Chapter 36. Truth or Lies (2)

I've fought for ten years in the Northern Region's snowfields.

A period long enough for a young man's youth to pass entirely.

Time enough for a newborn child to become a young boy or girl.

A duration in which someone's life and values can be completely overturned.

I've sacrificed more than a third of my current life for the Kingdom, fighting for my life there and barely surviving.

During that time, the young man who was first assigned to the unit became a war veteran covered in scars,

and the second lieutenant who wanted a leisurely life became a war-torn veteran seeking only survival.

For my family.

For my comrades.

For my brothers.

For my friends.

For my cherished subordinates.

For my respected superiors.

For the soldiers who believed in me.

For the coachman who delivered supplies every month.

And for myself.

I fought on, forcing myself to find motivation by clinging to every reason I could.

I rallied the demoralized soldiers with empty words, lifting their spirits.

Even when I wanted to give up fighting and die, I gritted my teeth and held onto my gun and baton.

Surviving one day, enduring one day, begging for one more day.

Relying on primal survival instincts and a fading sense of duty.

That's how I spent ten years.

"It's absurd."

Because that's how I've spent my entire adult life.

I was furious when that bitch of a Queen ordered us to retreat from the Front Line for the sake of her luxury.

It felt like my entire life, filled with hardship and struggle, was being completely denied.

Because I didn't want to accept that all the dedication and effort I'd put in was meaningless, I overthrew the Kingdom with the help of my subordinates who shared the same thought.

I seized Power because I didn't want to become a victim of petty politics, and I engaged in politics to be rewarded for my past contributions.

My actions so far could be summarized by two words: survival and the pursuit of reward.

"Unbelievable."

But now, are even you going to claim that all our fighting was meaningless? Even you Imperial bastards who tried to kill us for ten years?

Are you saying that it was a mistake for us to take up arms and go to the Front Line in the first place?

"It's a lie. It's a lie! Tell me it's a lie right now!! How dare you belittle the sacrifices of our soldiers?! Are you trying to play games after begging for negotiations!!!"

"Cough. Th-That's not..."

"Your Excellency! Please let go of him. Using violence in an official meeting will have serious repercussions!!"

I lunged at Leclerc, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him.

Ignoring all decorum and manners, I held him tight and roared with bloodshot eyes.

Desperately hoping that the horrific statement I just heard was nonsense.

Freed by the intervention of my subordinates who rushed in, he caught his breath and barely managed to retort.

"It's not a game. I'm simply telling the truth. Why would I provoke your anger when I'm in a position to bargain for my Life?"

"So you're saying what you just said is true?"

"Yes. It's common knowledge within our United Empire, even among children in the countryside. How the Kingdom insulted the Empire and brought this War upon itself."

Leclerc shrugged and met my gaze.

"Since you seem curious, I'll tell you. A long time ago, that is, long before the War broke out, there was a time when relations between the Empire and the Kingdom were amicable, you know?"

"....I've heard of it."

I've heard from my mother that there was a time when the two countries actively interacted and fostered friendship.

Although I was too young to experience it myself.

When I regained my composure and lowered my voice, Leclerc continued his explanation.

"Our two nations sometimes cooperated and sometimes collaborated in fighting against external Threats. 32 years ago, when the Daiching Empire invaded, we joined forces and repelled them."

".....The Five-Year War, you mean."

"Truly a great victory. I also participated in that War as a second lieutenant when I was young."

It was a time when the Daiching Empire was fiercely rampant, waging wars of conquest everywhere.

They said the two countries blocked the expeditionary force of some four hundred thousand strong bastards and repelled them after several battles.

It took five years from the Declaration of War to the signing of the peace Treaty, hence the name.

"Since the relationship was so good, it wasn't a particularly strange decision to try to strengthen it through a marriage Alliance. Though it turned out to be an incredibly foolish act in the end."

Leclerc clicked his tongue and spat on the floor.

"When Your Kingdom's Crown Prince came of age, His Majesty the Emperor wished to pair him with his Second Princess. With the intention of binding the two Royal Families by blood and providing a strong political backing."

"The Crown Prince's current Queen is the daughter of the House of Liebert. I've never heard of him trying to marry a foreigner."

I felt uneasy. I was certain that House Liebert had secured their position as in-laws to the Royal Family by sending their daughter to the palace.

Wasn't it thanks to the Royal Family's backing that Sigmund von Liebert, despite his ridiculously inadequate achievements and abilities, obtained the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Western Front?

In the first place, it was because that idiot caused such a huge mess that I had to conscript even the Nobility's Private Soldiers to clean it up. But a royal marriage?

"That's likely the case. It fell apart just as discussions were about to conclude."

"...I'd appreciate a more detailed explanation."

"His Imperial Majesty intended to invite your Kingdom's Crown Prince and arrange a meeting with the Imperial Princess. It was meant for them to become acquainted and, if possible, develop a favorable impression of each other. However, things went terribly wrong from their very first meeting."

He gritted his teeth, as if the memory still angered him.

"That Crown Prince did something unspeakable to Her Imperial Highness. I don't know exactly what it was, but... it was enough to make the Princess cry and the Emperor furious. It must have been the kind of disrespect that would ruin him socially if it ever became public knowledge, wouldn't you agree?"

"Excuse me?"

So, he went on a blind date arranged by his potential father-in-law and got kicked out for crossing the line on the first meeting? What kind of ridiculous story is this?

"As a result, the Crown Prince and his entourage were immediately deported back to the Kingdom, and the betrothal was off. You're well aware of what transpired afterward."

"The War, you mean."

"Indeed. How could he stand idly by after his beloved second daughter was humiliated and the Empire's honor was shattered? Revenge was inevitable, even if it meant a long and arduous struggle."

It's a persuasive argument. Even assuming it's true, it's a plausible explanation without any inconsistencies.

However.

Precisely because of that, it’s hard to believe.

Royalty value their face and dignity above all else.

They're the type to gossip and backbite for days over a minor breach of table manners.

And they would go to a distant Foreign Country, an important ally no less, and ruin the nation's prestige and goodwill with such idiotic behavior? Does that even make sense?

As if to deliver the final blow to my wavering skepticism, Leclerc added one more remark.

"Think about it the other way around. Is there any precedent for a Monarch's heir marrying an ordinary noble? Isn't it common sense that they marry Royalty, even if it's from a small nation?"

"....!!"

Now that I think about it, he's right.

This fantasy world is similar to medieval Europe.

International marriages among the ruling class are common, and marrying within the same social standing is considered the norm.

It's not like Joseon, where they issue marriage bans and choose the Crown Prince's bride from among the yangban and officials' families. That concept doesn't even exist here.

Unless it's a family ruling a duchy or county, they wouldn't even consider them as marriage prospects.

'House Liebert...was an ordinary family. Their influence was mediocre.'

If they took a daughter-in-law from a family that didn't possess its own independent territory, had mediocre power and wealth, there must have been a serious reason.

If that reason was the fallout from the broken engagement and the diplomatic breakdown with the Empire...it all fits together perfectly.

"Thank you for the detailed explanation."

I managed to reply through gritted teeth. It felt like I was barely maintaining my composure.

"However, it's difficult to trust your words immediately. We are enemies, after all. You could be fabricating lies right now to deceive me."

"I understand. It's hard to accept everything based solely on one side's account."

Unlike me, who was bewildered and at a loss,

Leclerc nodded understandingly, appearing completely at ease.

"Go back and investigate it yourself. With your authority, you should be able to mobilize the Kingdom's Intelligence Department, shouldn't you? If you look carefully, you'll surely find that my words were true."

"...I will do that."

* * * * *

In the end, we only reached an agreement on matters that could be resolved immediately at that meeting.

In exchange for receiving a portion of the military flags and remaining Supplies as a symbol of defeat, we guaranteed the safe withdrawal of the Imperial Army.

Regarding the Prisoners, it was decided that they would be dealt with later through prisoner exchanges or ransom negotiations.

As for the truce, we agreed to consult with the Assembly upon returning and determine the duration through subsequent negotiations between the leadership.

"We'll be taking our leave. I hope our next encounter will be somewhere other than the Battlefield."

"I hope so too. The sooner the War ends, the better."

On the way back to Lahator, my mind was filled with only one thought.

Was our devotion truly worthwhile?

If not, how should this emptiness be repaid?