Chapter 59

* * *

Emperor Pelden III of the Schweidler Empire looked at the three men with a bitter expression.

Standing before the emperor were the Duke of Zihitberg, the Duke of Medilen, and the younger brother of the Duke of Mildor, who now claimed the title of Duke of Mildor.

In other words, the heads of the five royal families, excluding the Duke of Litreju, had all gathered.

The emperor opened his mouth reluctantly.

"There's no other way. First, I will hear your stories. However, the judgment will be mine, understand?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," replied the Duke of Zihitberg, who was second in line after the emperor.

The young Duke of Zihitberg, though still in his prime, appeared dignified today.

"The late Duke of Mildor still harbors reverence for the imperial family. The root cause is that the Duke of Litreju provided siege weapons to Bruges. Lending weapons to an enemy country is nothing but a betrayal of Your Majesty."

The emperor's expression grew even more sour.

"I have had this matter investigated. However, the Duke of Litreju claims that all the evidence is forged..."

The emperor's words were somewhat hesitant.

The assembled dukes remained silent, but the pressure was evident. The fact that the Duke of Litreju had dealings with the enemy country was undeniable, and the purpose of undermining the Mildor family was beyond dispute.

Finally, the emperor cleared his throat.

"The Duke of Litreju's plot to bring down the Mildor family is almost certain."

"Ah..."

The elderly younger brother of the Duke of Mildor showed a look of relief.

However, the emperor quickly corrected himself.

"No, wait. The Duke of Litreju has sworn loyalty to me. If I punish him, it might cause unrest in the Fifth Division, which guards the border with Agan."

Then the Duke of Medilen spoke calmly.

"Regarding that, I have received a petition from the senior officers of the Fifth Division. They say the current head is too tyrannical and uses his authority like a riding crop. If this continues, the Fifth Division will be exhausted."

He continued.

"Even if the Duke of Litreju falls, the senior officers of the Fifth Division will lead the army. They are currently sidelined but were originally high-ranking officers in the Fifth Division. They can return to the front lines without any issues."

"Hmm... But the Litreju family has its reputation. The late head would be saddened if his beloved daughter were captured. Our imperial family owes a debt to the late head."

This was the emperor's last resistance, but the Duke of Medilen countered it.

"The late head wishes to pass the family leadership to his eldest son, Serin. He wants to transfer power immediately."

If the late head, who had a debt to the imperial family, said this, the emperor was the only one opposing it.

After a long silence, the emperor looked at the dukes with a pleading gaze.

"But... I am afraid of the Duke of Litreju. You know his ruthlessness, don't you? Who will capture him?"

"Indeed, it is a difficult task."

The younger brother of the Duke of Mildor nodded but continued calmly.

"However, there is a suitable candidate among the subordinates of Colonel Alzah, the younger aunt of the Duke of Medilen. He is a colleague of my son-in-law and a young officer who distinguished himself in the Bruges invasion."

The Duke of Zihitberg immediately added.

"Your Majesty has met him. Lieutenant Colonel Yuiina Chrombertz. In the Kionis expedition, he brought the Sixth Special Task Brigade back almost unscathed, a fearless and fierce general."

"Chrombertz... Yes, I remember him. I don't recall him clearly, but he must be very capable."

The dukes of the five royal families smiled faintly. In reality, it was more of a smirk, but they did not let it show.

The Duke of Zihitberg added casually.

"Initially, he was thought to be a protege of the Duke of Litreju, but in the previous imperial council, he boldly refuted the Duke of Litreju's claims and restored the honor of my late father. Though a commoner, his pride is no different from that of a noble. He is a true man among men."

The fact that the emperor did not remember Chrombertz meant he did not recall the details of the previous imperial council, nor the humiliation the Duke of Zihitberg had endured.

This was enough to disappoint the dukes.

However, the emperor, seemingly unaware, nodded several times.

"Now that you mention it, I do remember such a person. Very well, he is suitable. Let him do it."

"Your Majesty's wise decision is greatly appreciated."

The Duke of Zihitberg bowed quietly.

The emperor nodded contentedly and then looked worried.

"Will this ensure the peace of the empire?"

To this question, the Duke of Medilen replied with a bright smile.

"We are all working towards that, so please rest assured."

"Very well, I trust you."

Thus, the decision was made in secret and immediately conveyed to Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz.

* * *

"Me?... I mean, this humble officer?"

I was genuinely surprised. Army life is full of surprises, but this one was special.

Colonel Alzah nodded calmly.

"The imperial command to 'arrest the Duke of Litreju, Minshiana' has been given to the Sixth Special Task Brigade. As the brigade commander, I am requesting you to develop a plan to execute this order."

The order came through the most official channels. This is serious.

"I am not a military police officer, though."

"The Duke of Litreju is not a military officer."

He replied casually. This is going to be tough.

When an order comes through official channels, there is no choice but to follow it as a soldier. I resolved myself.

"Please inform me of the deadline and the forces available."

"I have arranged for all forces except the Fifth Division to be at your disposal. The deadline for completing the operation is about six months, but you must submit your plan within three days."

Being given only three days to prepare a plan more complex than a thesis is definitely unfair.

But I am not a college student or a cadet anymore; I am a serving lieutenant colonel. There is no choice but to do it.

"I accept the order. I will begin the mission immediately."

"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for the sudden request."

Colonel Alzah looked somewhat sympathetic.

"His Majesty is afraid of cutting ties with the Duke of Litreju. If she realizes she has been abandoned, it's unpredictable what she might do."

"If he had the foresight to see through her true nature, he shouldn't have relied on her in the first place."

That old man relied on the Duke of Litreju despite knowing she was dangerous. His half-hearted wisdom is frustrating.

The colonel sighed.

"People often believe they can handle things themselves. This is true for both commoners and nobles, but the difference is that nobles can make commoners clean up their mess."

Being the one tasked with the cleanup is very inconvenient.

If the plan fails, the Duke of Litreju will likely target me for elimination, and the emperor and dukes will try to pin the blame on me. It's a thankless job.

But it's part of my duty, so there's no choice. If I have to do it, I'll do it quickly.

"Given the Duke of Litreju's nature, she must have already sensed the emperor's change of heart."

"Yes. From what I hear, her activities outside her territory have suddenly decreased. It's probably being handled by her double, Ricoche."

She is indeed a master of self-preservation. The Duke of Litreju has quickly retreated to her territory to minimize the risk of capture or assassination.

But this is actually very convenient for me.

"If she acts this cautiously, we can slow her down just by hinting at danger. We can spread rumors to heighten her vigilance."

"That's a good method, but it won't lead to her arrest."

I smiled at the colonel's question.

"While slowing her down, we can cut off her external support and finally summon her to the capital by imperial command. If she refuses, it will be seen as treason, so she will have no choice but to comply reluctantly."

"Will she really have no choice?"

"She has no choice. The Litreju territory is in a constant state of war with the Kingdom of Agan to the north. If the imperial direct-controlled territory to the south sends a punitive force, she will be caught between two fronts and unable to defend herself."

"The Litreju territory has a port, but..."

"Yes. The Fourth Division, owned by the Medilen family, will enforce a naval blockade."

I explained this and smiled.

"So, the Duke of Litreju will have no choice but to comply. She lacks military prowess, and the Fifth Division is divided over whether to support her. She can only operate in the political arena."

Therefore, once she retreats to her territory, the Duke of Litreju's fate is sealed.

"We need to monitor her to prevent her from seeking cooperation with the Kingdom of Agan. We can ask the Duke of Mildor to use his connections to get the Principality of Bruges to help."

The colonel was silent for a moment before muttering.

"The contrast with your usual self is remarkable. I see why you are feared."

"I am just loyal to my duties."

I cannot afford to slack off in my work.

The colonel smiled wryly.

"Everyone trusts you for that. Submit the operation plan based on this strategy."

"Yes, sir!"

I saluted and began my work.