SWNOVELXO Chapter 136
“Thank you for your hard work in coming here, Commander Paelus.”
As a commander, it’s only natural to know the enemy’s command hierarchy. In this regard, Paelus was well aware of how high the position of the Empire’s Chief of Staff was, more than anyone else.
It was a position that held all powers granted by the Emperor, overseeing the entire Imperial Army. He had field commanders and legion commanders under his command, capable of issuing orders. With just a gesture, at least 100,000 troops could be mobilized.
To exaggerate a bit, you could say it was a position akin to that of a king of a kingdom. It was fair to say he had reached the pinnacle of the military.
And the person sitting in that Chief of Staff position was a young man not yet thirty years old.
‘He looks about the age of my son.’
A young man in his early twenties. Young. So young that you could say he was still a mere boy.
However, this young man was the strategist who had forged the Empire’s myth of consecutive victories. He was a monster who had never allowed a single defeat until now.
When I first heard rumors about him, I thought they had been exaggerated. Was it really possible to shatter the three eastern kingdoms with just a few schemes? I figured the Empire was just eager to create a hero, and that was the result.
But later, in the south, Benito had been reduced to a limbless disabled man. Dedorant, buoyed by his massive victory, had once again been driven into the mud. He even managed to deceive Prince Georg Sistania, who led everyone in Dedorant.
‘No longer should I care about his age. That young man, despite his youth, surpasses even seasoned veterans in experience and strategy.’
Still maintaining his tension, Paelus received Kael’s greeting.
“It was nothing worth calling hard work. If anything, it seems the hardships were on your side.”
The meeting tent wasn’t set up at the center of each army. It was installed closer to Dedorant. Paelus subtly made it known that they could cause havoc if they wanted to.
Of course, he had no intention of doing so. It was merely a matter of pride. He knew it was foolish. Yet, wouldn’t it be better to seize some sort of advantage, even like this?
“Ha ha ha. It’s not like the honored guest was accompanying me on the way.”
“Honored guest? Paelus turned his head following Kael’s gesture.
Soon, he was taken aback by the appearance of a beautiful woman, completely out of place in such a harsh battlefield. If his eyes weren’t deceiving him, she was the Empire’s Second Princess.
“Your Highness the Second Princess of the Empire, Commander Paelus.”
“… So, indeed, an honored guest had been accompanying you. I am Paelus Gusthagen. How fortunate to meet you.”
“I am Isabelle Heldenberg, the Second Princess.”
As mentioned, this was a place closer to the Dedorant camp. Yet, to have both the Chief of Staff and even a princess here…
If Leonite had known this fact, he surely would have raged about needing to attack.
‘Half of the surrounding guards are Imperial personnel, while the other half are demons from Nobogord. What on earth is going on?’
They had sent reinforcements, but to summon them to such an important place? Just how much had the relationship between the Empire and Nobogord progressed? Had they gotten close to an alliance?
Faced with such various situations, Paelus’s mind began racing madly.
“I’ve heard various stories about Commander Paelus.”
“Are you talking about the tales from my residence?”
“Yes. You repelled one of our Empire’s attacks, and amidst the ongoing onslaught, it’s said that the role of none other than Commander Paelus is significant.”
“That’s thanks to the efforts of the soldiers, not me.”
Half of that was humility, but the other half was sincere. In reality, if the soldiers hadn’t fought valiantly, it would have been of no use at all.
Dedorant, Atria, and even DeGale—those who came from various places had given their all.
“I was amazed as I listened to the reports. It was truly impressive.”
“I didn’t arrange this meeting just to receive compliments.”
“Hmm. That’s true. Now that I think about it, the soldiers must have reached their limits and would be uncomfortable.”
“….”
Paelus felt a bitter sting in his heart upon hearing this, just as he had expected. The enemy was thoroughly grasping his side’s circumstances as if they were their own.
He couldn’t even respond to the inquiries of whether maintaining the military was becoming increasingly difficult, let alone fighting anymore.
“I have one question for you, Chief of Staff.”
“I’m listening.”
“This meeting here… It’s not a discussion of surrender, is it?”
“If we proposed surrender, would you be willing to consider it? I don’t think so.”
With a playful smile, Kael tapped the table lightly.
“Let’s take a break. Just 72 hours. A complete ceasefire. What do you say?”
“….”
“I’ll state this here, just in case. During those 72 hours, the Empire will not undertake any military action for future tactical or strategic goals. The siege will remain, but everything else will be completely halted. Commander.”
“… Is that genuine?”
“I swear it on my loyalty to the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.”
As Kael said this, he glanced at Isabelle beside him, as if she were a witness to his words.
When Isabelle nodded, Paelus’s expression became even more complicated.
“You must be wondering about the sudden ceasefire.”
“Honestly, yes.”
“Didn’t we fight for nearly a month without even celebrating the New Year? Our Empire and your Dedorant—we all believe in the same religion and celebrate the same festivals. Yet, due to this damned war, we’re ruining everything.”
Indeed, why are they doing something futile that makes everyone’s lives difficult?
Paelus felt uncomfortable with Kael, sitting across from him, saying that.
“Compared to the week usually spent celebrating the New Year, it’s terribly insufficient. But three days should be enough, don’t you think? Let’s at least try to create a festive atmosphere for a moment.”
“Is that the reason for the ceasefire proposal?”
“Isn’t that enough? You and I—we are, after all, those who fight taking from the fathers, husbands, and sons of others. Even if we can’t return them to their families at that moment, can’t we at least allow them to remember that warmth for a brief time?”
“….”
Kael’s words made Paelus involuntarily think of the soldiers in his camp.
Young men already suffering from hunger since the supplies had long run out. They should be celebrating the New Year enwrapped in their families, humming “Lili Marlene” at home instead of on the battlefield.
Those in high places sparked the war, while those at the bottom were dying.
His mouth felt bitter. It was truly sad to acknowledge the reality presented by an enemy.
“If we do not accept the ceasefire, what will happen?”
“It would be unfortunate, but what can we do? We’ll just have to hit hard again, just like we have until now.”
“And conversely, if we accept the ceasefire, what will happen once the promised time has passed?”
“Of course, it would be an attack. We are, after all, enemies, aren’t we?”
Still, there was one thing. If they accepted it, they could give the soldiers a chance to rest for three days.
The enemy leader himself had sworn it—at least for three days, they could have a time of peace.
Paelus, noting Kael’s additional words, remained silent, fidgeting with his hands.
“Oh, if we accept the ceasefire, I’m willing to extend some kindness to celebrate the New Year, albeit late.”
“Kindness, you say?”
“What would it entail? It’s a chance to eat and drink during the festival.”
“Are you suggesting you’d give food and drink to your enemies?”
“At least for those 72 hours, we’re all unwilling victims dragged along. So, such kindness is possible.”
Of course, don’t get me wrong; I only mean to provide enough for those three days.
How it’s distributed is up to you, but saving will be difficult.
Paelus was in agreement with Kael on that.
When you have food in front of starving people, how can you tell them to save it?
I can guarantee that the one who suggests such a thing will be killed on the spot.
“So, what do you say, Commander? I hope you can make a decision here without delay.”
“Are you not allowing me any time to consider?”
“If I give that time, it would only make it harder for you guys, hence this.”
Does he even know about the internal disagreements? Truly a frightening man.
Paelus, forcing a smile, eventually nodded in acknowledgment.
And after a moment, a brief ceasefire was declared between the two armies.
*
After a series of events, Leonite was naturally furious.
“Does this even make sense!”
The commander facing the enemy, immediately accepting their ceasefire proposal? It was clear what they were aiming for; how could one take the bait?
No matter how tough it was, should they not stand firm and refuse coldly?
“Then, General Leonite. A mere three days of relaxation—a time to ease the hunger of those who’ve been suffering, are you saying you could tell the soldiers they should forgo that?”
“That… is…”
“They’re not asking for surrender; it’s just a brief ceasefire. Don’t you know that we cannot endure any longer without that?”
What he was worried about was clear. He was afraid the soldiers might completely give up.
But that is that, and this is this. The Empire has already released the poison of respite upon us.
If the news spread and we did not accept it, it wouldn’t just be three days later but tonight that we would crumble.
Beneath her nose is something so sweet; how could someone prevent someone else from having it?
In a moment of rationality, they might hold out, but not now.
At this point, instincts would surely take over, clearing out anything that stands in the way.
“Commander! A supply unit bearing a white flag from the Empire has arrived!”
“Maintain vigilance but greet them courteously, as if they were messengers.”
Soon, the supplies said to have been sent from the Empire were placed before them for confirmation.
Inside, there was neither too meager nor overly extravagant food.
There was even some alcohol to bring a little warmth back to their bodies.
“Commander, in the unlikely event that there’s poison or drugs in there—”
Leonite tried to stop the process until the end, but Paelus personally checked it.
If it were poison, he would die first—wouldn’t that be a fitting punishment?
“… Seeing that I’m still fine, it seems there’s nothing wrong. Aide?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Distribute the incoming supplies evenly among the units. No rationing; let everyone eat and drink their fill during these three days. This will be a late celebration of the New Year, and we should at least maintain the atmosphere.”
So, between the Empire and Dedorant, a peculiar New Year ceasefire began.