Chapter 46

Last time we took control of the capital, it was the same. Throughout history, speed has always been crucial in rebellions.

The most classic style is to plan as secretly as possible and strike like lightning.

Here, a slight variation would be to divide the troops and execute a pincer movement.

Have the pre-prepared units secure key objectives first, then use follow-up units to manage the area and prevent counterattacks.

What we’re attempting is part of that variation.

We brought some of the Revolutionary Army from the north, but the main force was the Central Army that remained in the capital.

“Sir, I see a strangely shaped fortress wall. It’s Lahator.”

“Has the signal fire been lit? It was supposed to be the success signal for the operation.”

“It’s faintly visible over there. The color matches too.”

The royal capital, as instructed by the messenger on the way, was already organized.

Soldiers, usually tasked with maintaining public order, had occupied the parliament and blockaded the nobles’ residences.

An entire grenadier regiment was stationed at the high court, and citizens in the square were forcibly sent home.

Every high-value target and gathering place, except for the cathedrals and churches already on our side, was filled with troops. The commercial districts and prisons were no exception.

In just a few hours, Lahator, the kingdom’s largest city, had drastically changed.

We entered, proudly raising the bayonets of our muskets.

“Welcome, sir. It’s been a while.”

“…..Baden.”

A subordinate who came to greet me, along with his officers.

I didn’t ask how he’d been or if there were any difficulties. Both of us were too overwhelmed for small talk.

We simply exchanged brief glances and moved straight to business.

“You’ve done well. Have all the areas we ordered to be secured been taken?”

“Of course. We’ve sent troops to the royal palace, the courts, and the political prison. Not a single place has requested reinforcements, so it seems there’s no issue.”

As expected of someone who’s been under my direct command for seven years, he handles tasks quickly.

Though he’s a bit clumsy in field command, he excels in these low-intensity missions.

“Then let’s go. We’ve brought some of our troops from the north. Hand them over and arrest every noble in the royal capital.”

“Yes, sir… Wait a moment. All of them? Including the families cooperating with your faction?”

“Yes. No exceptions. Arrest everyone, male or female, except children under ten and the elderly.”

Lieutenant General Baden seemed taken aback, but my resolve was firm.

Families with residences in the royal capital are bound to have access to central political news.

Even if they’re not interested in politics, information will naturally reach them.

The Blue Bloods are a group that thrives on extreme networking.

Unless they’ve completely cut off external contact and gone into seclusion, they can’t possibly be unaware.

Yet they’ve remained silent all this time? That means they knew but chose to ignore it.

There’s more than enough justification to arrest and thoroughly interrogate them. Of course, regardless of the interrogation results, punishment is already decided.

“Sir!”

“….Go ahead and handle it. I’m heading to the royal palace.”

After giving the order, I was about to move when an unwanted guest appeared.

Our young republican councilwoman, still in her nightgown.

“Lady Arshah, what brings you here? Soldiers were supposed to be guarding your residence.”

“I came out because the situation seemed unusual. What’s going on? Why has the military suddenly taken over the entire city…?”

“There’s a reason. Remember what I told you last time when I gathered everyone? I’ve confirmed it’s true.”

Amidst the chaos of screams and gunfire, with soldiers running everywhere, she quickly understood and her expression turned serious.

“The hypothesis that the Crown Prince is the cause of the war? Surely not—”

“If you understand, I’ll take my leave. I need to catch those damn royals before they flee.”

“Wait! Sir! Sir!!”

Leaving the flustered lady calling out desperately behind, I urged my horse forward. I’m sorry, but now’s not the time to worry about her.

I’ll apologize and explain later when we meet.

* * * * *

The main roads radiating from the royal palace were all blockaded by the Central Army. As if to prevent any escape.

With my escort, I crossed the barricades and entered the palace unhindered.

Passing through long corridors and various rooms, I kept moving forward.

Toward the luxurious bedroom where the king and his family were holed up.

Honestly, I was half in a trance. My emotions were out of control, and I couldn’t think straight.

It felt like my rationality had vanished, replaced by instinct.

“Here. You can go straight in.”

Finally, when I faced the Crown Prince.

My rationality completely disappeared, leaving only rage.

“V-Vice-Chairman Roytel? Why are you here? Did you—”

–Whack!

“Shut up, you brain-dead bastard.”

I punched the bastard trying to rise from his chair. Without any restraint, I shattered his jaw and crushed it.

The sensation of calcium and protein compounds breaking in my hand wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

“Kyaaaah!!!!”

“Why are you doing this?! What grudge do you hold to suddenly commit such violence against us?!”

I tripped the panicked king and roared at the still-dazed parasites.

“You ask why? You should know better than anyone!! You started a war over some stupid reason and made us suffer for ten years!!”

I released the shattered jaw and shoved him down. Placing my boot on his chest, I stomped.

“Millions were mobilized as cannon fodder, and you didn’t even tell us why we were fighting! I heard it straight from the Empire! What your son did in the Empire!

It was ridiculous! Invited as a guest, he brought prostitutes into the imperial palace? Attempted to rape the princess and fled without apology? And you demanded we lay down our lives to serve the royal family?!!”

A slight pressure on my foot made his ribs creak. Any more and they’d break, so I stopped.

Not out of mercy. This bastard doesn’t deserve to die from mere rib fractures.

“It’s been ten years, ten years!! I’ve spent my entire adult life in war!! Kids barely in their teens died without realizing their dreams, became cripples, or went insane!! All because of you!!

You ruined our lives! Your drunken, reckless actions wasted ten years of our lives!! Ten years we could’ve spent building families, careers, anything!!

And you dare get angry at me? Don’t make me laugh. This is entirely your doing. If you’d acted responsibly and sensibly, none of this would’ve happened. I wouldn’t have staged a coup, nor would I be here beating you to death!”

I drew my pistol. Aimed at the area below, and pulled the trigger.

–Bang!

“Ugh.”

I didn’t pierce the Crown Prince’s body. I merely removed the protruding part responsible for reproduction.

Simply put, his genitals.

“Be grateful. I’ve personally ensured you won’t produce any more offspring.”

I can’t stop the existing ones, but I can prevent more. For the sake of humanity’s future.

“Now I understand. I was foolish. You’re not even worthy of being called human. Trash. Even criminals in prison are better than you. A monkey or chimpanzee would do a better job on the throne.”

I threw the gun to the ground and drew my sword.

My beloved sword, stained red from years of killing.

Originally, this wasn’t the plan. I’m sure it wasn’t.

I don’t know anymore. My mind won’t work.

All I can think is that I must deliver due retribution to the enemy before me.

“So I’ll clean this up neatly. Go to hell and repent to the fallen soldiers.”

I raised the sword toward the ceiling. Just as I was about to strike down the queen shielding her son.

An uninvited guest grabbed me.

“You can’t, sir!”

“…..Lady?”

Why is she here?

“I understand your anger. But you can’t do this! Killing the royals without a trial will make the aftermath impossible! You must put down your weapon!”

“You… understand?”

I scoffed. Her shallow empathy was laughable.

“You don’t know. What kind of hell we’ve been through!! Living comfortably in the royal capital and your family estates, how dare you talk of empathy? Don’t spout nonsense!!”

I grabbed Camilla von Arshah by the collar. Choking, I yelled in her face.

“For you, war was ‘news.’ Something you heard in royal announcements or social gossip! But for us, it was ‘reality’!! Every day, every moment of the year!

You know what? While you sat on your sofa hearing about which fortress was captured or how many prisoners were taken, my comrades and I had to fight for those victories.

Every line of achievement, every victory, cost thousands of lives!! You, who’ve never suffered the pain of war, dare to pretend you understand—huh?!”

I couldn’t finish. She forced herself to hug me.

“Ha, yes. You’re right. As a woman, I don’t know how much you and other officers have suffered. I probably never will without experiencing war firsthand.”

She slowly raised her head and looked at me with sorrowful eyes.

“But I can comfort you, can’t I? Please, put aside your anger for now and calm down. I’ll take care of your sorrow and pain.”

“….Even so.”

“Don’t ruin the grand plan over a moment’s emotion. You’ve already lost enough; do you want to lose another ten years?”

She instructed the guards to take my sword. Then, gently supported me as I slumped in despair.

“Let’s go back, sir. Think about punishing the royals later when you’ve cooled down.”

“That’s right, sir. Calm down and rest. We’ll handle the cleanup here.”

“After a good rest, you’ll feel better.”

Under her pulling hand and the guards blocking me.

I had no choice but to relent.