The Executor's Expectations
The War Council of the Red Mercenary King served as the governing body overseeing the Eisenreich Colonial Empire's brutal expansionism, with the nobles of the War Council wielding unchecked power over the empire's policies and tactics. Throughout history, nations that proclaimed themselves mighty military states inevitably evolved into distorted forms where all influence concentrated in the military. The Colonial Empire, with its repeated conquests and invasions, had no choice but to centralize power in the War Council as well.
—Kailun von Valtenstein.
"Congratulations on your appointment as adjutant to the Edelgard family."
Crackle—
A hazy static noise. The manifestation stone, fixed in its metal frame, began to glow. At the same time, verdant green mana unfurled, birthing a three-dimensional screen in the empty air of the office.
A middle-aged man appeared. Tiberius Domitius Nero. The Executor. He was the leader commanding the War Council. If the empire was a military state, he was akin to the supreme commander.
The Executor held a term of about ten years as an elected position, but he exercised formidable authority over the War Council's command and control. Moreover, he could declare the "War Council's Final Order," pushing through war regardless of opposition from the entire Colonial Empire.
"Now, to the main point, Valtenstein Adjutant. Right after defecting from the Theodor Holy Empire, you launched a most intriguing smear campaign."
"Yes. I orchestrated black propaganda using the Hanzerbalt City Union."
"The Holy Empire, enraged by the scandal, looks ready to declare war on our Colonial Empire at any moment. Like a powder keg doused in oil... so precarious that even a light shot could ignite full-scale war. Was it revenge against the Steel Lorelei and the young lords from prestigious houses?"
"It was to completely sever ties with the Holy Empire and prove my loyalty to the Colonial Empire that accepted my surrender. Nothing more."
If it had been mere intent to reprimand the scandal's exposure, they would have ordered my extradition. But the War Council's Executor merely inquired into the details with his deep, resonant voice.
They want war.
The Colonial Empire was prepared for full-scale conflict.
Tiberius's goal was likely to judge whether this defector from the Holy Empire—who had suddenly become the eye of the storm—was trustworthy.
"Whether it's vengeance against the Steel Lorelei... or grudge against the Holy Empire... if it aids our Colonial Empire's glorious conquests, it's a matter for joy as the War Council's Executor. I look forward to your exploits, Valtenstein Adjutant."
"I will surely live up to your expectations, Executor."
I harbored no hatred for those romance fantasy bastards anymore. I'd paid them back in full. I'd tarnished the White Night Sword Albrus and the Black Star Sword Morion, the false war heroine dubbed the Steel Lorelei's prestige, and the status and honor of the Holy Empire's noble heirs. They must be plummeting into hell right now. The only regret was not witnessing their pathetic howls firsthand.
I wasn't the type to cling to past grudges, so I set aside my enmity toward those romance fantasy fools. From now on, I'd embed a capitalistic mindset: smash the Theodor Holy Empire to smithereens and rise as a famed general under the Colonial Empire.
"Edelgard Adjudicator."
"Command me anytime. The frozen wastes will gladly heed the Executor's orders."
Tiberius's gaze, projected through the screen, shifted. The silver-haired beauty who had been observing stepped forward.
"The other adjudicators also endorse full-scale war. Hasn't the Theodor Holy Empire always belittled our Colonial Empire while claiming hegemony over the continent?"
"Frederica... even the Red Mercenary King in the center?"
"Of course. The Red Mercenary King was the most enthusiastic. She's the destroyer who annihilated countless nations across the continent and erased their splendid civilizations and cultures."
"......"
Red Mercenary King. Seemed like a War Council adjudicator on par with Leonora. I'd heard of Frederica and her infamous reputation. She was the Colonial Empire's warmonger, notorious for unlimited massacres and plundering.
"The Eisenreich Colonial Empire always anticipates the exploits of its war heroes. Achieve victory and conquest by any means necessary. If you etch the empire's dignity and terror into our enemies with valiant deeds, the War Council shall promise you immortal glory and power eternal."
"I shall remember it well, Executor."
Immortal glory and power.
The War Council's Executor had personally promised rewards. A belligerent generosity—befitting the supreme commander of the military.
Tiberius emphasized the Colonial Empire's thorough meritocracy while ordering victory and conquest.
After the manifestation stone powered down, a momentary dizziness hit me along with the cold sweat pooling in my palms.
The Executor. The War Council's top rank and supreme commander. A figure tantamount to the empire's prime minister, wielding near-absolute rule over the Colonial Empire.
The Eisenreich Colonial Empire's politics had devolved into a feudal aristocracy where the emperor's position was nominal, and noble power reigned supreme. In other words, Tiberius, as the War Council's head, surpassed even the emperor.
"Are you alright, adjutant?"
"It doesn't feel real. A brief conversation, yet... to face the War Council's leader, a man rivaling the empire's emperor."
"Ahem! I represent the War Council myself, you know."
"I know, Lady Leonora."
Leonora pouted her lips in adorable complaint. I shrugged.
"The man who unified the north amid countless hostile factions was none other than the Executor. The Colonial Empire began as a tribal confederation and used the north as a foothold to advance to the continent's heartland."
"A war hero who forged the empire's golden age."
"Heh... seems the Executor takes a liking to you."
"I'll work hard to meet his expectations."
Such a great war hero had promised immortal glory and power. His bold claim of judging solely by merit, regardless of bloodline or origin, rang true.
I want to rise.
I want to seize wealth and fame.
I recalled the moment I first enlisted in the Holy Empire's imperial army. With the Theodor Holy Empire's prestige tarnished, war declaration seemed imminent. If I joined the frontlines with the frozen wastes' Executor, a chance to clash with the Yellow Path 12 Palaces guarding the Holy Empire might arise.
"No need to rush. If the Holy Empire declares war... the Executor will surely order the frozen wastes' forces to march. You've already shattered their lines once before, haven't you?"
"No petty grudges or human emotions here, but I do feel an ambition stirring to crush the Holy Empire—brimming with hypocrisy and stubbornness—and make my name resound."
"A splendid mindset. I'll help you."
"Thank you, Lady Leonora."
If I were a patriot at heart, I'd hesitate or delay. But I'm different. Holy Empire? A pack of bastards who'd endlessly exploited me. Come on, taste humiliation from the mongrel you all scorned.
Would I face the Steel Lorelei and those noble young masters on the battlefield? If fortune allowed me to confront the romance fantasy heroine and heroes... I'd vow to Leonora to tear those pureblood nobles limb from limb with all my might.
To find heinous criminals who fled their nations, just scour the Mercenary King's ranks—that's the joke going around, and her legions were indeed filled with ruthless villains.
Deserters who murdered superiors. Serial killers with countless victims. Arsonists who brutally torched villages, bandits who'd endlessly plundered. Famous for hiring criminals regardless of crime's severity. Nay, the more infamous the criminal, the better the treatment.
Thus, even the meritocratic Eisenreich Colonial Empire dubbed her forces the "Prisoner Legion."
The mercenaries under the Mercenary King were infamous for their mercilessness against minor nations opting for last stands or rebellions against the Colonial Empire. Massacres and plundering were par for the course; they'd raze cities and civilians alike, obliterating civilizations and cultures.
"Who'd have thought the frozen wastes' stoic bitch would snag the Mad Dog first... Didn't expect her to recruit the Mad Dog using his feat of slaying the Sword Saint. I planned to bid a fortune at the War Council's auction if he came up."
A beauty with cascading red hair gripped her greatsword's hilt as she spoke. Her face soured like a child robbed of her toy right before her eyes.
The Red Mercenary King. Frederica Baltaria Wynder. A mercenary from the Hanzerbalt City Union. A war hero risen from nameless grunt to military commander. The great feudal lord ruling the wandering wilds teeming with continent's criminals and mercenaries.
Frederica extended one hand, ordering the execution of insurgents plotting rebellion. Her cruel mercenaries tossed torches onto oil-soaked pyres without hesitation.
Whoosh—!
Flames roared to life in an instant. Hundreds hurled onto the pyre screamed in agony.
