Chapter 31. Successful Defection

After arriving at the camp.

Josef constructed temporary tents next to the camp to accommodate the soldiers.

He didn't impose any disadvantages on the prisoners except for prohibiting weapons and using some of his troops for guarding and surveillance.

While gradually moving troops outside the camp, it seemed certain that Josef was aiming for the Rus Kingdom.

Now, what I need to do is simple.

The moment he confirmed our surrender, Josef would have sent a messenger towards the capital.

Since it was the Empress who wanted to persuade me even after my execution was decided, she will try to reverse the decision to execute me.

However, other nobles will move according to their own thoughts, so that reversal won't be easily decided.

When news of the surrender arrives, the nobles in the imperial palace will immediately start a meeting, so if I want to reflect my voice even a little, I need to arrive in Rainesburg before their result is decided.

It's also better to move as quickly as possible to gain the Empress’ favor.

On the way here, I could easily catch up with the messenger even if I went leisurely because I used Phlegethon, but I can't get that help on the way back.

I have to ride by changing horses only with the token given by the Empress, so I might have to suffer a bit this time.

"Anna, Alexandrov. I'm counting on you."

"Understood."

I entrusted the soldiers to the two corps commanders and headed to Rainesburg without delay.

Although a few gray dots followed me, perhaps Josef had attached surveillance, they fell off one by one as I kept riding without rest.

...When I arrive in the empire and meet the Empress will be the watershed moment.

I'm nervous, but I've finished the plan.

All that's left is execution.

---

After Josef's letter containing the content that Viktor had led the army and surrendered arrived at the imperial palace.

Empress Louise and the nobles had been meeting for days about Viktor's treatment.

"Your Majesty! It's time to embrace him and show your magnanimity!"

"If we utilize him, we can make the Rus Kingdom's military power directly into the empire's!"

The imperial faction argued for reversing the execution.

Those who truly followed the Empress considered that she desired Viktor.

Even if not, they cited reasons such as the usefulness of utilizing prisoners, managing after destroying the Rus Kingdom, and many other uses if Viktor was kept alive.

"The execution is already a decided matter!"

"Viktor, that man is dangerous! When annexing the Rus Kingdom in the future, his influence will grow unnecessarily large!"

The noble faction argued for carrying out the execution.

They thought the Rus Kingdom's surrender was just a matter of time.

As news that rebellion had occurred within the kingdom also arrived, immediately when the ceasefire ended.

Or, the noble faction thought there was a high possibility the kingdom would surrender even before the ceasefire ended.

Since sending Viktor back to the Rus Kingdom was close to the Empress’ unilateral decision, the nobles perceived the large-scale surrender of the Rus Kingdom army as an achievement of the imperial faction.

There was also an expectation that if Viktor became part of the empire, he would become a member of the imperial faction with the huge foundation of the Rus Kingdom.

Moreover, if they executed Viktor and minimized his presence as much as possible, the subsequent surrender of the Rus Kingdom and the 20,000 prisoners could be diluted as Josef's achievement on the battlefield.

The noble faction, who were trying to preserve their power as much as possible, raised their voices at this opportunity.

"Didn't Your Majesty make the execution decision!"

"Isn't flexibility according to the situation important!"

Originally, Theodore spoke the most in meetings, but he was now observing after sensing the Empress’ uncomfortable appearance.

As the head of the imperial faction withdrew, the two forces clashed fiercely despite their difference in power.

Louise rubbed her forehead as she watched the nobles raising their voices in front.

Tired of unproductive meetings, she had been silently watching the nobles argue for a while.

Meeting promising individuals, talking with them, and observing their stories up close was the reason she started this play.

However, choosing the position of Empress of the empire became a problem.

Right now, the imperial faction is saying things that please her, but…

Just yesterday's meeting, they rejected many of her proposals including additional construction of Phlegethon, so the imperial faction didn't feel entirely like her power.

As for the noble faction, they only interfered at every turn.

In the end, both the imperial faction and the noble faction were hindrances to her.

She could do less than she had initially expected.

"If you had won in the first place, this wouldn't be happening, right?"

"What did you say?"

"Hah..."

Louise was gradually losing motivation.

She let the meeting content go in one ear and out the other, considering whether she should satisfy her desires in another way.

Just going around as a single human and meeting promising humans.

At that moment.

-Bang.

"Your Majesty!"

A messenger hurriedly opened the door and entered, kneeling at the entrance.

"Viktor, that man has arrived!"

"Viktor?"

Louise, who had been sitting with a bored expression, immediately stood up upon hearing news of the one who dared to threaten her.

"Where is he now?"

"He was at the main gate of the imperial palace!"

"Good."

Excited by news of the most impressive human she had seen,

"Recess! The meeting will resume in an hour, no. Three hours later!"

"Your Majesty!"

"As per Your Majesty's will, the meeting will resume at 5 PM!"

She immediately declared the suspension of the meeting and quickly left the conference room.

Before other nobles could say anything, Theodore, who had only been watching, stepped forward first and agreed with her intention.

As it was clear where her destination would be, Theodore immediately followed behind her.

"Heheheh..."

There had been no human other than Viktor who withstood the Red Dragon's pressure, especially one who responded while making eye contact in the face of that pressure.

Although it was almost 20 days since Viktor left the imperial palace, Louise still hadn't forgotten the expectation she felt then.

She walked with quick steps, and her maids and nobles hurriedly followed behind her.

"What should we do?"

"What on earth..."

As they got closer to the imperial palace entrance where Viktor was said to be, there were more servants moving urgently somewhere.

"I should report upwards... Your Majesty?"

"What's all this commotion?"

"A man called Viktor is causing a disturbance in front of the imperial palace!"

"Oh ho. Didn't the guards step in?"

"He has a token engraved with Your Majesty's emblem, so to ask Your Majesty's intention..."

"I see. Maintain the current state. I'll go personally."

"Yes!"

At this news, Louise quickened her pace with a faint smile.

Eventually, she could face a wall made of guards.

"Move aside."

"...! Yes! Understood! Everyone! Move to the left and right!"

At her single word, the soldiers who had been standing tensely facing outside immediately parted.

In the middle, Viktor was standing holding the token she had given him.

Viktor's appearance was quite different from when he departed.

His hair was completely disheveled as if he had rushed here, and his slightly lowered head and half-closing eyes showed clear signs of fatigue.

Moreover, his whole body was damp with sweat, and his lips were dry and cracked.

"Viktor."

However, when Viktor raised his head at Louise's call.

"..."

"Oh ho."

Louise could confirm that his eyes, filled with determination, were still as intense as before.

Satisfied with that, before she could say anything,

"Your Majesty Louise Zainburg. I have a plea."

Viktor suddenly knelt before her.

Those gathered began to murmur in surprise at the sudden change in situation.

"Those who surrendered with me are just people forcibly dragged to the battlefield by greedy nobles. You may take my head, but please allow my subordinates to choose their own path."

"..."

"They have families waiting for them, and hometowns. Please bestow your mercy with a broad mind on them alone."

He pleaded to her with a polite yet desperate tone he had never shown before.

"Mercy, is it?"

Louise stopped her steps at Viktor's desperate appearance.

She observed his kneeling figure with interest and pondered.

Theodore, watching the situation standing behind her, sensed that things were taking a strange turn.

Whether Viktor had continued to cause a disturbance until the Empress came, not only guards but numerous citizens had gathered here.

In addition to Louise and the nobles who followed behind her, they had all seen Viktor's heartfelt plea.

If Viktor had quietly entered the imperial palace and waited for his fate, his request would have been immediately ignored, but…

Louise Zainburg was someone who emphasized mercifulness even usually.

Now that Viktor, whose name was already widely known, had publicly sought mercy in front of everyone, the Empress couldn't just ignore his request.

Considering Louise's attitude towards Viktor until now, her answer was set.

"Interesting. What do you all think?"

"We will follow Your Majesty's decision."

Theodore could predict how Louise would respond, but he couldn't dare suggest a different opinion.

No matter how much power individual nobles have, they are nominally the Empress’ subjects, so opposing the Empress’ opinion in this place is too dangerous regardless of power.

Especially Theodore, being of the imperial faction, had no choice but to follow the Empress’ will once the situation was set like this.

Even if Viktor survives and the prisoners defect to follow him, there are ways to deal with it.

Instead of stepping forward immediately to check Viktor, Theodore remained silent and pondered future measures.

"Is that so?"

Louise slowly approached Viktor, who was kneeling on the ground.

"The idea of relying on my leniency was good, but…"

She approached right in front of Viktor and bent her waist slightly.

"Didn't you say before that you weren't afraid of death? Your head, already decided for execution, doesn't seem to fit the condition."

Although she had no interest in state affairs, she wasn't stupid.

She knew how to lead this situation.

"May I take it to mean you can do anything for your subordinates?"

"Of course."

"Hahahahaha!"

Louise's majestic laughter drew everyone's attention.

"Swear eternal loyalty to me, and prove that you have value far exceeding the losses you've inflicted on the empire. Then, I shall bestow mercy."

She stopped laughing and seriously proposed to Viktor.

"Without fail. I shall do so."

Viktor immediately answered firmly with a voice filled with indignation.

"Good. Then, I shall give you your first order, rise and receive it."

"Yes."

He raised his body slightly and politely clasped his hands.

"Go to the Rus Kingdom prisoners, directly ask their intentions, and then dispose of them accordingly."

This was an expression of mercy born from her favor towards Viktor, as well as a will to check the disliked noble faction and imperial faction while giving weight to Viktor.

"...Thank you, Your Majesty."

Viktor, hearing Louise's order, flinched greatly and then bowed his head deeply in respect.

"We'll decide the details later. You there! Take this man to a guest room and wash him!"

"Yes!"

Louise turned around while giving orders to her maids, and Viktor slowly headed towards the guest room supported by the approaching maids.

A twisted smile didn't leave the corners of his mouth as he lowered his head.