chapter_0161

160 – The Nobles Who Threatened Survival Won’t Be Left Alone

160 – The Nobles Who Threatened Survival Won’t Be Left Alone

Thanks to the guard commander opening the entrance, the 7th Armored Division was able to enter the Imperial City without suffering any damage.

Of course, just because there was no damage did not mean that chaos did not ensue in the Imperial City.

“It’s a tank! Why are there tanks in the Imperial City…!”

“What? Was it not a lie that the 7th Armored Division was leaving the front lines?”

“Be good. Hold onto your mother’s hand tightly. Let’s get home quickly. Don’t think about going outside for a while.”

As tanks and soldiers entered the Imperial City, the citizens ran around in a panic.

Occasionally, the tanks would crush vehicles blocking the road, causing windows to shatter and bodies to be smashed, which shocked the citizens considerably.

“Get a grip, you idiot! This isn’t a parade!”

“Is a civil war about to break out?”

“Why is this happening…?”

From the citizens’ perspective, they were just going about their daily lives when suddenly a massive military force began to occupy the Imperial City, so it was only natural for them to be bewildered.

Moreover, Belvar was inciting the citizens through the Imperial Daily, claiming that “Daniel Steiner has committed treason,” which would have made the current situation even more chaotic.

“They must really think that I might have committed treason.”

It was a misunderstanding that would eventually be cleared up, but it was better to resolve it as quickly as possible.

Daniel took a radio from his pocket and pressed the transmit button.

“Staff officers and commanders of each unit, gather quickly at the central plaza.”

As soon as the order was given, the driver veered off the procession and headed toward the central plaza.

As they passed by tanks and armored vehicles, Lucy, who was sitting next to Daniel, spoke up.

“There’s no resistance.”

“Did you think the Defense Command would stand in our way?”

“To be honest, yes.”

Daniel chuckled softly.

“The Defense Commander might have given the order to resist, but do you think the unit commanders will follow that?”

“Oh. Now that I think about it…”

“Right. One of their main forces, the Armored Regiment, is on my side. So even if a civil war breaks out, defeat is already assured. From the perspective of the unit commanders, they would rather choose to rebel than follow the Defense Commander’s orders and die in vain.”

Unless it was an attack from the allied forces, there was no commander who wanted to die fighting their own.

If Belvar had at least given the Defense Command a proper justification, it might have been different, but at the point where Daniel had successfully persuaded the Armored Regiment, everything had fallen apart.

“They are now like rats trapped in a cage.”

Daniel clenched his fist.

“I will make them pay for trying to kill me.”

For Daniel, whose top priority was survival, the noble alliance was like a malignant tumor that needed to be completely eradicated.

As he was contemplating how to deal with the nobles, including Duke Belvar, the vehicle entered the central plaza and gradually came to a stop.

As the vehicle stopped, Daniel stepped out and saw the unit commanders gathered in front of the fountain.

Surrounded by the bright full moon, the staff officers and the soldiers assigned to guard were also gathered around them.

As Daniel approached, the unit commanders greeted him lightly.

“Commander.”

“You’ve arrived.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, Daniel opened his mouth.

“There’s nothing good about the military occupying the Imperial City for too long. To minimize the citizens’ confusion, the 7th Armored Division will act swiftly.”

As the unit commanders nodded in agreement, Daniel continued.

“The first points we must retake are the power institutions: the Intelligence Agency, the National Propaganda Department, the Parliament, and the Security Agency. The Infantry Regiment’s battalions will handle this.”

“Understood.”

After hearing the response, Daniel looked at the reconnaissance battalion commander.

“The Reconnaissance Battalion will move throughout the Imperial City to stabilize public order. Also, if there are any collaborators attempting to escape during arrests, be fully prepared to pursue them using the Light Tank Platoon.”

“Will do.”

This time, he turned to the Guards Division Armored Regiment commander.

“After occupying each area, the Armored Regiment should focus all efforts on liberating the Emperor’s supporters who are isolated or imprisoned by the Defense Command. I believe you know their locations well.”

“Yes. I remember the orders given by the Defense Commander.”

After issuing orders in turn, Daniel scanned the faces of the other unit commanders.

“The remaining personnel will enter a standby state and await orders. They must be fully prepared to provide fire support at any time. And Grenadier Battalion.”

“Yes! What is your command?”

“You will come with me.”

“…Where to?”

Daniel turned his gaze toward the Imperial Palace, which guarded the center of the Imperial City.

He quietly spoke, guessing that Selvia would be imprisoned there.

“To where His Majesty the Emperor is.”

–

While the 7th Armored Division occupied the Imperial City, the conference hall of the Imperial Palace was engulfed in chaos.

“Daniel Steiner has entered the Imperial City with the military! They are quickly taking control of the Imperial City! What is the Defense Commander doing!”

“It’s not just the Defense Commander! The commanders of the units under the Guards Division have expressed their intent to rebel! They are terrified of Daniel Steiner!”

“Damn it! Are we supposed to wait with our eyes wide open while Daniel Steiner devours the Imperial City? Duke Belvar! Say something!”

Blame for the failure of the original plan naturally fell upon the group’s leader.

The nobles gathered at the table began to pour their grievances onto Duke Belvar, who sat at the head.

“Right! Duke Belvar! You said you had a way to stop Daniel Steiner, didn’t you? I think it’s time you tell us what that method is.”

“Indeed! Do you hold any weaknesses of Daniel Steiner? You should tell us so we can stop this pointless discussion.”

“No matter how golden silence may be, it’s unacceptable to remain silent in this situation!”

Belvar quietly observed them.

Their fearful, raised voices were more reminiscent of beasts than humans.

It was hard to believe that these were the same people who usually spoke with dignity and authority, spitting out words about propriety and interests.

“Did I really trust these people to seize power?”

No, perhaps it was precisely because of such people that he could manipulate them from behind.

“What is nobility and what is the lower class?”

Humans could become this ugly with just a single layer peeled away.

“Duke Belvar! Shouldn’t we call in the Imperial Guard to this place!”

“Answer me…!”

“Is this really the time to…!”

Belvar, who had been listening to their voices with one ear and letting them flow out the other, let out a low breath.

“I cannot understand.”

As Belvar spoke, silence fell over the room.

Facing those who were desperately trying to deny reality, Belvar revealed the truth.

“Don’t you already know in your hearts that we have lost? It is simply over for us.”

The collective leader’s declaration of defeat left everyone dumbfounded.

“What do you mean…?”

A brief silence descended, but they soon expressed their anger.

“Duke Belvar! Are you really saying that now!?”

“Do you know how much danger our family has taken on for you?”

“Do you think we will accept such hopeless words!”

However, the anger did not last long.

Bang—

The sound of gunfire ringing from outside the conference hall made the nobles flinch.

As they all broke into a cold sweat, gunfire echoed in succession.

Occasionally, explosions were added to the chaos.

— Aaaah!

— P-please! I’ll surrender! I’ll surrender!

— Please! Please! Noooooo!

The shouts and screams pierced through the door, leaving the nobles trembling in fear.

“That surely means…”

It meant that the soldiers they had brought were being slaughtered.

After the last scream faded, the conference hall was enveloped in heavy silence.

A terrifying stillness dominated the hall, making it impossible for anyone present to dare to speak.

The master of that fear and silence was none other than Daniel Steiner.

— Open the door.

Daniel Steiner’s voice came from just outside the door.

Immediately after, with a loud bang, the door burst open, and Grenadiers appeared.

Amidst the swirling smoke, leading them was Daniel Steiner.

With blood on the hem of his officer’s coat, Daniel Steiner surveyed the conference hall and slowly made his way inside.

Clack—

As everyone fell silent, only the sound of Daniel Steiner’s footsteps echoed quietly.

Belvar bit his lip as he looked at Daniel Steiner.

The one who had ruined everything for him was none other than Daniel Steiner.

In contrast, Daniel looked at Belvar with a somewhat arrogant gaze, like a predator looking at its prey.

As Daniel stared at Belvar, he spoke.

“It’s been a while. I was wondering who was leading this situation, and it turned out to be you. Of course, that no longer matters. The situation has reversed. In celebration of that, I would like to ask you a question.”

He expressed a hint of respect for the courage to risk one’s life to overthrow the state.

“Duke Belvar.”

However, the next emotion that followed was singular.

“Are you ready to experience hell?”

It was the anger directed at Belvar, who had threatened his survival.