Chapter 81

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【The Inevitable Emperor】

"Are you saying he refused the imperial command?"

Emperor Pelden III of the Schweidler Empire muttered, as if he couldn't understand.

"That's impossible. I clearly told him that he was to be appointed as an Imperial Chamberlain, didn't I?"

The herald bowed deeply.

"I conveyed the message without error. That man, Colonel Altsar, feels a deep sense of gratitude and loyalty, and he says he cannot leave until he has repaid it."

"Hmm, he is a loyal man. It's difficult to force him if he says that."

Pelden III crossed his arms and sat down on the sofa.

"But the forces of Bruges are approaching the capital, Lotsmer. As an imperial soldier, it is his duty to come to the defense, is it not?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is indeed a grave matter."

In the court, it's a secret to longevity not to say too much. The herald knew this well.

On the other hand, Pelden III shook his head in frustration.

"Very well, then. I won't rely on a counselor who won't offer advice. Summon the Imperial Guard to defend the capital."

"The main force of the Imperial Guard is stationed at the border... Are you going to recall them?"

"I know that. I know, but... hmm, request reinforcements from the Five Royal Families. What about the Litraille family?"

"The Litraille family and the Fifth Division are on high alert to stop the Agan army's advance. Rather, they are the ones requesting reinforcements."

The herald's words made Pelden III wave his fist.

"Then, then the Medilen family. Summon the Fourth Division."

"The main force of the Fourth Division is with the navy, and they are deployed to defend the Litraille territory. Most of the army has been incorporated into Colonel Altsar's Sixth Special Brigade."

"I see... Then where are the troops to protect the imperial family?"

The herald, still bowing, answered.

"They are nowhere to be found. The only option left is to recruit mercenaries and peasant soldiers..."

"Can you win with that?"

"As a herald, I cannot answer that question."

Pelden III exhaled heavily and said to the herald.

"That's enough, you may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The herald bowed respectfully and left, leaving Pelden III alone.

"What should I do..."

On his desk were a petition from the General Staff of the Imperial Guard and a petition from the aristocratic families.

The General Staff recommended temporary evacuation.

"The capital is at risk of being surrounded, and the city walls are vulnerable to advanced artillery, making it dangerous. The best course of action is to leave the defense of the capital to the Imperial Guard while the Emperor conducts diplomacy and internal affairs in the east, where it is easier to coordinate with other families."

On the other hand, the aristocratic families pleaded, "Please do not abandon us. 'The imperial crown must remain in the capital' is a fundamental principle of our country. If the Emperor leaves the capital, we cannot fight with our lives on the line."

Similar appeals came from wealthy merchants based in the capital Lotsmer and the Filnia Church's Lotsmer diocese, among others.

Each had its own logic, and Pelden III found it difficult to make a decision.

The courtiers were also divided in their opinions based on their positions and perspectives.

"What should I do..."

The indecisive emperor leaned back on the sofa and soon began to doze off.

* * *

"An emperor who hasn't received military training won't make much of a difference whether he's in the capital or not. It would be easier for him to be away from the capital. Security is a hassle, you know."

I answered while drinking coffee.

"However, politically, the Emperor's evacuation has significant implications and will affect the morale of the troops. The important thing is the survival of the imperial family, not the Emperor's life. I think the Emperor should resolve to die in the capital and send the Crown Prince to the east for risk management."

"Do you not value the Emperor's life?"

Colonel Altsar drank his overly sweet coffee with a look of exasperation and then chuckled.

"But it's interesting. Tell me more."

"Of course, I want the Emperor to pursue happiness as a human being, but if he wants to run, he should abdicate first. If the Emperor runs, morale will drop, and the aristocratic lords will surrender. In this country, the imperial crown cannot be moved."

On our desk was a board for "Five Kings Chess," the Schweidler version of chess. The pieces were already set up.

Hanna, a Five Kings Chess enthusiast, had prepared the board. It apparently recreated a historical match. It looked cool, even though I didn't know much about it.

"The board is the same. If the 'Emperor' piece moves even one step from here, the coordination with the 'Guard' and 'Gate' pieces will be severed, and the formation will collapse. Fleeing leads to destruction."

I took a sip of coffee and sighed.

"While we were on the run, there was no political activity in the capital. It's unbelievable. That Emperor is an idiot."

"Hey, disrespectful counselor."

The colonel poked my forehead playfully. Oh no, I got a punch. More, please.

I laughed and continued.

"When the Duke of Bruges deployed his forces along the new border, the Emperor should have immediately sent the Crown Prince and key ministers to the east to establish a governance system. In an emergency, a simple command structure would suffice. The important thing is to be in the east."

"Hmm."

"Then, the Emperor could abdicate and, following the principle that 'the imperial crown must remain in the capital,' call the new Emperor back to the capital. The former Emperor could move to the east and continue governing using the system the Crown Prince established. No one would complain. Personally, I think it's pitiful for the Crown Prince, so I'd prefer the father to remain in the capital as the reigning Emperor."

"Indeed, it's a reasonable plan. It would take time, but there was that leeway. But now it's too late... Is that what you're saying?"

"That's right. If this were done, even if the capital fell, the political functions in the east could continue the fight. The Duke of Bruges might have sought a diplomatic resolution without pushing too hard. But it's too late now."

There were other strategies. Negotiations could have been initiated through diplomatic channels like the Mildor family, or support could have been sought from the Kingdom of Eobenia, which shared the same pacifist stance.

But no one proposed anything. The Emperor lacked decisiveness and leadership, and he quickly shifted responsibility to the proposers. A supreme leader who doesn't take responsibility is useless.

"To be honest, I was outmaneuvered by that old man. I didn't expect the situation to deteriorate so much while we were running around the mountainous regions."

If we had managed to escape toward the capital at that time, I could have met with the Emperor and presented this plan. Of course, we would still flee east, but I could have come up with countless strategies.

"I'm a third-rate counselor. I can somehow win the battles in front of me, but I always lose in ways I don't know about."

"That's the job of the generals. It's not something a lieutenant colonel like you should worry about. Don't stress over it."

Since my direct superior told me not to worry, I decided to stop worrying.

I poked the 'Emperor' piece with my finger and said,

"This board can't be turned around. It's checkmate in a few moves."

The colonel chuckled.

"Then we must prepare for the next match. Unlike the pieces, our lives continue."

"That's right. We must continue our lives."

"Indeed."

The colonel nodded firmly, and I nodded back just as firmly.

"Let's exhaust all strategies for the sake of everyone in the brigade."

"...Indeed."

The colonel, suddenly looking serious, slurped his coffee.

What's with him now.