Chapter 242: Twenty-sixth Episode: Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 242: Twenty-sixth Episode: Chapter 6
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If one would like to know the soul of the city, find a place with a long history and a dense population. Dulin would best fit this description.
Dulin was the capital of the Empire of Titan. The total number of parks in the entire empire added together was less than the total number of parks in the capital. Similarly, the total number of nobles in the entire empire added together was less than the total number of nobles in the capital. There were numerous other examples as such but only a few within the circle were told about them. Dulin was different. It was different from any other city in the world.
Since it was the capital of the empire, the buildings and architecture within the area should be solemn and magnificent. Indeed, that was the case with Dulin.
From the world-famous Hamilton Palace to the small cafe on the street, it was as if all these buildings were a test about magnificence, luxurious and elegance.
Excluding royal estates, government offices, and the city residents' buildings, the architecture most worth looking at in Dulin was the churches that stood in great numbers. The style and spirit of literature and art displayed in these religious buildings could go along the history of the city until today, all the while continuously attracting many believers.
Every Sunday, beginning with those in Dulin Scott Cathedral, all church bells in the capital city of Titan would be rung consecutively. Nonetheless, there were some exceptions.
Since the outbreak of war, letters from the front line flew into Dulin like swirling of snowflakes. They were mainly letters wrote by soldiers for home. However, only a minority of ordinary soldiers were willing to spend money on the imperial postal system. It was mostly the military officers who could afford to write letters and send them home. Apart from public correspondence, most of the fast mails shuttled back and forth to the empire frequently belonged to the Imperial Army department. These military correspondences were delivered to the capital by a special long-distance carriage, then relevant departments of the capital's military department would categorize them accordingly.
In War Dead Register, confirmation letters concerning the roll of honor from the front line piled up like a hill. Each letter contained the names, origins and all sorts of details of the martyrs' lives before death.
The citizens of the capital were always the first to learn about such news. Fathers and brothers died fighting in the distant frontier. These people who lost their loved ones were not necessarily all commoners. Among the funeral processions, there were also many nobles who dressed well and cried their eyes out on the streets.
Perhaps funerals could summarize the central life of Dulin City during the Second Defending War period. Churches were always full of people. Even Sundays were booked to receive the relatives of sacrificed soldiers. When the candles and songs of mass filled the air, the churches would ring the bronze bells on the tower.
The bells in the city rung in a chaotic and disorganized manner without order. Similarly, the funeral procession team in the streets would sometimes be interrupted by the sudden arrival of another procession team.
Some commoners at home who did not have relatives or loved ones enlisted in the army were terribly upset by the ringing bells that sounded from morning to night. They grumbled that ”the more officials die, the better.” Those with slightly more patriotism would cover their ears when the bells rang as they tried to focus in reading the newspapers filled with full report of military results.
”Marshal Alan has lost!” To the citizens of the capital, this news was like a huge carriage bomb which suddenly exploded in their hearts.
The commoners who did not know about the inside story began fleeing the moment they learned about the news. They fled to the countryside, to the mountains, and to Narcissus County. The reactions of the nobles were even more exaggerated. Every eminent household started sorting out their property – small-sized valuables were stuffed into the carriage whereas heavy objects, antiques and all the big-sized valuables were buried under the ground. The poor gardeners in the capital were kept occupied managing these nobles' yard incessantly. The idea had been rooted in the minds of people so deeply that no one believed the joint document issued by the palace and military department. In short, the document claimed that the ”Northern Army employed evasion strategy, and Marshal Alan presided over the defense in-depth.”
Thus, the magnificent and orderly Dulin City fell into a turmoil overnight. Citizens flocked to escape while rogue looted. Sensible nobles sat back in the palace and waited for further news while insensible nobles rushed to their traveling carriages and headed eastward toward Narcissus County.
Her Majesty the Empress Alanis I repeatedly reaffirmed the importance of capital's social stability and daily security. However, both Capital Security Division and Ministry of Justice were at a loss of what to do regarding this chaos. Unexpectedly, the result of the joint consultation between military and government only urged the public to travel specifically at night so that they would not irritate Her Majesty's eyes during the day.
Therefore, the night scene in Dulin City was a wonder. The streets and alleys were full of people and light reflected from oil lamps. The lamps were assembled in a way that resembled a battlefront, slowly and gradually heading for the wilderness in the East.
Alanis did not understand why the temporary setback of Northern Front would lead to such consequences. Her military was not yet defeated, and her dynasty was certainly not yet destroyed! Why did people leave her? Even some government departments were forced to stop working due to a serious shortage of staff. All sorts of circumstances seemed to tell Her Majesty the Empress that Deiss was going to take down Dulin City tomorrow even though that was not the case.
”According to the situation of the Northern Army after the defeat of border defense on the 8th day of the 11th month, the Northern Defensive Line can at least persist to fight until next spring!” the duty personnel set an estimated time for Her Majesty the Empress.
”Next spring...” Alanis held the side of the table with her eyes widened. The thick makeup on her face was efficient in covering up her tiredness and powerlessness.
”What about next summer? What will happen next summer?” Her Majesty the First scanned across the room of soldiers and ministers of the Empire who had turned completely silent.
”No one?” Her Majesty the Empress' impatience showed clearly in her speech and manner. She hated these incompetent idiots, even more so at Alan who had been completely defeated! If the outside world knew her Imperial Guards Commander was so severely sick to the point where he had urination incontinence…forget it! Maybe it was true that the end of Dulin was near.
The duty personnel feigned a cough. Speaking on behalf of the Military Department at this time was definitely a thankless job but he had to convey the views of Chief of Staff, Marshal Robin, on the progress of the war to Her Majesty the Empress.
”Your Majesty...” the duty personnel's pretense caught the attention of Her Majesty. ”Marshal Robin, the Chief of Staff of Imperial Guards, and his colleagues in the Combat Department unanimously agreed that the purpose of Deiss' attack on Northern Front was not a showdown. The Deiss is not that powerful. Apart from Titan, they have to guard against the Olliers who might launch an offense. Therefore, the battle on the Northern Front was mainly to compete for advance dominance in the battlefield. After breaking through Northern Army border defense line, the Deiss have the upper hand both in offense or defense and will not be left at a loss if the Narcissus Knights came as reinforcements.”
”Who says to deploy Narcissus Knights as reinforcements on the Northern front?” Alanis frowned subconsciously. This meant she had to plead her young husband who was having the easy life?
”It's only an assumption! It's only an assumption…the Deiss cannot afford to not prepare for this possibility. Once the northern in depth defense line has fallen into a dangerous situation, our country will have no choice but to reinforce Narcissus Knights to join in our battle sequence.”
”Aren't they already attacking in Faran?” Alanis turned her head away in annoyance. Oscar's Red-haired Tiger never complied with the regulations of the Titan Codex. They roamed around as they wished as if they were not part of the Narcissus Knights.
”Narcissus Knights Red Tiger Front's attack on Faran is not going well. Faran Kingdom Army has been chasing around their tails, hence Red Tiger's range of movement is very limited,” the duty personnel explained everything as a matter of fact.
Alanis's expression finally eased after hearing Red Tigers' suffering, ”Tell me about Deiss!”
The duty personnel quickly pointed to the map hanging in the room, ”So, the Deiss is not going to be too harsh on the offense. The Narcissus Knights usually fight against those who really show off. Deiss has experienced it once and it's believed that they will not make the same mistake again.”
”In this way...” the duty personnel's gaze fell on the 500,000 soldiers located outside the western border of the empire, ”Faran accomplish nothing in the South and Deiss is believed to not launch a new large-scale offense any time soon. Therefore, the focus point of the Defending War will naturally fall on the Western Front.”
”500,000...” Alanis moaned almost instinctively. She could not imagine how it would look when 500,000 people gathered to fight.
”Yes! 500,000 people!” the duty personnel nodded, ”From northern border in East of Riel and south to Rolin Province of Faran Kingdom, there is a total of 190 kilometers long frontline. Hoilland and Leblese have twenty-four corps gathered in the central front line, Weden gathered seventeen corps in the north of central camp, and Faran gathered nine corps in the south--”
”Enough! I can read!” the Imperial Empress raised the newly written battlefield analysis report in her hand. She knew that Marshal Robin's Western Army Group had less than 300,000 army forces. Even though the empire had been throwing in reinforcements at the east-central frontline, it was impossible for a line of defense that was put together at the last minute to resist the attack by three camps at the same time. Alanis was not literate in military affairs but at the very least, she still had her common sense.
The duty personnel withdrew in embarrassment. There was no need for him to be there if the Empress could read herself.
The rest of the ministers and high-ranking officers successively withdrew from the study of the Imperial monarch. All of them appeared dejected and dispirited.
Although these poor-looking capital nobles had turned down evening banquets and card games that they never once missed, these wise men had already thought about their own backup plans.
There were only four people left in the Empress' study room. How strange it was that none among the four capital officials was a soldier.
The considerate head of secret service served the Empress a new cup of tea. On the other hand, the palace chief Marquis Jevonah Wesarcia who was a man of few words opened the windows in the study room of Her Majesty the Empress.
The cool autumn breeze filled the room. Alanis pressed her hands down on the documents and immediately Marquise Cameron handed her a paper holder made of gold. The Empress lifted her hands contentedly, but she quickly noticed the cabinet chancellor who had taken out the cigar was fumbling for a fire.
”Here, a gift for you! It's left behind by my Father the Emperor!”
Duke Rashel Titus was overwhelmed to receive the kerosene igniter. Although it was not a precious thing, it was, after all, something that once belonged to Her Majesty the Empress.
Duke Rashel was the current Cabinet Chancellor. His political skills were not as good as that of Kachev, he was not as cunning as Sea Monster, and he was definitely not a rival to Rudolf when it comes to being wicked and merciless. Even the lowest-ranking employee in the government department was better in flattering master than he was! However, such a worthless man more than half a century old was sitting down next to Her Majesty the Empress, being her right-hand man in the field of government affairs.
Most people did not fully comprehend this arrangement at first. A majority thought this new appointment was way out of expectation. However, according to Her Majesty, Duke Rashel's best strength was his loyalty (young people called him an old antique) followed closely by his steadiness (those familiar with him knew it was a trait he obtained out of fear). Whereas his third strength…
Alanis had not thought about his third strength. However, Duke Rashel Titus was indeed unique in his own ways. It was not difficult to understand by comparing him to the other famous figures aforementioned.
Kachev was crowned as a national traitor. The Engels sent his head to the Empress and was later hung up high on the Titan Gate of Light. Sea Monster was the worst out of all – his lifetime of ”hard work” was confiscated while himself had been swallowed in whole. It was rumored that his fat layers dropped off his body by pounds. Rudolf Hoss...the people of Dulin said that the former head of secret was stuffed to death by shit. There was no need to mention the guy whose stomach had been squashed by a spade.
All these famous figures had fallen from the stage. Even the Imperial Guards Marshal was suspected to have Alzheimer's disease. Only Duke Rashel Titus was still healthy and alive. The intelligence to attain such bliss was one of the old man's biggest wealth.
”Your Majesty...” the Cabinet Chancellor spoke in between puffs, occasionally even took a few sips of drink, ”Do you know why the war has only begun to progress now?”
Alanis shook her head, ”Sorry, my lord. It's not my empire that progressed but our enemy!”
”Let me rephrase it!” the eyes of Duke Rashel flashed with brilliance only a shrewd old man could obtain, ”For example, Faran first invaded our country and taking a pause at Vielonna to wait for Deiss. Deiss who had obtained the first victory is also slowing down while waiting for Hoilland, Weden and Leblese to catch up! My Lady should be proud! The Empire is under siege by a military force of million soldiers and we've persisted until now!”
”No! No!” Alanis shook her head again and again, ”It's not a siege! It's not possible that Titan can endure a siege of million soldiers!”
”What is it then if it's not a siege?” the old man continued to pester.
Alanis became silent. What else could it be when all three lines of defense were the enemies? The enemy's one million military force was enough to completely rout the defense line in the first round of attack. However, this situation had not occurred in the war that had been going on for several months. What was the problem?
”Fear!” Palace Chief Marquis Jevonah Wesarcia suddenly uttered a single syllable.
”They fear Titan and they fear the army and the people of Titan! They fear that the Titans will carry out the war of anti-aggression until the last moment. If they are really planning to challenge the Titans with all their hearts...in the end, there will be nothing left in their one million military force. Our comprehensive national strength, geographical depth, and reserve base of the Imperial Guards are laid out there on the tables! If Your Majesty issue the order of a national mobilization for the nation's young men aged fifteen to forty-five to put on their armor and pick up their swords and spears--”
”We will have an army of two million forces or more!” the cabinet chancellor completed the palace chief's sentence.
”Not only are they fearful of Titans who might order for national mobilization, they also fear that their allied forces would become even stronger in this war!” Marquis Jevonah Wesarcia looked firmly at the Empress. He was extremely confident about his own assumption.
”This was not apparent during the First Defending War...” Duke Rashel distinguished the cigar, ”Because barbaric Deiss did not participate, and each country from the Anti-Titan Alliance also did not put in all their effort. However, now…Deiss Kingdom that comes prepared has defeated Alan in the first round. I believe the other four nations involved in the war are more worried than we are!”
Alanis nodded slowly. She was the monarch of the country hence it was not difficult to understand the mystery. The dominance of Deiss caused the entire Anti-Titan Alliance to be vigilant while Faran and Hoilland failed to see eye to eye regarding the force deployment and offensive cooperation. Although the Kingdom of Weden sent out a force of 170,000 people, King Leoliam I did not cut off diplomatic relations with Titan. The Weden Embassy was still working...
”They may intend to remove you from the throne, but they absolutely have no courage to defeat the military in our country...” Cabinet Chancellor voiced out his opinion, ”Because there are too many concerns to be considered. Not one country wants to weaken its own strength while fighting against us!”
”Besides...” the head of secret service stopped mid-sentence. It was Marquise Wesarcia who was standing beside the Empress began whispering into her best friend's ear.
”The southern nobles are getting more inclined to be at odds with the monarchy…” Marquise Wesarcia lowered her voice until it was almost inaudible, ”And Secret Service has doubts about the real cause behind Northern Front defeat…”
”You mean...” a chill went down Alanis's spine, ”Someone is trying to mess with fire?”
The Empire's cabinet chancellor who always played by the book smiled as he waved his hand, ”Your Highness, no one would believe this even if the secret service has mastered the evidence? We will never bring down the mastermind behind this! Just like the suspicious case of the Finance Minister.” Alanis was feeling at her worst. She was getting more impatient than she ever has, ”Then why did you brought this up if there's nothing we can do?”
Duke Rashel Titus scanned the room. It seemed that he was the best candidate to speak about the following matter.
”Your Majesty! Since you are already clear of the doubts Western Alliance had about the war, don't you think we can prevent the huge loss that might follow after?”
”What...what do you mean?” the Imperial Empress did not understand but she realized about the risk and uncertainty hidden in the following answer.
”Sue for peace!”
”Sue for peace?” Her Majesty the Empress Alanis I stared at her cabinet chancellor, ”Is it possible? They are trying to push me down the throne! Whether it is Faran or Hoilland, all they want to is--”
”Your Majesty...” Marquise Wesarcia placed her palm on the shoulder of Imperial Empress. She had long noticed that her friend, the ruler of the empire, was frightened by the enemy's one million military forces.
”You don't have to worry about this anymore! No matter what the starting point is for His Highness the Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette, the blacklist established by him and the military authorities did us a great favor! First, it was the Queen of Holland, then the former Queen who took refuge in Weden. All the excuses that can interfere with the transition of Titan's imperial power have been eradicated and the Anti-Tian Alliance has no reason to use force again for this matter! Perhaps, you may consider this again – is it possible for them to push Titan' Empress out of the throne?”
Alanis was feeling uneasy. Titan was under siege by a military troop of a million soldiers. What were the odds?