novelraw Chapter 159
Chapter 159
Chapter 159
The heart of the Aphahiel Empire, inside the Imperial Palace.
Around a rectangular, neatly squared, antique table sat more than a dozen core figures.
Each and every one of them were high-ranking nobles whose names alone were widely known. They were the commanders of the imperial army who would be heading into the Southern Subjugation.
“Marquis Carson, you say… His ability is outstanding, but the current situation is a bit….”
“Wasn’t it Lord Tindal himself—the one who will soon become the founding emperor of the new imperial dynasty—who decided this? And since that Valaris fellow has stepped forward, shouldn’t we have at least one symbolic figure to match him on our side? Is that not so?”
“Hmm… Now that you put it that way, you’re absolutely right. It seems my own insight was lacking. I would appreciate today’s guidance carrying over onto the battlefield as well, Your Excellency. I still have much to learn.”
“Heh heh… It was nothing more than the grumblings of an old man, but I appreciate you saying so.”
“Oh, not at all. Grumblings, you say? Every word was advice that will become bone and flesh.”
There were still about ten minutes left before the meeting officially began.
Marquis Carson, who had been appointed as Supreme Commander, had yet to arrive. The rest of the members—all commanders aligned with the Pro-Central Faction—were busy pairing off in small groups, exchanging pleasant words with one another.
“Still, I never expected to see you here.”
“Ah, neither did I. I never imagined I would be entrusted with such an important post. This is all thanks to Your Excellency’s precious advice in pointing me toward the rising sun.”
“Haha! You certainly know how to say things people like to hear. What could I possibly have done for you to be here? It’s simply that His Majesty recognized a hero the Aphahiel imperial house had failed to notice. And honestly, it wouldn’t have looked very good if this place were filled only with old men long retired from the battlefield. It’s fortunate to have young blood like you as well.”
“Old men, you say? Everyone present here is both a hero of the past and a venerable veteran of the present, are they not? It is nothing but an honor to stand alongside you.”
Another noble who had been silently listening to their exchange burst into hearty laughter and chimed in.
“Well now, look at this fellow. Still, you can’t lie, can you? Venerable veterans, indeed. Hah hah!”
The comment hadn’t come out of nowhere. Among those seated were more than a few figures who did not seem to be of a caliber befitting this gathering. There was only one reason such people could be here at all: they had backed Tindal well during these turbulent times.
Thus, amid the warm and convivial atmosphere, about ten minutes passed with words of goodwill exchanged among the commanders.
“Well, this is something I’d only say because it’s just us here, but Marquis Carson is a bit… no matter how you look at it, he was once the person closest to our former nemesis, the Fifth Prince, wasn’t he….”
Click—
With barely a minute remaining until the appointed time, the meeting room doors opened, and at last, the man they had been waiting for appeared.
“….”
At his entrance, the hall—where laughter had never ceased—fell instantly silent.
Step, step—
Disciplined footsteps and neatly swept-back white hair. His still-ferocious gaze made it abundantly clear that he was no mere old man relegated to the back rooms. It was the appearance of the empire’s battle-hardened veteran, Marquis Carson.
“…I see you have all already arrived. My apologies for being late. With the upcoming campaign, matters inside and out have kept me occupied.”
The imposing presence of the veteran who had once shared the battlefield with the former emperor Yulaios Aphahiel swallowed the hall in an instant.
In an Aphahiel that had enjoyed long peace since Yulaios’s reign, there was no one who understood the battlefield better than him. Even Count Valaris, guardian of the South, could not compare.
This was different from battlefields where humans cut down monstrous beasts. On battlefields where humans slew other humans, this great general had sounded countless victory horns. His overwhelming presence was untouchable. Half-baked commanders immediately busied themselves currying favor with Marquis Carson.
“N-no, not at all. Late, you say? You’ve arrived at just the right time. Not late in the slightest, Your Excellency.”
“Indeed. Late? Not at all. We are all preparing for deployment, after all, and are busy both inside and out. As Supreme Commander, Marquis Carson must be even busier than any of us. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
“That’s right. Of course it is.”
Marquis Carson slowly swept his gaze across the faces so eager to flatter him.
‘Rotten. Utterly rotten… Those who chose to disappear after remaining at the side of the Crown Prince, the Second Prince… even the Fourth Prince until the very end were far better. Gion Tindal… was the throne you desired truly one elevated by wretches like these….’
Gion Tindal, along with several of his closest aides including his escort knights, were undoubtedly heroes, differing only in the master they served. But those who remained by a usurped throne through lies and schemes, sustained only by flattery, were utterly beneath the Marquis’s regard.
A general who had chosen to remain in the heart of enemy territory. Marquis Carson had long since abandoned any lingering attachment to surviving until the end of this war.
‘Even if they are like this, I cannot ignore the troops under their command… His Highness will not simply sit idle either, but this war—starting with sheer military scale—we are absolutely at a disadvantage.’
Then there was only one thing Marquis Carson could do at this moment.
‘Very well. I will become the worst commander in history….’
Having briefly organized his thoughts, Marquis Carson reopened the mouth that had been tightly shut.
“I thank you for saying so. Then, since I am late… and since the time of such distinguished individuals is all the more precious, shall we begin at once without delay? Would that be acceptable?”
After the meeting, in the Great Hall of the Aphahiel Imperial Palace. Colbus, who had attended the meeting, stood before the imperial throne as soon as it ended. Gion and Colbus faced one another.
“So far, there is not a single strange point in Marquis Carson’s orders. They were clear and decisive—truly befitting the famed Marquis Carson.”
“Colbus. That old man would never do me a favor. From the start, he isn’t the type to fumble matters by using some strange ploy so early. He’ll pretend to act for my sake, then at the most critical moment, he’ll throw himself into an abyss. Along with his own body. Of course, I won’t just sit back and watch that happen.”
A response befitting Gion. While thoroughly doubting Marquis Carson, he still entrusted him with a critical role—and beyond that, remained ready to cut him down at any moment. It was cold, to the point of being chilling.
“My lord. We need someone like Marquis Carson in our army. As you know, the current subjugation force’s core strength is….”
“A rabble. But what I need isn’t them—it’s the excessive number of troops they are holding onto. There’s nothing to worry about, Colbus. I’ll simply carve away a bit of the rotten flesh. Along with those Southern enemies over there.”
Using war as a pretext to purge enemies while simultaneously weakening the power of the nobles—his aim was to ascend as an absolute monarch. In that process, the ones who would die first and in greatest numbers would not be the nobles, but the people of the empire.
‘How is it that… my lord grows more cruel with each step….’
Colbus looked up at his lord with eyes heavy with concern. A gaze filled with admiration and pity. As if reading Colbus’s heart, Gion responded.
“Don’t look at me like that, Colbus. I don’t care how others see me, but you must not. You were the one who planted dreams in me and gave me wings when I was a powerless youngest son of a noble house, lying face-down with no dreams or hope. The new emperor of the imperial dynasty sitting here now, the tyrant as well—both are the result of that boy you once lifted up.”
“…Please do not concern yourself with it. Whichever path you choose, I will follow. It is only that… now that you have already achieved your great ambition, I wondered whether it might be better to turn your gaze inward, to seat the worthy and refine the foundation rather than look outward. It was merely a small suggestion.”
Gion smiled faintly, as if he had expected as much.
“Indeed. I thought you would say that. Your concern for me has always exceeded even my own concern for myself… In any case, don’t worry too much. Rotten pigs and dogs have occupied the seats meant for true gems, so I’m simply excising the festering wound. I feel sorry for the Fifth Prince and the Great Jungle, but… every matter requires a justification. There are no personal feelings involved.”
“Yes. I understand.”
It was an answer that felt somehow unsatisfying. Perhaps sensing Gion’s lingering disappointment, he elaborated further.
“As you say, Marquis Carson is an excellent strategist. Sadly, that is precisely why he cannot be allowed to live. Pigs and dogs would gladly die for me the moment I place some enticing profit in their hands, but someone like Marquis Carson would never be swayed so easily. I almost envy that kind of loyalty, but… I have you, do I not?”
“….”
Even Colbus—the only person Gion trusted—could not sway his resolve. Fixing his gaze on the far southern sky through the open window, Gion solidified his decision.
“The plan will not change. The Marquis will die in the desert on the way south, killed by an assassin’s attack. And you will naturally inherit the position of Supreme Commander. Prepare yourself well. A war will soon break out that will make me emperor, and you a great general like General Geiorn.”
The next day, in the Great Jungle.
“Hoo… Having the household suddenly grow this large isn’t easy.”
As Yuwon was dealing with the headaches brought on by the sudden influx of guests, Hastings appeared before him with urgent news.
“My lord!”
His face was pale, his expression frantic as if being pursued. Instinctively, Yuwon sensed that Hastings had brought bad news.
“What is it, Hastings? News from the empire?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Through an informant, we’ve learned that the imperial army is gathering with deployment imminent. And… just as we feared, Marquis Carson has been appointed Supreme Commander of the imperial forces.”
Receiving the report, Yuwon nodded as though he had expected nothing less.
“Hm… I see. So Gion has grown quite impatient. He moved faster than I thought.”
Unlike Yuwon’s calm demeanor, the expressions of Renania and Terrien, who were assisting him, darkened. Renania, who had been listening, spoke cautiously.
“Marquis Carson… as Supreme Commander… will it be all right?”
“It won’t be easy. If he truly becomes the enemy’s Supreme Commander.”
“…That’s true. Given the formidable reputation of Marquis Carson.”
The mood was heavy for everyone who spoke—everyone except Yuwon, who was smiling.
“That is, if he truly decided to become Gion’s sword.”
“Yes…? What do you mean by that…?”
“Marquis Carson never once tried to contact me, despite knowing they had plotted treason and usurped the throne. Unlike Count Valaris, who waited for my news and secretly sought information.”
As Yuwon spoke, Terrien and Hastings, who had been listening in silence, lit up.
“Could it be…?”
“…!”
“Yes. The Marquis, in his own way, may have been trying to help me. Whether that is truly the case, or merely my wishful thinking, we’ll need to observe the situation further to know for sure.”
Blending into enemy ranks as a spy to protect Yuwon—it was not so different from the path Marcellus had once chosen.
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“That’s a good question, Hastings. I’m afraid that even though you’ve only just returned, I’ll need you to step forward once more.”
“Please command me. Following my lord’s will is my greatest joy.”
Hastings dropped to one knee and pledged his loyalty to Yuwon. Seeing that dependable figure, Yuwon grinned and issued his order.
“We must learn Marquis Carson’s true intentions.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will go at once and meet Marquis Carson.”
At that moment, Yuwon slowly shook his head.
“No. This time, I’m going as well.”