Ch.8Janiradiah Rebellion (2)

# Chapter 8: The Janilardia Rebellion

Thanks to those who regained their senses, the meeting was able to proceed at a fairly quick pace, despite the various shock therapies that swept through.

Hours of meetings and discussions.

And appropriate greasing (bribes) and politicking (by the way, that person who just spoke is apparently a major shareholder in the slave market), and so on.

After going through such wonderful processes, I was finally able to disconnect from the conference room and return to reality(?).

“After going through various processes, the baby conclusion that the meeting had conceived has finally revealed itself to the world!”

“…So what’s the conclusion, Minister?”

“Well, nothing special.”

Saying that, I took out my terminal and showed Riel the results of the meeting minutes.

“…They’re deploying as many as five legions from the forces stationed at the capital to Janus?”

“That’s right.”

Riel showed quite a disgruntled reaction.

But I could understand such a response.

‘It’s not a small number, but it’s not a large one either—an ambiguous scale.’

However, Riel had to accept that this was the best possible outcome.

If he didn’t accept this result because he didn’t like it, more serious problems could arise.

“Isn’t it at least better than a large-scale orbital bombardment followed by an airborne assault?”

It’s much better than the plans of those who were crying out that divine judgment should be immediately delivered upon the rebels…

And Riel, understanding my words, nodded and said:

“When I think about it, it’s a much more rational approach.”

“I knew you’d think so.”

How wonderful it is when someone realizes and accepts reality so quickly.

“So, how will the command and organization of these legions be structured?”

“That’s something you and the working-level staff will have to figure out from now on.”

But the moment he heard my words, Riel’s face showed a complex expression.

Seeing that expression, reminiscent of an engineer who just heard nonsense from a designer, I decided to at least offer a small prayer for his soul.

Of course, I’ll only pray.

How dare a lowly commoner try to insert themselves into the honey pot of the high and mighty~~~~!!!

Back in my day,,,hey!!!

When the higher-ups say something,,,huh??? Keep your mouth shut!!! Just follow orders~~~precisely~~~that’s all you need to do,,,!

———————————-

There was a time when I thought like that.

“Aieee… why me? Why? Why?”

“Minister, you’re not a humanoid, so why are you malfunctioning?”

Seeing Riel speak so nonchalantly, I barely managed to turn my creaking neck and open my mouth.

“Why on earth was my name entered as the commander of the Janus support forces?”

“Well, I don’t know!”

Meanwhile, Riel’s eyes were sparkling like a gaming computer.

In those large, beautiful eyes, not a single trace of negative emotion could be felt.

[Subject’s status: Grateful that their determination not to suffer alone has reached the heavens.]

Even the status window is telling me.

There are no ‘negative’ emotions.

It’s just that pure evil itself has stabbed me in the back through a subordinate I trusted.

“H-how could this be… even you, Riel!”

“Ah, just in case you’re wondering, Minister, your selection was by the Emperor’s order.”

“Well, then there’s nothing I can do.”

You should have said that earlier.

I almost went down in history as an unwitting but proud rebel.

Or I might have been accused of planning a coup like the Wihwado Retreat, leading the support forces astray.

‘Oh, if I had made a mistake, I might have enjoyed a thrilling secret date with those sinister central government uncles before even taking up my post as commander.’

I do meet those uncles frequently for work-related matters, but I’d prefer not to have that kind of private audience with them.

They’re intimidating people, though in a different way from our purge units.

—————————

After a neither grand nor magnificent but adequately boring launch ceremony…

While the procedures and processes for boarding large numbers of troops and equipment onto transport ships were taking place.

“I believe you will bring good results to me this time as well.”

“I will certainly live up to Your Majesty’s trust.”

I also had to deal with minor matters like a forced audience with the Emperor combined with a loyalty ritual.

Anyway, after a week of preparations, our Janus support forces…

Finally departed from the noble imperial capital Ka’Zan to embark on a journey to Janus.

-“This is Ka’Zan Central Space Air Traffic Control, may your fleet’s voyage be filled with light.”

-“This is Janus Expeditionary Force Commander, Arto Virtorius Sebellida, thank you for your encouragement.”

-Beep.

“Communication terminated.”

“Hmm.”

“A new communication is connected, it’s the 3rd Expeditionary Fleet.”

“Connect immediately.”

After finishing the communication with the control center that commonly appears in sci-fi, now the admiral of the Empire’s proud fleet was contacting me.

“Greetings, Admiral of the 3rd Expeditionary Fleet, Zeidler.”

“Hello, Admiral Zeidler.”

A crustacean appearance with three antennae on a shell-covered head and six small eyes.

When the familiar face appeared on the screen, I realized that His Majesty had paid quite a bit of attention to this matter.

‘Assigning the 3rd Fleet instead of those old fogies from the 1st and 2nd Fleets.’

I was secretly glad because I had a connection with Admiral Zeidler.

‘Well, that’s because he’s part of the faction that His Majesty and I picked up and nurtured.’

Given the nature of this empire, factionalism among nobles is strong, but it’s a very serious problem when it extends to the military.

During the First Janilardia War, despite the overwhelming difference in military power, the fact that Janilardia temporarily captured fortress areas along the border was due to that damned factional problem.

‘Does it make sense that the 1st and 2nd Fleets didn’t cooperate because they belonged to different factions, allowing the enemy to exploit the gap and break through the front line?’

At least these gentlemen weren’t incompetent, and since the space navy wasn’t limited to just the 1st and 2nd Fleets, Janilardia’s gamble quickly came to nothing.

But in any case, that situation made His Majesty feel, if not distrust, then at least the need to make some preparations…

And right at that time, a quest popped up quite appropriately.

Thanks to that, I was able to pick up an alien that no one (including His Majesty) was paying attention to at the time, so it was a fortunate turn of events.

While I was reminiscing and indulging in nostalgia…

“By the order of our great Emperor, I have been assigned to escort the expeditionary force under your command.”

“That’s excellent news, thank you for your cooperation.”

As Admiral Zeidler continued speaking, I also broke away from my reminiscence and responded calmly.

“I would like to discuss the details in person later, if that’s alright with you?”

“Of course, then let’s meet on the flagship at 2100 Ka’Zan standard time.”

“Understood.”

-Beep

After ending the communication, I distributed subsequent action doctrines to the bridge personnel and then returned to my quarters installed on the ship.

And immediately sat at the table and engaged in casual conversation with Riel.

“Riel, what do you think is the reason Admiral Zeidler wants to meet?”

“I’m not sure? If I had to guess… maybe he received some secret orders from His Majesty?”

“I suppose that’s it.”

Honestly, I didn’t have much to say about the admiral, so I decided to quickly move past this topic.

The next topic, naturally, was about Janus, our current destination.

“Is there any new information?”

“No, I didn’t even know about the information you received in the first place, so how could there be anything more?”

“…”

Ah, right.

Come to think of it, my statements in the conference room were essentially based only on the quest window as evidence.

“Well, I know you have secret organizations, Minister, so I assume one of them contacted you this time.”

“…You know well, as expected of Riel.”

Fortunately, thanks to Riel making his own assumptions, the possibility of me suffering was once again averted.

“Anyway, although we have our agents in Janus… given the lack of news, in the worst case, they might have already been eliminated.”

“Or the communication system might have been suppressed or seized.”

“That’s also possible.”

If that were true, it would mean the current planetary government of Janus had essentially lost control of the planet and was adrift.

Of course, one might wonder how they sent the hotline then, but…

Given that they were using the crystallization of future communication technology, that was a different story.

They created a small gate that connected directly to His Majesty’s communication terminal, which is why…

‘…It’s unfortunate that it can only be used once, so we can’t receive additional information.’

It felt like having both the map hack and alliance vision turned off—somehow… somehow it felt disappointing.

Anyway, as we continued to chat about various small matters.

-Beep!

“What is it?”

“Glory to the Empire! Minister, the flagship of the 3rd Fleet is requesting docking permission.”

“Ah, is it that time already.”

I was surprised to find that time had passed while I was chatting with Riel, and I accepted the docking request through my terminal and relayed it.