Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Betrayed General Betrays
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The demonstration had gone off without a hitch, successfully wrapping up the officers' persuasion, but the most critical issue remained unsolved.
"General, when will the guns be distributed?"
"..."
There were no guns.
I had secured only three rifles in total, including the one used for the demonstration.
"We plan to trade with the Anchester Kingdom in His Majesty's name. Until the guns can be widely distributed, we'll train alongside existing weapons, using the rifles from the demonstration or mock-up guns."
"...Understood."
In a situation without real guns, the training options were far too limited.
Actions like loading, firing stances, and formations could be practiced with mock-ups, but what we truly needed were guns capable of live fire.
I had sent Luise a letter detailing these concerns,
[...Attend the meeting tomorrow.]
and her reply arrived swiftly.
A few minutes before the meeting began, Anna and I arrived at the audience chamber.
"Ah, Legion Commander Victor."
The attendants standing on either side of the audience chamber doors bowed to me.
"Here for the meeting?"
"Yes."
"You may enter right away."
"I'll wait outside."
"Alright."
Anna naturally stepped back, and I entered through the doors the attendants opened.
The audience chamber was already filled with many nobles, and Luise sat on the throne, presiding over the hall.
I approached the throne with measured steps and knelt on one knee before her.
"I pay my respects to Empress Luise Zeinburg."
"Mm, Legion Commander Victor. You've arrived right on time."
Luise responded in a tone that carried a hint of pleasure.
"With Your Majesty's summons, how could I dare be late? That would be disloyalty."
"Hmph, hmph. Good. We need your opinion on today's agenda, so take your seat."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After our brief exchange, I walked toward the Emperor Faction gathered on the right.
Now that I had formally joined the empire as a legion commander, even where I stood during meetings mattered.
The Emperor Faction was clearly clustered on the right as one, but even within it, they seemed divided between those behind Theodore and those behind Gerhard.
"Legion Commander Victor, good to see you."
"Count Kurt Gruber, Your Excellency. I hope you've been well."
"Of course."
I roughly gauged the nobles present, exchanging brief greetings with the Emperor Faction nobles I'd spoken to at the banquet as I slowly moved forward.
As I drew closer to the front, Theodore began watching me.
Of course, with Luise watching, he couldn't openly glare at me—the one she'd just mentioned needing an opinion from.
Since Theodore showed no strong reaction, the nobles clustered around him silently made way.
I reached the spot right behind Theodore without any real interference.
Since he still held the position of the Emperor Faction's leader, this seemed like the best spot for now.
"Victor, Legion Commander of the Red Dragon Legion. Pleased to meet you."
He glanced briefly toward the throne, then relaxed his stiff expression and greeted me.
"Pleased to meet you, Duke Offenstadt."
"I've heard much about your exploits in the east. Even Duke Weissilt mentioned your name often, didn't he?"
"Indeed. Without Legion Commander Victor, it would have been hard to fully subjugate Brotan Kingdom."
Gerhard, who had been standing to his right, joined the conversation.
"No need for humility, Your Excellency. Without you, I couldn't have meaningfully supported the 8th Legion."
"Haha, hearing that from you feels good. Duke Offenstadt, you proposed sending Victor with me, didn't you? I see your stake in this is no small thing."
"...Thank you."
The expedition's success might not have been Theodore's ideal outcome, but on the surface, sending me and Gerhard to Brotan as he suggested had proven a great triumph.
Theodore twitched at the corner of his eye and gave Gerhard a slight nod.
"Ah, the meeting will start soon. ...I'll be expecting great things."
"I won't disappoint."
"...?"
Unlike Gerhard, who knew about the new weapons from our prior discussion, Theodore—who was unaware of why Luise had called the meeting—eyed us both suspiciously in turn.
Gerhard turned back toward Luise.
Upon closer inspection, he stood half a step ahead of Theodore.
The fact that Theodore and his faction's nobles saw this but said nothing suggested that the Grand Marshal title granted with his great victory was something even Theodore, near the top of the Emperor Faction, had to acknowledge.
"Then, I'll..."
"Understood."
I took my place behind Gerhard and waited for the meeting to begin.
Moments later.
"The meeting will now commence."
Luise declared the start with a dignified voice.
"The reason I convened this meeting is to discuss matters concerning my Red Dragon Legion."
She dove straight into the main topic from the outset.
"To strengthen the Red Dragon Legion's combat power, I intend to import new weapons from the Anchester Kingdom. I wish to hear your opinions on this."
"..."
"Legion Commander Victor will explain the details. Legion Commander Victor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At her call, I stepped out to the center of the audience chamber.
The nobles shot me glances laced with their various intentions.
"I am Victor, appointed Legion Commander of the Red Dragon Legion by the grace of Empress Luise Zeinburg."
After a simple introduction, I began my explanation.
"From the previous meeting's decision, the Red Dragon Legion has been assigned 9,947 troops. This is certainly no small number, but Her Majesty noted it may fall short of adequately proclaiming her and the Dragonia Empire's prestige."
"Mm, continue."
"Yes. The Red Dragon Legion was formed to eliminate border threats and spread Her Majesty's greatness alongside local legions. Her Majesty stated that to allow our relatively small force to wield overwhelming power, we should introduce new weapons developed by the Anchester Kingdom."
With the emperor's endorsement, I framed my opinion as her will.
"This new weapon is called a 'gun' and is based on the same gunpowder used in cannons. To aid understanding, it's akin to the handheld miniature cannons used by mercenaries from the western Esperia Kingdom."
"..."
"Her Majesty intends to introduce these guns to our Red Dragon Legion first—before widespread adoption across the army—to verify their performance and efficiency."
"...Gunpowder?"
"Miniature cannons... Well, now."
The Noble Faction nobles on the left merely frowned, but the Emperor Faction on the right began to stir slightly.
"As Legion Commander Victor explained. What do you think? Count Reinhardt Ulrich."
"Yes."
First, Reinhardt from the left raised his hand and stepped forward.
"I believe our existing spears, swords, bows, and shields are more than sufficient to demonstrate the empire's might. Moreover, having Her Majesty's direct legion rely on foreign weapons could pose problems in emergencies."
The nobles nodded at Reinhardt's point about the inherent risks of importing weapons from another nation.
"Even assuming no issues with importation, other problems abound. The Anchester Kingdom is as insular as other dwarf kingdoms. They might refuse to sell the new weapons, or if they do, the cost will be exorbitant."
"No need to worry about costs. I will bear all expenses required to arm the Red Dragon Legion."
"...Then cost is not for me to question, but introducing new weapons brings other issues. Especially if it's not an improvement on existing arms but an entirely new concept."
"Is that your view? Ah, Count Ralph Royce."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ralph, who had been speaking with Theodore, also stepped forward.
"The Red Dragon Legion is Her Majesty's direct command. If it forgoes imperial weapons for foreign ones, it could give pretext for those seeking to tarnish her prestige."
"Hmph."
"And while I don't doubt Her Majesty's judgment, I've never heard of this 'gun' proving effective on the battlefield."
Gaining confidence from Luise's subtle reaction, Ralph continued.
"Replacing arms for the entire 10,000 could sow chaos in the Red Dragon Legion, with returns not justifying the investment. I humbly suggest forming a separate elite unit to test it on a small scale first, then proceeding if proven useful."
Ralph bowed and withdrew, and Theodore nodded with a satisfied smile.
Whether Luise was honoring her promises, their opposition was exceedingly cautious.
"I've heard your opinions well."
Luise, who had listened with a somewhat bored expression,
"Both Count Ulrich and Count Royce make valid points. But I have considered them fully. Legion Commander Victor?"
"Yes."
passed the baton to me with a faint smile.
"I understand Count Reinhardt Ulrich's concerns. However, these are initial hurdles in introducing new weapons. With Her Majesty's support, our position is actually more advantageous than most."
"..."
"We'll use dwarf-provided guns for a few months, but soon imperial artisans will produce them ourselves. Would you claim our artisans can't match dwarf craftsmanship?"
"That's not it. But..."
"Moreover, the Anchester Kingdom is a friendly nation we've long traded tools for with ores and liquor; their economy relies heavily on us. With Her Majesty's sincerity, they won't refuse."
"Mm. A delegation I select, including Legion Commander Victor, will head directly to the Anchester Kingdom."
"..."
With Luise's timely aid, I silenced Reinhardt.
Next was Ralph.
"Count Ralph Royce suggests testing on a small scale first for safety. Correct?"
"Yes."
"However, properly utilizing guns requires overhauling existing tactical doctrines. Small-scale use would actually hinder verifying their tactical effects."
"..."
"I've already demonstrated the guns' power to the Red Dragon Legion, and officers have confirmed their terrifying might. Soldiers are training on strategy and tactics with the few imported guns and mock-ups. We'll adapt swiftly."
After refuting their arguments, I knelt on one knee to Luise again.
"Empress Luise Zeinburg. Please allow the Red Dragon Legion to be the vanguard of the imperial army. And grant me the honor of conveying Your Majesty's will to the Anchester Kingdom."
Silence fell over the audience chamber for a moment,
"Grand Marshal Gerhard Weissilt. Speak."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gerhard spoke as Grand Marshal.
"Warfare has always evolved—from slings to siege engines, javelins to bows and crossbows. Those who adapted first always survived. If Her Majesty's Red Dragon Legion leads this change, I believe it's an unparalleled opportunity for the empire."
"Hooh."
"Legion Commander Victor's competence has been proven multiple times in the Brotan war, and the soldiers of the 1st Provisional Legion and my 10th Legion are elite, ready to adapt at Your Majesty's command. They will give their all."
Gerhard's declaration following my rebuttal sealed the matter.
"...If it's Legion Commander Victor."
"He's taken on a tough role."
The Emperor Faction nobles,
"With Her Majesty bearing all burdens, we have no choice."
"Mm. If this gun proves worthwhile, we should prepare to secure some too."
Even the Noble Faction nobles mostly acquiesced in their discussions.
"Good! I shall arm the Red Dragon Legion with these new weapons and dispatch a delegation led by Legion Commander Victor to the Anchester Kingdom! Any objections?"
"We obey Your Majesty's command."
As the nobles fell silent, Luise's agenda passed.
I shouted my obedience loudly,
"Now, the second agenda."
then returned behind Gerhard to attentively follow Luise's proceedings.
Theodore, exchanging glances with his faction's nobles, stared at Luise with fists clenched so hard his knuckles whitened.
After all meetings concluded.
Luise met a blonde woman in the lounge.
"Do you know why I summoned you?"
"...I heard you have a mission for me."
"Correct."
She handed a notebook to the woman, who bowed slightly.
"Join Victor's delegation to the Anchester Kingdom and record his every action. Leave nothing out."
The woman politely accepted the notebook at Luise's firm command, which hinted at her resolve.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"You've been studying hard lately, I hear."
"...Just ensuring I'm not found wanting."
Luise smiled faintly.
"I leave it to you, Erika Bauman."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Erika, who had previously brought Victor to the empire and since awaited another chance to work with him, raised her head.
Her sapphire eyes gleamed with the anticipation she harbored.