Chapter 19
The sun sets and darkness descends.
I invited the promising officers I had my eye on to a famous restaurant in District 11 of the Capital.
All the seats are in private rooms, and the atmosphere is luxurious, perfect for secret conversations.
"Now, everyone, sit down. It's all on me tonight, so don't hold back."
"Th, Thank you very much, Your Excellency."
"There are various drinks. What would you like? Coffee? Or alcohol? Tea?"
The officers sit down hesitantly, glancing around the table. They seem mesmerized by the delicacies laid out before them.
Well, it can't be helped. They're friends who were born into poor and impoverished families and enlisted to make a living.
Unlike me, with a star on my shoulder, a maintenance allowance, and a dedicated chef, what chance would a field-grade officer have to eat such good food?
Actually, it’s been a few years since I’ve enjoyed such luxury, as I’ve been stuck in the Northern Region… Anyway.
"Would it be alright to request wine?"
"I, I'd like whiskey…"
"Alright. For about twenty people… Bring seven bottles of Eindolf wine and three bottles of Talaran whiskey!"
Eindolf and Talaran are famous for their exceptional grape farms and distillation techniques, even before the war.
Thanks to that, the wine and whiskey produced there are considered the best in The Kingdom.
It was extravagant to treat lower-ranking officers with such things, but I decided to spare no expense today.
If I'm going to treat them, I should do it properly, right?
Soon, the waiter brought the drinks, and I opened the bottles with a corkscrew. Then I personally poured a glass for everyone and handed it to them.
"Everyone, take a glass. I'll give the toast. To The Kingdom!"
"""To The Kingdom!!!"""
Glass clinked in the air, and high-proof red and golden liquids passed over lips and down throats.
The sweetness of the grapes, the aroma of malt and oak barrels stimulated each person's sense of taste and smell.
After lightly setting the mood with the power of alcohol, we started our meal in earnest.
We sliced the meat and picked up each piece with a fork, dipping the soft grilled salmon in sauce and enjoying it.
We savored the leisure and abundance we couldn’t experience on the battlefield or in the barracks, relieving our usual hardships with gastronomy.
"It's quite nice here for my first time. How is it to your taste? Do you like it?"
"Yes!"
"Such luxurious treatment for a mere Lieutenant Colonel... I'm truly grateful!!"
"Haha, don't be so hard on yourself. It’s no good for a soldier protecting The Kingdom to be so self-deprecating."
The tense attitude they had from being in the presence of a four-star general like myself had disappeared, and a comfortable atmosphere gradually settled in.
Many had slightly flushed faces from the alcohol, and their expressions had relaxed.
'It's time to start.'
Judging that it was time to bring up the main topic, I poured another drink for everyone and opened my mouth.
"How's army life these days? Is the work manageable?"
"Well, that's…"
"It's okay to be honest. The person in front of you is the current head of the Coup d'état. I don't mind if you badmouth the old top brass."
They responded to my proposal in the first place because they had complaints.
They were momentarily taken aback by the sudden request to badmouth their former superiors. Soon, realizing that I was the one who had ousted those superiors and taken their places, they began to speak one by one.
"To be honest, I'm not very satisfied."
"Even though I work hard enough to receive the Excellence in Performance Award, I'm always passed over for promotion. After several years of that, I don't want to put in any effort anymore."
"I received my promotion order to Brigade Staff and was preparing to move. But some nobleman said he wanted my position and stole my orders. My career was severely disrupted because of that."
Words they could never utter under normal circumstances.
However, with the help of alcohol, and since it was me they were talking to, they spoke without hesitation, expressing the resentment they always had to keep hidden.
They are my subordinates in rank. But in terms of military experience, some are equal to me or even several years my senior.
Although my promotion was exceptionally fast, even considering that, everyone’s rank was quite low. Due to that damn class discrimination.
I quietly listened to their grievances, which had accumulated for a few years, or nearly 20 years for some. I gently comforted them.
"You've been through a lot. I know how you feel. I went through a lot when I was young."
"Your Excellency? Come to think of it, the House of Roytel is…"
"An insignificant rural Nobility. No different from wealthy commoners except for the 'von' in the name."
Our backgrounds are not that different.
I subtly reminded them of this, increasing the sense of camaraderie between us.
"It pains me to see such promising individuals struggling. If you're okay with it, I'd like to personally help you."
"Help… you say?"
"Yes. Isn't the reason you haven't been promoted because you haven't had the chance to properly demonstrate your merits and be recognized for them? I'll create an environment where you can fully demonstrate your capabilities and stand out. Whether it's in a newly formed unit or anywhere else."
Their gazes were focused on me. Feeling satisfied with this, I lit a cigarette.
It's unimaginable in my past life in Korea, but smoking during a meal is commonplace here.
Inhaling and exhaling the smoke, I held up a finger to everyone.
"But there's one condition."
"Please tell us! I'll do anything as long as it's not becoming a devil worshiper!"
"If you just help us, I can be your loyal subject for life!!"
They're already willing to switch sides. That’s why I arranged this meeting.
Well, it’s good. It will be much easier to persuade them if they’re already inclined.
"It's nothing difficult. Become my people."
"If it's just that--"
"I don't just mean to be on my side. I mean to be loyal to me first and foremost, to prioritize me over the King."
I don't need guys who just flatter me to get scraps.
I could find a bunch of those hangers-on in any department in the military. It’s obvious they’d switch sides if I just gave them enough bribes.
The talent that I, the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, need are those who will become truly one with us. Loyal subjects who share our will and will not betray us.
That’s why I screened the guys I invited here, selecting only those who showed potential.
"You mean think of Your Excellency before His Majesty, even though we belong to the Kingdom's Army…?"
"Th, that's an act of betraying the Royal Family, Your Excellency."
"I don't mean to openly oppose them. Obey the orders of your superiors as usual, but follow me only in special cases."
"You're asking us to break the oath of loyalty we swore upon enlistment? I betrayed His Majesty--"
"The Monarch betrayed us first!!"
I slammed my hand on the table. I stepped on a chair with my military boots and looked down at everyone.
"Everyone here knows my career! Don't you?! Ten fucking years rotting in the freezing Northlands, fighting those Empire bastards to the death! The Great Plains, me and the Northern Army bled and fought tooth and nail to hold it!!"
The room falls silent. I can feel their gazes fixated on my face, which must be red not just from the alcohol.
"But that King bastard abandoned us to buy trinkets! He abandoned the Front Line we've protected for 10 years because he didn't have money for luxuries! If this isn't betrayal, what is?! Huh?! Is it right for a proper country to throw away those who have been loyal for 10 years, a time long enough to change the world?!"
I pointed at the guy sitting closest to me and yelled.
"And you guys too! You guys studied hard at the military academy, got commissioned, and worked your asses off! But you're getting passed over for promotion and still haven't got a star despite your age. Isn't this real betrayal?! Aren’t you frustrated? Look me in the eye and tell me! Weren't you honestly frustrated and suffocated enough to try and fix the army by coming to me like this!"
I lowered my hand and head. I leaned on the table and lowered my voice. I gave the impression that I was barely containing my anger.
"That's why I occupied this Royal Capital and am overturning everything. Because the country isn't a country and the army isn't an army! Because I wanted at least reward and gratitude for those who worked hard and dedicated themselves!"
Some would criticize this as radical. But if it's not radical, society won't change.
To fix this clogged and corrupt nation, I had no choice but to become violent.
They're listening quietly because they understand this, even if they don't say it out loud.
"Have you heard this saying? 'The moment of Revolution is short, but its glory will last long'. Overturning things ends quickly, but the fruits of it remain. I will never monopolize those fruits alone."
I ripped the armband symbolizing the Revolutionary Army from my Uniform. And threw it on the table.
Calming my agitated tone, I politely offered it to them.
"Take it. And follow me. Join our Revolutionary Army and reclaim the honor and position you deserve. I dare to guarantee you won't regret it."
A silence that felt like an hour for every second passed. Then someone asked me in a trembling voice.
"Will you truly treat us as equals in the Revolutionary Army?"
"Yes. The Supreme Council will provide you with benefits. If you're just loyal, I'll make sure you're never dissatisfied."
"Without discrimination in promotion, too?"
"Yes! You'll all be able to retire with at least two stars. I can even arrange a position in the Supreme Council if you want. You all have the qualifications and the skills!"
It's not just about taking care of my own side, they really have the potential.
If they were born into decent families, they would have aimed for Major General, Lieutenant General, even General.
My proposal, in a way, is to put them on the same playing field as others and let them demonstrate their abilities.
"...Alright. I'll trust you, Your Excellency."
"Please don't betray our trust."
"Don't worry. I'm not that idiot Karl."
And so, the future of the Kingdom's Army fell into my hands.
* * * * *
And a few days later.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency. Would you like to join me in chopping off the King's head?"
"What the hell are you talking about."
I met a crazy woman.