Why Are They Redeeming Themselves?
The sole pass linking Gartok Fortress and the Harua Kingdom, the Teron Mountains. Thanks to a grueling forced march that pushed through two straight days and nights without rest to meet the schedule, they had managed to complete all war preparations right on time.
The soldiers were sprawled out on the ground, still clad in their armor, catching what rest they could. And inside the command tent.
On the luxurious carpet laid down for at least a modicum of dignity, the officers' high-end military boots were caked in dirt and dust.
"That dog. Riding on the Emperor's favor, treating us noble-born private soldiers like dogs at his feet."
Viscount Bantor muttered through gritted teeth, seething with rage.
For no reason other than an imperial decree, from his own 3rd Armored Brigade to Baron Kesen's 12th Brigade, Marquis Droks's 4th Medium Armored Infantry Battalion, Viscount Sil's infantry brigade, and even Count Morban's 5th Supply Brigade. A full 20,000 troops had been dumped in the middle of the mountains like dogs in training, with no explanation, until the conquest of Edenver was complete.
"Merit? Any stray dog would laugh at that. In this barren mountain corner with not a single monster in sight, how the hell are we supposed to rack up achievements worthy of His Majesty's recognition? That Special Forces Command commander struts around with his swelled head—it's utterly revolting."
Baron Kesen chimed in agreement with Viscount Bantor. No, it wasn't just the baron. All the nobles and officers forcibly mobilized for this war wore expressions twisted with dissatisfaction, making no effort to hide it.
At that moment, the captain of the 7th Magic Support Company, who had been smoking a cheap cigarette in the corner, spoke up.
"What's even more absurd is that he used this operation as an excuse to squeeze massive supplies out of us. Among them, he half-forcibly extorted a total of two hundred4th Order Composite Magic Traps from the remaining noble faction, the neutrals, and even Countess Lumeria."
"Two hundred...?"
"He didn't just hit us—he targeted the entire noble and neutral factions?"
The 4th Order Composite Magic Traps were strategic assets whose explosive power alone surpassed siege weapons. On top of that, the noble and neutral factions had already footed a massive bill during the previous war with the Magic Kingdom. And now this mad commander had strong-armed them for even more supplies?
"Forget the rest—for those composite magic traps, once you bury and activate them, you can't even recover them. And if some civilian climbing the mountain or an herb gatherer gets caught in the blast by mistake, who bears that heavy responsibility? I just can't fathom what possessed him to pull off this insane stunt."
"Obvious, isn't it? It's a ploy to keep us in check. But we can turn it to our advantage. We got nothing from Chernverd thanks to the meteor the Magic King left behind, and now he's poked the nobles and neutrals again..."
"Exactly. We could overlook the rest, but why drag the noble and neutral factions into this? Tsk tsk."
"Once this fool's errand is over, we head back, hold the Emperor accountable, expand our influence a bit more, pull in the remaining moderate neutrals for sure, and squeeze those two."
Count Morban was already smiling, envisioning the wealth and honors he'd amass through negotiations with the noble faction.
"Plus, that young pup sent over a ton of weapons out of 'guilt.' Why not use them to seriously engage the Union Kingdom's leadership?"
"Not a bad idea. If we play it right, we might even get the support we need to yank down that sky-high imperial authority a notch."
From the moment they departed the Empire to this very instant, the officers had firmly believed they'd just kill time and return home without incident. Thus, their minds were filled solely with thoughts of returning to the capital, yanking Teron Meika's leash, and pressuring the Emperor.
But at that very moment, as their near-treasonous plotting ripened—
Ku-gu-gu-gu-guung!
"...???"
"What was that?"
A massive vibration erupted somewhere near the eastern side of the mountains, strong enough to shake the tent. Moments later, a communications soldier burst into the temporary command post.
"This is the latest report from the troops on standby at the forward Teron Mountains entrance!"
The soldier clutched a glowing blue communication orb. Sensing something amiss, Viscount Bantor cautiously infused it with mana.
"Wh-what...?"
Kwang!Kwa-ga-ga-gang!
Before the report could finish, an earth-shattering roar—far beyond the previous tremor—erupted in chain reactions. Pillars of flame shot up along the ridges throughout the Teron Mountains.
The magic traps, laid per Special Forces Command Commander Teron's orders, had detected the enemy and detonated in unison.
"Enemy attack! All units, battle stations!!"
"Mages, deploy barriers now and lock in artillery coordinates!!"
The battle erupted mid-rest. Even with the traps halting the kingdom's advance, chaos could have thrown everything into disarray—but rotten fish still swam straight. The officers present were veterans of dozens of battlefields. Their momentary freeze passed in a flash. They poured out of the command tent, issuing crisp orders.
As Viscount Bantor headed toward the front lines where the clash had truly begun at the Teron Mountains entrance, he gazed at the faintly visible Edenver in the distance and thought.
'No way... Did he really drag us here on purpose, just for the Empire—to wash away all past grudges and give us a chance to make amends?'
The thought didn't linger. Whether this was a genuine opportunity he'd granted or sheer coincidence, there was one duty for any Celestius Empire soldier: halt the Harua Kingdom's advance.
"We'll surrender!! Please, just spare our lives!!"
Exactly one day after the war began, Edenver had fallen completely.
The three fortresses they boasted of had been obliterated without trace by magic artillery shells. The 5,000 otherkin held as illegal slaves were to be taken back to the Celestius Empire for now.
I sat on something resembling a suitable seat and sank into thought.
'...This is driving me insane.'
My initial estimate for Edenver's fall had been a full week. No, even most kingdoms couldn't hold out a month against imperial forces. Giving this little slave-trading city a week for a siege defense was generous.
But not even a day. Precisely 18 hours, and the city's heart was pierced.
They'd clearly planned to stall us with Harua Kingdom reinforcements, buying time in a siege defense. Meanwhile, they'd smuggle out the illegal slaves and erase the trafficking evidence.
The unburned slave trade certificates scattered in the royal castle's underground holding cells, and the red-hot branding magic tools, bore witness to their ugly truth. Or perhaps they never imagined 20,000 imperial troops would pour in from Gartok.
But what plunged me deeper into despair was the report that followed.
"We've searched thoroughly, but no material evidence proving a direct pact or connection between Edenver and the Harua Kingdom turned up."
"I see."
I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing tears inwardly.
'If there's no connection, why the hell did you suddenly shove an army in here and ruin my perfect plan, you damned Harua bastards!!'
Anyway, that was that. This war needed wrapping up at a reasonable point. Liberating the slaves and collapsing Edenver had already piled up merits too massive to handle.
As I prepared to withdraw with a heavy heart, the problematic noble and neutral officers who'd joined from around Gartok Fortress blocked my path en masse.
Caked in blood and dust, eyes gleaming as if begging recognition for surviving fierce combat, they met my mere blink with brief disappointment—then, as if scripted, bowed deeply in unison.
"We deeply misunderstood Colonel Teron's profound intentions and dared to doubt you—truly sorry!"
Viscount Bantor even teared up as he shouted.
"You endured our slanders and curses, personally securing those supplies. Thanks to that, our casualties were astonishingly light. The stage you set let us utterly annihilate Harua's reinforcements!"
"Exactly! If you grant us one more chance to restore our honor now, we'll personally report all this to the neutral and noble faction leaders! We'll convince them to spare no support or investment for the remaining conquests!!"
"......"
No. That's not it, you lunatics! If you redeem yourselves here, what happens to my dishonorable discharge!!
Part of me wanted to grab their pant legs right then and beg them to revert to their old arrogant trash selves.
But seeing the massive ranks of troops staring at me like some savior, that notion vanished in an instant.
"Haa......"
Ultimately speechless, I could only sigh.
"...Well, time will tell if that resolve is genuine. Return to your units and prepare thoroughly."
Afterward, I fled back to my command tent.
'Where the hell did everything start going wrong?'
Wracked by brutal post-nut clarity, I stared blankly at the ceiling—when Jenia, always impassive and businesslike as a lieutenant, burst in with flushed cheeks, barely containing her excitement. Utterly unlike her usual self.
"...Jenia?"
"It's... truly incredible, Commander! Surviving a direct meteor hit wasn't enough—you rack up merits like this right out of the gate! Thanks to you, my promotion to captain is all but certain with this campaign!"
"Ah, is that so?"
Sad was sad, but congratulations first. Captain already? Another special promotion? Impressive.
...No, that's not the point.
Anyway, returning to the capital like this meant no dishonorable discharge—just being hailed as an unprecedented great hero in Celestius Empire history, slaving away at the Emperor's side till death.
Then my dream of enrolling in the academy for a belated youth? Dead before it started.
'I have to flip this board somehow. Need something utterly definitive and fatal as a stain.'
Suddenly gripped by unease, I trailed off mid-conversation, lost in deep thought. Jenia hesitated, then ventured carefully.
"Are you alright, Commander? Is something from this operation bothering you?"
"...!!!"
That was it. Her question sparked a piece of intel from earlier flashing in my mind.
'The kids definitely said they found zero evidence linking Edenver and Harua Kingdom, right?'
Then the logic held: Harua's heavily armed force crossing Teron Mountains could just be routine border maneuvers.
And if we couldn't produce clear proof they were relieving Edenver?
If the kingdom pressed first? We'd be the scum who ambushed and annihilated innocent neutral troops mid-training, without declaration of war.
As the responsible party, I'd take the fall and strip my uniform.
Plus, Harua had moved a division so slyly and ambiguously that blame was clear-cut—they couldn't fully paint me the villain.
...This was it! The answer!
A situation leagues beyond troop waste or command errors—play it right, and I'd be relieved of duty on the spot!
Feeling one step closer to true retirement, a joyous smile bloomed on my lips.