Ch.230Rotation (3)

Though I had decided to listen to my ministers, I couldn’t help but worry a little since that nagging feeling hadn’t completely disappeared. But it seems those worries were truly unfounded.

The Imperial Army really did rush straight here, ignoring all diversionary tactics, to rescue their surrounded forces.

The problem is that they arrived faster than expected, so our fortifications aren’t fully constructed, and there’s something slightly off about the Imperial forces.

“…Why do they look like that?”

The Imperial soldiers I observed through the telescope looked… well, more like a band of thieves than proper soldiers.

They were thin, their faces dirty, their weapons were farming tools, and they wore tattered serf clothing.

Of course, not all Imperial soldiers were like this—only about 70% of the conscripts I could see were in such a state… but even that was shocking enough.

I expected them to be conscripts, but I thought they’d at least be given proper equipment. This is surprising. They shouldn’t be called conscripts but rather meat shields.

‘…At least the rest look decent.’

Excluding those conscripts, the remaining Imperial forces were in good condition even by my standards.

Their equipment was good and their discipline excellent. If we were to engage in honest hand-to-hand combat, we would suffer significant casualties.

‘Even so, the Allied Forces would ultimately prevail.’

It’s obvious even through the telescope.

Those fellows are terribly awkward in coordinating with other units. It’s evident from their troop placement alone.

If the Imperial high officers had received proper modern military education, they might have eliminated such penalties, but as everyone knows, the current Empire has no such thing. Actually, most countries except Rotaring would be the same.

“…It seems we should keep disrupting them by exploiting their inability to move cohesively.”

“I agree. Probe them a few times with the light cavalry.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Being unable to coordinate with other units and lacking skill in collective operations turns a large army from an advantage into a disadvantage.

Their own offensive might be hindered by their allies’ movements, and when retreating, their disorderly flight would cause uncontrollable casualties.

Hmm… seeing this confirms that banning all nobles’ private armies and forcibly centralizing them was truly the right choice.

The Rotaring army—with all domestic armed groups forcibly incorporated into the central army, led by officers from professional military academies, and consistently well-trained—moves as one body despite its enormous size of 100,000 men, unlike those Imperial forces.

If the Kingdom of Rotaring still had powerful nobles, we couldn’t have built such a large, well-trained, and well-armed central army. Having soldiers under noble command would have created many variables in the chain of command… ugh, it’s horrifying just to think about it.

Actually, I don’t need to imagine it—just look at the current Kingdom of Caroling territories.

The armies sent by various Caroling nobles had extremely low-quality soldiers and chaotic command structures. That’s why I reassigned most Caroling soldiers to supply units instead of letting them participate in battle, except for knights and well-trained standing forces.

“First, let’s… wait, a white flag.”

Just as I was about to send out the light cavalry, greatly relieved that my past decisions had been correct, I spotted envoys carrying a white flag approaching from the Imperial side.

Well, they’re sending envoys.

I thought they would attack without any dialogue, having mobilized so many troops with no reserves left, but this is unexpected.

“Would you like to speak with them?”

“Of course. We haven’t had any proper dialogue with the Empire since the war began, have we? It’s already too late with both armies facing each other like this… but it’s certainly better than not trying at all.”

I wanted to send envoys too, but given the Empire’s atmosphere after the war broke out, I was certain any envoy would be killed, so I didn’t send any.

Even though being an envoy is a profession that always walks with death, it’s too much to send someone on a mission knowing they’ll certainly die.

Anyway, except for right after the war broke out, I haven’t exchanged views with the Empire until now, but that’s about to change.

“Well… this is an opportunity, so I should meet them in person.”

“Your Majesty, it’s dangerous. What if they’re hiding daggers?”

“We can thoroughly search them, can’t we? In fact, have them change into entirely new clothes under the supervision of my attendants.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Realizing they couldn’t dissuade me, my attendants quickly gave up and began preparing clothes for the Imperial envoys to wear.

I wonder if they’re giving up too quickly on a matter concerning my life… well, never mind.

It’s because I’ve been too strict with my attendants. I should ease up on them later.

……….

“…I apologize about the clothing matter. Still, we provided you with clothes befitting your status, so I hope you understand.”

His face is as red as Guan Yu’s.

It seems I’ve made a serious mistake. The expressions of the Imperial envoys are no joke.

From my perspective, it was a natural precaution against assassination, but the envoys were greatly offended not just by the body search but by being forced to change clothes—a truly insulting treatment.

It’s fortunate I provided them with high-quality clothes; if I had given them clothes similar to what they arrived in, wouldn’t they have stormed out immediately?

“Those clothes are my gift to you. Please wear them when you return to the Imperial camp.”

“How gracious that I won’t have to change again in front of others.”

“Ahem, let’s get to the point. Why have you come here?”

The envoy grimaces at my forced change of subject, but since it’s the only way to quickly dispel the uncomfortable atmosphere in this room, he follows my lead.

“…Do you really want to fight to the bitter end?”

“Hmm… what do you mean? Both sides’ armies are already facing each other—what more is there to settle?”

“If our large armies clash head-on, both the Empire and Rotaring will suffer great losses. Surely fighting isn’t the only way to resolve this issue?”

“…”

What are these guys saying?

The envoy is speaking unexpectedly differently than I anticipated. After rejecting all attempts at dialogue and de-escalation while mobilizing such a large army, they’re now saying something completely different right before battle.

‘Are they afraid?’

Just as I was appalled after seeing the quality of the Imperial army, they must have seen the quality of the Rotaring forces.

Since the Imperial forces looked very poor to me, conversely, the Rotaring forces might have looked very impressive to them.

“If you admit to assassinating the late Emperor and agree to reduce your conscription system, the Imperial army will withdraw.”

“…What?”

What the hell are these guys saying?

Regarding the first demand—well, officially I deny it, but I know the truth, so my conscience does bother me somewhat. But even if my conscience is troubled, admitting such a thing would greatly damage my position both domestically and internationally, so I can never acknowledge it.

As for the second demand, it’s complete nonsense that I don’t even understand.

Whether I strengthen or reduce conscription is solely my prerogative as monarch. We haven’t lost the war, so what position is the Empire in to dictate such terms?

“That’s absurd. The accusation that I orchestrated the assassination of the Imperial Emperor is a malicious false charge without any evidence. And what precedent exists for limiting another country’s military power when they haven’t even been defeated in war?”

“The mere fact that the Kingdom of Rotaring maintains such powerful military forces poses a great threat to the Empire.”

“A threat? From my perspective, a strong military force is essential for Rotaring to prevent sudden hostile actions from neighboring countries, like this current war.”

“…Your Majesty, don’t deny that Rotaring’s powerful military is one of the causes of this war. Isn’t it clearly an army meant for invading other countries rather than for defense?”

“…??”

I cannot comprehend what the envoy is saying.

Rotaring’s powerful military is one of the causes of this war? And our army is meant for invasion rather than defense?

The cause of this war was the Emperor’s assassination, and I never raised an army for such purposes…

I already enjoy a comfortable life and my prestige reaches the heavens—what would I gain from conquering other countries except more work?

“Very well, we shall meet on the battlefield.”

“…”

As I tilt my head in confusion, the Imperial envoy makes an expression as if he expected this response and rises from his seat.

I couldn’t be aggressive because it seems there’s a major misunderstanding, but this I cannot tolerate.

“Sit down.”

“Pardon?”

“I have not yet declared this conversation over. What kind of etiquette is this? An envoy represents the monarch and the subjects under their rule. Judging by your attitude, it seems the current Emperor and all Imperial citizens are nothing but ill-mannered swine.”

“…”

The envoys’ eyes widen. It’s as if they heard the word “etiquette” from my mouth but can’t believe their ears.

Still, unable to refute my words, they move their lips for a moment before sitting back down.

“Let me ask one thing: if this battle ends in my victory, does the Emperor intend to make peace?”

“…It would be presumptuous for a servant to guess his master’s intentions.”

The Imperial envoy, who had been quite disrespectful in tone and attitude until just now, is no longer so. His speech and manner have become quite polite.

…I was willing to overlook some disrespect given our adversarial relationship, but to become polite as soon as I show a little anger—how disappointing.

“Don’t play word games. A envoy capable of proposing compromises must surely know this. If the Imperial army suffers devastating losses, will the Emperor still refuse to make peace?”

“…Without acknowledging the late Emperor’s assassination and weakening the Rotaring army for the Empire’s security, our Holy Empire has no way back.”

“I see… you may go. This conversation is over.”

If the Emperor has no intention of making peace, my only option is to make the Imperial people bleed until they can no longer wage war.

Truly… being a king is unbearable. It keeps forcing me to get blood on my hands.