There are two types in this world.
One side shows mercy with a generous heart even when betrayed, or at least inflicts only minimal punishment.
And the other side, one that shows a rage erupting like an active volcano.
Thedorant belonged to the latter, and among those, to the most vehement.
“How dare those bastards abandon the Glory of the Theian People and harbor dissenting thoughts.”
“This is betrayal. Not merely a betrayal of us, but of everything on this earth!”
“We must not stand idly by. Otherwise, all of Atria may turn against us.”
It was true that the Command Staff had become somewhat disoriented after the consecutive defeats against the Empire.
But that didn't mean their wits had entirely disappeared. It had merely turned into madness.
The opinion that some within might harbor different intentions had been voiced previously.
There was a possibility. So they had secretly recruited a few and planted them as informants in various places.
Thanks to that, Thedorant was able to quickly grasp that such discussions were circulating.
They had to retaliate immediately. But they couldn't act immediately.
Each of them was a person who had reigned like a King in their own lands.
If Thedorant labels them as enemies, they will surely turn against them.
If that happened, that region and its people would all defect.
“It is regrettable, but we must not handle it haphazardly. We must also consider the feelings of those who remain.”
“The Best method is to temporarily remove them from their domains and summon them to our side.”
They had believed in them as brothers, but no longer. Measures had to be taken.
Having reached a firm conclusion, Thedorant sent a Letter to the nobles of Atria.
[ To the brave men fighting valiantly against the Empire, the King of Thedorant offers a glass of wine. ]
The two countries had not yet become fully united.
But from the perspective of Atria, whose royal family had already collapsed, the Thedorant royal family was no different from their own King.
Nobles are, after all, beings whose legitimacy is established only when loyal to a King.
There's nothing to be gained by breaking that for no reason. It's the same even if they were secretly discussing surrender.
On the contrary, they had to hide their inner thoughts, rushing even faster to gauge the atmosphere.
“Could it be that they've found out about our plan?”
“There's a possibility. It might be better not to go.”
Such opinions also came from a few nobles who were trying to negotiate with the Empire.
They said they had to prepare for the unexpected, so they should first refuse once and gauge the mood.
But they realized that refusal was the most difficult thing, practically impossible.
The 3rd Prince Georg of Thedorant had finally officially ascended the throne.
Cassius II. This was his first official diplomatic activity after receiving that name.
Not attending such an event would be to show one's suspicious nature too clearly.
Above all, judging by the atmosphere, it didn't seem like they knew about their plan.
Hadn't they sent an invitation to all the nobles who did not share their intentions?
This was probably an effort to consolidate the interior as the war turned unfavorable.
It was a little worrisome that he was calling them at this particular time.
But there was no justification for not going, and if they skipped it, they would only arouse more suspicion.
In the end, the nobles of Atria who received the invitation temporarily left their domains.
They had brought guards along just in case, but there was a place even they could not follow.
A short while later, a few ominous rumors began to circulate in Atria's noble society.
Rumors circulated that a few Atria nobles had openly opposed Cassius II of Thedorant, now the first King of the united kingdom of Thedorant and Atria, to his face.
It was said that Cassius II, who at first tried to soothe them, soon decided to hold them accountable for their crimes.
The Atria nobles were executed, and their families were taken to Thedorant.
Following this outrageous event, the Atrian nobles whispered that it wasn't right.
But even that subsided after a short while, and the reason was simple.
[ We will distribute all the territories and properties of the nobles who opposed the union of Thedorant and Atria to the nobles who supported it. ]
The interests of those who disappeared. It is enough to distribute their flesh.
Those who have partaken can no longer voice dissent.
To think of other things later, with that blood and flesh smeared on their lips?
It was natural that an even more cruel and terrible future lay ahead.
They quickly organized the forces in Atria that might turn.
Afterward, they turned their gaze to Benito, which was staggering from the epidemic.
“Can Benito currently defend its royal capital?”
“It is difficult. The royal capital is also included in the area where the epidemic has broken out.”
“Then persuade the King of Benito. Tell him to evacuate for now and relocate to a safer place.”
“But the influence of the royal capital is great. Will he really do so?”
At his subjects' words, Cassius II fell into thought for a moment.
He had been lost in despair for some time due to the consecutive blows from the Empire.
However, while the Empire was catching its breath, he too had entered a recovery phase to some extent.
“Relay the order to the 5th Army. To abandon the defense of the royal capital and fall back. If they move, the King of Benito will also have no choice but to move.”
Giving up Benito is regrettable, but trying to protect everything is greed.
Above all, according to recent information, the Empire was trying to question the legitimacy of the King of Benito.
In fact, the current King of Benito, Andrea II, does not possess flawless legitimacy.
If one were to investigate, a few weaknesses would inevitably be exposed.
Fortunately, Andrea II's control over the northern part of his country is solid.
To check the power of the nobles concentrated on the southern coast and to strengthen the power of those who would support him.
The north, developed for that reason, maintained firm public sentiment even as Benito wavered.
‘It is resentful, but if those Empire bastards are desperately trying to do something. It means that man, Kael Clausewitz, is behind them. If we confront that head-on, our loss will only grow.’
In fact, they had found out about Atria's movements before the Empire did.
They had gained some leeway while those bastards were concentrating on Benito and had quickly finished their internal organization.
Now Atria will unconditionally stand with Thedorant without any more dissent.
Since they've taken a bite, they can't let go of the hand they're holding.
It's not a matter of conscience, but a matter of survival. To turn one's back even in this situation is to invite greater wrath.
‘Half of Benito is given up. Instead, what remains are the regions of Dregali.’
Recently, the front with Rostanica had entered a lull.
They too were tired. In the first place, Rostanica was a place that leaned more towards the sea than the land.
No matter how much support they received from the Empire, in the end, it would at most be weapons or supplies.
They must not miss this opportunity and must wipe out the resistance forces of Dregali.
The 3rd Prince Georg of Thedorant, the current Cassius II.
Although there were times he was lost in despair, his specialty for speed is still evident.
While the Empire had temporarily halted its advance due to various problems and was paying attention to the southern front.
He decided to completely organize Dregali, which had been continually causing problems.
“Provide as much convenience as possible to the places that have cooperated with Thedorant. And thoroughly destroy the places where traces of alliance with the resistance forces are seen.”
“It is the same, even if the resistance forces received help by force. If anyone has given even a single thing, make that area uninhabitable for people again.”
“Announce that those who make a significant report on the resistance forces will be granted the territories and wealth taken from the original Dregali nobles, and even a title. So that they may be divided and tear each other apart.”
Until now, he had felt not only admiration but also fear for Kael.
He had observed what Kael had done so far and wondered how he could use it.
One of them was to cause division and make them fight among themselves.
He heard it was a method Kael had used in the east of the continent in the past.
If you break the enemy's solidarity, not only do the enemy's forces decrease.
Some of them will surely attach themselves to our side and try to gain a profit.
Even if not, they might be compelled to make a choice for the future.
‘I admit it. Kael Clausewitz. You are truly great. So I will learn from that greatness. Until now, it might have been manageable, but from now on, it will be different.’
Kael's specialty was to tenaciously exploit the opponent's weakness even before fighting.
He mainly aimed for an opening to make it absolutely impossible for them to use their full power.
By doing so, he maximized the advantage of his allies and highlighted the enemy's disadvantages as much as possible.
“Deploy the conscripted soldiers at each castle and have them concentrate on defense. Furthermore, our Thedorant will also form a mobile force.”
“The targets are the enemy's supply lines. And their Logistics Corps. Their front line is getting longer. No matter how formidable an Imperial Legion they are, they won't be able to fight with empty stomachs.”
“Do not be obsessed with cutting down enemy soldiers. Sons of Thedorant. Destroy their carriages and carts, and kill their horses and cattle. The pain of battle is not only for our Thedorant!”
Though they are catching their breath now, the Empire will eventually have to go on the offensive again.
Since they are relying on the castle, even if they are just conscripts for now, their experience will gradually build up.
If they focus on cutting off supplies in the meantime, it will surely be a worthwhile fight.