Chapter 299 - Episode 292: The Conclusion and the Spark
The Three-Body Council of the Betumia Republic.
That was what awaited General Charles Hamilton upon his return to his home country.
The government, the parliament, and the courts. It was a place where several representatives from each of the three institutions that formed the governance of the Betumia Republic gathered to deliberate on important national matters and reach conclusions. Decisions made in this forum overrode the authority of the individual institutions and became the will of the Republic.
And this time, what was being discussed in this council was the location of responsibility for the recent invasion operation. Matters that should have originally been discussed in a court-martial or similar venue were brought to the Three-Body Council as an agenda item by a single word from the Prime Minister, Phildrack.
"The invasion plan, devised jointly by the government and the military in advance, was perfect and without issue. Had it been executed faithfully, the subjugation of the entire Kingdom of Roadberg would have been achieved with minimal casualties. Yet in reality, many soldiers—that is, many citizens—suffered significant losses and were forced to retreat. Who bears the responsibility for this! Whose fault is it that the invasion failed! This is clear!"
The one speaking passionately in the council was the very person who had convened this meeting, Prime Minister Blanche Phildrack.
"General Hamilton, the commander-in-chief of the Republic's army and the commander of the invasion! Because he failed to adhere to the prior invasion plan, the invasion failed! It is as if he himself killed and wounded the soldiers and the people!"
Voices cried out in agreement with Prime Minister Phildrack's loud proclamation, shouting that he was right, exactly right. These voices came from every camp—government, parliament, and court. It was a manifestation of the fact that the three institutions, ostensibly neutral, were effectively controlled by the Wealthy Nation Faction members.
No one pointed out that the original invasion plan had been a reckless and optimistic one, tailored to the convenience of the Wealthy Nation Faction.
"...Hmph."
"Did you see that! General Hamilton just laughed! What an attitude to have, after creating the circumstances that led to so many deaths and so many lasting injuries!"
Prime Minister Phildrack condemned Charles for the reflexive snort of laughter.
How could I not laugh? Charles thought.
By the time Charles returned home, the script had already been written by the Wealthy Nation Faction.
Believing that they could not avoid all criticism from the citizens toward the government and parliament, the Wealthy Nation Faction chose Charles as a scapegoat to weaken that criticism as much as possible. They leaked the narrative to the public that "while the government and parliament also bear responsibility, the one who should be punished most this time is the commander, General Hamilton."
There was nothing Charles could do in this situation. He had no choice but to be discarded as a sacrifice to appease the public's frustration.
And Charles accepted being discarded without complaint. He considered this the price to pay for having lived his life thinking only of self-preservation.
Charles had merely stood by as much blood flowed and many people were hurt. This time, it had gone too far. The time had come to pay the debts he had accumulated. That was all.
"...General Charles Hamilton, do you have any rebuttals or explanations regarding the opinions presented thus far?"
"I have none,"
Charles answered immediately and resolutely to the question from the Chief Justice, who served as the moderator in name only.
"Then, it is recognized as the consensus of the Three-Body Council that the claim made by Member Phildrack—that General Hamilton bears responsibility for the failure of the invasion—is correct. Does anyone have an objection?"
No one spoke up at the Chief Justice's words.
Among the parliamentary representatives was Member Woodmel of the People's Faction, present for the sake of the pretense that "the Wealthy Nation Faction is not a dictatorship," but he too did not object. Even if he did, he lacked the power to overturn the situation. Nor did he have any obligation to save Charles.
"Then, as there are no objections, we shall proceed to further deliberations regarding the punishment to be given to General Hamilton—"
"I demand the death penalty for him and his entire clan!"
Prime Minister Phildrack spoke, cutting off the Chief Justice.
The council fell silent at those words. The Chief Justice, the other court representatives, the government representatives, and the parliamentary representatives—everyone was stunned. Even the members of the Wealthy Nation Faction showed expressions of surprise.
And Charles himself looked at Prime Minister Phildrack in a daze.
"Many citizens have lost spouses, children, and parents! They have been wounded! All of that responsibility lies with General Hamilton! The citizens will not be satisfied unless he also tastes the same suffering! The heaviest crime should bring the heaviest punishment! Everyone, please, give your consent!"
It was an utterly ghastly claim, but even so, Prime Minister Phildrack's words held the greatest power in this place.
Furthermore, the decisions of the Three-Body Council—a venue intended for making national decisions beyond legal restrictions during critical emergencies—possessed extra-legal power.
The government representatives, with slightly stiff faces; the parliamentary representatives, with expressions as if it couldn't be helped; and the court representatives, hesitantly, raised their hands to show agreement.
Watching this, for the first time, Charles regretted the way he had lived his life.
He had run toward self-preservation, moved by inertia, and lived while being swallowed by great powers. Despite being in a position where he might have reduced the sacrifice of soldiers, he had not given his all to that end. He could accept that bearing the responsibility himself was his own doing.
But to think it would involve his family. To think it would involve his siblings, his wife, and his beloved children.
To think the bill would come due in this manner.
Charles felt as if he were about to collapse to his knees.
"I object."
At that moment, a voice rang out. When Charles looked up, Member Woodmel, who had spoken, was standing.
"Member Woodmel? Surely you aren't suggesting that General Hamilton's responsibility—"
"Prime Minister Phildrack, you are going too far."
Member Woodmel cut off the Prime Minister and continued.
"You certainly possess absolute power. However, power alone is meaningless if there is no one to serve as your hands and feet. If people know they will be burdened with more responsibility than they can bear, who will want to be your hands and feet from now on? Who will serve under you, risking irreparable damage that outweighs any potential gain? Knowing they risk losing their families, who will attempt to lead the army under you? Please, reconsider."
Member Woodmel and Prime Minister Phildrack glared at each other. Neither looked away.
The Prime Minister was the first to speak.
"...Hmph, very well. I withdraw the demand for the entire clan; I demand only the death penalty for General Hamilton."
Prime Minister Phildrack spoke as if spitting the words out, but he certainly changed his demand. The other representatives agreed to this, appearing relieved.
Charles gave a small, silent bow to Member Woodmel, who had saved his family.
One week later, while being pelted with stones by the citizens, Charles was beheaded in the capital's square.
.....
"Prime Minister. General Irene Foster has arrived."
"Oh, thank you for your hard work. Sorry to bother you while you're busy. Please, sit and make yourself comfortable."
One day, several months after the retreat. Irene, invited to the office of Prime Minister Blanche Phildrack in the government building of the Betumia Republic, sat in the meeting seat following the Prime Minister, who greeted her with an expression like a kindly old grandfather.
"How is it? Have you grown accustomed to being called a General? Is the position of supreme commander of the Betumia Republic Army comfortable?"
Irene nodded to Prime Minister Phildrack, who sat across from her at the table.
"Yes. I spend my days striving to become a soldier worthy of the position I have been given, and to be of use to Your Excellency."
"Hahaha! You are as serious and enthusiastic as ever. That is a good thing."
What awaited Irene upon her return was an unprecedented promotion.
In the Betumia Republic Army, whose face had been completely crushed after being forced to retreat by a painful counterattack from the Kingdom of Roadberg—which had been viewed as inferior—Irene was the only one who had achieved clear, great results.
She had driven the territory of Marquis Galdwin, who ruled the southwestern part of the kingdom and was one of the barbarian leaders' strongholds, to ruin, and had established control over one-fifth of the kingdom, albeit temporarily. A general officer still in her thirties had dealt a massive blow to the Kingdom of Roadberg.
Such a young hero becoming the new supreme commander of the Betumia Republic Army to rebuild the military.
It was the perfect propaganda to restore the fallen authority of the Republic's army and regain the support of the citizens.
General Patterson, who had been the commander of the Western Army, was kept in his current position because he was made to bear the responsibility for the retreat, and General Barrel, who failed to capture the royal capital and took it upon himself to propose a ceasefire with the King, was demoted to Great Legion Commander. As for the Great Legion Commander who led the Eastern invasion force, he had died in battle during the retreat to Laden.
Due to these circumstances within the military, Irene was hoisted to the top of the Republic's army in one fell swoop, with the strong backing of Prime Minister Phildrack.
The fact that Irene showed a seemingly happy reaction to the sudden promotion and outwardly demonstrated loyalty to the Wealthy Nation Faction was also one of the factors in receiving the Prime Minister's support.
"I am proceeding with the reorganization of the units to regain the army's authority, but because the number of retirees is increasing in addition to the dead and wounded, a reduction in scale is inevitable. Regarding the matter of recruiting new enlistees..."
"Ah, about that. The government and parliament would like to provide support, but I simply cannot bring it up right now."
Prime Minister Phildrack shook his head at Irene's words while smoking a high-end cigar—the kind where a single one would cost a commoner's annual income—without looking as if he particularly enjoyed it.
"That incompetent Hamilton was not even very useful as a sacrifice. The citizens are saying whatever they want about this invasion, calling it a government conspiracy or the rampage of those in power... For the time being, it is impossible to increase the size of the army. It is a nuisance when the people start getting clever."
"You are absolutely correct. There are roles for leaders and roles for the people. To harbor doubts about the government is unthinkable."
"Oh, you're starting to understand, aren't you!"
When Irene answered, Prime Minister Phildrack's mood improved.
"If necessary, I can mobilize the army to suppress the citizens' protest activities, but..."
"Now wait, there is no need to rush. The citizens are no different from beasts anyway. They are making a fuss now, thinking they've become smart, but in a few years, they'll forget their anger completely... If you tighten the leash too clumsily, it only lengthens the time it takes for the fever to cool."
"I see. As expected of the thoughts of the Prime Minister, who has supported the nation. I am reminded of how shallow my thinking is as a crude soldier."
"Hahaha, if you can give such flattery, you must have a talent for politics as well. You are still young. You should learn slowly."
Following that, a meeting that could never be let heard by the citizens unfolded between the nation's highest authority and the supreme commander of the national army, who had become his private soldier. Confirmations were made regarding the future movements of the government and parliament, and how Irene should act in response.
Finally, under the guise of gratitude for her travel, she was given plenty of "souvenirs" and left the room, seen off by a smiling Prime Minister Phildrack.
"...Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No. Thank you for your hard work, General Foster."
The one who greeted Irene as she stepped into the hallway was her uncle, who continued to serve as her adjutant.
Both of them proceeded through the government building in silence except for that conversation, went outside, and boarded the supreme commander's dedicated carriage.
Once the carriage had left the grounds of the building, Irene spoke.
"So, what happened with that matter?"
"Three nights from now, at a certain tavern in the capital, I have arranged to deliver a letter to a contact of the People's Faction via our family's servant. The letter is set to reach Member Woodmel directly."
"I see, so I can finally get in touch with the leader of the People's Faction..."
Irene let out a sigh with a slightly exhausted expression.
Having reached a position where she exchanged words directly with the politicians of the Wealthy Nation Faction, she realized that the Republic was more rotten than she had thought. Neither the ideals of a republic nor the pride of a nation-state remained.
That was precisely why Irene had begun to move, little by little.
"How was it, Your Excellency? Today's meeting."
"It's easier than the battlefield, but it's still mentally draining. I'm still not used to playing the part of a young general with abundant ambition who is weak to power... But if it were that noble youth who enticed me, he would probably handle this level of acting without difficulty. I cannot afford to lose."
At Irene's self-deprecating laugh, the adjutant showed a rare smile. It was the smile of an uncle directed at a curious niece who had chosen for herself a path that would surely be filled with hardship.
"Well then, for now, I must think of the wording for the letter so that our determination is conveyed by three days from now. It won't even be a conversation unless we gain the trust of the People's Faction."
"I shall assist you for as many hours as it takes, my lady."
Their conversation was drowned out by the sound of the carriage carrying them, reaching no one but the two of them.
Only a very few people yet knew that the spark to destroy the power structure of the Betumia Republic had been born here. No one yet knew whether that spark would become a great fire.