Chapter 49

It's been a while since I've come to the imperial capital, Rotsmer. All sorts of goods from the imperial territories gather here. The quality is not bad, so I should be able to procure useful items, whether they are guns or medicines.

However, our carriage heads straight to the palace without stopping. We were strictly ordered not to make any detours.

We were all crammed into a room in the palace, and soldiers from the Imperial Guard were posted in the hallway to prevent any contact with the outside world. The guest room was grand, and even tea and pastries were served, but it felt very uncomfortable.

"It's like an inquisition."

While drinking the high-quality and delicious tea that even a layman can recognize, and munching on a cracker-like pastry, I thought. I had to hand over my gun, so there's nothing I can do now.

Then the colonel said casually,

"It is an inquisition."

Hold on, wait a minute.

"Is it ours?"

"No, it's not."

The colonel shook his head and suddenly smiled. It was a very malicious and playful smile.

"Could it be that you, who are not usually like this, are trembling with fear?"

"I've always been a coward."

The colonel chuckled.

"Don't worry, the one to be hanged is not us but Duke Zihitberg. This is a meeting to question his responsibility."

"But that old man is dead, isn't he?"

At this point, it seems that the country is already doomed, calling a brigade commander to question a dead man's responsibility. I, at least, am not that idle, but the colonel is not either.

"Probably Duke Litraiyou is going to use it politically."

The colonel sipped his tea elegantly, narrowed his eyes at the noble aroma, and nodded.

"Yes. I plan to go along with that perfumed woman's scheme, but I don't intend to stick with it until the end. I'll drop out halfway and see her downfall."

"I agree. But if I misjudge the timing, I'll be ruined. I don't have the political skills for that. I rely on your instincts, sir."

"Leave that to me. You are a renowned general of both wisdom and valor, but your weakness is your lack of connections in the noble society. Duke Litraiyou probably saw that and sent you here."

The colonel smiled wryly.

"Your attempts to counter Duke Litraiyou would be futile without political power, and you understand that well. That's why you can be sent here as my staff with peace of mind."

"However, I must admit that Duke Litraiyou's judgment is correct, though I find it very unpleasant. I don't particularly dislike her, but I have no intention of opposing her."

I understand how terrifying "powerful nobles" can be in this world.

They are like mafia bosses given both judicial and legislative powers. They can legalize any lawlessness.

The colonel gazed at the delicate painting on the teacup and replied.

"You can take a bit more risk. That's why I'm here. Leave the cleanup to me."

The colonel puffed out his thin chest and thumped it, coughing.

* * *

Then we were summoned to a secret meeting in the palace.

I don't think I need to be there, but the colonel insisted, "The meeting won't make sense without you," so I reluctantly attended.

I intended to stand behind the colonel, but a seat was prepared for me, and I ended up sitting quietly next to him.

This is the most uncomfortable chair I've sat on since my previous life.

"We are all here."

The chair of the meeting, to my surprise, is Duke Litraiyou. What a farce.

I already want to leave, but the attendees are not ordinary.

First, the generals of the First Division. They are also the Imperial Guard, directly under the emperor.

There are also high-ranking priests of the Imperial Filnia Church and scholars in academic robes.

Other officials serving the emperor, such as the Imperial Herald and the Aide-de-Camp, were also present.

Among them, a man in his mid-thirties, dressed in noble attire, looked very uncomfortable. The coat has the crest of the Zihitberg family, and it is the crest of the head of the house.

The previous head died in the Kionis expedition, and his son inherited it, so he must be the current head.

In other words, he is the representative defendant in this case.

He is also a significant figure, but the most prominent is the person seated at the head of the table.

Emperor Pelden III of the Schweider Empire. The old man to whom we, the imperial soldiers, are supposed to be loyal. He is the most important person here.

He didn't look particularly wise or energetic, but Emperor Pelden III opened his mouth.

"Minshiana, I leave the rest to you."

Who is he talking to?

I was momentarily confused, but I remembered that Duke Litraiyou's first name is something like that.

The fact that she is called by her first name suggests that Duke Litraiyou is quite close to the emperor. This is troublesome.

Duke Litraiyou bowed respectfully to the emperor and then turned to the assembly.

"The failure of the Kionis expedition is a sad fact for the empire. It was supposed to be the first step in expanding the empire by occupying the trading city of Jarakud."

Everyone's gaze turned to Duke Zihitberg. His seat looks even more uncomfortable than mine.

He must have felt that he couldn't remain silent while his late father's honor was being tarnished in front of the emperor. Duke Zihitberg spoke up.

"Your words, but—"

"Your Highness is present, Duke Zihitberg."

Duke Litraiyou gently but sharply stopped him.

The emperor, on the other hand, maintained a cold and indifferent expression. Come on, the Zihitberg family is the second in line after the imperial family. Help him out.

I didn't like the previous Duke Zihitberg, but I started to feel a bit sorry for him. His son is innocent.

Duke Litraiyou continued the meeting unilaterally.

"The total strength of the Kionis expeditionary force was 62,000. Only about 20,000 soldiers returned."

Isn't he exaggerating the numbers? The expeditionary force was probably around 50,000.

"The empire's elite forces were reduced to less than a third. It is a significant loss."

They weren't the elite forces. They were a mix of various units.

Duke Litraiyou is twisting the facts to pin the blame on the Zihitberg family.

However, as a mere commoner and a junior officer, I can only remain silent.

...or so I thought, but suddenly the conversation turned to me.

"To investigate this loss, we have invited the commander and staff of the Sixth Special Brigade. They are one of the few units that participated in the Battle of Jarakud and returned safely."

Actually, they are the only unit, but there are probably other units that will lie about their return. Whatever.

"Colonel Medilen. As an officer who fought on the front lines, please share your insights on why this tragic defeat occurred."

When Duke Litraiyou said this to Colonel Altsar, she coolly shook her head.

"My main role is to maintain military discipline, and I cannot claim to be a military strategist. Please ask my staff."

Hold on, are you passing it to me? Yes, the staff of the imperial army is a military advisor to the noble officers.

Everyone is looking at me, a mere commoner and a lieutenant.

We should have had a pre-meeting or a briefing. ...No, maybe that's why they didn't let us contact anyone outside.

Well, there's no choice. I stood up and carefully chose my words.

"Then I will explain. Is it okay if I analyze the reasons for the defeat in the Battle of Jarakud?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Duke Litraiyou smiled. I don't know how she can smile like that.

But for now, I have to be a puppet in her hands. I started to give an explanation that she would like.

If I point out the flaws in the plan itself, I will incur the emperor's displeasure. I need to avoid that.

So, let's just say it was a tactical failure.

"The battle formation devised by the late Duke Zihitberg, which is essentially an old oblique formation, had a significant flaw. Despite the risk of being flanked, the cavalry forces that could have prevented this were sent to capture Jarakud."

I assumed the emperor's military knowledge was limited and tried to explain as clearly as possible. The important thing is to create a good impression on the emperor.

"As a result, our army was flanked, and the main camp was attacked without any chance to counter."

Duke Litraiyou quickly interjected.

"Yes, that's enough. Thank you for your efforts."

She just wanted this testimony. I sighed and sat down. The sigh was a form of protest.

Duke Litraiyou continued smugly.

"As you heard, the late Duke Zihitberg's planning and command had fatal flaws. That is the essence of the defeat. Isn't that right?"

No, the fatal mistake was invading the Kionis territory... But Duke Litraiyou kept pushing the narrative without letting me say anything.

"The decision to invade Kionis, as ordered by the emperor, was not unreasonable, as concluded by the staff of each division. It is natural for the head of the Zihitberg family to serve as the marshal, as their territory borders Kionis."

The current Duke Zihitberg seemed to want to say something but bowed his head when the emperor glared at him. It's too pitiful. I've probably seen something like this in my previous life.

"The Zihitberg family, who failed to fulfill their mission, must bear the appropriate responsibility. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

The emperor nodded grandly, seemingly eager to end the meeting. I agree with that.

"The analysis provided by the previous staff officer, Lieutenant Yuna Crombertz, is consistent with the testimonies of the returning cavalry."

Returning cavalry?

Duke Litraiyou glanced at me and smiled thinly.

"The cavalry sent by Marshal Zihitberg suffered catastrophic losses in the city of Jarakud. The survivors were taken prisoner, forced to convert to a heretical religion, and branded with the heretical symbol on their foreheads. They were then sent back as a 'mercy' from the victors."

It might have been better if they had died. How can a professional soldier live with a heretical symbol branded on his forehead?

Duke Litraiyou continued without any sympathy for them.

"The returning cavalry all testified to the incompetence and poor leadership of Marshal Zihitberg. How does the Zihitberg family view the treatment of the imperial guards who were supposed to protect the emperor?"

The young Duke Zihitberg bit his lip and could only bow his head.

"It is truly... shameful..."

My stomach started to hurt.

But Duke Litraiyou pressed on.

"The late Duke Zihitberg is reported to have neglected his duties in the camp, indulging in wine and women. Isn't this tantamount to treason against the imperial family?"

Even Duke Zihitberg, who is usually composed,