Chapter 467 - Episode 450: Pride
The Betumia Republic Army's invasion force holed up in Ostraich, and the forces of the Kingdom of Lordberg staring them down. In the middle of the plains, exactly halfway between the two camps, a tent was pitched for the purpose of holding discussions.
While guards from both armies surrounded the tent in standing lines, the commanders of both forces met face-to-face.
On the Lordberg Kingdom side, across the conference table, the Commander-in-Chief, Oscar Lordberg III, stood in the center. To Oscar's left and right stood Minister of Military Affairs Count Ragnal Burkhard, marquises who were faction leaders, as well as Queen Anrietta Lancel, Grand Duke Noein Arqvist, and Princess Helga Revelant.
Opposing them on the Betumia Republic side stood General Donald Patterson, General Steve Barrel, and others of general or Great Legion Commander rank. Their number was smaller than that of the Lordberg Kingdom side.
The general who had commanded the eastern defense force was seriously injured and in no state to move, and many other high-ranking officers had been killed or wounded. General Steve Barrel also had cloth wrapped around his face and arm, with painful bloodstains seeping through, barely managing to be present.
"I am the King of the Lordberg Kingdom, Oscar Lordberg III."
"I am General Donald Patterson, commander of the Betumia Republic Army's invasion force into the Lordberg Kingdom."
In terms of rank, Oscar, being the king of a nation, was superior to Donald, who was a soldier. Oscar introduced himself haughtily, while Donald gave a polite greeting in accordance with etiquette.
The others also stated their names and positions, and everyone took their seats.
"So, you say you have something to discuss?"
It was Oscar who broke the silence. It was a statement intended to seize the pace of the dialogue and to create a framing where "the Lordberg Kingdom is granting the requests of the Betumia Republic Army."
"Yes. With all due respect, I shall speak bluntly. The Betumia Republic Army's invasion force currently besieged in Ostraich wishes to surrender to the Lordberg Kingdom."
"...Hoh."
At Donald's entirely unadorned and gallant words, Oscar raised an eyebrow.
"Your Majesty may already be aware, but a political upheaval has occurred in our country, and a new government has been established. We are now essentially the army of a fallen nation. We have become an existence that can no longer be called the regular army of Betumia."
The Betumia Republic had not changed its name, but the provisional government now ruling the republic was no longer continuous with the one from a few weeks ago. The government the invasion force had served—the government of the Wealth-Building Faction—had vanished.
"That is precisely why we desire surrender. How the members of the invasion force who surrender to your country will be treated as citizens of the Betumia Republic is for your country and the Republic's provisional government to decide."
Among the invasion force, there were regular soldiers connected to the Wealth-Building Faction, but many of them were not directly involved in major corruption. If the provisional government were to cut off even the tens of thousands at the lowest level of the vested interest class, they would incur the strong resentment of hundreds of thousands of republic citizens who were their relatives, acquaintances, and friends; therefore, the provisional government could not take such a hardline choice.
Furthermore, the volunteers were ordinary citizens, and abandoning them entirely would be a massive problem in its own right. Thus, even after the invasion force surrendered to the Lordberg Kingdom, the provisional government would engage in appropriate negotiations with the Kingdom for their return home.
It was because there had been such an assurance from the provisional government's envoy that Donald was now requesting surrender to the Kingdom.
"I see. Very well, I shall accept your surrender. Do not worry too much about your subsequent treatment. It would be a nuisance for us to hold tens of thousands of foreign prisoners. We will negotiate with that provisional government and send you back to the Republic in exchange for a suitable price."
Oscar accepted readily. This was the planned response. It had been decided since before the start of the war that these prisoners would be returned in exchange for the citizens of the Lordberg Kingdom who had been taken away to the Betumia Republic seven years ago.
"I thank you, Your Majesty."
Donald expressed his gratitude courteously.
Then, involving the generals of both armies and the attending civil officials, the specific flow of the surrender was discussed and decided. This was because the surrender of an army of tens of thousands would fall into great chaos if not proceeded with according to a plan.
Once the outline was summarized and the discussion was nearing its end, Donald spoke.
"Your Majesty. Finally, one request from myself and the veteran generals and officers of this invasion force."
At Donald's words, the generals on the Republic side straightened their backs.
"I do not know if I can grant it, but I will listen for now."
"I am grateful... The veteran generals and officers of our army, likely numbering a hundred at most, wish to perish together in a final stand. With all due respect, we would be honored if Your Majesty's army would accompany us in this final act. As for the other soldiers, I will order the young generals and officers to surrender immediately after our final stand."
"...Hoh. You mean to say you wish to die in martyrdom for the Wealth-Building Faction?"
"Exactly as you say."
Oscar spoke with a hint of irony, but Donald answered with an expression of absolute seriousness.
"...We believe we understand why the Wealth-Building government was overthrown. The Betumia Republic was founded with the aim of being a state of the people, for the people. However, no matter how noble the ideals a state upholds, as long as it is a state run by humans, it will eventually rot. The previous Betumia Republic government under the Wealth-Building Faction had likely already reached the end of its lifespan."
Donald paused there, showing a slight, self-deprecating smile.
"We, who were under their umbrella, understand the problems the Wealth-Building Faction harbored better than anyone. We cannot take pride in the fatherland as it has been until now. Even so, we love our fatherland. No matter how rotten it may be, it is an irreplaceable fatherland to us. That is why we should vanish along with the Wealth-Building government, through death in battle on this land."
"...Do you not have the thought of returning to your country alive and reclaiming the pride of your fatherland?"
"If we had been born ten or fifteen years later, we might have. However, we lived too long as comrades of the Wealth-Building Faction. Even if we returned to our fatherland now, a place for us no longer exists. If we were to clumsily return alive, we might become a seed for unnecessary discord. Only by vanishing here can the Republic take its next step without hindrance... From there, the next generation of soldiers, starting with General Foster, will surely protect the country."
Donald and the others were dogs of the Wealth-Building Faction, but they were also soldiers. By remaining in the midst of this war—planned and executed solely for political convenience with slim prospects of success, grinding away the lives of the youth—they had grown disgusted with the current state of the Republic as soldiers.
To vanish here. To end together with the Wealth-Building Faction. For Donald and the others, that was the only choice they could make as old soldiers to protect their fatherland, and it was their pride.
After listening to Donald's story, Oscar gave a small laugh and looked straight at Donald.
"Very well. I shall accompany you in your final stand. However, I will take a little time for preparation... If I am to repel the oncoming enemy with all my might, I cannot move immediately."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
While the Republic soldiers, including Donald, bowed their heads, Oscar stood up. The discussion was now over.
The other generals of the Lordberg Kingdom side also stood up following Oscar. They prepared to leave the tent that had served as the place of discussion.
"A-Ah, Grand Duke Arqvist!"
A voice called out then. The one called was Noein.