552 – Purple Coronet, Blue Blood – 11

Every day was meaningless. If someone were to ask me about my life, I would probably use the expression that I am unable to die rather than saying that I am living.

I am living because I cannot die. I suffered like a dog at the mercy of incredibly incompetent people, prepared myself for the worst, and tried to avoid the worst, but I myself could not avoid the worst.

What if the country survives? What can I do if His Majesty the King is fine?

‘I ended up like this.’

This is ridiculous. The price for preventing the worst in my country is the worst in myself. I never thought I would become the ill-fated patriot I only saw in history and novels.

“We were abandoned by our country!”

Suddenly, the adjutant’s angry cry came to mind and I let out a sigh.

It was a profane thing that neither a noble nor a soldier should say, but he could not deny it. As the adjutant said, our expeditionary force was abandoned by our country. Because only then can our country survive. Because it can relieve a little of the anger of the Empire and Armain that the motherland must bear.

In fact, if the commander had been the only one who had been reduced to an outcast, he would have given his country’s decision a hearty standing ovation. No matter how soldiers are in the upper command, the cubs are the one who came to the place through politics, Abu, and bribes. It was a known fact that he was in league with the incompetent former cabinet.

He was even corrupt, incompetent, self-righteous, and shameless, so ‘a soldier has no choice but to follow orders.’ That excuse doesn’t work either. There were a lot of things that that b*stard did on his own that you can’t believe he was simply following orders.

‘Is such a commander not enough?’

However, unfortunately, the country’s homeland – the Minister of Internal Affairs decided that in order to quell the anger of the two great powers, not just one commander, but the entire expeditionary force should be thrown away. If you look at it objectively, it is not a wrong decision.

The only problem is that I was included in the expeditionary force and sold along.

“I hope your family is doing well.”

I muttered while lying down on the cot. I’m worried about my future, but I’m also worried about whether my family will be okay. The youngest corps commander, who was the pride of his family, was suddenly sold off.

The only consolation is that, unlike other ministers, the Minister of Internal Affairs is a man of common sense, and he will not lay a hand on the families of the expeditionary force. We didn’t really commit a crime, we sacrificed ourselves for the country, but if we persecute their families, the Minister of Internal Affairs who took power through a coup will suffer a counter coup.

However, I feel like crying when I think about never seeing my family again. I said goodbye and said I would return in good health, but that ended up being my last goodbye.

“Huh…”

As I roughly washed my face, I sighed for an unknown number of times. If you had known this would happen, would you have deserted instead of detaining the commander?

No, then the remaining family members are in danger. It’s like killing my family to save myself.

‘Did you have to get hurt somewhere during the fight?’

No, not that either. Even though it was an expeditionary force, there was no shortage of treatment personnel. Since most wounds can be treated quickly, in order to leave the force, you would have to suffer an injury that would put you on the edge between life and death.

Ultimately, this future was decided from the moment I first joined the expeditionary force. From the moment I became a soldier in this ugly country, my doom was decided.

‘I wish I could have decided on my nationality.’

I even had that thought as I was in such an extreme situation. Until now, there have been no complaints about being a nobleman of Quironos. Although he suffered because of his incompetent superiors, he did his best to enjoy wealth, fame, and power.

But if he had known that he would fall at this age, he would have just lived as a commoner. Even the life of a humble commoner would have been better than this life.

Oh, except Leon. Anyway, it’s not Leon.

‘…Huh?’

Just as I was thinking about whether I should commit suicide cleanly, I felt a commotion outside the barracks.

Of course, there had been a period of silence after the decision to sell the Expeditionary Force’s items was made, but the commotion felt now was not despair and anger, but a turmoil filled with bewilderment—

“Oh, there you are.”

?

As soon as he saw the face of the person who entered the barracks, his head froze.

The head he could not accept the information sent by the eyes his. For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming with my eyes open.

“Oh my. “Did you wake me up from my sleep?”

“Oh, no, no!”

My head, which had stopped at the sound of the voice that followed, began to turn again.

“Meet His Excellency Count Tylglehen!”

I violently lifted my body from the bed and fell down on the floor.

A monster that could determine the life or death of me and the expeditionary force appeared before my eyes.

I resented the fact that there was only water and beef jerky in the barracks. If I had known this would happen, I would have pecked the adjutant and kept the tea leaves.

“That’s frugal. The commander opened a restaurant in his barracks. It looks like the expeditionary force survived because of commanders like you.”

“It’s too much praise.”

However, this wretchedness seems to have been good in the count’s eyes.

I feel like I’m going crazy. It feels like I’m going back and forth between heaven and hell in just one minute.

“Were you surprised by the sudden arrival?”

The Count, who noticed that I was weighed down by tension, smiled and asked.

Why are you asking the obvious, you crazy person?

“I didn’t know that Your Excellency would come to where the criminal was.”

Since I couldn’t answer that, I answered in as pure a way as possible.

At the same time, it was sincere. The expeditionary force, which was completely in the hands of the empire, came directly to visit the corps commander who was no different from a prisoner. Even though it was enough to send a messenger or summon me, the person came.

“I’m sorry. I have something to suggest to you.”

“Suggestion… Do you mean?”

“Yes, a suggestion. I am recommending it because I am disappointed, but you should show sincerity by coming to see me in person.”

At those words, I looked at the Count blankly. It’s extremely awkward to say you’re sorry or to say that you came here in person because you felt sorry.

And I’ve only just realized it, but the title for me has also been upgraded from you to you.

‘Are they the same person?’

When I expressed my intention to surrender to the Empire and Armain, I remembered the Count who pressured me without mercy. That person and this person at that time are the same person?

‘Do you have a dual personality?’

It may be a rude thought, but how dare you even think of such a thing. If that’s not a double personality, then what is a double personality?

“I came here suddenly, so let me speak quickly. First, I plan to send the entire expeditionary force back to Quironos.”

“…Yes?”

However, a remark came out of the earl’s mouth that would make one quickly forget about the number of his personalities.

“Quoronus said that he would leave the treatment of the force to the empire, so it is the empire’s intention to send them back. His Majesty took pity on those who came to a foreign land according to his orders and ordered them to be sent back to their homeland.”

“Woe, I don’t know what to do with Your Majesty’s grace.”

“But I wish you would stay.”

Due to the successive shocks, my head turned white again. Why did I just say I was sending everything back?

‘Why on earth?’

I desperately shook my head. Why are you asking me to stay? Is it possible that you were accused of a scandalous crime because you said you would surrender last time? If that’s really the reason, isn’t it too cruel?

“Quaronos is too small a lake for a talented person like you. You should have fun in the ocean called the Empire.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t a scandalous crime, but I was so shocked that I thought it would have been better if it had been a scandalous crime.

I received an offer of asylum from a powerful figure in the empire.

***

Recruiting Alfonso was easier than persuading the Margrave.

“There is no need to feel guilty. It was Quoronos who betrayed his faith his first. Didn’t he abandon you, who were loyal to him, out of necessity?”

“Are you worried about your family? If so, we will allow your family in Quironos to come to the empire as well. That’s simple.”

“Why you? I thought it would be good if your abilities and loyalty were directed towards the empire. There is no particular reason.”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter if you bring your lieutenants or colleagues. The more talented people you have, the better. Don’t worry, we’ll bring their families too.”

As the convert’s concerns were quickly resolved, Alfonso’s heart quickly turned towards the empire.

I was abandoned in a loyalty for a lifetime, and I was a gentle first impression. It would be even stranger if you couldn’t look at the sturdy-looking rope that came down while you were mentally unstable.

“There are a lot of territories I have acquired this time, and although the position of High Lord has an owner, there is no one below him. I would like to leave some of them to your family.”

“…I will become an imperial citizen.”

The final blow was the offer of substantial compensation. They say that not only you but your family can become lords if you convert, but you refuse that?

“I will be loyal to the empire with all my life…”

And Alfonso, who announced his conversion, shed tears as if the tension had eased.

It was such a sad sight that I couldn’t help but sympathize with it. How would I feel if I went to a foreign country on the emperor’s orders and was sold to that foreign country? He must have been so angry at the sense of betrayal that he tore up the sky in the direction of the islands.

“Just work as much as the empire gives you. There is no need to dedicate yourself more than that.”

That’s why I patted Alfonso’s shoulder and comforted him.

“Don’t go anywhere and say I said this.”

“Yes! I will keep that in mind!”

With advice that becomes your blood and flesh.

Where is unconditional loyalty? You only work for what you get. If the empire asks for a sacrifice when there is nothing to give, it is not guilty even if you escape.

‘It’s over now.’

Anyway, I left the Quironos Kingdom army’s garrison with light steps.

A new royal family was established, a considerable number of fiefdoms were collected, the dukedom was given to the right people, and unexpected talents were discovered. In my opinion, it was a truly fruitful business trip.

Next time I go to another country, I hope it will be at this level. Of course, the best thing is not to go on a business trip at all.

‘Long-distance commuting will soon end.’

I stretched out and headed to Leon Castle. Now, once I finish the minor post-processing, my place of work will be next to Rize’s.

Now I can finally enjoy my newlywed life.