Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Special Commander Proposal
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Thanks to the support of Vladimir, Andrei, Nikolai, and many others, I had successfully defected without damaging my image too much.
"Phew..."
Unlike the previous time, when I'd barely touched my food or bath, this time I kept a stern expression and allowed the attendants to help me bathe with a sense of ease.
In truth, my whole body ached from the aftereffects of that frantic horseback ride, so I didn't even need to force myself.
Of course, the hard road ahead was far from over.
My subordinates were still prisoners, so I had no real base of power in the Empire.
The Emperor had shown me favor from the start and even personally offered me a position.
Because of that, the Noble Faction was more likely to view me as part of the Emperor Faction and keep me in check rather than try to win me over.
The Emperor Faction wasn't any better.
The current leader, Theodore, was hostile toward me, and it was already a problem that they held the upper hand against the Nobles.
They might be united under the Emperor Faction banner, but as nobles themselves, they'd ultimately act in their own interests.
In that situation, if my influence suddenly grew and drew the Emperor's intense attention?
Some of them would see me as a political rival and try to check me, rather than pulling me in to bolster the faction's overall strength.
And if Theodore put pressure on them, it might not stop at just a few.
...Still, for this moment at least, I could afford to savor a bit of accomplishment.
"Urgh..."
"Shall I assist you?"
"...No."
Moving my lower body sent a twisting pain through my muscles, drawing out an involuntary groan.
For now, I planned to side with the Emperor Faction.
My long-term goal was to usurp Theodore's position, trim the Noble Faction down to a manageable size, and then concentrate the Empire's power under the Emperor's name.
My current objective was to elevate the Empire's national power to the level of world conquest—or something comparable.
This was my personal ambition, but it was also about forging a nation capable of handling any potential "late-game crises."
'Forest's Wrath,' 'Mine Depletion,' 'Black Dragon,' and so on.
These massive events were designed to inject tension for players bored by a nation that had grown too large or after too much time had passed—late-game crises.
This world wasn't a game anymore, so it was uncertain if such crises would actually occur.
But if I sat idle assuming they wouldn't, and one hit anyway?
I could say it with certainty.
The Empire, fractured as it was with nobles clumped into their own groups, wouldn't be able to cope.
Late-game crises only grew stronger over time, so quelling them as quickly as possible was key.
In its current state, it would squabble over how to respond—just like the in-game AI Empire—dragging things out until it collapsed.
But the Dragonia Empire had the Emperor as its clear center of authority and legitimacy. With enough power to back her voice, it could unite in no time.
And I planned to be that power.
It had gotten a bit distorted midway through after growing fond of the Ruth Kingdom.
That was why I hadn't just bolted straight to the Empire; I'd been careful with appearances and legitimacy.
If I'd surrendered without fully demonstrating my abilities, it would've taken ages for a commoner orphan like me to rise to a position where I could command troops properly.
The Emperor wouldn't have taken such an interest in me either.
Now, basking in the Emperor's full attention, things were different.
I could weather the nobles' checks under her protection, use the Ruth Kingdom as my foundation, operate under her, and rapidly build power.
Not as a mere Emperor Faction hanger-on borrowing her name, but as a true 'loyalist faction' fully realizing her will.
In truth, Emperor Luise had zero interest in state affairs, so my goal in the Empire was effectively to run the government much like Theodore did—speaking on her behalf as the faction leader.
Our purposes for building power differed, but the direction was the same.
Which meant Theodore would be my biggest obstacle going forward.
-Splash!
"Haa..."
I poured hot water over my head to finish up, pondering my plans ahead.
Now that I was known as a general, the best way to build my strength was, of course, war.
I wasn't afraid of failure.
I wasn't some once-in-a-generation genius destined for the history books, but I had the minimap and tactical map.
...Yeah.
I wasn't afraid of failure.
After leaving the bath,
I sorted through the Ruth Kingdom officer's uniform—stained with countless traces I'd never wear again—and sank into thought.
The next day, at 3 p.m.,
I was summoned to a meeting.
Wearing the Dragonia Empire nobles' attire instead of my usual green Ruth Kingdom uniform, I knelt on one knee in the center of the audience chamber, waiting for the meeting to begin.
"Let the meeting commence. Today's agenda is determining Victor's position and the mission he will be assigned."
The meeting began with Luise's declaration.
"Ralph Lois of the Lois Count family seeks to speak to Your Majesty."
A noble named Ralph Lois stepped forward first from the right side of the audience chamber, where the Emperor Faction led by Theodore seemed gathered.
Before he did, I'd caught Theodore giving him a subtle nod, and it didn't bode well.
"Victor is already renowned in the Empire for his strategies in battles like Serkutsk and Garogorod. While his loyalty to Your Majesty has yet to be proven, it would be a waste not to utilize his talents. I believe it best to appoint him as Your Majesty's military advisor, keeping him close to observe and test his loyalty over time."
Ralph was clearly trying to check me.
Luise's attention varied slightly by circumstance, but due to her frequent whims, it never lasted long.
A military advisor was mostly consultative, with little direct authority.
He probably figured it was impossible to touch me while Luise's interest was at its peak.
So he proposed a position with minimal real power to stunt my influence, planning to deal with me properly once her attention waned.
As Ralph finished, a noble from the left side of the chamber stepped forward.
His appearance suggested a battlefield soldier more than a typical noble.
"I am Count Reinhart Ulrich. Appointing Victor as a mere advisor fails to make proper use of his value."
"Hmm."
He openly rebuked Ralph as he advanced.
"Victor's name may be known in the Empire, but it pales compared to his fame in the Ruth Kingdom. Moreover, his knowledge of Ruth's internal affairs and terrain would greatly aid the expeditionary force. Since Your Majesty has left the treatment of the prisoners to Victor himself, how about appointing him as deputy commander of the expeditionary force under General Josef Steiner to assist in the campaign?"
Reinhart's proposal sent chills down my spine.
He aimed to erase my influence entirely without defying Luise's will.
Deputy commander of the expeditionary force sounded prestigious, but the overall commander was Noble Faction leader Josef.
I'd naturally be far from the Emperor's eyes and unable to act on my own intentions under him.
Plus, if I participated in finishing off the Ruth Kingdom, I'd be etched in people's memories as the traitor who personally smashed his own nation.
Then, if they tossed me some worthless scrap of Ruth land as 'compensation'?
With the Emperor's interest gone and my image as a loyal commander who cared for his men buried under the traitor stigma, I might never return to the Empire's center.
My clenched fist grew slick with cold sweat.
"Victor's loyalty is unproven! Granting him military command is dangerous!"
"A military advisor could be even more dangerous. As deputy commander, General Josef could keep him in check, but one poor suggestion from an advisor could lead to catastrophe."
A few more proposals followed, but they converged on those first two—representing the Noble and Emperor Factions' intentions.
While they debated each other's suggestions, I searched for a solution.
Become a powerless military advisor in name only, or turn traitor and end up a peripheral lord with ruined public sentiment.
Neither was the path I wanted.
"Deputy commander? Military advisor? Hmm..."
Whether she grasped their intentions or not, Luise mulled over the proposals.
"Any other opinions?"
"..."
As the meeting stalled, she asked the nobles as if she'd made up her mind.
"Your Majesty."
Seeing it as my last chance, I rose and called to her.
"Hm?"
"May I, Victor, have a word?"
"Speak."
I felt the nobles' glares piercing me.
I clasped my trembling hands tightly to hide them and bowed my head slightly to mask my stiff expression.
"I remember what Your Majesty said yesterday."
"Yes."
"You told me to prove I had value far exceeding the losses I'd inflicted on the Empire."
I glanced at Luise's reaction.
She watched me with a faint smile, as if urging me to continue.
"Military advisor, deputy commander—both positions could benefit the Empire, but they require expending the Empire's strength to achieve results."
"Hm. What of it?"
I bowed deeply toward Luise.
"Appoint me as temporary special commander. I'll persuade some of those who came over to the Empire with me, lead just them into battle, and prove my loyalty."
With my trump card proposal, I steadied my shaking heart.
I checked Luise's reaction once more.
"...Haha."
The smile on her face from the throne was thicker than before.