Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Subjugating the Rebels
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[Breaking News! The Tragic Fall of the Venerable Founding Merit House, Calderon Grand Duke Family]
[Did the Northern Grand Duke Truly Incite Rebellion?]
[The Imperial Army Begins Its Advance, Facing the Northern Grand Duke and Northern Nobles]
[Carving Out the Empire's Cancer]
[The Rising Banus Marquis Family. Will They Become the Key to a New Era?]
[The Empire's Greatest Genius Stands at the Forefront of Punishing the Rebels]
["This Rebel Subjugation Will Be a Turning Point in Imperial History" – Experts' Views on the Empire's Future?]
[Rebellion and Treason by the Northern Grand Duke and Northern Nobles – Are the Subjects Free of Responsibility?]
After the imperial family officially ruled the Northern Grand Duke and the northern nobles guilty of rebellion and treason against the state, the moment the Imperial Army truly began its march north to subjugate the rebels, the entire empire heated up.
An unprecedented event that could easily bury the recent capital raid.
Countless imperial citizens felt a mix of emotions upon learning that the Northern Grand Duke and northern nobles—who had maintained the balance of power within the empire until now—were crumbling.
The vast majority of subjects uninterested in politics cheered, intellectuals worried about the power vacuum that would arise after the Northern Grand Duke's subjugation, and merchants caught the scent of money amid the thick smell of blood.
And the nobles closely watched the movements of the Banus Marquis Family and Arkabella Duke Family, expected to rise as the empire's second-in-command.
They also anticipated significant changes in the competition for the throne between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
And that made sense—
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
This time, the command of the Imperial Army marching to subjugate the rebels had been entrusted to the Second Prince, Russel.
"Haha. Isn't this all thanks to my brother-in-law?"
"No, Your Highness."
"Don't be so humble."
Russel was meeting Yujin in a quiet place just before officially setting out.
Honey practically dripped from Russel's eyes toward Yujin. Not because he was attracted to men, of course, but because Yujin had helped him gain the upper hand.
"Since my brother-in-law first brought me evidence linking the Northern Grand Duke—no, the traitor Calderon—to Pandemonium, I was able to seize command."
After the clash at the cafe that day, Yujin had immediately sought out the Second Prince.
And upon hearing everything, the Second Prince moved preemptively. He secretly gathered nobles and prepared to subjugate the rebels.
"Moreover, because my brother-in-law spoke well to His Majesty on my behalf, I was able to receive command."
Of course, the Second Prince couldn't handle subjugating the Northern Grand Duke and northern nobles alone.
It wasn't a matter of ability; the empire had a fully functioning supreme authority in the Emperor, who was wide awake.
It was a matter of procedure.
Preparing to subjugate a high noble like a grand duke without the Emperor's permission or even discussing it?
That couldn't happen in any properly ordered nation. If it did in a functioning state, it would signal another rebellion.
Yujin bowed his head nonchalantly.
"...In the end, it was possible because Your Highness had already earned His Majesty's trust."
"Haha! True enough. Even so, brother-in-law—no, Marquis, I feel grateful to you."
"You overpraise me."
"Overpraise, my foot."
Snicker—
Russel took a sip of his coffee.
The coffee was extremely bitter, but right now, it tasted sweet.
At this rate, he could smoothly claim the Crown Prince position, which meant victory in the succession struggle.
To him, Yujin was nothing short of a lucky charm.
'Yes, I should give him a reward once this is over.'
What would be a good reward...?
'...A dukedom would be perfect.'
Yujin was the empire's strongest warrior, the one subjugating rebels and becoming the symbol of a new era.
Wasn't it a waste for such a man, already a high noble, to remain merely a marquis(?)?
'Besides, with the grand duke title vanishing, a vacancy will open... Filling it with my brother-in-law would be ideal.'
From Banus Marquis to Banus Duke...
Doesn't that have a nice ring to it?
'I'll push for it properly.'
This would be a huge gain for Russel himself. Having his strongest supporter Yujin become a duke would make it easier for Russel to ascend to Crown Prince.
He could even gain the image of a charismatic leader rewarding a loyal follower appropriately.
'Of course, it requires His Majesty's approval... but he won't refuse.'
Even if refused, Russel would insist on Yujin's dukedom to the end.
'It's the proper way to repay my brother-in-law who trusted me.'
Trust deserves trust in return, and fitting rewards must be given.
Russel flashed a deep smile.
"...So, brother-in-law, what do you think?"
"About what, Your Highness?"
Russel pointed to the map on the side and the various markers placed on it.
The markers for the currently deployed Imperial Army and the rebels.
Yujin slowly scanned the map.
Though he hadn't deeply studied strategy or tactics, based on his battlefield experience...
"...They're probably a ragtag bunch."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yujin pointed to the Northern Grand Duke and northern nobles' armies one by one.
"These are private soldiers who have never seen real combat. Meanwhile, every soldier in our Imperial Army is a veteran who survived that hellish battlefield."
"Indeed."
"Moreover, there's a huge gap in the generals' capabilities. Our Imperial Army has experienced battlefields where cold weapons ended and firearms became mainstream, but they haven't."
That was right.
Until recently, this world had been dominated by cold weapons like spears, swords, and bows. But now, it had entered an era where firearms like guns, grenades, and cannons were mainstream.
...Of course, knights and mages were like tanks each, so they were exceptions.
In any case, the difference between those who had experienced the new era of warfare and those who hadn't was bound to be vast.
...Like World War I on Earth. No one had anticipated trench warfare.
"...The gap between old strategies and tactics and the new ones."
"Exactly, Your Highness."
The rebels, while using firearms, were still trapped in old-era strategies and tactics.
Meanwhile, this side employed advanced strategies and tactics suited to the new era.
It was obvious who held the advantage, no lengthy explanation needed.
What would parasites playing power games from the rear, never stepping onto a battlefield, know?
"...Of course, there will be some casualties."
Yujin slowly pointed to one spot on the map.
"The moment we're bogged down at Rakla Domain—the natural fortress at the border between the imperial heartland and the north—casualties could mount."
What was the reason the Northern Grand Duke and northern nobles had emerged in the first place?
There was a surprisingly high mountain range between the imperial heartland and the north, providing geographic isolation.
And Rakla Domain was the key strategic point connecting the harsh north and the heartland. In peacetime, it served as the north's largest logistics hub.
As such, Rakla was heavily fortified, and with mountains flanking both sides, it was more than a natural fortress.
"Hmm. You're right, brother-in-law."
Russel agreed with Yujin's concern.
It was clear that getting stuck there would require significant sacrifices to breach the fortress.
"...Of course, with our experienced generals, I believe we can break through with minimal losses."
With that, a brief silence fell.
...
Then, Russel, deep in thought, slyly glanced at Yujin.
"...Why doesn't my brother-in-law just smash through it himself?"
"......?"
"I hate to say it, but if you step up, that puny fortress... wouldn't it crumble?"
...What?
'Hold on.'
...
..
...It wasn't wrong...
...Once you reach master level, you essentially become a strategic weapon yourself.
'...Human siege engine?'
...That was probably how he was being treated now.
...
The surprising part was that no counterargument came to mind.
Inside the newly formed Northern Front Army headquarters, created to subjugate the rebels.
It was bustling with numerous generals and staff officers, along with officers sorting incoming communications from each unit.
"What about the 5th Legion's deployment?"
"All preparations are complete. They say they can launch an offensive immediately upon orders."
"For now, move them a bit further inward. We don't need to attack Rakla Fortress yet, but we should apply pressure."
The Northern Front Army commander moved the marker labeled 5th Legion.
A watching staff officer spoke up.
"Then should we advance the 2nd Legion on the opposite side further as well?"
"We should."
The commander's thinking was simple.
The 5th Legion on the left flank and the 2nd Legion on the right flank.
Position them further inward to envelop Rakla Fortress.
Then, advance the 7th Legion positioned directly in front with overwhelming force to capture it.
Whether in weapon quality or soldier numbers.
Dominate in every aspect.
But there was a problem here too.
"However, Rakla Fortress is on narrower terrain than expected. If our forces tangle or become targets for the enemy..."
"Then we'd get bogged down."
In the end, breaching the fortress was a foregone conclusion.
There was an objective difference in forces.
But the key was how many casualties they took in the process. And the current Northern Front Army commander's plan was somewhat high-risk, high-reward.
It was natural for attackers to commit far more troops than defenders in a siege, but the risk was still high.
"Therefore, before moving the 2nd, 5th, and 7th Legions, we'll use the artillery brigade for overwhelming bombardment first. Then, when the enemy's morale is shattered by the shelling, we charge all at once."
"Understood."
Once Rakla Fortress fell, they'd move additional units beyond the 2nd, 5th, and 7th Legions to sweep the north in one go.
As the staff officers prepared to relay the operational plan to each legion—
An officer with an urgent expression burst into the headquarters.
"From the 2nd—His Highness the Second Prince's decree! Rakla Fortress has been captured single-handedly by Marquis Banus! The commander is ordered to support Marquis Banus!"
"...What?"
What did they just hear?
Rakla Fortress, called a natural fortress even within the empire... captured?
And by Marquis Banus alone?
"......?"
The other staff officers floated question marks, equally stunned by the unimaginable report.
Meanwhile, the various intelligence officers in the headquarters jumped to their feet in alarm.
"Report from the 2nd Legion...! Rakla Fortress has collapsed!"
"From the 7th—7th Legion! Amid a heaven-shaking roar, part of the mountain range collapsed... Rakla Fortress completely destroyed—"
"Emergency from the 5th Legion! The fortress fell to a single knight...!"
All their reports said the same thing.
Just now, a single knight had collapsed part of the mountain range and taken the fortress.
And the culprit was Yujin Banus, the empire's youngest sword master.
...
The headquarters, dyed in shock, soon buzzed with urgent activity.
"Move the legions right now! This is the opening Marquis Banus created! At this rate, we can sweep the north without a single casualty...!"