Chapter 230 – 230. Duke’s Twelfth Sabotage (5)
– One –
“…So, I think we need to increase the Imperial army right away!”
An aristocrat sitting in the seat of the delegates raises a bloodstain around his neck and represents the opinions of the main opponents.
“I acknowledge the necessity of retaliation against the rebels that the representative said, but the budget problem is not small. How can you just insist on increasing the number of troops when it is not enough to reduce the number of troops dispatched?”
The councilor sitting in the councilor’s seat calmly refutes it.
“Then, Senator, are you saying let the rebels go as they are? Let’s give up our right to just retaliation, are you saying?!”
The veins on the neck of the representative who insisted on war rise thicker.
He was spitting and spitting out his anger.
“Calm down. It’s not. There are only 100,000 Imperial troops that have already decided to dispatch. As the representative said here, if you dispatch twice as many troops, the corresponding military funds will also double. , This is because the reserve forces must be reconvened for additional deployment.”
The councilor objected,
“That’s right. If the reserve service is re-called, those who were actively engaged in economic activities after being released from the call-up disappear in units of 10,000 at once. It eventually returns to a tax revenue gap equivalent to the war period, and as the war prolongs, the national treasury is lost due to the accumulated tax revenue gap. Furthermore, considering the compensation for the dead or injured after the war, dispatching a large army is by no means a constant.”
Another council member sitting next to him agrees.
Veins are also sprouting on the forehead of the representative of the main warlord.
Bang!
“Then what the hell are we going to do! His Highness the Crown Prince went through the humiliation of being kidnapped by rebels during his first inspection, are you saying we should just ignore it?!”
As if the representative was about to shed bloody tears, both of his eyes were burning red.
Surprisingly, the majority of the main warlords were the imperial faction, and the majority of the neo-warists were the aristocratic faction.
Despite discussing the same topic, the tone of the meeting was completely different from a few months ago.
The main proponents and the disciplinarians are completely reversed.
“Many of the imperial troops marching north have returned to annihilate the rebels besieging the islands. A large army numbering in the tens of thousands is already a money-grubbing monster just marching. To get them back north before the war breaks out, that much is needed. The budget is additionally consumed. What about military rice and consumables? Just by sending them back north, the budget and food for this year are tight, so is it feasible to send additional troops there?”
“Okay…”
Dump.
In the end, the representative of the imperial family, who had been shouting for the main battle and the expansion, collapsed in his seat.
He swallowed the bunru and shuddered.
“According to the information obtained by my enlisted men while scouting the north, it seems certain that the largest rebel base centered on the saintess is located in the north.”
A heavy, low voice shattered the silence in the conference room.
Surprisingly, it was regal.
Apart from the emperor, the only duke in the empire, who was naturally treated with respect to everyone, let alone treated with half respect, was naturally respected by others during the ceremony.
But no one was surprised by his respect.
This is because the principle of mutual respect among all lawmakers except for the chairman has been a tradition of the royal meeting that has been passed down for hundreds of years.
“At the same time, it has been determined that all rebel forces, who were the main force in the siege of the islands, escaped before the arrival of the Imperial forces.”
“No one has ever seen their face, no, everyone who has seen their face has died. How can you be sure of that?”
Viscount Uwebol speaks to Regal.
They were looking at each other and smiling.
“If the main force of the rebels had remained, wouldn’t they have been able to annihilate the rebels who were besieging the islands so easily without sacrificing the soldiers of the Imperial Army?”
“Hmm… Even on the day when the imperial army’s encirclement was perfectly formed, the soldiers, agents, and crew members who volunteered to break through the encirclement near the islands were slaughtered, but it is questionable where they were able to escape through. .”
Mumble, Mumble.
Lawmakers whisper in each other’s ears in small voices.
But when the number reached several hundred, the meeting room was consumed by a noise that sounded like a beehive.
However, Regal did not lose his smile.
“Isn’t it possible that the Imperial Army’s encirclement wasn’t perfect, and the Imperial Army soldiers didn’t recognize their flight?”
“Or you can come in properly and hide in the shelter provided by your helper or mastermind. Isn’t it?”
“…”
Regal looks at him without losing her smile.
Youth, good looks, spirit, confidence, and dubiousness.
If all of that was mixed and molded into a human shape, the result seemed to naturally result in the shape of a Regal.
“I don’t think the Islands Defense Forces are incompetent to that extent.”
“It is surprising. It seems that it has not yet been a month since you argued that the security of the islands would be in danger if even 10% of the troops were dispatched due to the incompetence of the Islands Defense Forces. It seems that the ratings were raised in an instant?”
“…”
Regal was speechless for the second time.
Still, his smile did not disappear.
“At that time, I felt uneasy about the island being surrounded, so I don’t think I made a proper judgment. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for underestimating the defense capabilities of the island defense force.”
“Of course, such an apology is only a necessary procedure. And rather than borrowing this position, it would be more appropriate to make a proper statement or visit the military base of the Islands Defense Force and apologize to the commander and soldiers. “
Cringe
Someone grinded it
The noise was by no means coming from Regal’s presence.
“But more importantly, because of the representative’s misjudgment and futile stubbornness, the defeat of the rebels besieging the system was delayed, and as a result, the rescue of His Highness the crown prince was not greatly hindered? Thanks to the representative’s insistence on the unreasonable strategy of organizing only personnel and pushing their backs to break through the siege, how many loyalists of the empire died in a short period of time? Is right.”
He seemed determined and determined to attack Regal.
Still, Regal’s expression did not collapse.
“Anyone can make a misjudgment that comes from mistakes. Such,”
“If something happens, it is only human to apologize and take responsibility.”
“…”
Regal was speechless for the third time.
His smile deepens.
“It is natural to take responsibility. Also, responsibility is something that can be lost at any time. But before that, if you overlook the dangers lurking in the North, I want you to keep in mind that something like this could happen again at any time, Senator. .”
For some reason, his expression was cool even though he was smiling.
Viscount Uwevol smiled at him.
His expression looked more than satisfied.
“The delegates are right.”
The delegates belonging to the imperial faction once again insisted on war.
“If we don’t subdue their biggest base and center, these tragic and humiliating things can happen at any time!”
“That’s right! If winning overwhelmingly before this incident was necessary for face, now it is necessary for the well-being of the Empire!”
“If the Imperial forces are pushed back, the rebels and the rebels who secretly sympathize with them may arise like wildfire!”
Members of Congress who agree with the main war theory shout out to go north indiscriminately.
Cry out for a boost
Cries for annihilation and bloody revenge.
Madness rages in the meeting room.
“Be silent.”
“…”
In an instant there is silence.
Because the chairman, that is, the emperor, opened his mouth.
If there was only one person who was allowed to do the undertaking at the Imperial Meeting, it was the emperor of the empire who was the chairman of the Imperial Meeting.
“All those in favor of increasing the Imperial Army, raise your right hand.”
Whoops, whoops.
Sarah, Sarah.
Even at a glance, the majority was an overwhelming number.
The emperor nodded.
“I declare that the Imperial Army increase has been passed.”
Land, land, land.
By tapping the gavel provided on the right side of the chairperson’s seat three times, it is declared to all participants that the agenda has been passed.
The agenda to increase the imperial army will be followed without fail, unless it is overturned through a royal meeting or the emperor dismisses it ex officio.
The reason why the country that unified the continent was called an empire, not a republic, despite this majority-ruled political system in the highest legislative body, was because of the direct authority of the emperor.
“Talk about the number of people to be dispatched.”
The controversy started.
– 2 –
Hehe…!”
Viscount Uwebol smiles merrily.
He was pounding his stomach with a T-shaped boneless steak plate in front of him.
He even poked his teeth with a fork and didn’t even wipe his greasy mouth with a napkin.
To put it bluntly, he was smiling broadly as if he had given the dignity of an aristocrat to a stray dog in exchange for food.
“Your Excellency, what are you so excited about?”
As he struggled to keep his wide-eyed eyes open, McKellen asked him a question.
He was so tired that he had already dozed off several times, even with good food right in front of him.
“Hehe. Do you know why I am constantly snooping around the system even though I am the lord who was granted the fief?”
“… Isn’t it that you are directly dedicated to the system to keep your loyalty to the imperial family?”
“Well, from the outside, that’s how it is.”
Tong, Tong.
He patted his bulging belly and wiped the grease from his clothes.
Dalgrak.
Took.
Seeing it, McKellen seemed to have lost his appetite.
To be honest, he looked far less dignified than the commoner McKellen.
“Do you have any reasons for it internally?”
“It’s because I have the right to attend the meeting.”
“Um… Is that what you’re talking about?”
“That’s right.”
McKellen imagined him attending a government meeting.
In order to keep the loyalty to the emperor and the imperial family, the appearance of pouring out passionate words,
Off
To be honest, it was hard to imagine.
“Are you enjoying attending the meeting?”
“Sure! I can’t do that, of course!”
He even splashed saliva and couldn’t hide his cheerful expression.
“There is His Majesty the Emperor at the top, and below that are the five ranks in order: Gong, Hu, Baek, Zi, and Man. If you attend, you will be honored even by the Regal! From the person who holds the first rank among the 5th rank!”
“…”
McKellen looks at Viscount Uweboll with cold eyes.
To put it more bluntly, it was closer to a pathetic look.
“And, you can directly check that Regal.”
“Ah…”
McKellen’s eyes change.
The content of respect in his gaze increases only slightly.
“Knives, sniping, and poisoning are things to worry about outside the conference room. Kidnapping and torture will only happen after that. It’s a place where savagery is excluded, and only gentlemen’s words wage war. Outside, people like me I have to tremble with fear because I don’t know when I will die, but there I can do what I do best without hesitation.”
“What is that?”
Hehe. High-ranking people, no, in front of stiff-necked bastards, as if there’s no tomorrow, snickering at them. Hehe.”
“…”
The content of respect in McKellen’s eyes evaporated as if it never existed in the first place.
“Thank you.”
“… Yes…”
As if he wasn’t expecting much, McKellen replied indifferently.
“I summoned 50,000 Imperial troops and all the great generals of House Distillery, and made them work to defend the islands throughout this war.”
“Yes… Yes?!”
With chaeng.
McKellen’s fork tumbles across the floor.
He was truly astonished for the first time in a long time.
“Did you really summon all the masters of ‘that’ Distillery family…?”
“Ah. Stupid Regal bastard… Giggle giggle…! You must be throwing furniture and wreaking havoc by now? That bastard laughed miserably throughout the meeting, and when he heard my goal at the end, his expression hardened. I should have saved the video recording in my magic tool. If I play it whenever I feel depressed, I’m sure I’ll be blown away within 3 minutes just watching it! Kyakyakyakyakyakya!”
Tuck, Tuck, Tuck!
Chareung, Chareung, Charang!
Viscount Uwevol slammed down on the table and laughed madly.
He seemed really cheerful.
Swoop.
McKellen corrects his posture.
He, too, seemed to be interested.
“What the hell happened to you?
Hehe. I scratched the Regal a little bit throughout the meeting.”
“How did you scratch?”
“No, well, is there anything special? You foolishly miscalculated and mocked me for making an accident, and kept insisting on taking responsibility and apologizing. Of course, I listened to him with respect and even received an apology several times.”
Somehow, McKellen seemed to be imagining the scene in his head.
If Viscount Uweboll was smirking and taunting right in front of him, McKellen didn’t have the confidence to put up with it.
“Then, no, well, this guy keeps threatening me that the same thing could happen to the islands at any time, so he quietly notices that we should shut up and discuss expanding the imperial army to the north?”
“So what happened?”
“But I was always just teasing Regal.”
Viscount Uweboll couldn’t hide the laughter that escaped from him as if he felt good just thinking about it.
“At the same time, isn’t it inciting the emperor’s faction to donate their own resources and add to the war expenses through the secretly planted cadres?”
“That’s…”
“Still, I ended up biting into the crotch of my Regal pants, and this guy must have been a little annoyed, so I made a mistake saying that if I didn’t wipe out the rebels, the system could fall at any time.”
“Did he just leave it alone?”
As far as talking about the emperor, Viscount Uwevol also erased his playfulness.
“Aren’t you the one who was originally in that position?”
“That…”
And then he smiles mischievously again.
“So that’s why. From then on, I started to blow the locations of the places I identified as rebel strongholds one by one throughout the empire.”
“Did you research that beforehand?”
“I didn’t do it myself. Reporters scattered all over the empire secretly gave me information. I’ve supported them diligently, and they gave me this information as well.”
“Eh, just maintaining the embargo is amazing. Isn’t such a special report something that should be featured right now? Isn’t that the physiology of a reporter and the physiology of a media company?”
Hijac.
Viscount Uweboll smiles mischievously.
His facial muscles were more active than ever before, busy expressing pleasure.
“It should be, but they gave me more money after I begged for it. After all, nothing is impossible with money. There is no such thing as nothing.”
“Ah…”
It was a way of thinking that was hard to even imagine for McKellen, a commoner.
“Anyway, thanks to that, I found out and unraveled all the information that only I was holding at the table today.”
“…It must have been an uproar.”
“Sure. We have to send a punitive force right away, we have to postpone the war to establish security within the omnidirectional empire, etc. Various items like that poured in and a mess broke out. Giggles.”
McKellen wipes his arm away as if getting goosebumps, and looks at Viscount Uwe Boll with tired eyes.
In McKellen’s eyes, Viscount Uweboll appeared to be a man with ten extra lives.
“So what happened?”
“What. They told me honestly. The rebels were completely missed, and now only vacant lands are left to be found by the informants with difficulty. I only found a book that recorded the thoughts of the rebels, but there are no informants who actually witnessed the rebels.”
“Ah… Then it doesn’t mean much, doesn’t it?”
“No. Ah, that’s not it. Not only did he already prove that traces of the rebels weren’t limited to the northern part, but he also explained that there were many informants who were presumed dead to the rebels without being able to return, and there was a bigger uproar. Isn’t the existence of an enemy force more fearful?”
“That’s right…”
Viscount Uwevol’s philtrum lengthens.
“Of course, from then on, Regal’s words were right, and if the enemy were aiming for the system, they cried out that we must thoroughly defend it unconditionally. Thanks to that, we approved the increase in the Imperial army itself, as well as the number of troops to be reinforced, as Regal suggested, but that was also our side. Since we concluded that it was necessary, it is not a waste to give up the initiative.”
McKellen never asked about the alliance he had with his saintess and others.
Reversing and destroying alliances is not uncommon in politics, and Viscount Uweboll has repeatedly warned that they are dangerous because they are too brilliant.
Perhaps, it seemed that they had concluded to break the alliance while he was gone.
“However, as we have conceded, the authority and number of Imperial Army commanders to assist in the defense of the islands depend on our opinion.”
“So, did you name the Distillery family?”
“Ah. They are the best generals in the Empire and a family as loyal to His Majesty and the Imperial family as the Imperial family, so wouldn’t they be a thorn in the eyes of Regal?
“Oh… Regal must be heartbroken?”
“Nothing. Hehe.”
The two looked at each other and smiled mischievously.
At some point, McKellen’s expression resembled that of Viscount Uweboll.
“Regal must have been trying to find out at today’s meeting whether I knew the identity of the rebels and whether he was behind them. “
“But now, I don’t think we can be sure of anything. You didn’t point to the Regal as being behind it, and you just revealed that there are rebels all over the islands through other channels.
Viscount Uwevol shook his head.
“Perhaps he’ll doubt it to the end. That’s what he’s like.”
“… It’s a little gross, his persistence like that.”
“Because he was persistent, wouldn’t he be trying to maintain that status and head to a higher place?”
Viscount Uwebol pulled out a hip flask filled with whiskey.
Seruk, Pong!
Cobbled cobbled cobbled.
Took.
Pour cheap whiskey into an empty glass.
Cheap incense starts to spread throughout the room.
“I’m still worried. I summoned 50,000 elite imperial troops and the masters of the Distillery family, but it seems that Regal gave in too meekly.”
“Didn’t you make another condition?”
Gulp.
Viscount Uwebol takes a sip of his whiskey.
It was bittersweet.
“What the heck. Only recruit infantry, don’t take out siege weapons, exclude mage units or shaman units from support, and leave the leadership of all other Imperial forces to the expedition commander. There are so many conditions. Didn’t you take it?”
“… I don’t know what his true purpose is, but if he doesn’t have the means to cause massacre, he seems overflowing with confidence to achieve his goal even against 50,000 imperial troops by using the rebels he raised.”
“So he must have agreed under the guise of concession. He’s a man who doesn’t want to lose anything.”
“…”
There is silence for a while.
They were each lost in their own thoughts.
“I gave Regal a shot, but the Marquis fell flat on his face to emphasize that he was not rebelling against Regal, but to strengthen the defense of the rear.”
“Ah…”
“Because of that, he must be having fun with his wives now and getting rid of his anger.”
Hijac.
His sinister smile contained a certain bitterness.
“How long is the war left?”
“If the imperial army advances rapidly, they will arrive at the place designated as the temporary garrison in about a fortnight from now, and the follow-up units will have to march for about a month more from there. I can’t tell exactly when they’ll arrive, because I’ve failed to track them, but they’ll usually arrive around that time. Nobles from the Isles will be on their way in ten days, and they’ll arrive on time. So at least late August is the countdown to the war. Won’t you go?”
“Then, it seems reasonable to assume that the first units are already blockading the north.”
“It will.”
“I don’t know if Huchi and Slammer can safely return…”
“It’s frustrating because there’s no contact. It’s already time to arrive, but seeing that they still haven’t installed the ultra-long-range communication magic tools, I think it’s unlikely they’ve even reached that place. Communication with them must be established before the Regal goes out. I’m going to do it…”
The faces of the two men darken.
They were realizing in earnest that they had been completely caught up in the whirlpool of an unknown war.