Chapter 43
While stationed on the Northern Front, one of my biggest headaches was carrying weapons.
The battlefield environment was so terrible that ambushes and battles could break out at any moment. I felt uneasy relying solely on the issued military equipment.
I always carried a long sword at my waist and a pistol in my coat, but that level of armament had its limits.
The pistol was single-shot, so it was useless after one shot, and the sword was prone to breaking against armor. There were countless times I had to pick up enemy weapons on the battlefield because mine were broken.
Perhaps that's why, around the time I was promoted to Major, I started adding minor tunings to my military uniform. I added iron armor around the sleeves.
It might look strange, but it was surprisingly useful. In emergencies, it served as armor protecting my wrists, and when throwing a punch, it became a makeshift gauntlet. Except for the slightly increased weight, it wasn't particularly uncomfortable.
But what does this have to do with the current situation, you ask?
Naturally, it's relevant. Because I'm wearing my military uniform right now.
"Well, it's been a while. I stopped fighting with my fists directly after being promoted to Major General."
It's a good thing I didn't dress up fancily for this so-called banquet. No matter how much power and status you gain, threats appear at unexpected times.
I'll have to conduct a large-scale purge soon.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you. I need to interrogate you."
--Crack!
I grabbed the head of the man who dared to point a sword at me and crushed his facial bones, knocking him unconscious.
I already took care of his neck bones with a lariat earlier, so he won't be moving for a while. Even if he survives, he'll probably be disabled for life.
"Kyaaaak!!"
"M-Murder! Someone just died with bare hands!!"
"Someone is targeting His Majesty the Emperor! Call the Guard immediately and blockade the Banquet Hall. No one is allowed to leave!!"
Ignoring the noisy commotion, I quickly scanned my surroundings.
There's no way a large-scale incident like this was planned and executed by a single person.
Not only did they poison the drinks served to everyone, but they also hid daggers where the guards were conducting belongings inspections?
There must be multiple accomplices.
And for the smooth execution of the assassination attempt, the accomplices were highly likely to be present in this Banquet Hall.
'Damn it.'
Sure enough, I quickly spotted some suspicious faces. Pale complexions, sweating profusely, and fidgeting nervously.
.....The problem was that those guys happened to be members of our negotiation team.
"Epenstein Member of Parliament."
"W-What?! Why are you calling me all of a sudden, Deputy?"
"Why are you so anxious? Like someone desperately needing to use the bathroom."
Starting with Deputy Epenstein, Count of Epenstein, along with a couple of secretaries and a counselor.
There were quite a few of them, but strangely enough, they had one thing in common.
They were all selected personnel recommended by the Noble Faction.
I wasn't stupid enough to not understand what this situation implied.
'These bastards finally crossed the line.'
I calmly clenched my fists. Wiping the blood off my hands, I cracked my knuckles and approached them.
"Is something bothering you? Or do you have a guilty conscience?"
"W-What are you talking about all of a sudden? I have no problem! Stop with the strange accusations!"
"Is that so? I'm suspicious. It seems like you, Member of Parliament, and your friends over there... orchestrated this."
At my direct accusation, the Count, unable to withstand the pressure, drew a dagger and shouted.
"Damn it, attack! Even the Wolf of the North won't be able to handle a group attack!!"
"Die, damn traitor!!"
The men, holding small blades disguised as ornaments, charged at me all at once.
Their stances were clumsy, like amateurs, but they had the momentum to kill at least one person.
They were determined to take me down, regardless of the consequences.
Sighing at the foolishness of these fools struggling until the very end, I lightly stepped and struck their vital points one by one.
"Khaaack!"
"Ugh! Gwaeeeh...."
Clutching their solar plexus, the backs of their knees, and other areas, the assassins rolled on the floor. It was a farce that only elicited hollow laughter.
Did they think someone who spent 10 years fighting on the front lines wouldn't have experience fighting multiple opponents?
I'm a survivor who experienced every tactical situation imaginable in the Snowfield. You're no match for me, you bastards who've been leisurely playing around in the rear.
"Guards! Arrest these criminals and throw them into the Imperial prison. His Majesty the Emperor and I will discuss their punishment later!"
"Understood. Take them away!"
After handing over the criminals to the hurriedly arriving soldiers, I left only Count Epenstein.
Staring at him as he gasped for breath, I placed my military boot on his neck and pressed down firmly.
"Kgh..."
"Now, Member of Parliament. No, my dear attempted murderer. Shall we have a private conversation?"
The neck is a vital point with numerous nerve bundles and important organs like the brainstem.
Even slight pressure causes immense pain and discomfort. Not to mention being stepped on by a military boot with metal studs.
"Why did you do this crazy thing? What was the reason for trying to kill the ambassador of a foreign country in the middle of enemy territory? No, you don't have to answer. I think I have a rough idea. You know too much. Right?"
"..."
"I guess so."
Judging by his wavering gaze, that seems to be the correct answer.
Not only did they poison the drinks, but they also prepared blades, setting a double trap.
To go this far in a foreign country, with limited time, requires a compelling justification.
Even though we are political adversaries, it's not to the extent of resorting to such drastic measures to take a life. The only possible explanation is this.
They anticipated what I might have heard from Louis XVI.
"I learned the truth you so desperately tried to hide, so you needed to silence me. If I returned and spread the word, the nobility and the Royal Family would be ruined."
"...Damn it, you're quick-witted."
I should have realized it when they pleaded with me to return on our way here. They already knew everything.
They knew exactly what information I would be exposed to in the Empire, where, unlike the Kingdom, the realities of war were widespread, so they tried to block it by any means.
On top of that, I had a private audience with Louis XVI, so they were determined to eliminate me, even if it meant taking extreme measures.
'If it were only this, I could have at least understood.'
However, questions remained.
If they had plotted against me and my subordinates, I would have understood, aside from the anger. At least there's rationality in their target selection.
But why target the Monarch? And a Monarch of a foreign country at that?
Are these bastards trying to ruin the country?
"Why did you try to poison the Emperor? If he had been assassinated, the Empire and the Kingdom would have had to fight to the death. Did you want war that badly?"
The Count gritted his teeth and spat bloody saliva, replying,
"Isn't that obvious? For our survival!"
"...What are you talking about?"
"The moment you return, we're all doomed. If even one member of the delegation returns alive, your faction back home will make its move. To seize all our authority and bring us down!!"
"You're paying for your past sins. Did you think you could suck the blood and sweat of the commoners dry under the pretext of war without facing any consequences?"
"That's the natural duty of the commoners!!"
The Count shrieked. Uttering utterly absurd words with heartfelt resentment.
"We are Blue Blood! Bloodlines chosen to rule the Kingdom! What's wrong with collecting some taxes to wage war!! You're persecuting us with your unreasonable obstinacy, so we had no choice but to resort to extreme measures!!"
"....What does that have to do with killing the Emperor?"
"If you and Louis XVI die together, we won't even have the luxury of being persecuted! The war will intensify again, and the disrupted order of the Kingdom will be restored to its proper course!"
Having heard this far, I barely managed to clench my jaw and respond.
"Alright, I understand."
As expected, you are creatures that shouldn't exist.
* * * * *
[If you don't expect anything, you won't be disappointed.]
Since coming to this world, I've realized that this is a false statement.
Even if you don't expect anything, there's a basic line that people, as fellow human beings, are expected to uphold.
There are far too many bastards who don't even adhere to that.
To truly avoid disappointment, you simply shouldn't view the other party as human. You shouldn't consider them as civilized intelligent beings with intellect. Only then can you avoid emotional distress.
And the same goes for these nobles.
They are simply beasts.
Selfish, self-centered beasts who don't know how to correct their bad habits.
So, to stop the atrocities of these beasts...
There's no other way but to kill them all.
Completely, and thoroughly.
It's not enough to just strip them of their power.
Their lives must be taken as well.
Every last one of their basic rights must be revoked.
Like exterminating pests.
Like slaughtering pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease.
They must all be eradicated, their lineage extinguished.
--Crunch.
I pressed hard, crushing the bones in his neck. A clean and definitive death.
Wiping my shoes on the corpse's clothes, I turned to the Emperor and apologized.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. Our imbeciles have caused you great distress."
Fortunately, he's safe, but he was still subjected to an assassination attempt. This has put the Kingdom in tremendous diplomatic debt to the Empire.
To repay that debt, I quickly racked my brains and proposed an impromptu deal to the Emperor.
"As a token of apology, I'd like to make a proposal. Would that be alright?"
"Let's hear it."
"Within a year, I will cede the territory of the Margrave of Helgoland to the Empire. In return, please conclude this incident by taking those involved and punishing them. And..."
I paused for a moment before continuing.
"For the time being, regardless of any political changes in the Kingdom, please acknowledge them and refrain from accepting exiles."
The Margrave of Helgoland's territory is located in the heart of the Western Front, which has become a battlefield.
It's not particularly large, but it's decent land with good farming. Moreover, he's a die-hard Royalist fool, so we won't lose much by sacrificing him.
In exchange for handing it over, please don't make a big deal out of this incident.
If you cooperate, I'll carry out the political reforms you desire and completely eliminate the idiotic ruling class, putting an end to the war.
"Of course, those responsible for the declaration of war will be sent to the Empire to receive due punishment. What do you say?"
The Emperor pondered for a moment before nodding.
"It doesn't sound bad. I accept."