Severing Ties with the Empire
I couldn't see any reason to protect this country.
With that thought in mind, I boarded the train bound for the Imperial Capital.
About three years ago, I transmigrated into the body of Leon Eisen, the second male lead of this world.
He was a pathetic fool, still harboring a one-sided love for the heroine who had chosen the crown prince—the man of the highest noble standing.
I suppose some might call it pure devotion.
That devotion was why he had volunteered to go to the northern border, defending the newly unified Empire from the northern nomads who had become its greatest threat.
All to protect her, the woman who had become the Empress.
"Unbelievable."
Chewing my gum, I glanced at my adjutant sitting next to me, Theresia Arnheim.
She had long since dropped the noble marker 'von' from her name, having lived as a fugitive for years.
The reason? She was wanted for the attempted assassination of the former Emperor.
Taking someone like her as my adjutant was proof enough of how little I cared for this Empire.
I had no idea what the original Leon Eisen would have thought of this, but frankly, it was none of my business.
"Theresia."
"Yes, General?"
"I'm planning to resign."
"Is that so? It sounds like a wise decision."
"And it won't be long before the Empire falls."
"Are you starting with that again?"
"Yes."
"Stop talking nonsense and just look at the scenery outside."
Her tone was cold, but her hands clenched tightly.
They were trembling slightly.
She was once a noble of the Demetrien Kingdom, which had been destroyed by the Empire.
That was why she had attempted something as reckless as assassinating the former Emperor.
The Empire collapsing in a few years wasn't actually nonsense.
That was how the original novel played out.
In about a month, a massive peasant rebellion would erupt, pushing the Empire to the brink of ruin.
The five conquered nations would also seize the opportunity to declare independence, setting the Empire ablaze.
In the original story, all of those rebellions were brutally crushed by the Empire's loyal dog, Leon Eisen.
But that very Leon Eisen was currently...
"*Yawn.*"
...yawning while thinking about his resignation.
The train passed through a tunnel, heading toward the Imperial Capital.
By the time we arrived at the station in the Imperial Capital, night had already fallen.
I ordered Theresia to wait at a nearby cafe and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Today marked the third anniversary of the current Emperor's coronation.
Since the heroine and the male lead—the crown prince at the time—had married immediately after his ascension, it was also their third wedding anniversary.
A boisterous banquet was underway in the palace's grand ballroom.
As I pushed the doors open, the guard spotted me and opened his mouth to announce my arrival.
"Shh."
I pressed a silver coin into his hand, silencing him.
Still dressed in my military uniform, I slipped into the ballroom and poured myself a glass of champagne.
It had been a long time since I last drank.
Whether it was a habit of the original Leon or my own belief that soldiers shouldn't drink on duty, I hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for three years.
"Ah."
This was the stuff.
I intentionally drank until I felt a decent buzz.
While the Emperor and Empress were familiar faces to the original Leon, they were complete strangers to me.
Since things were bound to be awkward, I let the alcohol take the edge off before heading toward the couple who clearly looked like the imperial rulers.
I recognized them the moment I saw their faces.
The Emperor, Ulysian von Nicator.
The Empress, Elysis Floren.
Watching them enjoy the banquet arm-in-arm, a natural wave of disgust washed over me.
Suppressing the urge to gag, I knelt before Ulysian.
Before he could recognize me and speak, Elysis beat him to it.
"Leon! You're back!"
"...Yes."
Leon and Elysis had been childhood friends.
And Leon had foolishly harbored a one-sided love for her.
...Even after she chose a worm like the crown prince, he still loved her.
What a pathetic fool.
I had no intention of following in his footsteps.
Elysis tilted her head at my response.
"Leon, I told you that you could speak comfortably with me, even if I am the Empress now."
"How could I dare speak so casually to someone of your noble standing? Please, retract your words, Your Imperial Majesty."
Ulysian smiled with satisfaction, clearly pleased by my submissive attitude.
"Indeed, Leon Eisen. You have worked hard in the north for the past three years. Now, We intend to entrust you with the defense of the capital..."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I wish to resign from my post."
"...What did you say?"
"I no longer see any reason to dedicate my life to the military."
His face contorted as he downed his drink.
The ballroom fell dead silent.
In the quiet, someone whispered.
"General Eisen is resigning...?"
"Then who will protect the Empire?"
"Good heavens."
It was that much of a bombshell.
And for good reason. I was a legendary war hero and a brilliant commander—so much so that people whispered the Empire would never have unified the continent without Leon Eisen.
Perhaps his glass had held a strong spirit rather than wine, for Ulysian's face flushed red as he unlinked his arm from Elysis's.
He marched right up to me.
"Do you still believe yourself to be the greatest general of the Empire?"
"I have never harbored such arrogant thoughts, Your Majesty."
"Then why do you seek to resign?"
"Am I not merely a lowly commoner, Your Majesty?"
"What...?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Even if he was a general, he was still a subject.
This was not something one should say to the Emperor.
I smirked and continued.
"Is this not an Empire where Your Imperial Majesty decides everything?"
"Leon, how dare you...!"
"By your decree, I was forbidden from purchasing a residence in the Imperial Capital, forcing me to buy a mansion in Anhelm across the Great River. How could a mere commoner like myself dare to reside in the capital?"
"...If you apologize for your insolence, We shall pretend We never heard your request."
"Your Majesty, I cannot apologize. Tell me honestly, did you not detest the thought of me living in the capital?"
Ulysian's face turned purple with rage, and he finally roared.
"Get out! Get out of the capital this instant!"
"Ulysian! Why are you doing this to Leon?!"
"Elysis, my Empress. This commoner has insulted me! Do you truly think this is acceptable?!"
I stood up and looked down at the Emperor.
He was shorter than me.
I didn't know if he was better-looking than me or not.
We probably just had different charms.
Then I looked at Elysis.
Honestly, I couldn't understand why a fool like Leon Eisen had been so obsessed with this woman.
There were plenty of women in the world. Why her?
Well, I suppose it was just the nature of the romance fantasy genre.
Just as spinning-top manga resolved everything with top battles, and card-game manga resolved everything with card duels...
...romance fantasy was a world where everything revolved around romance.
Honestly, to my eyes, Theresia looked much prettier than Elysis.
"I shall take my leave then."
"Get lost! And never return, Leon Eisen!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
With this, it was the Emperor who had banished me.
The day would come when they would beg for my return, weeping and wailing, but I could simply use today's words as an excuse never to go back.
Let's see how well they fare without me.
I let out a smirk and walked out of the ballroom.
A lively tune began to play behind me, as if trying to wash away the tense atmosphere.
The Minister of War followed me out.
I handed him the bag I had prepared beforehand.
Inside were all the proofs of my military service.
The Minister of War looked at me with worried eyes.
"Are you truly... leaving the military, General?"
"I am no longer a general, so please do not call me that."
"Without you, the Empire will truly..."
"What is there to worry about? Is this not the invincible Imperial Army that unified the continent? It will run perfectly fine without me. Farewell."
I gave a polite nod and walked out of the palace.
The night air was cool.
While the north had been buried under deep snow for a long time, winter was only just beginning to show its face here.
I went to the cafe where Theresia was waiting and brought her out.
"You've worked hard, General."
"I'm not a general anymore, Theresia. Don't call me that."
"Then what should I call you from now on?"
"How about 'Master'?"
"What terrible taste."
Theresia chuckled.
I hailed a passing carriage.
"To the Great River."
We rode to the river and crossed it by boat.
From there, we took another carriage to my mansion in Anhelm.
The mansion—which was a first-time visit for me, though Leon had lived here—was pitch black.
"Theresia."
"Yes."
As she channeled her mana throughout the mansion, the magic stone lamps responded, casting a warm glow.
The dark mansion was instantly illuminated.
Ransacking my memories, I found what must have been my bedroom, unpacked my things, and assigned Theresia her room.
Then, I headed up to the rooftop.
Theresia stared blankly across the Great River toward the Imperial Capital.
She asked quietly.
"Do you truly believe the Empire will fall?"
"Yes."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just know."
I packed some tobacco into a pipe I had prepared and lit it.
Plumes of smoke began to drift into the night air.
In a month, the rebellion would set the entire eastern region of the Empire ablaze.
And I had absolutely no intention of putting out that fire.