Chapter 366: The End of the Civil War (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 366: The End of the Civil War (5)
A few days ago.
The report of the rebellion's success had been completely unexpected.
Judging by objective military strength alone, Marquis Belfir's rebellion should have failed. Yet, word had it that he had won a resounding victory while preserving a significant portion of his forces. It was baffling. Was bribing the guards and drugging the imperial soldiers really enough to ensure the success of such an operation? Having personally experienced the Emperor of Valhalla's might, Roman Dmitry could answer that question with absolute certainty.
'It's impossible.'
It wasn't a mere hunch.
Based on the intelligence gathered so far and precise data, Marquis Belfir's rebellion should have ended at merely chipping away at the imperial family's strength.
So how on earth had the rebellion succeeded?
Roman Dmitry formulated three hypotheses for this absurd situation.
First:
'If the Valhalla imperial family's strength was weaker than expected, Marquis Belfir's surprise attack might have worked.'
If, by some wild chance, the Emperor of Valhalla's madness was actually a bluff to hide his weakness, and what Roman Dmitry had experienced was the absolute limit of the Emperor's power, then such an outcome might be possible. Of course, this was highly implausible. On the very day he ascended the throne, the Emperor of Valhalla had demonstrated overwhelming power. Everyone who witnessed the events of that day had been struck with terror, laying the foundation for his bloody reign.
The Emperor of Valhalla's power was real.
Even when Roman Dmitry faced him directly, the Emperor's reactions were not those of a shallow, weak individual.
That lent weight to the second hypothesis:
'If he was abandoned by whatever gave him his power, then the Emperor of Valhalla's defeat makes sense.'
This was the most plausible theory.
It added credibility to the existence of a mysterious force while explaining why the Emperor of Valhalla, who had built an overwhelming power base, collapsed so easily. The question was why this mysterious force would abandon him. According to what Marquis Belfir had called the "truth of Valhalla," the Emperor's power originated from the Former Emperor. By designating his 14th Son as his successor, the Former Emperor had thrown his full support behind him, enabling him to ascend the throne through a violent rebellion.
The reason for this choice remained unknown.
What was certain, however, was that there was no logical reason for this inherited power base to abandon the Emperor of Valhalla now.
If they had cared about Valhalla's future, appointing such a successor made no sense in the first place. Conversely, if the choice was meant to bring about Valhalla's ruin, the Emperor had been performing his role perfectly. Neither angle fit.
He shifted his perspective.
Perhaps, as rumors once suggested, the Kronos Empire was the mastermind behind the Emperor of Valhalla.
'That doesn't make sense either.'
If Kronos had sponsored the Emperor of Valhalla—if he were just a puppet dancing to Emperor Alexander's tune—there was even less reason to abandon him. No matter how advantageous the rebel forces' position was, it would have been in the Kronos Empire's best interest to keep the Emperor alive by any means necessary and maintain their control. Furthermore, if this were true, Kronos's non-intervention in the civil war made no sense. Keeping the Emperor of Valhalla alive would have yielded long-term benefits for the Kronos Empire. By standing idly by, they had allowed their own limb to be severed.
Finally, the third hypothesis:
A trap.
The Emperor could have faked his death to plot something in the shadows, but that would be a truly meaningless act. The Emperor of Valhalla's power stemmed from his absolute authority; dismantling a regime built on a reign of terror brought him zero benefit. Moreover, Marquis Belfir had gone through a rigorous verification process. Since it was a matter of life and death for him as well, he had proven to everyone that the corpse was indeed the Emperor of Valhalla.
In the end, there was no perfect answer.
From beginning to end—from the moment the 14th Son ascended the throne to his death now—everything was shrouded in mystery.
"Things are getting interesting."
Roman smiled.
He had already drawn up a rough blueprint of how to respond in the highly unlikely event that Marquis Belfir actually succeeded. He just hadn't expected that outcome to materialize. While Roman Dmitry admitted that even he hadn't anticipated this, he had absolutely no intention of being swept away by the shifting tides of a battlefield rife with variables.
Having the tide of battle turned by unexpected variables was something he had experienced countless times in his past life.
He called a soldier over.
"Connect me to Duke Vieto via magic communication."
He put a new plan, tailored to the situation, into action.
*
Back in the present, a familiar scene was reenacted.
On the very gallows where the Emperor of Valhalla had been hanged just a few days prior, Marquis Belfir now stood, awaiting execution.
His face was deathly pale.
As the crowd gathered, he cried out in a desperate voice.
"D-Duke Vieto! I don't know what misunderstanding has occurred, but this is wrong! A traitor? I executed the heinous tyrant, the Emperor of Valhalla, with my own hands! This is what you wanted as well, Duke Vieto! Why do you brand me a traitor when I have fulfilled everyone's wish? Please, untie this first!"
The rope tightened around his neck.
Marquis Belfir's soldiers were nearby, but none of them dared draw their swords to rescue him.
Roman Dmitry was standing right there.
With the man who had single-handedly devastated Valhalla's capital standing before them, the soldiers and guards only exchanged nervous glances, unable to step forward. It was an unavoidable situation. With Duke Vieto branding Belfir a traitor, they had no justification to intervene unless Belfir could clear his name.
Once a large enough crowd had gathered, Duke Vieto ignored Marquis Belfir and raised his voice to address the people.
"I shall now declare the crimes of Marquis Belfir! When Valhalla suffered under the Emperor's tyranny, Marquis Belfir was his foremost lackey. Together, they ruined much of Valhalla. He disregarded the sacred duels of warriors, and when Roman Dmitry was invited to the Valhalla Festival, it was Marquis Belfir who masterminded the assassination attempt against him!"
"I can explain that! I was only following orders—"
"Silence him."
Grip.
"Mmph, mmph!"
A soldier gagged him from behind.
Marquis Belfir's eyes went wide as he desperately tried to plead his innocence, but Duke Vieto paid him no mind.
"I will now play for you the contents of the magic communication Marquis Belfir sent to Roman Dmitry."
Beep.
`[To get straight to the point, I would like to share my thoughts. I wish to align my intentions with Lord Roman Dmitry and discuss our future. Of course, I am well aware that you may not look upon me favorably. However, I am certain that a conversation with me will undoubtedly benefit Dmitry.]`
It was the recording of their communication.
As the message played, the expressions of the onlookers twisted into scowls.
Leading a rebellion was fine. If Belfir had been part of the rebel faction from the very beginning, they would have applauded his life-risking actions.
"When the tide of war turned against him, Marquis Belfir immediately contacted Roman Dmitry and proposed joining the rebellion," Duke Vieto declared. "As you have guessed, I allied with Roman Dmitry to plot this uprising. Some may criticize us for bringing an outside force into Valhalla's affairs, but I believed Roman Dmitry, who proved his worth as a warrior at the Valhalla Festival, was fully qualified to intervene. He risked his life for us. Out of a desire to see Valhalla walk the right path, he willingly offered his aid. But what of Marquis Belfir? He denounced the rebel forces and Roman Dmitry until the very end, only to betray the Emperor of Valhalla for his own survival. Valhalla has been driven down the path of ruin by lackeys like Belfir! He executed the Emperor he once served to seek his own gain, not for Valhalla's future!"
Veins bulged on Duke Vieto's neck.
Valhalla respected a warrior's pride.
They loathed an opportunistic fence-sitter like Marquis Belfir far more than they did Roman Dmitry, even though Roman had slain Valhalla's soldiers.
The crowd's mood shifted.
Everyone was furious.
Marquis Belfir was no different from the Emperor of Valhalla.
The onlookers murmured in agreement, realizing that Belfir, too, was a figure who epitomized Valhalla's dark history.
Chomp.
"Argh!"
Belfir bit the hand covering his mouth.
Once his mouth was free, he shrieked hysterically.
"You son of a bitch! You and I both started a rebellion, so why do you get to dress yourself up as some righteous apostle?! I am the hero who executed the Emperor of Valhalla! I made this rebellion succeed! I will not accept being branded a traitor! Follow me! Follow me and execute Duke Vieto!"
His words were nothing but a meaningless, desperate struggle.
No one moved to support him.
It was then.
The moment the thrashing Marquis Belfir locked eyes with Roman Dmitry, a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
`[Marquis Belfir. Today, in this very place, you will meet your end with all your life's achievements denied. And the kin of a traitor shall be brutally slaughtered. That is the gift I promised to give you when we met again.]`
Roman Dmitry smiled.
Chills ran down Belfir's spine, and his eyes bulged.
Just as Marquis Belfir was about to scream, he felt the ground beneath his feet suddenly give way.
Thud.
"Ack, cough!"
The execution was carried out.
The rope choked his neck. Marquis Belfir wanted to speak one last time, but the suffocating pressure on his windpipe prevented him from uttering a single word.
He flailed his legs, his face turning crimson as he clung desperately to life.
But it was a futile struggle.
In the end...
"...Gurgle."
Marquis Belfir, once the most powerful man in Valhalla, met the exact same end as the Emperor of Valhalla.
*
The situation was settled.
In a private room, Duke Vieto looked at Roman Dmitry and said,
"Valhalla owes you a great debt. Without your help, Lord Roman Dmitry, the rebellion would not have succeeded."
He was sincere.
A mere 200,000 troops.
It was a number woefully insufficient to overthrow the Emperor of Valhalla, and knowing this, Duke Vieto's followers had undertaken this venture prepared to die. Yet, the outcome was a miraculous victory for the rebel forces. He had to acknowledge the masterful series of events: inciting the citizens of Valhalla, forcing the imperial army to retreat, and even blackmailing Marquis Belfir into attacking the Emperor.
It was flawless.
Even if Duke Vieto had been the Emperor of Valhalla himself, he doubted he could have stopped Roman Dmitry.
Roman Dmitry replied, "We merely fulfilled our mutual agreement. Since you have also kept your promise, Duke Vieto, that is thanks enough."
The deal with Duke Vieto had two conditions if the rebellion succeeded: a friendly relationship with Valhalla in the future, and a public apology for what had transpired at the Valhalla Festival. While the former was a promise to be maintained over time, Duke Vieto went above and beyond a simple public apology, showing profound respect for Roman Dmitry. Thanks to this, the people's perception of Roman Dmitry shifted. They felt genuine shame for Valhalla's past actions and expressed their deep gratitude toward him.
Ultimately, Roman Dmitry had achieved everything he set out to do.
By disposing of Marquis Belfir, he had completely severed all remaining ill ties in Valhalla.
It was a satisfying outcome.
Normally, he would have withdrawn his forces now, but Roman Dmitry had changed his mind.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Just say the word. If it is within my power, I will do anything for our benefactor."
It was no empty promise.
Duke Vieto's eyes shone with sincerity, looking as though he would gladly part with his entire fortune if asked.
However...
"I wish to enter the Southern Tomb."
The moment he heard the request, a crack appeared in Duke Vieto's steady expression.
*
For a moment, he was speechless.
The Southern Tomb.
It was an incredibly sensitive place.
Located in the Southern Jungle—the very root of the Valhalla Empire—it was where all of Valhalla's emperors were buried upon their deaths. Roman's intention in entering that place was clear: he wanted to examine the historical records buried alongside the corpses of Valhalla's past rulers.
Duke Vieto visibly hesitated.
"...I would like to grant your request if possible, but entering the Southern Tomb is a different matter entirely. It is not that you lack the qualifications, Lord Roman Dmitry. Normally, outsiders are strictly forbidden, but ever since you proved your worth as a warrior at the Valhalla Festival, you have transcended the status of a mere outsider."
He understood Roman Dmitry's intention.
It was likely to investigate records related to the Emperor of Valhalla, but this was not a matter he could simply permit on his own authority.
"To enter the Southern Tomb, one must pass a 'trial.' You must publicly accept challenges from Valhalla's warriors and the minority tribes of the Southern Jungle. You must endure a one-versus-many battle for an entire week before you can set foot in the Southern Tomb. Of course, there is no doubt about your martial prowess, Lord Roman Dmitry. However, the minority tribes of the Southern Jungle are beings that defy common sense. And the Dark Elves will not permit easy entry into the tomb either."
The minority tribes of the South.
The Dark Elves.
They were beings he had only heard of in rumors.
Roman Dmitry smiled.
"That is for me to handle. If you set the stage, I will not hold you responsible for whatever happens next."
"...Hmph."
Duke Vieto swallowed a heavy groan.
Although Roman Dmitry had achieved the best possible outcome in this civil war, he felt the need to uncover the secrets surrounding the Emperor of Valhalla. Marquis Belfir had clearly stated that there was an official document designating the 14th Son as the successor. He didn't know how Belfir had verified that document, but there was a high probability that the relevant materials were kept in the tomb.
Duke Vieto pondered for a long time.
He furrowed his brow, agonizing over the decision, before finally speaking with a look of resolve.
"Very well. Tomorrow, I shall announce the Warrior's Trial to the people."
The next day.
The news that the Warrior's Trial—a ritual spoken of only in legends—would be held threw the entirety of Valhalla into an uproar.