Chapter 148
The Battle
of Those Left Behind ③ -
Beginning of the Major Clean-Up
Translator : PolterGlast
While Takuhir and his
forces were celebrating their victory in the opening battle of the Eastern
Border War, others in the Royal Capital were also moving to support them.
"Gouras, have you
heard? He has already achieved a victory on the Eastern Border, hasn't
he?"
"Your Majesty's
ears are keen indeed. To hear so soon?"
"No, no, I have
those with special ears. Duke, tell Gouras about the battle situation you've
gathered."
"Understood.
Actually, the first battle... was a loss. The hot-blooded fools of the
Restorationist Faction attacked with brute force. However, even then, Baron
Solis directly saved 2,000 allies and indirectly nearly half the total forces,
it is said."
"What! How could
that be...? His forces are only a little over 200, and even with the Cadet
Knights, it's only about 1,000, isn't it?"
"Indeed, but
that's not all. Next, he devised a plan and brilliantly defeated the enemy
force of 12,000 that had advanced to the front. The utterly defeated enemy
forces reportedly abandoned their constructed fortifications and retreated to
the border fort. Ho ho ho, your subordinates, Sir Hoffman and Sir Schultz,
became his excellent pawns."
"That is... I'm
at a loss whether to be pleased or saddened."
"Even the shrewd
Hamish was troubled by the Imperial Kingdom army. Gouras, I hear the Knights
suffered no unnecessary losses. This should be celebrated as good
fortune."
"As you
will"
"By the way, do
you understand the reason I gathered both of you today?"
"Your Majesty's
will is... that the battlefield is not the only place of battle. We should
stabilize the footing of those fighting for the Kingdom on that battlefield. Is
that right?"
"Indeed. The
circumstances under which he went to this battlefield are, to some extent,
impossible to suppress sympathy for. The Mage matter was brought up, and after
those rumors spread, even I couldn't fully protect him."
"We apologize for
our lack of power. The Minister of Interior who controls the nobility, the
Minister of Finance who manages the necessary national expenditures, the
Minister of Commerce who oversees domestic trade and distribution, and the
Minister of Military Affairs who supervises forces other than the Royal Capital
Knights—with these four official positions controlled by them, we cannot even
act in accordance with Your Majesty's wishes..."
"I, too, will
have to put things in order. Well, it's troublesome, but it must be done. If I
protect him carelessly, it will become impossible to deal with future
rebellious individuals. They will use that as a pretext and impose their will.
By the way, Duke, what is the progress of the major clean-up you are carrying
out?"
"Yes! Previously,
we were on the defensive, and I believe we did him a disservice. However, this
time, they were so engrossed in digging pitfalls for others that they made a
few blunders. First, we intend to cut off their limbs, and with that in mind,
we are working with Lord Gouras."
"Then, I leave
the details to you, but be sure to be thorough. His loyalty to the Kingdom is
unquestionable. He has made the Royal Command Mages active and achieved results
from the outset. Support him as one who acts according to my will."
"Understood."
"As you
command."
※
After the secret
audience concluded, the two moved their private meeting to the Headmaster's
office at the academy.
"Now, His Majesty
is growing impatient. It's our turn to produce results, wouldn't you say?"
"Even so... the
leaders of the Restorationist Faction do not dirty their own hands and are hard
to catch."
"So, I thought
I'd cast a stone. In the formation of the Cadet Knights this time, there was a
rat scurrying among the nobles, wasn't there?"
"Indeed, but we
can't just charge him with a crime based on that, can we?"
"But we can
summon him to the Royal Capital and question him about the circumstances. And
there's this interesting little thing too."
Saying that,
Headmaster Duke Klein handed a letter to Knight Commander Gouras.
"My goodness!
This is..."
The letter contained a
schematic diagram of the border fortress that Margrave Hastburg was
constructing and the location of the Demon Realm fort that Baron Solis was
building.
Kyle Kingdom is
steadily fortifying its defenses. Before those defenses are complete, organize
your troops and invade. We shall be your vanguard.
Along with such
words...
"This is about
Baron Solis, who was patrolling the border—no, the older brother, that is. He
secretly captured a spy who was trying to cross the border from the west. The
spy was a Dark Mage. He attempted to cross the border by stealth, but he picked
the wrong opponent. But the spy took his own life, unfortunately..."
"I've heard of
it... is it mutual antagonism?"
"Indeed. Light
dispels darkness. A Dark Mage's stealth is obvious before a Light Mage. And as
for Dark Mages... in the southern frontier, there's only one noble who controls
darkness. We've been keeping an eye on him, even from the younger brother's
report."
"Then, we shall
arrange to summon the Viscount. Even so, Margrave Hastburg indeed harbored a
worm in his own body. That's how it is. It has turned out just as the Margrave
himself had previously feared and warned about. By the way, what shall we do
with the other limbs?"
"If you prod that
Count, various dust will come out. The matter of the Imperial gold coins he
pilfered during last year's prisoner repatriation, and various accusations of
embezzlement, that should suffice. For now, we've gathered enough evidence to
demote him, along with those other charges. He will ruin himself with his own
greed."
"So, we'll
diminish their influence in the frontier and strengthen the footing of our
allies. Is that what His Majesty meant?! I finally understand! You mean we'll
take this opportunity to dismantle the wedge they drove in the South at
once?"
"Indeed. In the
South, two Count families and four Viscount families are mainly their
vanguards. In the first phase of the major clean-up, one of those Count
families will lose its power. And in the East, something interesting seems to
be happening as well."
"Speaking of
their wedge in the East, is it Count Model? I thought he was a troublesome
presence among those affiliated with the Restorationist Faction, being quite
capable and well-liked... But as far as war goes, he's like an amateur, so did
he die in the first battle?"
"Hmm... It's safe
to say he died. According to Sir Hamish's report, he was saved by the younger
brother on the battlefield, changed his heart, and was reborn. If he comes over
to our side, the rabble in the East will follow his example. The future course
of the war is still unpredictable, but for now, it can be called an excellent
result."
"If things move
swiftly, even the faction leaders will surely grow anxious and make their moves.
Then, this time, we can finally remove them from national politics, and there
will be no more disturbing His Majesty's peace of mind.
As a move towards
that, shall we summon the rat to the Royal Capital?
Just as that person
was framed, the rat will likely be summoned after unsettling rumors spread
through the Royal Capital."
"Lord Gouras, I'm
counting on you. Be very careful."
"Understood."
※
A few days later,
Kylar was abuzz with new rumors.
It was said that...
"There is someone
with treacherous schemes against Kyle Kingdom and Kingdom nobility.
That person is...
Inciting young noble
children and sending them to war, aiming to weaken the Kingdom's nobility.
The mastermind behind
the tragedy of the First Cadet Knights.
A treacherous spy who
travels and communicates with the Empire.
It is rumored to be
summoned to the Royal Capital soon for questioning.
Excels at exploiting
the weak-hearted with Dark Magic.
Beware, everyone, so
as not to be exploited in your moments of weakness and fall into darkness."
Some information was
deliberately concealed, but the nobles, driven by curiosity, began to identify
the target.
※
"Gouyoku! What on
earth is this rumor?! What's going on?!"
As usual, this rumor
was also the subject of discussion at the garden party hosted by the
Restorationist Faction, and the four Marquises turned pale. Count Gouyoku,
immediately summoned to a separate salon room, was verbally abused by them.
"It is utterly
baseless, Your Lordships. I have no idea where such a rumor originated..."
"It must be the
Royalist Faction! Those rascals, they've launched a counter-attack against
us!"
Indeed, they knew that
the rumor was based on some truth.
They had...
Spread rumors to
discredit and ostracize certain nobles (the Solis Baron brothers).
Incited the formation
of the current Cadet Knights. No, they influenced their subordinates and had
them incite it.
The son of their
subordinate Viscount, while belonging to the First Cadet Knights, survived
without participating in any fatal blunders.
In order to obstruct
the truce agreement, they secretly negotiated with the Empire, responding to a
suggestion from a subordinate viscount.
And the Viscount at
the center of this turmoil belonged to their Restorationist Faction and
inherited Dark Bloodline Magic.
"Count, we're
cutting him off. He's no longer connected to us.
Understood? You
yourself should also return to your territory for now and put your affairs in
order. There are also rumors that an inquisitor personally appointed by the King
will conduct an inquiry on various charges of corruption against you."
"If they drag our
feet, we'll be in deep trouble!"
The Count, who was
scorned as if he were filth—a complete about-face from before—hastily exited
the salon.
"You Solis
wretches, you Hastburg lot, I'll show you! And you fools festering in the
center. Keep playing your childish political games, calling yourselves the
Restorationist Faction. Until the day you stand on the guillotine
yourselves!"
With clouded eyes,
black emotions swirling in his heart, he turned back and cursed the Marquises.
His eyes, laughing with a shrill voice, were already deranged, and no one had
yet noticed the change.
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