Chapter 4

The next morning.

While spending time handling similar tasks as yesterday, my subordinates came to see me again.

“General.”

“Why are you here again? You guys must have a mountain of work too.”

“We discussed the matter we talked about yesterday all night together.”

Dozens of them crowded into the cramped space with only a field bed, desk, and wardrobe. They naturally surrounded me and began to speak one by one.

“We thought hard about it too. Whether we should obediently accept the ridiculous retreat order and how to persuade the soldiers.”

“If we retreat, we also calculated where to set up a new defensive line. But, there was no answer.”

“No matter how much we review it, if we retreat here, there’s only a future where everything falls apart. Not just this damn kingdom, but also your career, General, our careers, and even the soldiers’ lives.”

What the hell are these guys suddenly talking about?

If they have complaints, they could just come for counseling. Why suddenly gather in a group and start lecturing me? Are they planning to collectively defy me?

As I pondered this for a moment, my subordinates collectively knelt on the dirt floor and looked up at me, pleading.

“So, General, let’s get straight to the point. Why don’t we overthrow this country together?”

Overthrow.

This word could only mean one thing. It was too obvious to interpret it any other way.

“….Are you asking me to lead a coup now?”

“It’s not a coup. Call it ‘normalization.’ Normalization for this twisted royal family and country.”

“That’s fucking it, man!!”

If soldiers are going to lay hands on the royal family, what else could it be but a coup?!

No matter how you dress it up, the essence is the same.

We can’t stand the way the country is being run anymore, so we patriotic soldiers will step up and fix it ourselves.

Of course, there will be resistance from the privileged, so we’ll have to suppress or threaten them by force.

Ultimately, we’ll discard the existing political system and run things by force.

We socially agreed to call that treason, you guys.

“So, General, are you just going to stand by and watch as the country heads down the wrong path?”

“Even if it’s the wrong path, it’s the politicians’ choice. Soldiers like us shouldn’t interfere in politics.”

Having lived in a country where civilian control is common sense, I couldn’t help but feel repulsed by my subordinates’ idea.

Rising up because we don’t like what the government is doing? Are we some kind of Chun Doo-hwan and Hanahoe gang? No matter how angry we are, this isn’t the way.

The moment we rebel, we’re undeniably traitors.

We could all end up hanging from the gallows together. The chances of a rebellion started with this justification being accepted by the people are also low.

But these guys’ anger had already gone beyond the realm of rational thought.

No. It’s more accurate to say I didn’t understand.

The people’s resentment towards the centuries-old corruption and mistakes of the kingdom.

“But if we don’t, there’s no force to stop the politicians! Who’s going to stop the dukes and grand dukes running amok?”

“There’s the Three Estates Assembly. If they block this measure–”

“The Three Estates Assembly lost its power over a hundred years ago! What can an institution that only raises taxes for the nobles do?”

“…..”

I couldn’t refute it. Even as I said it, I knew it wouldn’t work.

The Three Estates Assembly was originally a parliament where the three estates—nobles, clergy, and commoners—gathered to discuss state affairs.

But since voting rights were given by estate rather than individually, and the nobles and clergy always united, it was far from an actual parliament.

It might have been decent at the beginning, but now it’s long been reduced to a place where the high and mighty announce laws to exploit the people.

It was obvious it would be useless in stopping the king’s mistakes.

“Even if the citizens riot, it’s the same. Do you think they’ll accept it if thousands or tens of thousands march to the palace? They’ll just unleash the royal guards and military police to suppress it!”

“General. This country is far from gathering public opinion and rational governance. Nothing will change without using force.”

It’s hard to expect the actions of angry citizens who heard the news of the front’s retreat.

In a democratic society, protests are a way for voters to express their opinions and engage in political activity. But in a monarchy, it’s a life-or-death struggle and a cry against the political authority.

The meaning and impact felt by the leadership are different. Mostly in a bad way.

Given the high and mighty people I’ve seen in this country….they’ll probably try to crush it all.

Rather than wasting time compromising and listening, they’ll just kill everyone to prevent any resistance. How dare commoners rebel against nobles?

“General, we know you’re usually rigid about these things. But please, think about it again. If we don’t step up, nothing will change.”

“If this continues, all the career and reputation you’ve built will be ruined. Do you want your entire life to be negated?”

“….Wait, give me a moment to think–”

“If we stay like this, the entire Northern Army will collapse!”

Even as I still couldn’t make up my mind, someone delivered the final blow.

Looking towards the voice, it was Major General Maurer. The commander of the 2nd Division of the Northern Army and a comrade two ranks below me.

“What are you talking about now?”

“The majority of the Northern Army is conscripted from the Great Plains region. As you know, General.”

As he said, most of the soldiers in the Northern Army were young men from the plains near the north.

Since it wasn’t directly on the front lines, the population density was high, and it was close by.

Many were trained locally and sent to nearby units. Even my direct brigade was 80% filled that way.

“What does that have to do with the current situation…..Ah.”

“You understand now, don’t you? What will happen to the unit if the front retreats.”

I stopped mid-sentence. I realized what he was trying to say.

Once we leave the snowy plains of the north, the Great Plains are right ahead.

If we retreat as ordered, we’ll have to set up a new front and build defensive facilities in the middle of the Great Plains.

Even if we didn’t lose in battle, will the soldiers’ morale hold if we have to flee because the country is out of money due to extravagance?

There’s no guarantee that the royal family’s responsibility won’t come to light eventually?

If they don’t quietly desert when home is just ahead, that would be more surprising.

A month, no, even that’s too long. Probably within two weeks.

More than half the troops would desert, and the entire defense strategy would collapse.

“This is insane.”

If we don’t retreat, it’s insubordination and a dishonorable discharge. If we retreat, the unit collapses + we take the blame and are socially erased.

What kind of messed-up choice is this? No matter what I choose, my life is over.

As I frowned, Major General Maurer grabbed my hand. He held it firmly with both hands and looked up at me, pleading in a desperate voice.

“General, please change your mind and join us. Lead us bravely as you did when fighting the Imperial Forces. Please, we beg you.”

“””Please, General!!”””

All my subordinates bowed their heads and begged.

Overwhelmed by their momentum, I almost stepped back, but I couldn’t. Major General Maurer was still staring at me intensely.

Desperate to hear an answer right now, I frantically racked my brain.

‘What should I do?’

First, I absolutely can’t refuse.

These guys have come to me ready to risk everything.

There’s a sense of camaraderie from fighting together and my reputation, so they’re asking me to join. If I refuse, they’ll probably do it themselves anyway.

From the perspective of rebellion, the fewer people who know the truth, the better…..so naturally, silencing will follow.

They won’t just lock me up. They’ll probably make sure to deal with me properly.

I absolutely don’t want to hear “Thank you for your service” before getting a bullet in the head.

I don’t want to die yet. I want to live long enough to paint the walls with my shit. What have I been fighting for over ten years for?

Then if I accept?

‘I’ll have to take the lead.’

In terms of rank, achievements, respect, and other factors, the initiative will naturally fall to me.

These guys probably knew that and came here after getting prior agreement.

In other words, I’ll become the leader of the rebel army.

Which means I’ll have to succeed in the rebellion by any means necessary.

We can’t just go to the king to protest or try to fix politics. We have to completely overthrow it.

So that no one in the world dares to punish us and can only praise us as patriots.

Only then can I live, these guys can live, and I can protect my family.

Do I die now? Or take a chance on a low-probability adventure?

After a brief moment of contemplation, I finally made my decision.

“…..Alright. Let’s give it a shot, you guys.”

“Thank you! You made the right decision, General!!”

“You won’t regret it!”

I don’t know if I’ll regret it or not, but whatever. Let’s consider my life forfeited and try a coup.

In the end, if we fail, it’s treason. If we succeed, it’s a revolution.