Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Betrayed Marshal Betrays
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The carriage pressed on even after entering the garrison, finally halting in a wide open space teeming with imperial soldiers.
The occasional glimpses of familiar unit banners suggested that the forces that had besieged Zabrinsk had relocated here.
They all knew I was riding in this carriage, glaring at it with intense hostility.
The minimap was packed with red dots, making me feel like I'd been dropped alone into the heart of enemy territory.
...Though it was just me feeling that strange inner camaraderie; it was still enemy ground, no doubt about it.
I needed to tread carefully.
Every group has its lunatics, and armies tend to have a higher share than most.
Stick close to Erika and Paul, or I might get quietly murdered without anyone the wiser.
"...Wait here a moment."
Before stepping down from the carriage, Paul finally untied the ropes binding me.
I hadn't minded much, but once freed, blood rushed through my limbs with a tingling sensation at my fingertips.
Erika and Paul watched me stretch my arms, looking a touch apologetic.
They might've genuinely forgotten I was tied up.
Or maybe the atmosphere made it hard to loosen them easily.
Still, the fact they'd untied me was a good sign. I felt a bit more at ease.
I trusted the minimap, but actions spoke louder.
I followed behind Paul and Erika as we dismounted.
The stares around us stung like needles, but I controlled my body to show no reaction.
-Thud, thud.
"Ah, General Paul! You're back!"
Moments later, a burly middle-aged man in imperial general's attire pushed through the wall of soldiers and approached us.
He bowed deeply to General Paul.
Something faintly familiar about that plump face...
"General Josef Steiner. No issues in my absence?"
"None, sir! A few soldiers got indigestion from rushing their meals, but nothing serious!"
The name Josef Steiner rang a bell.
He was one of the dukes who'd fought in the Northern War, appearing as the Noble Faction leader in the game.
Unlike Paul, who was content with his territory, Josef had risen as the Noble Faction's head, clashing with the Emperor for more power.
"General Josef, hello! I'm—"
"Hmph. We'll talk inside."
"...Yes, sir."
I recalled how his staunch Noble Faction loyalty was highlighted in every event.
He blatantly ignored Erika, who was carrying out the Emperor's direct orders, and fixed a murderous glare on me.
"...So this is Victor."
"Mm."
Even addressing me directly seemed distasteful, so he asked Paul instead.
He was the strongest in the Noble Faction after Paul and had invested the most in the Northern War.
By rights, he should've become their mainstay instead of the politically unambitious Paul...
The war had ended in the Empire's victory, but his losses must've been unimaginable.
The Noble Faction had fielded 80,000 troops at the start; from memory, barely half remained now.
And with the Emperor meddling in negotiations, even those hard-won gains had to be shared.
Having mobilized massive forces, Josef's casualties and supply drain would've been especially brutal. That glare made sense.
To him, I was blood-sworn enemy number one.
If not for the Emperor's command, he'd be foaming at the mouth to kill me.
His hand twitched near the sword at his belt—he was barely holding back.
"...Hoo. General Paul, this way to the command tent."
"Lead on."
After a brief staring contest with me, Josef turned and walked ahead.
Was it my imagination?
His head looked balder than in the game.
A twinge of guilt surfaced, so I quietly followed.
"Leaving right away?"
"We'll stay one night and depart tomorrow."
Leading our group into the command tent, Josef sat across from Paul, conversing as if Erika and I weren't there—eyes fixed solely on Paul.
"Understood. I've cleared the tent you used before; it's ready."
"Appreciated."
"Um, what about me...? Eek."
He'd occasionally flick his gaze toward Erika when she spoke.
She tried hiding behind Paul but couldn't withstand Josef's stare and sidled over to me.
Josef was deliberately avoiding my side, so aside from being the root of his rage, it wasn't a bad spot.
"...I'll brief you on troop deployments."
"Mm."
More surprising was Josef's reaction.
He'd seemed ready to strike outside, but inside the tent, he stuck to ignoring me.
Even accounting for Paul's presence, it was remarkably polite.
"...The Duke's forces are..."
"...That's supply division's..."
-Thud. Thud. Thud.
Or maybe he was preparing something else.
I tuned out their nutrient-poor chatter, focusing on the footsteps outside.
The minimap showed countless red dots converging on the tent.
"Then I'll take my leave. Keep up the good work."
"Yes, General Paul."
The talk wrapped quickly.
Bracing myself, I followed Paul out of Josef's tent.
"...What is this?"
"General, stand aside!"
Imperial soldiers had swarmed outside.
Weapons gripped tight, poised to swing, they eyed me hungrily and showed no sign of yielding to Paul.
Some sported bandages—clearly those with personal grudges against me.
The soldiers acting on their own?
Doubtful.
"Disperse."
"How can we retreat with our enemy's killer right in front of us?!"
Josef stayed inside despite the commotion outside.
Tacit approval or deliberate ploy, I couldn't say—but he had no intention of helping me.
"Th-this is His Majesty's command! Move aside!"
"What're you?"
"I'm from the House of Bauman—!"
"Ah, the Emperor's lapdog."
"W-what?!"
Erika was useless.
Blithely dismissed, she shrank back, huddling behind Paul.
Countess wasn't a title street soldiers could scoff at, but they mocked her claim effortlessly—suggesting solid backing.
It looked tense, on the brink of explosion, but I felt no real danger.
Why?
"...Are you defying orders?"
"General Paul...!"
Because as long as Paul showed as neutral gray on the minimap, he had no reason to let me die here.
I just needed to stand still.
"Why protect that bastard?!"
"...Disperse! That's an order!"
If Paul abetted them, I'd die for sure—but Erika from the Emperor Faction being here changed everything.
Killing her too would force the Emperor's direct intervention.
The weakened Nobles couldn't afford open war with the Emperor Faction now.
Even when Noble power peaked, they dodged clear pretexts; in this imbalance?
Disaster. Not their style—profit first.
Paul didn't want civil war, or he'd have targeted Erika already.
Killing just me wouldn't help him either.
Erika would report back: Paul let it happen.
Nobles' options: sacrifice Paul like a scapegoat, or defend him and defy the Emperor.
The pretext favors the Emperor Faction; the latter burdens the already-crippled Nobles.
Obviously, they'd pin it all on Paul.
Depending on the Emperor's investment in me, his head might roll.
Luise was hot-blooded.
"...General Paul."
"Disperse now! That's an order!"
The moment I died, Paul faced massive losses—so for now, our fates were linked.
Safest for him: escort me intact to the palace.
Voice dissent later; appease now, plan ahead.
If he were willing to take the hit, fine—but no red on the map meant he wasn't that eager.
Why risk his life when he could slip away?
So I stood tall behind this invincible shield, projecting confidence.
"Disobey, and you'll face military tribunal!"
"Tch...!"
The furious soldiers scattered at Paul's thunder.
No more variables.
Someone grudge-deep might sneak in at night, but we weren't staying long—pull a few all-nighters, done.
"...Thank you."
Curious how it felt protecting his archenemy, but his elder statesman age and my captive status held me back.
I settled for simple gratitude.
"I only upheld military law."
Paul fiddled sheepishly with his graying hair, then
"Let's go."
set off at a brisk pace.