Chapter 3

In the Liberica continent, the first complete unification occurred only about a hundred years ago. The mountainous country of Horsheed, located in the northern part of the continent, embarked on a campaign to conquer the continent under the command of King Bergis Valdeck. Horsheed, which had been accumulating strength in this barren land that could hardly be called fertile, began its southward advance with a fury, as if to vent its pent-up frustration. The Horsheed soldiers, displaying a strength that seemed almost inhuman, crushed all who stood in their way.

The various countries, which had been fully engaged in territorial disputes, were helplessly annexed by the relentless invasion of the Horsheed army, and the Liberica continent was unified in a mere ten years, almost effortlessly.

Upon achieving unification, Bergis established the capital Feldos in the most fertile eastern part of the continent and divided the other regions into twelve provinces to govern. He named the unified nation the Horsheed Empire and took the position of the first emperor. Bergis appointed excellent vassals and relatives as governors of each province, granting them a certain degree of autonomy to ensure flexible governance. Some argued that dispersing power was dangerous, but Bergis insisted that speed was crucial. This proved effective, and the remnants and rebels in various regions were swiftly suppressed.

The governors chosen by Bergis lived up to expectations, demonstrating excellent administrative skills and laying a solid foundation for the empire. As long as the trust between the emperor and the governors was maintained, they could swiftly address any issues, creating a virtually flawless governance system. A policy of leniency towards those who surrendered and severe punishment for those who resisted was adopted, and the influential figures in each province eventually laid down their swords and accepted the empire's rule. This was proven when a former enemy was appointed as the governor of Liberdam Province, showing that capable individuals could attain high positions regardless of their origins. Perhaps they were also weary of the endless conflicts.

Bergis, known for his numerous achievements, was called the "Sun Emperor" and received immense support from his vassals and the people until his passing. He was truly a worthy hero.

It is common for succession disputes to erupt after the death of a great leader, and the Horsheed Empire was no exception. However, the turmoil that occurred did not shake the foundations of the empire.

The second and current third emperor, Behnum, pursued policies aimed at maintaining stability, bringing a peaceful era to the continent.

However, even in the most peaceful of times, "distortion" can arise somewhere. A prime example is the province of Coimbra, located in the southwestern part of the Liberica continent, with a balance scale as its emblem.

Coimbra has long been renowned as a trading city, with its territory facing the sea and the northern mountainous region rich in gold mines. The prosperity brought by the abundant gold mines was well-known, and until ten years ago, it was one of the most favored regions on the continent.

Trade with the Southern Islands mainly brought spices, seafood, and gemstones. The exchange with different cultures brought new winds to the continent. The operas that became popular in Coimbra are a symbol of this.

The most profitable trade was with the distant Mundonovo continent. Coimbra, leveraging its location as the westernmost part of the continent, monopolized this trade and reaped its benefits. The items brought from there were called "miracle goods" and were highly sought after by the nobility, such as mysterious weapons, lanterns that never went out, and secret medicines that could cure all diseases.

Coimbra also exported high-quality gold and silver, as well as paintings, decorations, and silk fabrics. Despite the dangers of navigation, the trade was highly profitable for both sides, making it an ideal arrangement.

However, the situation changed dramatically when the first prince of the empire, Groll Valdeck, became the governor of Coimbra. A religious revolution broke out in the Mundonovo continent, and the new leader issued a blockade order, banning trade with non-believers. Those who attempted to engage in smuggling were caught as heretics and executed without mercy.

Misfortune continued. The large gold mine in northern Coimbra, which was the province's treasure, ran dry. Although Governor Groll was not to blame, people began to whisper, "All the disasters are Groll's fault. He lacks the blessing of the Sun God."

The impact of the gold depletion was immediate. Coimbra lost its position as a trade hub with the Southern Islands to the neighboring Liberdam Province. Silk merchants who visited Coimbra via Bahar Province from the capital also shifted to Liberdam, the shortest route, and the flow of people and vitality quickly disappeared.

The miners in northern Coimbra lost their jobs and wandered the streets, while merchants in the south scattered to other provinces. Coimbra, deprived of the desire for gold, was left with a desolate atmosphere.

Of course, Governor Groll did not sit idly by. He made significant investments to discover new gold mines and provided jobs to the unemployed by giving them farmland and hiring them as soldiers. These measures had some effect, but they were far from restoring the province's former glory. Instead, the increased military expenses to maintain the army led to higher tax rates and growing dissatisfaction among the people.

His persistent efforts to restart trade with the Mundonovo continent were in vain. No matter what Groll said, the other side refused to listen.

Then, the rebellion in northern Coimbra dealt the final blow. Various negative reports reached Emperor Behnum, and the ceremony for Groll's appointment as crown prince, which was imminent, was canceled. This not only meant the loss of his position as the leading candidate for the next emperor but also a direct stamp of incompetence as a ruler from the emperor himself.

Thanks to the leniency of his father, Behnum, Groll managed to retain his position as governor, but the large-scale rebellion that followed put him in a precarious situation. Groll was now in a dire predicament, as one of the first emperor Bergis' famous sayings was, "Incompetent individuals should be eliminated, even if they are kin."

"Governor, we have received word that the rebel forces in the north are advancing further south. If this continues, the city of Rockbell will be in danger. Immediate action is necessary."

Groll, the governor of Coimbra, sitting on his throne, crushed a glass in silence. Veins bulged on his temples.

"Governor?"

"Ungrateful scoundrels! Do they know how much money I have spent to save the north?! What are the defense forces stationed there doing?!"

Of course, there were provincial troops stationed in the northern part of Coimbra. There were outposts along the roads, and it was impossible for them not to notice. The fact that they allowed the rebels to pass through without stopping them meant they had no intention of doing so. It was fortunate that they did not join the rebels.

"They seem to be hesitant because the rebels are their kin. It may be difficult to count them as part of our forces at the moment."

Wilm, the old vassal, spoke, and Groll, his face red with anger, responded.

"What do you think we pay them for? To deal with situations like this, of course!"

"However, Governor Groll, the northern defense troops are mostly former miners."

The civil servant, implying that it was better that they did not join the rebels, only irritated Groll further.

"So what! They are now the honorable provincial troops of Coimbra!"

Groll threw a document and dismissed the civil servant's words. He seemed to be completely overcome by anger, making it difficult to calm him down. Wilm, inwardly exasperated, rubbed his white beard to hide his expression.

(Indeed, this man is not fit to be an emperor. His habit of immediately venting his emotions has not changed over the years. I doubt he truly bears the blood of Emperor Behnum.)

"Governor, we must consider how to deal with the rebels. Should we seek a peaceful dialogue or crush them without mercy? A mistake in our response could leave lasting consequences."

"There is no way I will talk to those fools with swords! I will immediately form an army and head to suppress them!"

"Please wait. They are also the people of Coimbra. If we slaughter them recklessly, what kind of bad reputation will spread—"

The civil servant tried to advise, but Groll shouted and dismissed his suggestion.

"Enough! Wilm, when will the formation of the suppression force be completed?"

"Starting now, it will take about two weeks. If we push it, it might take a week."

"Then order them to prepare with all their might! Understand? I will not allow Rockbell to fall! That city is my wife Sera's hometown; if it falls, it will tarnish my honor!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

The civil servant hurriedly ran out. The Coimbra provincial army numbered about thirty thousand, but not all were stationed in the provincial capital, Madras. Since the northern provincial troops could not be relied upon, they needed to be summoned from the southern regions. However, it would take at least a week to organize the suppression force, no matter how quickly they acted.

"Damn it, Amil must be smirking! To be subjected to such a rebellion, I must be the laughingstock of the empire!"

Groll kicked his chair and stood up with a look of fury. Wilm, who had known him since childhood, watched him with a cold gaze. Despite their long association, Wilm felt no affection or loyalty towards Groll. His loyalty was solely to the current emperor, Behnum, and his highest priority was maintaining the rule of the Horsheed Empire. To Wilm, Groll's obsession with the throne was nothing but an obstacle. The position of the next emperor was almost certainly going to Amil, who was rumored to soon be appointed as the crown prince and take the Horsheed name. It was also rumored that Behnum would act as a regent, and Amil would ascend to the throne in the near future. Wilm considered these rumors to be highly reliable.

(However, I am impressed by Amil's ruthlessness. To go so far as to thoroughly deal with his own brother. It seems he intends to put the first emperor's words into action.)

"Eliminate the incompetent, even if they are kin." Amil's plan was proceeding smoothly. Wilm, who had been in contact with Amil for a long time, knew everything about the rebellion. Amil had provided funding and troops from behind, turning a smoldering fire into a raging flame. The leader of the rebels, Ristig, was one of the Bahar knights. The core of the rebellion was made up of Bahar people, with mercenaries and the people of northern Coimbra added to the mix.

From Wilm's perspective, Groll lacked the ability to suppress the rebellion. He had no combat experience and lacked leadership skills. He was suspicious and quick to reveal his emotions. His pride was unnecessarily high, but he lacked the necessary abilities of a leader. The suppression operation would be difficult, and the people's anger would lead to a prolonged and messy rebellion. Just as the rebel forces were about to sweep across the entire province of Coimbra, the Bahar army would intervene and crush the rebellion brilliantly. Groll would undoubtedly be held responsible and lose his position as governor.

To make the plan easier to execute, Wilm had strongly advised Groll's wife, Sera, to return to her hometown. Sera's father