Chapter 135: Your World (3) Zerpa, the main palace of Crown Prince Alonso.
The Crown Prince had gathered his most trusted confidants.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
The Chief of Security, the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Finance Minister, the Legal Officer, the personal physician... These men had become entirely his own.
They were the sturdy shield protecting him against the opportunistic nobles of the palace and the corrupt military, and his most reliable sword.
"First, let us fill our glasses."
At the Crown Prince's command, the butler poured a clear, white liquor for everyone.
"As you all expected, Sir Maximilian attempted to interfere with our personnel appointments."
"Yes. There was likely a request from the Empire's side."
"Correct. The Empire would never leave such interests alone. However..."
The Crown Prince raised his glass high. Everyone looked tense. They had all anticipated that he would demand control over appointments as the price for this support.
"...I clearly refused, and Sir Maximilian understood my intentions well."
At that moment, the aides stood and began to applaud.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—
Seeing them so genuinely happy, the Crown Prince felt a surge of emotion.
"It is all thanks to you."
His voice cracked slightly as he spoke.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—
Only six months ago, he had been utterly isolated within the palace.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—
"Enough, enough. I might show a side of myself unbecoming of my dignity. Let us drink first."
He had been a puppet Crown Prince, sidelined and powerless while his father lay critically ill.
But these men had saved him. While it was Maximilian who had broken the siege, those who had rushed to this unstable place and willingly sworn their loyalty had become his most precious assets.
"For Zerpa, Salute!"
Clink!
The most important and sensitive diplomatic hurdle had been successfully cleared. They clinked glasses and shared a celebratory toast.
"Now, let us prepare the meal."
Alonso sat back down, but his face suddenly grew calm and contemplative.
He sank into quiet thought.
"..."
The conversation he had just shared with Maximilian kept echoing in his ears.
The Knight's voice had sounded dry—perhaps rusted, exhausted by fatigue.
Maximilian surely had his own circumstances, yet he had offered that bitter smile while accepting Alonso's firm refusal.
"...Did something happen to Sir Maximilian back in the Empire?"
Alonso was concerned about him.
"Yes. According to the rumors, a high-ranking noble in the Imperial Palace embezzled and smuggled Gigantes weaponry."
Alonso's eyes widened.
"Hah. An Imperial noble dared to do such a thing?"
"Yes. Because of that, the Imperial Palace is reportedly embroiled in political strife. It seems Sir Maximilian was briefly caught up in it as well."
"So that is why he looked so tired..."
Alonso found himself worrying for Maximilian instead.
He wondered if his refusal had hurt the man who had dedicated himself to Zerpa despite the fierce power struggles within the Empire.
Had he been too cold to the one who trusted and respected him so much?
"Your Highness."
The Chief of Security stepped forward.
"You can repay Sir Maximilian by bringing him the heads of those military bastards who dared to embezzle his support and tried to deceive you."
"Yes. That is only right."
Alonso nodded heavily.
"But tell me, everyone. What do you think about our relationship with the Empire?"
"We must move further than this."
The Chief of Staff spoke up as if he had been waiting for the question.
"That is exactly what the Republican Faction fears most right now. That our monarchy will become inextricably close to the Empire."
"A pro-Empire stance... you mean?"
"Yes. If—and this is a big 'if'—we were to establish a relationship akin to an Autonomous Region with the Empire, the Republicans would lose their will to fight and collapse entirely."
"...An Autonomous Region?"
Alonso's brow furrowed deeply. He had rejected Maximilian's proposal specifically to protect Zerpa's sovereignty. And yet, they were discussing becoming an Autonomous Region—which was essentially handing the country over?
"What on earth are you saying..."
The Crown Prince was about to explode in anger, but he couldn't help but falter.
The reactions of the aides present in the office were all identical.
Far from showing any aversion to the term 'Autonomous Region,' they were accepting it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Ahem."
Alonso cleared his throat, softening his tone.
"Did we not protect our personnel rights specifically to avoid being subordinated to the Empire? Considering the situation in Genen..."
"No. Prince Alonso, have you heard the recent news from Genen?"
The Deputy Legal Officer gently interrupted him.
"They say that if you call Genen a site of massacre, the people of Genen actually find it offensive."
Alonso listened intently.
"After the corrupt Governor-General's office in Genen was purged, Genen has been undergoing remarkable development as a core logistics base for the Empire and a bridgehead for eastern trade. The social infrastructure has been renovated, and the lives of the citizens are far more affluent than before they became an Autonomous Region. In fact, massive capital from the Imperial center is constantly flowing in. You should visit Genen yourself once the situation stabilizes."
The Chief of Security, standing beside the Deputy Legal Officer, added:
"And, Your Highness. Do you know who is being most prominently mentioned as the next Governor-General there?"
Alonso looked at him, signaling his ignorance.
"A native of Genen. Not an Imperial, but a pure Genen citizen."
"That was apparently the promise made when Genen gave up its protests."
This time, it was the Deputy Finance Minister.
"Sir Maximilian always keeps the promises he makes. That is a clear fact we all know."
Alonso listened to their voices, and the aides continued to speak in turns, as if following a script.
"...You said Sir Maximilian looked lonely. He likely is."
These men were all people Maximilian had planted.
They were in a contractual relationship, receiving stipends from Maximilian and promised immense rewards. Every piece of information and judgment coming from their mouths was orchestrated according to Maximilian's intentions.
"He is walking a very solitary path even within the Empire."
The Crown Prince sank into deep agony.
The advice of these capable and loyal subordinates surrounding him. And the eyes of Maximilian, who always respected him—eyes that were sometimes cold but undeniably kind.
"...Yes. He did say that if not him, who else could understand me."
Perhaps throwing himself into the Empire's embrace was also a path for Zerpa.
Of course, it was still premature, but if the Republicans tried to burn down the entire monarchy, it might be necessary even just to preserve the Royal Family.
"Perhaps he is in a similar position to me. Like I was before I had all of you by my side..."
Alonso smiled faintly, feeling a sense of kinship.
Just then, a neatly prepared meal was brought into the reception room.
"Let us eat first. It must have been difficult for everyone to stay so tense."
They enjoyed the banquet together, discussing the future of Zerpa.
*
On the outskirts of Zerpa's capital, at the field barracks of the Durkon Legion.
Lieutenant Colonel Kai Han visited the tent of Major General Schweitzer. He had come to seek guidance from the master of mobile tactics.
"...Well, since you're asking, I'll tell you. But in the end, what matters is the organization."
Schweitzer was notorious for his eccentric personality, but he seemed pleased by the respect shown to him and began to speak.
"Do you think soldiers are all identical parts? No. Among them, some have great physical strength, some are good shots, some are good at reading the situation... their characteristics are all different."
Schweitzer gestured toward the floor of the tent with his chin.
"Among those, I focused on the 'legs.'"
Legs.
In other words, mobility.
"Do you think ordinary soldiers can't handle mana at all? Forever? No. If they train—if they try their damnedest to run fast to survive on the battlefield—even a tiny bit of mana will cling to their legs. It's minuscule, but it's there."
Even an ordinary person not born with mana can become strong enough in one specific area.
"I pick only those fast-footed bastards and deploy them in the first line. If tanks are supplied later, I'll put the tank units in that first line."
He picked up a chess piece on the tactical map and pushed it deep into enemy territory.
"But you can't just send them forward blindly. The fastest ones might end up dying the fastest."
Schweitzer grinned and snapped his fingers.
"So, before the first line charges, you project firepower from the rear. You use artillery to blow apart the path the first line will take."
Mana cannons, or a ruthless barrage of shells. After punching a hole in the enemy's defensive line, the fastest first line sprints through that gap.
"Then the second line thickens the depth of the unit. They march in heavily. But because the first line is so damn fast, they've already reached deep into the front lines. Much faster than the enemy's reconnaissance network expected."
In the end, the reconnaissance reports and the actual situation on the battlefield become completely misaligned.
Because the first line, made up only of fast-footed men, has an abnormally high marching speed to begin with.
"Then the enemy thinks, 'Huh? What the hell? They're here already?' Just like that, a moment of chaos erupts in their defensive formation. They panic."
Schweitzer thrust the chess piece right into the center of the enemy's base.
"The first line breaks through the enemy's defensive line at a single point, stirring up chaos in the middle of the enemy camp. Then the second line arrives behind them. When the two naturally connect, how do you think it looks to the enemy?"
Schweitzer brought his fingers to his eyes and widened them.
"It feels like our entire army, the whole unit, just slammed into them all at once at a terrifying speed. Do you know what that's called?"
Lieutenant Colonel Han answered quietly.
"Blitzkrieg."
"Exactly. That vague concept that was only in my head... that clever Knight fellow just went and coined the perfect word for it."
Schweitzer let out a hearty laugh, feeling very good. Lieutenant Colonel Han shook his head as he watched him.
"...Major General Schweitzer."
"What?"
"It would be best if you were careful with how you speak about him."
"How I speak? Did I say something wrong?"
Schweitzer furrowed his brow.
"Referring to him as a 'fellow.' You never know where or when his ears might be listening."
"..."
Schweitzer's eyes narrowed.
"Hey."
He leaned his body toward Lieutenant Colonel Han.
"The one you're with right now is me. A star that shines far more brightly than yours."
"Yes. I am aware. You are my role model, Major General."
"..."
The Major General clicked his tongue as if annoyed, but he seemed to like the words as he nodded and stepped back.
"...Anyway. That's why I was so obsessed with new weapons and technology. To pull off this tactic perfectly, you need firepower first. It's all for naught if you manage to break the line only for the first line to get surrounded in the middle of the enemy camp. I was going to experiment with that here... but that fellow—fine, 'His Lordship'—dragged me here by force without knowing a damn thing."
Just then, the tent flap opened, and 'His Lordship' appeared.
Maximilian.
"Loyalty."
Lieutenant Colonel Han immediately stood up and gave a sharp salute, while Major General Schweitzer remained slouched in his chair and lazily brought his hand to his forehead.
Maximilian paused as he entered.
"Major General Schweitzer. I don't quite like the angle. A Knight of the Empire has the right to be respected by all soldiers in a wartime situation."
"..."
Schweitzer let out a small, incredulous laugh, then stood up and gave a proper salute.
"Is this enough?"
"Get rid of the unnecessary words at the end, and that ticking wristwatch as well."
"Hey, time is everything on the battlefield. Why are you telling me to take off my watch—"
Maximilian took a square box from his coat and placed it on the table.
"It's a Mana Stone watch. It measures the current time much more accurately."
Click. He opened the box. Inside was a watch that displayed numbers.
"Use it. The flow of mana is far more accurate than some gears."
"Oh..."
Schweitzer stood up and picked it up.
The moment he turned around after inspecting the watch.
"..."
Maximilian was already sitting arrogantly in the seat of honor, Schweitzer's chair. Schweitzer stopped awkwardly.
Maximilian said nonchalantly:
"Sit."
He had no intention of loosening the reins once he had gripped them. Schweitzer was the type who could only be controlled by being pushed even more fiercely and overtly.
"..."
Schweitzer's lips twitched as he plopped down into the opposite chair. He had already swapped his watch, seemingly liking the new one.
"Major General Schweitzer. I heard you requisitioned a civilian village in Zerpa recently."
"Ah~ that's nothing much. We needed a special meal to celebrate the coming of winter, but the residents weren't cooperating—"
"It is a disciplinary matter."
"What?! Why?!"
"I clearly told you. I will not tolerate civilian requisitions without proper compensation. This is a foreign country, Major General Schweitzer."
Maximilian slid a document across the table. Schweitzer picked up the paper that had landed right in front of him.
──[ Disciplinary Order for Violation of Imperial Military Law ]──
To: Major General Schweitzer
From: Sentinel Knights / Imperial Army General Headquarters
By virtue of wartime operational control authority, this Knight severely reprimands you for the unauthorized requisition of food and supplies from civilian residential areas within Zerpa territory. As this has caused friction with the local population and disrupted the discipline of the Imperial Army, the following disciplinary actions are ordered:
Full forfeiture of three months' position allowance and base salary. This disciplinary action shall be recorded in your personnel file. ───────────────
A disciplinary order issued by a watcher of the Empire to a Major General of the military. While such matters usually required the approval of the Regular Army Headquarters, it already bore the necessary seal.
The civilian requisition had happened only a month ago, meaning this Knight had needed only a month to discipline a Major General of the Imperial Army.
"Furthermore, I intend to execute several soldiers of the Durkon Legion as an example."
"..."
Veins popped on the back of Schweitzer's hand as he gripped the document. Maximilian added calmly:
"If you tear or crumple that official document, another line will be added to the bottom."
"..."
Schweitzer carefully folded the disciplinary document and put it in his inner pocket.
"I have already provided compensation to the civilians myself, but if this happens again, I will not let it slide with a mere pay cut. Be careful."
"..."
"Answer me."
Maximilian's golden eyes flashed coldly.
"...Understood."
Schweitzer answered through gritted teeth, lowering his head. Only then did Maximilian look satisfied and get to the main point.
"Orders for the Durkon Legion's advance have come down from above. The strike point is here."
Maximilian pointed to a spot on the map. The area around the 'Zeronica Mine,' a core industrial zone of Zerpa and a major source of funding for the Republicans. It was the fiercest battlefield that would decide the course of the civil war.
"Let's hear your plan, Major General."
"Yes. It's a Blitzkrieg. To explain it simply—"
"I know all that. But Blitzkrieg is merely a type of operation. What I am asking for is the 'strategy' to annihilate Zeronica."
A strategy, which encompassed a broader scope than a mere operation.
Schweitzer's complexion turned rigid. Standing behind him, Lieutenant Colonel Han cleared his throat to swallow a laugh.
"...Ah, yes. If you know so much, why don't you just command the unit yourself, Sir Knight?"
Schweitzer snapped back sarcastically.
Maximilian shook his head nonchalantly.
"That would mess up the military's chain of command, and above all..."
He looked deep into Schweitzer's eyes and said:
"It would be a waste of Major General Schweitzer's brilliant leadership."
"...Leadership?"
"Yes. How do you think I knew about the concept of Blitzkrieg? I have read all of your past battle records and numerous achievements in detail."
The corners of Maximilian's mouth twisted coldly.
He was speaking words of praise, but his face didn't reflect them at all. Rather, his attitude felt as if he were delivering a sharp insult.
"I am someone who really hates saying things like this."
A strange sincerity dwelled in his eyes.
"Major General Schweitzer. You are a genius of military affairs."
"..."
Schweitzer's breath hitched for a moment. He pressed his lips together as if at a loss for words. He tried his best to suppress a smile, but his twitching nose and reddened cheekbones made him look rather comical.
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