Despite the corruption and decline of the fortress in recent years, the Squad Leader felt it deeply, yet in his heart, the old soldier had always believed it was not the Emperor’s fault.
He had grown up listening to the legendary deeds of the First Great Emperor, and longed for that ruler, who sat high upon the throne in the Imperial Palace, far too distant to know the true state of the border, to, upon learning of the fortress’s true situation, bring thunderous reforms.
His hope, in fact, had already half come true.
Princess Teresa.
When he first learned that his superior’s superior’s superior was actually a little girl barely out of childhood, he, like most, felt resentment.
Yet, after truly meeting Her Highness, he was surprised to find that though she was young, this Commander was no mere ornament. On the contrary, her unwavering conviction matched perfectly with his old, idealized vision of the army.
Invasions.
As expected, in just a few short months since her appointment, Teresa had already achieved great feats, solving borderland troubles that had plagued them for over a decade.
“As long as the bigwigs from the Imperial Capital come, everything will be fine.”
The old soldier cheerfully watched as the Imperial Envoy took the seat of honor upon the high platform, then slowly stood up.
“Loyal soldiers of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor has heard of your deeds.”
As soon as the envoy began to speak, the old soldier’s imagination soared.
The Emperor knows?
Wonderful!
Then surely, our fortress will get reinforcements, the slashed military funds will be restored, and everything will be back on track!
Even those criminals who deceived the capital and tricked His Majesty into cutting funds will be punished, just as Teresa had ruthlessly crushed the quartermaster’s cronies!
“His Majesty is very pleased with all of you.” The envoy paused, “Therefore, His Majesty hopes you will continue to strive and accomplish even more—seize the Disputed Territory between our Empire and the Orc Kingdom.”
Hiss.
Orc Kingdom?
The old soldier sucked in a breath.
Unlike the barbarians, the Orc Kingdom was a formidable enemy wielding magitek.
For years, the Empire and the Orc Kingdom had clashed countless times; though the Empire generally prevailed, ever since the Eighth Legion was wiped out, the Empire had been on the defensive.
Such a difficult task?
Though only a low-ranking officer, the old soldier vaguely recalled the gentle advisor Green beside Her Highness once saying: “A soldier who does not wish to be a general is not a good soldier.”
Occupy?
So the old soldier tried, just as Green had said, to view the mission from a higher perspective.
It was hard—too hard!
Placing himself in the commander’s shoes, the Squad Leader instantly felt the urge to retreat.
These years, the Orc Kingdom had built fortresses and strongholds across the occupied lands.
Facing the enemy’s ironclad defenses, with their current deployment, even breaching them was nearly impossible.
However.
Since His Majesty issued such an order, surely he’d send massive reinforcements, right?
Though he cared little for the slaughter of war, since this was an Imperial Order, for the Empire and its people, the Squad Leader accepted it gladly.
“Well then, that’s all I have to say, you all may… hmm.”
The envoy looked with contempt at the meticulously prepared dishes on the table.
As expected of this barren borderland—nothing but revolting rubbish.
Hmm?
After hearing the envoy’s brief words, the soldiers below looked confused.
That’s it?
After reading out the mission, there was nothing else?
“Oh, I forgot to add one thing.” The envoy seemed to remember something and spoke again.
Whew, so he just forgot?
I thought, no matter how little he knew of military matters, he couldn’t expect this battered fortress to both defend Westland and launch a northern campaign against the Orc Kingdom, right?
“This mission concerns the Empire’s future. If you fail to complete it on time… you will all be subject to the Military Law Tribunal.”
The envoy said it in a casual tone, then continued, “You have three months to complete the mission.”
Whoosh!
As soon as he finished, the entire fortress hall erupted in chaos.
“What? If we don’t capture the Disputed Territory in three months, we’ll face a Military Law Tribunal?”
“What about reinforcements? With just our current numbers, we couldn’t even satisfy the enemy’s appetite!”
“Did I miss something just now?”
“And what about rewards and promotions? There’s not a word about that!”
As the crowd’s morale completely collapsed into uproar, Imperial Envoy Antonio’s smile grew even brighter.
Go on, riot.
If a rebellion breaks out, I can just use the floating battleship to “suppress” them.
Hmm, and in my report I’ll write, “Her Highness died in a border mutiny, and to avenge her, I have purged the entire border garrison.”
That way, I can remove Teresa, deal a blow to the Second Prince’s faction, and after such a “mutiny” kills a royal, that old governor—the Second Prince’s grandfather’s subordinate—will lose his position as well.
Seeing the envoy show no intention of explaining, the fortress officers remained silent, while the soldiers below grew more and more outraged.
Crash.
Just moments ago, the Squad Leader was dreaming of a bright future, hoping that he could be recognized as a hero for sacrificing comrades to save himself. Now, he couldn’t hold back any longer and stood up.
“Envoy, sir!” The Squad Leader timidly looked at the high-and-mighty figure—though plainly dressed, the aura around him was terrifying—and stammered, “Is that… is that all you have to say?”
“Oh?” Normally, Antonio couldn’t be bothered with the meaningless questions of a mere commoner, but here, in order to incite emotion, he forced himself to be patient.
“And you are… Squad Leader?” Only accustomed to dealing with senior officers, the envoy studied the old soldier’s insignia for a while before roughly recognizing his position. “What do you wish to ask?”
He asked unhurriedly.
“Those… those who sacrificed themselves, does His Majesty not… not intend to honor them?”
Ha, what a fool.
Antonio raised his hand without mercy.
Whoosh—
The old soldier suddenly felt all strength leave his body, and some force dragged him in front of the envoy.
“Huff… huff…” The Squad Leader’s face turned ashen. The crushing force of magic weighed upon him, nearly killing him—he could barely even breathe.
“Were you… questioning His Majesty’s decision just now?”
His Majesty?
The old soldier was dazed.
Suddenly, stories he’d heard since childhood flashed through his mind—upholding justice, punishing evil, striving tirelessly to protect the people…
“Were those stories… all lies?”
He muttered instinctively.
“Lies?”
Antonio glanced at the Squad Leader’s chest insignia, then smiled cruelly, “That medal on your chest—it really is a fake.”
Snap.
He ripped it off and played with it, “Such shoddy items really should be destroyed.”
Clang, clang, clang!
While the envoy toyed with the Squad Leader, the crowd could no longer remain silent.
“Let go of the Squad Leader!”
“You bastard! How dare you insult the honor of the Sixth Battalion!”
“What do you mean, fake medal? Colonel Lane awarded that himself…”
Heh.
Can’t hold back at all.
Is this rabble fit to vie with His Highness the First Prince for the throne?
Seated at the head, Antonio’s eyes grew colder, ready to deal with these overreaching fools.
“Fake means fake.”
With a little force, the ordinary medal shattered to pieces in Antonio’s fingers.
Zzzt.
“Trash belongs where trash should go.” Antonio stared at the Squad Leader, who glared back with rage—the same man who, moments ago, had been too scared to speak, now burning with fury at the destruction of his medal.
A discarded princess, a traitorous former colonel, a long-disgraced vice commander, and—what, an advisor who’s a bard of unknown origin?
Heh.
Ding~
Just as the soldiers below were about to act, a gentle melody rang out, soothing the anger in everyone’s hearts.
“Envoy, sir.”
A calm voice echoed through the empty fortress. “Please allow me to challenge you to a duel.”
A duel?
The envoy snorted and looked up, ready to glare at the fool.
It’s him?
Staring at Green, quietly strumming his harp, Antonio—who scorned everyone here—felt a sudden, inexplicable hesitation. Was it just an illusion?
“You?”
“What’s the matter, mighty noble, esteemed member of the Magus Council—are you afraid to accept a mere commoner’s challenge? Alas, how morals have decayed and hearts grown cold.”
Bang.
Standing up, Antonio’s eyes turned icy. “If you wish to die, I’ll grant your wish.”