Chapter 273

The retreat of the Lanzo Republic’s army was progressing steadily.

“We have moved a straight distance of 20 km.”

“We will reach the Tenzu River in three days.”

“Report! The 4th Division has joined the battlefield against the infiltrators.”

The rear units were struggling to cross the border due to the encroaching infiltrators.

Among the units that had already crossed the border, most were closer to the Lanzo side, except for the 1st Division led by Supreme Commander Brnoa.

Daniel and Eric emphasized the purpose of defending the republic each time they contacted the generals and legislators.

“What good is it to seize someone else’s land while our main force is at risk of being attacked?”

“We will undoubtedly liberate the empire’s serfs someday. I am prepared to spill blood for that. But what use is blood if we cannot free them?”

“Duke Valencius has sent infiltrators. Defending against them is also a part of the war.”

This justified Daniel’s push to oust Brnoa and seize military command while acting as a shield to conceal Eric’s true intentions.

‘The republic is swarming with infiltrators. Moving recklessly would lead to disaster.’

Eric was a sage, but he was not a fool.

He was not the kind of legislator who eagerly complied with every command, earning affection from his superiors through obedience.

“Your families are dying right now!”

“Contrary to what those golden badges say, this is not for a greater good.”

“It’s because they want to appear tough and show determination to defend the republican system for their approval ratings!”

“We must break this cycle of death! If we do not end it now, my family and I will suffer the same fate next.”

He loudly proclaimed in the square that the centuries-long war with Doroysen was meaningless, that it was simply legislators consuming the populace for their approval ratings, and that this was the greatest sin a politician could commit in the republic.

He was a prophet throwing cold water on those who lived in inertia, a fighter who swore to fight for the people, by the people, and for the people.

If he had not first received the blessing of the God of Radiance, he would have received the blessing of the Amon God.

Eric sharpened his fangs made of words as he waited.

He organized data, secretly met with General Brnoa’s family, and consulted influential legislators about the future of the republic.

Until every division withdrew into the republic and every infiltrator faced the consequences, until the legislators gathered to sort through the aftermath.

“Hello. This is Eric, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I participated in the expedition against the Empire to facilitate wartime diplomacy and am here to report on what has transpired.”

Eric’s voice was chilling, not matching his fair appearance.

Some legislators secretly cheered, while others trembled in fear and sternly reprimanded him.

“Legislator Eric! What nonsense is this?”

“According to the report, the emperor’s bandit, Crown Prince Valencius, has met with him multiple times in secret.”

“Are you unaware that this is treason, nay, betrayal of the nation?”

“You didn’t even try to hide it, did you?”

“I knew Legislator Eric was anti-war, but you must adhere faithfully to decisions made in the assembly. Isn’t that the equality we pursue, and what makes our republic distinct from the wicked Solletarass? Just because the legislators opposed the war doesn’t mean you should deny the very principle itself!”

Eric suppressed his urge to curse.

Principle?

Nothing required more caution than the principle.

The Solletarass Empire had no real intention, but many believed that as long as their pretension was good, they could do anything in the Lanzo Republic.

“You mobilized an army of 100,000 and did not free a single serf of the empire. Why did you only hold back the army?”

“Legislator Eric! Answer!”

“Are you disregarding the authority of this assembly?”

‘If a policy cannot fulfill its intent, then the policy is flawed.’

Meeting the Duke Valencius only strengthened his resolve.

He could spend money on flattering words.

Humans could not live on bread alone.

Values and ideals were equally essential for maintaining society and stability.

But if blood is shed for mere platitudes, what makes it different from the Solletarass, which ignites prolonged wars due to the pride of great lords?

Eric opened his mouth coldly.

“Honorable legislators. Please read the attached documents.”

“Are you joking—”

“Wait, look at this!”

“……”

Several legislators’ faces hardened like stone.

“This report details how Brnoa, the general of the Lanzo, once a great soldier, became affiliated with the infiltrators. The source is noted below, but most excerpts come from his personal diary.”

A church priest entered, holding a sacred law tablet.

Eric placed his hand on the tablet and said, “I swear before the God of Radiance and the Republic that I will speak no lie from this moment on.”

A faint divine energy rose and gathered around Eric’s head like a halo.

It meant that if he spoke falsely from now on, he would be burned for mocking the gods.

The legislators of Lanzo were desperate to avoid this oath.

Sounds of inhaling deeply echoed throughout the room.

“The infiltrators hiding in the republic desired massive bloodshed for some ritual, and provoked the assembly to incite war.”

“General Brnoa was in a hostage situation with his family, and as seen from the war reports, he maintained full-scale war even in unfavorable circumstances. He had no choice but to spill the blood of republican soldiers if he could not the blood of the empire’s serfs.”

The legislators recognized how terrifying Eric’s words were.

“We must stop this.”

“If we continue like this, it’s all over!”

“Damn it!”

It wasn’t just the infiltration that was dangerous, but according to this logic, the main proponents of the war would be infiltrators or fools deceived by them.

The ideals they had shouted out became a laughingstock, and the authority built upon those ideals did as well.

And people would choose smart villains, but never foolish fools.

“Legislator right now… urgh!”

However, Eric swore before the gods.

In the strong church of Lanzo, an oath sworn on the scriptures could not be silenced.

“This is not a liberation war, but a mockery war!”

The legislators of Lanzo were not superhuman hybrids like foreign nobles.

What made them legislators was the authority derived from the support of the people.

That authority was now shattering to pieces.

In this moment, they were stripped of their lives as legislators.

“Legislator Eriiiiiiic!”

“Let’s correct this properly, even now!”

Originally, regardless of the infiltrators, he never intended to explode a bomb in the faces of all legislators.

He had also colluded with Valencius, thought that expanding territory was necessary for the value of equality, and there was no legislator from whom dust could not be shaken off.

But there was a line that must never be crossed.

‘You must not play with human lives.’

‘You must not ally with infiltrators.’

That day.

Countless legislators screamed, church soldiers and combat priests rushed to the assembly, and only those that had coordinated in advance smiled triumphantly.

The proposal for “dispatch of priests for friendship with the Empire and research agreements on sharing sacred artifacts” passed without notice.

* * *

The unmarked Nibelungen floated 2 km above ground.

From the bridge’s glass window, clouds and the sun looked up, and below, large and small villages could be seen.

Even at this height, the high clouds of winter looked distant.

As I made a slightly disappointed expression, Marcus quickly spoke up.

“If we go any higher, turbulence will make flying difficult. Although turbulence generally calms down if you go high enough, for some reason, we can’t fly properly at those altitudes.”

Sererassie nodded her head.

“Even our master said it’s strangely hard to breathe when he rises really high with flash flight. I suspect there’s a lack of air up there.”

“We can’t carry our own air either. This is troublesome.”

“Carrying air, huh. That’s an interesting expression,” Marcus said with a smile of interest.

I felt slightly scared that he really might create something.

“Oh. We are slowly entering the central region.”

Even from this height, an endless sea of wheat fields stretched out before us.

Small villages quickly vanished behind us, and the dense forests that rose like islands disappeared rapidly in between.

“I feel as if I’ve become a great person.”

Lady Trentia looked out the window as if trying to find her hometown.

I nodded, smiling contentedly.

“Next time, I should ride with His Majesty. Marcus, I really like this. If only the insane maintenance costs weren’t an issue, I would like it even more.”

Unexpectedly, a response came back.

“While there’s nothing we can do about maintenance, there is a way to improve operational efficiency. However….”

“However?”

“It requires the full cooperation of Duke Valencius.”

Marcus bowed his head deeply.

I felt a sense of foreboding and tried to stand up quickly.

Just then, Sererassie let out a ghastly laugh and waved her staff.

Chiriririn!

A stone chain wrapped around my ankle, and I sank back into my chair with the force of my stance.

“We need a fragment of Az.”

“I’ll just take a little, just a tiny bit.”

The cloaked students of Sererassie and Marcus’s assistants in white rushed in quickly.

“Haha.”

I closed my eyes immediately.

* * *

“Have you ever seen such an insufferable person? For the grand duke of the empire and a relative of mine to be treated like this.”

“I thought it would be good to select periodically, but it hurt quite a bit. Still, if our research progresses and we can fly more easily, I want to soar with Your Majesty.”

Jeilliris had called me into the main reception hall of the main palace to report.

Unlike the office, it was closer to a casual conversation than formal reporting, and yet it was not a place where alcohol was served.

The deep blue floor and ceiling, along with navy curtains, made the room resemble the night sky, and the chandelier sparkling like stars resembled them.

And so, beneath those stars, my Emperor, with white hair and golden eyes, was, no doubt, the sun at the center of this world.

Hearing my words, Jeilliris laughed brightly.

“You certainly know how to make a listening emperor feel good. Yes, I cannot just be idle. I will share a few things that have happened during your time in the west.”

“I will listen with pleasure, Your Majesty.”

She smiled awkwardly.

“Unfortunately, it is not a very delightful story.”

“What?”

“Um, while you were away in the west, a northeastern countship almost collapsed. Three magical realms went berserk, resulting in 150,000 deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.”

I felt my mind dull.

It felt foolish to be wasting time over the lives of 100,000 foreigners.

Debating whether to head to Wyvernfit immediately, Jeilliris chuckled.

“Fortunately, Duke Cariousa sent reinforcements, and Saint Matheos has closed the magical realms. However, the number of displaced people is steadily increasing.”

“Oh.”

So it was already a done deal.

No, it wasn’t done yet.

Everything occurring in this country was connected to Jeilliris and me.

As I felt my resolve re-tighten, Jeilliris raised her crimson lips into a smile.

“Therefore, after discussing with all the ministers, we have decided to rebuild Solletarass. We intend to expand in all directions, hence the Ivory Tower jurisdiction will also fall within a larger barrier.”

It wasn’t particularly surprising since cities tend to grow that way.

“Thus, I noticed there were torches lit outside the castle on my way here. I was unaware.”

“I will be cautious to avoid chaos. We are making sure to systematically devise urban planning.”

“The construction guilds must be raising their glasses in celebration.”

“If you wish, you might poke them a bit.”

“Excuse me?”

The corners of the emperor’s eyes softened gently.

A low sigh settled in my breath.

“I may have digressed unnecessarily. I am sorry for making you anxious. It’s just nice to see you again after a long time.”

Her voice resonated deeply.

“It makes me happy that you want to soar with me. Yes, it seems you have found a bit of respite after all the struggles.”

“…”

“You are not alone in your struggles, and that is okay. Yes, I wanted to say that your smile is lovely. And I wish to tell you that you may continue to smile like that in the future.”

Only then did my heart feel light enough to smile.

“W-well, if you are going to say that, please control the mood with your prior statement! I thought the sky was falling.”

And before I knew it, I looked into the mirror.

At that moment, Jeilliris called for a maid.

“Bring a gift for Duke Valen.”