Chapter 43: I’ll kill them all

At the northern front, one of the most troublesome issues was weapon portability.

The battlefield environment was so harsh that one could never predict when an ambush or battle might occur.

The standard-issued equipment alone felt utterly insufficient.

I always carried a long sword at my waist and a pistol in my coat, but those armaments had clear limitations.

The pistol was single-shot, rendering it useless after one shot, and the sword would likely shatter if it struck armor.

There were more than a few times I picked up enemy equipment after my own weapons were damaged on the battlefield.

Perhaps because of this.

Around the time I was promoted to colonel, I started adding subtle modifications to my military uniform.

Specifically, I added iron armor around the sleeves.

It might look peculiar, but surprisingly, it was quite useful. In urgent moments, it became a defensive guard for my wrist, and when throwing punches, it served as a makeshift gauntlet.

Except for making the clothing slightly heavier, it wasn’t inconvenient at all.

What’s the connection to the current situation, you ask? Of course, there’s a connection.

I’m currently wearing a military uniform.

“Oh, it’s been a while. I stopped fighting hand-to-hand when I was promoted to major general.”

I’m glad I didn’t dress up fancy for this banquet.

No matter how much power and status one gains, unexpected threats keep arising.

I should conduct a massive purge soon.

“Rest assured. I’ll interrogate you, so I won’t kill you.”

–Crack!

I grabbed the head of the man who directly brandished a knife at me and crushed his facial bones, rendering him unconscious.

I’ve already taken care of his cervical vertebrae with a lariat, so he won’t be moving for a while.

Even if he survives, he’ll likely be disabled for life.

“Kyaaak!!”

“M-Murder! Someone has been killed with bare hands!!”

“Someone’s targeting the Emperor! Immediately call the royal guards and seal off the banquet hall. Don’t let anyone leave!!”

Ignoring the noisy commotion, I quickly scanned the surroundings.

Such a large-scale incident couldn’t have been planned and executed by just one person.

Not only was poison secretly added to the drinks everyone receives, but hidden daggers were also smuggled past the guards’ inspection.

There must definitely be multiple accomplices.

And for the smooth execution of the assassination attempt, the co-conspirators were likely present within this banquet hall.

‘Damn.’

As expected, I soon spotted suspicious faces.

Pale complexions, breaking into cold sweats, not knowing what to do.

The problem was that these people were actually part of our negotiation delegation.

“Councilor Eppenstein.”

“Oh?! Why are you suddenly calling me, Deputy Chairman??”

“Why are you so restless? Like someone desperate to go to the bathroom.”

Deputy Negotiation Commissioner COUNT Eppensein, along with several secretaries and councilors.

Though there were quite a few people, they surprisingly shared one common characteristic.

They were all selected after being recommended by the nobility faction.

I wasn’t stupid enough to not understand what this situation meant.

‘These bastards have finally crossed the line.’

I calmly clenched my fist.

Wiping the blood from my hand and cracking my bones, I approached.

“Do you have any discomfort? Or perhaps something weighing on your mind?”

“W-What are you talking about? I have no problems! I’m perfectly fine, so stop these strange suspicions!”

“Is that so? I’m suspicious. It seems you and those friends standing behind you… were the ones who orchestrated this.”

Directly pointing them out as perpetrators, the Count finally couldn’t bear the pressure and drew a dagger, shouting.

“Damn it, attack! No matter how much of a northern wolf you are, you can’t handle a group attack!!”

“Die, you treacherous bastards!!”

Men who had hidden small blades as decorations suddenly rushed towards me.

Perhaps because they’re novices, their posture is a mess, but they seem more than capable of killing at least one person.

Regardless of what happens afterward, their intent to take me down is clearly evident.

Sighing at the foolish stubbornness of those struggling to the end, I lightly stepped and struck their vital points in sequence.

“Keuhaak!”

“Uuk! Gwehh…”

The assassins grabbing their solar plexus and hamstrings, rolling on the floor.

It was nothing more than a farcical comedy.

Haven’t you fought in a 10-to-one situation before? I’m a survival hero who has experienced and survived every tactical situation possible in the snowfields.

You parasites who’ve been lazily lounging in the rear, you’re not qualified to challenge me.

“Royal guards! Arrest these criminals and throw them in the imperial prison. Further disposition will be discussed with His Majesty and myself!”

“Understood. Hurry and take them away!”

After handing over the criminals to the soldiers who rushed in, only Count Eppenstein remained.

Staring at the man breathing roughly, I placed my military boot on his nape and pressed down firmly.

“Kkeuuk…”

“Shall we have a cozy little chat, dear councilor? Or should I say, my beloved attempted murderer?”

Well.

The neck is a vital point where numerous nerve bundles and critical organs like the brainstem are located.

Just a slight press causes incredible pain and pressure.

Moreover, when stepped on with a boot studded with metal cleats…

“Why did you commit such a crazy act? What was the reason for trying to kill the ambassador right in the heart of enemy territory? No, you don’t need to answer. I can roughly guess. Because you know too much. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“I see.”

The wavering in his eyes suggests I’ve hit the mark.

Not only did they prepare poison, but they also readied blades for a double trap.

To go this far in a foreign country, with a tight timeframe, they must have had sufficient justification.

No matter our political hostility, this isn’t a level of aggression where one would target lives.

If I were to guess the cause, there’s only one possibility.

These guys are anticipating what I might have heard from Louis XVI.

“You needed to silence me because I learned the truth you’ve desperately hidden. If I return and spread it, both the nobility and the royal family would be finished.”

“Damn, you’re perceptive.”

I should have suspected from the moment they begged me multiple times on the way back.

They already knew everything.

Seeing what information might be revealed in the Empire, where the realities of war are widespread, they tried to block it somehow.

Moreover, since I had a direct private meeting with Louis XVI, they were trying to handle it by any means necessary.

‘If it were just this, I might have understood.’

But questions remained.

If they had plotted against me and my subordinates, I could have understood, separate from my anger.

At least there would be rationality in target selection.

But why target the monarch? And a monarch of another country?

Are these bastards trying to destroy the country?

“Why try to poison the Emperor? If he were assassinated, the Empire and the Kingdom would have been forced into a truly life-or-death conflict. Did you want war that badly?”

The Count ground his teeth and spat out blood-mixed saliva, retorting, “Isn’t it obvious? We’re doing this to survive!”

“…What are you talking about?”

“The moment you return, we’re doomed. If even one of the delegation survives, your faction back home will move. To strip away all our authority and cause our downfall!!”

“You’ll pay for your sins. Did you think you could suck the people’s blood under the pretext of war without taking any responsibility?”

“That’s the natural duty of commoners!!”

The Count cried out as if in agony, expressing an absurdly unreasonable sentiment with desperate passion.

“We have blue blood! We’re the bloodline chosen to rule the kingdom! Is it a crime to collect some taxes to wage war!! You’re oppressing us with unreasonable force, so we had no choice but to take extreme measures!!”

“…What does that have to do with killing the Emperor?”

“If you and Louis XVI die together, we’ll have no room to be oppressed! The war will intensify, and the kingdom’s chaotic order will be restored to its proper course!”

Hearing this, I barely clenched my teeth and answered, “I see. Understood.”

Indeed, you were creatures that should not exist.

[If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.]

Since coming to this world, I’ve realized this is a wrong statement.

There should be a basic line of decency between humans, even without expectations.

But there are too many bastards who can’t even maintain that.

To truly avoid disappointment, one must not even consider them human. If you don’t consider them as intelligent civilized beings, you’ll avoid feeling hurt.

And these nobles are the same.

They’re just beasts.

Thoroughly selfish, knowing only themselves, unable to correct their bad habits.

To stop these beasts’ wickedness, There’s no choice but to kill them all. Definitively and thoroughly.

It’s not enough to just strip away their power.

Their lives must be taken. All their minimal basic rights must be revoked.

Exterminated.

Like culling pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease.

Completely eradicated, their seed dried up.

–Crack.

I crushed the bones between his neck with strong pressure.

A clean and definitive instant death.

After wiping my shoes on the corpse’s clothes, I turned to the Emperor and apologized.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Our idiots have caused you great trouble.”

Though fortunately unharmed, an assassination attempt had been made.

The kingdom now owes the Empire a massive diplomatic debt.

To repay that debt, I quickly proposed an impromptu deal to the Emperor.

“May I make a suggestion as an apology?”

“Go ahead and speak.”

“Within a year, I’ll transfer the Helgoland Border Count’s territory to the Empire. In return, please resolve this incident by punishing those directly involved. And…”

I paused slightly before continuing, “Please agree to recognize any political changes in the kingdom and refrain from accepting refugees for the time being.”

The Helgoland Count’s territory is located right in the middle of the western front, which has become a battlefield.

It’s not particularly large, but it’s a decent land with good farming.

Moreover, since the owners are hardcore royalists, from our perspective, sacrificing them wouldn’t be a significant loss.

By handing over this territory, we’re asking them not to escalate this incident.

If they cooperate well, we’ll carry out political reforms as desired and completely eliminate the idiotic ruling class to end the war.

“Of course, the war instigators will be sent to the Empire to receive appropriate punishment. What do you think?”

The Emperor pondered for a moment before nodding.

“No harm in that. I accept.”