Chapter 50

False accusations and slanders against the late Duke Jihiteberg, who died in battle.

Such despicable tactics are among the things I hate the most.

Even if they are following the Duke of Retraieu’s schemes, if they keep doing this, it will lead to trouble in the future.

I don’t think the Duke of Retraieu will be able to maintain stable politics for the next few decades. She will eventually fall.

If we are still seen as her lackeys when that happens, we will lose our place within the empire.

We need to draw a line.

So I will tell the Duke of Retraieu:

"Although it is true that there were flaws in the late Marshal’s strategy and command on the battlefield, it is also true that he faithfully performed his duties. If the defeat at the Battle of Jarakud is called a 'tragedy,' then it would be impossible to insult those who died in that tragedy."

The defeat at the Battle of Jarakud being called a 'tragedy' is something she herself said just now.

I don’t think it’s a tragedy, but since the Duke of Retraieu calls it a tragedy, she should take responsibility for her words.

The Duke of Retraieu was silent for a while, but then she looked at me with an incredible smile. A beautiful woman’s smile is quite powerful.

"Yes, that’s right. A tragedy, indeed."

Her words seemed to have a hidden meaning. I feel like my name was just added to her 'to-kill' list. Scary.

On the other hand, the Duke of Jihiteberg was looking at me with shining eyes. It’s natural that he would be grateful, being hung out to dry in a room full of enemies and then unexpectedly finding an ally.

But please don’t look at me with such passionate eyes. I’m afraid I might be hugged.

The Duke of Retraieu somehow managed to regain her composure.

"Then, this matter should be treated as a groundless rumor. We must protect the Duke of Jihiteberg’s honor. However, the Jihiteberg family must take responsibility. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

This guy is amazing. She truly is a rare villain.

Finally, the emperor spoke.

"The war with Kionis must continue. But if the burden is too heavy for the Jihiteberg family, the Retraieu family will also help. Part of the territory will be transferred to the Retraieu family, and the Fifth Division will be stationed there."

The confiscation of territory. For a lord, it is the greatest humiliation, losing both face and income.

I thought the Duke of Jihiteberg wouldn’t accept it, but he bowed deeply.

"As you command."

I could clearly see the expression on his face.

His heart must still be wounded from losing his father, and this treatment must be painful.

But an imperial decree is an imperial decree. We are imperial nobles and military officers who have sworn loyalty to that unimpressive old man. I also bowed silently.

Ah, I want to quit and open a coffee shop. No, that won’t work; Roz would hang out there all the time.

The imperial decree was issued, and thus the imperial conference came to a successful conclusion.

* *

"Right after you said you would dance to that woman’s tune, you really went all out."

Colonel Altsar, back in the waiting room, said this, and I bowed my head.

It was indeed a hasty move.

"I apologize, sir."

"It’s a problem when a staff officer doesn’t follow the plan."

"I have no excuse."

Then the colonel smiled.

"Was it fun?"

"Yes, very."

It felt great. I wish I could have said that much in my previous life; it would have been a relief.

The colonel laughed and put down his teacup.

"I think I understand your character and thinking, but there are still things I don’t understand. I wanted to see your true self in that meeting."

He wanted to see through my facade.

"So, how was it?"

"You are an incredibly straightforward and awkward man, hard to believe you are a staff officer. I wonder how you’ve managed to survive so far."

Is that a compliment?

The colonel looked both troubled and strangely pleased.

"You don’t have loyalty to the country or the imperial family. You only swear loyalty to your own sense of justice. Perhaps the reason you were treated coldly at the military academy and the Fifth Division is that they sensed the potential of a rebel in you."

It doesn’t seem like a compliment.

"But I’m glad you’re not a smooth-talking, boring man."

Which one is it?

"To be honest, if you had remained silent after being criticized by the Duke of Retraieu, I would have reconsidered my relationship with you. You are capable, but I wouldn’t have been able to get close to you outside of work."

Which one is the right answer? I feel like Du Zichun, who couldn’t choose between the two options and ended up being turned into a hermit.

I must have had a strange look on my face, because Colonel Altsar apologized.

"I’m sorry, I must have upset you. But no matter which path you chose, I would have respected your decision and decided my future actions accordingly. I have enough political power to do that. Feel free to take risks."

"You are a great support."

In short, he let me make a broad decision to consider my strengths and weaknesses. What a great boss. I’m happy to work with him.

Work… Speaking of which, what did he say just now?

Before I could recall the colonel’s words, he spoke again.

"And for the future, if my reading is correct, it would be better to give you this. It should be useful soon."

He handed me a letter sealed with wax.

"Sir, what is this…?"

As I was about to ask, there was a knock on the door.

"Captain Chrombertz, you have a visitor. Please come this way."

Who is it?

Stepping into the corridor, I noticed that the imperial guards were gone. In their place stood a young man in a military uniform. He must be the one who spoke just now. His uniform color is different, so he is not a regular imperial soldier but a retainer of another house.

And another person.

The Duke of Jihiteberg, who had just been humiliated in the meeting.

He silently nodded to the retainer, who saluted and moved to a distance.

In the empty corridor, I was alone with the leading imperial noble.

The Duke of Jihiteberg looked a bit awkward but opened his mouth with determination.

"Thank you for defending my late father’s honor in the meeting. Although private conversations with commoners from other houses are against our house’s rules, I felt I had to express my gratitude. My father would have forgiven me. Thank you, Captain Chrombertz."

For someone to come just to say thank you, his words are quite harsh, but to a noble, a commoner is like an insect. I can’t get angry at the complicated position of a noble.

I saluted in response, but I also have my own position to consider, so I have to say something.

"The late Marshal, despite being an inexperienced general, ignored the advice of his staff and led to a great defeat. The loss of thirty thousand soldiers is a responsibility that cannot be denied. I also lost four subordinates."

The Duke of Jihiteberg did not get angry at my seemingly disrespectful words but listened intently.

"I’m sorry. My father has always been stubborn. He wouldn’t even listen to me, his heir. I told him many times to listen to the experts."

The old man was hopeless, but this one seems quite normal. Maybe it’s for the best that the succession changed.

"To be honest, I think my father ended his life by his own hand. The involvement of thirty thousand soldiers was something I couldn’t have predicted…"

The Duke of Jihiteberg bowed his head and then looked up.

"Regardless, I must make amends. First, to you. Without you, our house would have lost face before the emperor, and we wouldn’t know what kind of punishment would have been issued. The confiscation of part of our territory was only possible because of you. Most importantly, you protected my father’s honor."

"That is not something to be grateful for. I merely upheld the respect for the fallen. If the truth is not upheld, the empire will collapse."

I dislike the late Duke of Jihiteberg, but even for someone I dislike, I want to maintain the minimum respect. It’s all for my own peace of mind.

However, the Duke of Jihiteberg looked at me with great admiration.

"A man who can say that in front of the emperor, even knowing it would anger the Duke of Retraieu, is not to be found among my retainers. You are a true hero. How about joining the Second Division? It’s a waste to keep you as a captain. I’ll make you a major, no, a lieutenant colonel."

He’s serious.

"Is a lieutenant colonel not enough? How about being my retainer? You will be outside the military command structure but will have an equal status to a division commander. You can assist our military affairs and teach military science to me and my sons."

This is getting dangerous; I feel like I might be hugged.

"This is for my own convenience, but I can’t leave a debt to a commoner from another house. Moreover, you are a man of great courage. I want you in my house. Of course, I will talk to your division commander. What do you think?"

I am a kind person, so it’s hard to refuse when someone is so enthusiastic.

But I am very sorry, but I must decline your offer.

"I am deeply honored by your generous offer, but I cannot leave my superior, who has shown me great kindness. Please understand."

"I see… No, you’re right. I’m sorry. I meant to repay a debt but ended up causing you trouble."

The Duke of Jihiteberg scratched his head and then smiled in a very human and friendly way.

"I truly regret that you are from another house. But I want to repay my debt. Is there anything you wish for?"

"If so, there are four of my subordinates buried in the common cemetery of the fortress city of Tzima. Please place flowers on their graves."

The Duke of Jihiteberg probably won’t go to the cemetery himself, and placing flowers won’t bring the dead back to life. I think the living should live for the living.

But as someone who has died once, I cannot forget the dead.

The Duke of Jihiteberg looked surprised for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

"I see, you are a man who values the honor of the dead. I understand. I will place flowers myself. I will also record your and their names in our house’s official documents and ensure that respect is paid to them for generations. I swear this by the name of the House of Jihiteberg and the gods of Filnia."

"Thank you."

I saluted and then remembered an important task.

"Colonel Altsar asked me to give this to you."

"Hmm? What is this…?"

The Duke of Jihiteberg’s expression changed as he looked at the letter I handed him.

* * *

"The signal for the counterattack"

The Duke of Jihiteberg walked down the corridor, followed by his retainer.

"Your Highness, you really took a big risk."

"I had to thank him. That man is not only intelligent but also has character and courage. It makes sense that the Sixth Special Task Brigade survived. I would have wanted him as a subordinate."

"Then, shouldn’t you have accepted the letter?"

"Yes, about that."

The Duke of Jihiteberg walked and confirmed that no one was around.

"That letter is just that. Even if you open it, it will only contain a greeting."

"Then what is it?"

The retainer’s confusion made the Duke of Jihiteberg chuckle.

"The wax seal has a strange tilt and shift. The tilt and shift of the seal contain a secret. It’s an old, old code known by very few in the five royal families."

"You know it well…"