring words! As expected of the supreme commander of the army, the guardian of the Republic! Now then, fellow representatives, let us take a vote! Let us choose whether to take a new step forward through invasion, or to continue stagnating and eventually reach a dead end and decline!"
Representative Fildrack spoke, and a majority vote was taken on the pros and cons of the invasion of the southern Adleon continent.
As a result—with 232 in favor, 37 opposed, and 31 abstentions, the invasion was decided.
"Everyone, what a wonderful day today is! It is a memorable day on which we have decided to step toward a new future with freedom and equality in our hearts!"
Representative Fildrack incited them, and the representatives of the Wealthy Nation Faction became enthusiastic. The representatives of the People's Faction, as a minimal protest, left their seats after the vote counting and were already gone from the hall.
"Regarding the detailed invasion plan, we will discuss it with the military from now on... but first, I would like to hear your reference opinion at this stage. General Hamilton, when and from where do you think it would be best to begin the invasion?"
While feeling disgust toward Representative Fildrack, who asked with glee, Charles answered matter-of-factly.
"...The period from late September to October, when the Republic Army has finished sufficient preparations and the effects of the famine have sufficiently spread through the southern Adleon continent, would be the appropriate time. The first invasion point... the Lordberg Kingdom. I believe the capital city of Laden in the Earldom of Kivileft, which is the largest port town in that country, is optimal."
"With the port of that city, we would be able to land a large army. Furthermore, Betumia's trading companies have deeply penetrated the society of the Earldom of Kivileft. If we receive support from those companies, we will be able to achieve the invasion more swiftly. I believe the best strategy is to first occupy the entire Lordberg Kingdom using that as a bridgehead, and then attack the Pallas Empire and the Lancel Kingdom to the west."
This conversation was also pre-arranged. The invasion plan making the Lordberg Kingdom the first target had been decided even before today's assembly was held.
"Wonderful! The assembly and the government will fully support the activities of the Betumia Republic Army! Let us fight as one entire Republic to protect freedom and equality!"
Thus, the Betumia Republic decided on the invasion of the Lordberg Kingdom.
No one in the Lordberg Kingdom yet knows that the shadow of the invader has begun to approach from far across the sea.