SWNOVELXO Chapter 169
Appoint Paelus as one who will protect the People of the Dedorant Kingdom.
There was also the Emperor’s command, and coincidentally, I was already considering that direction.
No matter how ordinary they may be, they are ultimately Dedorant people.
The way they look at our Empire and, conversely, the way our Imperial Army looks at them.
Since we were enemies, those glances couldn’t possibly be kind, nor could there be any goodwill between us.
In times like this, it’s a great comfort to have someone from the same nation.
Moreover, our Imperial Army has the Dedorant soldiers who surrendered and officers of the commander level.
“…The Emperor of the Empire has given me such a task, you say?”
“You can refuse. It can be entrusted to others.”
“No. Chief of Staff. I will do it. I want to do it. If it had been entrusted to someone else, I would have asked to take over that position instead.”
Paelus immediately dashed to the Temporary Shelter where the People of the Dedorant Kingdom were.
I hadn’t given any specific instructions, but he would manage it well. He is someone of resolve and wisdom.
He probably understands that this is the Empire testing itself and Dedorant.
Whether it is truly acceptable to embrace them or if they should all be discarded for the future.
‘No matter how much we decide and act under the name of a benevolent Empire, if those who are meant to receive it ultimately reject, then mercy becomes meaningless.’
So, dear Paelus. Hang in there. The future of Dedorant rests in your hands.
Commanding the leadership and existing ruling factions is one thing, but wiping out the ordinary citizens isn’t right, is it?
If it becomes clear that they cannot accept the order of the Empire this time, who knows what might happen?
For now, this part is settled. Next, we have to handle our side of the Empire’s affairs.
Suddenly, an enormous number of the Dedorant People entered our camp.
Even if they mean no harm, would it really be easy for our soldiers to accept them?
“Chief of Staff. The Legion Commanders of each Legion and the Commanders of Nobogord and the Eastern Allied Command have all gathered.”
After receiving my aide’s report, I immediately moved to the conference hall of the Chief of Staff Headquarters.
“The Chief of Staff is entering.”
The Imperial Legion Commanders who had already received orders, including Charlua and the Commander of Nobogord.
And also the Commander Bethel of the Eastern Allied Command, whom I had seen in the East before.
“Everyone, please take a seat.”
After tidying up the hall, I began to explain the reason for their summons.
“As you all know, this war will come to an end soon. Even if the enemy’s command tries to uproot their very roots to resist, it won’t matter what they do.”
Perhaps because the words came from no one other than the Chief of Staff, fierce light flickered in the eyes of each commander. The end of the war. They could see it.
“However, just because the war is ending doesn’t mean everything will be over. Each of you has things you need to settle, and we will have to settle accounts for what has been lost because of this war. That could be rewards, or perhaps judgment for the damage back home.”
Unlike the soldiers, the commanders will have to take responsibility.
It is the cost that comes from being blinded by glory. A punishment for thinking lightly of the lives of the soldiers.
Of course, such reckless individuals aren’t present in this room.
If there had been such signs, I would have dealt with them in the Ministry of War, in the Imperial Palace, and cut them out.
“What everyone must not forget is that we must not act as invaders. While we can claim some share of responsibility for this war, we must not take on all the infamy.”
With this much, I figured everyone would roughly understand what I wanted to say.
It’s a war that is coming to an end anyway. A war that must be won. Don’t mess it up.
I must firmly state that no one should destroy the local public sentiment or tarnish the justification with unnecessary actions.
“The matter with Benito has been roughly resolved. I will be deploying the Imperial 4th Legion and the reserves from that location to attack the southern Dedorant. Accordingly, we will resume our attack, so the 6th Legion and 13th Legion must coordinate with the 4th Legion to avoid any issues in the advance.”
“Yes, Chief of Staff.”
“What is the situation in Atria? Charlua.”
“Our Nobogord forces and the Imperial 2nd and 8th Legions have captured nearly all regions. The only remaining areas are the farthest west according to Atria, and some close to the Dedorant border.”
“Let them pass through the Dedorant border, as they will be unable to mount a counterattack anyway.”
From both above and below Dedorant, nearly 100,000 troops were rising and falling in unison.
If they can endure, then let them try. But it will only end with them being drowned and suffocated under the tide.
“First Legion Commander.”
“Yes, Chief of Staff!”
“What is the state of the spearheads in our central region?”
“Whatever it is, no matter what enemy stands in the way, we will pierce through anything.”
“Good answer. Immediately attack the regions near the Royal Capital of Dedorant. However, ensure that the damage to the People of Dedorant is kept to a minimum.”
The troops that galloped from the western border of the Empire to this point totaled a staggering 300,000.
In total, 500,000 troops are now rushing to cut off Dedorant’s lifeline.
“The enemy is urging us to die alongside them. They are saying that if one of them dies, one of us must die too. Although the rules of war may dictate that, I have no intention of playing along with that.”
“There will no longer be glorious fights for the battlefield. From now on, it will be a fight to send back as many soldiers home as possible. For that, I will not shy away from any means or methods; I hope each commander understands this.”
Unlike in my past life, this place holds a more optimistic atmosphere about the war.
Especially the higher-ups expect to rise even further through this war.
However, I rebutted all that and emphasized discussing the future instead of achievements.
“I have understood the Chief of Staff’s words. We too will strive for this war to conclude solely with the Empire’s victory, rather than being greedy for achievements. We will do our utmost to ensure all our soldiers are present in that grand occasion.”
Representing the Legion Commanders, the First Legion Commander pounded his chest and replied.
“Nobogord feels the same way, Chief of Staff. We have already racked up countless achievements. They say greed brings disaster. Although the Demon Tribe can be aggressive, they are not ignorant.”
“The Eastern Alliance will also follow the Chief of Staff’s intentions. Frankly, we’ve come from the other side of our homeland, so getting back home is our ultimate goal. Hahaha.”
Charlua and Commander Bethel were also responding positively to the upcoming strategic revisions.
That’s a relief. I had been deeply contemplating how to counter any possible backlash.
“Um, by the way, Chief of Staff.”
The commander of the 6th Legion from the south, who had been silent until now, cautiously raised his hand.
He was the one who had smashed Benito’s forces together with me back in the day.
“The feelings of the Dedorant People and the conscripts can be grasped, but the Dedorant command and its elite underlings still show a strong will to resist. Since they are protecting the Royal Capital, the battle will not be easy. Shouldn’t we consider a strategy for that?”
That is a reasonable opinion. Others are also nodding in agreement.
If that hadn’t been the case, we probably would have had to debate that matter again.
“There’s no need to think about the battle for the Royal Capital. Just clean up the surrounding areas and accept only those who wish to defect to the Empire firmly.”
“Chief of Staff?”
“Are you saying not to think about the battle for the Royal Capital? Wasn’t the most important part how to seize the Royal Capital of Dedorant?”
At first, that was the case. Yes, it was in the beginning. But now everything has changed.
Is there really a need for us to occupy the Royal Capital? What’s the point of taking that cursed place?
I initially planned to erase the very existence of Dedorant; leaving it behind serves no purpose.
And now that the royal family’s line has been severed, what value does the Royal Capital even hold?
“In our Imperial Army strategy, the Royal Capital of Dedorant is now worth less than a small defensive outpost. Even if we incur great sacrifices to take it, there’s no place for it to be utilized. Why should we carry out such an act?”
“Then should we just lay siege to the Royal Capital and proceed to take down other places first?”
Laying siege and then bringing down other areas. That isn’t a bad plan either.
But our Empire would become incredibly heated over it.
Hearing that we ‘assassinated’ the King of Dedorant, it’s understandable.
Assassinate? In a war we’ve already won, why in the world would we do such a thing?
“Everyone can look forward to it. Soon, you will witness a grand fireworks display.”
It might just become the Empire’s highest-level extravagance.
*
[ The Royal Capital of Dedorant is impregnable! The spirits of the Deo Ethnicity guard this place! ]
[ Every time the Empire steps a foot here, a hundred must perish! ]
[ Do not forget the glory of the Deo Ethnicity! Victory lies within those who struggle! ]
The supplies that were gathered from nearly every corner of Dedorant and DeGale are steadily being stacked up in the Royal Capital, gradually forming a vast fortress.
To prevent traitors from misbehaving, it was filled with those with high loyalty.
With the elite troops all in place, the Empire will surely feel the difference in this battle.
“The defensive outposts and castles are crumbling one by one. We will reach the Royal Capital soon.”
“When the enemy’s massive siege weapons arrive, let’s target those first! If it comes to that, we’ll send in our special forces to burn them all down!”
“Let’s also create an assassination team. Since they assassinated the King, we should target and assassinate the Imperial command!”
The final blaze of madness showed no sign of extinguishing.
It would continue to burn until someone forcibly doused it. It would set everything around aflame.
The Dedorant command shares the same sentiment. Come, try and extinguish this flame.
Even if they could, they would end up burned to ashes.
However, the one thing they don’t know is that we have no intention of extinguishing this fire.