Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Betrayed Genius General Betrays
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"Please appoint me as temporary special commander. I'll persuade some of those who defected to the Empire with me, lead just them onto the battlefield, and prove my loyalty."
Theodore had heard Victor's proposal. Before panicking, he first gauged the Emperor's reaction.
"...Haha."
Her face bore not the usual languid expression she showed others, but a deep, thick smile.
Theodore felt like he might lose his mind from the boiling hatred surging within him.
From the first moment he'd laid eyes on Luise, he'd been captivated by her stunning beauty. Ever since, he'd strived to win her favor.
Catering to the nobles to rise as the leader of the Emperor Faction, adjusting meetings to flaunt his abilities and power—it was all for that reason.
She might be an Emperor who drew the Sword of Bloodline to establish her authority, but at her roots, she was a farmer's daughter from some backwater village called Stilberg.
Theodore figured that with the right mix of kindness and support, he could become her anchor in the unfamiliar court and easily claim her heart.
But Luise was an iron wall.
She'd occasionally flash a smile when he brought in new talent, but it never lasted.
She always regarded Theodore with a blank, emotionless expression.
And now, that same Luise...
"An intriguing proposal."
...was smiling at Victor.
Theodore's mind, overheated with extreme rage, spun quickly. He came up with a better plan than simply lashing out in anger.
"Your Majesty."
"Hm? Ah, Lord Theodore."
The moment Theodore drew Luise's gaze, he felt Victor's piercing stare shoot toward him. But trusting in his own authority, he felt no intimidation.
Not in front of Luise herself—he wouldn't dare charge in physically.
Far from it; drawing confidence from Victor's attention, he bowed his head slightly and stepped forward.
"It's true the forces that surrendered alongside Victor number over twenty thousand. But most are conscripts who, until recently, had their spears and swords pointed at us. They won't accept an order to fight for our Empire."
"I know that those who follow me number six thousand, or perhaps even fewer. But they are true loyalists who follow me wholeheartedly, so even in small numbers, they can achieve remarkable results. I understand the Empire is embroiled in disputes with numerous nations. If it's not against the Ruth Kingdom, I'll prove my worth no matter where you send us."
Theodore smirked slyly as Victor rebutted without giving Luise a chance to respond.
"Victor may show confidence, but the impact a small force can have is clearly limited."
Theodore wasn't pointing out the force's size to outright reject appointing Victor as special commander.
In his mind, flatly opposing Victor's proposal—currently basking in attention—would be the move of an amateur.
Victor might seem threatening now, but building influence in the Dragonia Empire, where he had no base, wouldn't be easy.
Rushing to check him by risking Luise's displeasure would bring more harm than good.
There were plenty of ways to curb Victor without defying Luise's will.
"Moreover, though he's sworn loyalty, awed by Your Majesty's mercy, entrusting an entire army to him still carries risks. Dispatching a small force could also provoke the enemy into escalating the war. To ensure he produces proper results, we should bolster his numbers to a meaningful scale."
"Increase the scale?"
Victor's oath of loyalty was just yesterday, and there were no incidents yet to prove it solidly.
Rather than irritation, Luise took interest in the follow-up suggestion.
"In the war with the Brotan Kingdom, our defensive forces are struggling. General Gerhard Weisstilt is currently holding a legion of ten thousand as reserves, awaiting deployment. How about appointing Victor as special legion commander and merging his troops with General Gerhard's legion for the front lines? General Gerhard can certainly handle Victor even if he harbors other intentions."
Theodore confirmed Luise's reaction and stepped forward, offering to attach more troops as if supporting Victor's proposal.
For one, Theodore didn't rate Victor's military strategy that highly.
He wanted to check him because the mass surrender was impressive, and Victor stealing Luise's attention was utterly loathsome.
Theodore had harbored ill will toward Victor ever since their personal meeting when he was a prisoner.
Through biased lenses, he saw Victor's achievements as stemming not from skill but from the Noble Faction's chaotic command, and his fame as propped up by the Ruth Kingdom's need for a hero.
In truth, the rumors of his exploits contained many parts that seemed unrealistic.
By contrast, Gerhard Weisstilt was a veteran Imperial general renowned even within the Empire as a key Emperor Faction figure who'd proven himself over years.
His authority and control were unmatched, and his reserve legion's size and elite quality far surpassed Ruth Kingdom conscripts.
That was the basis for Theodore's bold push.
Even as equal legion commanders, Victor's temporary special status and small force meant Gerhard's on-site influence would dominate.
In victory, most credit could be attributed to Gerhard, limiting Victor's rise.
No way could a few thousand raise greater feats than a regular legion; the nobles would likely heap praise on long-disengaged Gerhard over potentially threatening Victor.
In defeat, blame could naturally fall on Victor for punishment.
The nobles would hesitate to fault the already powerful Gerhard.
"However, if he fails to produce results, severe punishment must follow."
Theodore inwardly hoped for Victor's failure.
The Brotan Kingdom was distant; Victor's threat was near.
Losing some eastern territory to a kingdom's victory was beneath Theodore's notice.
"Hm."
Luise rested her chin, deep in thought.
Contrary to Theodore's assumption that she'd miss it due to her usual disinterest in meetings, she saw the proposal wasn't favorable to Victor.
"Victor. What do you think?"
Projecting her ideal hero onto him, Luise asked Victor's opinion with faint expectation.
"...I shall follow Your Majesty's will."
After a brief silence, Victor bowed, deferring to Luise's decision.
It might seem passive, but Luise sensed a spark of resolve in Victor's eyes upon hearing her question.
"Very well! Victor, I appoint you temporary special legion commander. Head to the Zabrinsk sector and decide the prisoners' disposition. Then swiftly lead your men to join General Gerhard's legion and drive out the Brotan Kingdom!"
"As you command."
Luise rose from the throne, accepting Theodore's proposal.
Theodore, seeing Victor bow with a resigned, stiff expression, felt satisfied and withdrew.
He didn't notice the upturned corners of Victor's bowed lips.
After the meeting.
"Haha."
With no home yet in the Empire, I entered the temporary guest quarters assigned to me and laughed.
"The Brotan Kingdom, huh."
My value stems from the overwhelming information of my minimap and tactical map for military control.
In that regard, the Brotan Kingdom—much like the Ruth Kingdom that initially amassed conscripts to cover weak individual skills with numbers—is practically a stage made for me.
By exploiting the low morale and high control difficulty typical of non-elite troops, I can rack up standout merits even with few men.
Joining General Gerhard is also a positive.
Despite his high rank as a count, he's one of the Empire's rare true soldiers who prioritizes results over internal power struggles.
The type I can easily persuade once he sees my abilities' worth.
Even if not, he'll push hard against Brotan on his own, so I just need to leverage his moves for merits.
The larger and more chaotic the battle, the more my abilities shine.
With his legion, I had no fear of losing to Brotan.
Merits?
Influence?
Schemes falter before overwhelming achievements.
And with Theodore constantly minding the Emperor, as long as her interest holds, my position stays secure.
The Noble Faction, far weaker than the Emperor Faction, is no threat.
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
Lost in visions of a bright future while seated, I heard a familiar knock rhythm.
*Click.*
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty."
The door opened, and confirming it was Luise entering, I rose and paid respects.
She's now my clear liege; I can't treat her casually like before.
"Be at ease. No other eyes here."
True to her word, Luise had come alone, without attendants.
"You are my liege now. I cannot treat you the same as when you were the enemy sovereign."
"Hmm. Is that so? Whatever."
I maintained my rigid posture.
Luise approached me slowly where I stood.
"You know I'm a dragon, so speak freely."
"..."
"As you know, I hold great interest in you. So far, you've met my expectations."
Her half-lidded eyes gradually opened wider.
"Even in the meeting. You seemed confident. That you won't be overshadowed by General Gerhard's influence and can defeat the fierce Brotan Kingdom."
"Yes."
"I—no."
With a slight surge of aura, she placed her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm very capricious about trivial things."
"..."
"I like you now, but if you betray my expectations, it won't sit well."
No chance of failure, so no fear.
With confidence, I slightly raised my bowed head to meet her eyes.
"I understand."
"Surrendering the Ruth Kingdom army was impressive, but still lacking. Prove you're no ordinary man this time. If you deliver splendid results again..."
After holding my gaze briefly, she turned first.
"...I'll fully support your path forward. Look forward to it."
With a smile and those final words, she left the room.
*Clack.*
The Dragonia Empire Emperor's firm backing.
"...Good."
A short visit, but solid motivation.