Appoint Faelus to protect the people of the Kingdom of Thedorant.
There was an order from the Emperor, and coincidentally, I was thinking along the same lines.
However ordinary these people may be, they are, in the end, still people of Thedorant.
Their Gaze was upon our Empire, and conversely, our Imperial Army's Gaze was upon them.
Since they were enemy countries, those gazes could not be kind, and goodwill was difficult to foster.
In such times, a great source of trust comes from someone from the same country.
And within our Imperial Army, there is a surrendered Thedorant contingent, which includes a commander-level official.
“…The Emperor has given me such a task?”
“You may refuse. We can just entrust it to others.”
“No, Commander-in-Chief. I will do it. I want to do it. On the contrary, had it been given to others, I would have requested to take it on myself.”
Faelus immediately ran to the temporary camp where the people of Thedorant were housed.
I gave no separate instructions, but he will do well. He is a man of strong convictions and wisdom.
He will know that this is the Empire testing him and Thedorant.
Whether to embrace them, or to eliminate them all for the sake of the future.
‘No matter how we decide and act under the Name of a merciful Empire, if those meant to receive it ultimately reject it, then from that point on, there is no such thing as mercy.’
So, Mr. Faelus, take heart. The future of Thedorant rests in your hands.
Just because the Command Staff and the existing ruling Power have been wiped out, it's not right to eliminate the ordinary people of the kingdom as well, is it?
If it becomes apparent this time that they cannot accept the Empire's order, I don't know what will happen.
For now, this matter is settled. Next, I must handle the affairs of our Empire.
A large number of people from the Kingdom of Thedorant have suddenly entered our allied camp.
Even if they cause no harm, will that be easy for our soldiers to accept?
“Commander-in-Chief, the Corps Commanders of each Legion, and the commanders of Novgorod and the Eastern Alliance, have all gathered.”
After receiving the adjutant’s report, I immediately moved to the grand conference hall of the Chief of Staff Office.
“The Commander-in-Chief is entering.”
The Imperial Corps Commanders who had already received their orders, Sharlua, and the Commander of the Novgorod Military.
And even Commander Betel of the Eastern Alliance, whom I had previously seen in the east.
“Everyone, be seated.”
Once the hall was organized, I began to explain the reason for their summons.
“As you all well know, this war will be over soon, even if the Enemy's Command Staff tries to hold on by pulling out their own pillars, no matter what they do.”
Could it be because the words came from the mouth of none other than the Commander-in-Chief?
An intense light swirls in the eyes of each Commander. The end of the war is in sight.
“However, just because the war is ending does not mean everything is over. There are things each of you must pay for, and you will have to settle the accounts for what was lost in this war. That could be a Reward, or it could be a judgment for the Damage when each of you returns to your own country.”
The soldiers may not know, but the commanders must take responsibility.
It is the price paid by those blinded by military merit, and the punishment for taking the lives of soldiers lightly.
Of course, there are no humans with such a crazy mentality in this place.
If I had seen any sign of that, from the Ministry of War, from the Imperial Palace, I would have cut them off.
“What everyone must not forget is that we must not be written as the invaders. Although it can be said that we have some stake in the responsibility for this war, we must not take all the infamy.”
Even with just this much, everyone should have a rough understanding of what I want to say.
It's a war that's ending anyway, one we can't help but win. Don't splash muddy water on it.
I absolutely forbid any foolish act that would shatter local public sentiment or jeopardize our justification.
“The matter of Benito has been largely concluded. We will deploy the Imperial 4th Legion and the Reserve unit stationed there to the area attacking the south of Thedorant. We will also resume our attack accordingly, so the 6th and 13th Legions should consult with the 4th Legion to ensure a smooth advance.”
“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”
“How is the situation in Atria, Sharlua?”
“Our Novgorod military and the Empire's 2nd and 8th Legions have secured almost all areas. All that remains is the westernmost part of Atria and a part bordering Thedorant.”
“They are unable to launch a counterattack, so leave only the defense troops and have them cross the Thedorant border.”
From above and below Thedorant, forces of nearly 100,000 each are simultaneously converging.
Try to hold on if you can. Even so, you will just be crushed by a wave and suffocated.
“1st Corps Commander.”
“Yes, Commander-in-Chief!”
“How is the spearhead of our central front?”
“Whatever the obstacle. Whatever enemy blocks our way. We can break through anything.”
“A good answer. Attack the areas near the Thedorant Royal Capital at once. However, you must ensure that damage to the people of the Kingdom of Thedorant is minimized.”
The number of troops that have rushed from the western border of the Empire here reaches a staggering 300,000.
A grand force of 500,000 in total is now advancing to cut Thedorant's lifeline.
“The enemy is telling us to die together, saying that if one of them dies, one of us must die as well. The laws of war may dictate so, but I have no intention of playing along with that.”
“The fight for the glory of the battlefield is now over. From now on, the fight is to send more soldiers home. For that, I will not shy away from any means necessary, so I hope each Commander is clearly aware of this.”
Unlike my previous life, this place has a more optimistic atmosphere about war.
Especially the superiors expect to advance their careers through that war.
But I refuted all of that directly and discussed the future rather than military merit.
“We have fully understood the Commander-in-Chief's words. We, too, rather than being greedy for military merit, will do our best for this war to end solely in the Empire's victory, and for all the soldiers to be present at that grand occasion.”
On behalf of the Corps Commanders, the 1st Corps Commander answers, beating his chest.
“It is the same for Novgorod, Commander-in-Chief. We have already achieved countless military merits. They say that excessive greed brings disaster. The Demons may be impulsive, but they are not stupid.”
“The Eastern Alliance will also follow the Commander-in-Chief's will. To be honest, we have come from our homeland to the other side, so our ultimate goal is to return home. Hahaha.”
Sharlua and Commander Betel also show a positive reaction to the revised strategy.
What a relief. I was eagerly thinking about how to refute them if they had opposed.
“Sir, by the way, Commander-in-Chief.”
The commander of the southern 6th Legion, who had been listening quietly until now, cautiously raises his hand.
He is the one who crushed the Benito military with me in the past.
“Even if you capture the hearts of the people of the Kingdom of Thedorant or the conscripts, the Thedorant Command Staff and the elites under them still show a stubborn will to resist. Since they are defending the royal capital, the battle will by no means be easy, so wouldn't a strategy for that be necessary?”
A reasonable opinion. The others also show a reaction of affirmation.
If not for that, we probably would have had to discuss that part again.
“There is no need to think about the battle for the royal capital. Just organize the surrounding area, and firmly accept only those who wish to defect to the Empire.”
“Commander-in-Chief?”
“What do you mean, don't think about the battle for the royal capital? Wasn't the most important thing how to capture the royal capital of Thedorant?”
It was at first. Yes, at first. But now everything has changed.
Is there really a need for us to capture the royal capital? What would we do by taking such a cursed place?
In the first place, we're planning to wipe out Thedorant itself, so leaving it behind would be useless.
On top of that, now that the royal line has been cut, what use is the royal capital?
“In our Imperial Army's strategy, the Thedorant royal capital now has less value than a small defensive stronghold. Why would we do something that requires a great sacrifice to obtain, when there is no use for it?”
“Then are we to just surround the royal capital and move on to bringing down other places first?”
Just surround it and bring down other places. That's not a bad idea either.
But our Empire has become extremely angry.
Hearing that we had 'assassinated' the King of Thedorant, it's understandable.
We assassinated him? In a war we've already won, why on earth would we do such a thing?
“You can all look forward to it. We will see a truly grand fireworks display soon.”
It will probably be the Empire's greatest waste of money.
*
[ The Royal Capital of Thedorant is impregnable! The spirits of the Theian People protect this place! ]
[ For every step the Empire takes into this place, a hundred of them will have to die! ]
[ Do not forget the Glory of the Theian People! Victory is with those who struggle! ]
The supplies, scraped together from all over Thedorant and Dregali.
They are steadily being piled up in the Royal Capital, soon becoming a great fortress.
To prevent traitors from running rampant, the interior was filled with loyal individuals.
Since all the elite soldiers were deployed, the Empire would realize that this would be a different fight from before.
“The defensive strongholds and castles are collapsing one by one. They will reach the Royal Capital soon.”
“If the enemy's giant siege weapon comes, we will target it first! If necessary, we will send a commando unit and burn it all down!”
“Let us form an assassination squad as well. Since they are the ones who assassinated His Majesty the King, we will assassinate the Empire's Command Staff!”
The last flame of madness that rose showed no sign of dying down.
It will burn until someone forcibly extinguishes it. It will burn everything around it.
The Thedorant Command Staff also thinks the same. Let's see you try to put out this flame.
Even if you can put it out, your limbs will be burned to ashes.
However, if there was one fact they did not know, it was that the other side had no intention of putting out the fire.