episode_0098

Burkhay. Kaden. And Forland. The three kingdoms located in the east.

They tried to unite under the name of the Union and fight against the Empire, but before that, they turned their swords on each other first.

Then, as if to punish them, an unprecedented flood came down upon them.

If it weren’t for the warm mercy of the empire, it wouldn’t be surprising if the country were turned upside down right now.

Everyone thought they would never be able to use the word ‘union’ again.

How is that possible when we have suspicions about each other and the emotional rift has deepened?

But didn’t they say that no one knows what happens in this world?

“Hoo.”

Eastern Alliance Commander Bethel sighed at this shocking situation.

Yes, he was none other than the commander who took charge of the battle in the Pavilion area.

He was a character who was tossed around by Burkhay and Kaden because of his weakness as a native of Portugal.

He was a key figure who influenced Ivan of Portugal through threats, cajoling, and persuasion from the Empire.

This time, he is once again a commander, leading the Allied Forces.

I can’t help but notice it. To be honest, I’m not that shameless.

Commander Bethel was very worried about this absurd situation.

“Burkhay will follow Commander Bethel’s decision.”

That is, until Burkhay, who I thought would be the most hostile, said so calmly.

“I will not deny that the relationship between the two countries has been uneasy, Commander. But in the end, aren’t they all kingdoms in the East? Aren’t they all under the order of the Empire? I beg you to send Burkhay’s sons as safely as possible.”

Did I suddenly become harmful when I was prescribed a medicine called Mercy by the Empire?

Or maybe I’m hiding the fire burning inside me by being careful about what they think.

Whatever it was, since Burkhay was so kind, Kaden also respected Bethel’s authority.

The solidarity that had been difficult even during the Union era was finally created when it came under the empire.

‘Should I be happy about this?’

We have entered into another’s war. There are many political and practical reasons for this.

This proves to the Empire that they are this sincere.

It is a place where barely trained soldiers can gain some experience so that they do not scatter like grains of sand.

It was a chance to briefly let out the mouths of the three kingdoms, which numbered 30,000.

The only concern is how the Empire will deal with the Eastern Alliance.

No matter how well they fight, they are only second-rate compared to the Imperial Legion.

It’s nothing new, since it’s been exposed to the world throughout the East.

The empire did not accept reinforcements because it expected them to have fighting power.

The act of voluntarily sending troops to another country. The authority of the empire stands out there.

For that reason, I simply gave a positive response to the request for reinforcements.

‘There is one thing that concerns our Allied Forces the most at the moment. How will the Empire use us?’

Some people had positive thoughts.

However, the Empire accepted the Allied Forces because it thought of its own authority.

Surely you wouldn’t do something so foolish as to undermine that authority there.

Even if it is not a great treat, at least they will show courtesy to the reinforcements.

But that very thing created a vague fear in the rest of them.

Since they only care about authority anyway, they don’t know how to use the reinforcements that have joined the war.

There is talk of handing over command, but is that really right?

“Damn it.”

He faced another headache. This only happens when he is the commander.

Why is my luck always like this?

Betel kept lamenting his own situation.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Allied Forces finally arrived at the assembly point announced by the Empire.

When mealtime comes, everyone prepares for the meal that can be considered the great joy of the day.

For reference, half of the supplies they consume are brought from their home country.

The remaining half were those given to them by the Empire after they entered Imperial territory.

‘It seems that supplies are incomparably abundant compared to those in our east. Even in the midst of a war with Dedorant, they have the capacity to take care of us to this extent.’

I am once again in awe of the power of the empire. I can’t believe they tried to fight against a place like this.

It hurts my heart to hear people in the East call me a traitor to my country, but seeing this makes me think it was right.

“Commander Betel. Her Imperial Highness the Second Princess and the Imperial Chief of Staff are expected to visit shortly.”

You’re coming anyway. This is definitely going to be a story about command.

Commander Bethel trembled with tension as he thought about the two men who would soon enter the friendly camp.

As the second princess of the empire, she is one of the direct descendants of the current emperor, so it is only natural that she should do so.

However, Bethel was more afraid of the person who was with her, the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff.

‘Kael Klauwitz.’

The eldest son of the Imperial Count Berthier. He is personally called a genius strategist by the imperial family.

The one who has been performing ridiculously well in the eastern and southern regions in the past.

I bowed my head to the Empire and learned more about it.

And as I learned more about what was happening across the East, I couldn’t help but get goosebumps.

Every time Kael’s scheme came out, the solidarity of the alliance was broken and everything fell apart.

It was his scheme to divide them throughout the pavilion, and it was also his work to suffocate Burkhay.

He was always there to seize the advantage of our allies and secure the upper hand of the empire.

He was a strategist among strategists who never gave up his superior position at any moment.

It is said that such a person is coming here with the Second Princess.

‘What should I do? Will I be able to maintain command?’

Worries that kept coming back to him. Bethel tried to put them aside as he welcomed the couple.

“Hello, Your Highness, the Second Princess of the Empire.”

“Nice to meet you, Commander Betel.”

After a brief greeting, Betel got straight into the story.

“I heard the news. The Empire is on a winning streak.”

“Yes, that’s what they said.”

“No matter how much of a deodorant this is, it seems there is nothing the Empire can do. Those who were the ringleaders in the West have met their true masters.”

First of all, I’ll give it a try. It’s not a lie, so it’s actually ambiguous to say I’ll give it a try.

A month and a half had passed since the war between the Empire and Dedorant.

And the progress is the Empire’s continued great victories and Dedorant’s crushing defeat.

The original expectation was that this would be a series of close matches.

Didn’t Dedorant annex Atria to the famous military powerhouse and even destroy Dagale?

I thought that even if it was impossible to overwhelm the empire, at least some level of fighting would be possible.

But what the heck. As soon as it hits the ground, it shatters and I am pushed helplessly away.

The Empire’s determination to send more troops from each border and even issue a mobilization order has become meaningless.

‘I’ve heard rumors that everyone in the Imperial War Ministry and the newly established General Staff Department have the goal of ending the war before the New Year’s ceremony.’

A grand, if slightly absurd, plan to end this massive war within half a year.

But the Empire was actually making it a reality.

I thought it was going to be a tough fight, so I came here with the idea of lending a hand.

The intention was to forgive some of the debt the empire had incurred.

If it comes to this, then there really isn’t anything left to do but be a porter.

“Okay, please sit down. Commander Bethel. I have a lot to talk about.”

Bethel, who was worried, could not help but sigh when the question of command came up from the princess’s mouth.

This is what you want in the end. I wanted to keep it as much as possible, but if you’re being so forceful, there’s nothing I can do.

A situation where the eastern kingdoms would cower in fear if the empire coughed even a few times.

‘The transfer of command is unavoidable. So, even if it is just a little bit, we must obtain some concessions.’

At that moment, Betel closed his eyes to this miserable reality.

“Commander Betel.”

The Imperial Chief of Staff, Kael, who had remained silent until now, slowly opens his mouth.

“If you hand over military command to the Empire, we will provide the Eastern Allied Forces with the same treatment and material support as the Imperial Legion.”

“… Yes?”

“I have already spoken with the three ministers, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even received His Majesty the Emperor’s approval. Now, all that remains is for Commander Bethel to make a decision.”

What does this mean now? Commander Betel looked at the princess urgently.

A feeling of disbelief. A question that contains the meaning of, “Does this make sense?”

Then the second princess, Isabelle, nodded with a big smile.

“… Is that true? Really, to the Eastern Allied Forces―”

“You will be given the same supplies and supplies that the Legion operates, and you will also be given the opportunity to participate in battles and make contributions as a member of the Western Theater, such as the Imperial Legion.”

At Kael’s words, Commander Bethel just blinked his eyes silently.

‘What on earth are your intentions? Why are you doing me such a favor?’

The Empire is on a great winning streak. There is no need for reinforcements.

The mere fact that they came from a foreign country to help is enough.

Honestly, there is no reason to treat someone like this just to receive a command.

And of all people, the one telling that story is none other than Kael.

In the Empire, he is considered a genius strategist, but from the Eastern perspective, he is the epitome of cunning.

When someone like that mentions such outrageous terms, one cannot help but be suspicious.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s possible to honestly express these feelings.

How much has the Empire already given them?

If you were in your right mind, it would be absurd to show such feelings… .

“Why are you making such drastic conditions? Are you hiding something?”

“…?!”

“Commander Betel must be thinking that way.”

At Kael’s words, Bethel shuddered and trembled without realizing it.

Could it be that this person can even read other people’s minds?

Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family. A genius strategist from the Empire. He is quite capable of being that kind of person.

“Let me start with the conclusion. I have no intention of doing so. All I want is to give you a corresponding reward in exchange for command. It is enough for me to shed blood with you as a comrade of the Empire.”

“… .”

“And. Aren’t you hiding something? To answer that question.”

The genius strategist who tore the East apart a while ago smiles brightly.

“Is there really a need for the Empire to do that?”

“… !”

It was a single word that contained numerous meanings.

The eastern kingdoms were dying. In the meantime, the empire showed mercy and barely managed to keep them alive.

A sharp remark asking why he would bother with you guys there.

It meant that I had no intention of even worrying about what I should worry about.

“Yes, sir. Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family.”

It was an answer that could have hurt one’s pride.

But Betel, on the other hand, seemed to feel much more at ease.

As the scribe said, there was no reason for the Empire to do that.

The master was merciful, but he was not so leisurely as to spit on it.

“How about it? Would you hand over command of the Eastern Allied Forces to the Empire under these conditions?”

“If we are treated the same as the Imperial Legion, I would rather welcome it. Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household. I will help you as much as I can, so if you need help from me, just let me know.”

“Please take care of me in the future, Commander Betel.”

After such a successful negotiation, Kael and Isabel looked at each other and smiled.