Chapter 15 (1/2)

One of the causes for the Kingdom’s decline could be said to be its harsh taxation. The wealthy who lived luxurious lived were one part, but the majority of the Kingdom’s citizens were comprised of peasants who were especially oppressed. Violent tax collectors would frequently turn up and take away what little property there was. Punishments would even be dispensed on people who could not pay the established amount. Same if they refused conscription. The peasants of the Kingdom were all sick of it.

Even so, the people who would rise up were few, since they had grown accustomed to being oppressed. Despite being under deathly hardship, despite all the people who would starve and die, they would not kill. But, when danger to one’s life actually approached, anyone would take up arms.

Humans were not ones to silently submit their necks. They were not going to be victims.

What had changed the lamentations of these men to seething rage was a single event.

—-It was the Tenang Rebellion.

Having emerged victorious in the battle a few days ago, the Royal Capital Liberation Army moved headquarters from Salvador Fortress to Branch Castle Antigua. They had also done so as there was the appeal of gradually drawing closer to the Royal Capital. They assimilated the surrendered soldiers and expanded in scope. They had also taken possession of Sulawesi Grand Bridge. Currently, they were capturing every fortress and town in the Belta area. Then, if Belta Castle where David had secluded himself fell, the Central Border Zone would completely fall under Liberation Army influence. It would solidify their weak foothold in the area, and it would become increasingly possible to launch an invasion in the Royal Capital’s direction.

As the Liberation Army continued to win consecutively, the might of their officers and men would rise in tandem. Though they had paid the price of not a few victims, for the sake of the oppressed citizens, they would voluntarily throw themselves into battle. Everyone embraced the hopes and dreams of their young symbol, Princess Altura.

—-Branch Castle Antigua Conference Room. Military officers and civil officers were arrayed.

Here, topics relating to military affairs, financial affairs, government and diplomacy were debated, and where Altura would give her ruling. As they were currently expanding their sphere of influence, there were a mountain of challenges. What they were discussing now was regarding the aftermath of the Alucia River engagement.

“—-In the other day’s battle, is it true that there were many civilian casualties? Why did Borjek have to die?”

Altura depressedly inquired. Colonel Borjek served long before she had raised an army and was an extremely helpful man, always taking care of her. He excelled at leadership and was a military man she could place faith in. She wanted to fight with him. She wanted him to watch over her.

The generals who happened to be present at the time were also making grieving faces. To that question, Tactician Diener reported that it was the “Truth.”

“Yes. The the weaponless civilians who were taking refuge in the back were attacked by the Kingdom’s cavalry. Having launched a surprise attack, that group of the Kingdom began to overrun them, gunning for only the civilians. Deciding to obstruct this atrocity, Colonel Borjek departed for the front, and though he boldly fought back, he was killed in battle. However, due to his noble sacrifice, he was successful in saving many civilians. Colonel Borjek absolutely did not die a meaningless death.”

At Diener’s words, the military officers showed expressions of indignation. Those guys were a disgrace to all military men, they thought. The Kingdom was rotten to this extent!?, they thought.

One group of people of course noticed that the “Truth” had been distorted when it was reported. But, they did not speak up. They reasoned that it wasn’t all lies.

“……Diener. You said there should be no injury to the people. That is why I approved your dummy soldiers plan. Then, how did we end up with this kind of result?”

“I did not think that a commissioned officer of the Kingdom would take the initiative and target only the citizens. They hunted down only the weak, and their figures enjoyed themselves slaughtering as they pleased. It was like the work of a beast. They probably do not have any pride left as knights. It was completely my mistake, I, Diener.”

Naturally, he had expected the possibility that there would be victims amongst the civilians. If his plan went well, he would hail the civilians as heroes. If they were caught in the crossfire and became victims, he would call it a tragedy. It would promote morale, and he would use it as material to spread groundless rumors, he schemed.

It was a definite truth that they, unarmed civilians and citizens of the very Kingdom, were killed. He would take that “Truth,” mix in some exaggerations, and disseminate it, further circulating the Kingdom’s bad reputation. He had already given his secret orders and released his agents into the Belta area. The fruits of his labor will show sooner or later.

“Give the families of the victims liberal remunerations. They cooperated with our dreams and lost their valuable lives. We have to surmount their sacrifices and realize our ideals. Diener, please help us.”

“Sir- leave it to me. I will give the bereaved families suitable recompense.”

“……Next report.”

Hearing Princess Altura’s words, a civil official plainly read aloud documents.

“A request for aid has come from a farm village under Liberation Army influence. It is a request saying they want goods and provisions as they are in poverty. ……There are many more identical to this one.”

Many texts telling of wretched conditions had come addressed to Altura.

“Diener. Do we have any surplus goods?”

Lines of sight turned to Tactician Diener, who responded without a change in expression.

“There is no way we would have that amount of surplus, however we can not just overlook them. After all, the great cause that we stand for is to overthrow the current monarchy and rescue the suffering people of the Kingdom. That future will absolutely not come to those who cannot care for those below them.” Or take advantage of them.*

“Then, urgently give them charity. Show them the morality of our Liberation Army. As soon as possible, we must have the incompetent Kristoff off the throne.”

“I do understand. Please leave the matter of goods to me. We have received no shortage of support from the Empire–as a consequence of the Princess never wavering and betraying her faith.”

Many civil officials fixed their eyes on Diener with a look that asked, ‘just what are you saying?’, but, Altura showed no signs of noticing their behavior. If one were to talk about the civil officials, all of them knew that they had no surplus with their current finances. As they had just put Belta under their influence, their tax yields were not extremely high. It would still take some time until the chaos died down and they put a system of government in order.

Diener ignored the glances coming from the group of civil officials.

“I am begging you, Diener. I will be pushing hardships on you.”

“Those words alone are enough for me, Diener.”

Diener closed his eyes and lowered his head. Seeing that, Altura augustly nodded.

“Are there any other reports?”

“………..”

“Then, we will conclude here today. If anything happens, notify me immediately.”

“—-Sir-, understood.”

When Altura left her seat, the generals saluted and followed after her. Left behind was Diener, still sitting in his seat in the conference room, and vice commander of the Liberation Army, Prince Alan.

Alan approached Diener’s side, and spoke in a small voice.

“……Diener. You, are you planning on doing that again? Do you really think this is correct? You don’t know when Altura will find out.”

Alan was being notified of Diener’s activities from a unit of agents of the Empire. It was not a matter that could be disclosed, and there was a strict gag order on the participants. Those intelligence agents were Alan’s proteges, so he could trust them. Of course he was not informing his homeland, the Empire, since in the future, it would become a weakness.

But, if it ever became intolerable, he planned on overthrowing Diener and banishing him. He could not let him become a cause of ruin for the Liberation Army.

“Absolutely, I am paying careful attention so that I do not get noticed. I am only allowing my own mercenaries to execute it. As long as they get paid a large amount of money, they will not say anything. They in fact will enjoy doing it.”

He did not know how many hamlets they had attacked. They would plunder while disguised as Kingdom soldiers. They were originally humans who resorted to robbery. Gleefully, they were endeavoring in their duty. It ended at just pillaging; they had been instructed for the time being to not kill if possible.

Because in the end, these villages would enter under the control of the Liberation Army. Their labor was valuable. If his mercenaries grew too impudent and couldn’t stay their hands, he would just get rid of them and hire the next batch. It was a very simple matter. Mercenaries were not the Liberation Army’s companions, just disposable pieces.

“………..”

Alan was silently listening.

Diener apathetically continued his talk.

“Moreover, I cannot make goods appear out of thin air. The world is not so generous. No matter what means I have to use, I will absolutely must obtain them. For the sake of our expanding Liberation Army, and for the sake of supporting the citizens entering under our jurisdiction. To bring about a time of peace requires an initial investment. These are emergency measures until we can expect steady tax revenue. ……Nevertheless, this ought to be the last time.”

Calmly, but quickly, detailed Diener. The Central Border Zone was from the start a fertile land. If they raised the morale of the peasants and created an appropriate government, it would surely become wealthy. They could also expect commerce with each bordering nation.

They would remedy the excessive tax rate, perform a clean sweep of government officials and feudal lords lining their own pockets, and conduct a thorough reform. The Liberation Army had enticed them, guaranteeing their social position, chipped away at their political power, and stolen their power to resist. When they noticed they had been deceived, everything would be over probably. The Royal Capital Liberation Army had taken drastic measures in their duty to wash away the accumulated pus.

However, to accomplish this, they needed tremendous support from the people, otherwise, it would all end as a pipedream.

An impetus was needed to change the people’s hatred towards the Kingdom into support for the Liberation Army.

“This time will be the last? What do you mean Diener?”

“If we take complete control of the Central Border Zone, there will no longer be any need for these troublesome matters. Also, this final “Commodity Procurement Operation” will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Belta Castle. Having suffered a crushing defeat, this right now is the greatest chance to erase the Kingdom’s authority over this region.”

Diener spread out a map on the table and pointed out Belta Castle. Behind it was the town of Tenang with a red mark on it. It was a place not included in their capturing plans.

“We are already capturing fortresses on the front line of Belta. What more are you planning? Are we not just going to wait for a proper time and encircle Belta’s main castle?”

“—-Insufficient. Still not enough. The force of their fire is absolutely not enough. For our great cause, it has to become a hellfire strong enough to burn the entire Kingdom to the ground. ……The commander David can probably no longer move. He is frightened and only hardening the defenses. A commander who has lost his self-confidence, soldiers of the Kingdom in chaos, a populace with accumulated discontent, and the spreading infamy–all the kindle has been assembled. Afterwards, it just needs to catch fire.”

“……You, what the heck are you thinking?”

When Alan looked at him with eyes of misgiving, Diener with a tranquil expression distinctly answered.

“Of course, only victory for the Liberation Army, and overthrowing the current monarchy. My life was used only for this one purpose. The Royal Capital Liberation Army is my everything.”

“Do Altura’s ideals really exist in you? Is this not too reckless? The one perverting her ideals the most, Diener, is it not you?”

“A clean war does not exist in this world, Your Highness Prince Alan. All that there is, is only a hideous reality that makes one want to avert their eyes. ……However, there are also things that do not need to be known. Princess Altura is fine as she is. The people see their aspirations in her. Humans as completely filthy like me as well.”

He stood up from his seat, faced Prince Alan, and gazed into his eyes.

“……Prince Alan. Your cooperation is necessary. I would like you to shoulder the dirty work along with me. I want you defile yourself with dishonor enough to smear even your soul with blood. We will crown ourselves with filth.** After this war is over, I will take all the sins onto myself consequently.”

Diener was making a bet. He had seen through that this man harbored personal feelings for Altura. Diener was also aware that these emotions very much exceeded his affection towards his fatherland. He would take advantage of that and pull Alan to his side. He would bind him hand and foot so that he could never turn back. This man could be expected to play the role of negotiator with the Empire. By all means, Diener wanted to entice him.

“………..”

“………..”

Alan avoided an immediate reply. It took resolution and determination to accept this proposal. He had to make sure he had it. To immediately cut down any selfish motives he may have, his hand reached for his sword.

“………..Will this truly be for Altura’s sake?”

“So that her ideals may continue to be pure. Reality is not. Someone has to protect her from this dirty mud. We will be that shield. I want you to shoulder that role next to the Princess.”

“………..I understand. I will listen to you. Do with me as you wish.”

After a long silence, Alan consented.

Quietly, Diener spoke. Altura would certainly rage if she heard this plan. It was an act completely polar to her ideals. It sacrificed the few to save the many. It would not be strange for her to cut him down in such a situation. The other commissioned officers probably wouldn’t stay silent either. Actually, having heard the matter, Alan was also enraged, and he seized Diener by the lapels.

—-For the sake of victory for the Royal Capital Liberation Army, Diener sold his soul.

In a place slightly east of Belta Castle was a town called Tenang. Protected by low ramparts, it was a simple and commonplace hamlet with no redeeming features.

In that hamlet, neighboring peasants suddenly gathered and were raising furious voices. Each one held crude weapons and, filled with anger, were closing in on the feudal lord’s building. It was town with no appreciable defense besides its ramparts. Soldiers that tried to obstruct them were pushed down and violently beaten up.

The townspeople completely startled did not leave their houses. They did not want to get involved.