Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Iron Emperor — Chapter 69
At the highest seat, the Throne of Yeolje, Go Jin-cheon sat silently with his eyes closed, flanked by Dae Mu-deok and Yeon Hwi-garam as though supporting him. Beside Dae Mu-deok sat Risel, and beside Yeon Hwi-garam sat Eulji Buru and Eulji Uru in a row. And beyond them, the commanders—Buyeo Gi-yul, Mong Ryu-hwa, and the others—were seated in chairs.
"Disclose the analyzed information."
"Yes."
At Jin-cheon's words, Hwi-garam raised a hand. Giyul and Ryu-hwa then came forward and hung a large prepared parchment map. The kingdoms of Haian, the Holy Empire, North Roselin, and South Roselin were enlarged upon it.
"I am Daehyeong Mong Ryu-hwa."
Mong Ryu-hwa bowed his head respectfully toward Jin-cheon, then touched the map and began his explanation.
"According to the intelligence gathered so far, signs of war were already confirmed approximately seven months ago. Baron Alvin's raid on the slash-and-burn farmers' village was part of an effort to replenish his troops, and it is also the reason our iron supply is currently cut off."
Ryu-hwa's voice rang out clearly.
"Here—according to the last letter received from Daesaja Gye, even in the Royal Capital, the deployment of soldiers has already been finalized, and a total of twenty thousand troops have completed preparations to move. Furthermore, based on data collected from the Gowin Domain, it has been confirmed that battles are occurring daily along the border region between North Roselin and South Roselin. Because of this, merchants of the Haian Kingdom, whose mainstay is trade, are each departing for the Holy Empire to sell other war matériel. South Roselin's situation, like North Roselin's, is one of being cut off by the Holy Empire. Therefore, they can only sell war matériel by going through the Holy Empire. The reason is that on the return route lies the Reganza Mountains, where we are situated. Travel is thus impossible. And, in truth, there are no Haian Kingdom traders who would do business while defying the eyes of the Holy Empire."
At Ryu-hwa's explanation, Buru tilted his head and asked a question.
"So they only sell to North Roselin?"
"That is correct."
Having answered Buru's question briefly, Ryu-hwa continued his explanation.
"In effect, the Holy Empire is using North Roselin with the aim of fully annexing South Roselin."
"Will the other two great empires simply look on? I understand there was a similar case before."
When a bushy-bearded commander on one side asked the question, Ryu-hwa nodded and answered.
"The circumstances this time are somewhat different. There was a succession struggle in South Roselin."
A murmur rippled through the hall.
The mention of a succession struggle caused a small stir in the Imperial Hall. Ignoring the noise, Ryu-hwa's explanation continued.
"In truth, it is hardly even a succession struggle—merely a member of South Roselin's maternal relatives being driven out. The problem is that he sought asylum in North Roselin. Whether the Holy Empire gave the word or not, North Roselin is preparing for war under the surface justification of correcting the bloodline of the South Roselin royal house, appointing that maternal relative as overall commander—that is, Commander-in-Chief. The Holy Empire, likewise, began sending support, backing North Roselin's intent. Because of this surface justification and the difficulty of providing support given their locations, the other two great empires are in a wait-and-see situation. That is all."
Mong Ryu-hwa, who had been explaining while unfolding the map, finished speaking and returned to his seat.
When Jin-cheon nodded toward Hwi-garam, he signaled Giyul with a glance.
"I am Daehyeong Buyeo Gi-yul."
Giyul bowed his head respectfully toward Jin-cheon in lieu of a military salute and began his explanation.
"I will report on the progress of the eastern mountain range's development, which began the day after Daesaja Gerard marched out. First, this development—carried out by placing the existing troop types in the vanguard and rear guard while focusing primarily on the new recruits' combat performance—has now established three intermediate waypoints to the east and is ongoing. The problem is that compared to our existing forces, which sustained fewer than twenty light injuries, the casualties among the new recruits are high. Already, eleven are dead; the seriously wounded and crippled reach twenty-one; and even the lightly wounded number around forty. I have heard it said that these numbers are rather low, but that is the standard of this world. By our standards, it can only be called grievous. The reason is that in our current state, where replenishing troops is difficult, we must minimize losses."
"Hmm."
As Jin-cheon's brow furrowed slightly, Giyul tensed a little and spoke.
"This situation is not a matter of training quantity. Although I am charged with training the soldiers, as matters stand, the present results are almost miraculous. In reality, nearly all of the deaths occurred in engagements carried out without our existing units. Ultimately, it means that operating alone is still beyond them. Accordingly, I propose to Taedaehyeong Yeon Hwi-garam that we establish the Gyeongdang and train the Joui Seonin."
"Do it."
"......."
Jin-cheon's permission came so instantly that Giyul forgot what he had meant to say. Instead, Jin-cheon's question reached him.
"Is there a concrete plan?"
"If Your Majesty commands it, I will draw one up at once."
As Giyul bowed his head, Jin-cheon turned his gaze to the assembled commanders and spoke.
"The present moment is critical. I therefore authorize the establishment of the Gyeongdang and the cultivation of the Joui Seonin. In addition, gather the Ssaulabi of Baekje origin and foster them together. Even if we must open up each school's techniques to a certain extent, we will accelerate the development of personnel. The targets range from existing soldiers to the children now growing up, and will extend to include women."
"When you say 'women,' to what degree do you mean...?"
When Hwi-garam posed the question to Jin-cheon, he glanced at him and continued his explanation.
"In the case of young girls, it will be decided according to their aptitude, and the mothers of children must undergo the Gyeongdang curriculum for a set period each day. This is not so much meant to put swords in the mothers' hands as it is to establish an institution in which the early education of children—those still too young to enter the Gyeongdang or only recently born—is carried out in the home. Giyul will attend to the rest of the detailed planning."
"I obey!"
In response to Jin-cheon's words, Giyul rendered a military salute and received the order.
Jin-cheon rose slowly from the Throne of Yeolje, looked out at the commanders filling the Imperial Hall, and spoke.
"As you know, the continent is beginning to descend into chaos. If no factor capable of major change arises in the current situation, South Roselin will find it difficult to hold out. It may even be annihilated."
"......."
"War is opportunity."
"......."
Jin-cheon's calm voice was reaching them.
"I am told that Daesaja Gye Ung-sam is being treated like a ghost and driven back by those Holy whatever-they're-called bastards."
"......!"
"What!"
Anger flared in the commanders' eyes.
How dare they!
Who were they to treat a military officer of the Great Gauri Empire as a ghost!
To them, this was an intolerable matter—and not something to remain silent about. Already more than half the commanders were shifting in their seats, ready to leap to their feet. After all, were they not the ones who had lived the most fiercely fought lives?
And because they had been a single unit, their cohesion was beyond reproach.
A smile spread across Jin-cheon's lips.
"Is it not amusing?"
"......."
Instantly the commotion subsided. Jin-cheon's smile in the moment of greatest fury. Risel could not understand it, but these people knew this look of Jin-cheon's well.
"Calling themselves empires—every worthless dog and swine."
"......."
With every mocking word Jin-cheon uttered, the commanders' faces only grew harder.
"Just for having black hair, they hunt you down and kill you, so they say. If your eyes are even slightly dark, they kill you...."
"......."
As the edge of Jin-cheon's words faded, a moment of silence swept through the Imperial Hall.
Jin-cheon, having risen from the Throne of Yeolje, clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the rear. There, a single Hwandudaedo stood upright. He stopped before it, unclasped his hands, and gripped the sword sheath with one hand.
Schrring.
The clear ring of metal sliding free sounded. At that moment, the faint trace of Jin-cheon's smile showed itself. It was only then that Risel understood why they had all fallen silent.
What Risel read within Jin-cheon's deep smile was rage.
Rage beyond description.
Why!
What on earth had so enraged him? Risel thought long. Because Ung-sam was being driven back? Surely it could not be that alone.
"I do not know what kind of creature this world's god is, to stand by and watch such conduct."
"Hrk!"
"Seeing them slaughter people under the pretense of demon tribes or whatever—it is truly ridiculous."
A breath of air leaked from Risel's mouth. The tip of the Hwandudaedo in Jin-cheon's hand was aimed at the hanging map. More precisely, it was pointing at the Holy Empire on the map.
Risel felt a chill.
'Surely not the Holy Empire....'
His skin prickled at the fleeting thought. Were they not an opponent they could not possibly match?
"Buru."
"Yes?"
While glaring at the Holy Empire on the map, he summoned Buru. When Buru answered, sounding curious, Jin-cheon tossed a single question as if in passing.
"Do you intend to stay buried here until your hair turns white?"
"I'd sooner bite down on an axe, pitch forward, and die flat out."
Through the lips of Jin-cheon, who wore a deep smile, white teeth showed faintly.
"Uru."
"Even if a Pyeonjeon arrow were to bury itself in my skull, I cannot live like this."
Though he had merely called their names, from Uru came the kind of answer that delighted Jin-cheon. The faintly visible teeth parted wider until Jin-cheon's mouth held a smile as broad as a gourd.
"Hwi!"
"If this land's god commanded it, then I would cut off the god's own head and bring it back."
"Kwa-ha-ha-ha-haht!"
Even the ordinarily cold and rational Hwi-garam added fuel to the flames.
"This is no recent slaughter. It is a massacre spanning thousands of years—killing for black hair, killing for dark eyes."
"Oh, heavens! Then the beautiful ebony-haired maidens must have suffered as well! We cannot sit idly by and leave those warped standards of beauty unchallenged!"
"Keuk."
At Jin-cheon's remark, Ryu-hwa chimed in as if adding a rhythmic call.
Risel wanted to stop these reckless people, but not a single word escaped his mouth. No—he could not. It was as if he alone were set apart, for a deep smile hung on the lips of every commander in the Imperial Hall.
And within that smile was a thick, murderous intent....
WHOOSH!
KRA-KABOOM!
The Hwandudaedo in Jin-cheon's hand let out a fierce wind-like roar as it pierced through the map and shattered the wall behind it. The wall crumbled, and powdered stone scattered in all directions.
Fwoooooo~.
The wind swept belatedly through the Imperial Hall.
"Good. I see no one here is willing to sit still and die."
"Needless to say!"
From one side, the spirited voice of a young commander burst forth. Jin-cheon twirled the Hwandudaedo and drove it down into the floor of the Imperial Hall.
THUNK!
The Hwandudaedo pierced the stone floor as if parting tofu and lodged there.
"Whether we wished it or not, they have already declared war."
Jin-cheon's voice carried weight, boring into each person's ears.
"If we will not run, we will fight."
Crack.
The rough sound of someone's fist clenching with force resounded.
"And if we are to fight, we must win. Is that not so? Commanders!"
"We obey!"
Some forty commanders roared at once and dropped to one knee. Go Jin-cheon spread his arms wide to either side and thrust out his chest.
Grandly.
Very grandly.
As though drawing in a tremendous breath, he thrust out his chest.
"Heuuuuum haaaaa."
The air he had drawn in deeply turned to hot vapor and escaped from Jin-cheon's mouth.
Long.
Very long.
When the exhaled breath faded away, Jin-cheon quietly spoke, his arms still spread wide.
As if speaking to himself.
"This air is pleasant."
A tranquil voice.
"......."
"I wish to let my descendants breathe this air to their hearts' content."
In contrast to his earlier intensity, it was the look of one intoxicated by peace. His voice was serene, and on his lips was a small, peaceful smile, not one filled with murderous fury.
"Yet the Holy Empire insists on throwing up obstacles."
"......."
His manner of speech was slow, like an old man telling stories to children.
"Would that this peace had lasted a little longer."
It was a quiet tone.
Then a gleam flashed in Jin-cheon's eyes.
"We must, then—war."
At this short, clipped declaration, the commanders seated in the Imperial Hall simultaneously kicked away their chairs and rose, dropping to one knee.
"By the will of His Majesty, Supreme One of All Heavens who embraces all people and all things! We shall become the sword of Gauri, become its spear, and with wills and bodies like tempered steel, we shall shatter all enemies who defy him and become the vanguard that makes His will resound throughout heaven and earth!"
"Yes. Let us fight."
The cry of over forty voices.
Jin-cheon's quiet answer.
A departure ceremony held abruptly within the Yeolje Hall.
Risel did not know what storm this single cry would soon unleash upon the continent. No—none of those gathered here knew.
"This Hwandudaedo of mine, driven into this floor—I will pull it out myself on the day the retribution ends."
Those were Jin-cheon's last words as he turned his back and strode out of the Yeolje Hall.